Summer Marathon

Hello book-nerds!
More than a month after the beginning of this marathon organized by Patricia (author of An Angels Threat) I'm finally doing my TBR.
* WALK OF SHAME *
In my defense I had exams until the seventh of this month and then I dedicated ALL my time at revising my next book. So really, it's my life's fault and not mine.

Without further ado, where's the TBR I will not read in the following month:

The Assassin's Blade broke my heart!

Warning: This post WILL contain spoilers. Please read the following text at your expense and risk.

Yes, my heart is broken.

For starters, I’d like to thank Tânia for encouraging me to begin this journey. I started reading The Assassin’s Blade with the skepticism of who listens so many different opinions about a book series.

Initially I clashed with Celaena’s personality. I thought her to be arrogant and cocky, but soon I came to consider her personality interesting because it iis what makes her different from other characters that I’ve come to know.

In The Assassin and The Pirate Lord I felt that Ben’s death and the rescue of his body could have been more explored, since he was someone important to Celaena. In this story, one of the most pleasant surprises was the changing in Sam and Celaena’s relationship.

In the beginning they show us that they have a strong rivalry. Celaena is considered to be the best Adarlan’s assassin and she is Arobynn Hamel’s- the king of assassins- protégé. Sam is also described as being a good assassin, but he competes with our hero for Arobynn’s praise.

As the story develops, Celaena and Sam become allies to destroy Arobynn and Rolfe’s- Lord of Pirates- plans to negotiate slaves. Celaena figures out their plan and, despite worshipping the man who took her in, she despises the idea of treating humans like objects to sell to the highest bidder. With Sam’s help they try to free the slaves. At this point, I started to respect these two characters for a couple different reasons:

1.  They were able of refusing following orders that would affect the other, even if it meant go against their líder and role model. They recognized he was wrong.
2. They overcame their rivalry for a greater good, something very positive.

In The Assassin and The Healer we are faced with a bitter Celaena. She was rejected and hurted by her master, Arobynn. He was mad with his pupils’ interference in his dirty business, so he punished them, specially Celaena.

At the same time, in this story we meet Yrene Towers, a girl who works at the filthy inn where Celaena is staying. She wishes to become a healer just like her late mother, but her lack of money obliged her to take that miserable job. This character develops an interest towards Celaena and due to na attack she suffers, soon they develop a sort of friendship that leads to our main character help Yrene to pursue her dream.

This story wasn’t the most interesting, honestly. I thought that all it made was to help me sympathize more with Celaena and prove that although her arrogance, she is very self-assured and, deep down, kind. Now I’m reading Tower of Dawn, and my opinion is slightly different.

The Assassin and The Desert is, in my opinion, where Celaena grows as a character. The assassin moves toward her final destination (still Arobynn’s punishment) to a sort of an assassin’s shelter where they develop skills. Her goal is to be trained by the Mute Master and get a recomendation letter. This way she can go back to the Guild, in Rifthold.

While the action develops, Celaena struggles with the memories of when she was brutaly beaten by Arobynn, under Sam’s watch. She shows concern towards her friend’s well-being, afraid that himself had been hurted by their master.

Celaena makes new acquaintances and develops her skills, being trained by the Master.

My favorite part of this story was how compassionate Celaena was. Although she was betrayed by her new friend, she had the chance to kill her but choose not to do it. It might seem stupid, but some of you who have read the book might agree with me. That act made her get the letter that she needed and go back home.

On the other hand, despite not being active in the action, Sam became one of my favorite characters. 

Oh my dear Sam *swoons*

So, now you get my love for Sam.

Now this IS the part when I get messy and emotional.

One day I went to my Instagram feed and the first thing that popped out was a mega spoiler from The Assassin’s Blade.

Allow me to share it with you.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfK7WrLBb4l/?taken-by=arz28

Aaaaand… I died inside.

