Tbr for 2019!

Hi Readers!

I am just going to jump into saying that I want to start this year of right, and now that school has calmed down a little I hope to be reading a lot more. I know that I haven't posted in quite a while and hopefully I will be able to post a lot more in the next year. There have been so many unexpected things happening recently, in the book world and I'm so so excited to get into it. As many of you probably know Sarah J Maas is my favourite author of all time and she recently (ish, lol) has come out and said that she will be releasing a completely new series (being linked to Acotar by two novellas). Tahereh Mafi also is releasing another 3 books, with Restore Me coming out last year and being completely new and unexpected in the weirdest way. Also many authors are starting completely new series; like Leigh with her Ninth House and Cassandra Clare with Chain of Gold (sooo excited, but really another series omg), and even Sarah J Maas with Crescent City (it's supposed to come out 2019?). Anyways let's get into my tbr...

I'll start with future/recent releases and then go into books I've wanted to read for a while.

1. Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi
I am so so excited for this, almost more so than I was for Restore Me. Last year I reread the whole Shatter Me series in preparation for this new 3 book expansion and remembered just how amazing it was. I was completely freaking out, hence my last post on this blog LOL. After I read it I won't lie I was a little confused and a bit disappointed because a lot happening, and a lot for the worse. But we did meet a lot of new characters and found out some "shocking truths"  (I'm still convinced Taherah randomly came up with those for a premise for more books). Overall, I miss Warner and I guess I'm kinda curious about wtf is going to go down in Oceania. Goodreads Synopsis Here:


2. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
Guys holy shit, there has been sooo much hype about this book, and since I have not read the Grisha trilogy I'm kind of struggling but I want to read this sooo bad. I just promised myself that I would read the series first and I still haven't, sad. I read the Six of Crows duology and the main character, Nikolai kind of made an appearance and it was a really good one I cHere: 
an tell you that. I have heard such good things about this book and the cover is absolutely stunning so clearly this is a tbr. (Just not sure when because I need to read the Grisha series first, ;( ) GR Synopsis

3. A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
This book sounds so much like my cup of tea. Right up Acmaf (*fangirl*) alley. It's a retelling of beauty and the beast that is set in a very fantasy world. I love all retelling of fairytales so I know that I will absolutely love this one. Heard many great things about it as well, and the book world was quite obsessed with it for a while. It just came out like 5 days ago which makes me even more excited! Eeeekk! GR Synopsis Here: 

4. The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
I love how this novel has like an old timey Paris setting. I feel like that will be so cool to read about. Also this is a fantasy novel that involves a group of people banding together to find an ancient artifact. The synopsis alone sounds super intriguing and gives me Six of Crows vibes. I love adventure fantasy stories about travelling and solving mysterious to uncover or find something and I am so so excited to read this. It also came Here:
out very recently, on January 16th. GR Synopsis

5. The Initiation by Chris Babu (and The Expedition)
This seems like an amazing fantasy novel, with a little bit of Maze Runner and City of Ember vibes. I love action-packed, fast paced novels. Especially those where the characters have to solve a mystery or perform a heist or something. The world also seems awesome, the dystopian elements with hints of history and fantasy. Very excited! (I also wanted to thank Permuted Press for contacting me about this novel and providing me with an advanced readers copy) GR Synopsis Here:

6. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
Wow, I was blown away by the synopsis of this book and I have also heard many many great things. The synopsis is super intriguing and seems like a super cute but also action packed fantasy novel. I am a die-heart fan of Sarah J Maas so I feel like I would fall in love with this novel. It features fae, princes, a painter, and the novel is absolutely gorgeous (I'm pretty sure that it's the work of Charlie Bowater, the absolute queen of covers). So super stocked for this one as well! GR Synopsis Here:

7. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
I am an absolute sucker for romance and I remember when Goodreads was having their yearly Choice Awards and I was exploring all of the romantic picks. It caught my eye because it sounded super super cute and also kind of different from most romance novels, because the main character has Asperger's. This one actually won the award for best romance of 2018, which just makes me want to read it that much more. Is very unique and kind of like a John Green Novel but with probably better writing (I reallyyyy don't like John Green's writing style, lol). GR Synopsis Here: 

8. A Sorrow Fierce and Falling by Jessica Cluess
I have read the previous two novels of this series and every year wanted desperately to have the next. A Shadow Bright and Burning reminds me of the good old days in grade 9 when everything was calm and when I first started this blog. This series holds so much personal sentiment with me and I will always be a fan and appreciative of it. I am excited to finally read the conclusion to it, but also kind of nervous. The first book was my favourite however, Blackwood and Henrietta's path did not go as I wanted it to in the second so we will see. I also have just had no time to read it yet, I know it came out in October of 2018, but I will get to it, I promise! (Also has another reallyyy gorgeous cover) GR Synopsis Here:

Those are some standalone's/random/anticipated novels that I have come across that I am super stocked for, however I have also made some goals for this year in terms of reading series.

