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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

January 2018 | My Monthly Consumption

Hello you sacks of beautiful people! I have decided to create a monthly post where I talk about all the books, movies and TV shows that I have watched in the past month. Why you may ask? I'll tell you why. There are so many stories that I consume every month and some of them do not get their own individual blog posts. So I figured why not create My Monthly Consumptions so that I can give my thoughts on all the stories I have taken in for this past month. So without further ado...

The first story I consumed was Baywatch (2017) on a flight from Paris to New York. I love cheesy stupid movies like this but it was also amazing and kickass. Plus a little Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson never hurts. I laughed a lot during this movie yet it was action packed and slightly suspenseful not gonna lie. The only thing I wasn't in love with was Priyanka Chopra because I grew up watching her in Bollywood films and this role was just not well suited for her. She does not play a cheesy comedy villain well to me. Overall I would give Baywatch 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The second story I consumed this month was Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas. I made an individual blog post on this book (which you can check out right here) so I won't spend too much time talking about that.

This month i also consumed Russell Howard's Netflix special, Recalibrate. I think Russell Howard is am amazing comedian who knows exactly what to say to make anyone in a tough situation smile. I love his show The Russell Howard Hour. He delivers the news in such a way that you don't think the world is going to end at any moment. He gives you hope. And that is all that we can ask for in this desperate time. Russell Howard will get 5 out of 5 stars from me every time.

The fourth story I began to consume was Black Mirror which is a Netflix Original Series. Black Mirror is a series of stand-alone dramas that "taps into the collective unease about the modern world." While there were a few episodes that I wasn't fond of, overall I love this series. It is Twilight Zone with a twist and something I have not quite seen before. 5 out of 5 stars!

The next story I consumed this month was The Cruel Prince which I made an individual blog post for so you can check that out here.

The next thing I consumed this month were a couple of Disney movies. I watched Mulan, Mulan II and Pocahontas. All classics from my childhood. The songs from Mulan have always been great. Man Out of You is still a song that gets stuck in my head constantly. John Smith is the hottest of the Disney males ever. You can not deny that jawline. But I looked at the credits and I never knew John Smith was voiced by Mel Gibson so he might not be the hottest of them all. That man just puts a sour taste in my mouth. But over all I loved the nostalgic feeling it gave me. 5 out of 5 stars!

The next story I consumed this month was Little Monsters by Kara Thomas. I made an individual blog post about it which you can check out right here.

Those were my January 2018 Monthly Consumptions!
What did you enjoy this month? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks Hons,
Lee Chand
Saturday, January 27, 2018

Harry Potter Illustrated Editions GIVEAWAY WINNERS


And the three lucky winners are... 
First Book:
Claire van Oorschot
Second Book:
Melissa Sain
Third Book:
Julia Chiodo

Thank you so much for entering!!! You have 48hrs to email me with your information or there will be new winners picked!

Thank you everyone who entered! More giveaways to come!!!
Lee Chand
Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Disney Book Tag


Hello you sacks of beautiful people. So I first saw this tag few years ago and I love Disney so could not resist doing it! So without further ado...

1. The Little Mermaid – a character who is out of their element, a "fish out of water"

For this one I would have to go with Simon in City of Bones. Everyone is being all bad ass and shadowhunter like and Simon is just so lost in this world...at least in this book


2. Cinderella – a character who goes through a major transformation



From Heir of Fire to Empire of Storms, Manon has made such a major transformation. I used to hate her and now she might be one of the only bearable people in these books.


3. Snow White –  a book with an eclectic cast of characters


If only I could pick the entire Mortal Instruments series I would. I would probably have to go with the last book in the series, City of Heavenly Fire. I love the way they all arc beautifully both individually and together. I would want to be a part of their crew just for one day.  

4. Sleeping Beauty – a book that put you to sleep

A book that put me to sleep was Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I do not know why, I just could not get behind this book at all


5. The Lion King – a character who had something traumatic happen to them in their childhood

For this one it has to be my boy Harry Potter. I mean he literally had his mother and father killed before he could even get to know them. And that is how we open the book. So much more has happened to this boy as he grows up and goes to Hogwarts

6. Beauty and the Beast – A beast of a book (a big book) that you were intimidated by, but found the story to be beautiful

I hate to pick from this series again but, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was pretty intimidating for my 3rd grade ass.

