Review Wednesday: The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki

Title: The Accidental Empress

Author: Allison Pataki

1st Date of Publication: February 17, 2015

ISBN: 9781476790220

# of Pages: 512

Genre: Historical Fiction

Age Rating: 13+

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: New York Times bestselling author Allison Pataki follows up on her critically acclaimed debut novel, The Traitor’s Wife, with the little-known and tumultuous love story of “Sisi” the Austro-Hungarian Empress and captivating wife of Emperor Franz Joseph.

The year is 1853, and the Habsburgs are Europe’s most powerful ruling family. With his empire stretching from Austria to Russia, from Germany to Italy, Emperor Franz Joseph is young, rich, and ready to marry.

Fifteen-year-old Elisabeth, “Sisi,” Duchess of Bavaria, travels to the Habsburg Court with her older sister, who is betrothed to the young emperor. But shortly after her arrival at court, Sisi finds herself in an unexpected dilemma: she has inadvertently fallen for and won the heart of her sister’s groom. Franz Joseph reneges on his earlier proposal and declares his intention to marry Sisi instead.

Thrust onto the throne of Europe’s most treacherous imperial court, Sisi upsets political and familial loyalties in her quest to win, and keep, the love of her emperor, her people, and of the world.

With Pataki’s rich period detail and cast of complex, bewitching characters, The Accidental Empress offers a captivating glimpse into one of history’s most intriguing royal families, shedding new light on the glittering Hapsburg Empire and its most mesmerizing, most beloved “Fairy Queen.”

Setting: 1953-1960, Bavaria, Austria, and Hungary

Point of View: 3rd Person- Elisabeth "Sisi" of Bavaria, Empress of the Austria-Hungarian Empire

Goodreads Rating: 3.79

My Rating: 4

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The woman is beautiful and makes me wonder about her story.
View on Title: How can someone become an empress accidentally? It intrigued me and I wanted to know her story even more.

Pros:

• Sisi's character is so strong in the book. She is very resistant to those who are oppressive but she gets her way sometimes.
• The main storyline of the book are historically accurate. There are just the details that are fictional, which makes the whole story interesting.
• You get a decent understanding of the issues that happened in this time period, which is why Franz acts a certain way.
• The ending was beautiful even though it left at a cliffhanger.

Cons:

• Franz's mother, Sophie, was the most aggravating character in the book. I know she is the antagonist, but I just kept wishing she would die of old age soon.
• Franz's character was a bit agitating, which is mostly caused by his mother.
• I felt that it was a little long and could have been a little shorter, but that could be because I typically read 300 page books in a week rather than 500 page books. (It is still worth the read despite this little complaint.)

Critics' Reviews:

“A glorious novel about a misunderstood empress…With a sumptuous sense of history and evocative attention to detail, Allison Pataki conjures the rebellious, glamorous spirit of Sisi of Austria.” –C.W. Gortner, bestselling author of The Queen’s Vow
“I felt as if I’d been transported to Austria in this powerful and sweeping novel. A heart wrenching, beautiful story, rich with historical detail and political intrigue. Skillful and utterly captivating.” –M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Witch of Painted Sorrows
“The Accidental Empress is a tale of royal love we don’t know but should, and who better to share it with us than the supremely gifted and entertaining historical novelist, Allison Pataki. A delightful gift for readers…The Accidental Empress is enthralling.” –Allegra Jordan, author of The End of Innocence

Allison Pataki's Website:

http://allisonpataki.com/

Other Recommendations:

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler
The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki
Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran

Review Wednesday: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Cruel Beauty

Author: Rosamund Hodge

1st Date of Publication: January 28, 2014

ISBN: 9780062224743

# of Pages: 346

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13+

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle—a shifting maze of magical rooms—enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Setting: Arcadia (Fictional)

Point of View: 1st Person- Nyx Triskelion

Goodreads Rating: 3.78

My Rating: 3.5

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Cover

View on the Cover: At first glance, it is just a staircase with red cloth around it. But I love how the cover looks like a rose if you take a a more bird's eye view.

View on the Title: The title is interesting because it connects Beauty and the Beast with the word "Beauty" but you wouldn't realize that it is a different telling of it until you actually read it.

