Mundie Moms

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

DARK BREAKS THE DAWN by Sara B. Larson / Blog Tour: Book Review & Giveaway #DarkBreaksTheDawn


Welcome to the next stop in the DARK BREAKS THE DAWN blog tour. I'm so thrilled to share my review for Sara's newest book, which was released yesterday! I really enjoyed this one. Below, you'll find my spoiler free free, and a giveaway! Before you enter to win, here's a little bit about the book:

ABOUT THE BOOK



By: Sara B. Larson
Published by: Scholastic Press
Released on: May 30, 2017
Purchase from: AmazonB&NiBooksTBD
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: book from publisher to review

On her eighteenth birthday, Princess Evelayn of Eadrolan, the Light Kingdom, can finally access the full range of her magical powers. The light looks brighter, the air is sharper, and the energy she can draw when fighting feels almost limitless.

But while her mother, the queen, remains busy at the war front, in the Dark Kingdom of Dorjhalon, the corrupt king is plotting. King Bain wants control of both kingdoms, and his plan will fling Evelayn into the throne much sooner than she expected.

In order to defeat Bain and his sons, Evelayn will quickly have to come into her ability to shapeshift, and rely on the alluring Lord Tanvir. But not everyone is what they seem, and the balance between the Light and Dark comes at a steep price.

In the first book of a remarkable duology, Sara B. Larson sets the stage for her reimagining of Swan Lake -- a lush romance packed with betrayal, intrigue, magic, and adventure.

Dark Breaks The Dawn is an intriguing story with elements of romance, magic, light and darkness elements, war, and characters I really enjoyed getting to know. I loved the fantasy elements of this story. It paired perfectly with Larson's unique retelling of Swan Lake. I'm a sucker for well told retellings. I really enjoyed this book.

This is the kind of story that slowly sucks you in. It's not a fast paced, throw it all out at the beginning of the story, kind of book. I really enjoyed the slow build up, and the steady pace of story. It kept me hooked, and me reading this book in one sitting. In the end, it had me wondering how I totally missed on figuring out what was to come. That ending is a killer, and oh so well done. 

I absolutely loved that at the heart of this story is a girl who's fierce, determined, courageous, and when duty calls, is just the Queen her people need her to. She doesn't run from danger, but faces it head on. I really enjoyed getting to know Evelayn. She's a likable character. I enjoyed watching her growth, and become the kind of character that not only she was required to be, but in the process, she also remained true to herself, and was her own person. 

Like the fantasy elements, and the characters, I really enjoyed the world building. It was easy to imagine the setting while I was reading the story. I also really liked the good/bad in the form of the light and dark elements. Speaking of which, those who harness the light are so easy to like, and those who harness the dark are intriguing. I'm really torn right now with one particular character, but I can't say why for sake of spoilers. I'm guessing he'll have a much larger role in play in the next book, because his presence in this story was small, yet seemed vital. 

Let's talk romance. It was the perfect amount of romance for this story. It wasn't the main focus, but still very much apart of the story. I loved the character chemistry. It's the little touches, and tender moments I enjoyed the most. However, there are definitely some good kissy scenes. It wasn't hard to fall in love with the main love interest. These two seemed destined to be. 

Talk about a killer of an ending! That ending was not at all what I was expecting. I literally had to reread one scene over again to make sure that what just happened, actually happened. My word, Sara knows how to toy with my emotions and leave me wishing the sequel was in my hands. I already have a few predictions and I'm curious to see if they're right. I need this sequel! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR



SARA B. LARSON is the author of the acclaimed young adult fantasy Defy trilogy: Defy, Ignite, and Endure. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband and their children. She writes in brief snippets throughout the day (while mourning the loss of nap time) and the quiet hours when most people are sleeping. Her husband claims she should have a degree in “the art of multitasking.” When she’s not mothering or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting of her sugar addiction.


ENTER TO WIN

3 winners will receive a finished copy of DARK BREAKS THE DAWN. US Only.

FOLLOW THE TOUR

5/22/2017- Adventures of a Book JunkieInterview
5/23/2017- Here's to Happy EndingsReview
5/24/2017- Novel NoviceGuest Post
5/25/2017- A Dream Within A DreamReview
5/26/2017- Two Chicks on BooksInterview
5/29/2017- FiktshunReview
5/30/2017- A Backwards StoryGuest Post
5/31/2017- Mundie MomsReview
6/1/2017- Fiction Fare- Interview
6/2/2017- Owl Always Be ReadingReview

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

MY TOP TEN MOST ANTICIPATED READS FOR THE 2nd HALF OF 2017 / Top Ten Tuesday


Hello and welcome to this week's Top Ten Tuesday! This week's post is My Top Ten Most Anticipated Reads For the 2nd Half of 2017. My previous Top Ten Tuesday post was; Top Ten Books On My Spring 2017 TBR List

It's been awhile. Now that I've gotten moved, and mostly unpacked, I'm getting back into the groove of things on the blog. It was a hectic break, but I'm excited to start talking books again. Here are some of my most anticipated reads for the rest of 2017 that I can't wait to read. 

 


  1. The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo, 9/26/17, MacMillan
  2. Immortal Reign by Morgan Rhodes12/12/17, Razorbill
  3. Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas9/5/17, Bloomsbury
  4. Roar by Cora Carmack, 6/13/17, Tor Teen 
  5. Renegades by Marissa Meyer, 11/7/17, Feiwel & Friends
  6. The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young, 6/27/17, Harlequin Teen 
  7. Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore, 9/19/17, Kathy Dawson Books
  8. Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman, 11/7/17, HMH Books 
  9. All The Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater, 10/10/17, Scholastic 
  10. Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows, 9/12/17, Katherine Tegen Books
  11. That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston, 10/3/17, Dutton Books 
  12. Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo, 8/29/17, Random House 
There are definitely a lot more than these upcoming releases I'm looking forward to reading. You can check out my previous list of 2017 releases here. Here are a few other titles I can't wait to read;


What are some of your most anticipated reads for the second half of 2017?

OUT TODAY! New YA Releases for 5/30/17


Happy Release Day to these new YA releases, hitting book store shelves today! There are a ton of new reads worth picking up. Just in time for summer vacation too! Check out the list below:

Which new releases will you be picking up today?

Monday, May 29, 2017

New Runes from Lord of Shadows / Mundane Monday 313 #Shadowhunters #LordofShadows


Lord of Shadows has been out for almost a week, and the lovely folks behind Shadowhunter Books on Twitter, have shared images for the new runes featured in the book. These runes can also be found under the dust jacket of all the 1st editions of the US copies of LOS. Check them all out below:


I love the graphics for these runes. Do you have a favorite new rune? It's so hard to pick between these. Be sure to pick up your copy of Lord of Shadows if you haven't already. You can read my spoiler free review for it here

Keep up the latest Shadowhunters book news by following the Shadowhunter Bks on Twitter

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