A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab | REVIEW

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (Shades of Magic #1)
Published by Tor Books on February 24th 2015
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Pages: 400
Format: Audiobook

Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.

Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.

Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. It’s a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.

After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.

Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.

Review

February 2017 Releases

Hey guys!

Every month I post the books that I’m most excited about that are going to be released. For February I’m bringing you seven exciting releases. Let’s check them out:

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At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson

Release Date: February 7th, 2017

Tommy and Ozzie have been best friends since second grade, and boyfriends since eighth. They spent countless days dreaming of escaping their small town—and then Tommy vanished.

More accurately, he ceased to exist, erased from the minds and memories of everyone who knew him. Everyone except Ozzie.

Ozzie doesn’t know how to navigate life without Tommy, and soon suspects that something else is going on: that the universe is shrinking.

When Ozzie is paired up with new student Calvin on a physics project, he begins to wonder if Calvin could somehow be involved. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is for him to deny the feelings developing between them, even if he still loves Tommy.

But Ozzie knows there isn’t much time left to find Tommy–that once the door closes, it can’t be opened again. And he’s determined to keep it open as long as possible.

Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

Release Date: February 7th, 2017

Empress
Rhee, also known as Crown Princess Rhiannon Ta’an, is the sole surviving heir to a powerful dynasty. She’ll stop at nothing to avenge her family and claim her throne.

Fugitive
Aly has risen above his war refugee origins to find fame as the dashing star of a DroneVision show. But when he’s falsely accused of killing Rhee, he’s forced to prove his innocence to save his reputation – and his life.

Madman
With planets on the brink of war, Rhee and Aly are thrown together to confront a ruthless evil that threatens the fate of the entire galaxy.

A saga of vengeance, warfare, and the true meaning of legacy.

The Cruelty by Scott Bergstrom

Release Date: February 7th, 2017

When her diplomat father is kidnapped and the U.S. Government is unable to help, 17 year-old Gwendolyn Bloom sets off across the sordid underbelly of Europe to rescue him.

Following the only lead she has—the name of a Palestinian informer living in France—she plunges into a brutal world of arms smuggling and human trafficking.

As she journeys from the slums of Paris, to the nightclubs of Berlin, to the heart of the most feared crime family in Prague, Gwendolyn discovers that to survive in this new world she must become every bit as cruel as the men she’s hunting.

Gilded Cage by Vic James

Release Date: February 14th, 2017

Not all are free. Not all are equal. Not all will be saved.

Our world belongs to the Equals — aristocrats with magical gifts — and all commoners must serve them for ten years. But behind the gates of England’s grandest estate lies a power that could break the world.

A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.

Abi is a servant to England’s most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of the noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family’s secrets might win her liberty, but will her heart pay the price?

A boy dreams of revolution.

Abi’s brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution.

And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.

He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?

The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

Release Date: February 14th, 2017

The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

Release Date: February 21st, 2017

The battle between four magical Londons comes to a head in this stunning finale to the New York Times bestselling Shades of Magic trilogy by rising star V. E. Schwab

London’s fall and kingdoms rise while darkness sweeps the Maresh Empire—and the fraught balance of magic blossoms into dangerous territory while heroes and foes struggle alike.

The direct sequel to A Gathering of Shadows, and the final book in the Shades of Magic epic fantasy series, A Conjuring of Light sees Schwab reach a thrilling culmination concerning the fate of beloved protagonists—and old enemies.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Release Date: February 28th, 2017

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

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Let me know if you guys are looking forward to any of these books this month! I really can’t wait to get my hands on them.

Until next time,

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A Conjuring of Light | Waiting on Wednesday [#40]

Hey guys!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights highly anticipated upcoming releases.

So here’s what I’m waiting on this week!

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A Conjuring of Light

Author: V.E. Schwab
Series: Shades of Magic #3
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: February 21st 2017

The battle between four magical Londons comes to a head in this stunning finale to the New York Times bestselling Shades of Magic trilogy by rising star V. E. Schwab.

London’s fall and kingdoms rise while darkness sweeps the Maresh Empire—and the fraught balance of magic blossoms into dangerous territory while heroes and foes struggle alike. The direct sequel to A Gathering of Shadows, and the final book in the Shades of Magic epic fantasy series, A Conjuring of Light sees Schwab reach a thrilling culmination concerning the fate of beloved protagonists—and old enemies.

