Stacking the Shelves #65

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Hi gorgeous people!  I skipped last week's STS because I didn't get much.  This week I got an Amazon gift card and I enjoyed myself getting a few books.  This holiday season has been hectic and stressful so far!

Purchased for Kindle (with a gift card!)

Another Little Piece of My Heart by Tracey Martin - I love music related books and this one sound like heartbreaking and fun (weird combination, right?)

Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer Armentrout - By the one and only Jennifer Armentrout, need I say more?

The Witch of Duva by Leigh Bardugo - I still have to read book two of the Grisha series, but these two novellas should be fun.

The Too-Clever Fox by Leigh Bardugo - Ditto

Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Kasak - What won me over was the cover, it's breathtaking.

Proxy: An Avalon Novella by Mindee Arnett - There's a lot of hype for Avalon and I want to see what it's all about. 

For Review

The Taking by Kimberly Derting - Even though I still have to finish The Body Finder's series, I love Ms. Derting's writing. I can't wait for this one.

After the End by Amy Plum - Amy Plum is another writer that I love, her Revenants series is SO good.  This promises to be an awesome read. 

Thanks to HarperTeen and Edelweiss!

What's stacking your shelves this week? 

Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR

By 'Winter' I think it means the books that I'm planing on reading in the next few months.  So here it goes:

1.  This Song will Save Your Life by Leila Sales - I already started this one, just need to finish.

2.  Where She Went by Gayle Forman - I read If I Stay quite a while ago and I have to read Adam's story soon.

3.  Pawn by Aimée Carter - I loved her Goddess Test series and I've heard this one is wonderful. 

Top Ten Books I've Read so Far in 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

I haven't read nearly as many books this year as I would like and yet, it was really hard to limit myself to ten books :)

1.  Just One Day by Gayle Forman - My goddness is this one good!  Truly an amazing story of growth and self discovery. See my review here

2.  Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi - I adore dystopian and, although it took me forever to read this one (thanks Hannah!), I will make up the lost time in undying love.  See my review here

3.  Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers - I swear that LaFevers can do no wrong.  Even if you have never read historical fiction, you should give this series a try, you will not regret it!  See my review here

4.  Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins - This is one of the best sequels ever!  I adore Kaidan and the story and everything else. So, so good :)  See my review here

5.  Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger -  So this is more than one book since I finished books #2 - #5 this year.  Outstanding world building, characterization and writing makes this an amazing (adult) series.  The best of Steampunk!  

6.  The Collector by Victoria Scott - Oh Dante, how I love thee!  A wonderful book with wonderful characters.  See my review here

7.  Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout  - I know, I know... why did it took me so long to start the Lux series!  Another bad boy that I adore, an alien story like no other.  See my review here

8.  Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo - I love to read fantasy and this book is one of the best in the genre.  Amazing story full of magic, incredible characters and an ancient fight of good and evil!  See my review here

9.  Angelfall by Susan Ee - Another unique dystopian mixed with angels and the struggle for survival.  So awesome!  See my review here

10.  Goddess Inheritance by Aimée Carter - A fit conclusion for a beloved series, everything that I wanted and then some. See my review here

11.  Crown of Embers by Rae Carson - This is definitely one of my favorite series of all time!  Eliza is one of the best heroines ever written, I cannot wait for book three!  See my review here

Sorry I went over guys, but I couldn't bring myself to shorten the list!  

What's in your Top Ten this week?

Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

There are SO MANY books that I want to read this Summer!  Here are a few: 

1.  Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - I'm actually half way through this one right now and it's amazing!

2.  Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo - I loved the first book of the Grisha series and I can't wait to read book two.

3.  False Sight by Dan Krokos - I really enjoyed False Memory, "B" already read its sequel and he said it's amazing!

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (The Grisha #1)

Title: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Published: June 5^th, 2012 by Henry Holt

Source: Library

Format: Hardcover

Group age: Young adult

Genre: Fantasy / Romance

Challenge(s):

Grade rate: A

Goodreads | Amazon |The Book Depository | B&N

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka. Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free? The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him. But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him? Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

My Review

Just wow.  Every time that I read a book that everyone has been raving about and I love it, I feel like I could kick myself for taking me this long to read it.  Shadow and Bone was SO GOOD!

Lately I’ve had a great deal of luck with the fantasy genre and Shadow and Bone is no exception.  Bardugo was able to create such an amazing setting that is intricately involved with the plot of the story.  The setting, although make believe, has the distinct flavor of Russia in the description of the buildings, the mode of dress, the weather and even in the language.  Everything is so clearly described that is almost tangible. 

The type of magic that the Grisha possess is unique.  There are different kinds, some used for destruction and others for useful things, such as healing.  The rest of the population is respectful to them, but I think that part of that respect came out of fear and resentment.  Fear of the unknown and also of the know evils that they were capable off; and resentment, because although there was poverty all around, the Grisha has every rich imaginable.

Alina and Mel are orphans and childhood friends that decided to enlist in the army together.  While there they find themselves crossing the Shadow Fold, a dark place full of awful monsters, but that must be crossed in order to reach the sea.  Something unexpected happens there that makes Alina very special to the Grisha and to the kingdom in general.

Alina is loyal to Mal, her only true friend.  All of her life she struggled to keep up with others and to hide something special within herself, to the extent that she forgot that it was even there and she did it all for Mal.  On the other hand, Mal is like a big brother to her, protecting her from harm.  He is smart and more careful to trust.  I love their easy relationship, even if that’s not what Alina really wanted.  I’m glad that Mal came to his senses, they make such a good couple!

I’m not sure how to describe the Darkling.  He is all powerful and the leader of the Grisha.  Unexpectedly, I liked him a lot. Not because he was dark and handsome, but because he treated Alina with tenderness and respect.   I was waiting for a love triangle between him and Mat, but that never really came to fruition.  The Darkling place close attention to Alina and he did something really bad, but (like many ‘bad’ guys) he truly thinks he is doing the right thing for his country.

I don’t want to describe the entire plot because you should experience it all by yourself (and besides, I don’t like spoilers).  The pacing is slow; as we are learning about a new world, so please don’t get discouraged.  The writing is exquisite, descriptive and eloquent.  The story is full of twists and turns and even political undertones.

Shadow and Bone is an Epic Fantasy that I would recommend without reservations. To me, it all falls in the same category of Girl of Fire and Thorns, which is another of my favorities.  I cannot wait for Siege and Storm, due to be published on June 14^th.

Some quotes for you:

“I'm sorry it took me so long to see you, Alina. But I see you now.” – Mal

You're shaking."

"I'm not used to people trying to kill me."

"Really? I hardly notice anymore.” – Alina to the Darkling

About the cover:  I have to say that I was a little put off by the cover.  Now I can see the meaning of the darkness and the contrast of the light, the Russian looking buildings, the antlers and even the swirls.  I don’t think it will ever be my favorite, but now I get it.