Review: Soundless by Richelle Mead

Title: Soundless
Author: Richelle Mead
Publication: November 12th 2015 by Puffin
Genre: Young Adult ~ Fantasy
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Play | Kobo
Rating: 4/5

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village. Her people are at the mercy of a mysterious faraway kingdom, which delivers food in return for precious metals mined from the treacherous cliffs surrounding them.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, their rations shrink and many go hungry. Fei's home, the boy she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

Then Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon . . .

Perfect for readers of THE HUNGER GAMES, this epic fantasy from the international bestselling author of VAMPIRE ACADEMY will have you instantly hooked and on the edge of your seats.

I know a lot of people disliked Soundless but I ended up really liking it, which was a huge surprise to me. I thought this was just such a unique story and Fei was a great heroine, in my opinion. It's definitely another favorite book of mine now by Richelle Mead.

This wasn't a very long book but I didn't feel like it took away much from the world and character building. I also thought the writing was really good and the setting was just beautiful. And like I said I thought Fei was a great heroine. I loved her protectiveness to her sister and how she was willing to do anything for her, even go down the mountain.

I also loved the unique story about a village where everyone can't hear and where some people even are starting to lose their vision. I just wanted to know what caused this and how Fei fit into it all, once she suddenly started getting her hearing back.

The romance was also really well done. I loved that Fei and Li Wei had some history together, which always is a plus. I was really rooting for them. 

I really wouldn't mind more books in this world because I just loved it. It doesn't have to be necessarily about Fei, although I wouldn't mind that. There's so much more potential with this world.

       About the Author:

       Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Richelle Mead has written over twenty-five novels for teens and adults. She is the author of the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series and its spinoff series, Bloodlines. Her recent standalone novel, Soundless, draws upon Chinese mythology and history, and her forthcoming series, The Glittering Court, follows the adventures of girls destined for arranged marriages in a fantasy world inspired by colonial America. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pajamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is hard at work on her next novel.

Release Day Blitz: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead + Excerpt & Giveaway (US Only)

I am so excited that THE GLITTERING COURT by Richelle Mead releases today and that I get to share the news, along with a special giveaway!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Richelle Mead, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a signed copy of the book and a $25 Sephora Gift Card courtesy of Richelle, Penguin Teen, and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

About The Book:

Title: THE GLITTERING COURT

Author: Richelle Mead

Pub. Date: April 5, 2016

Publisher: Razorbill

Format: Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook

Find it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads

The Selection meets Reign in this dazzling trilogy of interwoven novels about three girls on a quest for freedom and true love from #1 internationally bestselling author Richelle Mead.

"Brilliant and original, Mead’s new series starts off with a bang and will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end."

—School Library Journal

For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.

After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself—even though she’s falling in love with him. 

Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide’s ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn’t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else's property. But nothing is as daunting—or as wonderful—as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths.

Exclusive Excerpt:

About Richelle:

Richelle Mead has written over twenty-five novels for teens and adults. She is the author of the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series and its spinoff series, Bloodlines. Her recent standalone novel, Soundless, draws upon Chinese mythology and history, and her forthcoming series, The Glittering Court, follows the adventures of girls destined for arranged marriages in a fantasy world inspired by colonial America. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pajamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is hard at work on her next novel.

Website| Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a hardcover of THE GLITTERING COURT & a $25 Sephora Gift Card. US Only.

Ends on April 15th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting On Wednesday: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

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The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead
The Glittering Court #1
April 12th 2016 by Razorbill

 

A dazzling new fantasy series set in a mix of Elizabethan and frontier worlds that’s dripping with romance from Richelle Mead, #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy.
Big and sweeping, spanning the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies capable of arranging powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together, they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first, as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and later, when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.

But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands...

New series by Richelle Mead = insta-buy ♥

What's your WOW pick of the week?

Leave me a link to your post so I can stop by!

Waiting On Wednesday: Soundless by Richelle Mead

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

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Soundless by Richelle Mead
November 10th 2015 by Razorbill

 

From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore.

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever...

So a new Richelle Mead book coming out soon... *squeee*

I really hope this will be amazing, especially the Chinese folklore part. ♥

What's your WOW pick of the week?

Leave me a link to your post so I can stop by!

Review: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

Title: The Ruby Circle
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #6
Publication: February 10th 2015 by Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult ~ Paranormal
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

 

The epic conclusion to Richelle Mead's New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series is finally here...

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.

After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world.

