Tuesday, 1 May 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi.
There is a very vocal part of me that is also very susceptible to catching the travel bug. And whenever I can’t actually go I can at least comfort myself with imaginary travel. This weekend I packed my bags and off to not-quite-India I went.
This is the second book set in this universe, but reading The Star-Touched Queen is not entirely necessary to understand this one. It makes you appreciate certain scenes and references more and would be spoiling to an extent to read the other way around, but apart from that, they are independent.
The two protagonists are more or less polar opposites in their character and outlook, but they, in essence, share the deep desire to be acknowledged and remembered. I loved how Gauri is the fighter with smarts while Vikram in the clever thinker with faith. They are, of course, perfect partners to compete in the most fantastical tournament which offers the most unreal prize as it is limited only by the winners’ imaginations: a wish. This has its own double-edged blade quality, as you might imagine, especially if the judge of the tournament is a god who makes up the rules as he sees fit.
A rich and deep narrative with just the right amount of mystery and humour that will have you wishing for sumptuous meals and luxurious clothing while at the same time challenge you to outfox the smaller and bigger riddles and quests. I could have stayed in this world a while longer to savour all its wonder and sights. But the story is well-rounded and told in exactly the manner it called for, even if I’m going to have a hard time to let these characters go.
Do you have a preferred travel destination, imaginary or otherwise? Share them and your teasers in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi.
 |
| A Crown of Wishes – St. Martin’s Griffin |
“I was disarmed by your beauty.”
“You were disarmed by a swift kick.”
“That too.”
— Chapter 4
Chivalry demanded that he should inquire after the Princess’s well-being. Then again, when the princess in question had tried to kill him and probably would try again the next chance she got, perhaps chivalry should be ignored.
— Chapter 6
There is a very vocal part of me that is also very susceptible to catching the travel bug. And whenever I can’t actually go I can at least comfort myself with imaginary travel. This weekend I packed my bags and off to not-quite-India I went.
This is the second book set in this universe, but reading The Star-Touched Queen is not entirely necessary to understand this one. It makes you appreciate certain scenes and references more and would be spoiling to an extent to read the other way around, but apart from that, they are independent.
The two protagonists are more or less polar opposites in their character and outlook, but they, in essence, share the deep desire to be acknowledged and remembered. I loved how Gauri is the fighter with smarts while Vikram in the clever thinker with faith. They are, of course, perfect partners to compete in the most fantastical tournament which offers the most unreal prize as it is limited only by the winners’ imaginations: a wish. This has its own double-edged blade quality, as you might imagine, especially if the judge of the tournament is a god who makes up the rules as he sees fit.
A rich and deep narrative with just the right amount of mystery and humour that will have you wishing for sumptuous meals and luxurious clothing while at the same time challenge you to outfox the smaller and bigger riddles and quests. I could have stayed in this world a while longer to savour all its wonder and sights. But the story is well-rounded and told in exactly the manner it called for, even if I’m going to have a hard time to let these characters go.
Do you have a preferred travel destination, imaginary or otherwise? Share them and your teasers in the comments.
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Son of the Dawn by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.
The saying concerning growing with its tasks might primarily refer to character (and possibly the liver) but I’d also say that the heart grows with its tasks. Not in actual size, mind you, as that might soon become rather problematic … you know what I mean. However, no matter how many additional Shadowhunters and Co. will find their way into my reader’s heart, the original TMI (and TID) cast will always, always have a special place there.
It was really neat to catch a glimpse of Mini Alec, Jace, and Izzy before all the horribleness actually catches up with them and already get a whiff of the people they’ll grow up to be. Clearly, a well-honed sense of irony/sarcasm like Jace’s has to be grown organically and the roots are clearly already visible in his ten-year-old self. As are the beginnings of Izzy’s fierceness and independence.
That leaves the matter of the “punched right in the feels” parts of the framework. I really shouldn’t have been surprised, especially not about the tearjerker right at the end. But there I was, silently sniffling in my tissue (because I have at least – finally, you might say – learnt to keep those with me when I read my favourite heart-wrecking authors).
I’m extremely happy that there will be shorts about the Shadow Market and its surroundings coining out every month now leading up to the publication of Queen of Air and Darkness. The previous cooperation stories have been a total delight to read and I think these will be up to the task in terms of entertainment value and tear-levels.
If you were to choose a glimpse into a favourite character’s undocumented past, who would it be and which defining scene would you like to read about? Share your ideas and teasers in the comments!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Son of the Dawn by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.
 |
| Son of the Dawn – Shadow Market Enterprises |
The boy’s glance up at his face was shocking, the flare of twin suns in what was still almost night. They were not the eyes of a soldier, but a warrior.
— Page 55
Isabelle loved her big brother, but sometimes she despaired about their future demon-hunting endeavors. He was so bad at remembering her cool military-style signals.
— Page 67
The saying concerning growing with its tasks might primarily refer to character (and possibly the liver) but I’d also say that the heart grows with its tasks. Not in actual size, mind you, as that might soon become rather problematic … you know what I mean. However, no matter how many additional Shadowhunters and Co. will find their way into my reader’s heart, the original TMI (and TID) cast will always, always have a special place there.