I talked with Tânia about it and when she implied that it was going to happen in The Assassin’s Blade, I made the decision of not getting to attached to their relationship.

I tried.

And I failed miserably.

The Assassin and The Underworld is when things get serious. Celaena comes back very angry and plans to get away from Arobynn and gain her independence. However, Arobynn starts showering her with presents and apologies, making Celaena postpone her plan.

Celaena is sent on a mission to kill a man who, according to Arobynn, intends to sell slaves. Sam offers his help and their relationships develops to something more intense.

At some point the mission is concluded and my new OTP is born.

“I love you," he repeated, shaking her again. "I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he's always know how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you'd choose Arobynn, and I. Can't. Take. It.”

― Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin and the Underworld

Now life isn’t so simple anymore… The romance between them becomes one of the most importante points and, although Celaena is still the same bad ass girl as ever, and keeps her personality traits and ideals, she begins having another reason to make her choices.

That’s why, when she found out that Arobynn had deceived her and made her kill na innocent man who wanted to save the slaves, and even had the nerve of using Celaena’s money to buy Lysandra’s virginity, that she didn’t blinked twice and left the house, payed Sam’s debt and freed him too.

“And from today onward, I want to never be separated from you. Wherever you go, I go. Even if that means going to hell itself, wherever you are, that's where I want to be. Forever.”

- Sarah J Maas, The Assassin and The Underworld.

*another wonderful quote of Sam. Let’s cry together*

After the ending of this story I didn’t know if I wanted to keep reading. I already knew that Sam was going to die, but I didn’t want to read about it because I’d becoming really attached to his relationship with Celaena.

The Assassin’s Empire, the last story, was, indeed, very painful for me. Celaena and Sam are living together and, although they still have their occasional figths, they are in love. Both are making plans for their future, away from Rifthold and Arobynn (who’s still very present in their lives). However, money begins to scarce and, allied to Celaena’s luxurious life and unemployment, they are prevented for going far away from Riftfold. Celaena’s relutance in leaving that city where she lived for 8 years isn’t helpfull as well.

I only had to get to the second chapter do realize that it wouldn’t be easy to keep reading. There were many times that I thought I wasn’t capable, so I started to freak out. As if the fact that he was going to die wasn’t painful enough, he was also excited about starting a new life with his lover.

I took some time to think about it and soon enough I was crying my eyes out. I give all the credit do these sentences:

“I can wait," he said thickly, kissing her collarbone. "We have all the time in the world.”

― Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Empire

Again, I was being tortured by the knowledge of how wrong he was. When I finally calmed down, I decided that I had to put all the drama aside and finish the book once and for all.

Before I keep going, so you can understand how under my skin Sam’s death got, let me tell you that It’s not usual for me to cry so much while reading a book. Not usual at all. I get more emotionally envolved in a movie (because it feels more real to me, since I am watching real people in front of me, their facial expressions and I empathize more that way).

But it kept getting worse. Celaena’s reaction was so heartbreaking. The way she kept waiting for him, how she hopped he would come back at any moment, how she started to panic when he didn’t show up, when Arobynn told her what happened…
When she saw Sam on that table, completely broken.

Oh good God.

I was sobbing so much it was embarrassing.

Then she was so broken, so remorseful for not having said goodbye properly and told him that she loved him.

GAWD.

UGH THE FEELS.

I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. I almost did. I closed the book and took deep breathes, then I opened it and moved on.

To when she went to try to get revenge. And ended up being captured. And latter she began her journey to Endovier.

“She would tuck Sam into her heart, a bright light for her to take out whenever things were darkest.”

― Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Blade

“My name is Celaena Sardothien," she whispered, "and I will not be afraid.”

― Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Blade

Overall, The Assassin’s Blade was an emotional rollercoaster, and a part of me is still recovering from it….

Hamilton Book Tag

Warning: This post may contain spoilers. Please read the following text at your expense and risk.

