Into Pieces

Book Review

Title: Into Pieces ( Shattered Hearts #2)

Author: Nicole Banks

Date Published: June 30th, 2015

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy Me: Amazon, B&N

Meet The Author: Nicole Banks Goodreads Page

Synopsis:

Our demons have been let out to destroy us.

We're both drowning, barely holding on. The storm we're caught in was designed just to break us.

But I have become her comfort and she has become my anchor.

Standing together, we can conquer anything.

Join Jasmine and Angel as their story continues in this second installment in the Shattered Heart Series.

***WARNING:This novel is intended for mature readers only.
Novel contains a rape scene. While the content isn’t overly graphic to some, reader discretion is advised.***

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to share an eBook copy in exchange for an honest review. Angel and Jasmine finally are together and enjoying their relationship to the fullest, but they're still struggling to be open with each other; just when everything seems to be going perfect both their pasts catch up with them and threatens to ruin everything.

I loved the first book in this series so; of course I loved this book as well. I really loved the character development Angel and Jasmine went through in this book and the twist had me going emotionally crazy. This book is full of surprises that kept me up all night; I just wanted to devour all the characters stories one by one. Can I just say how much I love Chase and Kris though sometimes I just want to punch Chase in the face, he is so stubborn. Tony, Tony, Tony I feel so bad for the guy, what he did was wrong, but I really hope he comebacks in the next book; I'm probably the only crazy one that feels sorry for him because even though he did wrong I feel that deep down he is a good guy. I can't wait for the last book to be released; I need to know where Chase's and Kris relationship is going to go also I don't mind reading more about Angels and Jasmine's lovely story.

If you have not picked this series up I really recommend you do, but I will warn there is a rape scene it's not graphic, but I just wanted to let my readers know. Nicole did a very good job in writing these two books I can't believe it’s a debut series and I know I said this previously, but I can't wait for the last one! With that said, I want to wish the awesome author of these amazing series Nicole Banks an early Happy Book Birthday and Thank You so much for sharing this story with me! I have truly grown to love all the wonderful characters in this series.

-SandraTheBookWorm

Shattered

Book Review

Title: Shattered (Shattered Hearts #1)

Author: Nicole Banks

Date Published: February 12, 2013

Publisher: Createspace 

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Genre: New Adult Contemporary 
Meet the Author: Nicole Banks Goodreads Page

Buy Me: Amazon, B&N

Synopsis:

He was finally home, but guilt weighed heavily on his soul.

She's been broken, running from a past she can't seem to escape. 

Two childhood friends, beaten down by life, find their way back to each other after years of pain and torment. As passion and desire rises, can Jasmine and Angel find solace in each other’s arms? Or, are the shattered pieces of their lives too much for either of them to put back together? 
Join them on an intoxicating ride through life. With ups and down, laughs and tears, they've survived for this long being broken. Can they survive it just a little longer to find their own happy ending?

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to send me the book in exchange for an honest review. This book was amazing! I can't believe it's a debut novel. I loved Angel and Jasmine so much; even if they are a little bit stubborn about their relationship. 

Angel just came back from the marines with some guilt that is eating him away, but as soon as he sees Jasmine the demons seem to stay at bay and he almost feels like his old self. In the time Angel was away life has knocked Jasmine down a few time and she hasn't been able to get back up.

This story is very unique. This book kept me up to the wee hours of the night, but I just couldn't put it down; I had to know what was going to happen between Angel and Jasmine. Also this book is told in various perspectives so, that also had part in keeping me up all night; since I wanted to find out what happened between the rest of the characters in the book.  This book had me laughing, crying, angry and swooning over all the hot guys. The book ended with the perfect cliffhanger that leaves you craving the second book. I did find Angel to be a little possessive towards Jasmine, but Jasmine is not the kind of girl to take crap so, it all evens out. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad the author contacted me. I’m currently reading the second one so I will have the review up soon.

-SandraTheBookWorm 

The Future Diary

The Future Diary (OT)

Title: The Future Diary (Mirai Nikki)
Author: Sakae Esuno
English Publisher:
-Tokyo Pop (Former)
-Viz Media Entertainment
Volumes: 12
Art: 4.5/5
Story: 9.5/10
Overall Score: 9.5/10

Welcome all to OTAKU FRIDAY! Today we review another Shonen psychological drama. The Future Diary, The Future Diary revolves around a group of twelve people who all write their own individual diaries. The Diaries reflect each persons job or personality,  but never did they imagine that their lives would change forever and that their greatest power and weakness lay within their diary.

