The Year of Sarah J. Maas

Intriguing title, right?

Okay, so I'm sure you all are well aware of who the amazing Sarah J. Maas is, and what awesome books she has given to the world. But see that's the thing, ever since I can remember I had Throne of Glass on my TBR pile FOREVER. And only now, after 3 years of having it on my TBR pile I decided to go out, buy it and finally discover all the hype behind these books. Wait, there's another twist, what actually got me to go and buy Throne of Glass was A Court of Thorns and Roses which was published this year so I guess you can somewhat call that a trigger to the inevitable spending on the entire Throne of Glass series, on what is already published. 

So, the year of 2015 or what I like to call The Year of Sarah J. Maas. Why, you ask? Because I brought 5 books in the span of 2 months all by Sarah J. Maas and I do not regret one second of it. So whats with the post? Firstly, I want to show my undying gratitude to an awesome author for such mind-blowing books and equally mind-blowing characters that I love dearly, but the damn feels!!! Secondly, a note to all the readers out there that have/or did the same mistake I did by leaving this series to sit on their TBR pile... GO READ THESE BOOKS NOW! This summer would honestly not be the same if it had not been for these amazing books including many others I read this summer, though I did not go on a vacation I visited far more remarkable and breath-taking places that this world couldn't offer, all simply through these books I read. 

Also, I would like to thank Katrina over at Bloomsbury Publishing for sending out a copy of Queen of Shadows to me and many others. I can honestly say now that I thought I wasn't going to get it and was on the verge of crying but I still cried when I got it - side note the UPS van left it with my neighbor and I freaked the hell out because I thought it was still with him but it was on my fireplace and no-one told me - now that's a story for the kids.

So there you have it, a post showing my love for an amazing series. Have you read any books by Sarah J. Maas? Comment below, TELL ME! Also no spoilers for QoS, I haven't started it because of last minute shopping for university, so please refrain yourself.

@CrazyBookLover_

@CrazyBookLover_

UPDATE - This post was written during the last days of my summer holidays, and still haven't read Queen of Shadows because work load for university is extreme. Hope to read it during the Christmas holidays.

UPDATE - WE HAVE A TITLE FOR BOOK 2!!!!! A Court of Mist and Fury. OH MY GOD gimme the book  now PLEASE. *dies of anticipation* Also I still haven't read Queen of Shadows, I know, I'm ashamed too. But in my defense I plan on reading it during summer so the gap between book 5 is shorter. I got this.

Happy Reading!!!

Top 15 Books of 2015

It's that time of the year again, where all readers around the world try and choose just their top 10 or top 15 books that they've read in that year. Sadly, I am one of them. It was extremely hard to choose between all the books I've this year, but sacrifices had to be made, so behold my top 15 books of 2015 in picture form. Why, you ask? Because pictures are lovely and it has nothing to with the fact I'm writing this post on the last day of 2015. Yup, totally not because of that. 

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These are the hardbacks that were chosen to be in my Top 15. I absolutely loved every one of them. The Long Way to A Small, Angry Planet was so different and a delight to read. And I just love them all and can't bring myself to talk about each book individually because it'll bring back all the FEELS.

@CrazyBookLover_

Thank-you Dean, for gracing us with your presence in this picture, you make everything so much better, LIKE HAVING TO CHOOSE ONLY 15 BOOKS. I'm sure you've all gathered I'm quite dramatic. Anywho, These are the spectacular remaining 11 books I chose. Each book was so amazing and unique. I visited quite a few kick-ass worlds. Also I need more Glass Sword.
I am currently reading Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence, sadly I won't be finishing that before 2016 rolls around. But so far it is amazing. 
Another thing, I'm sure you've all noticed that Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas are not on this list. That is because I haven't read them, yet. I was planning to read them both this Christmas Holidays but I really wanted to re-read the Grisha trilogy before reading Six of Crows and, well, Queen of Shadows is a big books and I wanted to enjoy it all also, I wanted to leave it till summer so there's a slightly less gap between next book release date. See, I have good reasons. 
So what are your top 15 books of 2015, comment below with links. I want to see, also If you comment anything lovely on this post *angel face*, I will have seen them but for some reason will not be able to reply back, I've tried but for some odd reason Blogger really isn't co-operating. I'm not ignoring you, blogger is being a little shit. 
P.S. I have an epic Giveaway running on my Twitter (see pinned Tweet), you can also enter through my Instagram. Enjoy.
Happy New Year to you all. Bring on 2016 and more epic books. 

