Book Review- DAUGHTERS OF RUIN by K.D. Castner

Title: DAUGHTERS OF RUIN
Author: K.D. Castner

Release Date: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 320
Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Rating: Loved!

ARC Received from the Publisher for an honest review.

Game of Thrones meets Graceling in a thrilling debut that follows the four fierce princesses of enemy kingdoms as their worlds collide in the throes of war.

Rhea, Cadis, Suki, and Iren have lived together since they were children. They are called sisters. They are not. They are called equals. They are not. They are princesses…and they are enemies.

Not long ago, a brutal war ravaged their kingdoms, and Rhea’s father was the victor. As a gesture of peace, King Declan brought the daughters of his rivals to live under his protection—and his ever-watchful eye. For ten years the girls have trained together as diplomats and warriors, raised to accept their thrones and unite their kingdoms in peace.

But there is rarely peace among sisters. Sheltered Rhea was raised to rule everyone—including her “sisters”—but she’s cracking under pressure. The charismatic Cadis is desperately trying to redeem her people from their actions during the war. Suki guards deep family secrets that isolate her, and quiet Iren’s meekness is not what it seems.

All plans for peace are shattered when the palace is attacked. As their intended futures lie in ashes, Rhea, Cadis, Suki, and Iren must decide where their loyalties lie: to their nations, or to each other. 

I really loved this book and probably would have given it an obsessed rating but there were a couple things that bugged the crap out of me hence the loved rating.

Let's start by saying I freaking hate this cover! Hate it with a passion! If it weren't for the awesome synopsis I probably wouldn't have read this book. The story is about 4 girls and has 4 POV's I really think they should have all had representation on the cover.

Ok now what I loved! I loved 3 of the POV's Rhea, Cadis, and especially Iren's! I love that we get to view this world through each of their eyes! I loved the world building and all of the secondary characters. I wish there would have been a bit more romance but, I'm ok with what I got.

The one thing that stopped me from giving this an obsessed rating was Suki's POV. She was an obnoxious brat and her inner monologue and the way it was written drove me crazy! Absolutely freaking crazy!

But other than that I loved this story and highly recommend it! Also I truly hope this is a series (there's no info saying it is but I hope it is!) because I need more!!!!! 

Blog Tour- THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine An Interview and A Giveaway!

I am so excited to be hosting a spot on blog tour for THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine. I freaking loved this book and can't wait for it's sequel! I really can't wait for you all to read it! I have an interview with Sarah to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway! 

Haven't heard of THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN? Check it out!

Title: THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN

Author: Sarah Fine

Release Date: January 5^th, 2016

Pages: 432

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books 

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes& Noble | iBooks

Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

Check out this map that will be in the book! It was designed by Leo Hartas!

Now on to the interview!

Hi Sarah! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books! I loved THE IMPOSTSOR QUEEN and I know my readers will as well and am so happy that you could stop by for a visit!

For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN and the characters?

The Impostor Queen is the story of a “chosen one” who finds out … she isn’t. Elli, the protagonist, has been raised her whole life to believe that she is going to be queen, and a supremely powerful one at that. She thinks of herself as a vessel waiting to be filled. I immensely enjoyed writing about her development when those expectations simply aren’t 

borne out.

One thing that’s really important to me is writing characters in context instead of allowing them to have perspectives they couldn’t possibly have given their surroundings, upbringing, and beliefs. It’s easy to see Elli as overly naïve, until you really ponder how someone raised in that environment would really think. Professionally (as a child psychologist), I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this as I work with parents to understand the internal lives of their children. It’s quite difficult to take on the perspective of a person who has such a limited understanding of the world, not because of lack of intelligence, but due to lack of experience. Once you have a larger perspective, it’s hard to imagine what it’s like to think without that knowledge to guide you. So that was actually quite challenging as I told this story! But, in writing Elli and her journey, I tried my darnedest to remain within her realm of reality and experience. I hope readers are satisfied with the results!

Did you always plan for this to be a duology? Is there a title for book 2 yet?

No, I didn’t plan for it to be a duology, but I do have a clear vision of the full story I’d like to tell. 

