Interview With Author Annie Sullivan!

Hi! Hello! Today we have an awesome interview with Annie Sullivan, the amazing mind behind A Touch of Gold and her newest novel, Tiger Queen. I met Annie briefly at BookExpo in 2018 and she is the sweetest most bubbly person I ever met. I had the opportunity to read Tiger Queen and posted my review yesterday (It can be found here!) and I really enjoyed it!

Tiger Queen is a quick enjoyable read that is perfect for fantasy lovers. This is also a standalone (!!!) which means there was no cliffhanger! I think Annie did an amazing job at wrapping up Kateri’s journey and tying up the loose ends of the last several chapters. Annie Sullivan will be an author I look out for in the future of YA Fantasy and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next! -Amber's Review

Interview Time! 

The Book Bratz: In the length of a tweet (280 characters!) can you give us an overall summary of TIGER QUEEN?

Annie: TIGER QUEEN is about a warrior princess who fights suitors in an arena to win her right to rule, but when her last opponent is announced as the one man she's never been able to beat in a fight, she has to scramble to keep her throne.

 The Book Bratz: Quick! You are stuck in the desert and you are running out of water, what are you going to do?

Annie: I’m probably going to go full survival mode and try to find a poisonous cactus to drink from or a juicy bug to eat. I’d do what I have to in order to survive!

The Book Bratz: Did you draw any real life inspiration in TIGER QUEEN and its characters?

Annie: I actually did draw from the real world when writing Tiger Queen. This may sound odd, but the desert landscape was actually inspired by the time I spent in Antarctica. Antarctica is actually one of the world’s largest deserts because it is so dry, and I wrote a lot of Tiger Queen while I was there. So I took the blowing snow and freezing cold and just reversed it to be blowing sand and unbearable heat.  As for the characters, they aren’t really inspired by real people I know, but I do think that all of my characters have some small piece of me inside them—either a good quality or a bad one that I see in myself. That helps me connect with them all on a deeper level. 

The Book Bratz: What was your inspiration behind choosing names for your characters? (Amber: I’ve always been curious how authors choose names for their characters!)

Annie: The name Kateri was actually inspired by the Catholic Saint named Kateri. She’s the patron saint of people in exile and of the enviornment, both of which play a role in Tiger Queen. I just love Kateri’s history and how she really had to examine what she believed in, which is very similar to what happens in my story. For the other characters, I keep a list of names that I come up with, and I go through it sounding out names and seeing how they feel for each character. When I finally find one that fits, it just sounds right. And it may sound odd, but I have a hard time writing about a character unless I know their name. So I can’t keep writing until I know that about a character at the very least.

The Book Bratz: Was the experience between writing A TOUCH OF GOLD and TIGER QUEEN different or the same? Was it easier with TIGER QUEEN being your second novel?

Annie: Whereas it took me about 2 years to write A Touch of Gold while I was getting a master’s degree in creative writing, Tiger Queen only took me about 3 months. It was a little easier because I knew I could write a novel because I’d already written one. However, in some ways, each novel is its own beast with its own challenges. You always have to figure out who this new character is and how the world they live in works. But overall, Tiger Queen was easier because it didn’t have a complex magic system like A Touch of Gold—because magic is one of the most complex things to write. You have to clearly define who has magic, how they got it, how it can be used, it’s limitations, etc. And if anyone can find a flaw in your magic system, then the whole book falls apart.

The Book Bratz: If you had to create Twitter or Instagram handles for your characters, what would they be?

Annie: I love this question! I think for Princess Kateri, she would probably pick @QueenKateri since she wants to be queen so badly. For Cion, he’s probably go with something like @LegendaryCion because of how skilled he is with a blade and how so many rumors circulate about him and his skill. Dimic, who is sort of the comic relief would probably go with @YouCantCatchMe because he delights in making getaways. For Rodric, I think he’d pick something like @DesertKing because he wants the desert to pick him as its ruler and will do anything to make it happen. And just for fun, the tigers would go with @WhosComingForDinner because they love to eat people in the arena!

