Blog Tour: Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza | Quotes | Giveaway

Welcome to our stop on Empress of a Thousand Skies tour for Rhoda Belleza. This tour is hosted by PenguinTeen.

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Empress of a Thousand Skies
Author: Rhoda Belleza
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: February 7th 2017
Publisher: Razorbill

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.

Favorite Quotes

There are couple of phrases that one must know the situation to appreciate the context. Empress of a Thousand Skies was quite a story that I highly recommend everyone to check it out. Below are some of my favorite quotes:

"Ma'tan sarili," she told him solemnly. It was an everyday Kalusian greeting, but it meant much more than hello and goodbye. It translated into "highest self," and to say it was a pledge to be the best person you could be. And for Rhee, that meant to be honorable, brave and loyal to his memory, to the man she'd known, to Jullian's father. - page 45

"Your faith in me is heartwarming." - page 115

"Rhee should have died with her family.

This was the only way to say she was sorry." - page 142

"He does not deserve your tears" - page 145

"I will be loyal to you until the day I die" - page 149

"The boy she disliked most in the world could have been the brother she'd never had: both orphans, rigid in their beliefs, born for strife and loss and revenge" - page 164

"Honor, loyalty, and bravery, she repeated. Never mind the questions that came after. Who must she be honorable and loyal to? Who mus she be brave for" - page 190

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Rhoda Belleza was raised in Los Angeles, where she grew up writing X-Filesfanfiction and stuffing her face with avocados. She's a children's editor at a publishing house and writes from a sunny Brooklyn apartment stuffed with far too many bikes and far too many shoes. When she's not writing, Rhoda obsesses over nail art tutorials, watches kung fu movies, and sews together crooked things that pass for clothes. Empress of a Thousand Skies is her debut novel. Follow her on Twitter @rhodabee.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter for a chance to win one (1) of three (3) signed copies of Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza (ARV: $17.99 each).

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on February 6, 2017 and 12:00 AM on February 20, 2017.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about February 22, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Follow the Tour

Week One:
2/6 – Brittany’s Book Rambles – Guest Post
2/6 – Bibliophile Gathering – Review
2/6 – Seeing Double in Neverland – Mood Board
2/7 – Tales of a Ravenous Reader – Excerpt
2/7 – In Wonderland – Review
2/8 – Across the Words – Character Fan Casting
2/8 – Novel Ink – Review
2/8 – Bookling Critics – Review
2/9 – The Young Folks – Interview
2/9 – Here’s to Happy Endings – Review
2/10 – Butter My Books – Book Look
2/10 – Ex Libris – Review
2/10 – My Friends Are Fiction – Guest Post

Week Two:
2/13 – Stories & Sweeties – Empress Cupcakes
2/13 – What Sarah Read – Guest Post
2/13 – MundieMoms – Review
2/14 – YA Wednesdays – Character Fashion
2/14 – Fiction Fare – Review
2/15 – Once Upon a Twilight – Favorite Quotes
2/15 – The Books Buzz – Review
2/15 – Take Me Away to a Great Read – Review
2/16 – The Bookish Traveler – Empress Trailer
2/16 – Bookworm Everlasting – Review
2/17 – The Forest of Words and Pages – Like/Try/Why
2/17 – The Paige Turner – Interview
2/17 – Fangirlish – Review

Blog Tour: Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes + Giveaway

Welcome to our stop on Crystal Storm tour for Morgan Rhodes. This tour is hosted by PenguinTeen.

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Crystal Storm
Falling Kingdoms #5
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: December 13th 2016
Review Source: Razorbill

An epic clash between gods and mortals threatens to tear Mytica apart . . . and prove that not even the purest of love stands a chance against the strongest of magic.

MAGNUS and CLEO are forced to test the strength of their love when Gaius returns to Mytica claiming he's no longer the King of Blood but a changed man seeking redemption.

LUCIA, pregnant with the child of a Watcher, has escaped the clutches of the unhinged fire god. Her powers are dwindling as she goes forth to fulfill a prophecy that will keep her baby safe . . . but could mean her demise.

JONAS treks back to Mytica with a plan to overtake Amara, but fate takes hold when he runs into the beautiful Princess Lucia and joins her on her perilous journey.