And Book 2 does have a title: The Cursed Queen. I’m really excited to share it with everyone.

Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?

I hardly EVER write characters based on people I know. I feel it constrains the imagination. There is only one exception to that, but that was a character from Of Metal and Wishes.

What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?

I’ve just finished Isaac’s Storm: A Man, A Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History, by Erik Larson, and am currently reading Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic, by Sam Quinones. I’m also picking my way through Shadow Cities by Robert Neuwirth, which is a fascinating read about urban squatters around the world. I read a lot of nonfiction and am very often inspired by it. In fact, in December I read a history of the French Revolution and biographies of Robespierre and Stalin, and I anticipate that wisps of those men and different times will entangle and find their way into one of my upcoming books.

Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend?

Oh, honestly, I’ve never gotten over Dimitri Belikov from Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series. Lots of runners up, but he has held the title for years, and I doubt he’ll ever relinquish it.

Lightning Round Questions

Twitter or Facebook? Twitter, though I’ve neglected it lately

Favorite superhero? Wonder Woman

Favorite TV show? Banshee

Sweet or salty? Salty

Any phobias? Parallel parking and also, being crushed.

Song you can’t get enough of right now? Emperor’s New Clothes by Panic! At the Disco

Upcoming movie you’re most looking forward to? Is it too early to be anticipating Star Wars, Episode 8?

Thanks so much Sarah for answering my questions! 

ABOUT SARAH FINE:

I’m the author of several books for teens, including Of Metal and Wishes (McElderry/Simon & Schuster) and its sequel, Of Dreams and Rust, the Guards of the Shadowlands YA urban fantasy series (Skyscape/Amazon Children’s Publishing), and The Impostor Queen (McElderry, January 2016).

I’m also the co-author (with Walter Jury) of two YA sci-fi thrillers published by Putnam/Penguin: Scanand its sequel Burn. My first adult urban fantasy romance series, Servants of Fate, includes Marked,Claimed, and Fated, all published by 47North in 2015, and my second adult UF series — The Reliquary, kicks off in summer 2016. When I’m not writing, I’m psychologizing. Sometimes I do both at the same time. The results are unpredictable.

LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

Giveaway Details:

3 Finished Copies of THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week 1:

1/18: Two Chicks on Books - Q&A

1/19: The Irish Banana Review - Guest Post

1/20: Bookmark Lit - Cover Colors

1/21: Bibliobibuli YA - Review

1/22: No BS Book Reviews - Polyvore Collage

Week 2:

1/25: What Sarah Read - Review

1/26: Supernatural Snark - Review

1/27: Paperback Princess - Review

1/28: Eater of Books - Top 10

1/29: Lili's Reflections - Review

Dying To Read (123)- THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine

Hey y’all thanks for stopping by to see my Dying to Read post and of course as always I have to give credit to the lovely Jill over at Breaking the Spine for the Waiting on Wednesday Meme!

I am so stoked with all the high fantasy books coming out in 2016 and this one is no exception!

Title: THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN

Author: Sarah Fine

Release Date: January 5, 2016

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Pages: 336
Formats: Hardcover & eBook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooks 

Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed. 

So what do you think? Will you be adding this to your pile? What are you dying to read this week?

Dying to Read (114)- DAUGHTERS OF RUIN by K. D. Castner

Hey y’all thanks for stopping by to see my Dying to Read post and of course as always I have to give credit to the lovely Jill over at Breaking the Spine for the Waiting on Wednesday Meme!

This cover is horrible but the synopsis sounds good enough that I can overlook it! I really hope the publisher considers a re-design before this one comes out.!

Title: DAUGHTERS OF RUIN

Author: K. D. Castner

Release Date: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 352
Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | iBooks

Game of Thrones meets Graceling in a thrilling debut that follows the four fierce princesses of enemy kingdoms as their worlds collide in the throes of war.

Rhea, Cadis, Suki, and Iren have lived together since they were children. They are called sisters. They are not. They are called equals. They are not. They are princesses…and they are enemies.

