Book Reviews: August 2016

August was a very good month. I managed to read 8 books! Some of them were re-reads, and some were new books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of them... well, almost all of them. So, let's get started with the reviews.

SUMMER TRILOGY BY JENNY HAN

This was a trilogy I've read before and decided to read again this month. It's the perfect read for the beach, if you ask me. I don't usually go for this type of books - I love my fantasy books too much. But I needed a break and wanted to read something different. These books were perfect and I finished them in no time!

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

I really enjoyed reading again about Belly and the boys. Books 2 and 3 show Jeremiah's and Conrad's point of view, and I liked that because it helps to get deeper into the story. I got upset with Belly lots of times through the books, with the way she was reacting! If you're looking for an easy to read series, then this is a nice one to consider.

The 'Summer' Trilogy consists of the books: 'The Summer I Turned Pretty', 'It's not Summer without You' and 'We'll always have Summer'.

YA Contemporary Romance 

**** (4 stars)

THE WINNER'S TRILOGY BY MARIE RUTKOSKI

This series has turned out to be one of my top ones ever! I loved every word! Again I found myself re-reading the first two books in order to conclude the series by reading the final book that came out this March.

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love...

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

This is an incredible story that is so beautifully written. Through the books it unfolds and brings out some incredible feelings. Kestrel is one of my all time favourite female characters, and I love how the author describes the way her brain works. For Arin there's just no words - he's just perfect.

In books #2 and #3 the story gets deeper, and we get to meet new characters and to witness great sacrifices in the name of love. I just love Roshan's sense of humour!!! The banter between him and Arin is so good!!! The third book is simply amazing and it gives this trilogy the ending it deserves. 

The 'Winner's' Trilogy consists of the books: 'The Winer's Curse', 'The Winner's Crime' and 'The Winner's Kiss'.

Science Fiction & Fantasy

***** (5 stars)

CRACKED BY ELIZA CREWE

This is the first book of the 'Soul Eater' Trilogy that I've heard a lot of good reviews about it, and I decided to give it a try this month. When I read the synopsis I got really excited, but unfortunately, I didn't like it as much as I hoped I would.

Meet Meda. She eats people.

Well, technically, she eats their soul. But she totally promises to only go for people who deserve it. She’s special. It’s not her fault she enjoys it. She can’t help being a bad guy. Besides, what else can she do? Her mother was killed and it’s not like there are any other “soul-eaters” around to show her how to be different. That is, until the three men in suits show up.

Even though I loved Meda and her sarcastic humour was unbelievable for the first third of the book, however half way through I found myself losing interest a bit and finding cracks in the story. You get some socking revelations towards the end but that's it. The most memorable characters are Meda and Armand who appears in only one chapter....

Cracked 

Science Fiction & Fantasy

*** (3 stars)

THE CROWN'S GAME

This is a book that got a lot of hype in Goodreads and YouTube, and I really hoped that I would like it because the synopsis was so good. Well, it did not disappoint me.

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

I have to say that I really loved the story and the characters. Nicolai was my favourite. He was presented as very elegand and kind, as well as very powerful with his magic. I loved his sensitivity and the way he was thinking. Vika on the other hand was presented as a strong young woman with equally high magical powers. I even loved Pasha - the sweet and kind tsesarevic :)

However, at times I found the writing very superficial and some of the chapters felt as if they were done in a hurry.... That's the reason for the 3.8*.... Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the book and can't wait to read book no. 2!

The Crown's Game
Science Fiction & Fantasy

**** (3.8 stars)

August was a very good month as you can see not only for the number of books that I've read, but also of the quality and how much I liked them. Even though I read 8 books this month, I'm still 7 books behind in my reading challenge that I have set up for myself. Let's hope I'll manage to read as many books in September to catch up ;)

How many books did you read in August? Which one was your favourite?

Instagram Challenge: #doodlewithusinaugust

Once again I'm excited to announce our Instagram Challenge for the month of August! It's the #doodlewithusinaugust Instagram Challenge created by me and Alexandra (from @alexandra_plans).


It's going to be 31 days of doodles that will hopefully get you to be creative and have fun! The theme of August's Prompts is 'Camping'.

As we did last month, all the doodles are part of one big comprehensive picture. Imagine each day to be one piece of the puzzle. So, at the end of the month you will have one big doodle picture! :)

If you decide to follow this way, you'll have to create a table with 5x6 + 1 boxes and you shouldn't add the days on the top. You can also make the boxes and dates in pencil, if you don't want the lines to obscure the end result. It's totally up to you.

Of course, if you prefer to draw the doodles in the traditional way, that's absolutely fine as well. The important thing is to have fun!

You can also download a free printout with the daily prompts here.

If you want to join us then:

• Follow me (Christina) @christina77star and Alexandra @alexandra_plans over on Instagram.
• Download the prompts below.
• Draw something according to the day's prompt, take a photo of it, and share it with us on Instagram. 
• Don't forget to add the hashtag #doodlewithusinaugust and spread the word.
• Everyone is welcome! 

We're excited to see what you'll share! 

Thank you for joining in!