Waiting on Wednesday: The Last Sacrifice by James A. Moore

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

This week's upcoming book spotlight is:

The Last Sacrifice by James A. Moore

Publication Date: January 3rd, 2017
Angry Robot

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Since time began, the Grakhul – immortal servants of the gods – have taken human sacrifices to keep the world in balance and the gods appeased. When the choose the family of warrior Brogan McTyre, everything changes. 

Brogan begins the toughest battle of his life to free his family from their terrible fate. But when you challenge the gods, you challenge the very fabric of society. Declared an outcast, Brogan and his kin are hunted like criminals – but nothing will stand in his way.

The blurb for this book is so sparse that it piques my interest just enough to make me really forward to its release! This notion of humans being used as sacrifice is pretty intense, and I like it.

What do you think about this upcoming release? What are your anticipated upcoming releases?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Recent TBR Additions

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly book blog meme hosted by the lovely girls over at The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is ten books that were recently added to our to-be-read list, so these are just ten of the many books I've added over the last month or so. This is also about the time when I get overwhelmed by how many books there are out there in the wild that I have yet to read. *silent panic ensues*


1. The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee
This is one of those books that I feel really dumb about having not realized how good it seems until just recently. I've seen this cover everywhere, but always ignored it for some reason. (??) I finally read about it about two days ago and onto my TBR it went! This is about an opera star who is approached by someone who wants her to star in his opera, only when he begins to explain the plot to said opera she is startled to hear that it is based off of her hidden past... are you intrigued? I sure as hell am.

2. Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard
I always see and always mean to look into, but subsequently forget! I finally got around to looking into it more the other day and it immediately went on my TBR. Deals with the devil always make for good reads.

3. Pull Me Under by Kelly Luce
I recently heard this book from Book Riot's All the Books podcast and it sounds so interesting. Rio Silvestri was stabbed by a bully in Japan when she was twelve and eventually moves to the United States to escape this past. She is also the daughter of a violinist who just happens to be a Living National Treasure of Japan. Something shows up on the doorstep of her Colorado home one day and spurs her to return to Japan, where I'm sure all sorts of intense things ensue. I must acquire this one soon.

4. Flights and Chimes in Mysterious Times by Emma Trevayne
This just sounds incredibly fun and I think it will be a perfect book to add to my nighttime reading list! A ten-year-old boy essentially walks into an alternate and slightly more sinister version of London, and I'm basically just hooked right there.

5. The Underground Girls of Kabul: In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan by Jenny Nordberg
From what I can gather, this is the work of an investigative journalist who explores what it means to be a woman in Afghanistan - but is also so much more than that.

6. The Devourers by Indra Das
The fact that this summary starts out with the sentence "for fans of Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, China Mieville, and David Mitchell.." is an immediate 'YES'. But that also gives this book insanely high expectations, so I'm hoping it lives up to them. I've honestly no idea how to describe this, so just follow the click-through link to Goodreads if that author name-dropping entices you!

7. The Ferryman Institute by Colin Gigl
A ferryman involved with the dead immediately makes me think of Charon from Greek mythology, which automatically sparks my interest - even if it has nothing to do with that. Essentially, our main character gets 'assignments' and helps people cross over after they die, but one day something different happens, and I don't know any more because I've yet to read it!

8. Ragnarok by A. S. Byatt
It's about time I read something by A.S. Byatt. I saw mention of this book the other day on Tumblr and it sounded fascinating. It also sounds as if there is major Norse mythology influence in this book, and I can't wait to check it out!



9. I Await the Devil's Coming by Mary Maclane, introduction by Jessica Crispin
I recently stumbled upon this book, which is essentially the diary of a nineteen-year-old girl living in Butte, Montana in 1902. It seems she's often cited as an early American feminist author and this book was shocking due to its sexual content, so I'm pretty interested to find out more about these claims.

