Review: Book of Lies by Teri Terry

Title: Book of Lies

Author: Teri Terry

Published: 22 March 2016
Publisher: Orchard Imprint as part of Hachette Children's Books Australia
Source: Hachette Children's Books Australia via netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Reviewed: Sapphired Dragon
Rating: ****

My Review:

It's been a while since I first downloaded this ARC to review so I wasn't immediately able to recall what is was going to be about. I actually like doing this as i feel like I can then enjoy the story more fully with out any kind of misconceptions or ideas of how I expect the story to go. 

This worked out quite well for this book and Quinn's voice immediately drew me into the story and I wanted to know more of her background, why her mother and grandmother had told her there was a darkness inside her and why she  had been separated from her twin. 

I liked the pace at which this story unfolds. Ms Terry feeds us morsel by morsel the bits we need to know so we are neither ever overloaded with information nor left waiting to long and this kept me both engaged, on the edge of my seat and unable to put it down until the end.

I loved that we were kept guessing until the end.  Who is the 'good' twin? Who was is the 'evil' or 'dangerous' one? Who do we believe? Who is coming? And what do they have to do with the hunt? I liked also that though Piper and Quinn are twins, we really got to see two distinct different characters and the alternating of perspective each chapter between the twins gave us the chance to see both sides of the story and come to our own conclusions.

Overall, this story is a great mesh of magic, myth and suspense.  One that will keep you guessing until the end.

I enjoyed this story immensely and give it 4 stars

Sapphired Dragon xx

About The Book:

Book of Lies by Teri Terry

They are trapped, frozen. Waiting. Straining against the wood that holds them. The unwary catch a glimpse now and then - feel their desperate hunger, see a glint of red eyes - and scurry out of the shadows of the wood, back to the light.
She's coming; it will be soon.
They will run free on the moors again. The Hunt will return.
And the ground will run with blood.

An ancient curse placed on a family of witches foretells that twins will be born - one good, one evil; and one will destroy the other. But who can be trusted when no one is as they seem?

Purchase: Booktopia  | Book Depository | Hachette Children's Australia | Amazon

   

     

Waiting on Wednesday #20 : The Crown by Kiera Cass

Welcome to Waiting on Wednesday!  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly featured hosted by Breaking the Spine to spotlight the not yet released books that I wish were in my hot little hands right now.

This week I am waiting on The Crown by Kiera Cass. I bought the first book of this series, The Selection, when it first came out in 2012 and devoured it in one sitting.  I eagerly bought book 2, The Elite, when it came out and I again purchased both The One and subsequent book The Heir shortly after they came out. 

But for whatever reason I didn't get around to reading them till just after Christmas last year when I read them all in the space of a weekend and was running out to the book shop on New Years Eve desperate to buy a copy of Happily Ever After so I could read that immediately also. (Doesn't everyone make  emergency visits to the book shop on New Years Eve??)

Long story short, I need to know how this story and series is going to turn out. I need to know who Eadlyn is going to choose. I need this book now!

 The Crown (The Selection #5) by Kiera Cass

 Kiera Cass’s bestselling Selection series has enchanted readers from the very first page. Now the end of the journey is here, in a wonderfully romantic series finale that will sweep you off your feet.

Twenty years have passed since the events of The One, and America and Maxon’s daughter is the first princess to hold a Selection of her own. Princess Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you... and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected.

The Selection series has sold more than 3 million copies and captured the hearts of fans around the world. This swoon-worthy final installment is the happily ever after they’ve all been waiting for.

Publication Date: 23 May 2016

Pre-Order: Booktopia  | Book Depository | Angus & Robertson Bookworld | Amazon

What book are you 'waiting on' this week?

Teaser Tuesday #118: The Lyre Thief (Hythrun Chronicles: War of theGods #1) by Jennifer Fallon

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. 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!)

4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My current read is The Lyre Thief (Hythrun Chronicles: War of the Gods #1) by Jennifer Fallon  and my two lines are from location 883 of 8230

"The Covenant," she repeated. "It is the covenant which gives the gods the ability to walk among us. It is the covenant that brought the Harshini into being."

"So it's important then?"