ABOUT TIGER QUEEN! 

Title: Tiger Queen

Author: Annie Sullivan

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Blink 

Publication Date: September 10th 2019

Summary: From Annie Sullivan, author of A Touch of Gold, comes Tiger Queen, a sweeping YA fantasy adventure that tells the story of a fierce desert princess battling to save her kingdom. Fans of Rebel of the Sands and Meagan Spooner will devour this retelling of Frank Stockton’s famous short story, “The Lady, or the Tiger?” In the mythical desert kingdom of Achra, an ancient law forces sixteen-year-old Princess Kateri to fight in the arena to prove her right to rule. For Kateri, winning also means fulfilling a promise to her late mother that she would protect her people, who are struggling through windstorms and drought. The situation is worsened by the gang of Desert Boys that frequently raids the city wells, forcing the king to ration what little water is left. The punishment for stealing water is a choice between two doors: behind one lies freedom, and behind the other is a tiger. But when Kateri’s final opponent is announced, she knows she cannot win. In desperation, she turns to the desert and the one person she never thought she’d side with. What Kateri discovers twists her world—and her heart—upside down. Her future is now behind two doors—only she’s not sure which holds the key to keeping her kingdom and which releases the tiger.

PRE-ORDER TIGER QUEEN! 

Amazon / Book Depository / B&N / IndieBound 

Thank you so much Annie for stopping by today and answering our questions! We loved Tiger Queen and can't wait for it to be out in the world (10 more days!!!) Today I also learned that Antarctica is also a desert, I think I should have paid more attention in my geography class. Make sure to pre-order and add Tiger Queen to your TBR!

 

ARC Review: Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan

Title: Tiger Queen 
Author: Annie Sullivan 
Genre: Fantasy 
Source: ARC provided via Blink 
Publisher: Blink
Publication Date: September 10th 2019

Summary: 

From Annie Sullivan, author of A Touch of Gold, comes Tiger Queen, a sweeping YA fantasy adventure that tells the story of a fierce desert princess battling to save her kingdom. Fans of Rebel of the Sands and Meagan Spooner will devour this retelling of Frank Stockton’s famous short story, “The Lady, or the Tiger?” In the mythical desert kingdom of Achra, an ancient law forces sixteen-year-old Princess Kateri to fight in the arena to prove her right to rule. For Kateri, winning also means fulfilling a promise to her late mother that she would protect her people, who are struggling through windstorms and drought. The situation is worsened by the gang of Desert Boys that frequently raids the city wells, forcing the king to ration what little water is left. The punishment for stealing water is a choice between two doors: behind one lies freedom, and behind the other is a tiger. But when Kateri’s final opponent is announced, she knows she cannot win. In desperation, she turns to the desert and the one person she never thought she’d side with. What Kateri discovers twists her world—and her heart—upside down. Her future is now behind two doors—only she’s not sure which holds the key to keeping her kingdom and which releases the tiger.

I must admit, I never heard of “The Lady, or the Tiger?” before reading Tiger Queen, which is based off the short story. After doing some research and learning more about "The Lady, or the Tiger?" I was really excited to see where  Annie Sullivan was going to take Tiger Queen. A fierce desert princess who is hell bent on saving her kingdom? Sign me up!

By ancient law in the kingdom of Achra, Kateri must battle competitors to the throne in the arena each month up until her birthday. If Kateri looses, the throne becomes her competitor's and she in return becomes their wife. Luckily for Kateri she has beaten every one of them. When the competitor for her last battle is revealed and Kateri knows she doesn’t stand a chance at winning, but she knows that if this person was to rule, he would destroy the kingdom she swore to her mother she would protect. Achra has been plagued by drought and awful sandstorms making the kingdom dry and arid. The water is rationed and the people are the furthest thing from content but Kateri has hope that if she can win the throne she could restore Achra to what it once was. Kateri, desperate to win does something she never thought to do, she seeks out the Desert Boys a gang that steals water from the wells around the kingdom, to help her defeat her rival. But soon Kateri learns secrets that break her world in half, leaving her behind two doors. One with a tiger and one with a future.