10. The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu
This is most definitely not anything close to a recent release, but I decided that I would like to expand some of my knowledge of classic literature, particularly in areas that I am not as well-read in, such as Asian literature. I am immensely intrigued by this Japanese work and am excited to eventually explore it!

What are some of your recent TBR additions? Do any of these catch your eye? Share your opinions in the comments!

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Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon by Bronwen Dickey

Pit Bull by Bronwen Dickey. Knopf, 2016. Hardcover. 330 pages.

I have seen many media headlines and articles that attack pit bulls as being instinctively aggressive and dangerous dogs, and I have also interacted with people who have deep prejudices against them, but I have never been quite able to fathom why this is the case. Sure, they've attacked people, but so have golden retrievers, German shepherds, Wiemereiners, and any other number of dogs - it's not limited to only one breed. In Pit Bull, Bronwen Dickey draws attention to all of these issues while also exploring the history of pit bulls and their role through American history, drawing light to various fads and the changing opinions of them over decades.

The first and most surprising thing I learned from this book was that the term "pit bull" is a rather loose and much more vague term to describe this breed than I could have ever imagined. The term that most people use for "pit bull" actually encompasses about four distinct breeds, and this label is often wrongly applied to a wide array of dogs. From this chapter on, I knew I would be hooked on the subject matter of this book,

Dickey's writing is immensely engaging, and it reminded me quite a bit of another powerhouse nonfiction writer whom I love - Candice Millard - which only proved to further my enjoyment. Dickey writes with passion, confidence, and a strong desire to impart as much well-researched information as possible. She leaves no stone unturned and provides not only anecdotes in defense of pit bulls, but also stories that do portray them somewhat negatively in attempt to further prove her argument - all of her research and experiences only prove that there is a vast unearned bias against whatever constitutes a pit bull. Dickey's writing is fluid and engaging, interspersing the perfect amount of facts and statistics with anecdotes and explanation to create a wonderful balance that makes this book incredibly interesting to read.

Dickey uses personal interviews, empathy, hard scientific facts, and true historical information to both explain and attempt to understand how pit bulls have been viewed among society and how that image has evolved in such extreme ways. I was particular fascinated by a chapter on genetics, which explained that the physical appearance of a dog does not necessarily correspond to its genetic makeup, and that many breeds are misidentified as pit bulls simply because of their features. It was also interesting to briefly learn about other dog breeds that also underwent prejudice and intense fear mongering, such as Dachshunds and Dobermans. Another large theme that Dickey brings to light is the relation between pit bull breeds and racism, which was incredibly eye-opening and really made me think about both of these issues in a greater light, which I truly appreciate.

There are so many factors that go into this misinformed prejudice of pit bulls, and I felt that this book not only did a wonderful job explaining that issue, but also brought up so many other important discussions about society and the media that make this a must-read for just about anyone. I learned about much more than just pit bulls.

I do think that opinions of pit bulls are changing, but that it will continue to move at a slow pace. It is still difficult to obtain homeowner's insurance if you have any number of dog breeds that fall under the 'dangerous liability' realm, which often includes German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and of course, Pit Bulls. Overall, I'm giving Pit Bull five stars for all of the reasons stated above; this book is incredibly enlightening and I will certainly be recommending it to everyone I know (and maybe even those I don't know). I hope that Dickey continues to write more incredible books like this!

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You might also like:
Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
Dataclysm by Christian Rudder

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo (Spolier-FREE)

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. Orion Children's Books, 2016. 536 pages. Hardcover.

*This review will contain abosolutely no spoilers for Crooked Kingdom.*

Where am I even supposed to begin with this gorgeous, epic masterpiece of a book? The Six of Crows duology in general has become the series I never knew I absolutely needed in my life. The characters are brilliant, the plot is captivating, and the writing is stunning. I could honestly just end my review right there, because that's all you need to know about this book. But I won't, because this book deserves a better review than that.

