BOOK REVIEW: Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

 

Synopsis from Goodreads

Sam McKenna’s never turned down a dare. And she's not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.

So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She’s expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She's even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don’t think girls belong there. What she’s not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won't risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty... no matter how much she wants him.

As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don’t just want her gone—they will stop at nothing to drive her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active… and determined to force her out.

At any cost.

Now time's running short. Sam must decide who she can trust... and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.

 

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Published September 9th 2014 by Harper Teen

ISBN13: 9780062295194

Series: Standalone (although I hope not forever!!)

Source: Bought

 

Review (5 Star)

 

It has been a few weeks between reading this book and actually writing this review, originally this was because of my lack of time, and then as time passed I realized I didn’t really know how to express to you why I liked this book so much. As you can see I gave this book 5 stars, I loved it so much, but I don’t know how much of that is because the plot of this book is just one of those storyline which I am fascinated with, and how much is because it was a great book. But anyway, here are some of my thoughts on Rites of Passage:

So this book dives straight into Sam’s first day at the Military Academy, she has the weight of a family legacy to live up to, a dare from a dead brother she has to achieve, and an entire gender to represent. I think what strikes me the most about the Military Academy is how harsh it was, I (like Sam) was totally prepared for the physical element (although it is always fascinating to see how far people can be push and how much further they can push themselves physically), however I wasn’t prepared for the harshness of the prejudice against female being allowed into the Military Academy. I was listening the radio just the other day and the current ad for the UK armed forces focuses on “finding where you belong”, and in this book all (apart from one or two) do their upmost to prove to the girls and those higher up in command that Sam and the other girls do not belong.

I was at first a bit confused about the romance side of this book. It mentions in the burb about Sam’s “fiery attraction to her drill sergeant”, however for a good half (?) of the book I didn’t see much of this attraction, Sam is focused on surviving day to day life at the academy, dodging Matthew, finding and losing friendships, and uncovering conspiracies. We do finally get to the romance side of things and I have got to say I loved it, it was the whole teacher, pupil forbidden love which reminded me a bit of the Divergent romance.

 

I don't know what else I can say about this book other than I loved it, it's amazing, and please go read it, then join me in wishing for a sequel!

 

 

BOOK REVIEW: Garden of Thorns by Amber Mitchell

Synopsis From Goodreads

 

After seven grueling years of captivity in the Garden—a burlesque troupe of slave girls—sixteen-year-old Rose finds an opportunity to escape during a performance for the emperor. But the hostage she randomly chose from the crowd to aid her isn’t one of the emperor’s men—not anymore. He’s the former heir to the throne, who is now leading a rebellion against it.

Rayce is a wanted man and dangerously charismatic, the worst person for Rose to get involved with, no matter what his smile promises. But he assumes Rose’s attempt to take him hostage is part of a plot to crush the rebellion, so he takes her as his hostage. Now Rose must prove where her loyalties lie, and she offers Rayce a deal—if he helps her rescue the other girls, she’ll tell him all the Garden’s secrets.

Except the one secret she’s kept for seven years that she’ll take to her grave if she must.

 

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Published March 6th 2017 by Entangled Teen 

ISBN13: 9781633758483

Series: Standalone with series potential

Source: Bought

 

Review (4 Stars)

 

Found this book while scrolling through netgalley, initially I was drawn in by the striking cover which made me read the synopsis and me subsequently requesting it. I was unfortunately denied but I soon bought it from Amazon and I dived into the kindle edition of this fantasy.

 

I am going to say right off it you are looking some original or unique fantasy, then this book probably isn't for you. This book is packed with so many (amazing) fantasy tropes, from the 'lost princess' to the 'evil tyrant' from the 'rebel prince' to the 'friendly room mate/guard'. Although no love triangle so that is one trope missing from the conglomerate of tropes. I know that in the book community we love to talk about all the tropes we can't stand, but there is a reason that these tropes have become tropes, and that is because people enjoy them. I think this book came into my reading life at the right moment, work has been crazy and reading has been low on the list of priorities. So this book was perfect as a book which I could just sink into and loose myself into a world full of new characters, yet it felt familiar in many ways because of the familiar tropes. As such it didn't require much brain power to follow the story - always nice after a long day at work.