Series: 

1. The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo:
As I mentioned above, I really want to read King of Scars however, I will not let myself before I read this series. I have heard so so many amazing things abHere:
out these novels and I absolutely cannot wait to finally dig into this series. I have read the Six of Crows duology and The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo so I am sure that I would love this novel. I love the Grishaverse and the world building is just so amazing and unique. The first book is Shadow and Bone and I have had it as a tbr since like 3 years ago, so hopefully this year is the year! GR Synopsis

2. The Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han:
I have absolutely loved To All the Boys I've Loved Before since I blew through the whole series in grade 8. It inspired my passion and love for cutesy books and ever since then I have wanted more Jenny Han. I have heard that this series isn't as good as TATBILB however, I am willing to give it a shot. I also found the second and third books of this series at a used book sale a couple months ago and hopefully that will give me the final push to actually read this series this year. But most likely it will be my summer binge reads ;) GR Synopsis Here:

3. An Ember in the Ashes by Saaba Tahir
This series, man on man, I have heard sooooo much about it. I also follow Saaba on twitter (follow me @AbbyW123, super random ik ;) ) and she is absolutely hilarious. I love her style and feel and I hope that this series will not disappoint. I know that I am a little late on the bandwagon but it's ok as long as my expectations aren't too high. Everyone says that Sarah, Leigh, Sabaa, and Tahereh are the queens of YA, and I have read something by all of them other than Sabaa so I'm really hoping to be super obsessed with these books as well. (Sidenote: Cannot read during school or I will start failing lol so it's kind of hard to fit it in)  GR Synopsis Here:

4. The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
This is another series that blew up around two years ago and that I never got around to reading, but that I have always wanted to. I have heard such amazing things about it and for some reason it reminds me of my childhood and 39 Clues, lol remeber those books. These book have such high ratings that I am literally terrified of being disappointing or not liking them. They are also supperrr fat so I am scared of starting them and then not finishing the series for like a year. This is such a fantasy/sci-fi extreme that I am kind of scared but also incredibly excited!
GR Synopsis Here:

Honorable mentions:

For the summer (cutesy romances): If I'm Being Honest, Fake it Till You Break It, Field Notes on Love, and Technically You Started It.

Fantasy/Intense (These look amazing/Have always wanted to read): The Raven Boys, Red Rising, Nevernight, The Star-Touched Queen, Truthwitch, Falling Kingdoms, and Blood Heir.

Clearly I have thought about this a lot, and I mean it when I say that these are the books that I will be reading this year, I have so many options and now that I've researched and looked into everything wow oh wow do I not know where to begin. I guess for right now I'll focus on finishing Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare, which is amazingggg. Hope to be back soon, with some reviews and book club discussions (I'm still in that, dw :) ). I have also had some ideas about doing monthly blogs and reviewing what happened that month to me in book terms but nothing is final yet. I will try to be slightly more active and I'm sorry for like never being on here. (Future blogs might include a Hate U Give movie book comparison, I read it and loved it have yet to watch movie, and a War Storm Book Signing Post (which I have been meaning to do since like May last year ripp, lol I took super detailed notes though don't worry).

For all those that will read this, and will actually get to this point, Thank you! For everything, for all those in the book community that are so caring and dedicated and just the biggest fans thank you. I always look up to you guys and know that the book universe is wide and supporting and just soo freaking helpful, like all the recommendations that you guys give, they are heard, all the tweets you post, they are read, and all the beautiful artwork you create it is seen and loved. So thank you, and until next time!

- Kat Hearts <3

Updates and Sort of Shatter Me Series Review:

Hey Guys! I'm such a terrible individual I have neglected this blog for way too long and I am deeply sorry for that, please forgive me. However, even though I have not been updating this blog I have continued to pursue my passion of reading and I am constantly posting shorter reviews of books I have just finished on Goodreads. So if you guys are interested in knowing what I'm reading at the moment or what I'm thinking just follow me and I'll attach a link here. ( I am totally open to new friends, :) )

Ok so let's be brief with the updates. The last time I posted a blog post was hmmm.. August. That can't be right. Oh no... Well then we have a lotttt of updates to catch up on. I will probably go back to posted longer reviews in a bit but in the meanwhile these are some of the series I've read and how I've felt about them. These are mainly the popular ones and also solo books I've read that either had a lot of hype or meant something to me. (Side Note: I'll link my original Goodreads reviews in the book titles so if you guys want you can see all my original thoughts and reactions, as I do all my reviews right after I finish reading the books)

Actually a big reason of why I decided to write a post today is because I am OBSESSED with the shatter me series right now. Like I actually am not okay, and all my friends are getting so annoyed at me for constantly talking about it so I thought about the reason why I originally created this blog and why I haven't been posting on it lately. And I thought hmmm I actually have a bog specifically for ranting and discussing amazing books that I have read recently, that my friends probably have no clue as to what are about, and they probably don't care either, I should probably start using it more. 

So... here is the story of the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi, who is straight up one of the best writers I have ever read, and I have read a lot of Shakespeare btw, for all you historian/classic freaks. Tahereh is sooo talented at capturing your attention and literally never letting it go. The first time I read the Shatter Me series was either in 2013 or 2014, about 4 years ago. I absolutely loveeddd it, however it was 4 years ago and I kind of forgot about the series and about Tahereh, I'm so sorry. But I have an excuse, I was young and I had a very short attention span. Anyways... So basically I read this amazing series like 4 years ago and totally forgot about... Then about 3 months ago I was at a book club meeting (yes I still occasionally go to those, ;) ) they were giving away arcs and books and one of the books was Shatter Me. I had heard that Tahereh had announced a 4th book unexpectedly but I wasn't overly excited or anything, however, I was planning on rereading the series, before reading the 4th book of course. So when they were giving away Shatter Me I obviously wanted it the most and got it, for which I am super thankful! <3 But I am also super thankful because it inspired this whole new reawakening of my soul, which is definitely what it feels like. 