Crooked Kingdom takes places after the somewhat disastrous events of Six of Crows, and it does not miss a beat of the action or thrilling nature that was present in Six of Crows. Bardugo's writing is simply flawless, and I don't say that lightly. She brings such life and intensity to every single page, which makes it impossible to put down. I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately - more like reader's fatigue, actually - but Crooked Kingdom was such a breeze to get through and really made me excited to read.

So, where to begin? One of the strongest components of this book is its characters. The entire core crew that works together - Kaz, Nina, Jesper, Wylan, Nina, and Matthias - have some of the best chemistry in any book series I've read. I could not get enough of the banter and witty comments made among one another, including the various inside jokes between the group. (I strongly considered adding some quotes as examples, but then that would include me actually picking among the many great lines, and that just wasn't going to happen.) I can't get over how well Bardugo has executed each of their distinct, strong personalities. And while I don't always love alternative POVs, especially when there are a lot of them, Bardugo executes this style perfectly and I truly cherish each person's perspective, even when it's not one of the main characters. And while I love all of the character, Inej still somehow remains my least loved, and I'm not quite sure why, though I think it is because it doesn't seem as if her character has been developed to quite the same extent as the others, but this is just my own opinion, of course.

I'd also just like to inset here that I love Nina's passion for food, because that is one of the most relatable aspects of the entire book. And it made my want food (but what else is new?),

One small thing that seemed off to me was Kuwei's participation in this book. I won't go into much detail so as to avoid spoilers, but suffice to say I was surprised he didn't have a larger role in this book considering he was pretty much the main motivation in Six of Crows.

I loved the pacing of this book, and I am so pleased that Crooked Kingdom ended up being just as perfect as Six of Crows and didn't lose any of the charm or brilliance. It was a perfect companion and despite the fact that I never want to leave the story or these characters, the ending was perfectly fitting.

Overall, Crooked Kingdom obviously gets five star and all of my recommendations! I even convinced my mom to read the series and she is loving it, so go out and recommend this to everyone you know!

Buy the book!

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You might also like:
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
A Court of Misty and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Waiting on Wednesday: The Continent by Keira Drake

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

This week's upcoming book spotlight is:

The Continent by Keira Drake

Publication Date: January 3rd, 2017
Harlequin Teen

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

From Goodreads:

For her sixteenth birthday, Vaela Sun receives the most coveted gift in all the Spire—a trip to the Continent. It seems an unlikely destination for a holiday: a cold, desolate land where two “uncivilized” nations remain perpetually at war. Most citizens tour the Continent to see the spectacle and violence of battle—a thing long vanished in the Spire. For Vaela—a smart and talented apprentice cartographer—it is an opportunity to improve upon the maps she’s drawn of this vast, frozen land.

But an idyllic aerial exploration is not to be had: the realities of war are made clear in a bloody battle seen from the heli-plane during the tour, leaving Vaela forever changed. And when a tragic accident leaves her stranded on the Continent, she has no illusions about the true nature of the danger she faces. Starving, alone, and lost in the middle of a war zone, Vaela must try to find a way home—but first, she must survive.

I honestly have no idea if I'll end up enjoying The Continent, but the premise sounds so intriguing and different from other books I've read. Plus, I love that the main character is an apprentice cartographer! Mapmaking has always fascinated me, so I love that component. I think this book sounds intense and I am really looking forward to checking it out!

What do you think about this upcoming release? What are your anticipated upcoming releases?

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First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday: Pit Bull by Bronwen Dickey

First Chapter Tuesday is hosted every Tuesday by Diane over at Bibiophile by the Sea. Join the fun by making your own post and linking up over at Diane's blog, or simple check it out to find more new books to read!

So, I love dogs. Like, I really, really like dogs - I particularly love big dogs, but I still love them all.  They deserve nothing but love and perfection, and I intend to do my best to give every dog just that. Pit bulls are one of my favorite breeds, and it saddens me to see how they are often portrayed in the media. Pit bulls are incredibly loyal, sweet, and friendly, but due to many stereotypes and exaggerations, they are often viewed as vicious fighting dogs. I used to have a black lab/pit bull mix, and she was one of the best dogs ever -  she would  never hurt a fly. (Having a big black lab/pit mix running straight at people often frightened them, but all she wanted to do was tackle them with love and kisses.)

