Review: Three Dark Crowns

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) 
by Kendare Blake
Kindle Edition, 416 pages 
Published September 20th 2016 
by HarperTeen 
Goodreads | Amazon| B & N | TBD

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions. 

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown. 

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest. 

This book is absolutely phenomenal! I was not expecting how awesome it would be since I was so disappointed with Kendare Blake's previous Goddess War series and didn't even finish the first book; Antigoddess. I would have love it even more if the instant romances are left out altogether but in the end it is essential in building the animosity and intense rivalries between the three sisters.

And yes, the characters and wonderful world building seriously drew me in and I love how different and determined the sisters are in winning the crown. More background history on why the crown must be won by only one queen and can't be shared would be nice. And it's a bit curious why previous queens have to leave the island once they bear children.

As the three Houses competed and schemed their way to the crown, I can't help but sense that the three girls are just pawns to the ruthless people. Seriously, for most part of the book the eldest sister; Mirabella certainly had the upper hand since her elemental powers have manifested early on but that ending came out of nowhere. I love...love..love how the underdog and truly lovable Arsinoe came out top in the end. Can't wait for the next book and hoping for more serious battle among these girls.

Waiting on Wednesday #83: Strange the Dreamer

Waiting on Wednesday is a wonderful meme created by Jill from Breaking the Spine where we highlighted an upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.


Strange the Dreamer
by Laini Taylor
March 28th 2017 
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Goodreads | 

Strange the Dreamer is the story of: 
the aftermath of a war between gods and men 
a mysterious city stripped of its name 
a mythic hero with blood on his hands 
a young librarian with a singular dream 
a girl every bit as perilous as she is imperiled
alchemy and blood candy, nightmares and godspawn, 
moths and monsters, friendship and treachery, 
love and carnage. 

 Welcome to Weep.

If this is another continuation of the fabulous Daughter of Smoke and Bone series then I'm definitely in! Even the blurb sounds so mysterious and enticing. I'm just wondering what is Weep actually? Is it a place or a period of time?

Review: Ash & Bramble

Ash & Bramble
by Sarah Prineas 
ebook, 464 pages 
Published September 15th 2015 
by HarperTeen
ARC from Edelweiss
Goodreads | 

The tale of Cinderella has been retold countless times. But what you know is not the true story. Sarah Prineas’s bold fairy-tale retelling is a dark and captivating world where swords are more fitting than slippers, young shoemakers are just as striking as princes, and a heroine is more than ready to rescue herself before the clock strikes midnight. 

Pin has no recollection of who she is or how she got to the Godmother’s fortress. She only knows that she is a Seamstress, working day in and out to make ball gowns fit for fairy tales. But she longs to forsake her backbreaking servitude and dares to escape with the brave young Shoemaker. 

Pin isn’t free for long before she’s captured again and forced to live the new life the Godmother chooses for her—a fairy-tale story, complete with a charming prince—instead of finding her own happily ever after. 

When the glass slipper just doesn’t fit . . .

I had really high hopes for this one but ultimately I think the blurb is a bit deceiving. Let me get this straight. This is not only a retelling of Cinderella but a new twist to fairy tales where the Godmother is evil and trying to control all the fairy tale folks including the ending to all of their stories. So you'll get a glimpse of The Elves and the Shoemaker, Rapunzel, the huntsman from Snow White and lots more.That new twist is interesting although it reminded me a bit of Soman Chainani's The School for Good and Evil series which is better, more exciting and has a colourful cast of characters that I really adore. Ash & Bramble sadly, lacks that excitement and magic that I was looking for. The combination of disjointed chapters with multiple POVs, a bland female character who is clueless most of the time and that awkward world building just didn't work for me. 

A lot of the questions are not even addressed in the end. For example, what is the motive behind the Godmother's crazy manipulations of the Story? And who Cinderella/Pin really is? Normally. I'm a big fan of fairy tale retellings but this just left me confused.

Review: Mirrored

Mirrored by Alex Flinn 
ebook, 384 pages 
Published September 15th 2015
by HarperTeen
ARC from Edelweiss

Goodreads | Amazon| 

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Alex Flinn's modern and mysterious retelling of Snow White, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and true love doesn't necessarily mean Prince Charming.

Celine's life is the stuff fairy tales are made of. She's beautiful, talented, and brave. Unfortunately, her tale comes complete with a wicked stepmother! When Violet steps into Celine's life, everything changes and weird things begin to happen to her—bizarre accidents, strange illnesses, and rabid animal attacks. Celine doesn't feel safe anywhere. It's almost as if some hateful witch is out to get her.

And there is. Violet has been waiting all her life to have Celine's father to herself. Getting rid of his gorgeous daughter is child's play for a witch as powerful as she is. Happy-ever-after isn't enough for Violet. She wants to be the fairest of them all, and Celine is in the way . . . but not for long.

Forced to take refuge with her friend Goose and his family, Celine gives up everything she loves and goes deep undercover. But will it be enough to fool Violet, or will Celine's fate be decided by a reflection in a magic mirror? And where do you find Prince Charming in Miami anyway?

