Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I’ve Read the Most Books From

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

~Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most Books From~

JK Rowling: 9

HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER

Maddy Hunter: 9

The Passport to Peril series is one of my favourite series ever. These cozy mysteries are each set in a different place (Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Hawaii, Australia, Norway, Holland, Scotland, and France, respectively), and not only are they hilarious, but even after 9 books, I've never been able to figure out the mystery. Plus they stir up my never-ending wanderlust, and I get to live vicariously through Emily.

Cecelia Ahern: 8

Ahern is best known for PS I Love You (gaaah my feels), but she also writes fantastic magical realism. I haven't loved her newer books as much, and I even DNF'd One Hundred Names (it just about killed me to do it because I loved her older books so much, but I was bored senseless). She has a few newer ones I haven't read, and I'm going to take a chance and give them a try sometime soon. If you haven't read any of hers but want to, I'd recommend starting with Where Rainbows End (also known as Rosie Dunne or Love, Rosie), If You Could See Me Now (also known as A Silver Lining) or A Place Called Here (also known as There's No Place Like Here). PS I Love You and The Gift are also personal favourites, but be prepared to be punched in the feels.

 

Sarah Dessen: 6

One of my favourite authors since I was about 15. I hate to admit that despite owning all but two of her books, I still haven't read them all!

Sarah Addison Allen: 5

Another author who writes incredible magical realism. The Sugar Queen is one of my all-time favourite books, and I absolutely love Garden Spells. I re-read it recently, and loved it even more than I did the first time.

Veronica Rossi: 5

THIS SERIES. Gah. Perry, Aria, and Roar are characters that will never, ever leave me.

Lilly Avalon: 5

Lilly is a good friend of mine, plus one of my critique partners (and I happen to design her book covers), so I've read pretty much everything she's written!

Stephanie Perkins: 4

Anna and the French Kiss is another of my all-time favourite books. I adore this whole series, plus Stephanie's contribution to the My True Love Gave to Me anthology was adorable and lovely. 

 

Lia Riley: 4

The Off the Map series is amazing beyond description. I adore Talia and Bran, and Lia's writing is fantastic. These books are honest, bold, sexy, emotional, and totally swoonworthy.

AC Gaughen: 3

ROBIN HOOD. These books turn the Robin Hood legend on its head, with "Will Scarlet" actually being a girl in Robin's band. Tons of action, adventure, heartache, swoons, and feels.

Who are some of the authors you've read the most books from? If you did this week's TTT, feel free to leave your link and I'll visit you in return!

Blog reminders: the cover reveal for my 7th book, Something in the Air, is August 20th, and sign-ups are currently open. I also have 3 giveaways open right now: a wishlist giveaway to celebrate the new design of my blog, plus 2 giveaways from Lilly Avalon!

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Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Series: Under the Never Sky #3

Published: January 28th, 2014

Publisher: HarperCollins

400 pages (eARC)

Genre: Young adult post apocalyptic/dystopian/romance

Acquired this book: From the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

Warning: Will contain spoilers if you haven't read Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night

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{Read my review of Under the Never Sky || Read my review of Through the Ever Night}

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

Ohhh, this book. These characters. MY FEELS. I planned to start reading my eARC of Into the Still Blue the minute I downloaded it, but I kept putting it off. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Aria, Perry, and Roar. Even now after I’ve finished, it hurts my heart to think that their story is over.

This series started out strong and got stronger as it went. It’s hands-down my favourite dystopian trilogy - great writing, a fresh concept, wonderful characters, swoonworthy romance, beautiful friendships, and plenty of action. With everything that happened at the end of Through the Ever Night, it was easy to guess that Into the Still Blue would be intense, and it was. There’s a lot at stake for the Tides and the Dwellers, and there’s a ton of tension between the two groups and even within the groups themselves.

One of the things I love best about this series, and something that (thankfully) held true in Into the Still Blue, was the relationships. They’re all just incredible beyond words. Aria and Perry, Aria and Roar, Roar and Perry, Perry and Talon…the relationships are beautiful and complex and heartbreaking and frustrating and just perfect. There aren’t many characters I love more than I love Aria, Perry, and Roar, separately and together. They’re one fierce trio, and their interactions had me alternately laughing, crying, swooning, and squeeing.