So, What's It about!?
   Yukiteru "Yuki" Amano is a loner who spends most of his time writing a diary on his cell phone or talking with his imaginary friends Deus Ex Machina, the God of Time and Space; and Murmur, Deus's servant. One day, Deus gives Yuki a special diary, mentioning something about a game. Strangely, Yuki's new diary has entries in it spanning the next 90 days—entries about the future that come unnervingly true. Deus, revealed to be the not-so-imaginary God of Time and Space, then forces Yuki to participate in a battle royale with eleven other people, each of whom also has a diary that can predict the future in some unique way. The rules of this "Diary Game" are simple: the contestants must try to find and kill all the other contestants before the world ends on Day 90, and only the last one standing can prevent the Apocalypse and become the new God of Time and Space.  
  * I usually go for these stories because i'm really into putting a group of people together and seeing who would actually play into the sick game. Along the way we get to see every characters back story and reason for becoming god and let me tell you it is nothing less of a Physiological Drama we have the good guy who is pushed against the wall in order to save his own. The misunderstood people who had no other choice but to feed into other peoples cruel intentions, and the innocent which the game has corrupted. The overall story has some major twist and turns that will keep you reading, and also some very sad stories that just keep you turning the pages.

Review Me !
    I really loved this story and the bond the two protagonist shared. The two protaganist relationship wasn't so much of a romantic relationship, but one of mutual need. The Future Diary was a whole new world for me because I've never read something so twisted as in a crazy, what the h*** is going on way. This story goes much deeper than your average manga with great character growth and a bond achieve for each character. This story faces many psychological as well as physical issues like domestic violence, evil cults, corrupt politicians, terrorist acts ,and psychotic emotionally damaged people. I really loved this story, but I wouldn't have a thirteenth year old reading this I would say older teen. If your looking for a great action packed manga this one is for you and is highly recommended.

Gimme Them Links!

The Future Diary Manga

The Future Diary Anime

The Future Diary Drama

Anime Trailer

(Dubbed)

Uppercase YA Subscription Box

Subscription Box Review

Click Here to Subscribe!

I recently subscribed to Uppercase; Uppercase is a young adult subscription box. There is several different price ranges for the subscription boxes; they have The Book Exclusive seventeen dollars, it comes with a recently published book, signed bookplate, exclusive author content, uppercase reader interactive experience. The Expert Pick twenty three dollars it comes with a recently published book, a bookplate, exclusive author content, Uppercase reader interactive experience and some bookish items or accessories. The last but not least is The Personalized box it's twenty nine dollars this one has a book chosen by your interests, comes with a personal note explaining the choice the author content is not included in this package; the prices above do not include shipping, shipping is an extra six dollars.

I went with The Book Exclusive box; I just felt that it was a little more economic for me. I'm so glad that I decided to subscribe! I don't buy many new releases so; this box will guarantee I at least get one a month also when I got the box it was like Christmas in June. When I opened the box I was surprised that it came with a scarf and some book emoji stickers since I was only expecting the book and that was just extra points for uppercase! I recommend this subscription to people that don't buy new releases as soon as they come out because if you get a book you already have unfortunately Uppercase doesn't swap them yet. 

I'm definitely keeping this subscription. I love it! I feel like it's the only one that has several price options for their subscribers. I had been looking for a YA book subscription box for a while and I'm glad I finally found one; now every month is going to feel like Christmas! If you have any questions about Uppercase leave them on the comments below.  There is a Link on top if you would like to subscribe! 

-SandraTheBookWorm 

Ivory Dawn ( The Razors Adventure)

Book Review

Title: Ivory Dawn 

Author: P.S. Bartlett

Date Published: May 15, 2015

Publisher: Self-Published

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Meet the Author: P.S. Bartlett

Buy Me: Amazon 

Synopsis: 

Ivory Shepard didn't want to be a pirate when she grew up but she didn't plan on being orphaned and alone at thirteen with her three cousins either. 
After a Spanish raid in Charles Towne left them with nothing, Ivory held her cousins together, trained them to fight for their lives and led them to a life of quiet refuge on the banks of the Ashley River. Believing they were out of reach of the hands of unscrupulous men, they found life on the farm a tolerable substitute for the traditional alternatives life would force onto them—until the night the pirates showed up. 
Unfortunately for the pirates, these handy young women were ready, and they weren't going anywhere without a fight. 

This novella is a prequel to DEMONS & PEARLS. 