Mirrored is a modern retelling of Snow White—told from the points of view of Violet, Celine, and Goose—with all the magic and mystery readers will love. 

I was so glad that Mirrored was less dark, depressing and confusing compared to Alex Flinn's previous work; Towering. I kind of enjoyed Alex modern day adaptations with its light and breezy tone although the earlier chapters which are told from Violet's POV were really kind of sad. It gives an insight on how the 'evil witch'/stepmother of our 'Snow White' Celine came to be. And I guess readers can't help but feel so sorry for Violet in her childhood years and all those loneliness, sorrow and grudge really shape her into becoming a cruel and vindictive adult.

But honestly the highlight of this book is certainly Kendra. I love how funny and mysterious she can be. And those who have read Bewitching before can expect some witty lines courtesy of our favourite witch. And that happy ending is certainly one you did not expect. The funny twist at the end with the 'dwarf' and the so called 'prince charming' might just seemed unbelievable to some but it rather works for me. I'm really looking forward to more magical mishief with Kendra and hope that the next book also feature this beloved character.

Review: China Rich Girlfriend

China Rich Girlfriend

by Kevin Kwan
Published May 31st 2016
by Anchor
Goodreads | Amazon| B & N | TBD

It’s the eve of Rachel Chu’s wedding, and she should be over the moon. She has a flawless Asscher-cut diamond, a wedding dress she loves, and a fiancé willing to thwart his meddling relatives and give up one of the biggest fortunes in Asia in order to marry her. Still, Rachel mourns the fact that her birthfather, a man she never knew, won’t be there to walk her down the aisle. Then a chance accident reveals his identity. Suddenly, Rachel is drawn into a dizzying world of Shanghai splendor, a world where people attend church in a penthouse, where exotic cars race down the boulevard, and where people aren’t just crazy rich … they’re China rich. 

This one really hit too close to home and a gentle reminder of the absurd extravagance and atrocious behavior of the fuerdai that is currently common in China. I'm Asian and I have to admit there is certainly a difference between Mainlainders and overseas Chinese. This book illustrated it perfectly with such irresistable humor and wit. I know Westerners might be overwhelmed by the unbelievable antics by the characters but in real life such people does exist in Asia. 

Readers of Kwan's first book might be all too familiar with some of the characters but those who did not will certainly need some time to get familiarised with the style of writing and numerous cast of characters. This second book from Kwan still feature Cinderella - Rachel Chu from the previous book who is about to marry his billionaire boyfriend Nick. But a funny twist of fate sends Rachel spiralling into the wacky opulent world of China most affluent set. These are really some crazy rich Chinese with money to burn who put a koi pond in their private Boeing. Imagine that! I'm curious on how the writer can name drop so many luxurious brand in one sentence without breaking a sweat and gets away by mentioning some familiar real life Asian billionaires albeit with minor change (of course).

The title is especially baffling because there's a whole host of new characters it could refer to; such as Kitty Pong who married into a fortune (the wannabe) and Collette; the amazing but erratic heiress (the OCD fuerdai). And as our dear Rachel found out, there's a price to pay when you get too close to these filthy rich people.

I don't want to spoil the fun but seriously go and read this to find out more about Asia and Asians these days. I know it's shallow and seemed presposterous at some point but it's sinfully addictive and a great fun read.

Waiting on Wednesday #82: Beheld

Waiting on Wednesday is a wonderful meme created by Jill from Breaking the Spine where we highlighted an upcoming release that we're eagerly anticipating.


Beheld by Alex Flinn
Published by HarperTeen
ebook, 368 pages 
Expected publication: January 10th 2017

Goodreads | Amazon| B & N | TBD

Being a powerful witch, Kendra has survived it all. Since she first beheld James over three hundred years ago, Kendra has tangled with witch hunters and wolves, helped a miller’s daughter spin straw into gold, cowered in London as German bombs fell, and lived through who knows how many shipwrecks. But her powers have limits, and immortality can be lonely. Kendra isn’t ready to stop searching for the warlock she had met centuries ago. 
With the help of her magic mirror, Kendra will travel the world to reconnect with her lost love—and, of course, she can’t help but play a hand in a few more stories along the way. 
Featuring retellings of favorite fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, and The Ugly Duckling, Alex Flinn’s latest young adult novel, Beheld, is fresh fairy-tale fun from beginning to end.

Alex Flinn is back people! Kendra is certainly my favourite character created by the author and I can't wait to sink my teeth into another fairy tale with her as the star. Mirrored, the last fare from Alex Flinn is a bit dark in my opinion. So I'm wishing that this will be able to capture the humour in Bewitching where Kendra is first introduced. 

We'll be right back..

Oh my..this post is long overdue..I can't believe we still have followers! We're sorry it took us so long to put up any post since both of us had babies last year. So between all that nappy changing, breastfeeding, reading books just is not a top priority for us.

Thankfully now that our babies have grown up a bit we can continue on our reading journey. So fret not my friends..we'll be back. Sooonn!