"More than you could possibly imagine."

The Lyre Thief (Hythrun Chronicles: War of the Gods #1) by Jennifer Fallon 

Her Serene Highness, Rakaia, Princess of Fardohnya, is off to Hythria, where her eldest sister is now the High Princess, to find herself a husband, and escape the inevitable bloodbath in the harem when her brother takes the throne.

Rakaia is not interested in marrying anyone, least of all some brute of a Hythrun Warlord she's never met, but she has a plan to save herself from that, too. If she can just convince her baseborn sister, Charisee, to play along, she might actually get away with it.

But there is trouble brewing across the continent. High Prince of Hythria, Damin Wolfblade, must head north to save the peace negotiated a decade ago between the Harshini, Hythria, Fardohnya, Medalon and Karien. He must leave behind an even more dangerous conflict brewing between his wife and his powerful mother, Princess Marla.

...And in far off Medalon, someone has stolen the music.

Their quest for the tiny stolen lyre containing the essence of the God of Music will eventually touch all their lives, threaten everything they hold dear and prove to be far more personal than any of them can imagine.

Purchase: Booktopia  | Angus and Robertson Bookworld |  Amazon

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

Blog Tour Stop & Giveaway : Triumph of Chaos (Red magic #3) by Jen McConnell @chapterxchapter @Jen_McConnel @Month9Books

Welcome today's stop on the Triumph of Chaos (Red magic #3) by Jen McConnel Blog Tour  hosted by Chapter by Chapter   Today's stop is a review as well as a chance to enter the great giveaway that is being run throughout this tour.

Review:

I enjoyed this series. It was a slightly different take on the previous sorts of witches/Gods books I have read and it was a welcome change. In particular I liked the way witches and magic was meshed with the worship of the Gods and I liked the idea of the different paths both intriguing and interesting.

This book, book 3, kept me interested right through to the very end. Even though I didn't particularly like Darlena at times, the story itself still kept me invested at all times and in the end I was sad to leave the world and the characters behind.

I found Darlena frustrating for a good portion of this book. At times, for all her talk about wanting to bring balance to the chaos, she seemed to spend more time talking than doing and re-acting rather than acting so it was satisfying to see her grow from book one through the end of of book 3.

I liked the other characters around her such as her mother, Izzie and the twins would love to have seen more of their stories. I particular Izzie and the twins. Their stories which whilst they were crucial to the plot of this story felt like they were still developing and I would live perhaps in the future to read more of their stories

Its rare that I devour a series as quickly as I did this one finishing all three books in a matter of days. This is a tribute to the story telling skills of Ms McConnel, who has a penned a story that is both original and compelling and had me glued to the pages to see where the story, and Darlena, would go and how it would all turn out.

It did however leave me with the feeling of wanting more. Darlena's story might be over for now but the world and the characters Ms McConnel has created will remain with you and make you not want to leave.

I enjoyed this book and gave it 3 3/4 stars

Sapphired Dragon XX



Triumph of Chaos (Red Magic #3) by Jen McConnel

Triumph of Chaos (Red Magic #3)

by Jen McConnel
Publication Date:  March 8, 2016
Publisher:  Month9Books
  

After the disaster in Europe, Darlena’s starting to get desperate. She knows the only way to
defeat Hecate and the other crazy Red Gods is by banding together with other Witches, but is it any wonder she has a hard time trusting them?

With Izzy’s support, Darlena begins making fragile strides toward repairing the mess she made,
but she just can’t catch a break. As chaos runs rampant around her, Darlena begins to think that things would be better if she’d never become a Red Witch in the first place. But there’s no way to change the past…is there?

The final book in the Red Magic series brings Darlena face to face with impossible odds, and a
terrifying choice.
 

Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

ABOUT  JEN MCCONNEL

A Michigander by birth, Jen McConnel now makes her home in the beautiful state of North Carolina. She writes NA, including the recently released Adventures Abroad series (Bloomsbury Spark), the award winning YA novel Beautiful Curse (Swoon Romance), and various other works. When she isn’t writing, she can be found on her yoga mat or wandering off on another adventure. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time. Visit www.JenMcConnel.com to learn more!

