A Court of Thorns and Roses review - written by Sarah J. Maas

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Quick overview:

Feyre has broken the law. Now that wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't a fae law that asked for her life in return. 
After killing an immortal creature, Feyre is required to be killed... Or go and live with the mysterious masked Tamlin. Caught in a world of magic and evil, Feyre may be the only one who can save it...

(A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Sarah J. Maas on this Goodreads link.

Personal opinion on the book:

The only reason why I even started reading this book is because I got given it as a Christmas present last year, and after all of the hype about the second book coming out I decided that I may as well start reading it. And let me just say, that this book was truly the best thing ever! The plot was completely unique, and I know that it was said to have had an underlying story of Beauty and the Beast. But this book has carved it's own legacy. 
The female lead, Fayre was so kick ass and is actually the most loyal and feisty character that I have read about in ages! Lets just say that if I was to go through any of the things she did I would probably die. She was the most quick witted, quick minded and just gosh dang best character! 
I gotta say that in the middle of the book I was the biggest Tamlin and Fayre shipper - but as soon as we met Rhys I jumped off the plank and swam through shark infested waters just so I could come to the Rhys and Fayre ship! 
Rhys is just the best. I don't want to go into too much detail (I am saving that for my review of A Court of Mist and Fury) but long story short. I have found my one true love. 
Overall, this book was incredible and is easy my favorite book series I have read this year! 

Star rating (out of 5):

This book was truly incredible to read and I am so happy that I have been able to experience this beautifully, well-written book! This book gets a star rating of 5/5 stars!

Books in the series:

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses
2. A Court of Mist and Fury

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Okay so firstly I just have to apologist for how this review has probably been written. I actually FINISHED A Court of Mist and Fury before I even started writing this review. To be honest, this is probably my favorite series EVER!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that ALL of my opinions about this book are probably a (lot) bias...

Until next time, keep reading!

-Shelbi (Book Ambrosia)

Shatter Me review - written by Tahereh Mafi

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Quick overview:

Juliette has never touched another person... At least never touched another person without them dropping dead. 

Outcast from the crumbling society of a futuristic word, she is shocked when a boy is thrown into her cell inside an insane asylum. 

Finally released from her prison, only to return to another one, Juliette will whatever it takes to earn her freedom and save the man she loves. But is she willing to kill to do so?

(Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Tahereh Mafi on this Goodreads link.

Personal opinion on the book:

I brought this book as a free e-book about 3-4 years ago. Basically it is one of those books that you just keep on coming back to. And I think... I think it is time to take the leap. I am going to buy this book in paper-back form. 

Now I have adored this book since FOREVER and just the other day my friend and I were on a 40 minute fitness run/walk for school PE, we literally talked about this book for the WHOLE TIME! 

This book is really THAT GOOD! 

The book itself is actually quite short and follows a simple plot line, but the amazing detail and description is INCREDIBLE! 

Both of the male love interests are pretty snazzy. And Juliette is great in the first book. 

After I finished this first book (for like the 7th time) I decided that I would take the next step and read the second book in the series. 

But, to be honest, I was quite disappointed. It didn't meet my expectations and really let me down. 

True, I did start reading ACOTAR at the same time as this book, but still, I expected more.

Overall, this book is a favorite of mine. 

Star rating (out of 5):

Because of the fact that I have read this book so many times, the plot was a little predictable, but I still LOVED this book. Overall, a start rating of 4.8/5 stars!

Books in the series:

1. Shatter Me
2. Unravel Me
3. Ignite Me

Novella's - Destroy Me, Fracture Me (Collective name: Unite Me)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I need to share my excitement, I have been contacted by ANOTHER author and am getting sent out ANOTHER book to review! I also happened to win an ARC of a book on twitter. So lets say I am pretty happy with my (future) book haul!

I am also going shopping tomorrow with my friend and am going to buy ACOMAF!!!

Until next time, keep reading!

-Shelbi (Book Ambrosia)

Glass Sword review - written by Victoria Aveyard

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Quick overview:

After surviving after posing as a silver princess, Mare Borrow must learn that she is red in the blood, but silver in her abilities. Now she must form an army of 'new bloods' to fight with her. Caught in the middle of two brothers, one will stop at nothing to get her, and the other cannot even look at her...

(Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Victoria Aveyard on this Goodreads link.

Personal opinion on the book:

To be honest, this actually wasn't my favorite book - yet at the same time I couldn't stop thinking about it. Does anyone ever feel the same? As soon as I had finished the first book I NEEDED to read this one. But now that I have completed this book I feels as though I probably won't finish the series... I know that a LOT of people adore this series, but I am just not really feeling it. I felt as though the whole book Mare just made bad decisions and kind of messed things up. 

I LOVE her brother and Maven, Shade is such a great character and Maven was just the sassiest little prince EVER! In this book Shade was really under appreciated... 

Like when Mare just left Shade to get beat up by a gang of brutal fishermen, I just lost all respect for her! 

