TBR Pile Reading Challenge January Wrap-up

Hi guys and welcome to my January WRAP-UP post for out 2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge!

So for this month I was able to read 15 book that have been on my to read pile for a few months, not a bad number I think and I even reviewed 2 of them!!

Mini Review: Token by Ryan Gressett

Title: Token
Author: Ryan Gressett
Series: Token Chronicles #1
Pages: 200
Date Published: October 11th 2013

Fifteen-year old Kincaid (oft referred to as Trainee 15892 by the controlling entities of his Island) has never had a birthday party. He has never indulged in cake, cookies, or other scrumptious treats. He has never met his parents. He has not had what one would call a normal upbringing. Sold into bondage as a child, just as every other Trainee on the Hawk Islands, Kincaid has been raised from infancy into young manhood cast away from the war-ravaged mainland of Knav (a war his parents helped ignite). He has been strictly trained and even jolted for one sole purpose: to mold himself into the perfect Token, an obedient and ever-serving slave meant to conform to every expectation of the select Elitists of the country. Upon reaching his sixteenth birthday, there will be no sweet party, but he will, instead, become eligible to be sold as a Token at auction to the highest bidder. 

But life is not all doom and gloom on the sun-drenched Hawk Islands. Kincaid has a family of hundreds of brothers and sisters on the Island. Most importantly, he has found the love of his life in the captivating young Hadley. But when Hadley is unprecedentedly sold months early at auction, Kincaid’s world is turned upside down as he prepares himself to do anything to get her back. On his journey to find her, Kincaid begins to slowly discover the heroic and troubled secrets of his family’s past. His path back to Hadley runs straight through embracing his birthright and accepting his unlikely destiny as the Savior of Knav.

*I received a free copy from the author*

First of all I would like to say that I still can’t believe this is the author’s debut novel, the book has everything a good dystopian novel needs.

Token captures your attention right from the start, the prologue was so well written that I now need a prequel that tells the story of Kincaid’s parents; things keep getting better in the next chapters. The book has a great pace, it didn’t have parts that dragged for too long and the conflicts were resolved very well.

I loved Kincaid at times I forgot he was a teenage boy, yes he had faults and there were times I wanted to smack him, still considering all the things he was going through he handled things really well.

My only complaint with the book would be that I would have enjoyed knowing more things about Kincaid’s life in the Island, it sounded so interesting and what little slices of life that we got were my favorite parts of the book.

*Thanks again to Ryan Gressett for letting me enjoy her work*

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday (15)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is:

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. 

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

I know this release is only a week away but I just need to read this book now

Top Ten Tuesday (12)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and The Bookish.  Each week a new top ten list is posted, and to participate all you have to do is fill in YOUR top ten for the list.

This week the topic is:

Top Ten Book World I Would Never Ever Want To Live In

Mini Book Review Aquila: From the Darkness by T.L. Searle

Title: Aquila: From the Darkness
Author:T.L. Searle
Date Published: January 1st 2014

Seventeen year old Aqua Vickers lives a secluded life in the English countryside. She keeps herself that way, hiding in plain sight, out of fear. She has no idea where she came from or what she is, she just knows she isn't human. Her mother is convinced she's an angel, but does having wings make you an angel? Sharp, angular and intimidating black wings?

The only other person Aqua has let into her life is Aaron, her best friend. They've grown up together, shared every milestone and Aqua's feelings for him have developed into something more. In a moment of impulse, Aqua revels her true nature. Aaron freaks, hurting Aqua so badly that she flees into the night.

Lucas has been watching and waiting. As an Angeli Tail it is his job to be a spy; and he's been ordered to watch Aqua. Lost and vulnerable above the clouds, Aqua is reaching exhaustion. When Lucas offers her the answers she seeks, she follows him impulsively.

In a city, carved into the rock of a mountain, Aqua discovers she's not as alone as she thought; and her life has been rooted on a bed of lies and deception. In her absence, her home is attacked and her mother taken. With this new enemy intent on her capture and new family who aren't all welcoming, Aqua must integrate and train with the Angeli Guard if she has any hope of rescuing her mother from the hands of the Dragone.

The Angeli Guard Master is unforgiving and ruthless, allowing Aqua little rest from his relentless and painful training exercises. Aqua can barely stand to look at him, but can't seem to exterminate the butterflies she feels when he's around.

War is coming but Aqua's battles may need to be fought closer to home.

*I received a free copy from the author*

Let me start my review by saying that I wasn’t sure if this book was one I was going to like, based on the blurb it didn’t seem like a read I would enjoy  but I decided to give Aquila a chance and I can say very sincerely that I did not regret my choice.

I really liked this book in general, I at first I thought it would be very predictable book but every time I tried to guess where the plot was going it turned out it was going in a totally different direction and it’s a great knowing that there are still authors out there with fresh ideas.

As for the characters I cans say I enjoyed the all, even the villains. My favorite had to be Aqua since she grew so much during the book.

This book may not be my favorite although it has nothing to do with the quality of the writing; it is an excellent novel with great characters, interesting plots that many people will enjoy.

*Thanks again to T.L. Searle for letting me enjoy her work*

Rating:

Mini Book Review: Poison Dance by Livia Blackburne

Title: Poison Dance
Author: Livia Blackburne
Series:Midnight Thief #.5
Pages: 86
Date Published:September 24th 2014
Publisher:Lion's Quill Press
James is skilled, efficient, and deadly, a hired blade navigating the shifting alliances of a deteriorating Assassin’s Guild. Then he meets Thalia, an alluring but troubled dancing girl who offers him a way out—if he’ll help her kill a powerful nobleman. With the Guild falling apart, it just might be worth the risk. But when you live, breathe, and love in a world that’s forever flirting with death, the slightest misstep can be poison. 

*I received a free copy from the author*

Poison dance is a prequel novella that takes place in the world of Midnight Thief and tells us the back-story of the leader of the Assassins Guild.

I absolutely loved this novella it had it all, great characters, interesting plot and the perfect length, not so short that I saw no point in it being written but not so long that it felt like a full length novel. 

I really hope we get to see more of James in the upcoming series, I want to see how the years have changed him and if the events if this novella marked him in any way.

All I can say is that Poison Dance convinced me to pre-order Midnight thief.

*Thanks again to Livia Blackburne for letting me enjoy her work*

Rating:

Stacking the Shelves (18)

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course e books! 

This week I bought

Received from the Author:

Received via Netgalley