 

It did take me a short time to work about the terminology used in the 'garden', and later with the 'glow' of the rebellion it really confused me along with their weapons. However, it didn't matter as I think the main power of this book is a great set of characters which were so wonderfully crafted that as the reader, I felt as though I had a connection to. The core leaders of the rebellion were cautiously open and I felt as though I understood them in that they obviously had a heart for their abused country, yet the life they lead has taught them the necessity for precautions.

 

Overall, this book flowed perfectly for me. I would recommend this book to all those Throne of Glass lovers who need to get out of a reading slump.      

Waiting on Wednesday #24 - Her Mates

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

Expected publication: April 30th 2017

Series: Wolf Trials #1

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Pre- order from:  Amazon (UK)

Synopsis from Goodreads 

Dani has been hidden from the packs all her life for fear of being found and killed by the same person that murdered her mother but now it’s time to reclaim her title. 

As the future Alpha Queen, she must compete in the trials with her mates to prove she’s worthy to rule her people. She must choose the mate who will be right to lead alongside her but little does she know, her choice will change her whole world. 

Join Dani in this new Reverse Harem novel as she learns about a world she had been kept from. She meets multiple mates and is faced with the impossible choice of choosing one to lead with her as part of the Alpha Pair. 

How can she choose one, when she loves them all? 

This series will be Reverse Harem, meaning one girl with multiple partners. 

Why I am Waiting

The main thing which has me excited about this one is that it follows a girl who is already a werewolf and is set to be an alpha. So many werewolf books focus on humans who are tuned or the werewolf who falls in love with the all powerful alpha male. The fact that this book is a Reverse Harem is an added bonus as I have really enjoyed all the reverse harem book I have read previously so I look forward to see how White creates this into the story. 

April Releases I am Excited About

Firstly, I want to apologize for my lack of bookish activity recently. It has been a busy month in March and I am not expecting April to be any quieter, both my degree and my work demanded lot of my time so blogging has had to take a back seat. Also, I have had less reviews to share with you due to me reading quick easy reads to relax after a busy day - anyway you will see all of this in my March reflections post which I will endeavour to find time to write.  

 

For now I have been squinting through Amazon and Goodreads and have brought you today the book which have/will be release in April which have caught my eye:  

 

Pretty Fierce by Keiran Scott

 

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Expected publication: April 4th 2017 by Sourcebooks Fire

 

Synopsis from Goodreads

 

Kaia has been on the run her whole life. The daughter of professional assassins, she knows true danger—and she’ll do anything to survive. After her parents vanished during a job gone bad, Kaia’s spent the last year in hiding, trying to blend in as an ordinary teenager, and there’s no one who makes her feel more normal or more special than her boyfriend, Oliver.

But when she’s jumped by a hit man, and Oliver catches her fighting back, Kaia’s secret is exposed. In a split-second decision, she flees the small town, taking Oliver with her. With professional killers stalking their every move, can Oliver and Kaia protect each other long enough to uncover the mysteries of her past?

 

Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor #1) by Mark Lawrence

 

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Expected publication: April 4th 2017 by Ace

 

Synopsis from Goodreads

 

I was born for killing – the gods made me to ruin.

At the Convent of Sweet Mercy young girls are raised to be killers. In a few the old bloods show, gifting talents rarely seen since the tribes beached their ships on Abeth. Sweet Mercy hones its novices’ skills to deadly effect: it takes ten years to educate a Red Sister in the ways of blade and fist.

But even the mistresses of sword and shadow don’t truly understand what they have purchased when Nona Grey is brought to their halls as a bloodstained child of eight, falsely accused of murder: guilty of worse.

Stolen from the shadow of the noose, Nona is sought by powerful enemies, and for good reason. Despite the security and isolation of the convent her secret and violent past will find her out. Beneath a dying sun that shines upon a crumbling empire, Nona Grey must come to terms with her demons and learn to become a deadly assassin if she is to survive…

 

WarDance (Chronicles of the Warlands #5) by Elizabeth Vaughen  

 

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Expected publication: April 11th 2017

 

Synopsis from Goodreads

Spring returns to the Plains, and with it, the Time of the Challenges, when warrior fights warrior in a contest for rank and status. For Simus of the Hawk, now is the time to raise his challenge banner, to fight for the chance to finally become Warlord.