(Cute fan art of the characters (credits to whoever made it, sorry I have no idea))

So a few weeks ago, I was working very hard all day on summative projects and ISU, awful awful things, I remember this very clearly. It was a Sunday night and I was exhausted from all my work and projects and tests, wayyy too many because of my crazy teachers and exam season coming up. So I picked up Shatter Me which was just lying on my bookshelf, and started reading (around 11pm). The goal of this was to calm my mind so I would be able to actually fall asleep, and to relax. However, as is probably very apparent, in reality none of those things were actually accomplished. I started reading and I legitimately could not stop. And I know I say that a lot of books are super intriguing, or hard to put down, or something like that, in most of my reviews because they are you know. This was just different. It was IMPOSSIBLE to put it down. Like I couldn't I was trying to go to bed early and I ending up going to sleep at like 1:30 in the morning after having devoured like 1/4 of the book. Thank god these books aren't like 700 pages. (Actually I'm not sure if that would have been better or worse, lol)

The next day as soon as I got home.... Still keeping in mind that it was the middle of exam prep season, and all my assignments were due that day or the next. Even so, I right away started reading (well technically it takes me an hour to commute home by buss and I was reading during that hour) After that hour I got home and kept reading for another 2.5 hours straight. Like straight no interruptions no food, what dog, you know throwback to the good old elementary days. So I actually ended up breezing through Shatter Me in 2 days, me being at school the whole entire day (like wow....) Also side note I have finished good books in 2 days before however it's always been on weekends. Like I know these books are short and all but they're not THAT short. Which just goes to show how truly phenomenal Tahereh's writing style is. Right away after reading Shatter Me in two days I read Unravel Me in two days and then Ignite me, also in two days. I was done the entire series by the next Saturday, like wow. SO what to take away from this long ass story. The lesson here is that y'all have to go read Shatter Me like rn. And y'all are soo lucky because technically I have been waiting for Restore Me for 4 years, even though I didn't know it. And if you read it now you only have to wait a little over a month, so unfair.  

Right now I am literally counting down the days until March 6th, which is when Restore me is released (I got a countdown app specifically for this purpose, lol). And it physically hurts me to wait for it. Like I am that excited! Maybe I'll post a review on it later on, we'll see maybe in another 6 months, although I hope not. (The only reason I'm posting now though is because I have an exam tomorrow and I am trying to relax and not freak out. And if I start reading another book I'm afraid I won't be able to stop and continue studying) I also read Destroy Me (Warner's novella, 1.5) and Fracture Me (Adam's novella, 2.5) for the first time, after finishing rereading the series, and I really enjoyed both. I specifically loved Warner's novella and am so excited that half of Restore Me will be written in his point of view. All the sneak peaks that Tahereh has posted from his point of view are amazing and I love how different and unique, and strangely sophisticated his voice is. Also in case you didn't know EW released an excerpt a while ago, and a 30 page sampler came out (cough only lucky Americans got it tho, cough stupid Barnes and Nobles gets all the good stuff (But I was very fortunate and a kind soul on twitter sent me pictures, so much love for the twitter fandoms) (Btw it's spectacular so far)

So overall, you guys missed one important book week of my life. One VERY important week, but now y'all are all aware. Perfect! Going back a little farther in time I also read A Poison Dark and Drowning by Jessica Cluess, and I know it's been out for a few months now but I really had like no time. This book I've wanted to read since last October when I finished a Shadow Bright and Burning and I was sooo excited for it. I actually really enjoyed it and would really recommend the series to all however the ending felt kinda weird to me and was kind of what I wanted but not really. (I was very strangely confuzzled... my emotions were not sure how they should be feeling, all over the freaking place) (Look at this beautiful cover by the way! <--)

Another book I read quite recently was Tower of Dawn, which for the longest time I wasn't even sure I was going to read. But let me tell you, boy am I glad that I read it. After you haven't read a Sarah J. Maas book in like 8 months you forget how amazing her writing style is. Always. Like there is no exception. I am dead serious. Like if you guys haven't read her books yet go read them. Like right now. (I am not being paid to say this btw) Like I am 100% honest to god like u gotta read them. 

Ok that was weird. I think I was just possessed. 

Lmao anywayssss. So Tower of Dawn is the 6th book in the Throne of Glass series and I actually think that it is one of the better ones. I had no idea what to expect from this book and I am soo happy with the way it turned out and everything that it entailed. Like honestly Tower of Dawn was just the perfect mix of different POVs, fairytale stories, world building, and character development. I loved how we got to see a completely different side of the world, the Southern Continent. And we also got to meet sooo many new characters. My personal favourite being Sartaq who I admit surprised me but is literally now my 2nd favourite Sarah male character, other than my fav bae Rhysand of course. Overall if you guys are doubting if you should read it or not, go read it, right now. It was phenomenal. I actually decided to read it completely on impulse and because I saw a tweet of someone ranking the Throne of Glass books and Tower of Dawn was like #3, and I was like WHAT! So koodos to that person for getting me to read such an amazing book. Sorry I completely forgot who and when and what that tweet was so can't give credit. But pretty much everyone was ranking their books and TOD was doing reallyyy well. And it has a 4.48 rating on Goodreads so that tells you pretty much all you need to know. Also it was originally supposed to be a novella but it ended up being like 600 pages or something, but all 600 are pure golden sunshine so yess Sarah YES. There is soo much more to talk about in that book, maybe I will end up doing a separate post on it who knows. 

Another duology I read kind of recently was Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. I think I read this series sometime in September. Funny story I actually started Six of Crows like a year ago and I got through 60 pages and then put it down. The second time I started was in Italy in the summer and I started it purely because I had nothing better to read at the time. I didn't really get that into it at the time either but when I got back to Canada I really started getting into it. It starts off kinda slow and it took me a while but around page 100 I think it really kicks in and the characters are awesome and the plot is amazing and the mystery. Omg Kaz and all his mysteries. I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this series, mainly because of how long it took me to get into it. I also had very high hopes for it because of its super high rating on goodreads and how much I kept hearing about how good it was. Purely because of this it was actually a little bit disappointing. Especially because after reading so much Sarah J. Maas everything else just seems kinds of eh by comparison. But that's really unfair to say. I truly did love this series but I read it almost 5 months ago so I don't remember it that well. However my Goodreads reviews are linked at the start of this paragraph so if you want a more detailed review click on those.  

