Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Will Probably Never Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week participating bloggers can create lists of topic given by the host, and share them with others!

1. Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I loved Divergent. Insurgent was fine, although Tris annoyed me a lot (I mean, her decisions were ridicilous at times and yeah, she irritated me). When Allegiant was published, I was over all the hype that surrounded the series and now I just don't see myself to pick the book up even though I own it. I also got spoiled and I don't really see a point of reading it when the only reason why I'd do it would be Tobias.

 

2. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (or anything else by her)

Everyone and their dogs seem to love her books. But I can't get over the plagiarizing scandal that surrounded her while she still wrote fanfics. I won't support someone who was accused of severe plagiarism. Sorry but not sorry. (Also what I've heard about her books, I don't think I'd enjoy them.)

3. & 4. Hades & Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto
I actually read Halo and it was one of those that made me cringe as it was so goody-goody and pro-religion and all it made me feel was a bad person because I wasn't as pure and good as the main character. So yeah. Not going to read rest of the series.

5. & 6. Sweet Peril & Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins
Much like with Halo, I couldn't stand the preaching or how the book made feel like you have to be good and pure to be worthy of anything. When I pick up a book, I want to read a story - not a preach about good and bad and religion. So yeah, I'm not going to continue with this trilogy.

(Mostly these, Halo and Sweet Evil, made me vary of any angel books because they tend to be more preachy and religious. I want to read about angels, about mythology surrounding them without being choked to preach about God and goodness and purity. I'm sorry about being this frank and I have no intention to judge anyone who likes these books or what they represent. I just personally don't like books like them.)

7. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
My friends have told me enough. I actually listened the audiobook for about ten minutes, after that I had to stop because I just couldn't. The writing is terrible, characters are just Bella and Edward with a name change, and the whole message of the book is terrible. And really, if anyone uses 'my inner goddess' in a book, I cringe and run away.

8. & 9. Pandemonium & Requiem by Lauren Oliver
I liked Delirium, actually purchased Pandemonium, and then I heard what happens. I really don't want to read about another love triangle with a girl who can't decide. I rather leave it where Delirium left.

Wrapping the Month: April Edition

What's greater way to start new month than taking a look at previous one?

April was a good month as I was finally able to relax and not stress over school, papers and exams. Also the fact that I spend a week in London (please please I want to go back so badly, I'm in love with that city) and enjoyed my time there with friends. However, I wrote only a few reviews, read a couple of books and spend way too much time in a reading slump. I think it's partly because all the stress I felt for months and when I suddenly had nothing I had to do, I couldn't get myself to do anything (well, other than wait for my trip to London). The reading slump was all Half Wild's fault. I mean, after that how can anyone read anything else than the next book in series which won't be published until next year. It took a week in London and not reading anything to get me out of my slump and then it was May.

I did one fun tag: I mustache you some questions. I also did a post about quotes beginning of books, and you can read it here.

I saved up money for London and went a little wild there. I purchased eight new books and let me tell you, I did restrain myself as I wanted to buy twenty books. Waterstones Piccadilly is my favourite, Foyles has amazing selection and Hatchards has all the feels (it's also oldest bookshop in London, I have to respect that!) I highly recommend to visit them if you ever get a chance to go in London. Forbidden Planet has a wide selection too, and I yearned for all the Supernatural books they had.

 

April's reviews:

Half Lies by Sally Green (4 stars)

I Heart Robot by Suzanne van Rooyen (4 stars)

Shadow Scars by Zoe Perdita (4 stars)

 

While March wasn't good month for me reading vice as the school took my time, April wasn't good for other reasons as I was done with school. I started strongly, I read Half Lies, Cinder and Half Wild but after finishing the last one, I hit a reading slump Half Wild was so mind-blowing I just couldn't pick up any other book. Then I spend a week in London and naturally I didn't have any time to read as I walked around the most amazing city I've ever visited, toured museums and drooled books in Waterstones, Foyles and Hatchards.

 

In May I'm truly hoping to read a lot. I've had a good start as I've already read two books in three days. I hope to dive into some review copies that have been sitting there way too long and read some more of the books I purchased in London and during March.

 

Hugs,

Henna

Stacking the Shelves (31)

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and is all about sharing the book you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

 

Purchased

 

Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
The Hardest Thing by James Lear (signed)
Horns by Joe Hill
The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough
Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Supernatural: War of the Sons by Rebecca Desserteni & David Reed

I had unforgetable week in London and this is result when I went to Waterstones, Foyles, Hatchards and various other wonderful bookstores London has. I want to go back so badly I can almost taste it.