It was really neat to catch a glimpse of Mini Alec, Jace, and Izzy before all the horribleness actually catches up with them and already get a whiff of the people they’ll grow up to be. Clearly, a well-honed sense of irony/sarcasm like Jace’s has to be grown organically and the roots are clearly already visible in his ten-year-old self. As are the beginnings of Izzy’s fierceness and independence.
That leaves the matter of the “punched right in the feels” parts of the framework. I really shouldn’t have been surprised, especially not about the tearjerker right at the end. But there I was, silently sniffling in my tissue (because I have at least – finally, you might say – learnt to keep those with me when I read my favourite heart-wrecking authors).
I’m extremely happy that there will be shorts about the Shadow Market and its surroundings coining out every month now leading up to the publication of Queen of Air and Darkness. The previous cooperation stories have been a total delight to read and I think these will be up to the task in terms of entertainment value and tear-levels.
If you were to choose a glimpse into a favourite character’s undocumented past, who would it be and which defining scene would you like to read about? Share your ideas and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday, 17 April 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Firstlife by Gena Showalter.
When you’re turning 18 you are on the threshold of deciding things that will influence the rest of your life. That can feel pretty frightening. Now imagine that at this point when you hopefully still have more than three quarters of your life ahead of you the decision you have to make will also dictate where and how you’ll spend whatever comes after the end of your life, possibly for eternity. Sounds utterly terrifying? Welcome to the Everlife series.
Heaven and Hell are such old concepts in terms of afterlife scenarios that it is well time for a new idea … or maybe not such a new one but rather an updated version of an old one? Possibly Greek- and Egyptian-influenced but minus the multitude of deities and plus an army of solicitors clamouring for you to sign over your soul to their afterlife party.
I immediately appreciated the protagonist’s struggle to decide between the two options as both have their pros and cons. One of them sounds awesome in the short term but could turn very badly at any point for any reason and the other sounds safe but also a little boring if not uninspired … and also on the losing end of a perpetual war.
The other thing I appreciated how there were two guys trying to win over the girl and yet it is not a love triangle. Even if I don’t actually see the appeal of the love interest but I’d also think it’d be boring if all of us liked maracuya cheesecake ice cream (even if it’s so delicious).
The story is additionally (ha!) riddled with number facts and puzzles which are fun to work along and observe yet they don’t diminish the reading experience if maths isn’t your thing. I’m looking forward to continuing this series. Especially after that ending but I suppose it could have been even more cliffhanger-y.
There is a third option for not choosing a side at all, which is arguably the worst of all deals. Would you go safe and equal but also without rewards or negotiate for an amazing deal with benefits which is not safe and always in danger of being rewritten by the other party? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Firstlife by Gena Showalter.
 |
| Firstlife – Harlequin TEEN |
Fate is an excuse, a way to remove blame and therefore guilt for poor decision making. Free choice decides the outcome of your life, not fate.
— Chapter 2
But the thing I wonder most? Do I have a set fate, or can I change it? In other words … can I mess it up worse?
— Chapter 3
When you’re turning 18 you are on the threshold of deciding things that will influence the rest of your life. That can feel pretty frightening. Now imagine that at this point when you hopefully still have more than three quarters of your life ahead of you the decision you have to make will also dictate where and how you’ll spend whatever comes after the end of your life, possibly for eternity. Sounds utterly terrifying? Welcome to the Everlife series.
Heaven and Hell are such old concepts in terms of afterlife scenarios that it is well time for a new idea … or maybe not such a new one but rather an updated version of an old one? Possibly Greek- and Egyptian-influenced but minus the multitude of deities and plus an army of solicitors clamouring for you to sign over your soul to their afterlife party.
I immediately appreciated the protagonist’s struggle to decide between the two options as both have their pros and cons. One of them sounds awesome in the short term but could turn very badly at any point for any reason and the other sounds safe but also a little boring if not uninspired … and also on the losing end of a perpetual war.
The other thing I appreciated how there were two guys trying to win over the girl and yet it is not a love triangle. Even if I don’t actually see the appeal of the love interest but I’d also think it’d be boring if all of us liked maracuya cheesecake ice cream (even if it’s so delicious).
The story is additionally (ha!) riddled with number facts and puzzles which are fun to work along and observe yet they don’t diminish the reading experience if maths isn’t your thing. I’m looking forward to continuing this series. Especially after that ending but I suppose it could have been even more cliffhanger-y.
There is a third option for not choosing a side at all, which is arguably the worst of all deals. Would you go safe and equal but also without rewards or negotiate for an amazing deal with benefits which is not safe and always in danger of being rewritten by the other party? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday, 10 April 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Frostblood by Elly Blake.
The tagline – The Reign Of Ice Must End – held a very special appeal for me when I sat between all those snow Easter bunnies last week. And lo and behold, yesterday we actually had temperatures that one can call reminiscent of early summer. Which I promptly celebrated by sitting in a car for nearly nine hours but that’s neither here nor there.