Pros:

• It's takes an interesting twist on the Beauty and the Beast story with mythology. It has a magic sort of element, but the whole idea is surrounded by spirits and demons. 
• Unlike Belle, Nyx is not afraid to push the Gentle Lord, Ignifex, when he treats her poorly.
• The banter between Nyx and Ignifex is pretty adorable in a violent way. (You have to read the book to understand what I mean.)
• Nyx's character is so strong. She is forced with a destiny that she is told to fight.
• The shadows, such as Shade, is really cool aspect.

Cons:

• I felt that this book had a little more potential with combining both a fairy tale many love and mythology that has shaped several cultures.
• I wish there was more involved with the library, which was one of my favorite parts about Belle's character.

Critics' Reviews:

"Will have readers clutching the book and flying through the pages." -VOYA
"Debut novelist Hodge has created a rich, complete world in this twist on Beauty and the Beast." -Publisher Weekly
"A dazzling and clever retelling, Cruel Beauty is delightfully dark, lushly romantic, and utterly spellbinding. I adored it and can't wait to read Hodge's next novel!" -Sarah J. Maas (New York Times bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series)

Rosamund Hodge's Website:

http://www.rosamundhodge.net/

Other Recommendations:

Splintered by A.G. Howard
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

November 2015 Update

So I thought I would let all of you guys know what I have been up to because I sometimes find my life funny, pathetic, and exciting all at once. I'll explain it through some GIFs.

Along with writing this blog, I am working full time at McDonald's and doing an 18 credit semester at my school, Marywood University. McDonald's is not as bad as everyone says. As an introvert, I am placed in the perfect spot for most of my shifts. I am the order taker at first window by myself, which means that most of the time I am left alone and can enjoy my shift in some solitude for the most part.

Normally after break, I am learning what McDonald's calls "table" or, in normal terms, I just simply make the food. I am really enjoying it because I am getting closer to management. The only downside is that I have to work with a couple of high school football jocks that think they're so hot and hit on me. They don't get a clue that it isn't cool and not attractive. If I could, I would throw them my middle fingers. Once I get to management, it'll be easier to put them in their place.

The last thing about McDonald's is that I am applying for one of their scholarships, which was difficult but...free money!!!!!

My courses for this semester are insane and my following two semesters will be pretty much the same. I am taking 1 religion course and 5 English courses, which 2 of the English courses are writing intensive. I'm trying to fulfill both my English Literature major and Writing minor in the 2 and a 1/2 years that that I am getting my bachelor's at MU. I am taking two classes about nature in America (1 reading and the other writing) with the same professor, which is interesting and eye opening. I have an American Literature class, which is a cake walk because it is a repeat of my junior year of high school. My Shakespeare class is time consuming with the papers my super liberal professor assigns us. She cracks me up because she is in her 50s and she climbs up the desk over the silliest things. My second writing class is my favorite but hardest class because I get to make YouTube videos but I am not a fan of being in front of a camera. This means that all I do with my time at home not working is writing papers, and I do all of my reading during classes.

I also finally just figured out my schedule for spring semester and next fall semester (my last 2 semesters), which took 3 weeks to figure out. There was a problem with getting my minor in on time before graduation because my school did not think about adding a second writing course to the list since the only one offered is a travel abroad course which I was denied. Assholes. My new advisor is amazing, unlike my last advisor who decided to leave for who knows how long, and has helped me immensely with this shitty situation. All I have to do is taking a creative writing class over the summer and I should be golden.

At least, I have some TV shows to keep me sane along with reading books for pleasure. Well, it really is not necessarily TV. It's Netflix, Hulu, and watching full TV series online. I have a confession to make...I love superhero/vigilante shows. Currently I am watching Arrow, The Flash, and Once Upon a Time on Hulu when I am not home. I watch these newer shows pretty religiously simply because it is a good stress reliever and to get some of the feels. I found out that the only time when I really watch them is in my religion class called Christian Spirituality. I know it may sound bad that I am doing this, but I am a Christian and almost everything my professor has said I have been taught as I grew up in my household. I still participate frequently and the professor has no clue about my earbuds hidden in my hair. I don't feel bad about it whether that makes me a bad person I do not care.