Review: Shadow Scars by Zoe Perdita

Shadow Scars (Haven City, #1)
by Zoe Perdita
Published by Eccentric Erotica
Ebook (free on Amazon)
Adult, LGBT, paranormal, romance, urban fantasy

Conner, a rogue wolf and murder detective, isn't looking for a lover when he moves to Haven City. He wants to solve crimes and keep to himself - unable to trust anyone since his pack betrayed him six years before.

But Seth Alwen, his new partner, is different. He excites the wolf's animal instincts - waking up the passion Conner buried long ago. Seth's not only beautiful and alluring; he's also haunted by the death of his former partner. And despite his better judgment, Conner aches to relieve the man of his guilt.

Seth's a seer, but ever since his old partner died his powers have been on the fritz.

Enter Conner Sharp, Seth's sexy and mysterious new partner. While the dark-haired stranger ignites Seth's desire, he also awakens the seer's power with every touch. Seth sees their future together - a future rich with lust and danger - but is it a future the enigmatic Conner wants?

As the two men solve a series of murders, their sizzling attraction overflows into the bedroom. Is the overwhelming passion just a fling or is it forever?

Shadow Scars was a fast paced and thrilling story about Conner and Seth, about how they met and what happened after that. Since they're detectives there's all that crime solving stuff which was nice to read alongside the swoon worthy romance. Conner and Seth had the chemistry that is needed in this kind of romance stories where the lead characters carry the story forward. Both of them were interesting on their own but together they were awesome. I cheered for them and I was truly invested to their story, which I think is critical for romance stories. Perdita did good to tell a great romance story with interesting and powerful characters.

Beside the romance, there was actually a plot there. Sometimes the romance stories involves only around the main couple and everything else is ignored but there was a solid plot in Shadow Scars. I appreciate it a lot especially since the plot and the crime solving made the story thrilling and paced it a little bit more. Those scenes were a good breaks from the romance without making anything awkward.

Shadow Scars was a pick me up for me since I read it when I had hectic time in studies. It truly was perfect quick read that made me want to read even more. It was very enjoyable, characters, plot and the writing style. Perdita did a fine job telling Conner and Seth's story - and it's not over. There's a sequel for this and I can't wait to dive in and learn more what happens in Haven City.

If you're in need of good pick me up book or good romance with a plot, then I highly recommend Shadow Scars.

4 of 5 stars.

Shadow Scars on Goodreads.

Top Ten Tuesday: All Time Favourite Authors

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week participating bloggers can create lists of topic given by the host, and share them with others!

 

1. J.K. Rowling

I don't think that this one needs any explaining. Rowling is the queen.

 

2. Sally Green

Green is quite new author as she made her debut last year with Half Bad. I've read and absolutely loved both Half Bad and Half Wild, and there's no doubt that Green is talented storyteller and fearless, as she's not afraid to tell a tale that's full of gruesome things and diverse characters.

 

3. Rick Riordan

If Rowling is the queen, then Riordan is the king. I confess that I have yet to read the Heroes of Olympus but I fully intend to do so and I have no doubts: it'll be as awesome journey as Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

 

4. Kelley York

York is amazing. I fell in love with Hushed, followed by Made of Stars, Suicide Watch and Dirty London. I love her characters and stories, especially the ones that leaves me crying and shattered but still a little bit hope left. There's not enough words to praise York.

 

5. S.E. Hinton

Hinton is one of my teenager favourites. Her books really did help when I was angsty teenager full of rage, and I still think her books are amazing. They hurt so badly and Hinton doesn't spare her characters but that's how life is and Hinton descripes that perfectly.

 

6. Emily Brontë

How can one book change so much? Wuthering Heights is a classic I will never stop loving and reading. It's breath-taking. More than that, it's brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. It's not cute love story, not even healthy one, but it sure is one of the greatest in my opinion.

 

7. Hal Duncan

I've only read Escape From Hell! this far but oh boy. Duncan is the master of words, because that book is short but it's so detailed, full of emotions and while it's gruesome it's also all kind of brilliantness. I worship that book so much.

 

8. Janet Edwards

Edwards is either underrated or people don't just know about her. However, I love her books. Earth Girl and it's two sequels are pure awesomeness. I don't much care about space books but Edwards created so brilliant world and characters that I didn't mind at all. I fell in love so hard. And there's lots of history and archaelogy stuff there too and so many books set in future lacks in that department.

