Brad About Books: Altered by Gennifer Albin

Read on June 10, 2013

ALTERED

Expected Publication Date: October 29, 2013

Publisher: FSG (Macmillan)

Format: ARC

Page Count: 400 pages

Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Series: Crewel World, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, Crewel.

Altered is dazzling, epic sequel that had me in moments of suspense and others loving to explore this new exotic world with Adelice. Gennifer Albin nailed it with this sequel.

After the mind-blowing ending of Crewel, the circumstances have changed, and everything is deceptive and dangerous. Albin does a fantastic job at building upon this new world and developing the characters even further. It's so interesting to see how much things have changed since Crewel - Altered brings forth a world that will shock you, shake you, and have you in its clutches. This is easily one of the best sequels I've ever read. It plays upon the already built arc of a story, while adding new key elements that were brilliant. I love everything about this series, and you should too. It's absolutely fantastic.

The characters are truly one of a kind. Adelice starts off a bit naïve in the first book, but now that everything has changed, she's fierce and strong, and she knows what she wants from the world. Albin took her character development to a whole new level in Altered; it proves that Adelice is one of the best protagonists out there in YA. Loyal, determined, and a gem of a protagonist, Adelice is stunning. But only does Adelice evolve and morph in Altered; Jost and Erik evolve as well. They become awesome heroes who would do anything to protect Adelice, and I really appreciated Albin's way of progressing their relationships with Adelice. Altered is a phenomenal sequel that's not just unique, it's addictive. 

That ending! Woah! Gennifer Albin is a master of plot twists, and there are so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Altered will wrap itself around your mind, and you won't be able to put this novel down. Mind-bending, mind-blowing, and 100% consuming, Altered is an incredible addition to this masterpiece of a series. I need the third book like crazy!

Overall, Altered is marvelous sequel that had me on the edge the entire time, and I loved every second of it.

M Y    R A T I N G

Fantastic Five {JUNE}

Welcome to my Fantastic Five post for June, in which I tell you the top five best books I read in June 2013! This was so hard, because I read 65 books in the month of June! 

Read on June 10, 2013

5. Altered (Crewel World, #2) - Gennifer Albin

*Cover not final*

THIS. BOOK. What an electric and fantastic sequel! The sophomore slump passed right over Gennifer Albin's head, because this one was just so incredible. The characters! The pacing! The plot! I can't even - wow. If you loved Crewel, Altered is going to rock your world.

Read on June 24, 2013

4. Throne of Glass (Throne, #1) - Sarah J. Maas

If you know me at all, you know that I adore high fantasy - I love those books to pieces. And Throne of Glass has easily become one of my favorite high fantasy books... ever. It's just so, so, so amazing. The world-building is brilliant and unique, the characters are stunning, and this entire novel is pure gold. Absolutely phenomenal.

Read on June 17, 2013

3. 3:59 - Gretchen McNeil

I love all of McNeil's books, and 3:59 has became my favorite of hers! You will never find a book like this one - it's fresh, original, and in every way imaginable and possible, fantastic. She balanced out the realistic and fantasy sides of 3:59 so well. I could go on for hours on end about how much I love this book! If you're looking for a book that will send chills down your spine and keep you up all night, 3:59 is the book for you!

Read from June 20 to 21, 2013

2. Elegy (Watersong, #4) - Amanda Hocking

Again, if you know me at all, you know that Amanda Hocking is one of my favorite authors of all-time. The Watersong series is my favorite of hers, and Elegy is such an explosive, dynamic, and absolutely brilliant ending! I couldn't have asked for a better ending! All loose ends were tied up, and everything started to come together and make sense. Wow. This series is such a fantastic series, and this is one of the best conclusions to a series I've ever read!

AND MY #1 BOOK OF JUNE 2013 IS...

Read from June 29 to 30, 2013

1. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown - Holly Black

I just... woah, I mean... I'm speechless. I really enjoyed Black's Curse Workers trilogy, but WOW The Coldest Girl in Coldtown absolutely blew me away! This is easily the best vampire story I've ever read. The monsters are terrifying and frightening, the setting is chilling and cold (hah! pun!) to the core, and the writing is gorgeous. Make sure that you have The Coldest Girl in Coldtown on your radar. You won't regret it!

What were some of your favorite reads for June 2013?

Brad About Books: Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Read on April 21, 2013

CREWEL

Published: October 16, 2012

Publisher: FSG (Macmillan)

Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 368 pages

Source: Amazon.com

Series: Crewel World, #1

Enter a tangled world of secrets and intrigue where a girl is in charge of other’s destinies, but not her own.

 Sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has always been special. When her parents discover her gift—the ability to weave the very fabric of reality—they train her to hide it. For good reason, they don’t want her to become a Spinster — one of the elite, beautiful, and deadly women who determine what people eat, where they live, how many children they have, and even when they die. Thrust into the opulent Western Coventry, Adelice will be tried, tested and tempted as she navigates the deadly politics at play behind its walls.  Now caught in a web of lies and forbidden romance, she must unravel the sinister truth behind her own unspeakable power.  Her world is hanging by a thread, and Adelice, alone, can decide to save it — or destroy it.

What a tangled world she weaves.

Stunning! Crewel blew my mind in every single way possible. One of my new favorite books!

The plot... oh my gosh, the plot of Crewel is fantastic. I have never read a book like this before, and wow, it was so good. A world where people can weave time? Yes please. There's one scene I remember so vividly from Crewel where it is described what time feels like and how to spin it - it literally gave me chills. It was haunting and beautiful, to say the least. I would love it if Crewel were made into a movie one day, because I so want to see time being spun! 

Adelice is such a unique protagonist. I liked her because she's not perfect, but she's thrust into a strange and dark world. I absolutely adored her character growth. She develops so much throughout the book, and it's incredible! But she wasn't the only great character. Erik and Jost were just as great. They were so kind and great to Adelice, and I honestly couldn't decipher who she would choose! And I love it when a book can shock me.

And there are tons are parts where I was shocked. Stunned, even. This book is so chilling; the atmosphere surrounding it emerged me into this evil, twisted and gorgeous world of the Guild, and wow, I never wanted to leave. To be honest, I have no idea what else to say besides "this book is amazing". I am truly, truly speechless. If you haven't picked up Crewel, do yourself a favor and read this masterpiece. It's become one of my new favorites of all time!

Overall, Crewel... oh man, Crewel was phenomenal. Luminous and worthy of all the hype surrounding, Crewel is a debut that shines out. It's brilliant! I am so excited for Altered!

M Y   R A T I N G