This story takes the concept of having ice (or fire) in your veins a step further and has two classes of people, who can (masterfully or not so masterfully) command fire or ice. And as you can guess those two peoples do not get along too well. Or rather they want to each extinguish the other. So if you’re someone with fire magic it is rather a dangerous thing to live in the land of frost but that is exactly where our protagonist grew up. And rather quickly finds herself in prison about to die because of her fire. Until she is saved by an unlikely pair of ice wielders. Not that this makes things any easier but I’ll let you puzzle over that one yourself.
You probably know by now that I love some good banter and this book has so much of it. Ruby is everything you associate with someone who has fire in her heart, quite literally: passionate, consuming, unrelenting, yet also nurturing and caring. And I especially enjoyed her attempts to melt Sir McFrostypants. Great fun and I’m looking forward to reading more in the sequel after that twisty end.
After I complained about it being too cold for too long I immediately was almost boiled in my car last Sunday. Are you rather in the it’s-never-too-cold or the it’s-never-too-hot camp? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Frostblood by Elly Blake.
 |
| Frostblood – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |
“Guest?” I repeated drily. “Does the abbey welcome many guests with ankle chains?”
“Its standards have fallen abysmally.”
— Chapter 3
“Perhaps if I gain some weight, you won’t call me a stick anymore.”
“You may hope to one day be a branch.”
— Chapter 9
The tagline – The Reign Of Ice Must End – held a very special appeal for me when I sat between all those snow Easter bunnies last week. And lo and behold, yesterday we actually had temperatures that one can call reminiscent of early summer. Which I promptly celebrated by sitting in a car for nearly nine hours but that’s neither here nor there.
This story takes the concept of having ice (or fire) in your veins a step further and has two classes of people, who can (masterfully or not so masterfully) command fire or ice. And as you can guess those two peoples do not get along too well. Or rather they want to each extinguish the other. So if you’re someone with fire magic it is rather a dangerous thing to live in the land of frost but that is exactly where our protagonist grew up. And rather quickly finds herself in prison about to die because of her fire. Until she is saved by an unlikely pair of ice wielders. Not that this makes things any easier but I’ll let you puzzle over that one yourself.
You probably know by now that I love some good banter and this book has so much of it. Ruby is everything you associate with someone who has fire in her heart, quite literally: passionate, consuming, unrelenting, yet also nurturing and caring. And I especially enjoyed her attempts to melt Sir McFrostypants. Great fun and I’m looking forward to reading more in the sequel after that twisty end.
After I complained about it being too cold for too long I immediately was almost boiled in my car last Sunday. Are you rather in the it’s-never-too-cold or the it’s-never-too-hot camp? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday, 3 April 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee.
With the first book I was unintentionally spoilt about the identity of the victim but with this one, I took good care to avoid any such thing. And thus I found myself hoping that it wasn’t one of my favourites and just a little bit wishing that it might be one of the others. And that wish shifted while I was reading because I had to shift allegiances a little during this second book. I’m usually quite set in my affections but here I find that it’s mostly a degree of whom you find least loathsome … in a way at least. I understand all their motives and struggles to an extent but their ultimate way of handling things is maybe a little above my pay grade.
The only thing I really have difficulty understanding is one of the main “secrets” regarding Avery because I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. But maybe I was raised in a too liberal mindset. But now I suspect the group has enough tension among itself plus most likely another secret that will either bind them forever or be their downfall. I’m very intrigued to find out how this will play out or possibly fall to ruins in the next book.
Have you had a character in a book you wished would die only to suddenly find that there is maybe another one you loathe even more? Share your experiences and teasers in the comments!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee.
 |
| The Dazzling Heights – HarperCollins |
But the thing about the truth was that once you learned it, it became impossible to unlearn. No matter how many pills Leda popped, it was still there, lurking in the corners of her mind like an unwanted guest.
— Chapter 2
They were friends again, and therefore any enemy of Avery’s was now an enemy of hers. She was still Leda Cole, damn it, and no one hurt the people she cared about.
— Chapter 36
With the first book I was unintentionally spoilt about the identity of the victim but with this one, I took good care to avoid any such thing. And thus I found myself hoping that it wasn’t one of my favourites and just a little bit wishing that it might be one of the others. And that wish shifted while I was reading because I had to shift allegiances a little during this second book. I’m usually quite set in my affections but here I find that it’s mostly a degree of whom you find least loathsome … in a way at least. I understand all their motives and struggles to an extent but their ultimate way of handling things is maybe a little above my pay grade.
The only thing I really have difficulty understanding is one of the main “secrets” regarding Avery because I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. But maybe I was raised in a too liberal mindset. But now I suspect the group has enough tension among itself plus most likely another secret that will either bind them forever or be their downfall. I’m very intrigued to find out how this will play out or possibly fall to ruins in the next book.
Have you had a character in a book you wished would die only to suddenly find that there is maybe another one you loathe even more? Share your experiences and teasers in the comments!
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