Jan 31, 2015

"Messenger's Legacy" by Peter V. Brett


Title: Messenger's Legacy

Author: Peter V. Brett

Series: A Demon Cycle Novella


My rating: 5 of 5


(Novella read on January 16th, 2015.)


Summary:


 
Humanity has been brought to the brink of extinction. Each night, the world is overrun by demons. Bloodthirsty creatures of nightmare that have been hunting the surface for over 300 years. A scant few hamlets and half-starved city-states are all that remain of a once proud civilization, and it is only by hiding behind wards, ancient symbols with the power to repel the demons, that they survive. A handful of Messengers brave the night to keep the lines of communication open between the increasingly isolated populace.
 
Briar Damaj is a boy of six in the small village of Bogton. Half-Krasian, the village children call him Mudboy for his dark skin. When tragedy strikes, Briar decides the town is better off without him, fleeing into the bog with nothing but his wits and a bit of herb lore to protect him.
 
After twenty years, Ragen Messenger has agreed to retire and pass on his route to his protégé, Arlen Bales. But for all that he's earned the rest, he has no idea what to do with the rest of his life. When he learns Briar, the son of an old friend, is missing, Ragen is willing to risk any danger to bring him safely home.
 
 
 


My Thoughts on the Novella:

  

Messenger's Legacy is another amazing addition to the brilliant Demon Cycle series! Demon Cycle is one of my most favorite fantasy series, but since it's been too long since I read the last book, I've actually forgotten how amazing author Peter V. Brett is. One chapter in - and once again I was totally enthralled by the world & the new characters, and absolutely heartbroken. In such a short format, he made me fall in love with the character of Briar - a character that now I can't wait to meet again in The Skull Throne - the 4th Demon Cycle novel! There's just something compelling and addicting about Peter V. Brett's characters, and even if you want to hate them, or almost do, he'll turn you around and just make you care. I love that complexity in his characters.

Anyway, I loved this novella, and loved learning the history of Briar & his story, and I'm excited for more. I mean, sure, this novella is something to keeps you going until the long-awaited 4th novel comes out, then again, it brings another interesting storyline, character & way to stay alive from the demons. I also loved seeing Ragen & Elisa again, and their life now, as well as learning a little more about Ragen, as well as seeing again some of the minor characters from the previous novella.

I have to point out that even though the previous 2 novellas The Great Bazaar & Other Stories and Brayan's Gold could be read even if you haven't tried the series, Messenger's Legacy has spoilers about the 3rd book The Daylight War & the series overall, so I don't recommend to be read if you'd like to delve into this world for the first time. I still highly recommend this novella to every fan of the series, and I highly recommend the Demon Cycle series to every fan of fantasy!

 
 

Challenges: 

 

Jan 14, 2015

"WoW #177: The Skull Throne by Peter V. Brett + WWW #88!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
         

  
The Skull Throne
(The Demon Cycle #4)
by
Peter V. Brett 

Publication date:
March 31st, 2015

 
The first three novels in New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett’s groundbreaking Demon Cycle series — The Warded Man, The Desert Spear, and The Daylight War — set a new standard for heroic fantasy. The powerful saga of humans winnowed to the brink of extinction by night-stalking demons, and the survivors who fight back, has kept readers breathless as they eagerly turned the pages. Now the thrilling fourth volume, The Skull Throne, raises the stakes as it carries the action in shocking new directions.
  
The Skull Throne of Krasia stands empty.
 
Built from the skulls of fallen generals and demon princes, it is a seat of honor and ancient, powerful magic, keeping the demon corelings at bay. From atop the throne, Ahmann Jardir was meant to conquer the known world, forging its isolated peoples into a unified army to rise up and end the demon war once and for all.

But Arlen Bales, the Warded Man, stood against this course, challenging Jardir to a duel he could not in honor refuse. Rather than risk defeat, Arlen cast them both from a precipice, leaving the world without a savior, and opening a struggle for succession that threatens to tear the Free Cities of Thesa apart.

