REVIEW: ; (SEMICOLON) BY NAVEED KHAN.

Title: ; (Semicolon)
Author: Naveed A. Khan
Series: Poetry
Edition: eBook
Publication: February 4th 2013
Source: Free on Amazon
Pages: 125
Genre: Poetry

Synopsis:
A collection of poetry by xq, published in February 2013. The pseudonym "xq" was adopted by writer Naveed Khan as an experimental anonymous release. Other works by this author include Cheap Therapy, Wrapping Paper, and Decaf.

One day, I might perhaps become something so small and insignificant to you that you only think of me as often as you think of the little particles of dust that you can see floating around the window in the late afternoon sun.
If I'm lucky enough, you'll think of me as often as never thinking of me again at all.

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The same forces that bring two people together are the same ones that pull them apart.

I only read a handful of poetry books and Semicolon definitely stands out. The beauty of words showered me with feels and the captivating emotions within this little book gave me a heartwarming experience. A few pages in and I knew I'd love this. The passion of the author is something else. You can feel it leaking as your turn every page. I am absolutely happy that I stumbled upon this poetry book! My heart is so SO full right now and don't you wish someone loves you this deeply, freely and tenderly?

OMG, what an amazing book! I highly recommend this to fans of Lang Leav! Semicolon is a feel-good and swoony book!

"I remember feeling the most alive
the moment I realized that it hurts
far more to miss something I never had
than to miss something I did."

"I learned to love you quietly, because I know you prefer silence"

"We grow together as we fall in sync with our inconsistencies"

REVIEW: THIS IS HOW IT STARTS BY DAWN LANUZA.

Title: This is How it Starts
Author: Dawn Lanuza
Series: Standalone
Edition: Kindle
Publication: June 24th 2017 by Indie Sisiw Books
Source: Bought from Amazon
Pages: 62
Genre: Poetry

Synopsis:

Not all
heartbreaks
have to end
with you
broken.

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Another short masterpiece by my lovely Dawn! This is my second poetry book by her and I loved it! I just feel so sorry for my heart after reading this. The things you read in here would either rip you apart or uplift you (but mostly rip you apart). Don't be fooled by how quick this read is because the feels could probably smack you down. Exquisite book! The cover and illustrations are cute and I know this would be perfect once printed! Can't wait for the print copy!

"We're no longer present in the future
We once imagined in the past."

REVIEW: SNOW LIKE ASHES BY SARA RAASCH.

Title: Snow Like Ashes
Series: Snow Like Ashes #1
Author: Sara Raasch
Edition: Kindle
Publication: Balzer + Bray / October 14, 2014
Source: eARC provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
Pages: 416
Genre: High Fantasy, Romance
Trailer: Not available.

Synopsis:

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Meira is one of the remaining 8 out of 25 survivors of Winter's fall. For sixteen years, they've been trying to get back the pieces of the locket which was Winter's Conduit. With this locket they believe they could restore Winter through its power and save the Winterian slaves. Angra is powerful but the locket is their only hope in defeating him. When William and the others went back from their journey in the outskirts of Abril, Meira wants to join them in getting the locket. With Mather conspiring with her defeating him in their sparring, William eventually lets her go. Even though Meira is not battle ready, her wit combined with her fast thinking, things are about to change not only for William and Meira but for the entire realm.

I enjoyed Snow Like Ashes in a way I didn't expect. I was transported to a universe so huge and rich my head hurts by just imagining it. I loved how Seasons turned into specific kingdoms and that there's magic in it! Aside from the elements a high fantasy series requires, I loved the premise and the characters. The only issues I found were: the fact that it was a bit difficult to get into in the beginning, that there's a predictable input in its romance and that repetitive mention of prairie grass!

Meira proved to be one of the kickass heroines we have in young adult literature today. She has basic knowledge with hand to hand combat but her ways of getting out of situations plus her drastic ability to patch facts made her one of my favorites. I know that it is just a cliche factor in YA that teens outrank adults in saving the world, but Meira absolutely deserved her place in this spotlight. Ignoring her history, what she did to prove to herself that she could be more is enough for me.

Let us make one thing clear here, alright? Am torn between Mather and Theron. Seriously. Am going to spoil this part for you because OMG THERE'S ONE PAGE DEDICATED TO MATHER AND THERON BEING SHIRTLESS AND THERON HAS MANBUN. You're welcome. *composes self* So yes, Mather and Theron are both hot in the physical sense of the word but their contributing personalities made them hotter. Mather is kind though can be easily read while Theron has this aura of being mischievous which is very attractive. As you all know, I tend to fall for "bad" fictional guys. But yes, their bravery and kind hearts in amid of chaos made the story so much interesting and interesting and interesting. (well, I love William too. I imagine him similar as Mads Mikkelsen! So hoooooot, right?)

The last factor I absolutely died for when I read Snow Like Ashes was THAT UNPREDICTABLE AND SURPRISING PLOT TWIST. Hell yeah, it never crossed my mind that something as fantastic as that would just blatantly surprise the hell out of me! *cue goosebumps* It made me screaming because of so much anticipation BECAUSE BLOOD IS ABOUT TO FLOOD YOUR LIFE! Thank you Raasch for making Snow Like Ashes full of awesomeness (and heart).