 

9. Benjamin Alire Sáenz

I have yet only read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe but it's so brilliant story I can't help but think that Sáenz earned a position in my top ten favourite authors with that book. I will read rest of his books when I get my hands on them. He's too brilliant to miss any of possible mind-blowing stories.

 

10. Becky Albertalli

Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda blew my mind. That's why Albertalli is on my all time favourite list even though she's just got her debut published. I will check out all her future stories without doubt and if they're even quarter of the awesomeness and brilliantness that is her debut novel, I'll worship them.

Cover Reveal: Darkness Brutal by Rachel A. Marks

Darkness Brutal (The Dark Cycle #1)

by Rachel A. Marks
Published by: Skyscape
Publication date: July 1st 2015
YA, urban fantasy

Aidan O’Linn’s childhood ended the night he saw a demon kill his mother and mark his sister, Ava, with Darkness. Since then, every three years the demons have returned to try to claim her. Living in the gritty, forgotten corners of Los Angeles, Aidan has managed to protect his sister, but he knows that even his powers to fight demons and speak dead languages won’t keep her safe for much longer.

In desperation, Aidan seeks out the help of Sid, the enigmatic leader of a rag-tag group of teens who run LA Paranormal, an Internet reality show that fights demons and ghosts. With them, Aidan believes he’s finally found a haven for Ava. But then he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy, and she awakens powers inside of him he didn’t know he had―and unleashes a new era of war between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness.

With the fate of humanity in his hands, can Aidan keep the Darkness held back and accept his terrifying destiny, or will he and his sister fall to the same fate as their mother?

 

Add on Goodreads.

 

Pre-order.

 

And now, the super awesome cover!

 

Drum rolls!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author bio

Rachel A. Marks is a cancer survivor, a writer and artist, a surfer and dirt-bike rider, chocolate lover and keeper of faerie secrets. Her four kids and amazing hubby put up with her nerdiness with tremendous grace, even when she makes them watch Buffy or Smallville re-runs for days on end. She was voted: Most Likely To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse, but hopes she'll never have to test the theory. Darkness Brutal is her first novel.

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A Fun New Tag: I Mustache You Some Questions

Michelle @ Michelle's Minions kindly tagged me, so of course I'm going to do this. I'm getting quite addicted to there tags, they're way too much fun to do.

 

Four jobs I've had
1. Babysitter
2. Salesperson at cornerstore

(Sounds like I've been lazy but not really. It's just freaking hard to get a job around here because there's so few and if you don't have right contacts aka family members, it's almost impossible to get a summer job.)

 

Four movies I've watched more than once

Brokeback Mountain

Bang Bang You're Dead
Beauty and the Beast
Alexander

 

 

Four books I would recommend
Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Hushed by Kelley York
Earth Girl by Janet Edwards
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

+ the bonus: Half Bad and especially Half Wild by Sally Green

 

Four places I've visited

1. London, Great Britain

2. Istanbul, Turkey

3. Malta

4. Canary Islands, Spain (Tenerife, Gran Canaria & Lanzarote)

 

 

 

Four places I'd rather be right now
1. London (will be there next week!)
2. Anywhere warm where isn't any snow or cold (Tenerife was quite perfect)
3. Sleeping
4. Bookstore, since I could always spend more time at bookstore!

Who wouldn't rather be there than raining/snowing Finland?

 

Four things I don't eat
1. Liver (in any forms)
2. Cabbage (in any forms)
3. Anything that still moves on my plate
4. Ham (well, only in pizza)

 

Four of my favourite foods
1. Chicken or Salmon pasta
2. Pizza (either Pinapple-Ham or Tuna)
3. Lasagne
4. My Grandma's Escalloped Macaroni

 

Four TV shows I watch

1. Supernatural

2. Gotham

3. Arrow

4. Teen Wolf (altough I'm debating whether to watch season 5 or not)

 

 

 

 

Four things I'm looking forward to this year
1. Going to university (finally!)
2. Moving abroad (world, here I come!)
3. Study trip to London (because it's London)
4. Summer where I hopefully can work and read lots of books

 

Four things I'm always saying
1. I hate snow (practically every day when there's snow, and in Finland that's way too many months in year.)
2. You can never have too many books. (I say this a lot because my parents and some of my friends think that one can have too many books. What? You can never have too many books!)
3. Kimi! Topi! Come here, boys. (Kimi and Topi are our family dogs so naturally I call them a lot.)
4. Listen, I need to tell/show you this! (Usually I say this to my roommate when I'm excited about something and I just have to tell or show her. It's basically anything from tumblr posts to news.)