Ok so I'm going to end this post here because wow I covered a lot of ground, and that's pretty much all of my recent important reads and fandoms that I've gotten on board with (more/again (idek) in terms of Shatter Me). I actually was planning to just write a few paragraphs and save it and maybe never come back to it but I'm super proud that I actually wrote up a full on post. I'm also greatly anticipating a few books in 2018 and I hope that I will be able to get a post up about that sooner rather than later. As it is still the start of 2018, for now. And Happy New Years to all you guys! I know I'm like 30 days late but I still wish that this year will bring all of you new happiness and many new book pleasures! 

- Love Always, Kat <3

(Also for all you Sarah Fans she posted the cover reveals for A Court of Frost and Starlight today and they look AH-MA-ZING! Truly spectacular. I love them soo much. And honestly a lot more than Tower of Dawn. Even more than all the other Acotar series. Although I heard some people were disappointed..... No idea why, anyways here you go. Some beautiful art to brighten your day! And I'm also super super excited for this book because Sarah said it's longer than a novella which for her means its like 300 pages.)

Strange The Dreamer Review:

So I just finished Strange the Dreamer and it was sooo amazing that I just had to do a review. I know I haven't posted in a while and I am super sorry but even in the summer I had school, that's how depressing and busy my life had been. Anyways I've been reading a lot less recently because I have time to watch Once Upon A Time, finally, so I've been trying to get through that, because it's so good. Anyways this isn't an update post but a review one so I will try to stay on topic, and will hopefully have a lot more posts coming up. Another side note is that this month the book club book is Thirteen Reasons Why, and since it is a super popular topic rn because of the TV show (which was fabulous), I will be rereading it and hopefully reviewing and also hopefully posting a book club post. (Btw I just realised I never posted an Acowar or a Lord of Shadows review and now it's kind of too late, but I will try to remember everything and post soon.)

Anyways enough with the updates and maybe posts, let's dive into this book: Strange the Dreamer. 

Strange the Dreamer Review:

Short Summary:

Strange the Dreamer is a new fantasy novel by Laini Taylor, author of the best-selling Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy. This book was published on March 28th, 2017 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. This book is a somewhat coming of age story of a young man named Lazlo Strange, it is about how he discovers who he is as a person, and how he can reach his dreams. The story is about Lazlo who is a vivid dreamer, and who has always dreamed of finding the long lost city of Weep. This city was once a magical and beautiful city closed to outsiders but 200 years before the events of this story take place Weep closed its doors and was never heard from again. 15 years before the events Weep's true name was stolen and Weep was left in its place. 

This is a beautiful story of a young man's journey to find what he has spent his whole life searching for, and discover who he truly is. 

The characters in this book were so vivid and well developed that they felt almost real. I really enjoyed all the different perspectives of this book and thought that they all really added to the general story telling mood and plot. The two main characters were Lazlo Strange, an ordinary boy, orphaned by the war, and a young girl named Sarai (who if I can't say much about as it will spoil a good portion of the book). Going into further detail with Lazlo's character I feel very strongly in the fact that Laini truly brought this character to life through his descriptions of the world and everything else around him. Laini did a phenomenal job with all the characters in this novel but Lazlo specifically. His character was often the narrator more than others and the way he saw the world was just amazing to read about. He was a dreamer and made everything around his seem vivid and beautiful, even the worst of things and the most frightening. His character also really developed from a scared librarian to an explorer and friendly young man. His journey throughout the book was just amazing to see through his eyes and the eyes of his friends. 

The plot of this book was actually probably the best part in my opinion. Everything was just so thought through and developed. Every string led somewhere and every piece of information was useful. I especially loved how there were tons of mini stories inside the big one and with every chapter you would learn something new about one of the characters or about the history of something. I especially loved how at the beginning there were a few chapters that were dated all from different years and they truly gave us a bigger picture of Lazlo's childhood as well as Sarai's and how they were so different but they were both meant to play a giant role in the end story. The plot changed so much too, from one major conflict to another, to finally the biggest one of all. It was like a roller coaster and you would never know when the big drop was because it just kept dropping and dropping. This was a major reason why it was such a phenomenal book, there was no fluff and no extra unnecessary details. Every chapter, every word had a reason behind it, and together this made it so that you could never put it down. You could never get bored with a part and just leave it on the shelf. Although even though it was amazing the beginning took a little time to get into and used to (the writing style). So if you pick this book up make sure to read at least until page 150 and then decide if you want to put it down. A lot of the begging was backstory and Lazlo's history but once you get through it everything else makes a lot more sense and it just flows. 

Laini's writing style is like no other I have ever read. If you have never read one of her books before, as was the case with me, it takes a little bit to get used to but once you do it just flows like a beautiful river of art. All her words are so carefully chosen and all her sentences are so beautiful. Most of this book was narration with some dialogue and everything was just so lifelike and beautiful. The way that she described the characters and settings was just phenomenal, her writing style is like a dream. It feels like honey, smooth and sweet. It fit this book so well too, because it was a lot about a dreamer and how he saw the world. But her writing style, oh my, you just have to experience it. It is almost like you are dreaming and everything is right in the world. It is so flawless and it feels like you are floating in her imagination. It is just so whimsical and dreamlike, and also so mature, definelty not a book that younger children will truly appreciate. She doesn't just cut to the point in a harsh way but kind of drags things out beautiful with no excess. It takes you to another world (which in the case of this book is just perfect). I could honestly try to describe her writing style and how truly wonderful it is all day but to truly experience it you have to read this book for yourselves. And I highly highly recommend it.

