Sky Without Stars Review

592 pages

When the Last Days came, the planet of Laterre promised hope. A new life for a wealthy French family and their descendants. But five hundred years later, it’s now a place where an extravagant elite class reigns supreme; where the clouds hide the stars and the poor starve in the streets; where a rebel group, long thought dead, is resurfacing.
Whispers of revolution have begun—a revolution that hinges on three unlikely heroes…
Chatine is a street-savvy thief who will do anything to escape the brutal Regime, including spy on Marcellus, the grandson of the most powerful man on the planet.
Marcellus is an officer—and the son of a renowned traitor. In training to take command of the military, Marcellus begins to doubt the government he’s vowed to serve when his father dies and leaves behind a cryptic message that only one person can read: a girl named Alouette.
Alouette is living in an underground refuge, where she guards and protects the last surviving library on the planet. But a shocking murder will bring Alouette to the surface for the first time in twelve years…and plunge Laterre into chaos.
All three have a role to play in a dangerous game of revolution—and together they will shape the future of a planet.

Review:
As the first book in a new series the concept is definitely intriguing. The book rotates between three points of view: Chatine, Marcellus, and Alouette. All three have grown up in different experiences and have unique perspectives of the planet Laterre. Chatine is a thief, scammer, and liar, she will do anything she has to to survive her criminal parents and the slums of Laterre. Marcellus is a son of the governing body of Laterre, loyal to a fault but also a coward in other aspects. Alouette is a naive and sheltered girl who doesn't know much about what it is like living amongst those who live above-ground on Laterre. The paths of these three characters take them on a collision course that bring shocking revelations and set long laid plans into motion. I do wish there was a little more world-building in the description of Laterre. The action is minimal but the mystery behind the main characters past is captivating. All in all this was a good read and I can't wait to see where the next book takes things. If you like sci-fi novels then this will be an appealing book for you.

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New York Comic-Con 2018

Comic-con 2018

Although San Diego is the Holy Grail in the Comic-Con world, every year Comic-Con in New York gets bigger and better. This year there were more interactive surprises, panels, and plenty for attendees to participate in and enjoy. Whether it was Audible's Harry Potter Pensieve experience, or putting on a show for the Overwatch video booth, this year's Comic-Con was definitely one for the books.
I usually attend Comic-Con solo but this year I brought my sister for her first time intro into the Comic-Con world. Check out some of the fun we had below!

She-Ra Netflix remake

Arts and crafts while waiting in line for Syfy swag

Syfy fan wall. While waiting to pick up some Syfy swag, attendees had the opportunity to leave their mark on this wall.

Early Comic-Con attendees

     

Nightmare Before Christmas paint job on Chevy

Rick Cosplay from "Rick and Morty"

These bottles were used in the Audible Harry Potter Pensieve Experience

The Little Mermaid paint job on a Chevy

Joker as "The White Knight" Cosplay

Heathers bus

My sister and I on the "Heathers" bus

Interactive Overwatch Booth

Audible Harry Potter Pensieve Experience

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BEA/ BookCon 2018

Its that time of year again! Book Expo America and BookCon is a time when book lovers from all over get together and share their love of books! Whether it is meeting their favorite authors, reviewers or just fellow book enthusiasts, the Book Expo is a great time all around. This year I only had the opportunity to attend one day of Book Expo but I made my rounds and met some notable authors and or course picked up amazing swag! Check out the pictures below to see what I did with my day.

Met author extraordinaire Rick Riordan

Gail Carson Levine is such a sweet and wonderful woman!

Loved finally getting to meet Alexandra Bracken 

Christina Bauer signing "Wolves and Roses"

SWAG!

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Ready Player One Review

374 pages

In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.

Review:
I've been meaning to read this book for a while. A very long while. In preparation for the movie I decided to actually get started and see what all of the hype was about, and it didn't disappoint. The world created here is one in which the world is such a depressing place and the only way for the poor to escape that is to live in a virtual world called the OASIS. The creator of the OASIS decides to create a massive game within the OASIS upon his death, which will give all of his power and wealth to the one who can solve all of the puzzles and retrieve all three keys. Wade grew up in poverty and has devoted his life to solving and winning the game. His sole purpose in life is learning as much as he can about the greater of the OASIS and using that to solve the game. Along the way he forms friendships with unlikely participants and has a crazy adventure within the virtual and real life. I enjoyed the parallels between this world and our own. A major theme showed that you really don't know if the person you're talking to online is what they portray themselves to be in reality. This book was action-packed and filled with adventure. I definitely recommend this book if you like sci-fi novels and also if you plan on seeing the movie.

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To Kill A Kingdom Review

342 pages

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?

Review:
A dark twist on what we know mermaids and sirens to be, this book does not disappoint. The story is fresh, original, and intriguing. The world created in this novel is one of beauty with each kingdom completely different and unique from the other. Princess Lira isn't a typical heroine and neither is Prince Elian a typical hero. Both have a dark side that creates an attraction between them different from the usual. I love that Lira is ruthless and wicked yet has a side that questions her actions and those of her mother, the Sea Queen. I also liked that Elian is completely different from your typical prince, wanting to live a life of freedom and danger instead of safe in his kingdom. This is a fairy tale story with a dark twist that makes it an irresistible read. I definitely recommend this book if you like dark mythological adventures.

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