The show I watch when I am home has sucked up my entire life in a funny, pathetic way. So I told a new friend of mine about my interest in superhero/vigilante shows and he recommended me to watch Smallville. I thought that I would try it out. I've been watching the show mostly online or borrowed the seasons from the library. After a a couple episodes, I got hooked! I started about a month ago with season 1 and currently I am on season 6. It is such a great show! I see myself feeling all the feels from the back and forth relationship with Clark and Lana, the development between the relationship between Clark and Lois, and the character development over the entire series. I see myself rooting for certain characters and hoping certain things won't happen (but it usually happens anyway). It must be Tom Welling...he makes me swoon.

Well, thanks for reading my first update on my life. I can do these as often as you like whether they are weekly, monthly, and quarterly.

Review Wednesday: Beautiful Redemption by Jamie McGuire

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

Title: Beautiful Redemption (The Maddox Brothers #2)
Author: Jamie McGuire
1st Date of Publication: January 27, 2015
ISBN: 1502541858
# of Pages: 260
Genre: New Adult, Adult Romance
Age Rating: 17+ (Language, Violence, Sexual content)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
 If A Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever. But what if he didn't love you, first? 

No-nonsense Liis Lindy is an agent of the FBI. Deciding she is married only to her job, she breaks off her engagement and transfers from Chicago to the field office in San Diego. She loves her desk. She is committed to her laptop. She dreams of promotions and shaking hands with the director after cracking an impossible case. 

Special Agent in Charge Thomas Maddox is arrogant, unforgiving, and ruthless. He is tasked with putting away some of the world’s toughest criminals, and he is one of the best the Bureau has to offer. Though, as many lives as he’s saved, there is one that is beyond his reach. Younger brother Travis is faced with prison time for his involvement in a basement fire that killed dozens of college students, and the media want a conviction. Travis’s only savior is his unusual tie to the mob. In a deal that will spare his brother, Thomas has agreed to recruit Travis into the FBI. 

Liis is stubborn, defiant, and yet somehow softens Thomas’s rough edges, making her the perfect agent to accompany him to the ceremony. Posing as a couple, they must travel to Travis & Abby’s beach vow renewal and give him the news, but when the pretending ends, she finds herself wondering if they were pretending at all. 


In the second installment of the Maddox Brothers books, experience firsthand the mysterious world of the elusive Thomas Maddox, and how good love can be when you’re not the first, but the last.

Setting: San Diego, California

Point of View: 1st Person- Liis Lindy

Goodreads Rating: 4.16

My Rating: 4.5


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover
View on the Cover: The simplistic beauty of it is great!
View on the Title: It felt like a humbler title because I questioned whether a character was beautiful and didn't know it, and I was wondering who needed the redemption.

Pros:

• First, I love how all the characters from the previous books are woven together so that you still get to see them and how they are doing. I also love that the new characters in the next two books are briefly discussed, which I am excited to read the final two books.
• I found this installment more mature than Travis and Abbey's and Trent and Cami's relationships. This is most likely because both Liis and Thomas are older and seem to have more at stake.
• I love Liis's character. She is very strong and knows what she wants in life. She is kick ass in the way she does not let Thomas, the big bully of his team, bring her down. She continuously puts him in his place.
• I also love Thomas's character. He has obviously gone through so much as both a child and an adult. I found it so amazing how strong he was as a child even though he had to raise his brothers, especially toddler Travis. He also has so much strength when it comes with watching his brother, Trent, with his ex girlfriend, Cami, especially when he witnesses the proposal.
• I love most of the other agents. Val is pretty awesome. Her honesty is so blunt and her lie radar is on point. She would be my best friend if she was a real person in my life. I like Marks character although I wished there was more of him. He seems like he is a great friend and voice of reason to Thomas.

Cons:

• The friendship and relationship between Liis and Thomas is sometimes really frustrating. I think it's mostly because of Liis. I feel that she does not understand that watching someone who walked out on your life for someone of the same blood is heart wrenching, which is what Thomas goes through.
• What bothers me most about Thomas is not even part of the present story, but the reason behind all the frustration. He went after Cami even though he knew she always belonged to her brother.
• I did not like Sawyer at all. I felt that he was unnecessary and all I wanted to do was kick him where it counts (if you know what I mean). He is such an asshole and I wish he was not even in the story.