I’ll admit, I was afraid of how this book would end. Authors are often unkind at the end of trilogies and series, and I was afraid of who Rossi might kill off. I was also afraid of things not being wrapped up properly or really just anything that would leave me with a bad taste in my mouth since I’ve loved this series so much. All my fears were unfounded though, because the ending was perfect. There was some heartache, and the characters had to work hard and go through hell (which is a good thing for the reader - it keeps us reading, right?), but the ending left me teary-eyed in a good way, with a smile on my face.

Action-packed, intense, beautiful, heartbreaking, and satisfying, Into the Still Blue was the perfect ending to one of the best trilogies - dystopian or otherwise - I’ve ever read. I almost feel like I did when I finished reading Harry Potter - sad that I won’t get to see any new adventures with these characters (oh god, here come the tears!), but happy that I got to be part of their lives for the last two years, while knowing that I’ll never forget them. And, like Harry Potter, I know this is a series I’ll revisit again and again. (As a side note, if you know me at all, you’ll know comparing anything to Harry Potter - which I’ve actually never done before - is pretty much the highest compliment I’m capable of giving).  Thank you Veronica Rossi for this incredible, unforgettable story.

*Another side note - I convinced my 73-year-old mum to read this series last year and she gobbled up the first two books in a matter of days. I can't wait to see what she thinks of Into the Still Blue!*

 

Have you read any of the Under the Never Sky trilogy? What did you think? Who's your favourite character? Which is your favourite book in the trilogy? If you haven't read them (seriously, what are you waiting for? GO!) are they on your TBR? Do you like post-apocalyptic books? Dystopian? Trilogies?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Can't Wait to Read This Winter

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

  

I have a ton of books on my winter TBR - review books, books I've bought, books I've won, books I've been given as gifts. It took some doing (as always) but I finally narrowed it down to the ten books I'm most excited to read this winter.

1. Unhinged by AG Howard {GoodReads}

I LOVED Splintered when I read it late last year and I can’t wait read Unhinged. I’m actually planning to reread Splintered in the next week or two (I rarely do rereads but I'll make an exception for the awesomeness that is Splintered) and then read The Moth in the Mirror and finally Unhinged.

2. Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi {GoodReads}

Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night are among my favourite books ever. I’m excited and also a little sad to finally get to read the last book.

3. Lady Thief by AC Gaughen {GoodReads}

Scarlet is another of my all-time favourite books, and when AC announced it was the first in a trilogy, I was over the moon. I can’t wait to dive back into Scarlet’s story and see what happens next. 

4. That One Summer by CJ Duggan {GoodReads}

I’ve read and loved CJ’s The Boys of Summer and An Endless Summer and I’m SO psyched to get the chance to read That One Summer as part of the blog tour. Winter’s just beginning here so it’ll be nice to immerse myself in a book about summer and forget all that snow outside!

5. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge {GoodReads}

Beauty and the Beast…need I say more?

6. Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough {GoodReads}

JACK THE RIPPER. THAT COVER. That is all.

7. Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman {GoodReads}

I’ve really gotten into historic fiction this year, and this one sounds fantastic.

8. Vicious by VE Schwab {GoodReads}

I’ll read anything Victoria Schwab writes. Period. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for Vicious and I won a copy so hopefully I can get to it soon!

9. The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow {GoodReads}

I’ve followed Michelle’s career since the beginning, and I’m so happy for her that she got a publishing deal with Harlequin Teen, and I’m excited to be part of her street team and have the opportunity to read an ARC.

10. Angelfall by Susan Ee {GoodReads}

I actually hadn’t paid much attention to this book until Pajama Press sent me the sequel last month. When I looked it up on GoodReads and saw that the reviews were amazing, I immediately bought a copy and now I’m hoping to read it and World After very soon.

