May 2016 New Book Releases

Most Anticipated Releases in May

Ahh, May. It’s that lovely time of year again when warmer weather is right around the corner, and an avalanche of new book releases descends upon us. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not complaining about this – it’s awesome! I don’t think it’ll be too much of a surprise which book I’ve chosen as my most anticipated release this month. It’s A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, and it’s set to be released on May 3rd – less than two weeks to go! I absolutely loved the first book in the series, and I really hope the sequel will be equally awesome.

Other Books to Look Out For

All release dates are expected publication dates, and are subject to change. All links are to Goodreads.

May 3rd

The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude // Holding Smoke by Elle Cosimano
The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

Ruined by Amy Tintera // The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Traitor Angels by Anne Blackman

The Outliers by Kimberley McCreight // Suffer Love by Ashley Herring Blake
Wandering Wild by Jessica Taylor

May 17th

Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes // The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye
The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

May 24th

The Last Star by Rick Yancey // The Hunt by Megan Shepherd
Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

May 31st

The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury // Wanderlost by Jen Malone

Most Satisfying Series Endings I’ve Read

Final books in a series can be so hit or miss, can’t they? I think we’ve all experienced the bitter disappointment of a less than epic conclusion to a much loved series, and it’s so horrible when it happens. I mean, it’s the last impression we’re left with, and if they don’t manage to tick off the vast majority of those expectations we have they can taint all the memories we have of the previous books, no matter how much we may have loved them. It really can be all about that ending! It’s easier to dwell on the bad things, so I wanted to do the opposite today and create a list of the most satisfying endings to series I’ve read up to now.

As these are the final books in series, I’m not going into specifics. If I wrote a review for the book, I’ve left a link if you’d like to find out what I thought about it in more detail. (My reviews are spoiler-free, unless stated!)

Oblivion by Kelly Creagh

I tried to write a review for this one, but the words to do the book justice just wouldn’t come. I’ve got to tell you something though… just after I finished reading Oblivion, I started jotting down some of my thoughts, and all of a sudden I burst into tears. They were happy tears, but I was also heartbroken that the series was over and I’d never read about these wonderful characters again. Honestly, it was the single most bizarre reaction I’ve ever had to reading a book! (Actually, just thinking about this is making me want to reread the series…)

The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

Simply put, The Winner’s Kiss is easily the most satisfying conclusion to a series I’ve ever read. It was perfect. This is the most recent release on my list, so I won't say any more than that. If you've read it, what did you think??

My Review.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Okay, I know this one will be a little controversial! I thought Mockingjay was a brilliant and fitting ending to the series. I can understand why people had issues with Katniss and her narrative, but for me, giving what she had endured over the past few years of her life, I thought it was really realistic and believable. And, the characters stayed within character so that’ll always get a huge thumbs up from me ;)

Ensnared by A.G. Howard

Oooh, I have lots of reasons why I loved this ending! After reading the book I was a little iffy, but as time has gone on, I’m completely satisfied with it.

My Review.

Boundless by Cynthia Hand

I remember having so many worries when I began reading Boundless, but I was so glad that the final book ended the way it did! It doesn’t quite live up to Angelfall, but it’s definitely one of the best angel related series I’ve read.

My Review.

Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan

I didn’t write a review for any of the books in The Lynburn Legacy series as I couldn’t manage to sum up all of the fabulousness into anything that would make sense. I loved each of the books in the series, but Unmade was my favourite. It definitely was heartbreaking – there’s one moment… oh my goodness, my heart! – yet it was still so satisfying.

Dust to Dust by Karina Halle

Oh, this book killed me. I think I spent about 80% of it in floods of tears! I was a complete wreck by the end, but it was oooh so good.

My Review.

What are some of your most satisfying series endings? Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Reading!

10 Books to Try if You're a Mood Reader

As a mood reader, I find it can be easier to pin down a specific genre I’m in the mood to read, but when it comes to figuring out what I want to read within that genre… oh boy, I struggle. Big time! Like, I’m always in the mood to read a Fantasy book, but that doesn’t really help narrow the search when there are so many different possibilities within the genre. I swear, sometimes I spend more time debating which books I’m in the mood to read, rather than actually reading! The mood reader struggle is very, very real!

I’ve set up my list by a general theme or a genre, and then within each category I’ll discuss which books might match different tropes, topics and/or themes you might be in the mood to read about. Okay, granted, this all works perfectly well in my head… so, I hope it works just as well in practice! Let’s give it a go!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme run by The Broke and the Bookish.

Retellings, or Books Inspired by Other Works

I’d recommend: The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer

If you’re looking for:

• A unique take on fairy-tales we all know and love.
• Diversity.
• An emotional roller-coaster.
• A dystopian society thriving both on Earth and on the Moon.
• Moderate levels of romance throughout the series.
• Awesome characters.
• A series that lives up to the hype.