I really did enjoy Kateri’s character and the trials she faced through out the novel. She starts Tiger Queen as the naive princess who “fights” for her people. But really she is only fighting to keep the promise she made to her mother before she died. As a reader you watch Kateri grown through out Tiger Queen. Her eyes are opened and through out the pages you see as her world is flipped upside down and she longs to do what will make things right. In the last pages of Tiger Queen you can’t help but cheer for Kateri and for the battle she is fighting.

I really enjoyed Annie’s writing style and how she described the kingdom of Achra. The poor and dreadful conditions came to life in front of my eyes. In flash backs you could see the kingdom for what it was and for what it could be if Kateri manages to take the throne.

The only problem I had with Tiger Queen was that I felt like some of that characters could be used a bit more time being fleshed out. I wanted to know more about them, what drove them and the circumstances but I feel like it was only brushed over, giving you a taste but not leaving you satisfied. I think if I didn’t find Cion, the leader of the Desert Boys to be underdeveloped I would have falling in love with the romance aspect of Tiger Queen more. I still enjoyed the romance aspect and routed for Kateri and Cion but, I didn’t love it. Where I felt like they lacked, Kateri didn’t. She was developed and relatable. You were able to feel her internal struggles and see that events that made her who she is and will be.

Overall Tiger Queen was a quick enjoyable read that is perfect for fantasy lovers. This is also a standalone which means there was no cliffhanger! I think Annie did an amazing job at wrapping up Kateri’s journey and tying up the loose ends of the last several chapters. Annie Sullivan will be an author I look out for in the future of YA Fantasy and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Review: Our Super Adventure: Video Games and Pizza Parties by Sarah Graley & Stef Purenins

Title: Our Super Adventure: Video Games and Pizza Parties
Authors: Sarah Graley & Stef Purenins
Publisher: Oni Press

Rating: 3/5 Stars
Hardcover, 240 Pages
Published July 2019

Summary: Just how much of the bed should your cats get to take up? If you lose at your video game, should you get a conciliatory hug? Does your partner think that you’re beautiful even though you feel like a goblin today? If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place! Sarah Graley's second collection of hit diary webcomic Our Super Adventure shares three more years of cute and weird moments of Sarah’s life with her partner Stef and their four cats: Pesto, Toby, Pixel and Wilson! So whether you’re a heat vampire, the person who doesn’t want to share that last donut, or even someone who’s late to a party because a cat was sleeping on them, you’ll find that Video Games and Pizza Parties is packed full of strange yet wonderful moments that anyone can relate to!

I received a copy of this graphic novel from Margot Wood and the lovely team at Oni Press after BookExpo this year, where I spent some time talking to Margot about how I wanted to get more into graphic novels, but I wasn't quite sure where to start as a contemporary fan. Our Super Adventure was one of the books I got, and I wasn't sure what to expect, but I actually really liked it! So without further ado, let's get into my review.

I really liked the cute, short illustrations in this book. Time passed pretty quickly while I was reading, and I managed to finish all 200+ pages in less than an hour. The book itself is a pretty small square, and each comic is only 4 little panels on a single page, so it makes for easy reading. It was also really interesting to read this book, knowing it was based on actual conversations and things that happened between Sarah and Stef, as real people, and as the authors. I thought that all of the cats were so adorable, and so were Stef and Sarah as a couple. I also read the first Kim Reaper book by Sarah, so I knew I recognized the illustations in this book as well!

Another thing I enjoyed about this book was that it didn't have a narrative format, it was more of a collection of the comics about them that Sarah has done over the years, so it could be picked up and put down whenever. I read it in a single sitting because I was having a graphic-novel reading marathon, but if you didn't have the time to get through everything in one shot, this is the kind of book that you can put down and pick up again after any period of time, because there's no singular cohesive narrative that you have to fall back into. You don't even need to read the book in order if you don't want to!

