WWW Wednesday #29 | October 31, 2018


WWW Wednesdays is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.
Just answer three questions and share what you're reading.


WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
Steadfast (True North #1) - Sarina Bowen
I'm only on chapter two but I'm so excited to be continuing this series. Jude was a secondary character in the first book and I'm so interested to get his backstory and learn more about him. I already get the feeling that Sophie is dealing with a lot, but that her feelings for Jude are still there. Excited to see how this unfolds! 

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?
Evidence of the Affair - Taylor Jenkins Reid
I read Evidence of the Affair over the weekend and it's amazing to me how Taylor Jenkins Reid can pack so much story into so few pages. She's a master at storytelling! 

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?
   
I'm feeling a little burned out on YA but at the same time I *really* want to read Restore Me. I'll probably go ahead and put it on hold at the library and see how I feel when it becomes available. I might also be in the mood for something historical, like Tides of Honour, or maybe a paranormal, like Seven Years. All of which is code for: I have no idea so anything goes! :)

What are you currently reading?
I wanna know! :)

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Halloween Costumes

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 
Bookish/Literary Halloween Costumes
This week's theme is a Halloween freebie and since I don't go for the scary reads, I'm instead turning my attention to some bookish Halloween costumes I've come across. There are some seriously creative people out there! Here are some of my favorites...

    
 
Madeline | The Madeline books by Ludwig Bemelmans
Love the Madeline costumes on these little girls - and there's even a Miss Clavel!

    

Charlie Brown | The Peanuts books/comic by Charles M. Schulz
Such a simple costume but there's no doubt who he's supposed to be. :)

    

Fleur Delacour | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Who could forget Fleur Delacour and the Beauxbatons girls?

    

Creepy Twins | The Shining by Stephen King
"Come play with us, Danny."
Gaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!

    

Willy Wonka | Charlie and the Choclate Factory by Roald Dahl
Love how the whole family got into it. Not just Willy Wonka but also Violet Beauregarde and an Oompa-Loopma.

    

Mary Poppins| Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
This lady makes a good Mary Poppins! Wonder if she can pull a lamp out of that bag?

    

Peter Pan | Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Another family act - this time with Peter, Wendy, Captain Hook and Tinkerbell.

    

Holly Golightly | Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
So iconic.

    

Harry Potter and Dobby | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Bonus points for Dobby wearing one sock.
"Dobby is a free elf!"

    
   
Effie Trinket | The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
"Happy Hunger Games!"
   

Have you ever dressed up as a bookish character

The Sunday Post #126


The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's a chance to share news - a post to recap the past week on your blog, 
showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is
coming up on your blog in the week ahead. You can find the info here:

Well will you look at this... a Sunday Post on a Sunday. Looks who's all on the ball today? :) As a matter of fact, it's 9:30 Sunday morning and I've done the grocery shopping, had breakfast, and am on my third load of laundry. *high fives myself* What has you feeling accomplished today?

I woke up to a chilly 48 degrees... finally, some weather that actually feels like late October!

How awesome are these shoes?! There are all kinds of bookish patterns, different styles (slip-ons, high tops, etc). I'm *this close* to ordering some.

   


WHAT I FINISHED IN THE LAST WEEK:
     
One of my most anticipated books of the year did not disappoint! I loved getting more of Luc's story, loved the humor, loved the action and the twists. Total hit.

This short story that TJR made available on Amazon was a super quick read but still managed to pack an emotional punch - and a twist that surprised me.

WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING: 
Excited to be continuing this series.

WHAT I'M CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:
Misbehaved - Charleigh Rose
I'm about three-quarters through this audiobook and it's... okay. The narrators aren't really doing it any favors and I have no connection with the characters. But it's entertaining enough, I suppose.


Not a thing!
    




How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share? 
I'd love to hear about it!

Review: The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Darkest Star (Origin #1) 
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication date: October 30, 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Paranormal, Romance
Source: Tor Teen and NetGalley
When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head...


Me: when I heard that Jennifer L. Armentrout was returning to the Lux world.