The book Pit Bull by Bronwen Dickey explores the history of pit bulls in America and the variety of roles they played and how there stereotype has evolved over the years. I am loving this book so far for its in-depth details and compelling writing.

Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon  by Bronwen Dickey

Chapter 1

"On a hot summer day a few years ago, my husband, Sean, brought home Nola, a slightly underweight thirty-eight pound pit bull with  caramel-and-white coat, a pink nose, and eye the color of honey. Pronounced cheek muscles and a cleft in the top of her head gave her face the shape of a small but eager heart. When Sean and I visited our city's animal shelter earlier that month, I had barely noticed her. "Wait a minute," he said as I cooed over a flashier and more extroverted candidate. "What about this one?" When she glued herself to Sean's leg in the shelter's play yard, we agreed to give her a home." *

What do you think? Would you keep reading? (And feel free to join in and make your own post!) 

If you're enticed by this chapter, be sure to check out the full synopsis on Goodreads!

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*Excerpt taken from the novel itself; I do not claim to own any part of the excerpt.

The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd

The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd. Bantam, 2013. Ebook. 368 pages.

I chose to read The Solitary House because I was looking for a compelling mystery book that would fit in with both the Halloween and fall season, as well as the impending winter season (I like to prepare, okay?). Fortunately, The Solitary House delivered on all of these fronts and provided an intriguing, dark, and in-depth story to delve into. Shepherd takes inspiration from both Charles Dickens' Bleak House and Wilkie Collins' Woman in White, which truly shines in her work.

Now, as much as this is an interesting mystery to follow, it's not exactly a lighthearted read. Indeed, there are some heavy topics and events discussed, ranging from gruesome murders to crude characters to discussion of young girls working as prostitutes. Despite these unsavory elements, this book is still written in such a way that it just captures your imagination and makes it difficult to lose interest.

This story takes place in London in 1850 with Charles Maddox, former police offer turned solo investigator, is offered a new case that appears to be fairly simple, but ends up becoming much more than Charles bargained for. Charles is an independent young man who appears to have very little fear for the more dangerous parts of London. For this reason, he's an interesting character to follow, and I enjoyed that as the story went on, we began to learn more and more about his own past and family, as well as discover his own fears. We watch him go from feeling as if he is on top of his case, to realizing that he is in way over his head and that there are real, imminent dangers present.

What I found most engaging about The Solitary House was the predominant narrator, who is an entirely unknown figure to us, the readers. The story also alternated briefly with a character named Hester, but these bits seemed quite brief in retrospect and were not my favorite points of the book. Our main narrator is long-winded and detail-oriented. What comes across as rambling on about various subject is in fact interesting and often relevant information to the story itself. What surprised me about this was that I never became irritated by this extended use of descriptions and languages, which is a testament to the writing and wit of the narrator, without whom I likely would have stopped reading this book. It is extremely Victorian novel style in this manner, and I enjoyed seeing the influence of Dickens and Collins in this writing. What I also found intriguing was that this third party narrator seemed to be telling the story from a modern perspective, which is only briefly noticed, but brought an extremely interesting element to it. I can confidently say that without these elements from the narrator, this story would have seemed exceptionally dry.

Despite the fact that I enjoyed the long, extended details and perceived rambling, if this style is something that you have a hard time enjoying, then this might not be the book for you; however, I do still encourage you to give it a read!

Overall, this is a well thought out and carefully crafted novel, dealing with both the filth and surface level violence of day-to-day life in nineteenth century London, as well as the deeper, psychological issues that plague life and the investigative work of Charles. For these reasons, I am giving The Solitary House four stars!

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You might also like:
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
Smoke by Dan Vyleta
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
Patient H.M. by Luke Dittrich