Overall, I enjoyed reading Our Super Adventure. Seeing the daily interactions between Sarah and Stef and their adorable little family, and all of their jokes and sweet little moments, was really heartwarming and reminded me just how comfortable true love can be. If you're looking for a quick read or a good book to put on your coffee table to flip through whenever you need a pick-me-up, I'd definitely recommend this one!

 

Review: The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

Title: The Proposal
Author: Jasmine Guillory
Publisher: Berkley Books

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Paperback, 325 Pages
Published October 2018

Summary: When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn't the hard part--they've only been dating for five months, and he can't even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans...At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik's rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He's even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik's social media blows up--in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can't be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes...

I first got a copy of Jasmine's debut book, The Wedding Date, at BookExpo a few years ago, so when I found out that she was doing a signing at this year's BookExpo and that there would be copies of The Proposal, I knew I had to jump right on that. Needless to say, I dove into this book recently and couldn't put it down because I loved it that much! Without further ado, let's get into my review:

As the summary explains, Nik finds herself being proposed to on the JumboTron at a baseball game, which should be every girl's dream, but there are a few reasons that it's not -- for starters, she hates anything done in public. Second, Fisher spells her name wrong on the screen. Lastly, up until that moment Fisher hadn't even told her he loved her yet, and then suddenly he wanted to get married?! Talk about a disaster, which is why Carlos, a kind and concerned stranger, jumps in to save her after she finds herself on the receiving end of some hate and stares for being the girl that turned down Fisher's proposal.

You guys, I absolutely loved this book. Just like with The Wedding Party, I found myself clinging to this book, unable to let it go from start to finish. It's almost 400 pages, and I managed to read it in just three days because I couldn't put it down. I even managed to sneak in some reading time during my breaks between shifts at work, that's how much I loved this book and didn't want to put it down. As someone who is a huge sucker for rom coms, this one definitely pulled me in from the very beginning and kept me clinging on until the end. Since I've been working on writing my own rom com recently as well, it was great to fall into this story and get a feel for a new romance that gave me a lot of inspiration (and motivation!) to continue my own story. This entire book just made me feel good, warm, tingly, and also super swoony from start to finish. I seriously can't sing its praises enough.

My favorite character in this book was definitely Carlos. Not only was he super smart and attractive as a family man and as a doctor, but he was also really funny, sarcastic, and sweet. Even though him and Nik had their differences, it's clear that they managed to compliment each other in a way, and their arrangement as friends with benefits (some really fantastic benefits, let me tell you!) was both as hilarious as it was a train wreck -- because come on, we all know how that was going to turn out.

Something else that I really loved about this story was the fact that you didn't have to read The Wedding Date to understand or enjoy The Proposal at all. Instead of being the "second" book in a series, it acts more as a standalone that just features some characters and allusions from the previous book -- I think the same thing happens with The Wedding Party, the third book in the series that was released just last month!

Overall, I absolutely loved The Proposal, just as much as I loved The Wedding Date. If you're looking for a rom com to sit and devour in just a few short days, I'd recommend looking no further than Jasmine's books, because this is the second one of hers that I read and ended up cancelling plans for, because I just wanted to keep reading and seeing what would happen next. She's excellent at crafting hilarious, intriguing characters and romances that will leave you blushing. Now if you'll excuse me, it's time for me to go pick up my copy of The Wedding Party and get lost in the world of Drew, Alexa, Carlos, and Nik once again!

You can read my review of The Wedding Date HERE, and be on the lookout for my review of The Wedding Party, coming soon!

 

Review: Lucky Penny by Ananth Mirsh & Yuko Ota

Title: Lucky Penny
Authors: Ananth Mirsh & Yuko Ota
Publisher: Oni Press

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Paperback, 208 Pages
Published March 2016

Summary: If Penny Brighton didn't have bad luck, she'd have no luck at all. She lost her job. And her apartment. In the same day. But it's okay, her friend has a cozy storage unit she can crash in. And there's bound to be career opportunities at the neighborhood laundromat— just look how fast that 12-year-old who runs the place made it to management! Plus, there's this sweet guy at the community center, and maybe Penny can even have a conversation with him without being a total dork. Surely Penny is a capable of becoming an actual responsible adult, and if she can do that her luck’s bound to change! Right?

