Amy Powis's Blog, page 23
January 19, 2018
Wildest Dreams Book Box Unboxing January
So yesterday I received the Wildest Dreams Box which I purchased in December. The January Theme is Into The Jungle which is the first official box!
Wildest Dreams is a UK based Subscription service that costly £18 including shipping and includes a new release book, a tea based on the book as well as a bath related product. To find out more click here.
So on to the unboxing! This obviously has spoilers...
The tea:
The tea is Toffee Apple this month which I was quite excited for and is from RosieLea Tea. The tea itself does smell gorgeous especially of cinnamon which I am a fun of. I did like the taste but I think I preferred the Chocolate Orange tea but I feel like it is something that if I drink more from I would like. The design of the tea is also very cool and is a test tube which is a more personal touch that works so well. The tea also lasts quite a while something that I learnt from the last box. It also comes with some tea bags which is really cool for those who don't have a tea strainer although I did buy one and it is a manatee because I thought it was cool!
The bath product:
The bath product for this box was a room spray which smells of green tea. It is a large product and is definitely getting your money's worth. The smell is also really lovely and I am definitely going to be using it in the future. The name of the product is also amazing!
The Extras:
There were chocolate coins in the box which I ate pretty quickly after opening the box and again make the box more personal. There was also a code for TakenMoons which is a company that I am interested in and I might have to use the code as it is my birthday next week.
Finally...
The book:
The book was The Extinction Trials by S. M. Wilson. I have heard amazing things about this book from book reviewers and am generally really excited to read it! I do already own an ARC of this book but I did guess that this was the book that was going to be included and it is always nice to have a finished copy especially as I haven't read it yet. The book also came with a note from the author which was a really nice touch and made me, even more, hyped to read the book. There was also a signed bookplate which was also a lovely thing to include because let's face it who doesn't love a signed book.
The Verdict:
Wildest Dreams is really good book subscription box that is great value for money and I can't wait to get more.
The theme for next month is Truth and Lies and I have no idea which book is included but I am excited about it!
Did you get the Wildest Dreams box? Would you like to?
See you soon,
Amy
Wildest Dreams is a UK based Subscription service that costly £18 including shipping and includes a new release book, a tea based on the book as well as a bath related product. To find out more click here.
So on to the unboxing! This obviously has spoilers...
The tea:
The tea is Toffee Apple this month which I was quite excited for and is from RosieLea Tea. The tea itself does smell gorgeous especially of cinnamon which I am a fun of. I did like the taste but I think I preferred the Chocolate Orange tea but I feel like it is something that if I drink more from I would like. The design of the tea is also very cool and is a test tube which is a more personal touch that works so well. The tea also lasts quite a while something that I learnt from the last box. It also comes with some tea bags which is really cool for those who don't have a tea strainer although I did buy one and it is a manatee because I thought it was cool!
The bath product:
The bath product for this box was a room spray which smells of green tea. It is a large product and is definitely getting your money's worth. The smell is also really lovely and I am definitely going to be using it in the future. The name of the product is also amazing!
The Extras:
There were chocolate coins in the box which I ate pretty quickly after opening the box and again make the box more personal. There was also a code for TakenMoons which is a company that I am interested in and I might have to use the code as it is my birthday next week.
Finally...
The book:
The book was The Extinction Trials by S. M. Wilson. I have heard amazing things about this book from book reviewers and am generally really excited to read it! I do already own an ARC of this book but I did guess that this was the book that was going to be included and it is always nice to have a finished copy especially as I haven't read it yet. The book also came with a note from the author which was a really nice touch and made me, even more, hyped to read the book. There was also a signed bookplate which was also a lovely thing to include because let's face it who doesn't love a signed book.
The Verdict:
Wildest Dreams is really good book subscription box that is great value for money and I can't wait to get more.
The theme for next month is Truth and Lies and I have no idea which book is included but I am excited about it!
Did you get the Wildest Dreams box? Would you like to?
See you soon,
Amy
January 18, 2018
The Revolving Bookshelf
I feel like I should explain what I mean so here goes. Basically, this is just a fancy phrase for I unhaul a lot. Queue screams of panic where people say how can you get rid of books.
Well I just can.
So where it did start you might ask? Well almost two years ago I moved which meant goodbye books. I was only aloud one book shelf in my room that doesn't allow for double stacking so cue the unhaul. Still isn't to say I didn't get rid of books before of course I did. Ones that didn't like, ones that I was no longer interested in or childhood books that I would never read. Let's face it if I wasn't interested away they go.
It has gone a bit far though. I do consistently go through my shelves to see which books I don't want anymore and which I don't. I promise you I am still interested in books and still have way many books, but it does help. I definitely have less books than I did which is good.
I just read a book and see if I want to keep it or not. A lot of the books I do give to charity or sell them on which is quite food for when I am poor as a student.
So why the revolving bookshelf. Well because my bookshelf always represents my favourites and ones that I want to read so that's good.