The Ruby Circle was a amazing conclusion to a series that has meant a lot to me. For the last four years I was lucky enough to read books in this world and now that it has all ended I feel both glad and sad to have been on this journey. I'll miss these characters a lot - especially Adrian - but the ending couldn't have been more perfect. 

As always I enjoyed reading about both Sydney and Adrian a lot. People who know me even a little bit know how much I love Adrian. These past years he's been my favorite character and I can only applaud Richelle Mead for writing him and been able to see him grow and change (for the better) as a character, especially in the Bloodlines series. I'm pretty sure that everyone who's read both Vampire Academy and Bloodlines can agree that the Adrian we met in Frostbite (vampire academy #2) isn't the same guy that we've come to know through the Bloodlines series. And that's pretty remarkable. 

But anyway, on to The Ruby Circle. I obviously loved it. Quite a few things got resolved and some unexpected twists (read the book and you'll know what I'm talking about) honestly freaked me out (in the best way!). I love Sydney and Adrian's relationship but right from the start it's very clear they have some issues that are unresolved. They both have flaws but they trust each other completely and they're both equally fierce in wanting to protect one another. I love them. 

As it was the last Bloodlines book a lot familiar characters made an appearance. Rose and Dimitri were a pretty big part of the book. I always enjoy reading about them and knowing what's going on with them. Let's just say that I'm pleased with where their life is taking them with what I read at the ending. Of course other familiar people were in it, but I won't bore you with naming them all. 

I also really liked the action, there was a lot of it in the book. Both Sydney and Adrian are pretty badass in their own way. Sydney with her magic and Adrian with his spirit magic (although I hated seeing what it did to his sanity). They might've not have a lot of time for romance but the moments they could steal together were intense, sweet and just absolute. The Center Will Hold!

As far as series endings go, The Ruby Circle is one of my favorites. I managed only just not to cry, but I was very emotional reading those last few pages. Of course I wish there would be more books coming or another spin-off but I think the ending that Richelle Mead created is good as it is and I'm okay with it being the end. All I can do now is maybe re-read the books and fall in love with these characters all over.

       About the Author:

       Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time. Before becoming a writer, she considered a few different career paths. She received a liberal arts degree from the University of Michigan, an MA in Comparative Religion from Western Michigan University, and a Master in Teaching (Middle & High School English) degree from the University of Washington. In the end, she decided writing was the way for her but believes all of her education prepared her for it.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When not writing,, she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. Lots of dresses. She is a self-professed coffee addict, fights a constant (and losing) battle with procrastination, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.

Her adult series are published by Kensington Books. The Georgina Kincaid Series (Succubus Blues, Succubus on Top, Succubus Dreams, and Succubus Heat) tell the humorous and heart-breaking story of a reluctant succubus who can't touch the man she loves without dire side effects. On top of that, she must deal with Hell's middle management team and the many supernatural threats that come her way. Richelle's Dark Swan Series (Storm Born and Thorn Queen) follows Eugenie Markham, a free-lance shaman who battles ghosts and fey that sneak into our world from the Otherworld. When an alarming prophecy suddenly makes her every Otherworldly creature's object of desire, Eugenie must dodge their advances while also fighting a dark power rising within her.

Richelle's YA series, Vampire Academy, is published by Razorbill Books (Penguin) and thus far contains Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, and Spirit Bound. This New York Times and USA Today bestselling series has won honors from the American Library Association and been translated into 30 languages. It follows the war between two races of vampires, living and undead. Rose Hathaway, a 17-year old half-vampire, is training to be a bodyguard for the living vampires and finds her life complicated by the dangers that involves, as well as an illicit romance with one of her teachers.

Review: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Title: Silver Shadows
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #5
Publication: July 29th 2014 by Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult ~ Paranormal
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bloodlines | Kobo
Cover Rating: 2/5 (Just no...)
Overall Rating: 5/5

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 Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

As a Bloodlines and Adrian Ivashkov fangirl, I have a lot to say about Silver Shadows but I'll try to keep it short. Obviously I loved it. A book with Adrian Ivashkov has to be really bad for me not to love it and Richelle Mead is oh so good at what she does. Honestly, I hadn't seen half of the things that happened coming at all and I must say I was pleasantly surprised by it.

I can probably speak for everyone who read the previous book, The Fiery Heart, that the ending shocked us all. At least it definitely shocked me. I wasn't sure where the next book was going to go and I was genuinely scared for both Sydney and Adrian. This, by the way, was a constant state while reading, I must admit. And this book was definitely more different than the others. Which was not a bad thing at all!