This was another graphic novel that I received from Margot Wood and the lovely team over at Oni Press when I told her that I was trying to get more into graphic novels, but I didn't know much about any contemporary stories that were available. Luckily, Margot sent me this one, and I really enjoyed it, so without further ado, let's get into my review!

For starters, I thought that Lucky Penny was really funny. Penny's antics had me laughing, especially the way she was living in a storage container and seemed to go about her life just rolling with all of the punches that life threw her way. She was sarcastic and witty, which are two of my favorite qualities in a main character, so she always kept me on my toes as a reader. And I definitely cringed a lot when I watched her bad lucky come into play time and time again -- poor girl couldn't catch a break!

This was also the first "novel" length graphic novel that I read, but it flew by surprisingly fast! I read over 200 pages in an hour and a half, and that's including the break I took to play The Sims, because, you know, duh. I've also never read a graphic novel that was in just black and white, so that was an interesting experience, too. I definitely prefer colored panels, but this wasn't bad at all!

The ending of this book felt a little bit rushed, however, and it didn't make much sense to me. I felt like the rest of the story was going along at a pretty good, even pace, and then at the end things didn't escalate, but they completely jumped, and I felt a little bit blindsided. So that was the only thing that I didn't really love about this book, but everything else was great!

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Lucky Penny. If you're looking for a quick, hilarious read, then I'd definitely recommend that you pick this one up. I'd like to say another thank you to Margot and the incredible team over at Oni Press for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review -- I've been loving these contemporary graphic novel recommendations!

 

Debut '19 Interview: Sara Faring & The Tenth Girl

In 2019 our goal is to work with as many debut authors as possible and spread the word about their debut novels. Follow us this year as we pick the mind of the 2019 debuts and chat with them. Also stay tuned for news of giveaways, twitter chats and more! 

I had the opportunity to read THE TENTH GIRL and I LOVED it. I been pushing this book on everyone since I finished it. Emily and Jessica got to meet Sara at BookExpo (I was on another signing line 😓) But we are going to be attending Saraa's launch event in NYC next month! Today we are super excited to have Sara on the blog today to answer some of our questions! -Amber💖

"I am completely blind sided by the climax and the plot twist in The Tenth Girl. What. The. Hell. My mind was completely blown. With the pieces you are given in the novel, you come to your own conclusion on how you believe that this novel is going to end and then suddenly BAM! Everything is revealed and you are flipping through the pages to see what is going to happen next." - Amber's Review (You can check that out here!) 

About Sara!

Born in Los Angeles, Sara Faring is a multilingual Argentine-American fascinated by literary puzzles. After working in investment banking at J.P. Morgan, she worked at Penguin Random House. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in International Studies and from the Wharton School in Business. She currently resides in New York City.

Keep up with Sara: 

Website / Twitter / Instagram

Interview!

The Book Bratz: How does it feel that THE TENTH GIRL is debuting this year?

Sara: Thrilling and terrifying, all at once. Much like some of the books I enjoy most...

The Book Bratz: In the length of a tweet (280 characters!) can you give us an overall summary of THE TENTH GIRL?

Sara: *A short guide to my strange debut THE TENTH GIRL*…: icy Patagonia + haunted cliff mansion built by bad aristos + Argentine family legend + a young porteña who cons her way from the streets to an elite teaching role + villains who won't behave = everything goes horribly wrong :*

The Book Bratz: Where did your inspiration for THE TENTH GIRL come from?

Sara:Inside my very messy mind palace, there are dozens of rooms full of curiosities I sifted through before writing THE TENTH GIRL. One room in particular—the one full of fragments of family legends—was visited daily.
 

The Book Bratz: Is there anything from your personal life that you used as inspiration in THE TENTH GIRL?

Sara: he Argentine family stories I heard in adulthood inspired THE TENTH GIRL… But of course right now I'm remembering an especially dark one about haunted tomatoes from the turn of the century that I wasn’t able to include. 