Critics' Reviews:

"A fast-paced and sexually tense journey of two scarred soul mates. Add in a Maddox brother and the world of the FBI? Unputdownable." -Penelope Ward (best selling author, Stepbrother Dearest)

"Getting to know a Maddox boy is always thrilling and Thomas is no exception. Beautiful Redemption is about the pain of heartbreak, the intensity of new love, sacrifices for family and learning that sometimes the best life is the one you didn't plan" -Mia Sheridan (best selling author, Archer's Voice) 

Jamie McGuire's Website:

http://www.jamiemcguire.com/

Other Recommendations:

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Perfect Chemistry by Simon Elkeles

Easy by Tammara Webber

Review Wednesday: Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler

Title: Immaculate

Author: Katelyn Detweiler

1st Date of Publication: May 26, 2015

ISBN: 0451469623

# of Pages: 464

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: Mina is top of her class, girlfriend to the most ambitious guy in school, able to reason and study her way through anything. But when she finds herself pregnant—despite having never had sex—her orderly world collapses. Almost nobody believes Mina’s claims of virginity. Her father assumes that her boyfriend is responsible; her boyfriend thinks she must have cheated on him. As news of Mina’s story spreads, there are those who brand her a liar. There are those who brand her a heretic. And there are those who believe that miracles are possible—and that Mina’s unborn child could be the greatest miracle of all.

Setting: Green Hill, Pennsylvania

Point of View: 1st Person- Mina

Goodreads Rating: 3.65

My Rating: 3.75

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover

View on the Cover: The cover is really cool interesting because it is a beautiful girl laying down with desperation.

View on the Title: The word "immaculate" I've only heard one time and that was when the Virgin Mary so I thought that it would be interesting.

Pros:

• Jesse's character, in my opinion, is pretty awesome. He is so faithful to Mina, even though he just met her, through the whole situation.
• Mina's strength is amazing through the situation. Hardly anyone believes her that she is a virgin yet pregnant. I don't think I would have the amount of strength to go to high school (again) and be in her situation.
• I thought the concept was really neat and it was very captivating for me.
• It was interesting that the book was broken up into 3 parts to represent the 3 trimesters. I think that it helps keep track of the time and progress of Mina's pregnancy.

Cons:

• The bullying through both verbally and internet was ridiculous. It truly represents the problem of bullying and how judgmental people can be when something so life changing whether it was accidental, purposeful, or by chance.
• It dragged on a bit and could have been at least 100 pages shorter, but if anything  it allows the reader to understand Mina's character along with some of the other important characters.

Critics' Reviews:

"Detweiler's smart writing moves quickly and entertains, particularly with Mina's appealingly bright voice. Even as the story probes its mystical underpinnings, the focus remains firmly on Mina right through to the end. Detweiler's ambitious debut takes an intriguing premise and executes it well." -Kirkus Reviews

"Immaculate is a bewitching and thought-provoking story about the strength and faith required to face a contemporary miracle. This one begs for a sequel." -National Book Award Finalist Deb Caletti
"Katelyn Detweiler’s Immaculate is a vividly-imagined story about magic, faith, and family. Her heroine’s wildly unlikely teenage pregnancy leads to more than just a brutal break-up and national scandal; it allows for an exploration of essential questions about sex, identity, and what belief means to human beings. In a lovely and uplifting twist, Immaculate gives us girls who believe in themselves and each other, girls who move forward—in spite of extremely difficult circumstances—to create joy, love, and new life." -Rachel DeWoskin (author of Blind and Big Girl Small)

"[The] message is more about faith in general than a specific set of beliefs. A unique page-turner mixing humor and heart, this is a thought-provoking take on miracles and motherhood." -School Library Journal

"It's a sincere, romantic, and secular story of birth, young motherhood, and new love." -Publisher's Weekly

Katelyn Detweiler's Website:

http://www.katelyndetweiler.com/

Other Recommendations:

Eve by Anna Carey
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

New Release Review: The White Rose by Amy Ewing

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE JEWEL. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about The Jewel by clicking on the link: Review: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title: The White Rose (The Lone City #2)

Author: Amy Ewing

1st Date of Publication: October 6, 2015

ISBN: 9780062235817

# of Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.

But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm.