Book Haul #3

ITS BOOK HAUL TIME. WOW I haven't done one of these in like forever. But in my defense I tend to upload picture hauls on my Twitter and Instagram. So go check them out and give me a follow for more bookish updates. 

Back on track. Since uni had started I didn't really buy many books, just the odd one here or there. But not loads of books consecutively after each other. But then the Christmas holidays happened and my bank card has been weeping since. I brought a helluva lot of books and now behold my Christmas haul in picture form. These are all books I brought myself and I'm just so in love with them.  

@CrazyBookLover_

The following books are one that I received from publishers, Glass Sword which I already read and you can see my reaction post of it here. And ACOTAR and Queen of Shadows I won. However I now have two copies of each so expect a giveaway of ACOTAR. Because I'm so kind I'll be giving Queen of Shadows to my sister who is also a book lover and hasn't got it yet but has the rest, she will also be reading Glass Sword soon, she is not ready for what is in store in that book. *deep breath*

@CrazyBookLover_

So there you have it my Christmas haul. I have an order coming hopefully today that has bookish related stuff and I shall be showing them on Twitter and Instagram. So be sure to keep an eye out because they are absolutely stunning. 

So what recent bookish purchases have you made? Let me know in the comments below. 

Happy Reading!!!

Book Reaction Post #7

Indeed, you thought right. It is another Reaction Post, with a slight twist. Instead of this being a generic reaction post where I share my reaction through GIFs of books I brought or won or received, it will be all about my emotion of course in GIF form, over a book I just finished. If you follow me on Twitter you may already know which one if not then you're in for one helluva surprise which you'll find out at the end of this post. With out further a do, behold the turmoil I faced while reading this book.

Me when I received said book and
pranced around the house with it. LITERALLY

Finally starting it after reading two other books
YAY

Me after reading the first line of the book
THAT GOOD I FELL 

After quite some time later, having composing myself after such breakdown. Shit got real

lets just say you'll be left like this too, majority of the book.
Mark my words

No comment bc FEEEEEEELS

This GIF sums up the book well but...

 A LONG LONG LONG TIME LATER...

ONLY 3 CHAPTERS LEFT. OH GOD NO NO NO

And then the inevitable happened...

THAT LAST LINE. THAT LAST CHAPTER
MY HEART

(DEAN UNDERSTANDS ME WELL)

May the following GIFs sum up my feels and emotions right now

and this

Well, I guess it's time to share the book that has me in a pit full of feels. It is none other than...

@CrazyBookLover_

That's right, this book... OH GOD this book was everything and that ending took me by surprise. I actually had to stop and breathe a few time - a lot of times - because some of the writing was just so amazing and hit me right in the feels. ARGHHHH. Review to come closer to release date. 

Hope you all enjoyed this slight different Reaction Post. Expect another post very soon, after all you all choose for everything. Stay tuned.

Peace!!!

My Christmas TBR Pile

It's nearly Christmas, and you know it's nearly Christmas when your holidays have started not by seeing the snow outside anymore. WHERE IS ALL THE SNOW?! But that's another dilemma. Today I have decided to attack, very literally, my TBR pile which is growing by the very second. Because of university I have only read one book my entire first semester, ONE. And that makes me sad bc I was hoping university wouldn't have that much of an impact but it did. However on a much happy note I did get a 1:1 on my first report which makes it all worthwhile. 

Back on track, my huge TBR. I have exactly 3 weeks of holidays, I know ya'll must be thinking; "Pssh you've got more than enough time to read". Well... No I don't. I just have a week because I have to fit in revision for 2 exams I have on the first week back of university, YAY. So, are you all ready to see my very ambitious TBR for a week....

Behold my TBR for my very short Christmas break

@CrazyBookLover_

Yes, that is my very ambitious TBR pile, which shockingly I am not afraid when I look at. I mean, during summer I did read over 10 books in one month. SO here's to hoping I have the same impact on this TBR.

