The YA Chronicles Archives - Life Among Pages

Heartless by Marissa Meyer | Review

October 6, 2017Leave a comment

Disclosure: Please note that links to merchants mentioned within this post might be using an affiliate link which means that – at zero cost to you – I might earn a commission if you buy something through that affiliate link.

Photo of Heartless by Marissa Meyer on a scattered desk of cards with Queen of Hearts and Cheshire Cat magnetic bookmarks from the etsy Read and Wonder store

4 stars

“But hoping, is how the impossible can be possible after all, sometimes your heart is the only thing worth listening to.”

I absolutely adored this book, I tore through it faster than I expected. I knew I would love it based on the premise alone. An origin story for the Queen of Hearts, yes please. Marissa Meyer did a superb job capturing the essence of Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland in this retelling.

“Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favourite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.” – Summary from Goodreads

“These things do not happen in dreams, dear girl,’ he said, vanishing up to his neck. ‘They happen only in nightmares.’ His head spiralled and he was gone.”

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The YA Chronicles September ‘Squad Goals’ | Unboxing

October 5, 2017Leave a comment

The YA Chronicles 'Squad Goals' September box

This was my first book box for this year, because money has been tight.
But, I had to get this one because I had a feeling what the book would be, and I was very happy to be correct. So without further ado here is what was inside The YA Chronicles ‘Squad Goals’ box.

The YA Chronicles 'Squad Goals' September Unboxing

The YA Chronicles is an Australian subscription box company. They release a monthly box, which contains: one newly released YA (Young Adult) book, and about three to five amazing items (that are usually book related).

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Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake | Review

March 22, 2017Leave a comment

Disclosure: Please note that links to merchants mentioned within this post might be using an affiliate link which means that – at zero cost to you – I might earn a commission if you buy something through that affiliate link.

The paperback and hardback editions of Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

4 Stars

“Three dark queens, are born in a glen,
Sweet little triplets will never be friends.
Three dark sisters, all fair to be seen,
Two to devour, and one to be Queen.”

“In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.
But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose . . . its life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins.
The last queen standing gets the crown.” (Summary from Goodreads)

I received two copies of Three Dark Crowns in October last year. The black hardcover was a part of Owlcrate’s ‘Darkness’ box and the paperback came in The YA Chronicles ‘You Win Or You Die’ box. This was the first time I purchased two book subscription boxes in a month, and was surprised to get the same book, although I know realise how common that is. However, since the covers are different, I don’t really mind. Plus Owlcrate’s came with a signed book plate and letter from the author so that was really cool. However, I prefer to read paperbacks, as they are lighter to carry around so I am quite happy to have both editions.

Full unboxing of the October Owlcrate Darkness box, containing its hardback copy of Three Dark Crowns and the misc. bookish items received with it. — Owlcrate October ‘Darkness’ Unboxing

I had no expectations going into Three Dark Crowns, I’d never heard of the book, but after reading the blurb on the book I was incredibly intrigued by the book’s premise. I was completely drawn into the world where three sisters are born with incredible gifts (or so we initially think) and are destined to kill each other. That part just breaks my heart, sisters having to kill each other; in fact, they are encouraged to do so.

Mild spoilers ahead, so please keep that in mind.

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The YA Chronicles November ‘Welcome to Wonderland’ | Unboxing

December 5, 20161 Comment

The YA Chronicles November 'Welcome to Wonderland' Box.

Welcome to my first full unboxing, I’ve wanted to do one of these for a while now. Here I’ll be posting a close up of all the items received in The YA Chronicles November Welcome to Wonderland box.

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Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley | Review

October 7, 2016Leave a comment

Disclosure: Please note that links to merchants mentioned within this post might be using an affiliate link which means that – at zero cost to you – I might earn a commission if you buy something through that affiliate link.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley laying on pieces of paper

5 stars

“Second hand books are full of memories”

I know people often talk about the feeling that lingers after you finish reading a great book. When the words from that book are still wrapped around you, lingering. I don’t often feel like that. But, finishing Words in Deep Blue made me feel that and more.

“This is a love story. It’s the story of Howling Books, where readers write letters to strangers, to lovers, to poets. It’s the story of Henry Jones and Rachel Sweetie. They were best friends once, before Rachel moved to the sea. Now she’s back, working at the bookstore, grieving for her brother Cal. She’s looking for the future in the books people love, and the words they leave behind.” – summary from Goodreads

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Disclosure: Please note that links to merchants mentioned within this post might be using an affiliate link which means that – at zero cost to you – I might earn a commission if you buy something through that affiliate link.

4 stars

“But hoping, is how the impossible can be possible after all, sometimes your heart is the only thing worth listening to.”

“These things do not happen in dreams, dear girl,’ he said, vanishing up to his neck. ‘They happen only in nightmares.’ His head spiralled and he was gone.” Continue

Disclosure: Please note that links to merchants mentioned within this post might be using an affiliate link which means that – at zero cost to you – I might earn a commission if you buy something through that affiliate link.

4 Stars

“Three dark queens, are born in a glen, Sweet little triplets will never be friends. Three dark sisters, all fair to be seen, Two to devour, and one to be Queen.”

Disclosure: Please note that links to merchants mentioned within this post might be using an affiliate link which means that – at zero cost to you – I might earn a commission if you buy something through that affiliate link.

5 stars

“Second hand books are full of memories”

“These things do not happen in dreams, dear girl,’ he said, vanishing up to his neck. ‘They happen only in nightmares.’ His head spiralled and he was gone.”

Continue

“Three dark queens, are born in a glen,
Sweet little triplets will never be friends.
Three dark sisters, all fair to be seen,
Two to devour, and one to be Queen.”