Top 5 Wednesday: Top 5 Hidden Gems In Your Favorite Genre

It's time for another Top 5 Wednesday!! This week's topic is the Top 5 Hidden Gems In Your Favorite Genre. My list doesn't all live in one genre, but they are my favorite hidden gems. Some have more attention than others, but I feel that all five on my list need more love. Without further ado, here are my Top 5 Hidden Gems:

 

  

-- Altered (#1) by Jennifer Rush -- I've gushed about this series a lot, and I plan to gush more. If you like a good action book, this is it!! It's really fast paced, there are tons of secrets, and it's just really good. Plus, there are four very attractive, genetically altered heroes!! Go Read It!

-- Hemlock (#1) by Kathleen Peacock -- I feel like I never hear anybody talk about this series, but it's so good! It might sound like just another paranormal romance series, but it's so much more than that. There's a lot going on, a lot of darkness. It's such a good series. The whole thing had me on the edge of my seat. It has stuck with me. I need to know when Kathleen Peacock is going to write more books.

-- The Madman's Daughter (#1) by Megan Shepherd -- I really like Megan Shepherd. I've read almost all her books (which is only 7 so far, so I guess that claim is not that impressive, I mean, it's impressive that Megan Shepherd has written 7 awesome books! But not so impressive that I've read 6 of them). This series is dark and oh sooooo good. I really enjoyed it when I read it and I think you should read it too!

-- The First Days (#1) by Rhiannon Frater -- If you like zombies, read this! I still need to read the last book. The first two were awesome! Read it!

-- House of Ash by Hope Cook -- I feel like this one is truly a hidden gem. I loved this when I read it. It was dark, exciting, and just a good time to read. It's a shame that this doesn't have more love. Go Read It Now!!

So that's my Top 5 Wednesday: Top 5 Hidden Gems. I hope you go check out all the books I've mentioned, because obviously, they are all awesome. If you want to join in on the Top 5 Wednesday fun, you totally should! Each Wednesday is a fun, new topic to think and talk about. Check out all the other Top 5 Wednesday-ers HERE!

Review: The Secret History of Twin Peaks (#1) by Mark Frost

Title: The Secret History of Twin Peaks (#1)

Author: Mark Frost

Published by: Flatiron Books

Released: 2016

Source: Library

Summary: A secret dossier found in an unusual chest. The Dossier covers many things, but the one interconnecting thread is Twin Peaks, Washington. Twin Peaks seems to be plagued by strange occurrences, colorful characters, and a crime that rocked the town.

The Dossier has been compiled by someone calling themself the Archivist. Agent T.P. has been tasked with discovering the identity of the Archivist, and that means reading through this Dossier of strangeness.

Starting with the Lewis and Clarke expedition and continuing on to the present. Strange events seem to happen in Twin Peaks, but why?

My Thoughts: This was a lot of fun to read. I knew I had to pick this book up as soon as I flipped through it. The way it was put together, the format, called to me. It's told as a cache of secret documents, with classified intelligence papers, pictures, a mysterious Archivist, and so many questions.

Twin Peaks, the show, had never really been on my radar. I didn't even know about the show until I looked a little more into this book. I did start watching the show while I was reading this book. I only finished the First Season of the show by the time I finished this book. I'd read reviews, and was aware that there were spoilers for the show in this book. I was so excited to read the book, that I didn't really care about the spoilers. But, Be Warned! There are SPOILERS!! They come in the last couple chapters of the book. I mean, the show did last air in the 1990's, so you could really encounter those spoilers anywhere.

One aspect that I'm loving about the show is the quirky, weird humor it has to it. The book didn't capture that humor, which I kind of missed. The book had a pretty serious tone throughout the whole thing.

This book is also a Conspiracy Theorists Dream! I would read something, be like, that never happened, look it up, and certain facts would be true!! Now, I know this is a fiction book, and it would be stupid for me to take things as fact in it, but, Conspiracy Theories can be fun! And this had so many about suspicious deaths (or are they??), alien cover up conspiracies, secret government programs, and just all kinds of things that make you question everything! I imagine this book took a good chunk of time to write, with a lot of research, unless he already had all those conspiracies floating around in his head. I feel like I learned a lot of obscure knowledge, and I enjoyed it!

