Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: 5/5 Stars

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff – Review

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It’s been a few days now since I finished Illuminae. Maybe a week. I’ve been trying to write a review ever since I flipped the last page, and the words just don’t come.

I NEED SOME TIME, Y’ALL.

Illuminae blew me away.

It’s one of those books that leaves you slightly breathless, and well, speechless too.

I’m hoping a week is long enough to let the book settle and fade so I can write a mildly coherent review. Though it’ll probably just sound like vague screaming anyway. THIS IS GOING TO BE A MESSY REVIEW, JUST SAYING.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: 5/5 Stars

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Young Adult / Genre: Science Fiction, Action/Adventure / Content: 16+ / Recommended

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

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My Summer TBR + Summer Recs

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Guys it’s June! It’s JUNE! It’s. Finally. Summer!

Which means, above all else, there’s more time to read. (Because, books.)

So to make a dent in my excessively long tbr for 2017, here’s ten books I’m promising myself I’m going to get to this summer. Hold me to it, guys.

There’s a short little rec list at the end of great books to read this summer as well. :)

Let’s get into it!

1. Seige and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

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Seige and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

I read Shadow and Bone a few months ago (my review is up here), and I’ve been dying to finish the series ever since. This series is the last one I have left unread of Bardugo’s, and she’s basically my favorite YA author ever, so I’ve been holding out, saving the rest of the Grisha trilogy for as long as physically possible. My self control is wearing out…

So of course book #2 is on my list.

First.

FIRST.

2. Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

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Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Obviously a continuation of the same thoughts above. ;) Though I’m going to have such a hard time finishing it because I JUST CAN’T TAKE IT WHEN I FINISH SERIES’ OKAY?! (Especially Leigh Barudgo’s… *blubbers in the distance*)

I’m still super excited to finish the series, though, and finally find out what happens in the end!

The characters are all written so well, the plot is so fun, and the world is so vivid and beautiful that I can’t wait to return! ;)

So consider a visit back to Ravka in my future, yeah?

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Leigh Bardugo Quote Series: 6.4.17

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Unlike last time I did a quote series, I’m going to try my best not to smother you in quotes. Every. Day.

That wasn’t the smartest thing.

I hope you enjoyed your few days rest, because we are back at it again.

SHARK. BAIT. HOO HA HA.

Anyway.

This time I’ve lettered one of my favorite humorous Crooked Kingdom quotes. Of course it’s Nina Zenik’s.

Here’s a peek at it before it got digitized:

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The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan: 5/5 Stars

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan – Review + Final Thoughts on the Percy Jackson Series

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I loved The Last Olympian. It was my favorite book of the Percy Jackson series by a long shot, and was just the kind of conclusion the series needed, in my opinion.

In this review, I want to talk about the Percy Jackson series as a whole too, so at the end I’m going to share some of my final thoughts on it. ;) Savvy?

Let’s get into it!

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan: 5/5 Stars

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Middle-Grade / Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure / Content: 12+ / Recommended

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows. While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.

In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

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Leigh Bardugo Quote Series: 6.1.17

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I wanted to celebrate the coming of summer with some of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite authors, Leigh Bardugo. I did this in spring with quotes from Jane Austen, and I think it was a rather fun way to ring in the new season! So well…a Leigh Bardugo Quote Series is here.

You’re welcome.

Today’s quote is from Crooked Kingdom, the second and final book in the Six of Crows series. It’s one of Inej’s mantras, so of course I loved it.

Of course.

You guys will be very familiar with fabulous-Inej-Ghafa-quotes by the time I’m done with you. *evil laughter fades into the distance*

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May Wrap-Up: The Bibliologist

May Wrap-Up 2017: Lots of Crazy. Lots of Cool.

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May Wrap-Up: The BibliologistMay has been crazy. Crazy awesome, but crazy nonetheless. I’ve brainstormed new blog ideas, caught up with Marissa Meyer’s works through Heartless, hauled quite a few books, and finished up the Percy Jackson series.

I’ve been stressing out about my unofficial Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule and have been forcing myself to read more (which usually doesn’t happen—I’m almost never in reading slumps), and I really don’t want to be. I want this blog to be focused on my excitement for amazing books, because I love reading and blogging; not because I feel obligated to. I may not be posting as much as I have this May, but it will be regularly and consistently. ;) I’m still figuring this whole blogging thing out, haha!

And now for the other beginner-blogger-confession… I have failed you, reader! I said there was an exciting announcement this month…but I was horrible and forgot to announce it! WOW MARIE. So check back early this June for the announcement! (I promise I’ll make it. ;))

I’ll be posting a review for The Last Olympian early this June, along with my summer TBR and some other surpirses, so stay tuned!

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Soul Keeping by John Ortberg: 5/5 Stars

Soul Keeping by John Ortberg – Review

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First things first, happy Memorial Day. Today is an impactful day for me as I try to remember and honor the sacrifice of the incredible men and women who laid down their lives for this country. It also reminds me of the first war hero, Jesus Christ, who fought the battle of flesh and darkness for us. He has already won.

Second, you may have noticed it’s been quiet around here lately… Well, I have been all kinds of bloggish evil because I took a week off. GASP! I’ve been spending a lot of time getting my blog just right and reading (and writing reviews) like crazy to crank out three posts a week. It’s hard sometimes. I want every review I write to be a good one, so it can be stressful sometimes to stick to a (pretty ruthless) schedule. So I was lazy. I’m sorry. But I have been planning my next few months on The Bibliologist and creating some new content, and I’m so excited to share them with you in the coming weeks! So, it’s not all been for nothing. ;)

That was long. NOW THE REVIEW.

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The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan: 4/5 Stars

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan – Review

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Before anything else, I apologize to my email subscribers who received a strange one sentence email saying only: “I read The Battle of the Labyrinth” a few hours ago. Like WHAT??? Uhhh good for you Marie!? You were confused, I was embarrassed, it was bad. REAL BAD. So here’s to no more accidents pushing the “publish” button before I’ve got a paragraph written up… May it last long!

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan: 5/5 Stars

★ ★ ★ ★

Middle-Grade / Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure / Content: 12+ / Recommended

Percy Jackson isn’t expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears at his potential new school, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse.

In this fourth installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos’s army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop the invasion, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth—a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn.

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Heartless by Marissa Meyer: 5/5 Stars

Heartless by Marissa Meyer – Review

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First of all, I apologize for the late review. I’ve been trying to stick to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule and well, I totally messed that up this week!

With that out of the way, I’m so excited to vent my thoughts on Heartless with y’all, so here goes!

Heartless by Marissa Meyer: 5/5 Stars

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Young Adult / Genre: Romance, Fairytales/Retellings / Content: 14+ / Recommended

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

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A (Sorta) Exciting Book Haul + Way Too Many Pictures of Les Mis

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What better way to celebrate the end of spring than with a book haul?

At least, that’s what I tell myself.

I’ve been itching to complete my Lunar Chronicles collection ever since I received a signed copy of Scarlet as a (pretty insanely generous) gift from the amazing Alyssa, and well, now I have. I am now the proud owner of Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter, (Stars Above and Fairest didn’t really hit the I-gotta-buy-it-now kind of spot with me) and of course that means that I can finally loan them out and forcibly push them at my friends…who will read them, you bet. ;)

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