Why I’m Waiting

I have been waiting for this book to come out for almost 2 years now. I like to binge read series as much as I can. So now that it will be released soon I can finally do it. So many of my friends love it!

P.S. V.E. Schwab is the author of the Shades of Magic Series, Vicious, and This Savage Song under her real name, Victoria Schwab.

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What has you guys waiting this week? Let me know down below!

Until next time,

TWITTER | GOOD READS | INSTAGRAM | BLOG LOVIN’

Most Anticipated 2017 Finales (Jan-June)

 

Hey guys!

Welcome back to part 4 of my 5 part anticipated releases of 2017 series. I thought it would be fun to put together a couple of most anticipated lists for some amazing 2017 young adult books that I am thoroughly looking forward to. This is only part 4 of a 5 part list.

Part 1: Debuts

Part 2: New Series

Part 3: Sequels

Part 4: Finales

Part 5: Standalones

So stay tuned over the next couple weeks for many new books for you to add to your TBR’s if they aren’t on there already. Let’s move on to the Most Anticipated 2017 Finales from January to June!

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A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

Release Date: February 21st, 2017

London’s fall and kingdoms rise while darkness sweeps the Maresh Empire—and the fraught balance of magic blossoms into dangerous territory while heroes and foes struggle alike. The direct sequel to A Gathering of Shadows, and the final book in the Shades of Magic epic fantasy series, A Conjuring of Light sees Schwab reach a thrilling culmination concerning the fate of beloved protagonists—and old enemies…

A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi

Release Date: March 28th, 2017

Gauri, the princess of Bharata, has been taken as a prisoner of war by her kingdom’s enemies. Faced with a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. Hope unexpectedly comes in the form of Vikram, the cunning prince of a neighboring land and her sworn enemy kingdom. Unsatisfied with becoming a mere puppet king, Vikram offers Gauri a chance to win back her kingdom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together, they’ll have to set aside their differences and team up to win the Tournament of Wishes—a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor…

Reign of Serpents by Eleanor Herman

Release Date: June 27th, 2017

In REIGN OF SERPENTS, the ancient power of Snake Blood threatens the known world. While Prince Alexander struggles with a very deadly inner demon, his betrothed, Zofia, is on her way to him, to unite their kingdoms…even as she begins to realize where her true allegiance lies. The fierce Cynane meets her match-not in her future husband, the deranged king of Illyria, but in her great-great-grandfather, Talus, possessor of Smoke Blood, who will teach her the true meaning of betrayal. And marooned together on an island in the Mediterranean, romantic tension blooms between Katerina and Hephaestion as they learn of lost civilizations and discover a device that could help them do the impossible: kill the last living god…

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: January 3rd, 2017

All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master’s heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta’s past could put them both at risk…

Thief’s Cunning by Sarah Ahiers

Release Date: June 13th, 2017

The companion novel to Assassin’s Heart—an action-packed fantasy that Printz Award winner Laura Ruby said “will keep you turning the pages all night long”—Thief’s Cunning picks up eighteen years later and follows Allegra Saldana as she uncovers the secrets about the line of killers she descends from.

Allegra has always had to look over her shoulder. As the niece of the infamous assassin Lea Saldana, Allegra is used to hiding from people who want her dead. Once the strongest clipper family in the Kingdom of Lovero, the Saldanas—or what’s left of them—are now the most hunted. Their number one enemy is the Da Vias, whose thirst for retaliation is almost two decades in the making…

Rise of Fire by Sophie Jordan

Release Date: February 7th, 2017

The richly suspenseful sequel to Sophie Jordan’s romantic fantasy Reign of Shadows.

Luna and Fowler have escaped the kingdom of Relhok, but they haven’t escaped the darkness. When a battle against the dark dwellers mortally injures Fowler, Luna is faced with a choice: put their fate in the hands of mysterious strangers or risk losing Fowler forever…

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Release Date: May 2nd, 2017

Lara Jean’s letter-writing days aren’t over in this surprise follow-up to the New York Times bestselling To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You.

Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding…

The Gauntlet by Megan Shepherd

Release Date: May 23rd, 2017

Cora and her friends have escaped the Kindred station and landed at Armstrong—a supposed safe haven on a small moon—where they plan to regroup and figure out how to win the Gauntlet, the challenging competition to prove humanity’s intelligence and set them free. But Armstrong is no paradise; ruled by a power-hungry sheriff, it’s a violent world where the teens are enslaved and put to work in mines. As Nok’s due date grows closer, and Mali and Leon journey across space to rescue Cassian, the former inhabitants of the cage are up against impossible odds…

Honestly Ben by Bill Konigsberg

Release Date: March 28th, 2017

In the companion to Openly Straight, Ben confronts pressure at school, repression at home, and his passion for two very different people in figuring out what it takes to be Honestly Ben.

Ben Carver is back to normal. He’s working steadily in his classes at the Natick School. He just got elected captain of the baseball team. He’s even won a full scholarship to college, if he can keep up his grades. All that foolishness with Rafe Goldberg the past semester is in the past.

Except . . .

Seeker by Veronica Rossi

Release Date: May 16th, 2017

When Daryn claimed she was seeing visions during her sophomore year of high school, no one believed the truth. She wasn’t losing her mind, she was gaining the Sight the ability to see the future. If she just paid attention to the visions, they’d provide her with clues and show her how she could help people. Really help them. Daryn embraced her role as a Seeker. The work she did was important. She saved lives.

Until Sebastian…

The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig

Release Date: February 28th, 2017

The breathtaking sequel to the acclaimed The Girl from Everywhere. Nix has escaped her past, but when the person she loves most is at risk, even the daughter of a time traveler may not be able to outrun her fate—no matter where she goes. Fans of Rae Carson, Alexandra Bracken, and Outlander will fall hard for Heidi Heilig’s sweeping fantasy…

Dove Alight by Karen Bao

Release Date: May 23rd, 2017

The action-packed finale of this explosive sci-fi series for fans of Ender’s Game and Star Wars.

Shy, introverted Phaet Theta has gone from being a top student to an interplanetary fugitive to the reluctant but fierce leader of a revolution. With the Earthbound on their side, she and her friends finally have a chance at toppling the evil leaders who’ve held the Moon captive for decades. But as the death tolls rise, the cost of the war weighs heavily on Phaet, even as she’s forced to lead her siblings and Wes, the love of her life, into terrible danger…

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Well there you have it! My most anticipated finales for the first half of the year. Are you guys looking forward to any of these ones too? Stay tuned for Part 5: Standalones coming soon!

Until next time,

TWITTER | GOOD READS | INSTAGRAM | BLOG LOVIN’

July 2016 Book Haul!

Hey guys!

Here are all the books I got in July! There is quite a few to get through.

So let’s get started shall we?

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INDIGO

Skyborn by David Dalglish

Black Wolves by Kate Elliott

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

The Darkest Magic by Morgan Rhodes

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

And I Darken by Kiersten White

The Gray Wold Throne by Cinda Williams Chima

The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima

Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman

A Dance of Shadows by David Dalglish

A Dance of Ghosts by David Dalglish

A Dance of Chaos by David Dalglish

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

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That was definitely a big month for me! Did you guys pick up any of these books too? See you next month!

Until next time,

TWITTER | GOOD READS | INSTAGRAM | BLOG LOVIN’

June 2016 Book Haul!

Hey guys!

Here is my June book haul!

So let’s get started shall we?

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INDIGO

Draw the Line by Laurent Linn

Published by Margaret K. McElderry

Released May 17th, 2016

Series: Standalone

Hardcover

The Crown’s Game by Eveyln Skye

Published by Balzer + Bray

Released May 17th, 2016

Series: The Crown’s Game #1

Hardcover

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Released October 20th 2015

Series: The Illuminae Files #1

Hardcover

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Released September 1st 2015

Series: Standalone

Hardcover

Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima

Published by HarperCollins

Released April 5th 2016

Series: Shattered Realms #1

Hardcover

The Rose and The Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books

Released April 26th 2016

Series: The Wrath and the Dawn #1

Hardcover

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From Friends

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

Published by Tor Books

Released February 23rd 2016

Series: Shades of Magic #2

Hardcover

Every Day by David Levithan

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Released August 28th 2012

Series: Every Day #1

Paperback

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AMAZON

The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows

Published by Katherine Tegen Books

Released April 5th, 2016

Series: The Orphan Queen #2

Hardcover

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ARCs

The Scorpian Rules by Erin Bow (Simon & Schuster Canada)

The Swan Riders by Erin Bow (Simon & Schuster Canada)

We Know It Was You by Maggie Thrash (Simon & Schuster Canada)

Swarm by Scott Westerfeld (Simon & Schuster Canada)

MINRS2 by Kevin Sylvester (Simon & Schuster Canada)

The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle can Ardale (Simon & Schuster Canada)

Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliott (Little, Brown Books)

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That was definitely a big month for me! Did you guys pick up any of these books too? See you next month!