But his deadliest challenge does not come from other warriors, or even the sundered Council of Elders. For on the first night of the Challenges, a mysterious and deadly pillar of white light scorches the night sky—instantly changing everything for the People of the Plains.

Now a warrior-priestess, Snowfall, stands before Simus, who dares to speak of peace, of reconciliation. Her knives are sharp, her tattoos alluring, and her cool grey eyes can look through Simus and see…everything.

Now Simus and Snowfall must solve the mystery of the pillar of white light, and protect their people from all the destruction and chaos it brings. Snowfall fights for her place beside Simus, despite resistance from friend and foe.

The warrior-priests have abused their power for many years. Can Simus face the challenge of trusting Snowfall with his honor? And perhaps . . . with his heart?

 

Loving My Pack (My Pack #3) by Lane Whitt

 

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Expected publication: April 28th 2017

 

Synopsis from Goodreads

 

What would you do for the ones you love…for the ones you’ve sworn to protect…for family?

Friend.
Granddaughter.
Mate.
Princess and trophy of the Ivaskov pack...

Kitten has many titles, but she’s starting to suspect that they’ve all forgotten her most important one…she’s just Kitten, the person. Or maybe they never knew her in the first place. As news of the royal pregnancy spreads, everyone starts making plans for the future…and for her. Torn between being true to herself and being the Princess everyone expects her to be, Kitten makes plans of her own. But the question is…can she live with the consequences of her decisions?

 

Her Mates (Wolf Trials #1) by Tamara White

 

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Expected publication: April 30th 2017

 

Synopsis From Goodreads

 

Dani has been hidden from the packs all her life for fear of being found and killed by the same person that murdered her mother but now it’s time to reclaim her title.
As the future Alpha Queen, she must compete in the trials with her mates to prove she’s worthy to rule her people. She must choose the mate who will be right to lead alongside her but little does she know, her choice will change her whole world.

Join Dani in this new Reverse Harem novel as she learns about a world she had been kept from. She meets multiple mates and is faced with the impossible choice of choosing one to lead with her as part of the Alpha Pair.

How can she choose one, when she loves them all?

This series will be Reverse Harem, meaning one girl with multiple partners.

 

***

I would love to know what books you are excited for this month, as I am sure I have missed some great sounding book while I have been off the bookish scene.

 

Waiting on Wednesday #23 - WarDance

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

 

Release Date: 11th April 2017

 

Series: Chronicle of the Warlands #5

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Pre-order: Amazon (UK)

 

Synopsis from Goodreads

 

Spring returns to the Plains, and with it, the Time of the Challenges, when warrior fights warrior in a contest for rank and status. For Simus of the Hawk, now is the time to raise his challenge banner, to fight for the chance to finally become Warlord.

But his deadliest challenge does not come from other warriors, or even the sundered Council of Elders. For on the first night of the Challenges, a mysterious and deadly pillar of white light scorches the night sky—instantly changing everything for the People of the Plains.

Now a warrior-priestess, Snowfall, stands before Simus, who dares to speak of peace, of reconciliation. Her knives are sharp, her tattoos alluring, and her cool grey eyes can look through Simus and see…everything.

Now Simus and Snowfall must solve the mystery of the pillar of white light, and protect their people from all the destruction and chaos it brings. Snowfall fights for her place beside Simus, despite resistance from friend and foe.

The warrior-priests have abused their power for many years. Can Simus face the challenge of trusting Snowfall with his honor? And perhaps . . . with his heart?

 

Why I Am Waiting

 

I am not entirely sure that I am super excited for this book. I loved the original Warprize trilogy and I fell in love with Lara of Xy and her Warlord, Keir of the Cat and unfortunately this book follows a side character from the original trilogy. I will probably give this book a try but I am most excited about the fact that we are still getting more books in this series. Can't wait to see what Elizabeth Vaughan comes out with next.