 

Four people I tag
I'm bad person and won't tag anyone personally but if you haven't done this, I highly recommend to do it. It was fun! And it's always nice to get know others. So if you do this, leave a link in comments so I can check it out :)



Book Blitz: The Ark by Laura Liddell Nolen

 

The Ark

by Laura Liddell Nolen
Published by: HarperVoyager
Publication date: March 26th 2015
YA, sci-fi

 

There’s a meteor headed for Earth, and there is only one way to survive.

With her criminal record, sixteen-year-old Char is never going to get a place on an Ark, one of the five massive bioships designed to protect Earth’s survivors. The Arks are reserved for the real goody-goodies, like Char’s mom, dad, and brother, all of whom have long since turned their backs on her.

With Earth on the brink of destruction, Char must use all her tricks of the trade to swindle her way into outer space, where she hopes to reunite with her family, regardless of whether they want to see her or not.

Once she arrives on the North American Ark, Char discovers that the remnants of humanity haven’t achieved the egalitarian utopia they’d planned for. For starters, the “Officers of the Peace” are anything but peaceful, especially since stealing a spot on an Ark is a crime punishable by death…

Add on Goodreads.

 

Purchase your copy!

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Author bio

Laura grew up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she spent an excellent childhood playing make-believe with her two younger brothers. The Ark is the direct result of those stories and a lifelong devotion to space-themed television. It received a Work in Progress Grant from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Laura has a degree in French and a license to practice law, but both are frozen in carbonite at present. She lives in Texas with her family.

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Excerpt

 

On the last day of Earth, I couldn’t find my hairbrush. That probably seems like a silly thing to worry about, what with the imminent destruction of, well, everything, but my mom was always after me about my usual ratty ponytail. Normally, I’d ignore her. Or, if I were having a really bad day, I’d tell her what she could do with her hairbrush. But like I said, it was the last day of Earth. And I figured, since it was the last time she’d ever see me, I wanted it to go smoothly. I wanted her to remember me, if not fondly, then at least without anger.

A girl can dream.

I slipped out of my cell as soon as the door swung open. I’d done the same every day for the past month, and my family had yet to show up. Their OPT—Off-Planet Transport—took off in eighteen hours, so they still had time. Barely. I couldn’t blame them if they didn’t come. It wasn’t hard to imagine that they’d rather escape to the stars without so much as a backward glance at me, their big disappointment. Even my father’s influence couldn’t persuade the government to give me a spot on an OPT.

Turns out, when humankind is deciding which of its children to save, the last place it looks is in prison.

But I was pretty sure they’d come. West had said as much in his last transmission. The thought of my younger brother actually halted me mid-step, like one of those punches in the gut where you can’t breathe for a few seconds.

“Looking for something?” The lazy drawl floated out of the nearest cell.

Against my better instincts, I turned to see Cassa lying on her bunk, her arm draped across Kip. My Kip. Or at least, my ex-Kip. Whatever. In twenty-two hours, I wouldn’t have to think about him anymore.

See? Silver lining. And they called me a perpetual pessimist at my last psych workup.

They barely fit next to each other on the flimsy mattress, but that wasn’t the weird part. The guys’ ward was separated by a substantial metal wall. We were kept apart during evening hours, for obvious reasons. Not that anyone cared anymore. The med staff had been the first to go, followed by the cleaning crew, followed by the kitchen crew. To show you where girls like me fell on the government’s list of priorities, there was still a skeleton crew of guards lurking around, despite the fact that I hadn’t had a real meal for going on a week. The guards would be gone soon, too, and then there’d be no one in here but us chickens.

I figured either Kip had a key, or the guards had left already. A key could be useful. My curiosity got the best of me. “How’d he get in here before the first bell?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “I got some tricks you ain’t seen, babe. Why don’t you join us? End of the world and all.”

The guards were gone, then. I felt a small trill of anxiety deep in my chest. If the guards were gone, my family was even less likely to show. But it was never smart to show fear. “The Pinball could be headed straight for this building, and I still wouldn’t be desperate enough to touch you. Oh, wait. Guess you don’t have to take my word for it.”