How does a bastard, orphan, son of a wh… Oh! There you are! *blushes*

Latelly I’ve been into Broadway shows, being Hamilton one of them. I just love the soundtrack and I’ve been obsessing over it. Recently I found this tag created by Maureen Keavy and of course I had to tag myself and do it!

In case you don’t know, Hamilton: An American Musical, is about “the ten-dollar founding father without a father”, Alexander Hamilton. For those who like History, America or musicals in general, it’s very entertaining! The songs have some hip-hop and R&B influences, and it’s so interesting!

Let’s get to the tag, shall we? 

Ranting: Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard

Warning: This post will contain spoilers. Please read the following text at your expense and risk.

A few months ago I finished Glass Sword by Kiera Aveyard. The book is the second one of The Red Queen series.

After a long period of reflection (because sometimes I can’t create an opinion just after finishing the book) I still don’t know if I liked the book that much.

Once I was searching through the internet and I started to read about Red Queen. People were talking about the book and after I read the synopsis I thought the premise was interesting. It was time to bought it.

However, as soon as I finished Red Queen I knew I didn’t hate it, but… Did I love it? I don’t know… I assume I had a good time reading it and the end was what I liked the most. I was excited about how it turned out to be (I’m crazy, I know!) but I wasn’t going bananas to read the second book. I still had to think about it.

Then the second book was given to me and I thought: “Maybe it’s time to read it!”. So, I took it and… I got bored. I’m not the type of person who re-reads the previous book before getting to read the following.

Shame on me. Right.

When I love a book it’s hard for me to forget much about it. Some details are gone, true, but the most important parts and characters remain on my memory. Unfortunately, when I picked up Glass Sword it took me some time to remember some important plots that took place previously.

I was told that the second book wasn’t as good as the first. I tried to ignore it as I got deeper into the book. I don’t know if it’s better or worse than Red Queen, but I do know that I didn’t enjoy Glass Sword as much as I enjoyed the previous one.

Why?

First: Kilorn Warren.

I don’t like him. I’m sorry if you do. Please don’t be mad. You should love who you want. I, on the other hand, am annoyed by him. I could say that he adds nothing to the story, but that’s not completely true. If it weren’t him, Mare would have never gone to the castle in the first place. Also, I found his love declaration to Mare a bit irrelevant, since it is quickly forgotten.

Second: Mare and her instability.

Mare is a character that sometimes has lack of coherence. I assume that it must be related with the things that happened to her, but It is something that upsets me a little.

Third: The plot/action.

In Red Queen I thought that the book had more variety when we are talking about the pace of the action. The book had me feeling like I was in a rollercoaster of events, in comparison with Glass Sword, in which the action was around the same thing.

Fourth: Shade.

No, I don’t hate this character. It’s one of my favorites to be honest. I noticed that at certain point, he is left behind by his team. He was injured back then and was caught and supposedly beaten up. Mare was so sad that her brother died in a war before she realized that he was alive, but anyway she agreed on leaving him behind… I understand that herself couldn’t afford to get caught, but… Well, dilemmas. However, Victoria Aveyard found a way for him to get out of that mess without having him severely injured… only to kill him a couple of chapters later. To me it seemed like the author was ready to kill him but in the last minute changed her mind, only to kill him later.

Overall, the Red Queen’s series is not one that leaves me on the edge of my seat or that makes me hyped, but it’s not bad at all! The endings are my favorite part of her books and that’s why I want to keep reading then even though I’m not really that excited for following books.~

What are your opinions? Should I keep reading the series? Does it get better?

XOXO,

Review- In Between by M. A. Fernández

Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Please read the following text at your expense and risk.

Hello my fellow readers! I’ve been away for so long because of my duties as a student! Luckily for me, summer has finally arrived and I’m ready to start reading again! (Not that I stopped reading, but oh well…)
Today I’m back with a review for you and I want to thank M. A. Fernández for providing me this book!
Without further ado let’s get to the point!
I hope you enjoy it!