It is safe to say that I will always be a serial unhauler and hopefully will continue to keep books that I love.
I hope that this all makes sense.
Do you unhaul books? Let me know in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
Well I just can.
So where it did start you might ask? Well almost two years ago I moved which meant goodbye books. I was only aloud one book shelf in my room that doesn't allow for double stacking so cue the unhaul. Still isn't to say I didn't get rid of books before of course I did. Ones that didn't like, ones that I was no longer interested in or childhood books that I would never read. Let's face it if I wasn't interested away they go.
It has gone a bit far though. I do consistently go through my shelves to see which books I don't want anymore and which I don't. I promise you I am still interested in books and still have way many books, but it does help. I definitely have less books than I did which is good.
I just read a book and see if I want to keep it or not. A lot of the books I do give to charity or sell them on which is quite food for when I am poor as a student.
So why the revolving bookshelf. Well because my bookshelf always represents my favourites and ones that I want to read so that's good.
It is safe to say that I will always be a serial unhauler and hopefully will continue to keep books that I love.
I hope that this all makes sense.
Do you unhaul books? Let me know in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
January 16, 2018
Blog Tour: Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings
* I have received this book for review from the publisher but this in no way affects my review *
Title: ZenithAuthors: Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay CummingsSource: From Publisher Publisher: HQ Rating: 3/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary from Goodreads:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings comes the first book in The Androma Saga, full of action, fantastical intrigue and steamy star-crossed romance Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness, a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her glass starship, Marauder, however, she's just Andi, their friend and fearless leader. But when a routine mission goes awry, the Marauder's all-girl crew is tested as they find themselves in a treacherous situation—and at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter from Andi's past. Meanwhile, across the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two. Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their ship—or just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the Marauder hurtles toward the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only certainty is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted.Book Review:For me, Zenith was a book that I was highly anticipating as I am a fan of Sasha's YouTube as well as being really interesting on the premise. Zenith was a solid read with a captivating storyline that will keep you hooked throughout.
Zenith has been quite controversial with the editor but I don't think it was quite problematic but I have seen some critic of the PTSD in the book so please look for own voices reviews if this is something you would like to know more details.
I feel like the plot of Zenith is the main draw and it was a story that I enjoyed a lot and I did not see some of the plot points coming. I do feel like some of the plot was lacking in places however this was something that I didn't enjoy as much. The premise if this book also does wrap up quite early on in the book which was not what I expected but I did like where the story goes and want to see where it goes in the future.
I also did enjoy the characters but I think that my favourite character was Dex or Lira who is the most developed of the side characters. Saying that I do feel like the rest of the crew where really underdeveloped which is a major problem because if we are based on the crew I would love to see them all developed. We also have Andi who I have seen to be compared to Throne of Glass this is not something that I disagree with. I do feel like the only characteristics that she has are really deadly or just nice and that is it. I think for the main character she was not developed but I still found her a good character.
I had seen a lot of the writing for this book and it was fine. I couldn't tell who wrote what and that is definitely a good thing. The parts of the writing I really didn't like were that it was repetitive in done parts and every time Andi did something bad she had to be called the Bloody Baroness and there are only so many times you can read that phrase before you start to get annoyed. It could have been edited more if I am honest.
The Verdict:
Overall, Zenith was a highly enjoyable read that can feel repetitive in places but is still worth the read especially if you are a fan of Sarah J Maas.
Have you read Zenith? Would you like to?
See you soon,
Amy
Title: ZenithAuthors: Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay CummingsSource: From Publisher Publisher: HQ Rating: 3/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary from Goodreads:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings comes the first book in The Androma Saga, full of action, fantastical intrigue and steamy star-crossed romance Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness, a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her glass starship, Marauder, however, she's just Andi, their friend and fearless leader. But when a routine mission goes awry, the Marauder's all-girl crew is tested as they find themselves in a treacherous situation—and at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter from Andi's past. Meanwhile, across the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two. Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their ship—or just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the Marauder hurtles toward the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only certainty is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted.Book Review:For me, Zenith was a book that I was highly anticipating as I am a fan of Sasha's YouTube as well as being really interesting on the premise. Zenith was a solid read with a captivating storyline that will keep you hooked throughout.
Zenith has been quite controversial with the editor but I don't think it was quite problematic but I have seen some critic of the PTSD in the book so please look for own voices reviews if this is something you would like to know more details.
I feel like the plot of Zenith is the main draw and it was a story that I enjoyed a lot and I did not see some of the plot points coming. I do feel like some of the plot was lacking in places however this was something that I didn't enjoy as much. The premise if this book also does wrap up quite early on in the book which was not what I expected but I did like where the story goes and want to see where it goes in the future.
I also did enjoy the characters but I think that my favourite character was Dex or Lira who is the most developed of the side characters. Saying that I do feel like the rest of the crew where really underdeveloped which is a major problem because if we are based on the crew I would love to see them all developed. We also have Andi who I have seen to be compared to Throne of Glass this is not something that I disagree with. I do feel like the only characteristics that she has are really deadly or just nice and that is it. I think for the main character she was not developed but I still found her a good character.
