Book Recommendation – October 2017
1. Paper Princess (The Royal Series)
From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.
These Royals will ruin you…
Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone.
Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.
Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.
He might be right.
Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.
Thoughts
I am actually quite surprised that no one around me has mentioned this book seeing how much of a hype and criticism that this series garnered. I am definitely piqued by this book. I have never heard of the author nor this series until a few days ago. But this book seems to have quite a controversial review as some of the reviews that I have come across say this book consists of characters that are sexist and abusive.
This series definitely consist of some form of either emotional or physical abuse that some people might not enjoy. However, I do enjoy some stories that consist of fucked up and twisted characters – granted with good writing and good plot of course. So yes, I am planning on giving this series a try.
2. Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer Series)
The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.
What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?
The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?
What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?
The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?
Thoughts
So a new duo-logy from Laini Taylor.
I’m not exactly sure what to feel, I am interested and excited to read, of course. But I can’t say that I have enjoyed her oh-so-famous The Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. I tried – twice – to finish the series, but I just couldn’t enjoy and immerse myself in the story (maybe I have gotten the wrong copy or something?)
But, despite all that, I will give Laini’s new book a go and we’ll see how it develops. As I don’t like starting a series before all of it is published, I will start reading once the second book is published.
3. Caraval (Caraval Series)
Remember, it’s only a game…
Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away.
Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away.
Thoughts
I’m so freaking excited for this series. For some reason, it reminds me of the movie Cirque Du Freak. Just from reading the synopsis of the book make me feel as if this story is going to be so magical and whimsical and just simply enchanting. And after reading the excerpt of “Caraval”, I am definitely hooked. I have been seeing praises and all the hype that is surrounding this book for months now. And I am so excited to get my hands on the book and start reading it.
Not only that, Stephanie’s YA debut, Caraval, has also had it’s film rights bought by the producer of the Divergent series. And to think that this is her debut novel! I will definitely be excitedly waiting for the second installation for the Caraval series.
great book suggestions
Great suggestion, gotta spend some time on reading after your recommendation.
xx
Puiyeesss
I love reading about peoples book ventures! Carnival looks pretty exciting. I think I would read it if I didnt commit to reading all the game of thrones books right now 🙂
whoa, all the GoT books? That's commitment right there haha. How far into the series are you?
This post reminds me that I have to carve out time to read! Thanks for the suggestions!
Haha I know right? There are just way to many good books being published. Thank you for stopping by! xx
You're so good at reccomendations. I would love to read some of those.
Thanks for the recommendations! I think I'll grab one of it to read.
Let me know how it goes! xx
Haha thank you! Let me know if you decided to read any of them xx
These are good recommendations! I wish I have time to read. I have so many books that i haven't read yet
Haha I know! There are just way too many books on my TBR list and it just keeps growing haha
I love book recommendations! I would love to check them out next time I go to barnes and nobles.
Thank you for wonderful suggestion of these books .
How shallow am I? I would choose to read Caraval only because I like the cover better than the others.lol
These all look great! I have had Strange the Dreamer on my list for awhile now. Great recommmendations 🙂
You are kicking up my greed and making me want them all 😉
I've actually been seeing some of the bloggers I follow talk about Paper Princess, but I haven't read it yet. Since you mentioned the reviews online, I went to go take a look at them myself. After reading those reviews and your thoughts, I'm wondering if it's as bad as the Diabolik Lovers anime or if it's something that you'll love or hate. If you are concerned about controversy, I've heard there's some about Caraval, but this is another book that I haven't read. I can't speak to it without trying to read it.
It is something I have been wondering myself as well. I initially put Paper Princess series in my tbr list, I don't mind the plot because I have read the summary of it and I'm fine with it. But when I go back to re-read the reviews again, it somehow makes me feel as if the book is not as good as I initially thought it would be. so I am now unsure whether to start it or not.
As for Caraval, so far I have only heard really good things about it, so I think I'm putting in to my tbr list. I am just waiting until the whole series to be published before I start reading the book.