Author Links:  

Website |Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Tumblr | Goodreads

The Red Magic Series

Daughter of Chaos (Red Magic #1):

Witches must choose the path they will follow, and Darlena Agara is no exception. She’s been putting it off long enough, and in her case, ignoring it has not made it go away. In a moment of frustration, Darlena chooses to follow Red Magic, figuring she had outsmarted the powers that be, since there’s no such thing as Red Magic. But alas, Darlena’s wrong (again) and she becomes a newly declared Red Witch.

Her friends are shocked and her parents horrified by the choice Darlena has made. As a Red Witch, she now governs one third of the world’s chaos. She is the walking personification of pandemonium, turmoil, and bedlam, just as the patrons of Red Magic would have it to be.

But Darlena believes there must be more to Red Magic than chaos and destruction, and she sets out on a journey to achieve balance. Only doing so puts her at odds with the dark goddess Hecate, who simply will not allow Darlena to quit. She encourages Darlena to embrace who and what she is and to leave good magic to the good witches. If only Darlena could, life would be simple, and she would not be the Daughter of Chaos.

DAUGHTER OF CHAOS is the first in a YA paranormal trilogy.

Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

Gods of Chaos (Red Magic #2):

The gods of chaos cannot be trusted.

Since battling her best friend, Darlena’s grip on Red Magic has been shaky. She heads to Scotland after the Winter Solstice in search of another Red Witch.

On a sightseeing excursion with girls from her hostel, Darlena arrives at The Vaults, a mysterious underground city beneath Edinburgh. But there is something there that make Darlena’s instincts go haywire, as she lets loose a defensive burst of Red Magic, putting everyone around her in danger.

If there was ever a time when Darlena needed the help of another Red witch, it was now. But beware the witch who wields Red Magic

Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

The Giveaway (ends March 18, 2016)

• Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Triumph of Chaos (Red Magic #3) by Jen McConnel (INT)

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M9B Special Reveal & Giveaway- BRANDED & HUNTED by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki Special Fan Edition Hardcovers Reveal And

Today Abi Ketner, Missy Kalicicki and Month9Books are revealing the covers for the special hardcover fan editions of BRANDED & HUNTED, book 2 in the Sinners Series releasing in April 19, 2016!

Check out the smoking hot covers and enter the giveaway to win special notebooks with the covers on them!

On to the reveal!

Title: BRANDED

Author: Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Publisher: Month9Books

Pub. Date: July 19, 2016

Find it: Amazon
|  Goodreads

Fifty years ago The Commander came into
power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly
sins were the downfall of society.

To punish the guilty, he created the
Hole, a place where sinners are branded according to their sins. Sinners are
forced to live a less than human existence in deplorable conditions, under the
watchful eye of guards who are ready to kill anyone who steps out of line.

Now, LUST wraps around my neck like
thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me. I’ve been accused
of a crime I didn’t commit, and the Hole is my new home.

Constant darkness.

Brutal and savage violence.

Excruciating pain.

Every day is a fight for survival.

But I won’t let them win. I will not die
in the Hole.

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

What readers
are saying about BRANDED…

"Branded was
a riveting and exciting dystopian read that will have you at the edge of your
seat. I could not put it down and was entranced by this dark and unique
world!" -Ben Alderson, Booktuber at BenjaminofTomes

"Fast paced
and fun, BRANDED has something everyone will love. Abi Ketner and Missy
Kalicicki have created a unique dystopian romance that's sure to stand out in
today's market!" -Lindsay Cummings, Author of The Murder Complex

"Branded is a
fast paced, heart pounding and swoon worthy read that will make you fall in
love with this dark and twisted world." -Sasha Alsberg, Booktuber at
ABookUtopia

Connect with
BRANDED fans on Instagram at:

#abiandmissy

#Sinnersfandom

#Sinnersseries

#Colexi

#Sinnersseriesbranded

#Brandedofficialfanpage

#Brandedfandom

#Lexihamilton

Title: HUNTED

Author: Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Publisher: Month9Books

Pub. Date: April 19, 2016

Find it: Amazon
| Goodreads

It’s been
three months since the revolt against the Commander’s fifty-year-old regime
failed. 

