Shadow On The Crown - Patricia Bracewell

Plot: 

The year is 1001. Emma of Normandy weds King Atherald of England, in a political bargain. She is made of Queen of England to realise that even though she wears a crown, she is only a foreign prisoner amongst the strangers. Her journey to gain respect and loyalty, is not made easier when the daughter of a high Lord, Elgiva, finds her way into King Atherald's bed.

Desperate for a son and a chance to live, Emma plots and plan her way to find success.

Review:

Shadow On The Crown draws on the real encounters recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, which is probably one factor as to why I was drawn to reading this novel.

I feel like I expected too much out of this novel, and at some point it was also my part. I wanted to be drawn away from the Tudors era for at least a moment to experience and learn a little more about a different period in time but this novel felt a little bland.

Watch the full review here.

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Anticipated Novels '14

It's definitely hard to choose the books that I most want to read for this year, considering I want to read everything basically. I've somehow managed to condense the list down though. The list can be sectioned off into sequels of series I've started, series I want to start and stand alones - all of which will be released this year.

Clearly everyone is waiting for the 6th and final instalment of The Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare - City of Heavenly Fire. Another series I am waiting to finish is The Cousins' War by Philippa Gregory. The last novel will be title The Last Rose. 


Series I want to start include Fate (Fate #1) by Laine Bross and The Winner's Curse (Winner #1) by Marie Rutkoski. Some stand alones are Tsarina by J Nelle Patrick and Jackson Pearce and Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell.

This is just a small glimpse at my list. Watch the video below for other novels I haven't mentioned in this list. You might find something you like as well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqptO8j9z-g

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BOUT OF BOOKS READATHON 9.0 - Book Buying Spree Challenge

Day One has ended (well for me anyways), but the challenge is still on!

PIC:

My selected books include:

• The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) - J. R. R Tolkein


• Suicide Notes - Michael Thomas Ford


• Along For The Ride - Sarah Dessen


• The Troupe - Robert Jackson Bennet


• The Evolution of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin


• More Than This - Patrick Ness


• World After - Susan Ee

If you would like to enter then click here! But make sure you're entered into the readathon by clicking here first!

 

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Angelfall (Penryn & The End of Days #1) - Susan Ee

 
Plot:

The arrival of the angels have left the world in an apocalyptic state. Gangs are now prowling around the streets and the public are hiding in fear. When Penryn's sister, Paige, gets taken by a group of angels she  must trek across the state to rescue her. Only she has to team up with the enemy, the angel Raffe. Together they make way to the heart of San Francisco only to discover more than what they wanted to.

Review:

I thought I had left the angel world behind but Angelfall gives a whole new meaning to Angels. It's set in a world that's a lot different and actually quite well built. Angels also take on a new role - the enemies. I also loved that Ee allowed the story to be tainted with gruesome details, stuff that actually make you freak a little.

Still, there were somethings I was still iffy about and others I give the thumbs up to. Watch here for my full review!

Rating: 4/5

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Reading challenge/New Years Resolution

So this post is going to get a little personal towards the end, but I guess it's just a little reminder for myself as well. However, before we get all chummy let me report on my reading challenge for 2013 and set this years goals!

It is sad for me to announce that I did not reach my goal of 50 books for 2013. It's not much but I was off by 13, reading 37 books in total. It seems like I was still trying to adapt to university and was working my first job so reading was last on my mind. Still, I'm glad I dove back into reading for the last two months of the year.

I think not being able to achieve that challenge has pushed me to finally succeed this year. I'm not going to be ambitious either because I know I'm still going to be busy throughout the year. It's all about pacing yourself, you know?

That's why for 2014 I am sticking with a goal of 50 books again, only because I really want to reach that point before moving on. Hopefully I'll be motivated to continue to read over the months.

Other than a general goal I've also got a few other things I want to tackle. I'm going to focus on four this year and try to cross them off my list.

1. Read The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings trilogy by J. R. R Tolkein. (I know I should count them as two things but we'll overlook that)
2. Finish Percy Jackson and The Olympians series by Rick Riordan. (It's okay guys, I'm getting there)
3. Read at least 2 classics before the year ends.
4. Read at least 1: Sci-Fi, YA contemporary, Fantasy, Adult, Crime/Thriller novel.

I'm excited that I'm able to have this fresh start and get straight into working towards my goals.

Other than reading goals though, I also have some New Year's Resolutions I want to put down. It's not linked to reading, at least not all of them, but I do want to have some guidelines for this year.

1. Get my P's before November
2. Pass all my subjects (>H2A)
3. Keep up to date with blogging/YouTube
4. Save $6,000
5. Get fit and healthy! (so vague lol)
6. Volunteer for charity

A little more book related and I have:
7. Do Nanowrimo/Get back into writing
8. Participate in Booktubeathon
9. Buy up to 10 books per month only

That is all I think. Hopefully by the end of this year I can report back with a big success. I hope you guys had a great start to the new year! Share with me some of your goals for 2014.

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