I had seen a lot of the writing for this book and it was fine. I couldn't tell who wrote what and that is definitely a good thing. The parts of the writing I really didn't like were that it was repetitive in done parts and every time Andi did something bad she had to be called the Bloody Baroness and there are only so many times you can read that phrase before you start to get annoyed. It could have been edited more if I am honest.
The Verdict:
Overall, Zenith was a highly enjoyable read that can feel repetitive in places but is still worth the read especially if you are a fan of Sarah J Maas.
Have you read Zenith? Would you like to?
See you soon,
Amy
January 11, 2018
Book Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
* I have received this book for review from the publisher but this in no way affects my review *
Title: Before I FallAuthors: Lauren OliverSource: From Publisher Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton Rating: 5/5 stars
( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary from Goodreads:
They say ‘live every day as if it’s your last’—but you never actually think it's going to be. At least I didn't.
The thing is, you don’t get to know when it happens. You don’t remember to tell your family that you love them or—in my case—remember to say goodbye to them at all.
But what if, like me, you could live your last day over and over again? Could you make it perfect? If your whole life flashed before your eyes, would you have no regrets? Or are there some things you’d want to change...?
Book Review:
I knew that Before I Fall was turning into a film, however, I did not get a chance to read the book before I saw the film although after falling head over heels over the film I really wanted to read the book. It did not disappoint and was one of my favourite books of 2017.
The book sounds like it could be very groundhog day and it is but this was what I loved about it. I have seen a couple of reviews saying that they disliked how slow this book was but I didn't think this was the case. The whole book is basically about character development and the whole set up of the book is so that she can develop and this basically happens.
I loved the character development in the book and I am a sucker for any book that can do that and of course, this one does. She starts out as let's face one of the girls who can be described as a bit of a bitch but this is not what she becomes. This was by far the best part of the book for me and was why I loved it so much.
I also really enjoyed the writing of the book and found it very easy to read and to get into and read it pretty quickly. I also am just a fan of Lauren Oliver in general and this did just cement this in my mind in general.
The Verdict:
Before I Fall may be an old YA title but it is still a good one which kept me engaged and the end definitely had me reaching for my tissues.
Would you like to read Before I Fall? Have you read, if so did you like it?
See you soon,
Amy
Title: Before I FallAuthors: Lauren OliverSource: From Publisher Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton Rating: 5/5 stars( Goodreads |Amazon)
Book Review Summary from Goodreads:
They say ‘live every day as if it’s your last’—but you never actually think it's going to be. At least I didn't.
The thing is, you don’t get to know when it happens. You don’t remember to tell your family that you love them or—in my case—remember to say goodbye to them at all.
But what if, like me, you could live your last day over and over again? Could you make it perfect? If your whole life flashed before your eyes, would you have no regrets? Or are there some things you’d want to change...?
Book Review:
I knew that Before I Fall was turning into a film, however, I did not get a chance to read the book before I saw the film although after falling head over heels over the film I really wanted to read the book. It did not disappoint and was one of my favourite books of 2017.
The book sounds like it could be very groundhog day and it is but this was what I loved about it. I have seen a couple of reviews saying that they disliked how slow this book was but I didn't think this was the case. The whole book is basically about character development and the whole set up of the book is so that she can develop and this basically happens.
I loved the character development in the book and I am a sucker for any book that can do that and of course, this one does. She starts out as let's face one of the girls who can be described as a bit of a bitch but this is not what she becomes. This was by far the best part of the book for me and was why I loved it so much.
I also really enjoyed the writing of the book and found it very easy to read and to get into and read it pretty quickly. I also am just a fan of Lauren Oliver in general and this did just cement this in my mind in general.
The Verdict:
Before I Fall may be an old YA title but it is still a good one which kept me engaged and the end definitely had me reaching for my tissues.
Would you like to read Before I Fall? Have you read, if so did you like it?
See you soon,
Amy
January 9, 2018
British Books Challenge 2018
So today I thought that I will tell you about a challenge that I am going to sign up to in 2017. This is the British Books Challenge which has been running for the last couple of years but in 2018 is being run by Chelley from Tales of Yesterdays. The British Books Challenge was created with the focus on reading and reviewing British authors throughout the year. The aim is to read 12 books by these authors which equal's one a month. These can be from any genre but has a focus on YA and MG fiction. If you would like to sign up, you can do so here.
I hope to read The Taste of Blue Light by Lydia Ruffles (which I am currently reading and enjoying) as well as A Pocketful of Crows by Joanne Harris which I have also read some of.
I will post which books I read and review on this page so hopefully, I will update this throughout the year. So let's get started...
January:
February:
March:
April:
May:
June:
July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December:
Are you planning on taking part in the British Book Challenge?
See you soon,
Amy
