The Ballads Of Songbirds And Snakes(The Hunger Games,#0)

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It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute. 

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined -- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes. 

 

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 Captivating. 

I have been curious about THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES since it came out. It was a story I been wondering about even before it was published. Hunger Games is one of my favorite series; I re-read the series before picking this one up. I hated President Snow in the books, and I am sure that I wasn't the only one. When I heard THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES was going be about younger President Snow and told from his point of view, I couldn't help but be curious. I wondered how different or similar he is when he was younger. Even though I hated him in the books, I couldn't help and wonder how he got to be that way and if there was a reason behind it. I was excited to start the book and to find out. What I discovered about Snow is not what I expected, which had me wondering how in the world, he turned into someone that everyone hated. I loved reading the story from his point of view, and it gave a whole different feeling of hunger games. I liked that he was a mentor in the games; I had always wondered what they were thinking. 

Lucy. When she was introduced in the book, I wasn't sure what to think of her. The way that she acted when her name was called for the games, I did not know what to think. It never occurred to me that it was for the show. It did not take me long to like her. I don't believe that either of them wanted to admit it at first, but there was a connection between them from the start. It made me wonder if the two of them would end up together at some point. I never thought that Lucy might win the games. At first, I knew that Snow wanted her to wind because he cared about her, but as time passed, I felt that he wanted to win because he wanted to win the scholarship. I did wonder what would happen between the two of them once she won and went back to District 12. I hoped that maybe Snow would follow her there, and the two would find a way to be together. 

As the book progressed, I noticed that Snow started to change, not in a good way. He changed to the point that it made sense to who he had become. The snow was not the person that he was at the beginning of the book. Most of the book had me on the edge of the seat. However, I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, or at least I felt rushed. I loved this book. I loved how different it was from the rest Hunger Games book, and it was as if I was reading a completely different story. Even if you dislike President Snow, THE BALLADS OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES is a book that any Hunger Games should check out. It's a story that you won't forget.

The Lions Of Fifth Avenue.

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                                           CONTAINS SPOILERS

It's 1913, and on the surface, Laura Lyons couldn't ask for more out of life--her husband is the superintendent of the New York Public Library, allowing their family to live in an apartment within the grand building, and they are blessed with two children. But headstrong, passionate Laura wants more, and when she takes a leap of faith and applies to the Columbia Journalism School, her world is cracked wide open. As her studies take her all over the city, she finds herself drawn to Greenwich Village's new bohemia, where she discovers the Heterodoxy Club--a radical, all-female group in which women are encouraged to loudly share their opinions on suffrage, birth control, and women's rights. Soon, Laura finds herself questioning her traditional role as wife and mother. But when valuable books are stolen back at the library, threatening the home and institution she loves, she's forced to confront her shifting priorities head on . . . and may just lose everything in the process. 

Eighty years later, in 1993, Sadie Donovan struggles with the legacy of her grandmother, the famous essayist Laura Lyons, especially after she's wrangled her dream job as a curator at the New York Public Library. But the job quickly becomes a nightmare when rare manuscripts, notes, and books for the exhibit Sadie's running begin disappearing from the library's famous Berg Collection. Determined to save both the exhibit and her career, the typically risk-adverse Sadie teams up with a private security expert to uncover the culprit. However, things unexpectedly become personal when the investigation leads Sadie to some unwelcome truths about her family heritage--truths that shed new light on the biggest tragedy in the library's history. 

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How can you not love a book that is set at the library? I love reading a book about books. Besides the bookstore, the library is my favorite place to be. When I found that the book is set in the New York City Library, I needed to check the book. THE LIONS OF FIFTH AVENUE is the second book that I read by FIONA DAVIS , and I cannot wait to check the rest of her books. I have read a big selection of historical fiction and mysteries throughout the years, which has always been my favorite genres. THE LIONS OF FIFTH AVENUE had a combination of the two, unlike other mysteries that I have read previously. Even though both were eighty years apart, there were similarities when it came to the book thefts. I loved that Laura and Sadie were related and how the two of them seemed to go through the same thing, except their stories ended in different ways. I loved that the book was broken up between 1913, which told Laura’s story, and 1993 which told her granddaughter, Sadie’s story. Even though it dealt with a rare book theft, the two time periods had me feeling like I was reading two different stories. I loved the book. I loved the chance to experience Laura and Sadie’s adventures. 