AMARA has taken the Mytican throne, but with no way to unleash the water magic trapped within her stolen crystal, she'll never be able to seize glory and get sweet revenge.

And what kind of darkness will descend--and who will be safe--after Prince Ashur reveals the dangerous price he paid to cheat death?

You guys!! MAGNUS!!!!!!

Well well well, I should've known, it takes a great book boyfriend to take me off my reading slump. Having Magnus back was not only the best thing to my reading life but he brought light to my heart.... only for a few hours. Yes, few, because this book completely broke me. It was pure brutal to my heart. Bloody brutal. Yet captivating, still brutal.

Where to begin? Where to begin? Cleo? Magnus? Lucia? Jonas? The alliances? The betrayals? The kissing? YES SO MUCH KISSING! The what the fudge moments? The ending? So much, so sooo much going on and yet so little time.

Let me start with Cleo AND Magnus. Because  these love birds are simply adorable and inspiring. I love them so so sooo much. I love how they love each other! I want to be them. With so much love, you think they will be happy? Guess again, because these two may love each other but they must keep their love as secret. Unknown to the public. They should be screaming their love to everyone.

As for the rest of the gang.... Gosh, these people are brutal! There is SO much to say, as this book will reveal those whom are loyal and those that are willing to stab a friend or friends. Ugh, so much betrayal after betrayals. I want to skip the months to come because I need that final book. I CANNOT WAIT ANOTHER YEAR! I NEED TO KNOW... NOW! Guys, the ending. The brutal ending. The bloody ending. I need air. No, I need the final book.

If you're ready to dive in, just beware not to trust anyone because this book is mad. The dead are back and the living are dead. Oh gosh, let me not say anything else, JUST READ THE DAMN BOOK!

I'm supposed to pick some of favorite quotes but to be honest, I can't. I am at a loss. Just think about this quote and what's to come:

“This love you think you feel for my son? The day will come when you will have to choose between Magnus and power. And I know, without a doubt, that you will choose power.”

What will be the final choice?

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Morgan Rhodes lives in Ontario, Canada. As a child, she always wanted to be a princess—the kind that knows how to wield a sharp sword to help save both kingdoms and princes from fire-breathing dragons and dark wizards. Instead, she became a writer, which is just as good and much less dangerous. Along with writing, Morgan enjoys photography, travel, and reality TV, and is an extremely picky yet voracious reader of all kinds of books. Under another pen name, she's a nationally bestselling author of many paranormal novels. Falling Kingdoms is her first high fantasy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter for a chance to win a set of the Falling Kingdom books by Morgan Rhodes, which includes paperback editions of Falling Kingdoms, Rebel Spring, Gathering Darkness and Frozen Tides and a hardcover edition of Crystal Storm (Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $63.00). In addition, four (4) Runner-up Winners will each receive a paperback edition of Falling Kingdoms ($11.00 each).

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:01 AM (EST) on December 5, 2016 and 11:59 PM (EST) on December 16, 2016.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about December 19, 2016. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Follow the Tour

12/5: Steph in Wonderland (Book Look)
12/5: Young Adult Hollywood (Book Playlist)
12/6: Live to Read (Review)
12/6: Adventures of a Book Junkie (Reasons to Read Falling Kingdoms)
12/7: Take Me Away to a Great Read (Falling Kingdoms Mood Board)
12/7: Fiction Adventure (Character Fancast)
12/8: A Page with a View (Favorite Fictional Princes)
12/8: Star Crossed (Review)
12/9: Seeing Double in Neverland (Guest Post)
12/9: Bibliophile Gathering (The Series So Far)

WEEK TWO:
12/12: Once Upon a Twilight (Quotes + Review)
12/13: Dark Faerie Tales (Excerpt)
12/13: Mundie Moms (Review)
12/14: The Book Nut (Reasons to Read Falling Kingdoms)
12/15: Scifi Chick (Spotlight)
12/15: Tales of the Ravenous Reader (Guest Post)
12/16: Two Chicks on Books (Q&A)

Blog Tour: The Midnight Star by Marie Lu + Guest Post

Welcome to our stop on The Midnight Star tour for Marie Lu. It is an honored to be part of the tour as Marie Lu is a favorite author of ours. Be sure to enter your preorder info so you can get your preorder goodies! This tour is hosted by PenguinTeen.