I turned to leave, but he continued. “Now is that any way to treat your dear ole partners? Be nice or I won’t give you back your stuff.”

“Ugh, you were in my room?” I flexed my shoulder blades, making sure my gun was still tightly secured between them.

“Don’t worry, Char. I didn’t handle the merchandise. Didn’t want to wake you up. Just lifted me a few keepsakes.” He pronounced my name the way I like: Char, as in charred. Something that got burned.

I wasn’t sure what Kip and Cassa were planning, but I knew I wouldn’t like it. They were thieves and liars. I would know. I used to be one of them. That was before the last job, when Cassa had attacked an elderly man in the home we were robbing. She’d kicked him until he stopped fighting back. Kip had called her off after a few licks, but I just stood there, staring. The old man looked at me, like right at me, while we made our getaway, and my stomach twisted into a knot so tight that I tasted bile. That was the moment I knew I wanted out.

But by then, no one believed me. Or, if they did, no one cared. Except for Kip and Cassa, of course. They’d taken the news pretty hard, to put it lightly.

If I lunged for the box, I could probably grab my hairbrush and get out of there. I wouldn’t have time for more than that. Then again, I’d be doing exactly what they expected, and I didn’t have time for delays. My family could be in the commissary any second now.

“Ahem. Seeing as it’s your last day of life, I might let you have one thing back,” said Kip.

“In exchange for what?”

“I’m hurt. All our time together, and you still don’t believe in my inherent generosity. But now that you mention it, I’ve got a hankering for some peanut butter crackers.”

“Sorry, Kip. I’m fresh out of food. Kinda like everyone else.”

“Nice try, Charrr.” He drew my name out, as though tasting it. “I saw them yesterday. Figured you were hiding them under your pillow when I couldn’t find them last night.”

“You figured wrong.”

All I could think about was my brother’s face. And how I had this one last chance to apologize to my parents, for everything. I shrugged and turned to leave.

That was probably a mistake.

Book Blitz: Fools Rush by Ciara Knight

 

Fools Rush

by Ciara Knight
Publication date: April 15th 2015
Adult, historical

 

To avert an impending life of servitude, Bethany Cook seeks freedom on a wagon train bound for gold country. Disguised as a young boy she secures work as a travel companion with Thomas Nolan, a rich New Yorker who is on his own quest to distance himself from the nightmare of a fraudulent marriage.

A cross-country journey by Thomas’ side proves more difficult than Bethany anticipated when he becomes obsessed with her true identity—the golden haired beauty he shared one night of passion with. Bethany attempts to confess the truth, but a bounty hunter exposes her as a devious woman that lied to Thomas for months for her own evil gain. Her life and her heart now rest in the hands of Thomas, who must decide if he can forgive and marry her or leave her to the fate she’s brought upon herself.

Add on Goodreads.

 

Purchase your copy!

Amazon

 

Author bio

Ciara Knight writes to 'Defy the Dark' with her young adult speculative fiction and sweet romance books. Her most recent international best-seller, Pendulum, scored 4 stars from RT Book Reviews, accolades from InD’Tale Magazine and Night Owl Top Pick. Her young adult paranormal series, Battle for Souls, received 5 stars from Paranormal Romance Guild and Night Owl’s Top Pick, among other praises.

When not writing, she enjoys reading all types of fiction. Some great literary influences in her life include Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Francine Rivers and J K Rowling.

Her first love, besides her family, reading, and writing, is travel. She's backpacked through Europe, visited orphanages in China, and landed in a helicopter on a glacier in Alaska.

Ciara is extremely sociable and can be found at Facebook @ciaraknightwrites, Twitter @ciaratknight, Goodreads, Pinterest, and her website ciaraknight.com.

 

 

Chuckwagon Recipe and Etiquette

 

Bethany Cook must earn her keep by cookin’ and providing companionship for Thomas Nolan, all while dressed as a man. 

On the trail, she soon discovers that resources are limited and the customs of cowboys are foreign to her.

One of her everyday food items are biscuits. She thought she’d share a recipe with you all. You know, in case you ever have to dress as a man, cook for a hot guy, and all the time mind the ways of the cowboys.

Soda Biscuit recipe:
Take 1lb flour, and mix it with enough milk to make a stiff dough;  dissolve 1tsp carbonate of soda in a little milk;  add to dough with a teaspoon of salt. 
Work it well together and roll out thin;  cut into round biscuits, and bake them in a moderate oven.  The yolk of an egg is sometimes added. 