When book thefts at Sadie’s job started to happen, I wondered if it would be discovered that she was related to the late Laura Lyons. I knew that it wouldn’t look good if discovered, and they would wonder why it was kept a secret. The one person I was sure would be on her side did not seem happy once she told him. I understood why, especially since Nick was investigating the book thefts at the time. If I were him, only to find out that something was hidden from me, I would be suspicious too. I felt bad for everything that Sadie went through and the blame. I knew that it was what the thief wanted and needed. As for the book, thief was in 1913, and I was sure that it was Jack, especially after the suicide note that Sadie found. I never imagined that the reason behind it was because Jack was trying to protect someone he loves. There are so many things that others would do for love. I loved Laura, and I loved how passionate she was about her job. You could tell how much it meant to her. I felt as if Jack was not as supportive as he should have been and instead blamed her for not being home with the children. It’s no wonder that their passion seemed to have faded. However, that does not excuse what Laura has done. 

There were so many emotions in both Laura and Sadie’s stories. I loved how New York City Public Library was portrayed, that I imagined that I was there. I wanted to be there. New York City Public Library sounded like the library I would fall in love with. The mystery that surrounded the New York City Public Library was one of my favorite parts. I knew why someone wants to steal a rare book for a chance to sell it. I wondered why it’s that book they wanted, and for a reason for ripping the page out of the diary, book. The book theft mystery kept me on the edge of my seat until the end, and even I did see the real thief coming. Those types of puzzles are my favorites. Everything was so vivid that I felt as if I was trying to solve the mystery along with Sadie, Laura, and Jack. I have only read two of FIONA DAVIS books, and she has become one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Everything that she portrays in her books is vivid and feels so real. I am eager to discover what other adventures she will take on next. 

Extraordinary.

The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo.

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Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. 

When she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career. 

Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

 

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Extraordinary. Captivating. Heart aching. 

What did I just read? How do I begin to explain the feeling about this book? There is so much that can be said about this book, but not enough time to describe it all. I was blown away by this story, the characters. THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO is filled with passion, love, hate, hope. The moment you start reading, you won’t be putting it down for a few hours. THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO is the book that I read for hours, multiple times, at times late into the night. I wanted to see how it will end, what will happen with Evelyn, with Monique. I wondered if there was another reason why Evelyn wanted Monique to write her biography. When Evelyn told her she wanted to tell her the truth, to write her biography, I wondered what her motive was. The truth…that was unexpected, and like Monique, I was in shock, and I was angry. Evelyn was a character that I had mixed feelings about, and sometimes I liked her and others I wasn’t sure about her. After that exposure, I wasn’t sure what to think. 

I loved the way that the book was written, the timeline. I enjoyed finding out how Evelyn ended up marrying seven times. THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO is what captured my attention first. How can you not be curious about a title like that? I wondered about the title, wanting to find out the story behind it. I have read TAYLOR JENKINS REID’S novel, Daisy Jones & The Six month ago and loved it. I loved that book. This one…I fell in love. I only read two of her books, and I cannot wait to check the rest of her works. I know that TAYLOR JENKINS REID is the author whose books I will be looking forward to. I want to be an amazing writer as she is. Evelyn, she’s a complicated character. There will be times you will love her and times that you will hate her. For the longest time, I couldn’t decide how I felt about her. I hated how she treated people at times; like Celia and others, I felt sorry for her. Evelyn went through so much, but some of that was her fault.
Celia St James, she was my favorite. I loved how much she loved Evelyn, how she was willing to do anything for her. I did get the feeling that Celia loved Evelyn more than Evelyn did. If you love someone, you won’t hurt them or try to hide the relationship. I understood why Evelyn did it, but I didn't particularly appreciate how she did it. I felt as Evelyn cared about her reputation, her fame more than she cared about Celia. I knew that Evelyn loved Celia, but I was not happy with how she treated her at times. You could tell that there was love between the two of them. I found myself hoping that the two of them will find a way to be together all through the book. Of all Evelyn’s marriages, Harry was my favorite. He’s the type of guy that all the girls want. 

