Book Review: 180 Seconds by Jessica Park

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: New adult contemporary romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: Jessica Park
Publisher: Skyscape
Release Date: April 25th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Some people live their entire lives without changing their perspective. For Allison Dennis, all it takes is 180 seconds…

After a life spent bouncing from one foster home to the next, Allison is determined to keep others at arm’s length. Adopted at sixteen, she knows better than to believe in the permanence of anything. But as she begins her third year in college, she finds it increasingly difficult to disappear into the white noise pouring from her earbuds.

One unsuspecting afternoon, Allison is roped into a social experiment just off campus. Suddenly, she finds herself in front of a crowd, forced to interact with a complete stranger for 180 seconds. Neither she, nor Esben Baylor, the dreamy social media star seated opposite her, is prepared for the outcome.

When time is called, the intensity of the experience overwhelms Allison and Esben in a way that unnerves and electrifies them both. With a push from her oldest friend, Allison embarks on a journey to find out if what she and Esben shared is the real thing—and if she can finally trust in herself, in others, and in love.

OH MY HEART.

Reading this book constantly made me think, this book is going to destroy me, boy was I right. Staying up way too late to finish this was necessary because I NEEDED a happy ending.

I absolutely loved that this book was about a relationship and not as you see typically a book where the characters are moving towards a relationship. Esben and Allison get together pretty quickly into the book and the emotion and moments created behind this made it feel like so much more than insta-love. I felt the connection between them too during their 180 seconds.

Esben is a new book boyfriend. What a man y’all. I loved how passionate and caring he was. Yet alluring and handsome. Could joke and be serious and really kept his priorities in check. The way he treated Allison made me absolutely melt.

Now Simon. WHAT A DAD. If I thought about crying at any point, it was the moments where Allison really let Simon be her Dad. I can only imagine how hard adopting an older girl out of foster care would be and the way that Simon loved Allison made my heart burst. He is one of the BEST book Dads I have ever read.

Allison was an amazing MC. You really saw her character grow and grasp onto the concept of being brave. She slowly learned to let others in while taking her walls down. Even fully understanding that she does have people in her life that will love her always. Allison showed strength and raw humanity dealing with the trials before her.

The reason I took of 1/2 star was because towards the end I felt like a lot of the social media interactions really felt far-fetched and a bit unbelievable. They leaned towards being there purely to push the plot along because otherwise there wasn’t an option. I understood the dynamic, but thought it a bit ridiculous at times.

This is my second Park book, and based on the raving review I gave the last one (Flat-Out Love, pre-blog/Goodreads days) I can’t wait to read more of her titles!

Overall audience notes:

  • New adult contemporary romance
  • Language: some
  • Romance: kisses, make-outs, a spectrum (this phrasing was used in the novel) of moments from kisses to a sex scene, a few love scenes; all little to mild detailed with fade to black, nothing fully explicit
  • Trigger warnings: high levels of anxiety, Ch. 19 – a main character describes finding a sibling after being sexually assaulted/raped (somewhat detailed)

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Book Review: Vortex Visions (Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles #1) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 374 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: February 4th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A desperate princess, a magical traveler, and a watch that binds them together with the fate of a dying world.

Vi Solaris is the heir to an Empire she’s barely seen. Her parents sacrificed a life with her to quell a rebellion and secure peace with a political alliance. Now, three years past when her wardship should’ve ended, Vi will do anything to be reunited with her family.

The Empire is faltering beneath the burden of political infighting and a deadly plague. Yet, Vi can’t help but wonder if her inability to control her magic is the true reason her parents haven’t brought her home. Suspicion becomes reality when she unleashes powers she’s not supposed to have.

Powers that might well cost her the throne.

As Vi fights to get her magic under control, a mysterious stranger appears from across the world. He holds the keys to unlocking her full potential, but the knowledge has an unspeakable price — some truths, once seen, cannot be ignored.

All eyes are on her and Vi must make the hardest choice of her life: Play by the rules and claim her throne. Or, break them and save the world.

GOOD TO BE BACK.

There’s no secret here, I LOVE THE AIR AWAKENS SERIES. It’s one of my all time favorites now after reading it in 2019. I took a break from the world after binge reading the series. Now I’m back and ready for more.

I thought this was another good starter book for this new series. It’s set with Vhalla and Aldrik’s daughter, Vi and I know I’m going to love her just as much as I love Vhalla. I liked her spunk and bravery. The firm way she loves those around her and tries to protect them and the budding signs of a future empress. All good things here.

What I can’t stand for is SOMETHING THAT I WILL RIOT ABOUT IF TRUE. Though I fear it may end this way regardless, I will hold fast to my ideals. Kova once again does a magnificent job of keeping you on edge in her favorite fashion of killing/almost killing characters. I’m already trying to pick out who I think won’t make it to the end.

The romance is budding and sweet. I love the slow build of these books and that it doesn’t reach past or rush to solidify a relationship. There’s banter, friendship, quiet moments that I know will make me fall in love and ship them as hard as I ship Vhaldrik.

This new story line with new wickedness is interesting and I think will make for a great read. I like that I’ll get to know more about the other continent and that it seems to be pretty different from the previous series.

A bit of a note, you don’t HAVE to read Air Awakens first to read this series (the author has mentioned this), BUT I do think it’s a great place to start for Kova’s books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult fantasy romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: some banter/flirting
  • Violence: elemental magic, physical, swords

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Enjoyed But Rarely Talk About

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Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

Oh wow, it’s been awhile y’all! I went from one week not really having anything to add for Top Ten Tuesday, then another week completely forgetting to post. So here I am now! Trying to catch back up with this weeks theme.

