I Am Simply A Book Drunkard

Monday, March 9, 2020

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood

Crescent City

(House of Earth and Blood)

By: Sarah J. Maas

Rating: 5 Wine Glasses

There are some moments where I’m at a loss for words after reading a book, and many of those moments have been after reading a Sarah J Maas book. I am a big fan of this lady, and I feel this way because of the books she has created. She has said, “You are enough”, “Love is enough”, “Being broken doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the world” in more ways than these phrases can mean when simply read on paper. She shares a story that gets down into the roots of all things painful and broken with characters you long to follow until the end. Crescent City is so beautiful, so aw inspiring, so supernatural filled; but it is ultimately human. It reminds you of what being human feels like, how to love, the power of love, and the importance of friendships that will span even through death.

I was sobbing throughout the last hundred pages, and finished this book expecting to go full blown fangirl, but there is an air of maturity that flows throughout this book that I’ve yet to see in her others. So, I finished this book, sobbing, happy/sad, but most importantly contemplating it’s message. The importance of everything I’d just learned through these characters. I sat in silence, grateful that someone has written these words, that they exist.

This book is well written, the plot is so intricate I had to go back to reread things just to make sure I knew exactly what was going on, the romance was beautiful, but secondary. The friendship that Bryce has with Danika is right up there as one of my favorite relationships to ever grace the book world. It’s to the very very end. We can all only hope to find someone like that one day, and I hope we all do. Bryce is a heroine you don’t fully appreciate until you know her; her faults, the struggles she’d gone through, what she’d given up for those she loves. The surface level of Bryce Quinlan is what she wants you to see, and SJM did a beautiful job of exploring this and digging deeper into what makes a person who they are.

There are so many plot twists you don’t expect- which is something I’ve always loved about Sarah J Maas. The thought might have crossed your mind, but so did the other 40 possibilities. She leaves so many doors open that you can’t pinpoint the answer down until it’s right in front of you and you are REELING. This world she has built is so fantastical and imaginative that I wished to walk the streets of Crescent City with my own feet. The multiple point of view narrative creates this 3-dimensional world that introduces us to more information from many different characters. Sarah has perfected this kind of writing, weaving each character more tightly together with each chapter, and ultimately creates a climax that is far more powerful than a single narrative would have been.

The romance is swoony, raw, and honestly the best kind, (you know): enemies to lovers. Hunt is all kinds of broken and beautiful, but so is Bryce. Together they pick each other off the floor, wipe away the tears, and love each other through the faults. I think you always know who the romantic interest will be (for the current book at least) with Sarah J Maas, but the execution of how this love blossoms is captivating. Watching the enemies, to friends, to lovers relationship take place within Crescent City was refreshing. We’ve seen this trope a million times, but never with these characters, and they gave it a shiny new light that made it enjoyable to read.

No one is truly whole in this book, everyone had problems, and it’s because of this rocky surface that Crescent City is easily one of my favorite books now. Crescent City broke me, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt more seen, and for that I think I’m a little more whole. Read this book, I can’t recommend it more highly.

Stay Drunk...on Books,

Steph

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

WoW#9

Waiting on Wednesday

Hi Everyone! Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss books we’re eagerly anticipating. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, which is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

My Wow for this week is:

Title: Seasons of the Storm

Author: Elle Cosimano

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: June/23/2020

Summary (from Goodreads):

One cold, crisp night, Jack Sommers was faced with a choice—live forever according to the ancient, magical rules of Gaia, or die.

Jack chose to live, and in exchange, he became a Winter—an immortal physical embodiment of the season on Earth. Every year, he must hunt the Season who comes before him. Summer kills Spring. Autumn kills Summer. Winter kills Autumn. And Spring kills Winter.

Jack and Fleur, a Winter and a Spring, fall for each other against all odds. To be together, they’ll have to escape the cycle that’s been forcing them apart. But their creator won’t let them go without a fight.

Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

I mean, SEASONS AS PEOPLE, AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO KILL EACH OTHER TO BRING ABOUT THE NEXT SEASON. I AM ENTHRALLED. I need it now.

What are you waiting on??

Stay Drunk...On Books,

Steph

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Wardens of Eternity

By: Courtney Moulton

Rating: 2 wine glasses

I am upset. I was pumped about this book coming out, and honestly expected it to be quite wonderful because Courtney’s Angelfire trilogy is great. I have been looking for a new release from her for AGES, so when Wardens of Eternity hit my radar I was prepared. What I wasn’t prepared for was disappointment. I couldn’t finish this book. I got halfway through and just knew it wasn’t going to get better.

First off, this book isn’t terrible, it’s just plain. I didn’t connect with any of the characters, all of them fall very flat. Ziva, the main character, seemed cool in the beginning, and gosh, I wanted to like her so so badly. But no. There is no spark to any of these characters which is so sad because Courtney spends mass amounts of time on details that hold no real importance to readers. Like I’m so happy that sword is pointy and very good at cutting things, but I don’t want to read about it forever. More time should have been spent on character development. And because there was a lack of character development the romance was like watching two stick figures fall in love. Also, it was insta love, so nothing shocking to see here folks.

The final straw for me was Ziva’s transformation from a skinny, starving girl to glorious badass all within like four days. I’m sorry, whhaaaat? So unrealistic, in WHAT WORLD does that happen? No one learns how to be a ninja in four days, especially if they were just starving four days prior.

The premise for this was promising, Egyptian Gods are cool, the idea was just poorly executed. I’m not counting Courtney Moulton out because of this book though, it’s one bad book. So I will still be watching out for her in the future. However, if you’re looking for a badass angel book, read Angelfire by her, it’s at least worth your time!