The Book Bratz: If you had to create Twitter or Instagram handles for your characters, what would they be?

Sara: From this day forward, I am forcing my characters to use these nonsense handles in the inky abyss they live in: @yesiplease, @mavisaysgoodbye, @itspronouncedangel

The Book Bratz: Do you have any ideas you plan to visit after the THE TENTH GIRL world?

Sara:I’m exploring a mysterious volcanic island in my next book. It’s such a pleasure to watch it come to life, one basalt building at a time…

The Book Bratz: Can you share a secret about THE TENTH GIRL that not many people know yet?

Sara: Angel broke me and put me back together. Gosh, I adore Angel, even though Angel frustrates me to bits sometimes.

About THE TENTH GIRL:

Title: The Tenth Girl
Author: Sara Faring
Genre: Historical Fiction, Horror
Publisher: Imprint
Publication Date: September 24th 2019

Buy CRIER'S WAR: 

Amazon / B&N  / Book Depository

Summary:  Simmering in Patagonian myth, The Tenth Girl is a gothic psychological thriller with a haunting twist. At the very southern tip of South America looms an isolated finishing school. Legend has it that the land will curse those who settle there. But for Mavi—a bold Buenos Aires native fleeing the military regime that took her mother—it offers an escape to a new life as a young teacher to Argentina’s elite girls. Mavi tries to embrace the strangeness of the imposing house—despite warnings not to roam at night, threats from an enigmatic young man, and rumors of mysterious Others. But one of Mavi’s ten students is missing, and when students and teachers alike begin to behave as if possessed, the forces haunting this unholy cliff will no longer be ignored. One of these spirits holds a secret that could unravel Mavi's existence. In order to survive she must solve a cosmic mystery—and then fight for her life.

ARC Review: The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring

Title: The Tenth Girl
Author: Sara Faring
Genre: Historical Fiction, Horror
Source: ARC provided by Author
Publisher: Imprint
Publication Date: September 24th 2019

Summary: 

Simmering in Patagonian myth, The Tenth Girl is a gothic psychological thriller with a haunting twist. At the very southern tip of South America looms an isolated finishing school. Legend has it that the land will curse those who settle there. But for Mavi—a bold Buenos Aires native fleeing the military regime that took her mother—it offers an escape to a new life as a young teacher to Argentina’s elite girls. Mavi tries to embrace the strangeness of the imposing house—despite warnings not to roam at night, threats from an enigmatic young man, and rumors of mysterious Others. But one of Mavi’s ten students is missing, and when students and teachers alike begin to behave as if possessed, the forces haunting this unholy cliff will no longer be ignored. One of these spirits holds a secret that could unravel Mavi's existence. In order to survive she must solve a cosmic mystery—and then fight for her life.

*Thank you so much to Sara and Imprint for the opportunity to read THE TENTH GIRL!*

***I tried to keep this review as spoiler free as possible! But please read at your own risk!***

Hi. Hello. It's been three days and I am still trying to wrap my head around the last 150 pages of The Tenth Girl. I been working with Sara on an interview for The Tenth Girl and I was thrilled when she sent me a copy to read so I could ask more specific book related questions! Jessica and Emily had the opportunity to attend a Fierce Reads event at BookExpo where Sara was a keynote speaker and met her when she was signing ARCs of The Tenth Girl! (I was on another signing line, so Jessica got a copy signed for me and then told Sara how much I loved The Tenth Girl!) I was hoping to meet her another day of BookExpo but I had sadly cut my trip short do to an injury. 

The Tenth Girl is a dark and twisty horror novel set in Argentinian Finishing School in the 1970s, where Mavi becomes a teacher to ten young girls. Only, there is no tenth girl and no one seems to know about her or her whereabouts. Besides the darkness The Tenth Girl is rich in history and myth from Argentina and is written by an Argentine-American author. As Mavi's students and fellow teachers begin to show symptoms of possessions and the headmistress' son suddenly befriends her, Mavi knows she must get to the bottom of what ever is haunting the Vaccaro school. 