In the south, Inevera, Jardir’s first wife, must find a way to keep their sons from killing each other and plunging their people into civil war as they strive for glory enough to make a claim on the throne.

In the north, Leesha Paper and Rojer Inn struggle to forge an alliance between the duchies of Angiers and Miln against the Krasians before it is too late.

Caught in the crossfire is the duchy of Lakton — rich and unprotected, ripe for conquest.

All the while, the corelings have been growing stronger, and without Arlen and Jardir there may be none strong enough to stop them. Only Renna Bales may know more about the fate of the missing men, but she, too, has disappeared. . . .
 
 


I absolutely adore Peter V. Brett's world & characters in his Demon Cycle series. It's probably my most fav adult epic fantasy series, and it seems that I've been waiting for this 4th book forever. I mean, I'd wait as much as it takes, because I know Peat will deliver, and the waiting will be worth it, but at the same time, I'm dying to see what happens next. The anticipation has been killing me. Thankfully, the waiting (at least for this book) is almost over! All I'm going to say is, if you still haven't tried the series, and you love adult epic fantasy, what are you waiting for?!? It's awesome, and I can't recommend it enough!!! Also, I love Renna on the cover, the cover is so gorgeous & she looks so bad-ass, and it fits the covers of the previous books, another thing I adore about the series :)


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?
This weekly meme is being hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!
  
     

What am I currently reading?

 

Currently, I'm re-reading The Night Circus, and once again I'm absolutely enchanted & bewitched by this amazing & most magical & beautiful book!


What did I recently finish reading?

 
 
I've found myself in a bit of a weird reading slump, I hadn't been reading anything for a few weeks, so I decided to try re-reading, and so far, as you can see, I've been on a re-reading binge. I didn't feel like reading anything new, but I could still re-read. So, I re-read the first 3 Harry Potter books, as well as started on The Night Circus.


 

What do I think I'll read next?

 

I think that I can finally read something new. I feel ready & I think my slump is over, and it's time to read some of those review books from NetGalley. I'll start with Flunked - it sounds like so much fun, and I need to read & review it for the tour in March, and I think it's just what I need at the moment. I've been in a fantasy mood since the year started, so Fairy Tale Reform School - yes, please! ;) There's also the possibility I'll continue with the re-reading of the Harry Potter series, or maybe I'll squeeze in  a re-read of Howl's Moving Castle. It all depends on my reading mood, but I'll try to dedicate some time to my pile of eARCs.
  
 
 
What about you? 
 
What are you waiting &/0r reading this week?
 
Leave me your WoW &/or WWW links!

Jan 9, 2015

The Re-Read Challenge!


The Re-Read Challenge is a 2015 challenge hosted by Hannah @ So Obsessed With & Kelly @ Belle of the Literati.
 
The goal of this challenge is to re-read books! I love re-reading, and this year I've been planning to re-read even more than usually, so when I saw this challenge, I knew I had to join!
 
Some of the books I plan to re-read are: Harry Potter 1-7, the Eon/Eona duology, the Parasol Protectorate 2-5, The Night Circus, the Skinjacker trilogy, The Heir Chronicles 1-4, maybe even the Seven Realms series, probably the Lunar Chronicles 1-3 before I read the finale, and of course I'll re-read a few books by Neil Gaiman, too. I do that every year. And I'll probably re-read Ready Player One & I Am the Messenger, too. And yes, most will be fantasy, this year I've decided re-read my fav fantasy novels! But, there are a lot more I want to re-read, these are just at the top at the moment! So, wherever my mood takes me ;) Yes, I love to re-read!!!


So, my goal is to re-read at least 25 books!


For more details and to sign up, visit the posts HERE or HERE!