Not long ago, a brutal war ravaged their kingdoms, and Rhea’s father was the victor. As a gesture of peace, King Declan brought the daughters of his rivals to live under his protection—and his ever-watchful eye. For ten years the girls have trained together as diplomats and warriors, raised to accept their thrones and unite their kingdoms in peace.

But there is rarely peace among sisters. Sheltered Rhea was raised to rule everyone—including her “sisters”—but she’s cracking under pressure. The charismatic Cadis is desperately trying to redeem her people from their actions during the war. Suki guards deep family secrets that isolate her, and quiet Iren’s meekness is not what it seems.

All plans for peace are shattered when the palace is attacked. As their intended futures lie in ashes, Rhea, Cadis, Suki, and Iren must decide where their loyalties lie: to their nations, or to each other.

So what do you think? Will you be adding this to your pile? What are you dying to read this week?

Dying To Read (102)- THE SCORPION RULES by Erin Bow

Hey y’all thanks for stopping by to see my Dying to Read post and of course as always I have to give credit to the lovely Jill over at Breaking the Spine for the Waiting on Wednesday Meme!

I just found out about this one over the weekend and had to add it to my TBR it sounds awesome!!!!

Title:THE SCORPION RULES
Author: Erin Bow

Release Date: September 22, 2015

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

A world battered by climate shift and war turns to an ancient method of keeping peace: the exchange of hostages. The Children of Peace - sons and daughters of kings and presidents and generals - are raised together in small, isolated schools called Prefectures. There, they learn history and political theory, and are taught to gracefully accept what may well be their fate: to die if their countries declare war.

Greta Gustafsen Stuart, Duchess of Halifax and Crown Princess of the Pan-Polar Confederation, is the pride of the North American Prefecture. Learned and disciplined, Greta is proud of her role in keeping the global peace — even though, with her country controlling two-thirds of the world’s most war-worthy resource — water — she has little chance of reaching adulthood alive. 

Enter Elián Palnik, the Prefecture’s newest hostage and biggest problem. Greta’s world begins to tilt the moment she sees Elián dragged into the school in chains. The Prefecture’s insidious surveillance, its small punishments and rewards, can make no dent in Elián, who is not interested in dignity and tradition, and doesn’t even accept the right of the UN to keep hostages. 

What will happen to Elián and Greta as their two nations inch closer to war?

So what do you think? Will you be adding this to your pile? What are you dying to read this week?

Blog Tour- THE STORYSPINNER by Becky Wallace a Playlist and a Giveaway

I am so excited to be able to host a stop on THE STORYSPINNER Blog Tour! This is an amazing high fantasy from debut author Becky Wallace I freaking loved every page and every character and am dying to get my hands on book 2! I have a playlist for you today from Becky and of course I'll ad videos of my favorites. Make sure to enter the giveaway below for a copy of the book courtesy of Becky and Simon Teen!
Haven't heard of THE STORYSPINNER? Check it out!

Title: THE STORYSPINNER

Author: Becky Wallace

Pub. Date: March 3, 2015

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Pages: 432

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads

Drama and danger abound in this fantasy realm where dukes play a game for the throne, magical warriors race to find the missing heir, and romance blossoms where it is least expected.

In a world where dukes plot their way to the throne, a Performer’s life can get tricky. And in Johanna Von Arlo’s case, it can be fatal. Expelled from her troupe after her father’s death, Johanna is forced to work for the handsome Lord Rafael DeSilva. Too bad they don’t get along. But while Johanna’s father’s death was deemed an accident, the Keepers aren’t so sure.

The Keepers, a race of people with magical abilities, are on a quest to find the princess—the same princess who is supposed to be dead and whose throne the dukes are fighting over. But they aren’t the only ones looking for her. And in the wake of their search, murdered girls keep turning up—girls who look exactly like the princess, and exactly like Johanna.

With dukes, Keepers, and a killer all after the princess, Johanna finds herself caught up in political machinations for the throne, threats on her life, and an unexpected romance that could change everything.

Now on to the  playlist!

Trapeze – Patty Griffin This is song is a little melancholy, but it talks about a girl on trapeze and heartache.  If you’ve read the first chapter of THE STORYSPINNER, you can see how it relates.