I really enjoyed Sara's writing style. It is different then what I am use too and was quite refreshing. It also made her characters more relatable. The Tenth Girl is told from dual point of view. We have Mavi and Angel in alternating chapters. In the first few chapters, I wasn't quite sure what was going on with Angel. Who is he? What is he? Why is he at Vaccaro School? Is he a ghost? These are questions that I know readers are going to long for. But ALL of them get answered in the most brilliant of ways. 

My biggest advice going into this novel: Keep your mind open and take in every single detail. Also, take a look at the aspects of the cover real closely. They don't stand out right away, but look at the fading edges of the cliff and the shading and you'll see them! 

I am completely blind sided by the climax and the plot twist in The Tenth Girl. What. The. Hell. My mind was completely blown. With the pieces you are given in the novel, you come to your own conclusion on how you believe that this novel is going to end and then suddenly BAM! Everything is revealed and you are flipping through the pages to see what is going to happen next. You also might look like me who according to my sister, "Looked like a fish out of water."

I really loved The Tenth Girl and I can't wait to read more by Sara in the future. She has a unique writing style that is going to suck you in at the first page and spit you stuttering and in shock at the last page! 

The Productivity Book Tag!

I saw that Chloe @ The Elven Warrior did the Productivity Book Tag a few weeks ago and I thought it was super cool. This questions really make me think and dig through some of the books that I have read in the past. This tag was originally created by Sam @ Fictionally Sam! 


Planning | A book that is completely thought out:

I am going to say The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon for this one. This book is a literal at almost 900 pages. Each thought, event, place and character were both intricate and described in a way that didn't leave you asking questions. I hope one day to go back and pay more attention the other details then just knowing what happens next. But I give Samantha the upmost credit for creating such a beautifully thought out world.

Focus | A book that kept your undivided attention:

Hands down I have to say Unpregnant by Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan. I read this book in three hours and laughed hysterically the whole time. I was lucky to receive and ARC of Unpregnant at BookExpo this year and I was super eager to read it. 

Delegating | A book that should have been a series:

I must admit I don't read many standalones because I almost ALWAYS want more. But I am going to say House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig. Erin did a good job wrapping up the the Thumas sister's story but I still want more. Hopefully one day! *Fingers Crossed* 

Small goals | Name a book below 150 pages that you loved:

This one is a hard one because I can you novella's but I feel like that is cheating. I am going to go with a graphic novel for this one. At BookExpo this year Jessica and I go a copy of Super Sexy Fun Times by Meredith McClaren. This graphic novel is geared towards and older audience is NSFW (Not safe for work.) But it was funny, enjoyable and explored the world of sex, consent and kinks using superheros.

Peak Hours | A series you could only read at a certain time:

 

I am not sure if we are talking about a certain time of day or a period of time. I'm a mood reader so reading always depends on my mood so it changes quite frequently. I remember that I only read The Darkest Minds series at night because I had work during the day. I'm not sure on an answer for this one. *Shrugs* 

Lists | A book that you finally crossed off your TBR:

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. I actually DNFed this book *Sobs* but it has been on my TBR for forever so that was on I was able to finally cross off. Also The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, I caved because the hype but it had been on my TBR for quite a time.




Proactive | A book that is/was ahead of its time:

Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Dayton for sure. This sci-fi anthology explores what it is like the be human in a day and age where humans can modify themselves, which in real life we aren't too far off from.







Declutter | A series you wish you could unread:

The House of Night series by P.C. and Kristin Cast. The first book wasn't horrible but as the series went on it wasn't a fan and wish I didn't put myself through it. 12 books later and all I have to say is: I probably shouldn't have read this series when I was like 13. 







Multi-tasking | books that you read at the same time:

I actually read multiple books at the same time. I'll read one on my kindle and one physical. Currently I am reading Immunity by Erin Bowman and These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling.

 

I TAG:

Ben @ Ace of Bens | Stephanie @ Ohana Reads | Haley @ Fangirl Fury | Cait @ Cait's Books

Have you read any of these books? If so what did you think of them?!