My Re-Read List:


1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling - read
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling - read
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling - read
4. Monster Hunters by Dean Lorey - read
5. Monster Madness by Dean Lorey - read
6. Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch - read
7. Alien Tango by Gini Koch - read
8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling - read
?.The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - reading
?.

2015 Series Enders Reading Challenge!


The 2014 Series Enders Reading Challenge was really successful for me, so I had to join again. I know it will be just as fun :)

The 2015 Series Enders Reading Challenge is hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know & Holly @ Words Fueled by Love.

 

The goal of this challenge is to read & review last books in series.

 

This challenge will run from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2015.

  

There will be 4 levels:

Level 1: 1 – 5
Level 2: 5 – 10
Level 3: 10 – 15
Level 4: 15+

  

For more detailed info about this challenge & to sign up, visit the posts HERE or HERE.





This time, I decided for level 2 - to read & review 5-10 series finales. 

 

I'll just list them below as I read them.
   
 

My Reading List:

 
1. Rose and the Silver Ghost (Rose series) by Holly Webb - to review
2.

2015 TBR Pile Reading Challenge!

 
Bookish is hosting the 2015 TBR Pile Reading Challenge!
  
This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2015 - Dec 31, 2015. 


Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Short stories and novellas are OK, too! Only books released in 2013 and earlier! NO  2015 ARCs and 2015 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
  
 There are 6 levels: 

1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - First Kiss
31-40 - Sweet Summer Fling
41-50Could this be love?
50+Married With Children
 


Like in 2014, I decided for the Sweet Summer Fling level a.k.a to read & review 31-40 books from my TBR pile, though this year, I'm hoping to read more. 

Every couple of months, there will be monthly read-a-longs, too, so I'm hoping to participate in some of those, too. It also depends on the books that will be chosen for the read-a-longs.
 
On Twitter, use #2015TBRPile.

 
For more detailed info about this challenge & to sign up, visit the post HERE.

 
As always, I'll just list the books as I read them.

   

My Reading List:

 
1. Messenger's Legacy by Peter V. Brett - my review
2. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald - to review
3. Alien in the Family by Gini Koch - to review
4. The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas - to review
5.

2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge: Wrap Up!

The 2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge was hosted @ Bookish.
 
My goal was to read & review 31-40 books (level Sweet Summer Fling) from my TBR pile, and I read 39.
  
 

My Reading List:

 
1. Helen & Troy's Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez - my review
 
2. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor - my review 
3. Behind the Scenes by Trish Jensen - my review
4. Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas by Sugar Jamison - my review 
5. The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams - my review 
6. The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis - my review
7. Shadowdance by Kristen Callihan - my review 
8. You Suck by Christopher Moore - my review 
9. Bite Me by Christopher Moore - my review 
10. The Last Battle by C. S Lewis - my review 
11. The Lost City of Faar by D. J. MacHale - my review 
12. Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld - my review 
13. Goliath by Scott Westerfeld - my review 
14.  Another Little Piece of My Heart by Tracey Martin - my review 
15. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa - my review 
16. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake - my review 
17. Where She Went by Gayle Forman - my review 
18. Stiltskin by Andrew Buckley - my review
19. Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder - my review
20. Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter - my review 
21.  Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder - my review 
22. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - my review 
23. The Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter - my review 
24. Ashes on the Waves by Mary Lindsey - my review 
25. Passenger by Andrew Smith - my review 
26. More Than This by Patrick Ness - my review 
27. Kiss That Frog by Cate Rowan - my review 
28. The Grimm Conclusion by Adam Gidwitz - my review 
29. The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova - my review 
30. Rose by Holly Webb - my review 
31. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - my review 
32. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore - my review 
33. The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa - my review 
34.  The Ghost Box by Catherine Fisher - my review 
35. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - my review 
36. Doctor Who: The Death Pit by A. L. Kennedy - my review 
37. The Final Murder by Anne Holt - my review
38. Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger - my review
39. The Never War by D. J. MacHale - my review 
  
 
I also participated in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone read-along!