A lot happened, both in Sydney as Adrian's world. Sydney being captured by the other Alchemists and thrown in re-education, her live was pretty miserable and dark. I can only applaud her for being so strong, especially when she was being tortured. She really is a strong person and I don't think enough people give her credit for that. She also never stopped trying to help the others who were with her in the re-education centre. And she was really badass in this book with her magical powers. Gotta love Sydney!

And Adrian? As always he was awesome to read about. He was a bit more serious in this book, considering that he couldn't find a way to contact Sydney, not even in her dreams. There were moments where I just wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be okay and other times that I wanted to slap the hell out of him. Also he showed some powers I didn't know he had and yes he was, just like Sydney, badass with them. Gods, I love him. Aside from having Sydney being taken away from his he had also other problems. I'm not going to go into them for the sake of spoilers... but wow!

I can't say much about the others like Jill, Eddie, Trey, Angeline, etc... because they weren't in it much. But when they were, they were great as always. Also, Rose, Dimitri and Lissa showed up. That always gives me nostalgic feelings. Lissa kinda pissed me off, though. 

I have to mention that towards the end, there was a lot happening. And when I say a lot, I really mean A LOT. It was sort of like epic escape scenes that you see in action movies. Pretty awesome, yeah. And something happened that I hadn't seen coming at all. Never in my life I would've dreamed that would happen. NEVER. And the ending was pretty cliffhanger-ish, too so it kind of makes me nervous for the next book.

Silver Shadows was a heartstopping, romantic and full of action book. I didn't think Richelle Mead could surprise me more than she already did with this series, but she did it again. It makes me both want the next and final book, The Ruby Circle and not want it because it'll be the very last book and I'm so not ready for this fantastic series to end. I want more Adrian Ivashkov, always!

Favorite Quotes:

“What is it with you and girls, Adrian, dear? Why do they either mean nothing to you or everything? It's always an extreme."
"Because I don't do things in halves, mom. Especially when it comes to love.”

“I know what love is, Mom. I’ve had love that burns in every fiber of my being, that drives me to be a better person and empowers me through each moment of the day. If you’d ever had something like that, you’d hold on to it with every bit of strength you had.”

“Are you in a suit?” I managed at last, my voice chocking up. “You didn’t have to dress up for me.”
“Quiet, Sage,” he said. “I’ll make the hilarious one-liners during this daring rescue.”

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time. Before becoming a writer, she considered a few different career paths. She received a liberal arts degree from the University of Michigan, an MA in Comparative Religion from Western Michigan University, and a Master in Teaching (Middle & High School English) degree from the University of Washington. In the end, she decided writing was the way for her but believes all of her education prepared her for it.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When not writing,, she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. Lots of dresses. She is a self-professed coffee addict, fights a constant (and losing) battle with procrastination, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.

Re-readathon: Frostbite by Richelle Mead ~ Chapter 21-23

To keep up with our goal of re-reading more of our favorite books and re-discover them we created this challenge to help accomplish that goal. We will read five chapters each week with a blog post every sunday. 

Co-hosted by Christina @ Booksane and me!

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Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) by Richelle Mead

Paperback, 328 pages

Published September 1st 2009 by Razorbill

It’s winter break at St Vladimir’s, and a massive Strigoi vampire attack has put the school on high alert. This year’s trip away from the academy to the wintery peaks of Idaho has suddenly become mandatory.

But Rose’s troubles seem to follow her wherever she goes—dealing with the pain of knowing that her relationship with her tutor Dimitri can never be, things get even more complicated when one her closest friends admits his feelings for her.

The glittering winter landscape may create the illusion of safety but Rose—and her heart—are in more danger than she ever could have imagined...

Chapter 21-23

| As always beware for the spoilers if you haven't read the book yet. |

Chapter 21:

Eventually Rose and the others manage to get out (thanks to Christian's awesome fire power) and up in the house they're being held. Everyone except Rose gets out, but then Mason returns and, well, gets killed. Shock!

Chapter 22:

Mason's death shocks Rose a lot but it gets her to go into action and kill the bastards. After that the real shock starts kicking in and she eventually falls apart in her mothers arms. 

Chapter 23:

In this chapter, Rose gets her Molnija marks for killing the strigoi and feels like in the end it wasn't at all what she had pictured with Mason being dead and all. Not a whole lot more happens except for the end with Dimitri. She talks to him and he tells her he isn't going away with Tasha because he doesn't have feelings for her that way and because he has feelings for her. Then they kiss. Pretty sweet. 

Any thoughts on these chapters and post?

Let me know!