Snow Like Ashes is filled with badassery in its highest level. Heart-pumping romance, mind-blowing revelations and edge-of-the-seat battle scenes are all packed in one astounding debut novel.

Thank you Harpercollins International Sales and Edelweiss for the eARC!

REVIEW: THE ASSASSIN AND THE DESERT BY SARAH J MAAS.

Title: The Assassin and the Desert
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #0.2
Edition: Kindle
Publication: March 30, 2013 by Bloomsbury
Pages: 103
Source: Gifted by Leslie from Bibliophile Kid
Category: YA High-Fantasy, YA Romance

Synopsis:

The Silent Assassins of the Red Desert aren’t much for conversation, and Celaena Sardothien wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s not there to chatter, she’s there to hone her craft as the world’s most feared killer for hire. When the quiet is shattered by forces who want to destroy the Silent Assassins, Celaena must find a way to stop them, or she’ll be lucky to leave the desert alive.

From The Assassin's Blade:

Contains all five novellas.

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

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The Assassin and the Desert was another brilliant novel!

When I read any Maas books, there's always an expectation that it will be GREAT. Yes, it may be scary knowing that not all of us can like the same book but so far, Maas haven't failed me. Even though it was just a short novella, I was still awed big time.

After Celaena freed the slaves from the remote island she and Sam went to, she was punished and Sam was beat up. She was sent to the Desert to seek training and approval from the Silent Assasin's Mute Master. She has to be trained soon but she wasn't entertained the way she expected to. She met Ansel, another assassin and surprisingly, they became friends. But unexpected circumstances occurred that pushed her to choose between going home or fight for the assassin's side.

Another Maas masterpiece I truly loved! Ugh why is this author so awesome that whatever she writes make me swoon? This is just a short novella but the action and emotion totally felt real and yes, -AGAIN- I wanted more! Celaena just kept growing as the AWESOMEST Assassin ever and every darn time she kicks butts, she just pushes my love for her deeper! I loved how she trusted her instincts here and even let herself care for people! She opened up herself for humility and loyalty and she still haven't forgotten to use her heart no matter how grave her past was. I love her so much it pinches my intestine! I miss Sam, though.

The Assassin and the Desert did not only show kickass action but mainly taught humility and submission. It's a fast-paced and action-packed e-novella full of heart-bursting emotion that would surely make one adore Celaena and Maas altogether! It is a truly MUST READ novella!

Thank you ever so much Leslie of Bibliophile Kid for the Kindle copy!

"If you can learn to endure pain, you can survive anything. Some people learn to embrace it—to love it. Some endure it through drowning it in sorrow, or by making themselves forget. Others turn it into anger. But Ansel let her pain become hate, and let it consume her until she became something else entirely—a person I don’t think she ever wished to be."

 "Words could be just as deadly as steel."

REVIEW: THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD BY SARAH J MAAS.

Title: The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #0.1
Edition: Kindle
Publication: January 13, 2013 by Bloomsbury
Pages: 65
Source: Gifted by Leslie from Bibliophile Kid
Category: Young adult, high-fantasy

Synopsis:

A Throne of Glass novella.

On a remote island in a tropical sea, Celaena Sardothien, feared assassin, has come for retribution. She’s been sent by the Assassin’s Guild to collect on a debt they are owed by the Lord of the Pirates. But when Celaena learns that the agreed payment is not in money, but in slaves, her mission suddenly changes—and she will risk everything to right the wrong she’s been sent to bring about.

Contains all five novellas.

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon 🔼 Barnes and Noble 🔼 Book Depository

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord is a kickass e-novella.

Sixteen year-old Celaena Sardothien was sent by the Assasin's Guild to a remote island to collect a debt by the Lord of the Pirates. Together with Sam, another assassin, they went ahead and endured weeks of traveling. Upon their arrival, Celaena learned that that will be doing an entirely different mission which tested her love for the slaves and loyalty to her master.

This is a very short e-novella that completely made me miss Throne of Glass so much. The world building Maas presented here is as awesome as Elirea and I longed for more. Maas basically made me so hungry for Celaena's world and adventures that it drives me insane because I need more from this series. I loved the fact that Celaena's strength didn't falter even if her full capability hasn't been tested yet and her true heart shone so bright at the darkest part of her decision-making to do the right thing. Her skills as an assassin can truly make any past or present hero shy. And I so so liked the idea that there is Sam, probably another love interest or a dear friend. That I cannot decided which is beyond intriguing.

I need Crown of Midnight in my life and reading the series of e-novellas wouldn't satisfy the need! This will forever be one of my favorite series of all time and Celaena is such a strong symbol of women empowerment! A soft and beautiful outside, tough and buff on the inside! Did I say she's a kickass protagonist?

Thank you so much Leslie at Bibliophile Kid for the copy!

"Sam, if you ever tell anyone about me embracing you.. I'll gut you."