What are some of the books you're looking forward to reading this winter (or summer if you're in the southern hemisphere)?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Favourite Book Covers

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

Top Ten Favourite Book Covers of Books I've Read

This one was hard for me because I'm such a cover whore. I made a list of about 20 and then basically had to randomly narrow it down to 10. And these are all ones I've read within the lifespan of my blog - I didn't even touch ones I read pre-blogging because then it would have been impossible. So here are 10 of my many, many favourite book covers of books I've read in the last two years.

1. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson {my review}. This is the UK cover - I love the North American cover as well, but this one is so evocative of the story. All the little bits and pieces that make the story so unique and so special are right there for the reader to see. I've spent a lot of time admiring this cover, and when I finally bought the book just recently (I borrowed the book from the library about two years ago), I purposely got the UK cover. 

2. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick {my review}. This cover is so simple but I love it. It's beautiful and sweet and really fits the story. 

3. Splintered by AG Howard {my review}. I love the colours and the details and the font of the cover. It's all really eye-catching and piques your interest.

4. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson {my review}. I don't really know what to say about this one other than it's simple but beautiful.

5. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard {my review}. I love the girl's dress (and necklace and gloves and hairstyle) and the gear details in the background.

6. Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock {my review}. What can I say, I like pretty dresses. I also love the vine details and the girl's pose - it's fitting to the overall mood of the story.

7. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi {my review}. I love the colours, the way the title's done, and the attitude emanating from the girl.

8. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood {my review}. I love the vintage feel of this one, plus the girl is gorgeous. I love her dress and the flowers in her hair. I was really bummed when this cover got a mid-series makeover; even though I like the new cover, I was looking forward to seeing how they'd match the next book to this one. Instead they redid this one and made the second book match the new cover. Why must publishers do that?

9. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake {my review}. I love the creepy feel of this one. Why is she covered in blood? What's the deal with the spooky house in the background? Plus I love the little details around the author's name.

10. Venom by Fiona Paul {my review}. I love masquerade masks, and purple's my favourite colour, so this one was a double win. Also, the inside of this book is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen - the pages have designs along the crease and each chapter has a black page with fancy writing and details. It's gorgeous.

Did any of these make your list? What are some of your favourite book covers? If you're participating in this week's TTT, be sure to link me up so I can see your favourite covers!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Recommend The Most

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

Top Ten Books I Spend a Lot of Time Pimping

 
The Harry Potter series
The Harry Potter books are pretty much my favourite books ever. I talk about them a lot and I’m always stunned when I find out there are people left in the world who haven’t read them. My ten-year-old nephew loves the movies but doesn’t like to read, but I’m thinking of trying him on Harry Potter and seeing if I can make a bibliophile out of him yet!

Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

I’m not a die hard fan of post-apocalyptic books (I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve read but they’re not usually my first choice), but Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night are not just my favorite post-apocalyptic books, they’re among my favourite books ever.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

An incredible, beautiful, swoonworthy contemporary YA. Books like this are the reason YA contemp is my favourite genre.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Another example of YA contemporary at its finest.

Scarlet by AC Gaughen

Robin Hood. Need I say more? This is told from the perspective of Robin’s friend Will Scarlet, except that Scarlet is a girl. Full of twists and turns, romance, and action, this book is just plain amazing.

Splintered by AG Howard

A brilliant spin on Alice in Wonderland. This is up there with my favourite books ever.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Do I really need to say why this book is worth recommending? There’s just something magical about it - maybe it’s Paris, maybe it’s Etienne St. Clair, maybe it’s the fact that Stephanie Perkins has the ability to make me giggle harder than my 3-year-old nephew. It’s just amazing. AND if you haven’t read it yet or if you’ve read it and want to reread it, my friend Molli from Once Upon a Prologue is co-hosting an ANNA Read-Along starting April 1st!

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

This is a classic for a reason. Funny, charming, quirky - Anne of Green Gables is a Canadian staple, and I grew up with her. To me this is one of those books that everyone should read at least once in their life.