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The Midnight Star
The Young Elites #3
Author: Marie Lu
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: October 11th 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

The thrilling finale to the New York Times bestselling Young Elites series from “hit factory” Marie Lu.

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all that she’s achieved.

Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds when a new danger appears, putting not only Adelina at risk, but every Elite and the very world they live in. In order to save herself and preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.

Bestselling author Marie Lu concludes Adelina's story with this haunting and hypnotizing final installment to the Young Elites series.

Top 5 Favorite Halloween Costumes That Are Perfect for Adelina

5. This year, my husband is dressing up as Winona Ryder in Stranger Things by wearing a wig, holding a bunch of Christmas lights, and repeatedly saying “WILL!!”. I think Adelina could pull this off, too, given that Adelina also sees things when no one else does.

4. The White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia.

3. Saruman. I think Adelina could totally slay a long white beard.

2.  Draco Malfoy. I mean, Adelina does cut her silver hair short at the end of The Young Elites. It could work.

1. Daenerys Targaryen (with an eyepatch).

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I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. :)

I graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.

1. Pre-order your copy of THE MIDNIGHT STAR from any store 

2. Snap a photo or screenshot of your receipt 

3. Fill out the form below and upload your receipt 

4. Your quote tote and water bottle will arrive sometime before 11/8.

Week Two:

Monday, 10/3: Once Upon a Twilight (Guest Post)

Tuesday, 10/4: The Starry-Eyed Revue (Midnight Star Look Book)

Tuesday, 10/4: Arctic Books (Review + Favorite Quotes)

Wednesday, 10/5: Folded Pages Distillery (Review + Instagram)

Wednesday, 10/5: Fiktshun (Review)

Thursday, 10/6: The Book Nut (Review + Mood Board)

Thursday, 10/6: Bookiemoji (Top 5 Reasons to Read TYE)

Friday, 10/7: MundieMoms (Review + Favorite Quotes)

Exciting Quotes You Want to Read from Danielle Paige's Dorothy Must Die

Dorothy Must Die written by Danielle Paige

Published April 1st 2014 by HarperTeen

Young Adult Fiction

Here are the quotes from Dorothy Must Die, you don't want to miss:

Look for our review of Dorothy Must Die real soon.

Book Review: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart
Bloodlines #4
Author: Richelle Mead
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: November 19th 2013 (Tomorrow!)
Review Source: Loaned

Prepare to be Tested.
The story that kicked off Richelle Mead's international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series is NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE.
Read it Before it Hits Theaters February 14th, 2014!

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

Adrian. Adrian. Adrian. This is by far one of the most painful books I’ve ever read. Why you may ask? I LOVE ADRIAN. I mean, I LOVE. LOVE HIM to infinity and beyond and this book is written in his point of view (well half of it). While reading, I just couldn’t help it but expect the worst every time I read a worth “swoon” moment. Let me tell you something, this book has swooning all over! If you are familiar with Richelle’s writing, then you are aware that she has the tendency of shattering your heart within seconds after making it smile. So can you image how painful this was for me?! Well played Richelle, well played.

Not to give much spoiler, let me start of by saying to prepare.

So here we are on a new adventure.

Sydney is in search of solution to help out a greater cause. To break the link. Could she ever find the solution? Would she be able to become powerful and knowledgeable to create such thing? With her sister in the picture, will she be able to juggle time yet hide her new persona?

What about Adrian? Would Adrian’s spirit drive him insane? Would he ever have his shiny moment?

This book has the answers…

Okay to the important part, which everyone is dying to know: Sydrian.

Dear Lord of all Sydrian swooning. I was not expecting to be swooning so much in this book. My heart was smiling so much for Sydrian! This book made me smile so much that I couldn’t believe Richelle, but of course you know how she is...

The hardest part is to know the ending and wanting the next book right away. The hardest part is to wait for another year to know what happens next. I think Richelle takes joy in leaving us hanging in mid air. The anticipation of whether you will land safely or fall over and break is the hardest part.

“Just as long as you don’t do any lasting damage.”

I love this series. This is a spin-off the Vampire Academy series. It took a while to adjust to Sydney, but trust me, you will fall for her. Not to mention, Adrian. He is worth everything. Truly, I love him and I cannot wait for his moment.

Adrian, “You’re more than the magic” and “You can do plenty of other great things”.