I Am The Silence ~ Spoiler Free Review!

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

I Am the Silence Cover

In the fall of last year I was given the opportunity to review a second edition of a book id never heard of before, approached by the author who was kind and whos story sounded like it would be right up my ally. The book was called I Belong to the Earth and the premise of a girl who can sense the dead, who struggled with disability, a torn family life as well as the supernatural was something I just couldnt say no to. Needless to say it was one of my top reads of 2016. And just before the close of the year I heard again from the author, the amazing J.A. Ironside that the second book in my new favorite series was available in E-ARC form.

For those who havent yet read the first book, I can only implore you to please please do so because I know you will love it. A tragic love story wrapped in ghosts and lore, all faced off by a family of the strongest women you could ever care to meet. There is a method and a lore to the ghosts, and the learning of abilities by our main protagonist Emlynn thats both endearing and challenging. You get sucked right into the drama but its the characters that propel you to want to learn more because you can help but care for them and their well being.

For those who have read book one and are eager for book two know that its even better which is hard to accomplish. We pick up some time after the dust has settled from book one (Some time passage we are aware of for anyone who has read the novellas and shorts that come between each book) but the excitement picks up almost right always. We see old faces and some new, and are given a new little part of the world to play in.

Ironside has a way with words thats magical and lyrical. I as an American can confidently say ive never seen an English countryside. At least not until I read her works. She makes you feel the mist on your skin from walking the moors. She makes you feel the grass under you as you sit on the ancient mounds of Dorset. You believe you could walk on an ancient roman road and come across ley lines to transport you to another reality. All of that feels not only possible but real, tangible through her writing. And for a book set in our world id say thats a magical feat in itself. None of her magic system feels forced or rushed and we are given little morsels of information to digest throughout, and still shocked that all of that foreshadowing didnt ruin the big reveal.

If you are a fan of magical realism, check out this series. If you are a fan of mystery, check out this series. Even if you have never read those types of books before and want a smooth transition into the paranormal, id wholeheartedly suggest checking out The Unveiled Series.

I Belong to the Earth cover

You can find more about both books on their goodreads
I Belong to the Earth- J.A. Ironside
I am the Silence- J.A. Ironside

Book Haul December 2016

Monday, January 2, 2017

When December started I thought I wouldnt buy any books. Sure, I get Owlcrate and Spearcraft Book Box but other then those two I was so focused on getting everyone presents I didnt think I would get any books for myself. And then at some point I lost my way entirely and ended up with so so many books. So these are three of four orders I placed this month (Not including Amazon which happened with a gift card so thats more like a gift.)

Bookoutlet

The Islands at the End of the World- Austin Aslan
Sixteen-year-old Leilani loves surfing and her home in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii. But she's an outsider - half white, half Hawaiian, and an epileptic. While Lei and her father are on a visit to Oahu, a global disaster strikes. Technology and power fail, Hawaii is cut off from the world, and the islands revert to traditional ways of survival. As Lei and her dad embark on a nightmarish journey across islands to reach home and family, she learns that her epilepsy and her deep connection to Hawaii could be keys to ending the crisis before it becomes worse than anyone can imagine.

The Girl at the Center of the World- Austin Aslan
As sixteen-year-old Leilani and her family learn to live without electronics, farming the land as her ancestors did, she finds strength in her relatives, her friendships, and her strange connection to the Emerald Orchid--the force whose presence caused global devastation--but suffers regret over what she must do to survive.

Barnes & Nobels

Star Wars: Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel- James Luceno
War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine’s top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic’s, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key. Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor’s tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic’s web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.

Rogue One - A Star Wars Story- Alexander Freed
As the shadows of the Empire loom ever larger across the galaxy, so do deeply troubling rumors. The Rebellion has learned of a sinister Imperial plot to bring entire worlds to their knees. Deep in Empire-dominated space, a machine of unimaginable destructive power is nearing completion. A weapon too terrifying to contemplate . . . and a threat that may be too great to overcome. If the worlds at the Empire s mercy stand any chance, it lies with an unlikely band of allies: Jyn Erso, a resourceful young woman seeking vengeance; Cassian Andor, a war-weary rebel commander; Bodhi Rook, a defector from the Empire s military; Chirrut Imwe, a blind holy man and his crack-shot companion, Baze Malbus; and K-2SO, a deadly Imperial droid turned against its former masters. In their hands rests the new hope that could turn the tide toward a crucial Rebellion victory if only they can capture the plans to the Empire s new weapon. But even as they race toward their dangerous goal, the specter of their ultimate enemy a monstrous world unto itself darkens the skies. Waiting to herald the Empire s brutal reign with a burst of annihilation worthy of its dreaded name: Death Star."