Stay Drunk…on Books,

Steph

Thursday, February 20, 2020

It's Been A Long Long Time....

It's been four years since I wrote my last blog post. School was my excuse, and for the first year of college it truly was impossible to find time, and that reason stood. However, as the years progressed, I kept pushing it off, claiming to be busy, but I now know I was scared. I was scared of coming back to a space I didn't think I belonged to anymore. The blogging world is a circle, you meet great people, you read amazing books, you write fun reviews, it's honestly a pleasure, but as the time went on and I lost touch with people the more I felt isolated and the more the voice in my head changed to, "no one wants to hear from you years later, so don't bother, you've been forgotten anyways."

And I listened to that voice for a long time, but I was never a big shot blogger, and this blog was always about doing it because I wanted to. And the thing is, I do want to, so I'm resurrecting myself. I am passionate about books and about writing. I'm happy to reclaim my blog, and I'm hoping to come back stronger than ever.

Can't wait to reconnect and continue to meet all the amazing bookish people.

Stay Drunk.....on Books,

Steph

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Book Blitz

The Problem with Forever Book Blitz

THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a riveting new story about friendship, survival, and finding your voice.

For some people, silence is a weapon.

For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield.

Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory must make a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

EXCERPT:

Prologue

Dusty, empty shoe boxes, stacked taller and wider than her slim body, wobbled as she pressed her back against them, tucking her bony knees into her chest.

Breathe. Just Breathe. Breathe.

Wedged in the back of the dingy closet, she didn’t dare make a sound as she sucked her lower lip between her teeth. Focusing on forcing every grimy breath into her lungs, she felt tears well in her eyes.

Oh gosh, she’d made such a big mistake, and Miss Becky was right. She was a bad girl.

She’d reached for the dirty and stained cookie jar earlier, the one shaped like a teddy bear that hid cookies that tasted funny. She wasn’t supposed to get cookies or any food by herself, but she’d just been so hungry that her tummy hurt, and Miss Becky was sick again, napping on the couch. She hadn’t meant to knock the ashtray off the counter, shattering it into tiny pieces. Some were shaped like icicles that clung to the roof during the winter. Others were no bigger than chips.

All she’d wanted was a cookie.

Her slender shoulders jerked at the sound of the all cracking on the other side of the closet. She bit down harder on her lip. A metallic taste burst into her mouth. Tomorrow there would be a hold the size of Mr. Henry’s big hand in the plaster, and Miss Becky would cry and she’d get sick again.

The soft creak of the closet door was like a crack of thunder to her ears.

Oh no, no, no…

He wasn’t supposed to find her in here. This was her safe place whenever Mr. Henry was angry or when he—

She tensed, eyes peeling wide as a body taller and broader than hers slipped inside and then knelt in front of her. In the dark, she couldn’t make out much of his features, but she knew in her belly and her chest who it was.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped.

“I know.” A hand settled on her shoulder, the weight reassuring. He was the only person she felt okay with when he touched her. “I need you to stay in here, ‘kay?”

Miss Becky had said once that he was only six months older than her six years, but he always seemed so much bigger, older than her, because in her eyes, he took up her entire world.

She nodded.

“Don’t come out,” he said, and then he pressed into her hands the redheaded doll she’d dropped in the kitchen after she broke the ashtray and rushed into the closet. Too frightened to retrieve her, she’d left Velvet where she had fallen, and she’d been so upset because the doll had been a gift from him many, many months before. She had no idea how he’d gotten Velvet, but one day he’d simply shown up with her, and she was hers, only hers.

“You stay in here. No matter what.”

Holding the doll close, clenched between her knees and chest, she nodded again.

He shifted, stiffening as an angry shout rattled the walls around them. It was her name that dripped ice down her spine; her name that was shouted so furiously.

A small whimper parted her lips and she whispered, “I just wanted a cookie.”

“It’s okay. Remember? I promised I’d keep you safe forever. Just don’t make a sound.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Just stay quiet, and when I…when I get back, I’ll read to you, ‘kay? All about the stupid rabbit.”

All she could do was nod again, because there had been times when she hadn’t stayed quiet and she’d never forgotten those consequences. But if she stayed quiet, she knew what was coming. He wouldn’t be able to read to her tonight. Tomorrow he would miss school and he wouldn’t be okay even though he would tell her he was.

He lingered for a moment and then he eased out of the closet. The bedroom door shut with a smack, and she lifted the doll, pressing her tearstained face into it. A button on Velvet’s chest poked at her cheek.

Don’t make a sound.

Mr. Henry started to yell.

Don’t make a sound.

Footsteps punched down the hall.

Don’t make a sound.

Flesh smacked. Something hit the floor, and Miss Becky must have been feeling better, because she was suddenly shouting, but in the closet the only sound that mattered was the fleshy whack that came over and over. She opened her mouth, screaming silently into the doll.

Don’t make a sound.

Grab your copy of THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER Here:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WMX5IM

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1SahjLo

iBooks: http://apple.co/1YcdPIf

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Tr8JDD

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1q32q1D

Praise for THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER:

“The intensity between Mouse and Rider is palpably sizzling… romance aficionados [will] lose themselves in Mouse and Rider’s smoldering glances and steamy kisses.” -Kirkus

“Armentrout’s effort to gradually coax her protagonist from her shell via a supportive, loving community succeeds, and readers looking for an inspirational comeback story w
ill find Mallory’s to be satisfying and hopeful” –Publishers Weekly

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

#1 New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.

She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.