The very lovely Elizabeth over at Headline was amazing to create the Chronicles Champions for this trilogy, and Dominion by John and Jennifer is the final in the trilogy. BOO. Not looking forward to this coming to an end but I need to know what happens. Fingers crossed for Dominion . Which is out in February so keep an eye out for a review. 

Those Below by Daniel Polansky is the epic conclusion to Those Above. It is a duology, which I have been dying to read and the amazing team over at Hodderscape were kind enough to give me a copy. So thank-you for this book and a Dodo key-ring. This also comes on in February. 

Prince of Thorns by Mark L. Lawrence has been on my TBR pile ever since I laid eyes on it when I was scrolling through Amazon and it was recommended to me. I brought this book just yesterday and Amazon is just awesome with fast delivery, so I will definitely be reading this badass book.

I will also be reading (hopefully) Legend by Marie Lu. I brought this trilogy off The Works for £10 and I cannot wait to read this book. It's quite small so hopefully I can fit in another cheeky book which is, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. This will actually be a reread because I hope to finish the Grisha trilogy so I can then go on to read Six of Crows which has the most amazing cover. OMG *deep breath*. I also got to meet Leigh which was the highlight of my year. And yes, I will tell this to everyone no matter how many times I have told them.

Hope you guys enjoyed this spontaneous post on my TBR. Do you see any you've read any or wish to read? Let me know in the comments below. Also it would mean the world to me if you check out my Instagram and give me a cheeky follow. Hope you all have a lovely Christmas and relaxing holiday with enough time to read.

---

UPDATE - I have finished Dominion and damn that book hit me right in the feels. Going to be writing up my review for it tomorrow because right now I can't handle looking at it. Review will be published closer to release date. 

ANOTHER UPDATE - I started my second book, Those Below and so far, I must say it has surprised me and has adapted much more from it's predecessor. Also I received Glass fricking Sword by Victoria Aveyard and OMG the cover is to die for. This is an ARC copy and my pre-order has been in place for a long while. Cannot wait to dive back in to this world after Those Below. 

@CrazyBookLover_

Happy Reading 

Book Reaction Post #6

I know, I know you must be wondering "why is Shazina not posting any Book Reaction post?" Or not but I'm still going to answer. It's because before university started I placed many book related orders and if it was still the holidays I would be tweeting about them, Instagraming, basically the whole nine yard but hey, who doesn't like to see someone's turmoil or fan-girling/fan-boying over bookish things. So because of University I haven't been actively blogging even though I have so many posts just waiting in draft format, I'm sorry. 

For those who do not know what this is, it's a GIF full post summing up my reaction to book post. Basically my emotions from placing an order/requesting an ARC/winning a giveaway to the anxious wait to finally having the book in my hand. Recently started doing these posts for merchandise too. 

In Book Reaction #4 I said at the very end I'll basically be doing a companion post to that one because of two orders that didn't come until now. So feast your eyes on my reaction to getting these epic things, which you'll discover at the very end of this journey. Also this post will include two non-bookish things, more like TV-show merchandises. (I really need to make a new banner for non-bookish related reaction post, alas today is not that day)

Me discovering I don't have any merch for this show
*dies of shame*

*surrenders*
I'm sorry. Oliver. Shit, I mean Green Arrow.
Oops, I can fix this...

6 hours later...

Trying to pick just 2 merchs from Amazon.
AMAZON THE KING OF MERCHS *collapses*

Finally finding the right ones, and placing my order

Let the waiting commence...

A long, long time later they came

They finally relented, I always win!!!

The moment you all have been waiting for - if you didn't guess already by the intense Supernatural GIF usage above they both are SPN related. If you didn't...

Winchesters did their job (and Arrow) hehe

The merchandise are...

@CrazyBookLover_

@CrazyBookLover_

Dean looking hella cute with his demon dagger, and again Dean looking hella cute in pillow form. I brought this pillow case off The Pillow Factor, which I recently discovered. I absolutely adore them both, next up it's time to buy Sammy. What? You really thought I'd keep the brothers apart *gasp* NEVER.