Why? I feel this series contains a little something for everyone. It combines four different fairy-tales – Cinderella (Cinder), Little Red Riding Hood (Scarlet), Rapunzel (Cress) and Snow White (Winter) – to create an entirely new futuristic world. Highly recommended.

I’d recommend: The Splintered Trilogy by A.G. Howard

If you're looking for:

• A darker, gothic version of Alice in Wonderland.
• Characters you’ll both deeply love and deeply hate.
• A strong, yet approachable fantasy vibe, set both in our world and in Wonderland.
• Awesome imagery with fast pacing.
• Witty and snarky banter.
• Gorgeous book covers. (Yes. This has now become a mood. Totally legit!)

Why? Alice in Wonderland was one of the few fairy-tales I wasn’t a huge fan of when I was younger, but after reading the Splintered series, I have a new found appreciation for it. (Also, you need to meet Morpheus. You can thank me later!)

I’d recommend: The Nevermore Trilogy by Kelly Creagh

If you're looking for:

• A series inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe.
• Slow-burn romance.
• Loveable characters.
• A love-triangle free zone.
• So many emotions!
• Gothic and creepy atmosphere.
• Perfect pacing.
• Gorgeous writing with crystal clear imagery.

Why? I’d recommend this trilogy for the slow-burn romance alone, but every other element you could possibly wish for is also present. The writing style is stunning; the pacing perfect; the story arc engaging and the characters… oh, the characters. *Happy sigh* I love every single thing about this trilogy, and I can’t recommend it often or highly enough.

Fantasy

I’d recommend: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

If you're looking for:

• An excellent stepping stone to begin exploring YA Fantasy.
• A book that takes familiar fantasy themes and breathes fresh life into them.
• A fast paced and engaging read.
• A love triangle that won’t have you rolling your eyes and stabbing things in vengeance.
• A main character that you can easily empathise with.
• Superb character development.
• Clear imagery and wonderful world building.

I’d recommend: The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson

If you're looking for:

• A great introduction to YA Fantasy.
• Secrets. Lots and lots of secrets.
• Good character development.
• Magical undertones.
• Intriguing world building.
• A really well written and balanced love triangle.
• Moderate levels of romance throughout.

PSA: A little warning with this trilogy, DO NOT read the synopsis for the second book before reading the first book in the trilogy, as it contains a major spoiler.

I’d recommend: The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski

If you're looking for:

• A fantasy series with some fairly strong historical tones, and a hint of dystopia mixed in.
• A strong political story arc.
• Excellent world-building.
• Slow-burn romance.
• A female main character that uses her wit and intelligence, rather than her fists, to have an impact on the world around her.
• Characters to care deeply for.
• Blood, death and sword fights.

Why? I’d recommend it to both seasoned YA Fantasy addicts and also to those newly exploring the genre. This series has become one of my all-time favourites, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I’d recommend: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

If you're looking for:

• Fantasy meeting Dystopia with deadly consequences.
• Those that loved The Winner’s Trilogy, and want to move onto something even more brutal and risky.
• Complex characters.
• An Ancient Rome inspired world.
• A dynamic world that poses a real threat to the characters and their well-being.
• Even more blood, death and sword fights.
• A book that deserves the hype.

Science Fiction; Conspiracies; Spies and Secret Societies

I’d recommend: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

If you're looking for:

• A book with unique formatting. (Containing graphics, maps, plans, emails, websites, transcripts, surveillance footage, etc.)
• A war. Set in space.
• Spaaaaace. And space ships.
• An artificial intelligence that’ll traumatise you forever.
• Your emotions to take a real pummelling.
• A sweet romance that doesn’t take over the entire story.
• Awesome characters.

Why? If you love Science Fiction and space travel, you NEED to read this book. Also, if you’re new to the genre, this could be an excellent book to consider trying. It is a chunky book, but with the way it’s formatted you’ll fly through it a lot quicker than you may think.

I’d recommend: Sanctuary Bay by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz

If you're looking for:

• A thriller that combines several different genres seamlessly.
• Diversity.
• An isolated boarding school.
• Secret societies.
• A book that will keep you guessing until the very end.

I’d recommend: Tunnel Vision by Susan Adrian

If you're looking for:

• Government conspiracies with lots of sci-fi elements.
• Adorable characters that you will love forever.
• A family that cares deeply for each other.
• A really interesting twist on psychometry.
• A male main character.
• Fast pacing, with really vibrant imagery.
• A book that makes you think.
• A very subtle romance.

I hope you find some of these recommendations helpful. I’ve had to cut this list down quite a bit – it turns out I’ve got a lot more books to recommend than I first thought! I actually created a second post and I’ll post it at some stage in the future, if anyone is interested.

Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Reading!