The Courtship of Princess Leia- Dave Wolverton
Seeking rich, powerful allies to bring into the Rebel Alliance and a new home planet for the refugees of her native Alderaan, Princess Leia considers a proposal that could tip the balance of power against the evil Empire. The Hapes Consortium of 63 worlds is ruled by the Queen Mother, who wants Leia to marry her son, the dashing and wealthy Prince Isolder. Han Solo has always dreamed of marrying Leia himself, and now he makes a desperate last gamble to win her back. Soon he, Isolder, Luke Skywalker and Artoo will be at the center of an adventure leading to an awesome treasure, a group of Force-trained "witches," and a showdown with an invincible foe.

Second Hand Books (All of these were bought separately and are previously owned)

The Fire Sermon- Francesca Haig
Four hundred years in the future, the Earth has turned primitive following a nuclear fire that laid waste to civilization and nature. Though the radiation fallout has ended, for some unknowable reason every person is born with a twin. Of each pair one is an Alpha - physically perfect in every way - and the other an Omega burdened with deformity, small or large. With the Council ruling an apartheid-like society, Omegas are branded and ostracized while the Alphas have gathered the world's sparse resources for themselves. Though proclaiming their superiority, for all their effort Alphas cannot escape one harsh fact: Whenever one twin dies, so does the other. Cass is a rare Omega, one burdened with psychic foresight. While her twin, Zach, gains power on the Alpha Council, she dares to dream the most dangerous dream of all: equality. For daring to envision a world in which Alphas and Omegas live side by side as equals, both the Council and the Resistance have her in their sights.

The Cabin in the Woods: The Official Movie Novelization- Tim Lebbon
YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE STORY
Five friends go to a remote
cabin in the woods.
Bad things happen.
If you think you know the story,
think again.

Emma- Jane Austen
Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr. Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected. With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, Emma is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work.

As you can see this month my interested were varied to say the least. My book depository order was about getting more diverse reads and biracial females with health issues are never the hero in the books I've found so this series is one of my most anticipated of the year! I was very clearly on a star wars kick with Barnes and Nobels, plus sporting a bit of a coupon which for me excuses all number of shopping excursions. And as for my second hand buys two of the three I've always wanted to read, and Cabin was just a whim, any books based on movies that have stared Chris Hemsworth are pretty much auto buys for me, sorry not sorry. What books did you guys pick up this past month? Anything fun I need to add to my TBR?

Reading Goals for 2017

Sunday, January 1, 2017

As we usher in a new year I cant help but reflect back on all the goals I set for myself at the start of the last year. True, I didnt work out every single day, I didnt wash my makeup brushes every other day, frankly 2016 sucked and there was alot that didnt go to plan. Still some things worked out, like my goodreads challenge and starting my bookstagram. So now I want to run through my plans for being a better reader in the year to come.

The Goals-

1) A new Goodreads challenge- I want to keep the same goal for number of books because I feel like its a good solid goal. 52 books, which means that theres about a book a week, giving some flexibility to reading. Some weeks maybe im super fast at reading, other weeks would be way slower or dedicated to binging like five seasons of any given show on Netflix. So its a good solid plan I hope and fingers crossed I can accomplish this goal again.

2) #DiversityBingo2016- I found this prompt on twitter and then found the video by Thesebooklions over on youtube. Basically they created a bingo sheet (Which ill include below if anyone want to see the prompts) with different suggestions for diverse books to read throughout the year. Its my hope to do at least half but im going to try for all of them, which if I manage will make over half of my reads this year diverse ones!

3) Reviews- I want to do more book reviews, and I have a new format that I hope to try for these though it might take some time to get them up and running. Still I really want to do more reviews, here in the new format and over on goodreads.

I know these might not seem revolutionary to most but they arent the easiest of goals for me, the girl with the gold fish memory. So im very hopeful I can work to accomplish some of these goals in 2017. Do you guys have any goals your anxious to tackle this year?

 
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