Synopsis:
Rachel has always wanted one thing, true love. She has dreamed about her perfect wedding since she was little and it seems she will finally get it with her fiancé Ethan. However when Rachel meets Tom, an elegant, smart conceited lawyer, everything she believes and feels is called into question. This is a captivating story about the power of distance, lack of time spent between couples, and confusion that put Rachel In Between the two men. Caught in the web of the consequences of their decisions, life’s twists and turns, and the effects of karma on each of the characters. This book will make you question the reason why we do things, and will push you to side with characters as you live through their choices. In Between emphasizes the importance of bonds, true love and the power of forgiveness, and how these can turn the worst of situations into valuable life lessons of love and hope.

| Review | O Poder | Naomi Alderman

Hello book-nerds! How are you?
I'm finally free of my exams ~ dead ~ and I'm trying to write as many reviews as possible for you! I've read so many good books this year, I cannot wait to tell you all about them!

A copy of this book was kindly provided by our partner Saida de Emergência.

| Cover Reveal | Orbit | Leigh Hellman

Today I’m helping unveil the cover for Orbit—the new adult, speculative fiction debut novel by Leigh Hellman. Without further ado, here is the cover (designed by Najla Qamber):

Title: Orbit
Author: Leigh Hellman
Release Date: September 18th, 2018
Publisher: Snowy Wings Publishing
Cover Designer: Najla Qamber

Orbit will be available for preorder soon!

In the meantime, you can add it on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36425503-orbit


Synopsis: 

Ciaan Gennett isn’t green, despite the brand of light hair that betrays her heritage: an Earth mother. A mother she remembers but doesn’t know, who left one day and never came back. Ciaan’s as metal as her home planet—cold and hard and full of so many cracks she’s trying to ignore that she doesn’t have time to wonder about questions that don’t get answers. After one too many run-ins with the law, Ciaan finds herself sentenced to probation at a port facility and given an ultimatum: Prove that your potential is worth believing in. With help from her best friend Tidoris, Ciaan stays away from trouble—and trouble stays away from her. But when a routine refueling turns into a revelation, Ciaan and Tidoris find themselves forced into an alliance with an Earth captain of questionable morality and his stoic, artificially-grown first officer. Their escalating resistance against bureaucratic cover-ups begins unraveling a history of human monstrosity and an ugly truth that Ciaan isn’t so sure she wants to discover. Now they all must decide how far they are willing to dig into humanity's dark desperation—and what they are willing to do about what digs back.


What you think book-nerds? I'm quite in love with this cover * - *

| Spotlight | The Vestige | Carol George

Synopsis:

Choose to see the unseen...

Julie Stryker has spent her life in the scenic streets of Charleston, South Carolina, bicycling to the local college, working at a coffeehouse, watching her family fall apart and back together. She has plans, dreams—all of which seem out of reach. Then she meets a handsome stranger at work, and she believes her life is on the brink of a much needed change. But after a tragic accident, Julie is whisked away from the only home she’s ever known and confronted with a life-altering secret: The end of the world has already occurred and a portion of humankind has been kept oblivious.

Tossed into a hidden world of deception, Julie must confront the truth within herself and reveal the government’s layers before the end of the world becomes a permanent reality.

1st Layer: What you can see.

2nd Layer: What you know is real.

3rd Layer: What you can neither see nor know is real.

Find all the information about this book on Goodreads and Amazon.

| Interview | Susana C. Júdice | Liberum's Dream

Hello book-nerds!
How are you? I know I'm lacking on reviews, and I'm very sorry to inform you that it will get worse before it gets better. My exams are here and I have so muuuch to do. And to worsen everything I'm also negotiating the release of my second book so reading and reviews are at the bottom of a very, very long list.

Still, I promise I'll try to keep you updated as much as possible. Don't give up on us!