The settings in this book were just so well written you cannot imagine. All the detail that Laini put into it just made it that much easier to imagine it. The scents, the colours, all so vivid. Especially whenever we went into Lazlo's mind, and his version of Weep, every time it just blew me away. The settings changed a lot in this book too, which made it that much more interesting and have such an adventurous vibe to it. At the start we start off with Lazlo's history and how as a child he was brought up in an Abbey and it was described as a dark time, with somewhat crazy adults never letting Lazlo do what he wanted or be the dreamer he was. Then it progressed to a time in his life that he truly appreciated as a librarian. Lazlo loved being in the Zosma's giant library, I think the biggest in his world, and he knew it by heart as he spent all his time there. So as readers we also got to know it so well. Seeing things through Lazlo's point of view made everything that much more interesting because he was just such a kind, optimistic and creative individual. The setting of the library brought hope and life to Lazlo because by reading about Weep and learning the language and more, he got that much closer to his dream and so did we. But those were just the initial settings. As Lazlo went on his adventure the settings were just so amazing. Each scene felt like you were there and was described in such detail that you were fully absorbed and you were never left with any questions. I can't describe how amazing the settings were later on as that would be too spoilery but I can assure you that they just kept getting better and better. 

Overall, this book was just phenomenal, and brought so much more life (and joy) to my life. Sounds weird I know but its so true. I really did not expect to like it as much as I did, mainly because I had absolutely no idea what it was about when I picked it up. All I knew was that it got a lot of excitement when it first came it, that it was written by a best-selling author, and that it had a very high rating on Goodreads. I actually picked this book up at an event that I went to, as an arc, and I am so thankful to them for giving me this chance. I never would have read this book if I hadn't picked it up (just from the hype around it) and started reading it when I didn't have my laptop. This book was so full of emotions and it made me laugh, smile, and giggle like crazy (and I know I feel like I say this about very book but I am 100% serious). As I was reading it, I even started logging my emotions every 50 pages or so on Goodreads and by page 80 I was "already totally emotionally invested", it was that amazing. I highly recommend this book to any Fantasy lovers, like me, who just want to try something new and are open to being completely swiped off their feet into Laini's crazy imagination. I would give this book a 9.6/10 because it was that amazing (but it can't be more amazing than my baby Acomaf). Overall, you all have to go read it right now. But warning this isn't a single book, it is a series of some sort (probably trilogy). And for almost the whole time I was reading I thought that it was a stand alone, how wrong I was. It literally left off in like mid chapter and just said to be continued. Ahhh. I actually cannot wait to get my hands on any of Laini's other books, and now I definitely have to go read the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. I would actually say that this book surprised me a lot, and now I love it so much that it is probably in my top 5 books I have ever read, top 10 for sure (don't ask me to pick, it isn't fair, soo many). (Also random note, Laini is so cool that in Acknowledgements she literally just put TK and left it at that, like what, lmao)   

Guys thank you so much for reading or not reading, up to you! But I just love blogging and getting all my feels out. Hopefully I'm helping someone out there make some good reading decisions. But I usually love books, so you know maybe I'm not always 100% the best person to ask. But since I love book so much I am super grateful that I started this blog. If you guys ever want to talk to even just rant about books, comment or email and I would be glad to listen or rant with you. 

- Love, Kat Hearts 

Sarah J. Maas Book Signing:

Hey Guys, I know I haven't written in a while and honestly I am super super sorry. I have soo much work, and it's actually so true. I don't event know how I have time to do this post because I've been sick literally this whole week, and have sooo much to catch up on. But I just checked the last time I posted, in April, and I was like no wayyy can I not post. So here I am. Also because I actually have something to post about; I went to a book signing today.

SARAH J. MAAS'S book signing at Indigo!!! Sarah just released the last book in the ACOTAR trilogy, A Court of Wings and Ruin, on May 2nd. (Which I read, and loved, but didn't post a review for yet, super super sorry) And this month she is on tour for it. She released this picture on her twitter a while back, and the last stop is her first ever in Canada, which was amazing. So I've been planning to go to this event for a while, because I'm obviously obsessed with her and her amazinnggg writing!!! I have wanted to see and meet her for soo long that when she announced that she was coming to Canada like 5 months ago, I obviously freaked out and put the date down on all my calendars. I've waited around 2 years for an opportunity like this but sadly my plans kind of failed.

The Details: 
So this is what happened:
I first thought about going with one of my friends, but none of them are super into reading or Sarah J. Maas which is kind of annoying but you know, life. But anyways then I just settled for getting a ride from my dad, and by ride I'm saying like a 35 min drive, as its not exactly close.

So the very first thing that happened today, was I woke up at 10 instead of at 11, like I was planning to, but I decided to stay up so I'd have more time to get ready and all prettied up. Then obviously I stayed in bed for like 30 min texting my friend about how excited I am, so that kind of failed, aha. Anyways I decide to check twitter because I was curious if anyone was posting anything about the event and what twitter was saying about it and the very first thing I see about it is this:

 20 minutes later, or around that (as I'm freakiinggg out), I see this:

AHHHHH, was my first reaction. There was just no way I could have made it. Apparently there had been people waiting since 4am, like how wtf. And they ran out around 8am. My plan was to get there at 12:30, now looking back that was a terrible terrible plan because it definitely wouldn't have worked. I made this plan based on the fact that last time when I went to a Lauren Oliver book signing there were not that many people and I came around 30 min early and I got a wristband and everything. However for this event it was just crazy, everything was packed and crammed. I guess I underestimated Sarah J. Maas's following in Toronto. Like WOW! But it's not like I could've done anything anyways because to bus it would have taken 2 hours and my dad just did not want to wake up early. So anyways I was obviously heartbroken about not getting to meet her after waiting so long. 