Until next time,

Weekly Cover Reveal Recap | Feb 29 – Mar 6

Hey guys!

Here are the covers that were revealed during the week of Feb 29 – Mar 6. Click the author to hop on over to their GoodReads page to add it to you’re TBR!

CONTEMPORARY

This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

October 4th 2016

Filled with intense and important friendships, a wonderful warts-and-all family, shiveringly good romantic developments, and sharp, witty dialogue, this story is about finding the people you never knew you needed.

All in Pieces by Suzanne Young

Published by Simon Pulse

November 8th 2016

From New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young comes a heartrending new novel about a girl struggling to deal with anger issues while taking care of her younger brother with special needs.

MYSTERY

Local Girl Swept Away by Ellen Wittlinger

Published by Merit Press

June 15th 2016

Stark, uncompromising, seductive, beautiful – this describes the tourist town of Cape Cod, where a young woman’s body remains to be found. Three friends struggle to come to terms with their missing leader and with the secrets each endeavor to hide.

FANTASY

Frostblood by Elly Blake (Frostblood Saga #1)

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

January 2017

Fast-paced and compelling, Frostblood is the first in a page-turning new young adult three-book series about a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies—but together create a power that could change everything.

This Savage Song by V.E. Schwab (Monsters of Verity #1)

Published by Titan Books Ltd (UK)

June 7th 2016

In This Savage Song, Victoria Schwab creates a gritty, seething metropolis, one worthy of being compared to Gotham and to the four versions of London in her critically acclaimed fantasy for adults, A Darker Shade of Magic. Her heroes will face monsters intent on destroying them from every side—including the monsters within.

Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

Published by Holiday House Inc.

September 1st 2016

Building on homages to Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jane Austen’s Emma and the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, Hannah West makes a spectacular and wholly original debut.

Invincible by Dawn Metcalf (The Twixt #4)

Published by Harlequin Teen

July 26th 2016

Love must be stronger than fear, stronger than fate. 

Invincible. 

The future of two worlds depends on it. 

As she fights to protect her friends and family and to unite two disparate worlds, Joy has to trust that some bonds are stronger than magic.

SCI-FI

Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (The Illuminae Files #2)

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

October 18th 2016

The highly anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that critics are calling “out-of-this-world awesome.”

Boy Robot by Simon Curtis (Boy Robot #1)

Published by Simon Pulse

November 15th 2016

Boy Robot is the first in a planned science fiction trilogy that follows a group of synthetic cell human teens with special abilities as they fight against the government organization that created them and now wants to destroy them.

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Well that’s it for this week! Are you looking forward to any of these books? Let me know in the comments below! Stay tuned for next weeks cover reveals!

Until next time,

 

 

 

The Hype is Too Much (Freebie) | Top 10 Tuesday [24]

Hey guys!

Welcome back to another Top 10 Tuesday weekly fun on my blog! Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. If you want to join in the fun, hop on over to their blog to see what it’s all about!

This week’s topic is Top 10 Books Where the Hype is Too Much (Freebie).

This week’s topic is a freebie where we get to choose our own topic. I have decided to talk about the books I feel are receiving too much hype. Now hype can either be a good thing or a negative thing. For me when a book is too hyped it turns me off from reading it right away. Some examples of this would be Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard and Winter by Marissa Meyer. I didn’t read Red Queen until 6 months after its release when the hyped died down, and I still have yet to read Winter the conclusion to The Lunar Chronicles.

What is your take on the subject? And here are the 10 books that are receiving too much hype for 2016!

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10. The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

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9. A Gathering Darkness by V.E. Schwab

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8. The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye

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7. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

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6. The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

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5. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

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4. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

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3. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

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2. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

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1. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

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Well there you have it! Top 10 Books Where the Hype is Too Much (Freebie). Do you agree with my choices? What books coming out in 2016 do you think are receiving too much hype?

Until next time,