Also, she thought she’d share a few things about proper manners, or lack thereof, while on the trail.

Chuckwagon Etiquette:
1) The cook is named Cookie.
2) No one eats until Cookie calls. 
3) Cowboys eat first, talk later.
4) Hungry cowboys wait for no man. They fill their plates, bellies, and then move on so stragglers can fill their plates
5) Eat with your fingers, the food’s clean.
6) Don't take the last serving unless you’re sure you're the last man.
7) Food left on the plate is an insult to the cook. 
8) No running or saddling a horse near the wagon. And when you ride off, always ride down wind from the wagon.
9) If you come across any decent firewood, bring it back to the wagon

I hope you’re ready for an adventure full of food, hot guys and dangerous times. Join Bethany and Thomas for their cross-country adventure in Fools Rush!

Blog Tour + Giveaway + Review: I Heart Robot by Suzanne van Rooyen

 

I Heart Robot

by Suzanne van Rooyen

Publication date: March 31, 2015
Published by Month9Books, LLC

Sixteen-year-old Tyri wants to be a musician and wants to be with someone who won’t belittle her musical aspirations.

 

Q-I-99 aka ‘Quinn’ lives in a scrap metal sanctuary with other rogue droids. While some use violence to make their voices heard, demanding equal rights for AI enhanced robots, Quinn just wants a moment on stage with his violin to show the humans that androids like him have more to offer than their processing power.

 

Tyri and Quinn’s worlds collide when they’re accepted by the Baldur Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. As the rift between robots and humans deepens, Tyri and Quinn’s love of music brings them closer together, making Tyri question where her loyalties lie and Quinn question his place in the world. With the city on the brink of civil war, Tyri and Quinn make a shocking discovery that turns their world inside out. Will their passion for music be enough to hold them together while everything else crumbles down around them, or will the truth of who they are tear them apart?

 

Add on Goodreads.

 

Purchase your copy!

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Check out the book trailer! 

Author bio

Suzanne is a tattooed storyteller from South Africa. She currently lives in Sweden and is busy making friends with the ghosts of her Viking ancestors. Although she has a Master’s degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring strange worlds and creating quirky characters. When she grows up, she wants to be an elf – until then, she spends her time (when not writing) wall climbing, buying far too many books, and entertaining her shiba inu, Lego.

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My review:

 

I confess that I'm not big fan of robots, androids and such. Mostly, the idea of AI enchanted robots scares me like no other. But I loved van Rooyen's Obscura Burning and I was really intrigued about I Heart Robots so I was truly excited to dive into it.

I Heart Robot has amazing world-building as well as lots of story and backround building which is wonderful. Also, it's set in Scandia, the future country based on Sweden and Norway. I live in Finland and have visited Sweden many times, so it was delightful to read about book set in there instead of the usual America setting. There was Scandic names, mythology and many other things that really indicated that van Rooyen knew what she was writing about and it made the world truly come alive. The whole world-building was extensive and it was good to see the world from both Tyri's and Quinn's perspective, especially since they had so different backrounds.

As for characters, van Rooyen is a master to capture humanity with all its flaws as well as goodness. Tyri and Quinn live in a society which is at the prink of rebellion because robots and androids want equal rights and to be treated better while most of humans are either scared of them or think they are less than humans because robots and androids don't have a soul. The conflict is present during the whole story even though at first it focuses on Tyri's and Quinn's love for music and violin as well as their bonding. I loved how slow their bonding was, there was no flaring passion that made everything else go away - especially since Tyri had a boyfriend. However, in the end of the story I hoped that there would have been more romantic elements between Tyri and Quinn. It was really subtle and I felt a little disappointed because of that. As the story evolved, Tyri got on my nerves even though I liked her first a lot but in the end, it was quite minor irritation and I still liked the story.

I Heart Robots is a good and thought-provoking story about difference between humans and their creations and it questions quite well that is humans as good and as righteous as they claim to be. It's not just a story about one girl and one android but about a whole society that they live in. I really liked the story even though I wished there to be a little more romance alongside everything else.

I do highly recommend I Heart Robots even for those who aren't big fans of robots. And for the fans of robots - what are you waiting for? Go grab your copy!

4 of 5 stars.

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

 

Giveaway! (INTL)

a Rafflecopter giveaway