( Side story coming up, just a warning (can be skipped, lol): )

This is why I really really wanted to get Sarah's signature, well one of the reasons:

Around November last year I wanted to order A Court of Mist and Fury when it got cheaper and I had been waiting a while for the price to drop. Right after I ordered it however I found an autographed version also on their website, Indigo's, but it was regular price, and there was just one left. At first, I was like I HAVE to get it, because it's my favourite book and all. But then I thought about it, and decided that I there was no point in waiting all that time for the book to get cheaper if I would buy it full price, then I could've just pre-ordered it. Then I was like wait why don't I just pre-order the last book, ACOWAR, and then I can get the signed version for the same price. This sounded like a good plan and I relaxed for about a day. Then I decided that I didn't care and that I wanted the signed version of my favourite book ever and that I could return the book I already ordered. But when I went to check online it was gone. I checked for weeks and weeks every single day but that was the last one, the autographed version never became available again. My soul was crushed but I still had a bit of hope for the 3rd book to come in a special autographed version. But then in a few months when it became available there was no autographed version, just an indigo special version with the fanart in the cover (which is still nice, and is what I got). I was heartbroken again... Then a few weeks later I saw the tweet and flipped because I could get Sarah to sign the book in person, which I never thought was going to happen! I was over the moon excited but it obviously is just not meant to be.... 

Anyways back to the story. So I decide that even though it was too late to get my books signed I still wanted to go. So I got all dressed up, brought all my books, and arrived around 12:30, as originally planned. When I got there everything seemed normal except that there was a sign that the event was at capacity and that the wristbands for the signing were all given out already. I walked inside and didn't see a single fan, I was so confused. I went up to a lady and asked her where the event was and she also said it was at capacity but that it was upstairs. I knew it, I knew there was something wrong it was too peaceful downstairs so I ran to the escalators (keep in mind I've never been to this Indigo in my life) and I was right, I was rising up slowly and holyy. The whole upstairs floor was overflowing with people there were crowds and crowds in lines everywhere and right in front of the elevators 5 Indigo employees telling everyone to go either left or right, away from what was behind them, the stage. So obviously I tried my best to get a good spot but I was at the back of the huddle of people on the right wing and the only spot that was available had the whole left side of the stage blocked by a white pillar. 

I waited and waited for about 30 minutes which is when a lady came out and told us all that they were going to start on time and a few reminders like not to video Sarah's conversation. The signing was going to take place after. So then we were all super excited and anticipating when Sarah was finally going to come out, and she didn't. Not until 1:15, 45 minutes after I got there, 9 hours and 15 minutes after the people who had got there at 4am (this commitment, what even) 15 minutes late (thanks for telling us it was going to be on time, lady). Anyways Sarah walked out and I could see her and everyone was going nuts, and the excitement that was in the air was amazing (sadly I couldn't even talk to anyone my age because I was still sick and I half lost my voice yesterday). Anyways I was clapping and trying to scream and I was so happy and then she say down and I lost any connection I had to her, even her little blonde head (I was so far back). Still the vibe was amazing and really intense and all the people were super excited and laughing at her jokes. 

The whole interview part was obviously the best part for me because that's the only part I could really partake in. Ugh. Anyways the lady asked Sarah a lot of questions some of which I don't remember, but I texted my friend a lot of it, me taking notes, aha. She started off by saying that the next TOG book, Tower of Dawn, Chaol's book, will be about 3 main characters Chaol obviously, Nesryn, and Irene Towers (who I have absolutely no memory of but it's ok, because it seemed like everyone else did somehow). Then Sarah was talking about when she cried when writing the books and she mentioned that in Acowar it was during the whole 670s pages and at first I didn't get it because my dad took my book, but then I looked over at the girl in front when she opened the pages and got it right away. Some other girl yelled 666 and I was so confused but everyone was laughing, and then Sarah talked about it. How it was a compete coincidence that the worst part of Acowar, literally everything bag that happened happened on page 666. It was so funny because then I got my dad to bring me the book and I saw myself. Then there was a question about Rhys's last name, and she hinted that it might be revealed in later books and that for now we should just call him Rhys "Hotpants", ahaha (she was hilarious). At some point a Hot Korean bodyguard also came up ahahah.... Then there was a question about what houses all the character would be in and for some reason I missed Rhys and only Rhys because I don't know why and I'm sooo sad because all I ever care about it Rhys. But anyways Sarah said Feyre would be in Hufflepuff, Aelin would be in slythrin/griffindor, Rowan would also be in slythrin/griffindor, and Manon would be in Slytherin. All I agree with except maybe Feyre, I feel like she would be Gryffindor/Hufflepuff. 

Then there was a question about her character's Starbucks orders. She joked about how Amren would definitely have just like a plain black espresso with like 4 shots. And how Rhys would just have an artsy latte, which I just laughed at. Then how Feyre would have English breakfast tea, just be like I don't like coffee. There was also a question about Aelin vs Rhysand in a fight and Sarah just went to mother hen way out, she basically said that she doesn't want her two babies to fight so Rhysand would probably just be like "show me your cool fire magic", direct quote ahahah legit. Then she would "eviscerate him", and then feel bad and be like "wana get a cup of coffee" literally direct quotes, deaddd. Then she asked which two characters she would want to go somewhere with and where (and with or without her husband, who was also there). Sarah played it cool and said how she would take Feyre to the Louvre, to show her all the pretty paintings, and she would take Aelin to the metropolitan opera house in New York, because she loves it there and Aelin also likes music and opera houses (?). Anyways she also talked about how when she writes she acts scenes out, and she has a giant mirror behind her desk and every time she writes a scene she acts it out in the mirror, lol. 

