Tag Archives: May 2015

Team TBR Challenge Review: The A Court of Thorns and Roses Trilogy (A Court of Thorn and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin) by Sarah J. Maas

The A Court of Thorn and Roses Trilogy (A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin) by Sarah J. Maas
Fantasy romance released by Bloomsbury USA Childrens on May 5, 2015, May 3, 2016, and May 2, 2017, respectively.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Feyre is a huntress. She thinks nothing of slaughtering a wolf to capture its prey. But, like all mortals, she fears what lingers mercilessly beyond the forest. And she will learn that taking the life of a magical creature comes at a high price …Follow Feyre’s journey into the dangerous, alluring world of the Fae, where she will lose her heart, face her demons and learn what she is truly capable of. This stunning, three-book box set of the #1 New York Times bestselling series by Sarah J. Maas includes A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Wings and Ruin. Contains mature content. Not suitable for younger readers.
This month’s TBR Challenge is “series catch up.” Which, technically I’m catching up with the series since the first book was released in 2015 … but honestly I read the entire trilogy for the first time last week. And I loved it. I’ve been on a massive fantasy romance kick for the past month, which is a deviation from my usual reading. This is my escape from reality, and I’m enjoying it a lot. I’ve always loved the fantasy genre, and it was a big part of what I read as a kid. (Maybe this was because I re-read On Fortune’s Wheel/The Tale of Birle while recovering. Which I’m still doing. Anyway.) Y’all. The A Court of Thorn and Roses (ACOTAR) trilogy is fantastic. You all need to read it. Full disclosure – I’m not trying to, and in fact am trying not to write spoilers, but some of them might slip out. (Scroll to the bottom for the individual book covers and blurbs.)

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Team ALBTALBS TBR Challenge Review: The Tale of Birle née On Fortune’s Wheel by Cynthia Voigt

The Tale of Birle née On Fortune’s Wheel by Cynthia Voigt
Young Adult Speculative Fiction originally published by Atheneum on March 1, 1990, Reprinted and titled May 26, 2015

On Fortune's WheelBirle has agreed to be wed to the huntsman Muir as an escape from the drudgery of life at her father’s inn—but the moment she looks into the bellflower-blue eyes of the man she comes upon stealing one of her father’s boats, Birle knows she cannot marry Muir. Even after she discovers the mysterious stranger is Orien, a lord, and as unreachable to an innkeeper’s daughter as a star, Birle is determined to travel with him as far as he will allow. Their journey takes Birle to a world far from home, a world where lords may become slaves, where princes rule by fear, and where fortune’s wheel turns more swiftly and dangerously than Birle could have ever imagined.

I have a 1991 print of this book, but stairs are beyond me so I can’t get it and type out that blurb/back cover copy, which is annoying me. Anyway, this is a “cheat” because it hadn’t been in my TBR pile, but I was struck with the sudden urge to re-read it, and I think it fits the “something different” because it is rare I read something that isn’t romance. (Or law.)

I have to admit, I pretty much always skip Part I: The Inkeeper’s Daughter in my re-reads. While yes, it’s where Birle and Orien meet, I feel there’s too much disparity between them. Orien is clearly a nobleman, while Birle is “of the people.” He’s older, worldlier, and on a mission. Birle goes along with him because she falls in love the first time she truly sees him. (And she doesn’t have much in her current life.) She’s smitten as only a young girl can be the first time she sees a dashing man. It’s the journey they’re forced to take together that makes things different, and I feel parity is only beginning when we hit Part II: The Philosopher’s Amanuensis. And that’s where the story truly begins. Continue reading

TBR Challenge Review: Lawless in Leather by Melanie Scott

Lawless in Leather by Melanie Scott
Contemporary romance released by St. Martin’s Press on May 5, 2015

Lawless in LeatherSHE’S GOOD AT HER GAME.
Raina Easton never dreamed she’d end up playing ring master to a bunch of baseball cheerleaders. But when the New York Saints offers her a job to coach its new squad–the Fallen Angels–Raina can’t refuse. As the owner of a burlesque club, she can certainly show the girls more than a few good moves. But as for her new boss? That is, as they say, a whole ‘nother story. . .

AND HE’S GOT IT BAD.
Army veteran, biker, and all-around tough guy, Malachi Coulter isn’t your typical sports-team owner. For one thing, he doesn’t think cheerleaders belong on the baseball field. Another: he can’t seem to separate business and pleasure when he meets his somewhat scandalous new employee. Seems the major-league bad boy has met his match in the gorgeous, feisty Raina. All’s fair in love and baseball…could it be that, after all this time, Malachi is playing to win?

​I’ve been meaning to review this book, and the TBR Challenge is the perfect time for it! I’ve read book two (and talked about it over at H&H), and I was glad when I got the email about Lawless in Leather being available. I think I liked this book more than Angel in Armani. I read it a while ago, so forgive me for any mistakes … here we go! Continue reading