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO is an inspirational book. Yet, I feel that it is a book that everyone should check out. It has become one of my favorites. This is the book that will stay with you for years after turning the last page. This is the book that you will find yourself returning to.

Through Waters Deep(Waves Of Freedom,#1)

 

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 CONTAINS SPOILERS

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. 

When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. 

With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them 

 

 ❀

 Mysterious. Adventurous. 

I have read SARAH SUNDIN’S series, Wings Of Glory last year and fell in love with the story. When I found out that my library had an electronic copy of THROUGH WATERS DEEP , I knew that I needed to check out. I enjoyed the book, and there were a few great aspects of the story. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I thought that I would; some parts in the book were not interesting as the other aspects of the book. I loved the mystery aspect of the book, and like Mary, I was curious about who was behind it all. How can you not be? Bombs on the ship. My main question was, why? I hoped that the mystery would be figured out soon before someone got killed. 

Mary. She was my favorite character in the book. She’s the type of girl that everyone wants to be friends with. I thought that it was unique how she took notes about everyone in her notebook. Even though it was smart, I was afraid that she would get into trouble if anyone found out what she was writing in that notebook. I loved that she did not give up until the mystery was resolved, even when she was told to stop. That was what I loved about her; she was determined. Second, I loved how she cared about others, even if that meant letting go of someone she loved, to make her friend happy. I cannot believe she dared to do something that painful. That isn’t something I would ever be able to do. It’s impossible not to love her. 

Jim and Mary. You could see the connection between the two of them. I did feel that they developed feelings for each other too fast. I think there should be a bit more time for their feelings to the surface. I wanted two of them together, and it was clear how the two felt for each other. I was waiting for the two of them to get together. I hoped that Jim would come to his sense and tell Mary before she leaves for good. I loved the ending. I couldn’t help but smile. THROUGH WATERS DEEP might not be my favorite, but I enjoyed the story. I want to check the rest of the book in the series and see what happens with Arch and Lillian in the next book.

The Fallen Kingdom(The Falconer,#3)

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She’s on borrowed time…and she has only one chance to set things right. 

Find life. 

 
Deep in a forest, Aileana Kameron claws her way out of the earth. Back from the dead with no memory of who she is or what has happened to her, the Falconer now possesses even greater otherworldly powers and a ruthless instinct to kill—and the one piece of knowledge that can change everything. 

Find Kiaran. 

 
Two fae monarchs, Aithinne and Kadamach, stand on the brink of war, and according to an ancient curse, one must die at the hand of the other or all the worlds will perish. Once, Kadamach was known as Kiaran, and he was mentor, protector, and lover to Aileana. Now, under the grip of the curse, his better nature seems lost forever. 

Find the book.

 
Aileana’s only hope lies in the legendary Book of Remembrance, a book of spells so powerful that it can break the fae curse and even turn back time. But the book has been lost for centuries, and many are looking for it, including its creator, the Morrigan—a faery of terrifying malevolence and cruelty. 

Sacrifice everything. 

 
To obtain the book and defeat the Morrigan, Aileana must form an unthinkable alliance, one that challenges every vow she has made to herself—even as the powers that brought her to life are slowly but surely killing her. 

 

 ❀

 

Treasured. 