Information a side, I had the wonderfull oportunity to interview the talented Susana C. Júdice, you can read my thoughts on her book here. Now, there are no spoilers below so feel free to read this conversation!

| Cover Reveal | Fangs and Fins | Amy McNulty

 

Check all the information down below!
I'm so excited!!!

| Review | Fire and Ice | Jennifer DiGiovanni

Here's a new review, book-nerds!!
I'm doing better right? I'm trying very hard to be organised, but I still have a long way to go before having my reviews in order. Still, how's your reading going?

| Spotlight | Burro Hills | Julia Rubin

Synopsis:

“Are you a fan of The Outsiders and Perks of Being a Wallflower? Now imagine them mashed together. That’s what awaits you in Burro Hills by Julia Lynn Rubin.” ―YA Interrobang

Jack Burns is a resident―though oftentimes he feels like an inmate―of the tiny, California desert town of Burro Hills. Growing up surrounded by the broken dreams of his parents, Jack wonders if he will ever just get out. Get out of dealing drugs. Get out of poverty. Get away from the suffocating masculinity in high school boys. And get out of his own head. When he’s not running with his crew and trying to stay under the radar, he is in his favorite spot with his best friend, Jess, fantasizing about escape. 

Until Connor Orellana shows up. The new boy captivates everyone in school, including Jack, who is magnetized by Connor’s lack of self-consciousness and inhibition. As their connection deepens, Connor challenges him to see that liberation comes from accepting and trusting his nature, while Jack helps ground Connor and the dark energy that drives his free spirit. But their relationship will set into motion a series of events that have lasting consequences, jeopardizing Jack’s budding romance with Connor and the life he’s tried so hard to salvage in Burro Hills.

| Cover Reveal | AER | Tracy Korn

Hello guys!
Today we are partening up with Snow Wings Publishing to do another amazing cover reveal!

| Review | The Hound of the Baskervilles by Guerra e Paz

Hello book-nerds!
Even though I'm not having much time to write reviews - university, I'm reading pretty much. I was hoping to read 40 books this year but I've done 22 already, so I may have to update my reading goal!
What about you? How's your year of books going?

| Review | Frankstein by Guerra e Paz

I’m super excited to be teaming up with Guerra e Paz to talk to you about this amazing series they’re doing. It’s called These books are crazy (Os Livros estão Loucos) and it’s a great Portuguese initiative to promote classics to younger people.

Trying Manga

I'm sooooo sorry for taking so long to come back!
I was so focused on finishing my second book that I wrote the books but totally forgot to post them!
I will try to do better now that the book is finally finished! Promise!

| Review | Phoenix Fire | S. D. Grimm

Today I'm bringing you a different sort of review!

While these are still my thoughts and opinions that have in no way been influenced by the free ebook, this post is part of a Blog Tour organised by Entangled Teen who I thank for this copy ;) 

Go ahead and find more about this book!

| Review | Liberum's Dream | Susana C. Júdice

| Review | Eternal Darkness | J. F. Johns

Hello book-nerds! How are you today?
I'm very sorry for the lack of post, I'm very busy with writing and college so reading time is a little limited! Please don't give up! I'll be trying to be better. Promise.

Today I'm bringing you my opinion on an awesome sci-fi book so if you're a science fiction fan check this review below!

Your Valentine Ship

Can you feel the looove tonight!

You can't? Don't worry. You'll feel it right after reading this post!

Today I’m bringing (along with Tânia) a very special (and romantic) post!

We went to our Instagram account (@thinking_likeafangirl, which, by the way, you should totally follow it)  and asked our followers to choose between a pair of OTPs. The results will be shared on this post and I (with the precious help of Tânia) will talk about the chosen OTPs. 

Before we get to the point, this post might contain spoilers for the following books/series:

The Mortal Instruments

The Dark Artifices

The Infernal Devices

The Hunger Games

Red Queen

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Me Before You

Twilight