Hope you all enjoyed this Reaction Post as much as I enjoyed putting it together. I absolutely love digging for epic GIFs. If you liked the pictures I took check out my - recently started - Instagram. It will mean the world to me if you follow. 

Also, I placed one to many orders this week so stay tuned for more reaction post, some bookish, some merchandise and some I won. 

Happy Reading.

Review | Oblivion #1.5 by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Summary

I knew the moment Katy Swartz moved in next door, there was going to be trouble. Lots of it.

And trouble's the last thing I need, since I'm not exactly from around here. My people arrived on Earth from Lux, a planet thirteen billion light years away. Plus, if there's one thing I know, it's that humans can't be trusted. We scare them. We can do things they only dream about, and honestly, we make them look weak as hell. 'Cuz they are.

But Kat is getting to me in ways no one else has,, and I can't stop myself from wanting her- or wanting to use my powers to protect her. She makes me weak, and I'm the strongest of out kind, tasked with protecting us all. So this one simple girl...she can mean the end for us. Because the Luxen have an even bigger bigger enemy - the arum, and I need to stay on my game.

Falling for Katy - a human - won't just place her in danger. It could get us all killed, and that's one thing I'll never let happen. 

Review

One thing I absolutely love about writing reviews is being able to relive the book from you own point of view. Since University has started *BOO* I haven't been able to pick up a book and simply enjoy it. When I saw on Bookbridgr that Oblivion, written in DAEMON BLACKS POV was available, I couldn't help myself. All thoughts of revision and priorities became foreign to me. I devoured this book in under 2 days, roughly six hours and loved every second of it.

What I love about Jennifer is her unique writing skills, I love the Covenant series, that's me saying that only after reading the first book. And the LUX series easily became part of my favourite series. I love how different they are, having two worlds for me to lose myself into. also I am #TEAMAIDEN and #TEAMDAEMON! (Completely off topic, but how would it go down If Alex and Aiden met Daemon and Katy... basically epicness overload).  Anyway though I so badly wanted to read Oblivion, I also had this nagging, annoying  doubt in the back of my head that Oblivion would be too similar to Obsidian. I know, ya'll must be thinking; 'They're the same book?' I know, but a different POV changes everything. And Oblivion didn't fail to prove that tiny annoying doubt WRONG! What I loved was being able to easily lose myself (In Daemon) into the novel and not compare, scouts honour no comparisons needed. Daemon POV was enlightening and hilarious. 

Reading over my review for Obsidian and seeing how I saw Daemon then... Oops delete, delete, delete. *Sorry your judginess is forever saved* SHIT! Basically, complete different Daemon, still cocky and beautiful but not intentionally a dickhead. And it pained me to see him go through that. Again, loved Katy; epic book vlogger/blogger. Queen of sass. And seeing what Daemon really thought about her was nice to read. Beside the constant and I mean constant reference to her "assets", we see why Daemon really fell for Katy. Seeing how the whole spaghetti incident went down was equally epic as the first time. That scene has a special place in my heart.

Jennifer L. Armentrout, I would like to thank you on behalf of all the Daemon fans out there, for blessing us with this novel. Fellow readers; you will not be disappointed, you will fall in love with Daemon again. And at the end, when the last page has been read, just like me you will be wishing... That Katy just reads Oblivion and Daemon - for once - reads Obsidian. No need for challenges. Get it together, guys. 

Yours sincerely, the Daemon fandom.

I should totally run for president for this fandom. *VOTE FOR ME*

Oblivion #1.5 - Jennifer L. Armentrout 4.5 Stars

If my review is not enough for you, I have a giveaway running on my Twitter. One lucky winner will win a copy of Oblivion. *bows* You're welcome.

RT & FOLLOW to win a copy of Oblivion (a lux novel) by @JLArmentrout. EVERYONE NEEDS DAEMON BLACK. UK ONLY (sorry guys). ENDS 7/12 #RT 📚❤️

— The Book Chapter (@CrazyBookLover_) November 20, 2015

Also my very good friend, Alisha, has written an epic review of Oblivion over on her blog at Reality's A Bore, enjoy.