Me: after reading The Darkest Star


YES!!! The Darkest Star was just what I wanted and just what I needed.

The Darkest Star takes place 4 years after an alien invasion and subsequent war that wiped out cities and left many dead. Evie’s own father was killed in the fighting and she has few memories of what life was like before the invasion. There’s now an uneasy peace between humans and the Luxen but even so, 17-year-old Evie is nervous to accompany her friend to a club known to be a Luxen hangout. There she meets Luc: gorgeous, cocky, mysterious and decidedly other-worldly. Spending time with Luc has an odd sense of déjà vu and leaves her with questions – especially since she’s positive there’s plenty that Luc’s not telling her. When classmates go missing, when everyone around her has secrets, Evie is thrust into danger and those closest to her are not always who (or what) they seem.

The Darkest Star came complete with all the lovable characters, great banter, action, friendships and romance in Armentrout's signature style. Readers who have not read the original Lux series have nothing to fear since the exposition provides all the background necessary to understand the who, what and why. And those who are already Lux fans will love the cameos (and mentions) of favorite characters.

Me: at each scene with Daemon Black


Main character Evie was a down to earth girl, dealing with bizarre circumstances as best she could, with an internal dialogue that was both relatable and hilarious. And then there was Luc, that oh so intriguing secondary character from the Lux series who I was dying to know more about. He was here in all his enigmatic glory, with his snappy comebacks, less than humble demeanor, and non sequiturs that always made me laugh. But another side of Luc was revealed in The Darkest Star - one that showed a vulnerability and a sense of humanity that was as surprising as it was endearing.

This was a total page-turner and Armentrout kept the story moving with plenty of action, plenty of twists, and plenty of delicious tension between Evie and Luc. Yes, there were a few cringey bits of dialogue, and I really, really would have loved to also had Luc's POV, but overall The Darkest Star delivered big time. All I could think after turning the last page was: I want more!  

As one of my most anticipated books of the year, The Darkest Star totally delivered and was everything I was hoping for. Whether you’re a longtime Lux fan or new to this world, you’ll love this epic start to the Origin trilogy!

Favorite quotes

"You're- you're trying to kidnap me."
"I wouldn't say I'm trying to kidnap you. I would say that I'm actively offering you a place to stay for an undetermined amount of time."

That made me feel a little better, knowing I hadn't been kissed by a killer alien from outer space. It was the small things that made one's crappy life choices easier to deal with.

"I don't think we've formally met. You're Evie. I'm Kent. I like long walks in dark cemeteries and I want to have a pet llama before I die."

4.5/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Top Ten Tuesday: Villain Edition

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 
Villains

THE ONES I LOVE...
      
Warner | Shatter Me series
A sadistic baddie who's actually a tortured good guy? What's not to love?

Ty | Stolen: A Letter to My Captor
A kidnapper that actually manages to be a sympathetic character.

Cardan | The Cruel Prince
The jury is still out with this guy but for now I'm loving him.

THE ONES I HATE...
      
President Snow | The Hunger Games trilogy
Cruel and manipulative and willing to do anything to retain power... that's Snow.

Amarantha and The King of Hybern | ACOTAR series
Pure evil.

Valentine Morgenstern & Sebastian Morgenstern | The Mortal Instruments series
Is it any wonder that Sebastian turned out as twisted as his father? 

      
Nancy Husher | The Lux series
A prime example of a villain who firmly believes the end justifies the means.

Julian's uncle | A List of Cages
No words. Just that anything was too good for the man.

Scott Van Wright | Fuel the Fire
Just when I thought he had slunk away, he reappeared to wreak more havoc. Truly loathsome. 

...and THE ONE I LOVE TO HATE
   
Dolores Umbridge | Harry Potter series
I enjoy hating Umbridge. To me, she's worse than Voldemort. At least Voldemort is straight-up bad. He makes no apologies for it. Umbridge is sadistic under the guise of being in the right. I imagine she'll be on all the lists today and for good reason... she's the worst!
   

Have you read any of these books?
What villain do you love to hate?