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to send me her book in exchange of an honest review. I’m so glad the author when ahead and wrote a prequel to Demons and Pearls; it answered my question of how the girls got in that situation and it showed a little more of each girl's personality, it also gives a little peek into where they came from and why Ivory was so desperate for an escape. I have really come to love these girls each one has a special place in my heart. I read this after I finished Demons and Pearls, but I recommend reading it before since it explains how Ivory and her cousins got Voyage on the Demon. I love this story and really recommend adventure lovers to pick it up!

-SandraTheBookWorm 

Demons and Pearls

Book Review

Title: Demons and Pearls
Author: P.S. Bartlett
Date Published: April 14, 2015
Publisher: Self-Published

Rating: ★★★★★

Meet the Author: P.S. Bartlett

Buy Me: Amazon

Synopsis:

Had I known the repercussions of murdering the captain of a pirate ship, I may have taken the time necessary to rethink the act. As if I've ever had a choice that didn’t involve a fight or at the very least, defending myself against some man, hell bent on destroying me or my kin. 
All we wanted was our freedom. All we found were demons disguised as men. 
A woman pirate needs friends, big strong male friends, to survive in this unforgiving land of thieves and murderers—at least until she gets on her feet. Of course, trying to find one person you can trust is like finding an oyster with a perfect pearl in it—you have to break a few shells and get your hands dirty. We were lucky. I found the biggest, baddest and most honorable man in the Caribbean and he just happened to be in the pearl business.

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to send me her book in exchange for an honest review. This book was amazing, author P.S. Bartlett kept me on my toes, just when I thought I had figured something out she would hit me with a twist and surprise me completely. This was my first pirate book and I loved every second of it, it was so different from what I usually read and I loved the pirate dialogue.

Ivory and her cousins find themselves on board the Demon after Ivory made a deal with the captain to be taken safely to Jamaica, but when she kills the captain in self-defense she finds that the pirate code no matter how good of a fighter she is, it does not allow woman to be pirates let alone captains of a ship. With help on the new captain Will she finds a home for her and her cousins while she can get on her feet. That is where she gains knowledge that some of the pirates have been planning to sell them into slavery, but when Ivory meets handsome captain Rasmus she finally finds a man she really feels comfortable with and who she feels can trust with her life.

Gosh, there aren't enough words to describe how much I love this book; Ivory and her cousins are such strong and badass characters and Rasmus can we just take a moment and admire the love this man and Ivory share they made my heart melt. This book hits you with action since the beginning and keeps it coming throughout the whole book and the moments we get with Rasmus and Ivory are perfection. The ending left me wanting more I can't wait for the second book and see in what adventures Ivory and Rasmus lead us to. I was just wanted to take a moment and say that I fell in love with River too he is such a great character. If you want to read a book filled with adventure and pirates look no further this is the book or if you're in a reading slump this book will definitely get you out of it. 

-SandraTheBookWorm 

My Little Monster

My Little Monster 

Author: Robico

# of Volumes: 12 +1 

English Publisher: Kodansha

Art: 4 out of 5

Story: 3.5 out of 5

    On today's Otaku Friday we tone it down a bit and review a Shojo Manga. My little Monster is a quirky fun manga that has been adapted into a 13 episode anime ending at Volume 4. This Manga is a about a Study bug girl and an oddly misunderstood thug who end up meeting on one fateful day and together there lonely lives change forever. (Keep Scrolling For More Details)

So Whats It About?

    My Little Monster focuses on the relationship between Shizuku Mizutani, who has absolutely no interests except in studying and her plans for the future, and a boy named Haru Yoshida, who sits next to Shizuku in class but rarely attends school. After Shizuku is tasked with delivering class printouts to Haru's home, she meets Haru, who immediately greets her as a friend, starting their new relationship. Nicknamed "dry ice," Shizuku is renowned as a girl who is emotionless and cold. However, when she met Haru, she was touched by his innocence and his lack of knowledge towards human relationships. Though known as a violent and uncontrollable monster, Haru is actually kind and gentle. Haru immediately declares his love towards Shizuku, but it takes much longer for Shizuku to realize and accept her own feelings towards Haru. Together, they help each other, two previously unsocial beings, learn how to care for others and make friends.