7. Aladdin – a character who gets their wish granted, for better or for worst

For this I would have to pick Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. For her entire life Karou wants to know who she is and when she finds out it is not really what she ever expected.

8. Mulan – a character who pretends to be someone or something they are not

For this one I would have to go with Lysandra from the Throne of Glass series. I do not want to spoil anyone, but if you have read the series then you know what I am talking about 

9. Toy Story – a book with characters you wish would come to life

For this one I would have to go with the Blue and the Raven Boys from the Raven Cycle. I love the dynamic these characters share between one another. Even though they can be a little moody, they care for each other deeply and that is all you could ever ask for.

10. Disney Descendants – your favorite villain or morally ambiguous character 

For this one I have to go with Sebastian Morganstern from the Mortal Instruments series. So many people hate him but I loved the hate I felt for him. He was so sick and twisted and just a well thought-out character. He seemed too insane to even be real. 

Let me know what your favorite Disney character is in the comments below!
Thanks Hons,
Lee Chand
Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Little Monsters by Kara Thomas Review

Little Monsters by Kara Thomas
Release Date: July 25th 2017
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 322
Buy it: Amazon|B&N|Book Depository
     Kacey is the new girl in Broken Falls. When she moved in with her father, she stepped into a brand-new life. A life with a stepbrother, a stepmother, and strangest of all, an adoring younger half sister.
     Kacey’s new life is eerily charming compared with the wild highs and lows of the old one she lived with her volatile mother. And everyone is so nice in Broken Falls—she’s even been welcomed into a tight new circle of friends. Bailey and Jade invite her to do everything with them.
     Which is why it’s so odd when they start acting distant. And when they don’t invite her to the biggest party of the year, it doesn’t exactly feel like an accident.
     But Kacey will never be able to ask, because Bailey never makes it home from that party. Suddenly, Broken Falls doesn’t seem so welcoming after all—especially once everyone starts looking to the new girl for answers.
     Kacey is about to learn some very important lessons: Sometimes appearances can be deceiving. Sometimes when you’re the new girl, you shouldn’t trust anyone.

        After years of reading mediocre YA thrillers, I have found one that really kept me guessing till the end. This book was a mix between Pretty Little Liars, We Were Liars, Mean Girls and the Raven Boys minus the paranormal shit. It encompassed so many different themes without feeling all over the place. There is much more to this story than meets the eye. When picking up this book I expected it to be cliché and filled with cheesy and predictable drama, but this story kept me on my feet, wanting more and more.
        Most thrillers that I read/watch, I can figure out who done it by maybe 30% of the way through and while I did have numerous theories, none of them were 100% solid. When I came to the end, I found myself in shock about the who-what-when-where and why. This story goes so deep in so many different ways. This book is filled with 180s that rendered me wholly dumbfounded. Throughout this book you keep peeling back more and more layers. You are just as in the dark as everyone else.
        There is not much I could say about this book without spoiling it but if you want a YA thriller that will actually keep you guessing, pick this book up. The only thing more I wanted from it was a little bit of humor. I know it sounds crazy but adding humor to a story as dark as this brings this whole new element that makes stories like this more fun and interesting to read. I know that there is a girl missing, but a little laughter never hurt no body. I would give this book 4.5 starts out of 5.

What is your favorite YA thriller? Let me know in the comments down below!
Thanks Hons,
Lee Chand
Sunday, January 14, 2018

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black Review

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Release Date: January 2nd 2018
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 370
Buy it: Amazon|B&N|Book Depository
By #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, the first book in a stunning new series about a mortal girl who finds herself caught in a web of royal faerie intrigue. 
This Barnes & Noble exclusive edition features a special jacket and bonus story starring fan-favorites Kaye and Roiben of the bestselling Tithe series, allowing readers to witness the pivotal coronation scene from an alternate point of view.

Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

        This is the first Holly Black book I have read and I am honestly conflicted. I do not really know if I loved it or hated it. I do not know if I would pick up the second book if it was presented to me. This book was extremely slow for me. The pacing was flat. There was nothing exciting happening for a good 85% of the story. After finishing a book like Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas, it is hard to jump into a completely new fae storyline with all the world building that had to be done. And that may have played a factor into my dislike. Maybe I will come back to this book later on in the year when I am in a different reading mood. The tone and mood of the story was just something that kept me interested. I found myself putting down the book often and forcing myself to read it. It was not until the last third of the book that things jump started and it honestly saved this book for me.
        The characters were unlike ones I have ever encountered and I do not know if this was a good or bad thing. The dynamic between Jude and Carden was immature and unpleasant. These characters were just not realistic or relatable. While the world building in this book was incredible, the characters were a pain to deal with. They do go through some form of development, some of them seem to go backwards. Carden was just frustrating. He was more than just cruel. I was expecting a Rowan type bullying and it was far worst. Basically abuse. 
        I find myself more infuriated than excited for the second book. I had high hopes for this book, especially since it had so much hype. I was expecting more, but as someone who reads a ton of high fantasy books, this book did not do it for me. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars. 

Did you like this book? Am I the only one who did not? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks Hons,
Lee Chand
Friday, January 12, 2018

EMPIRE OF STORMS (THRONE OF GLASS BOOK #5) BY SARAH J. MAAS


Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Mass
Release Date: September 6th 2016
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 693
Buy it: Amazon|B&N|Book Depository
        The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

        With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

        In this breathtaking fifth installment of the New York Timesbestselling Throne of Glass series, Aelin will have to choose what—and who—to sacrifice if she's to keep the world of Erilea from breaking apart.


        I say this at the beginning of every post about this series but I will say it one more time! If you are not on this series by now what are you doing honey? This is one of my all time favorite series. If you have not read this series you can check out my reviews of Throne of Glass, Crown of MidnightHeir of Fire and Queen of Shadows.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

2018 New Years Book Tag!

Hello you sacks of beautiful people. I said that for 2018 I wanted to blog more and to help fulfill that goal, i have decided to start doing more tags! When I saw Heather from Bookables post this New Years Tag, I thought it provided the perfect opportunity to get the ball rolling and start posting more. You can find her video here.

Q U E S T I O N S

How many books are you planning to read in 2018?
I have my goodreads goal set at 30 books at the moment. It is subject to change, but i am currently on track. lol

Name 5 books you did not get to read this year but want to make a priority in 2018?
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

What genre do you want to read more of?
I have been on a fantasy kick lately so I would like to read a few contemporaries. I also would like to get into adult novels and poetry. 

Name three non book related goals.
• I would love to spend money more wisely and start saving
• Get A's in all my college classes this semester
• Give a little more to the people I love

What book have you had forever that you still need to read?
Legend by Marie Lu
Everyone loves this book and I have had it for quite sometime, but I have not picked it up yet. I also need to read more dystopians. I forgot how much I love them.

One word that you are hoping 2018 will be?
Fulfilling

Let me know your goals for 2018 in the comments below.
Thanks Hons,
Lee Chand
Saturday, January 6, 2018

QUEEN OF SHADOWS (THRONE OF GLASS BOOK #4) BY SARAH J. MAAS

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Mass
Release Date: September 1st 2015
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 648
Buy it: Amazon|B&N|Book Depository

The queen has returned.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

        Dude if you are not on this series by now what are you doing honey? This is one of my all time favorite series. If you have not read this series you can check out my reviews of Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire.

SPOILERS FOR QUEEN OF SHADOWS BELOW!
Friday, January 5, 2018

Welcome to 2018! | Life Update & 2018 TBR


Welcome to 2018 everyone! Is it everything you have ever hoped for? In this post I wanted to give you guys a little life update while also planning out some reading that I wanted to do for the new year.

My 2018 started off in Paris. It was a very last minute trip to celebrate my mother's birthday and since I had already been there a few years ago, I felt no pressure to fit a million things into my days there. It was extremely relaxed. On Sunday, I head back to start my second semester of my second year at Ohio State University. While I do love book blogging, it does have to take a back seat to my education. And last semester was not too hot for me. But I am hoping that this semester things will turn around and I will have time to blog again.

This year I hope to read a lot more. It is hard for me to bring books to college because I have all my books at home and I am 12 hours away. But I am hoping that the few paperbacks that I stuff in my suitcase will be enough to hold me over till my return. There are a few books that I have been wanting to read for a while that I hope to get to in the new year.

• Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas •
• Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins •
• Scarlet by Marissa Meyer •
• Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare •
• A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas •

I also want to start reading more contemporaries. I have been on a huge fantasy kick for the longest time and it would be nice to bring it back to reality.

What is on your TBR this year? Do you have any recommendations for me? Leave a comment down below!
Thanks Hons,
Lee Chand