I love all of these books, but oddly don’t talk about them much. Why? Because I don’t own any copies of them. It’s hard for me to remember off the top of my head sometimes when someone asks for a recommendation. Or I can’t hand it off to a friend to read from my own library. But if you’re interested in these, definitely add them to your TBR.

I don’t have reviews for everything (some of these were before I started my blog!), but I linked the ones I do have.

The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden

I have been forever shouting this series praises and desperately wish I owned my own copies! Such a fantastic mythical world with plenty of action, the perfect amount of romance and everything in between.

The Girl in the Tower || The Winter of the Witch

Falling Kingdoms Series by Morgan Rhodes

I read most of this series before I started my blog/bookstagram and couldn’t believe it took me so long to read them! I loved this magic system and world. The ships squeezed my heart and I had a hard time looking away from reading this series.

Crystal Storm || Immortal Reign

Next Year in Havana & When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

I have loooved both of these! Cleeton’s historical fiction books are engaging and romantic. I even got an ARC of her next one, The Last Train to Key West because I couldn’t wait for the release.

Next Year in Havana || When We Left Cuba

Air Awakens Series by Elise Kova

I KNOW I KNOW. I TALK ABOUT THIS SERIES, BUT NOT ENOUGH. NOT. ENOUGH. I wish I owned all of these y’all. I think they would show up in about all of my Instagram posts.

Air Awakens || Fire Falling || Earth’s End || Water’s Wrath || Crystal Crowned

New Orleans Rush by Kelly Siskind

Utterly smitten with this contemporary romance. It is fantastic and I highly recommend it. Cute, steamy, a good plot that adds some flair. And it’s set in New Orleans…with a magician!

Review

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I’m pretty sure this was one of my first contemporary romances ever. And it was a gem. Now I’m smitten with the genre.

Review

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

I adore all things Brandon Sanderson. I have read over 10 of his books and not one has disappointed. Warbreaker doesn’t get talked about enough. I hope one day for a sequel! (This doesn’t end on a cliffhanger though!)

Review

The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I think I hide from talking about these a lot because the format is so unique and I have had a hard time convincing people to read it. I’d definitely say give the audio a try! This books are dynamite and jaw-dropping.

Obsidio Review

The Legends of the First Empire Series by Michael J. Sullivan

These aren’t all of the books in the series (they’re two more), but I think this is such a hidden fantasy series! They vaguely remind me of Sanderon’s books. A huge world system with complicated magic and politics that are explained so well you can keep up. I can’t wait to see where the rest of this series goes.

Age of Myth || Age of Swords || Age of War || Age of Legend

The Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty

I need to up my game in promoting this series because it is crazy UNDERRATED. An Aladdin gender-bend with a beautiful world and so many things happening at once. I am on pins and needles waiting for the finale this summer.

The City of Brass || The Kingdom of Copper

What are some books you don’t talk often enough about? Do we have any of the same ones? Lets talk in the comments!

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Book Review: Blood Heir (Blood Heir Trilogy #1) by Amélie Wen Zhao

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 464 pages
Author: Amélie Wen Zhao
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: November 19th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are unnatural—dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, has a terrifying secret. Her deadly Affinity to blood is her curse and the reason she has lived her life hidden behind palace walls.

When Ana’s father, the emperor, is murdered, her world is shattered. Framed as his killer, Ana must flee the palace to save her life. And to clear her name, she must find her father’s murderer on her own. But the Cyrilia beyond the palace walls is far different from the one she thought she knew. Corruption rules the land, and a greater conspiracy is at work—one that threatens the very balance of her world. And there is only one person corrupt enough to help Ana get to its core: Ramson Quicktongue.

A cunning crime lord of the Cyrilian underworld, Ramson has sinister plans—though he might have met his match in Ana. Because in this story, the princess might be the most dangerous player of all. 

MORAL GRAYNESS ABOUNDS.

And y’all. That sometimes makes for a really good book.

Don’t you love characters that have a hard time making a good decision, but you know do care deep down about the greater good? ME TOO. That’s how I felt reading about practically all of the characters in this book. Everyone had their own agenda, yet would reach out to help others, then turn around and stab them in the back, to really actually be helping them. AH. It was awesome to turn each page not knowing who’s side everyone was on.

I loved watching Ana learn to love her powers and herself. While she still has a long way to go, it was amazing watching her eyes continually open wider as her world was expanded and the deeds of her kingdom come to light. On the path to forging a better world, wrongs must be acknowledged before they can be righted.

The entire story line actually leans to a darker nature of book. I was impressed to find that the hype around this book was more or less on point. My girl Ana COULD NOT CATCH A BREAK. Goodness gracious. It was almost too much. I felt like she would get through one battle scene, turn around and there would be someone else getting stabbed who needed her help (or that someone was trying to stab her). I would have loved to have some more quiet, building moments than allllllll the action that was given. Did make more a lively tale at least.

I am so into the very little burgeoning romance happening with Ramson. He lives in a realm of grayness and it makes me love him more. I liked getting some POV chapters from him and learning the sins of his past. It makes both Ana and Ramson characters you shouldn’t necessarily like, but appreciate the ways they are trying to be better. Ramson is witty and always ready with a comeback and the banter with Ana just made me happy.

Will I read the next book? Definitely. This is a series I can’t wait to continue reading!

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: banter/flirting
  • Violence: magical, physical, arrows, swords, knives, poison; somewhat bloody/gory
  • Trigger warnings: Ch. 4 – a remembrance of an attempted suicide by drowning (by the main character); racism, human trafficking and slavery

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