This book, this series shattered my heart into million pieces. The Falconer is a story that will stay with you, a story that you will be telling to your friends. I think my friends are tired of me talking about this book. I feel in love only few pages into the first book. I did not think that the series could get any better. I should known better. All through the series, my emotions were everywhere, they still are. I wish that there were more books, I don’t want to say goodbye. All of the characters, especially Aileana, Kieran felt real, becoming my friends. When I reached the end of the book, I wanted to go back to the beginning and read it again. I’m sure that in future, I will re-read the series multiple time. I read few books about fae and faeries, but unlike this one. I have never read about fae like this before. I know because it was original is what made me fall in love with the story. The Falconer has become one of my favorite series about fae. I hope that the author will write another fae series in the future. 

I love that I discovered this book by accident. If I did not, who knows if I would ever discover this astonishing story. This is the book that should be talked about more than it is. All the three books were magical, extraordinary. This is the series, the longer you read, the harder it is to put the book down. I love the magical world that ELIZABETH MAY created, a world that you can see yourself escaping into. How is this her debut series? I’m blown away. I cannot get the story out of my mind, and I don’t think that I will anytime soon. Just when I did not think it couldn’t get any more intense, it does. THE FALLEN KINGDOM had me reading for hours. I wanted to see what would happen next, how it would all end. Most of all, I was curious of what would happen with Aileana and Kieran, if the two of them would get their happy ending. How could I not? I have been rooting for the two of them since the beginning. 

There was so much happening there. I cried few times through this book. There was one part, no matter how hard I try, I wouldn’t be able to stop from crying. I did not want it to be true. I’m still having hard time believing that it happened. It’s one of the scenes that I ended up re-reading, to make sure that it was accurate. THE FALLEN KINGDOM had the most of action from all of the three books, but it is expected of the last book. I couldn’t even bring myself to hate Sorcha after this book, after what she did. I knew that I should, but I couldn’t. That ending…The type of ending that I wanted with another unexpected twist. There is part of me that having hard time believing that it’s over. One of the best series I have read. The series that I am glad I had a chance to discover. 

If you love fantasy, if you love books about fae. Check out The Falconer today! You will be on edge of the seat until the end. I am eager to see what adventures the author has in store for us next.

The Vanishing Throne(The Falconer,#2)

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Everything she loved is gone. 

Trapped. Aileana Kameron, the Falconer, disappeared through the fae portal she was trying to close forever. Now she wakes in an alien world of mirrors, magic, and deception—a prisoner of the evil fae Lonnrach, who has a desperate and deadly plan for his new captive.  

Tortured. Time after agonizing time Lonnrach steals Aileana's memories, searching for knowledge to save his world. Just when she's about to lose all hope, Aileana is rescued by an unexpected ally and returns home, only to confront a terrifying truth. The city of Edinburgh is now an unrecognizable wasteland. And Aileana knows the devastation is all her fault. 

Transformed. The few human survivors are living in an underground colony, in an uneasy truce with a remnant of the fae. It is a fragile alliance, but an even greater danger awaits: the human and fae worlds may disappear forever. Only Aileana can save both worlds, but in order to do so she must awaken her latent Falconer powers. And the price of doing so might be her life… 

 

 ❀

 

  Oh, man. That ending…I don't think there are enough words to explain my emotions right now. I have been eager to read THE VANISHING THRONE since I read the first book. Of course, now that I have read it, I want the next book right now. It makes me glad that I checked out both at the same time. After how THE FALCONER ended, I expected a twist in the next book. Yet, I did not see that one coming. That twist has my emotions going in different directions. I have finished the book this morning, and I am still thinking about it. I did not have a chance to read the next book in the series, and I cannot wait to see what happens, how it will end. I had high expectations for the book, especially after reading the first one. I loved the first one, but the second one was even better. Every page had something happening. I felt as if THE VANISHING THRONE had more action than the first one. This was the book that was impossible to put down, and I spent a few hours everyday reading. 