I Hate Everything About You - Three Days Grace

From the very beginning, Johanna and Duke Rafi have a very…tumultuous…relationship.  There are times throughout the novel when I could imagine Johanna humming this tune when Rafi walks into a room. (See chapters, 7, 18-19)

Glitter in the Air – P!nk

Johanna, quite literally, throws a fistful of glitter in the air. (See chapter 1 and 47)

Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri

There is a villain in this story who reminds me so much of this video. Not because he’s breaking peoples’ hearts, but because he’s stealing something vitally important—leaving these characters a shade of once they once were.

One Night Between Friends - Katie Armiger

Music. Dancing. Small spaces. Forbidden attraction. Some things are best forgotten. Or not. (Hint: this is not a Johanna or Rafi chapter! See Chapter 61 and 62)

Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not  - Thompson Square

Ahhh…the near miss kiss.  It totally happens and there are sparks. (See Chapter 68 and 69)

What Hurts the Most  - Rascal Flatts

If you watch the video, the girl’s reactions are so real and painful and EXACTLY like Johanna’s in Chapter 77. *cries*

Amensia – 5 Seconds of Summer

Sometimes people leave – or are taken away – and the ones left behind are “really not fine at all.” (See Chapter 86)

Just A Kiss – Lady Antebellum

This is that finally moment.  Sigh. (See Chapter 96) 

Woot I loved this it fits so well with the book! Thanks Becky and yay for some country music!!

About Becky:

In second grade, Becky Wallace had to sit in the corner because she refused to write anything except princess stories and fairy tales (and because she talked too much). 

Her time in isolation gave her plenty of opportunities to dream up the fantasy worlds she’s been dabbling with ever since. She was lucky enough to find her own real-life Prince Charming. They have four munchkins and live in happy little town near Houston, Texas.

Where you can find Becky:

Website | Blog |Twitter | Facebook |Pinterest | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

5 personalized copies of THE STORYSPINNER! US/Canada Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Week One:

2/23/2015- IceyBooks- Interview

2/24/2015- I Heart YA Fiction- Review

2/25/2015- Effortlessly Reading- Guest Post

2/26/2015- Fiction Fare- Review

2/27/2015- Bookish- Interview 

Week Two:

3/2/2015- Mundie Moms- Review

3/3/2015- Owl Always Be Reading- Review

3/4/2015- Supernatural Snark- Interview

3/5/2015- Once Upon A Twilight- Review

3/6/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

Dying to Read (12)- Chantress by by Amy Butler Greenfield

Hey y’all thanks for stopping by to see my Dying to Read post and of course as always I have to give credit to the lovely Jill over at Breaking the Spine for the Waiting on Wednesday Meme!

This week the book I’m dying to read is Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield! I am seriously dying to read this one! I loved the synopsis! I really hope this one stands up because a spell-singer??? How cool does that sound?!? And the cover is gorgeous!

Chantress

Amy Butler Greenfield

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)

ISBN: 1442457031

Goodreads

Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

Sing and the darkness will find you.

Shipwrecked on an island seven years ago, Lucy has been warned she must never sing, or disaster will strike. But on All Hallows Eve, Lucy hears tantalizing music in the air. When she sings it, she unlocks a terrible secret: She is a Chantress, a spell-singer, brought to the island not by shipwreck but by a desperate enchantment gone wrong.

Her song lands her back in England — and in mortal peril, for the kingdom lies in the cruel grasp of a powerful Lord Protector and his mind-reading hunters, the Shadowgrims. The Protector has killed all Chantresses, for they alone can destroy the Shadowgrims. Only Lucy has survived.

In terrible danger, Lucy takes shelter with Nat, a spy who turns her heart upside-down. Nat has been working with his fellow scholars of the Invisible College to overthrow the Lord Protector, and they have long hoped to find a living Chantress to help them. But Lucy is completely untrained, and Nat deeply distrusts her magic. If Lucy cannot master the songspells, how long can she even stay alive?

Beguiling and lyrical, dangerous and romantic, Chantress will capture readers in a spell they won’t want to break.

 So what do you think? Will you be adding this to your pile? What are you dying to read this week?