The Passport to Peril series by Maddy Hunter

This is a series I discovered before I started book blogging. It’s cozy mystery and it satisfies both my funny bone and my travel bug since each book is set in a different country. This is a series that, unfortunately, most of the people I know haven’t even heard of, let alone read, so I’m always trying to pimp it.

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Another example of why contemporary YA is my favourite genre. Road trip + music + cute boy + relatable girl + amazing secondary characters + surprisingly emotional = one of the best books ever.

Honourable mentions

Most of the time I have trouble coming up with 10 but this time I had trouble narrowing it down, so I'm cheating a little. A few other books I’m constantly telling people they should read: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, and Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally. 

And of course I spend quite a bit of time pimping my own books. Does that count? *cough* WAITING FOR THE STORM comes out two weeks from today *cough*

What are some of the books you recommend the most? Tell me below or leave a comment to your TTT and I'll come visit!

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Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves ~ January 12th, 2013

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews

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WON:

Signed hardcover of The Diviners by Libba Bray from Midnyte Reader

BOUGHT:

Hounded by Kevin Hearne {GoodReads}

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater {GoodReads}

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi {GoodReads}

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen {GoodReads}

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce {GoodReads}

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi {GoodReads}

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen {GoodReads}

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen {GoodReads}

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines {GoodReads}
The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole {GoodReads}

What books did you get this week? Tell me in the comments below or post a link to your Stacking the Shelves/Book Haul/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday, etc. Happy reading! <3 

 

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Review: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Series: Under the Never Sky, Book #2

Published: January 8th, 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins Canada

341 pages (ARC)

Genre: Young adult post-apocalyptic

Acquired this book: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Warning: May contain spoilers

{GoodReads || Purchase this book: Chapters/Indigo || Book Depository || Amazon.ca || Amazon.com}

{Read my review of Under the Never Sky || Read my review of Roar and Liv}

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

 

With Under the Never Sky being one of my favourite books of 2012 (along with its companion novella, Roar and Liv), I could hardly wait to read Through the Ever Night and continue along with Aria, Perry, and Roar’s stories.

I was certain I would love this book just as much as Under the Never Sky, and Veronica Rossi did not disappoint. With all the beautiful writing, action, romance, heartache, and humour of the first book, Through the Ever Night made me fall even more in love with this series, and with Ms. Rossi’s writing.

Being reunited with these characters was like catching up with old friends. Aria is stronger, more confident, and more sure of herself and her abilities, but she still struggles with trying to figure out where she belongs and what her future holds. Her emotions, her doubts, and her fears are all very real, and I felt like I connected with her even more as she grew and developed. As new Blood Lord of the Tides, Perry has taken on new responsibilities, and just as Aria has her own difficulties, Perry struggles in dealing with the weight of expectations - both his own, and the tribes’.

As much as I love the relationship between Aria and Perry - and I do love them so much, they're one of my favourite book couples - I think I enjoy the relationship between Aria and Roar just as much. There’s this niggling little traitorous part of me that almost wishes they could be together, but they’re best friends, and the dynamics between them simultaneously warm my heart and break it. Roar is hands down one of my favourite characters ever. EVER. He’s multifaceted, loving, loyal, and elicits emotion in me like no other secondary character has ever done.

Through the Ever Night is a story that made me laugh and made me cry, had me yelling at the characters while falling even more in love with them, and had my heart racing between the action and the horror of the world Ms. Rossi has created. There are moments of heart-pounding action but then moments so tender - between Aria and Perry, Aria and Roar, and Perry and Reef, just to name a few - they made my heart ache. Ms. Rossi really has a way of drawing the reader in, captivating them, enchanting them, and tugging on their heartstrings. Even though I’ll be sad to say goodbye, I can’t wait to find out what happens to these beloved characters in Into the Still Blue. 

 

Disclaimer

In accordance with FTC guidelines, I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No money or compensation of any sort exchanged hands. I review books to share my love of reading, and I'm always completely honest in my reviews, good or bad.

*A huge thank you to HarperCollins Canada for sending me an ARC of this book for review.*

Have you read Under the Never Sky or Through the Ever Night? What did you think?

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