Basally, don't kill me for saying I didn't enjoy this book that much. I will probably follow the series - just so I know what happens with Maven, but Cal and Mare left me really disappointed. 

Star rating (out of 5):

This book was okay... but wasn't my favorite. So I would have to give it a star rating of 2.8/5 stars. 

Books in the series:

1. Red Queen
2. Glass Sword 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I am so happy that I finally have time to get back too my blog! I have finished a bunch of my assignments and have a few weeks before all my exams! So be prepared for a LOT of blog posts! 

Until next time, keep reading!

-Shelbi (Book Ambrosia)

First ever BLOGGER MAIL! | Unboxing!

Attention! I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lets say that not only does book blogging allow for me to ramble on and on about books as much and as long as I like, but it can also have some HUGE PERKS! 

Ever since I have started my blog I have had authors and publishers in contact with me. They have been asking for me to read books and review them. These amazing people send me out a FREE book and all they ask in return is for me to post an honest review on my blog. Sweet deal right? Obviously, I say yes as much as I can! Although since I receive over four requests a week, I have a little trouble keeping up with all these amazing offers.

Up until now, all of these free books have been e-books. Which are AMAZING, but I adore my paperback books as much as any other book nerd. So when an amazing author called Jerry Gill contacted me and said that he would like to send out a paperback copy of his book... Lets just say I screamed a little...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Basically it all happened one morning... I can out of my room and saw my dad sorting through mail. He turned to me and said, "There is something in the mail box that says 'book,' I think it's for you." 

*insert me screaming like a maniac and running to my mail box* 

Once arriving safely back in my house, panting ever so slightly, I got a real look at this amazing BOOK that had been sent out to me! 

So yea... That happened...

Lets just say that this tiny little package was my FIRST EVER BLOGGER MAIL!!! And we can also safely say that I absolutely adored the whole experience of receiving, opening and just having this book! 

Now to show you what is actually inside the package...

Well, this is what I received inside this amazing package! 

I got:

• Four book marks
• A personalized thank you note 
• The book!

I know that the book may look a little cheesy, but I think that it will be a fun, action-packed read. This book also just so happens to be set in my country! Australia! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank you so much for reading this post, I had a BLAST receiving this book as well as writing this post. I have been SOOOO busy with school lately that I haven't had much time to blog... But don't worry, I am keeping up my reading and have a bunch of amazing book reviews and promo post coming soon! 

Thanks so much to Jerry Gill, the incredible author who sent me this book, I hope to read this book something very soon! 

Until next time, keep reading!

- Shelbi (Book Ambrosia)

The Gladiator and the Guard review - written by Annie Douglass Lima | Promo Post!

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Collar and the Cavvarch:

Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is desperate to see his little sister freed. But only victory in the Krillonian Empire's most prestigious tournament will allow him to secretly arrange for Ellie's escape. Dangerous people are closing in on her, however, and Bensin is running out of time.  With his one hope fading quickly away, how can Bensin save Ellie from a life of slavery and abuse?

What is the Collar for, and What is a Cavvarach?

 The story is set in a world very much like our own, with just a few major differences.  One is that slavery is legal there.  Slaves must wear metal collars that lock around their neck, making their enslaved status obvious to everyone.  Any slave attempting to escape faces the dilemma of how and where to illegally get their collar removed (a crime punishable by enslavement for the remover).  

Another difference is the popularity of a martial art called cavvara shil.  It is fought with a cavvarach (rhymes with "have a rack"), a weapon similar to a sword but with a steel hook protruding from partway down its top edge.  Competitors can strike at each other with their feet as well as with the blades.  You win in one of two ways: disarming your opponent (hooking or knocking their cavvarach out of their hands) or pinning their shoulders to the mat for five seconds.

Click here to order The Collar and the Cavvarach from Amazon for $2.99 a discounted price of just 99 cents through April 28th!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Gladiator and the Guard:

Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is just one victory away from freedom. But after he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he is condemned to the violent life and early death of a gladiator. While his loved ones seek desperately for a way to rescue him, Bensin struggles to stay alive and forge an identity in an environment designed to strip it from him. When he infuriates the authorities with his choices, he knows he is running out of time. Can he stand against the cruelty of the arena system and seize his freedom before that system crushes him?

Click here to order The Gladiator and the Guard in Kindle format from Amazon for $2.99 a discounted price of just 99 cents through April 28th!

Click here to order The Gladiator and the Guard from Smashwords (for Nook or in other digital formats) for $2.99 a discounted price of just 99 cents through April 28th!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

About the author:

Annie Douglass Lima spent most of her childhood in Kenya and later graduated from Biola University in Southern California. She and her husband Floyd currently live in Taiwan, where she teaches fifth grade at Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her childhood, and to date has published twelve books (two YA action and adventure novels, four fantasies, a puppet script, and five anthologies of her students’ poetry). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.