She also said how each of her characters has a little bit of her,but none actually represent people. Like they're not inspired by people. She also said that even though many people think that, her husband was not actually the inspiration for Rhys and how nothing really was. However, the really great realtionship between Rhys and Feyre was inspired by her relationship filled with love and the two seeming like equals. Awww. (She said she didn't want to sound too corny but the whole room awed together, and she said her husband was staring at her with a weird smile, lol, it was so cute). Then there was a question about what book she's reading now. And she said she was reading Flame of the Mist by Renee Ahdieh. It was so funny because she said that all she wanted to do all the way during her last book signing was curl into a ball in a chair and read, it was so cute because I could relate so much. Like I really should be doing homework right now, but instead I am writing a blog post, when all I really want to be doing is reading Always and Forever Lara Jean, ahhh it's my current read and its sooo cute. I actually just finished reread this whole series, and started reading the 3rd book fort he first time since I got it may 3rd (it came out May 2nd too :) ). 

Anyways so then after the conversation ended a lot of people left because I'm assuming they didn't get wristbands. Only the first 250 people did which says a lot. There were 5 groups, I don't know how many people in each but they were sorted based on when they got there. And I'm not even sure if they would have gotten through all of them because 250 is actually a lottt. But it was the whole day on a Sunday so I think it should have been fine. Last time I also went on a Friday or Thursday I think, so that's why it might not have been as crazy. As well, I'm actually kind of glad that I didn't come early because if I came at 9 and I just missed the wristbands I would've been super upset and it would've been such a waste of time, and then if I came at 8 and I was one of the last ones and then they didn't have time for me that would have sucked too. But in my opinion 4 is wayyy too early, so I don't even know how committed I was to this. I thought I was super committed but I guess other people, older people (who have their own cars and have loved Sarah for around 3 or 4 years) probably have way more inclination to get together with some friends and go all together at 4 am. But not me sorryyy.

Anyways basically after the event was over they right away organised the signing line and I got some pictures of Sarah signing people's books (because I could finally see her, as many people left). They said they were going to cut off your bracelet when u got to the front which really sucked for them because the bracelets were actually super cute. Also when I was just staring at Sarah signing people's books two girls came up behind me, after a few seconds they saw a lady with only ACOWAR to sign and they freaked out because the maximum was 3 books so they asked her to sign theirs too and even though she looked super annoyed by this (since she was probably waiting there from 4am) she said yes. I stayed a little while and saw other people with only 1 or 2 books but I felt too weird and bad asking them to get my book signed, I felt like it was cheating, and I was also sick and my voice was half dead. Anyways, i told myself that I would definitely just be there for 6am for the next signing, which considering how many people there were today Sarah has to come back to Canada! Hopefully she goes on a Tower of Dawn tour, if she does I will definitely buy the book (if not we'll see, as I'm not a huge fan on Chaol). So I wasn't too upset because there's always TOG and I can bring my ACOMAF and ACOWAR copies and get those signed too. So it's ok for next time I'll know and I have a plan, and hopefully it will be a bit closer so I could bus.  

Wow, this post is super long and I'm really sorry but I guess there's just so much to say. Anyways as I mentioned currently I'm reading Always and Forever Lara Jean, and I recently (Tuesday to Friday) read To All the Boys I've Loved Before, and PS I Still Love You both by Jenny Han. Basically I started reading the third book but I didn't remember anything so I went back and read the other two. And I actually listened to the first book as an audiobook because I was too sick to read. Then right before that I read ACOWAR (and I really wanted to put up a review but not I forgot everything ahhh, but hopefully I'll remember and ut it up soon), and before that I had reread ACOTAR and ACOMAF so wow I actually read a lot this month. But after this I'm not even sure what I'm going to read, I think I can finally go back to Six of Crows, which I started but only got through around 60 pages before having to read Acotar, then Acomaf, then Acowar (right when it came out). Lol this is a super intense post and if you stuck with it and rea dall of it wow you're a hero. Thank you so much for all the support and I'm super thankful for all my readers! Love you all! 

- Love always, Kat Hearts 

Books I've Recently (ish) Gotten:

Hey guys, I've been trying to post more often but I just always have so much school work, that I'm already procrastinating on. *sigh* Anyways, wow, I've been planning to do this post for a super long time. I can't believe I still haven't. I started writing this up in around November and decided to wait a bit. I know I said that I would post these posts more often and I'm really sorry I didn't. Here is a list of all the major books I've gotten since the Summer of 2016:

*So some of these books I have read already and some I have not. For some I had already read them when I bought them, just because I wanted to have them. ;) (you know the feeling, and I know you all do, you book nerds, when you read a book and you really want to own it?) I'll try to give a spoil free mini review for each book, or the story of why I bought/got it. I will also try to post them in the order of when I got them!

1. King's Cage
By: Victoria Aveyard
This book, for me, was the highly anticipated last book in the Red Queen Trilogy. Or at least that's what it was until I finished it and realised that a forth book had been announced and Red Queen was a trilogy no longer. I originally pre-ordered it because I thought it was the last book in the series and for some reason I have a thing about buying the last book of every series. Anyways so this book was really good and I don't really regret getting it that much, but I did really love everything except the ending. Since it is the third book of a series and I don't want to spoil anything I will tell you to go read the synopsis on goodreads here, or go read my review here.