     *I really enjoyed this manga's soft fresh feeling, but I absolutely despised the protagonist Shizuku, it bugged me that every event they had being either a party, date, or hanging out with friends she was always studying, and it took awhile for her character to develop and grow as fast as Haru's Character. Haru, was what kept me going with this manga so long his character was that of a misunderstood teen who displayed his fear an anxiety's with violence, his friendship and good deeds with violence all because that's the only way he knew how to display it. Haru's growth throughout the manga really hits your hearts strings and that's what really makes it a great read. On a side note I really enjoyed Yamaken which is a minor character who is also interested in Shizuku. Yamaken happens to be directionally challenged he like Haru was one of the aspects that kept me reading he just made me laugh so much, his character is so a prideful that it makes it even funnier when he has to be pointed in the right direction after a dispute

Review Me!    

      My Little Monster is great read for any ages. It is a light hearted comedy about learning how to make friends and interact with others. I really enjoyed the art style which is light and crisp, some mangas like last weeks review Tokyo Ghoul (Older Teen) seem a bit more cluttered, and with My Little Monster there's none of that feeling of I can't understand what's happening. Haru's and Shizuku's love is nice and childlike with no extreme happenings which is great for younger readers. Overall it's not on my favorites list but I do recommend this if you want a little stress relief. (Also My Little Monster reminded me of a manga named Love Attack If you enjoy My Little Monster and are a bit older this would be the perfect manga to switch too.)

Gimme Them Links!

  My Little Monster Anime

  My Little Monster Manga

  Read on Android at SSManga

  Love Attack (OT)

Anime Trailer

Waiting on Wednesday #21

Dreamstrider

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at BreakingtheSpine in which we spotlight a new release we can't wait to get our hands on.

Title: Dreamstrider

Author: Lindsay Smith

Expected Release Date: October 6th, 2015

Publisher: Roaring Book Press

Goodreads Link: Dreamstrider

Preorder Links:  Amazon, B&N, 

Synopsis:

A high-concept, fantastical espionage novel set in a world where dreams are the ultimate form of political intelligence.

Livia is a dreamstrider. She can inhabit a subject's body while they are sleeping and, for a short time, move around in their skin. She uses her talent to work as a spy for the Barstadt Empire. But her partner, Brandt, has lately become distant, and when Marez comes to join their team from a neighborhing kingdom, he offers Livia the option of a life she had never dared to imagine. Livia knows of no other dreamstriders who have survived the pull of Nightmare. So only she understands the stakes when a plot against the Empire emerges that threatens to consume both the dreaming world and the waking one with misery and rage.

A richly conceived world full of political intrigue and fantastical dream sequences, at its heart Dreamstrider is about a girl who is struggling to live up to the potential before her.

Why I need it on my shelf:

First the concept sounds AH-MA-ZING who wouldn't want to be able to walk into another person's dreams to do some spying. This book doesn't sound like anything I have ever read. I'm super excited to see how the author uses this amazing concept in her favor and the cover is just gorgeous! What book are you excited for? Let me know in the comments below; I would love to hear from you! 

-SandraTheBookWorm

Princess of Thorns

Book Review

Title: Princess of Thorns

Author: Stacey Jay

Date Published: December 9, 2014

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: YA Fantasy

Meet The Author: Stacey Jay

Buy Me: B&N, Amazon, Book Depository

Synopsis:

Game of Thrones meets the Grimm's fairy tales in this twisted, fast-paced romantic fantasy-adventure about Sleeping Beauty's daughter, a warrior princess who must fight to reclaim her throne.

Though she looks like a mere mortal, Princess Aurora is a fairy blessed with enhanced strength, bravery, and mercy yet cursed to destroy the free will of any male who kisses her. Disguised as a boy, she enlists the help of the handsome but also cursed Prince Niklaas to fight legions of evil and free her brother from the ogre queen who stole Aurora's throne ten years ago.

Will Aurora triumph over evil and reach her brother before it's too late? Can Aurora and Niklaas break the curses that will otherwise forever keep them from finding their one true love?

My Thoughts: 

Wow, this book just wow! I wouldn't call this book a retelling of Sleeping Beauty It’s more like a continuation of what happens after Sleeping Beauty marries her prince and has her children. In this wonderfully written novel, we follow the children of Sleeping Beauty Aurora to whom Sleeping beauty gave her Fairy blessings to even though the blessings were given with good intentions sometimes they can turn into curses and her brother Jor who has been captured by the Ogre Queen. 

When Aurora is taken prisoner by mercenaries she meets cursed Prince Niklaas, who believes her to be her brother Jor that is when Aurora decided to disguise herself as her brother. She promises to take Niklaas to his sister who he wants to marry as long as he helps her gather an army to save a "friend" the Queen has captured.