Under a new
ruler, things were supposed to change. Get better. 

Now, Wilson
is in charge. But, can he really be trusted? Can anyone?

Lexi and Cole
soon find out, as life takes an unexpected turn for the worse.

In this
ever-changing world, you must hunt or be hunted.

Many more
lives will be lost.

Many more
dreams will be crushed.

Many more
fears will be realized.

When Cole is
once again faced with losing Lexi at the hands of a monster, one capture will
change everything.

Forever. 

HUNTED is
the electrifying sequel to the bestselling debut BRANDED, A Sinners Series, by
Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki.

About Abi and Missy 

Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999
at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college,
they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time
for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner
once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now
become an incredible adventure.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Abi’s Goodreads | Missy’s Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a special edition BRANDED notebook from the Month9Books Café Press store and a BRANDED Bracelet, Us Only.

1 winner will receive a special edition HUNTED notebook from the Month9Books Café Press store and a HUNTED Bracelet, Us Only.

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Blog Tour Stop & Giveaway: Holding Court by K C Held @chapterxchapter @kcheld @entangledteen

Welcome today's stop on the Holding Court by K C Held Blog Tour  hosted by Chapter by Chapter   Today's stop is a review as well as a chance to enter the great giveaway that is being run throughout this tour.

Review:

This was a really fun and captivating read. From the moment I started it, the quirky fun tone grabbed me straight away and immediately I was interesting on see what would happen.

I really liked the main character Jules, she was spunky and smart and I enjoyed reading her view of the events. The mystery itself was also captivating and compelling. I was guessing all the way through and trying to decipher Jules' psychic Tourette's Syndrome to work out who had done what and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

I also like the way the romantic storyline weaved through they main mystery storyline. I did guess a little early on how it would pan out however that didn't detract at all from the enjoyment of reading the journey to get there.

I loved the community of characters that Ms held created, each of them were distinct, colourful, intriguing an interesting from Jules' eccentric grandma, to her more serious mother, the dramatic Cami, Hank Bacon (King Henry). I wanted to learn and read more about all these characters and read more stories in this with these characters.

This book appears to be a stand alone but I really would love to read more adventures with these characters and this community whether it be more adventures of Jules on the job as the maid of Kent, Hank Bacon and Jules' mother or Cami or Bree. I really enjoyed reading about all these characters and would love to visit them again.

A disappearing dead body, a psychic nun, a castle and a whole lot of fun. How could you not want to read this book.

I loved it and gave it 4 stars

Sapphired Dragon XX



Holding Court by K C Held

Title: Holding Court

Publication date: 1 March 2015

Author: K C Held
Genre: YA,Mystery

Sixteen-year-old Jules Verity knows exactly what's in store at her new job at castle-turned-dinner-theater Tudor Times. Some extra cash, wearing a fancy-pants dress, and plenty of time to secretly drool over the ever-so-tasty--and completely unavailable--Grayson Chandler. Except that it's not quite what she imagined.

For one, the costume Jules has to wear is awful. Then there's the dead body she finds that just kind of...well, disappears. Oh, and there's the small issue of Jules and her episodes of what her best friend calls "Psychic Tourette's Syndrome"--spontaneous and uncontrollable outbursts of seemingly absurd prophecies.

The only bright side? This whole dead body thing seems to have gotten Grayson's attention. Except that the more Jules investigates, the more she discovers that Grayson's interest might not be as courtly as she thought. In fact, it's starting to look suspicious...
 

Amazon | B&N | iBooks |Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Entangled Page 

 

ABOUT  K C Held

K.C. HELD was born and raised in California with stopovers in Honduras, Mexico, and France. Married to her high school sweetheart, and mom to two avid bookworms, she holds an MFA in costume design and is an accomplished seamstress with a background in opera, theater, film, and television. Although she once spent a summer working in a castle, there were no dead bodies involved.

Author Links:  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Goodreads

The Giveaway (ends March 18, 2016)

• ·         One (1) winner will receive Holding Court swag pack containing a magnetic prophecy kit, signed bookplate, coloring postcard with stacked coloring pencil, and a bookmark.

 

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