But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?

The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.

Setting: Various Locations in Lone City (Fictional)

Point of View: 1st Person- Violet Lasting

Goodreads Rating: 4.05

My Rating: 4

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover

View on the Cover: I love how the cover Violet looks stronger and more stubborn than she did in the first cover. The way her dress is arranged looks like a white rose.

View on the Title: Since the first book ended up being place, I assumed this was the same case but I won’t reveal that information until you read this.

Pros:

• I thought this book was so much better than the first book.
• Violet’s character becomes developed a lot more as she is able to escape the Jewel and finds out what and who she wants to fight for.
• Ash’s character is also developed more and he becomes more lovable.
• There is a huge emphasis on family, which is seen through Ash and Violet. All their actions are based on how their families will be treated.
• I also love Garnet’s character. When he was first introduced in the first novel, I was not a big fan of him since he was disrespectful in all his encounters with the characters. All his disrespectfulness is put into perspective in this one as his character continues to develop.

Cons:

• I felt that Raven’s character was not developed enough in this book. I understand that most of it she is mentally damaged but once it got to a certain point in the novel Raven’s character.
• The people in charge of getting Violet out agitated me a bit because they try to get her to understand her Auguries while she tries to find her purpose but the continue to treat her as if she is incapable.

Critics' Reviews:

“This fast-paced plot and a surprise twist will make readers anxious for the next series entry. A must-read for fans of the previous title; they will not be disappointed.” -School Library Journal

Amy Ewing's Website:

www.amyewingbooks.com

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Eve by Anna Carey

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Review Wednesday: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title: The Jewel (The Lone City #1)
Author: Amy Ewing
1st Date of Publication: September 2, 2014
ISBN: 9780062235794
# of Pages: 358
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering façade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

Setting: Jewel, Lone City (Fictional)

Point of View: 1st Person- Violet Lasting

Goodreads Rating: 3.81

My Rating: 3.75


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover
View on the Cover: The cover is gorgeous. I love the dress since it is very elegant and also cascades into a jewel.
View on the Title: The title is very enticing because it made me question what "The Jewel" was. I thought it would be a person , but it is actually a place.

Pros:

•  I love the strength that Violet has despite everything she's been through before and during the novel. She has her identity and the ability to find love taken away from her and she still finds a way to fight for both.
• I'm glad that the story was not about the best girl in the whole Auction, but she was one of the better ones. She was Lot 197 out of 200, which showed how valuable she is that becomes a bigger part in the trilogy.
• Garnet's (Duchess's son) character was a bit of comic relief simply because he was great at angering his mother, the Duchess.
• Ash's character showed a lot of strength in similar ways that Violet has had, which allows them to understand each other better and empathize together.

Cons:

•  The way that the royalty treats those below them is horrendous. Young girls with Auguries are forced to leave their homes just to become surrogates (hold the royalty's children). But before they even reach homes of the royalty is get auctioned based on how good they are. I guess this could be a wakeup call toward things like the sex trade.
• I also hated that the fact that her identity was completely taken away as soon as she got to Auction. She no longer becomes Violet Lasting but Lot 197. It loses her ability to be a person. 
• The Duchess of the Lake, Violet's owner, bothered me so much. She always teased and used fear with Violet even when Violet caused no problems. She was so self-righteous.
• Not only are the girls treated poorly but their identities are taken away by using a number.

Critics' Reviews:
“With its taut, provocative plot and irresistible characters, THE JEWEL had me tearing through pages right up to the final, startling twist. I need the next book now!” -Andrea Cremer (international (bestselling author of The Nightshade Series)
“Will have fans of Oliver’s Delirium, Cass’ The Selection, and DeStefano’s Wither breathless with anticipation for the sequel.” -Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Ewing writes a fast-paced story that takes readers into the inner workings of a society that is obsessed with power and perfection.” -School Library Journal
“Excellent world building… skillful descriptions.” -Booklist

Amy Ewing's Website:

www.amyewingbooks.com

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass
Eve by Anna Carey
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Delirium by Lauren Oliver