This retelling is so different from others I have read. Most of the retellings usually center on the main character of the story they're retelling, It’s rare when you find one that goes into what happened after the happily ever after. The world building in this novel was beautifully done and the character development very well written. Aurora is a very likable character; she is very head strong, stubborn, cares too much, and loves too hard which is very relatable. Niklaas on the other hand at the beginning of the story you want to slap him around, some of the things he says, but his character development through the book is perfection and you just want to take him out of the book and give him a big hug. 

This book is full of adventure and the perfect amount of romance. I love this book so much! I have read other books by the lovely Stacey Jay (Of Beast and Beauty and Juliet Immortal) which I loved. I have always loved her writing that’s why I was surprised when she was dropped by her publisher and after reading Princess of Thorns I'm even more in shock the book is really good. How could they drop a book that is good, but having said that I recommend this book to everyone! I promise you will love it! 

-SandraTheBookWorm 

Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul (Manga)

Author: Ishida Sui

Volume: 1

Chapters: 1-9

Publisher: Viz Media Entertainment (Jun.16 2015)

Art: 4 out of 5

Story: 5 out of 5

       So today marks the long awaited return of Otaku Friday! which is now hosted on the main site!(childish screams insert here) On today's review we will be talking about the ever so popular (and I understand why.) Tokyo Ghoul! Okay so I know many of you Otakus have probably watched the anime and today i'm here to tell you to READ the Manga which fills the gaps to unanswered questions and feels like a whole different story along the way. Although the anime is pretty amazing and ill admit a personal favorite the Manga is always better so lets get started on Today's Otaku Friday!

So, What's It About??!

      Strange murders are happening in Tokyo. Due to liquid evidence at the scene, the police conclude the attacks are the results of 'eater' type ghouls. College buddies Kaneki and Hide come up with the idea that ghouls are imitating humans so that's why they haven't ever seen one. Little did they know that their theory may very well become a reality. The story follows Ken Kaneki who barely survives a deadly encounter with Rize Kamishiro, his date who reveals herself as a ghoul , a human-like creature that hunts and devours human flesh, and is taken to the hospital in critical condition. After recovering, Kaneki discovers that somehow he underwent a surgery that transformed him into a half-ghoul by transferring some of Rize's organs into his body, as she died when she attacked him, and just like them, he must consume human flesh to survive as well. With no one else to turn to, he is taken in by the ghouls who manage the coffee shop "Anteiku", who teach him to deal with his new life as a half-human/half-ghoul, including interacting with ghoul society and its conflicting factions, while striving to keep his identity secret from other humans.

      * So the story is pretty awesome you have the whole ghouls eating humans and along the way you get to develop personal and deep sadness for the struggles the ghouls face and know that its just not their fault. Keneki is a not your average scatter brain shonen character that we are all used to, but a average guy with a knack for reading. Keneki who is already socially challenged gets this organ transplant that just, changes his life into an already hard one to an even worse one. He can't even eat a cheeseburger anymore and drools at the sight of an open wound. (not really but you get the point) the story just isn't revolved with a character who is told, "Hey, your a demon you eat people now." and their responds is "Okay! this is awesome!" but is taken to a realistic and physiological point with a average guy facing this drastic change in his life.

Review Me!

        Tokyo Ghoul is not for the faint of heart or anyone under 13! Tokyo Ghoul consist of a lot of Bodily Parts being dismantled and faces a lot of physiological issues. The main characters faces a problem in order to except himself and his new life to the point that he tries to (*****Spoiler****) cut out the organs that have been transplanted into him.( *****End Of Spoiler*****)  I myself would recommend this to anyone of the appropriate age since the story is a lot more different then anything I have ever read and it is just beautifully done. 

Tell Me More!

       Volume one of Tokyo Ghoul consist of nine chapters 

• Chapter 1: Tragedy
• Chapter 2: Strange Phenomenon
• Chapter 3: Terrible
• Chapter 4: Coffee
• Chapter 5: Feeding Ground
• Chapter 6: Homing Instinct
• Chapter 7: Deception
• Chapter 8: Kagune
• Chapter 9: Hatching 

Gimme Them Links!
Tokyo Ghoul Manga 

Tokyo Ghoul Anime

Tokyo Ghoul Root A Anime

Buy It! June, 16 ,2015

Tokyo Ghoul (MangaReader) on Android

Watch On Streaming On HuluPlus!

Trailer

*Best at 720p