2. A Court of Mist and Fury
By: Sarah J. Maas
OMG this book, as you probably know if you read my blog or my review of this book I was obsessed. (Fun Fact: One of the reasons I actually started my blog, was because of this book) This is my favourite book of all time and I love absolutely everything about it. I didn't buy it right away because I didn't know what it was going to be about, or just how fantastic it was really going to be so I originally read it as a library book. I have been waiting for around half a year now for the price to drop to a normal price, so that I could finally buy and and add it to my book shelf. I am super proud of the fact that I now have it. And I am planning to re-read it right before the third book ACOWAR comes out in less than a month (ekkk!)

3. Heartless
By: Marissa Meyer
This book... I actually am obessed with anything Marissa Meyer writes. I love love love her writing, and I couldn't get enough of the Lunar Chronicles until they ended. Still love them! (I even dressed up at Cress one time for Halloween, literally nobody knew who I was *tear tear*) I own Winter, because as I mentioned I always buy the last book in a series, because I guess I assume it's going to be the best, lol! Anyways so Heartless is a completely new and innovative take on the story of Alice in Wonderland. All the dark aspects of the original book, paired with Marissa's amazing talent, give us this fantastic and mind blowing history of how the Queen of Hearts came to be who she is today. I never wrote a review on this book, but it was phenomenal. I absolutely loved all the characters and had anticipated this book for a whole year, before I pre-ordered it and received it. Goodreads:  

4. Three Dark Crowns
By: Kendare Blake
I have still not read this book, but I have heard a lot of really good things about it. I originally bought it because I was going to a book signing and Kendare Blake was there and I really wanted to get her signature on her book. So even though I wasn't originally planning on buying the book, I'm glad that I did, and hopefully I can make some time soon to finally read it. Goodreads synopsis here:

5. Replica
By: Lauren Oliver
For the exact same book signing that I bought Three Dark Crowns for, I also bought Replica. I have loved Lauren Oliver's books for sooo long, and I couldn't wait to finally go and get her to sign one. I read half of Replica before the signing, and half after. It was a really good book, a two in one, that was about a world in which there were clones. I found this book really interesting but not one of Lauren's bests, so if you want to read my review it's here.

6. Empire of Storms
By: Sarah J. Maas
This is the fifth book of the Throne of Glass series, and as with all of Sarah's books, I obviously loved it. I was obsessed with the Throne of Glass series until i read Acotar, and I still am a huge fan. Its one of my favourite series. I am highly anticipating the release of TOG #6, this year! I don't want to say much else, for fear of spoilers, but if you haven't you should definitely go read this series! GR

I don't want to make this post too long, but some other of my recent additions to my bookshelf include (*GR = Goodreads Synopsis):

- From Ashes ~ Molly McAdams (I originally was going to buy this book, to make an order for another book have free shipping, but them it go sold out online. I ended up searching which stores had it in stock, and going to go get it. I then read it a few months later, and let me tell you it was sooo indescribably good! I was blown away, and it is still one of the best books I have read! GR)

- A Shadow Bright and Burning ~ Jessica Cluess (I received an arc of this book, which I really wanted to read, and I loved it. Review here)

- The Lovely Reckless ~ Kami Garcia (I also received and arc of this book, from a friend, and I first lent it to a friend then read it myself. It was an amazing read, and very quick. Absolutely recommend! GR)

- The Sun is also a star ~ Nicola Yoon (I also received an arc of this book, and I very recently read it! It was also a pretty great read, and very different from my usual. I hear this book got a lot of awards, and I sincerely congratulate Nicola! After reading this book I really want to read and watch the movie of her other book: Everything, Everything. GR)

- An Abundance of Katherines ~ John Green (I has a John Green reading spree in either grade 7 or grade 8, so I had already read this book. And I actually received it for free, at an amazing library event. I didn't like it much but it makes a great addition to my bookshelf! Lol GR)

- One Plus One ~ Jojo Moyes (I bought this book, in the summer at a library for 25 cents, which was an amazing deal for me. I has just recently watched the movie in theatres, and was excited to get a Jojo Moyes book for my bookshelf. However, still haven't had the time to read it. GR)

- Something Blue + Something Borrowed ~ Emily Giffin (I was obsessed with the Something Borrowed movie for the longest time. I think I watched it in around March 2016, and I make all my friends watch it with me as well, so in total I probably watched it at least 4 times. It was sooo good! Then one day I searched it up and realised it was a book
series and there was a second book. So obviously I went to the library and got it and read it. So I ended up watching the movie, then reading the second book, then going back and reading the first book. Then later in the summer I was at a library, and I saw both the first and second book for sale each for 25 cents, so I just had to get them. Great series, and super glad I have them on my bookshelf! :) GR)

(Some others that I got either for 25 cents or arcs include: Twilight, Matched, I am the Messenger, Along for the Ride, The Romantics, The Love that Split the World, Marked, Sarah's Key, Uglies, and a few others. ~ However, I read very little of these after I bought the book)

So all in all, those are the books I have gotten since the summer of 2016, I've gotten a few more but those are the major ones that are interesting and are worthwhile mentioning. I also finally got my bookshelf in September, so I bought a lot of filler 25 cent books from the library, that seemed decent. But the ones that stood out I already mentioned. I also received a lot of arcs throughout the year, but the ones that I read I also mentioned above.

I also want to give a quick shout out to the two books I pre-ordered a while ago and am so so excited to read, they come out on the same day and I've been anticipating both for a supeerrr long time! Now I just need to decide which to read first (although tbh I kind of already know) A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN (Acotar #3) and ALWAYS AND FOREVER, LARA JEAN (To all the boys I've loved before #3). They both come out on May 2nd 2017, and I'm hella excited for both of them!

Thank you to all my amazing readers for sticking with me, and reading my blog! I'll desperately try to make time for more posts! Luv you all, Kat Hearts.