Connect with the Author Online:

Email: AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com

Blog: http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnieDouglassLimaAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/princeofalasia

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGoodreads

Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/AnnieDouglassLimaOnAmazon

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AnnieDouglassLima

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnLinkedIn

Google Plus: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGooglePlus

Enter to win an Amazon gift card or a free digital copy of The Collar and the Cavvarach!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Personal opinion of the book:

This book was extraordinarily well written and was amazing in the way that it got me thinking about so many different topics that are truly important in our society.
This book is about a young man who has to fight for his freedom, but he is a slave. Although his master is a very loving person who treats him more like a son, he would so anything to join his sister in freedom. In the first book in this series, he fought and won his sisters freedom.

With all this talk of freedom I though: What is freedom? Do I take it for granted? 

After basically contemplating my life and all my life choices, I came to the conclusion that, like most things in our lives, we under appreciate it while we have it, yet mourn it when it is gone. 

Then I began thinking about all the times through history, how no one is every truly free. I cannot just say that I am going to go and buy all the books I want and then travel to Hawaii to read them. We are all limited. 

Imagine, the whole world coming together to make everyone equal, everyone having equal freedom... 

This book was a standout for me. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank-you to Annie for asking me to read and review this book. I really enjoyed reading the book and writing up this post. I also want to apologize for my post being up five day after I was meant to post! 

As I told Annie, I loved the book, but my laptop doesn't love me...

Until next time, keep reading!

-Shelbi (Book Ambrosia)

The Arrow Bringer review - written by Lisa Mayer

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Quick overview:

After recently receiving earth-shattering news that may change her life forever, a girl must embark on a life altering journey into a world where dragons are real and her identity may not be her own... This is a journey of faith and bravery. 

(The Arrow Bringer by Lisa Mayer)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Lisa Mayer on this Amazon link.

Personal opinion on the book:

When I first picked up this book I wasn't quite sure where it would take me. But after getting over just how heart-breaking the first few pages are, I was able to really get a feel for this truly unique and intriguing world. 

To me, this book felt as though it was a sort of God-and-his-followers sort of book. I liked how it was not only based around this point though. It had magic and dragons and sword fights! 

The character the 'Arrow Bringer' felt like he was 'God' and that all of the people in the story and to show their faith in him to get over their issues and troubles. 
Overall, this was a pretty good book that was very interesting to read!

Star rating (out of 5):

After reading this book I found that I enjoyed it a lot! It was not my favorite book, but I must say that the way the character and story line was written was SUPERB! I give this book a star rating of 3.5/5 stars. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is only a nice and short review, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND people to read this really great book! Thanks so much Lisa for contacting me and asking me to read this book, I really enjoyed it and it was a fantastic read! 
Make sure to check out this book and buy it using the Amazon link above!

Until next time, keep reading!

-Shelbi (Book Ambrosia)

Rebel of the Sands review - written by Alwyn Hamilton

Attention! This review may contain spoilers that could reveal the story line or events that occur over the duration of the book. If this does not bother you, or if you would just like to get a better feel of what this book is about before you read it, please feel free to carry on and enjoy this review!

I received this book in a YA Chronicles subscription box. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Quick overview:

To escape the place Amani has called 'home' all her life, she must trust a stranger, believe in magic and become a rebel of the sands...

(Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton)

Read the full summary and check out other books by Alwyn Hamilton on this Goodreads link.

Personal opinion on the book:

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book, I really only started to read it because I wanted a nice short and easy read. But literally the first paragraph won me over. My favorite quote of the book (below) is what drew me in. I love it when there is a female character who is kick-ass and sassy! And the main character in this book was truly incredible to read. I am so happy that I have read this book. 
To be honest, this book has actually inspired me to try and start writing my own book. Because I had the biggest book-hangover after finishing this book I wanted to try and create my own world... So keep an eye out to read about that...
I am a little sad that the date for the next book isn't even set yet... But I will wait as long as it takes! I LOVED THIS BOOK!
But back to this amazing book! Not only does it have an incredibly beautiful cover that is so nice and shiny (and really hard to take pictures of!), but it is also written incredibly well. The world in this story is set in the desert (obviously) and has incredible elements of magic and mystery incorporated into it. 
Overall, lets just say this is one of my all time favorite books! 

Quote of the book:

I wasn’t up to no good. Then again, I wasn’t exactly up to no bad neither. - Amani

Star rating (out of 5):

This book has left me in a two week (and still going) book hangover. This book is so amazing and I am so happy to have read it! So I give this amazing book a star rating of 5/5 stars. LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING! I just had to say that one more time! This is actually my favorite book (at present) and I am ligit in the biggest reading slump after this book! 

I cannot say enough just how much I LOVED this book and still LOVE it once the story is over!
Also keep in mind that I have some very awesome bookish goodies coming your way! So keep and eye out!

Until next time, keep reading!

-Shelbi (Book Ambrosia)