Aileana. I loved her from book one. She's one of the characters who have the most development. Aileana is not the girl she was in the first book. She's strong; she's determined. I love that no matter what happens, she doesn't give up no matter what she goes through. When Lonnrach tortured Aileana, she could give up, but she didn't. I felt as if I was there along with Aileana; her emotions were that strong. Everything in the book, the descriptions, emotions are vivid. As I read the book, I pictured everything that was happening, where they were, the battle. There were times that I was so into the book that I would lose track of time. One more chapter would turn into five, sometimes seven more chapters. THE VANISHING THRONE is not a book that you will have an easy time putting down once you start reading. 

Aileana and Kieran. I loved them before. Now, I want the two of them to end up together. The scenes between the two of them, I couldn't get enough. The two of them belong together. If the two don't end up together by the last book, I will not be happy. The way the two of them look at each other as if they are the only ones in the room. They are in love, and I am sure that everyone is aware of how they feel for one another. I don't think that the two of them are as happy as they are when they are with each other. I loved the new characters introduced in this book, and my favorite was Kieran's sister, Aithinne. I loved the first meeting between her and Aileana, the sense of humor that Aithinne has. Most of all, I enjoyed the bond that she and Aileana seemed to have created with each other. There are so many great characters that I don't think I can pick a favorite one. 

This was magical, heartbreaking, mysterious. THE VANISHING THRONE is a book for historical fiction, romance, and fantasy fans. I am still thinking about the book as I write the review. There is part of me that is sad that it is coming to an end. On the other hand, I am eager to see how it will end for everyone, especially Aileana.

Capturing The Devil (Stalking Jack The Ripper,#4)

 

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CONTAINS SPOILERS

 

 Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London they knew. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World's Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders. 

Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they've heard of before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him---and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device---is another. 

Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end---together and in love---or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill? 

 

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My emotions...There are so many of them after reading the final book. A part of me doesn't want to admit that the series is over. 

I fell in love with the series only a few pages into the first book. It did not take me long to fall in love with Thomas, but then who wouldn't fall in love with him? I loved his sense of humor, and I loved the relationship between him and Audrey Rose. Since the first book, you seen their bond, their relationship grows. I saw the way that the two of them fell in love with each other. Sometimes I did the feeling that Thomas loved Audrey Rose more than she loved him. All those doubts vanished once I started reading CAPTURING THE DEVIL . They were the couple that I was rooting for from the beginning, knowing that what the two of them had was special. I was happy when the two were officially engaged. Then everything fell apart for them, and I was as shocked as anyone else there. Thomas betrothed to another; I was sure that it was a mistake. I did not want it to be true; Thomas and Audrey Rose belonged with each other. My heart shattered for both. I hoped that they would find a way around it. I was rooting for them to find a way to be with each other. 

From all the books from the series, this had the most drama. CAPTURING THE DEVIL had the most scenes between Thomas and Audrey Rose. Unfortunately, they were not all happy ones. I found myself crying along with the two of them. I know that they were fictional characters, but to me, they were real; I went on all the adventures along with them. I did not want to believe that this was how it was going to end for them. I couldn't. CAPTURING THE DEVIL did not have much mystery, not how the other two books had, not until closer to the end. I wish that this book had more mystery; it did not feel the same as the other two. However, once again, it was an impossible book to put down, with the twists that you did not see coming. When you are sure that you know what will happen, there is another twist and another. It's one of the reasons that you will find yourself reading late into the night. 

That ending. I think I was the most emotional at that ending—a perfect end to a fantastic series. Stalking Jack The Ripper will be a series that I will be coming back to. This is the series that I recommended to a few of my friends, the one that I cannot seem to stop talking about. How did I not discover this series earlier? Do you love horror? Mystery? Do you love guessing who the killer is? Be sure to check out this series, and you will be wondering who the killer is until the end. Plus, there is some romance and historical fiction in the mix. A must read. Prepare yourself for a thrilling ride!