REVIEW: A GATHERING OF SHADOWS by V. E. Schwab

Title: A Gathering of Shadows
Author: V. E. Schwab
Series: Shades of Magic #2
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Titan Books
Source: Kindle Edition
Pages: 508

Add to GoodReads // Buy on BookDepository

SYNOPSIS: It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift – back into Black London.

Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games – an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries – a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

REVIEW: BLUE MOON by Alyson Noel

Title: Blue Moon

Author: Alyson Noel
Series: The Immortals #2
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Source: Library Physical copy
Pages: 284

// Add to GoodReads //

BLURB: Alyson Noël's bestselling Immortals series has been hailed as "addictive," "beautiful," "haunting," and "mesmerizing." In Blue Moon, Ever has a chance to bring her family back from the dead - but only if she's willing to sacrifice the guy she loves more than life itself.

Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever's powers are increasing, Damen's begin to fade after he is stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life.

Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, where she uncovers not only the secrets of Damen's past - the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden - but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them - or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day....

Waiting on Wednesday: The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. Today we are waiting for The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood!

Sounds like it's time for some Contemporary YA + Romance! And again, we're not waiting for it anymore because it came out yesterday (lucky us)

Publication date: May 3rd, 2016

Publisher: Roaring Book Press

REVIEW: GOLDEN LILY by Richelle Mead

Title: Golden Lily
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #2
Genres: YA, Paranormal, Fantasy
Publisher: Penguin Group
Source: Paperback
Pages: 418

// Add to GoodReads //

SYNOPSIS:Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. Alchemists protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she's been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California - tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formorly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age-old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and her sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi - the fiercest vampires, the ones who don't die. But it's her fear of being just that - special, magical, powerful - that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Braydon, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else - someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney's loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists - or her heart?

MAY TBR of Laura

MAY TBR

My apologies for being super absent on the blog during most of March/April :( I was very busy with studies and now I have a tiny "break" (meaning no exams or projects but I still have classes). I am planning on reading these 5 books for May: The Rose and the Dagger, A Gathering of Shadows, The Winner's Curse, The Secret Place, and The Healer!

I actually gave myself a heads-up because I finished AGOS in April lol and you'll get the review soon. I'M ALSO SUPER EXCITED ABOUT TRATD! I just got the book in the mail so I'll be starting it soon! Oh and I've heard wonders about The Winner's trilogy :D

Also, I am on vacation (visiting Ireland!) from May 1st to May 7th so everything will be queued. Have a great month readers!

Are there any books you want us to review in particular? If you'd like to suggest a book to Hannah and/or me to read for June please use the Contact Us tab above.