I did get a little bogged down during the UFO section. The incidents kind of ran together, and peoples' names got jumbled in my mind. It was a little dense, and slowed me down.

This book was a lot of fun. I loved the journey and experience of reading it. The format was so cool! I never got bored or annoyed by it. I've heard that there's another book after this, and I'll definitely read it. I might just finish Twin Peaks Season Two first. And I do think if you had no interest in watching Twin Peaks, you could still read this. It has its own story that's fun to dive into

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

A Conspiracy Theorists Dream!

COVER REVEAL: True Storm (True Born #3) by L.E. Sterling

I'm super excited to be taking part in the True Storm by L.E. Sterling Cover Reveal! True Storm is the third and final book in the True Born Trilogy. The first two covers were sufficiently awesome, and I can't wait to show you what the third looks like.

This series is about a plague that wiped out much of the world population, damaging the genetics of those that survived. Some people wait to die, some people pay for expensive treatments that may prolong their life a little, and some people are immune. These people are called True Borns. True Borns are mysterious and feared. Twin sisters Margot and Lucy try to survive this world together. When Margot disappears, Lucy must find her, and that means getting help from the True Borns.

Here's what the first two books look like:

 

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for! The Cover Reveal for True Storm!

Here it comes!!

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And there it is! The cover for True Storm! It's very pretty. I like that it sticks with the theme of the other covers. I like the color of it. I still haven't read this series yet, but I'm definitely going to! It sounds right up my ally. I even own the first two books, so I'm definitely going to read them.

About the Author:

L.E. Sterling had an early obsession with sci-fi, fantasy and romance to which she remained faithful even through an M.A. in Creative Writing and a PhD in English Literature - where she completed a thesis on magical representation. She is the author of two previous novels, the cult hit Y/A novel The Originals (under pen name L.E. Vollick), dubbed “the Catcher in the Rye of a new generation” by one reviewer, and the urban fantasy Pluto’s Gate. Originally hailing from Parry Sound, Ontario, L.E. spent most of her summers roaming across Canada in a van with her father, a hippie musician, her brothers and an occasional stray mutt - inspiring her writing career. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Website  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads  Amazon

Thank you Entangled Teen for letting me share the cover of True Storm, and thank you for stopping by my blog! Come back anytime.

Reading Right Now! (150)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

 

-- Robin Hood's Dawn: Book 1 of The Robin Hood Trilogy by Olivia Longueville and J.C. Plummer -- I was sent this for free for honest review from the publisher, so thanks to them! I was part of a blog tour for it, but I hadn't finished reading the book yet before my post date. This is a historical fiction book set in the 1100's all about how Robin Hood became the celebrated folk hero he remains today. I'm enjoying this book. I think it's fun. I hope to finish it soon. When I do finish, I will be posting my full review.

-- The Gauntlet (The Cage Book 3) by Megan Shepherd -- I'm also reading The Gauntlet by Megan Shepherd, the last book in The Cage Trilogy! I'm excited to see how it all ends. I love Megan Shepherd. I'm about 80 pages in, and so far it's been very exciting. I hope to get farther in this too.

And Then...

-- I Hate Fairyland, Volume 1: Madly Ever After by Skottie Young -- I really want to read this!! It looks like it's going to be a lot of fun and I've heard nothing but good things about it.

That's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading?

BLOG TOUR: Robin Hood's Dawn by Olivia Longueville and J.C. Plummer

I'm very excited to be taking part in the Robin Hood's Dawn, Book 1 of The Robin Hood Trilogy by Olivia Longueville and J.C. Plummer Blog Tour! I will also have a post on my bookstagram account (@gotbookcitement) using my artsy side to show off a pretty picture. Well, I think it's pretty haha. Check out my bookstagram here if you want!!
I was kindly sent a review copy for free, to read and review, but this in no way influences what I think of the book. All my reviews are 100% honest and 100% my own. I do want to thank the publisher for sending a review copy my way though. Thank You!
So, my post for this Blog Tour stop was supposed to be a review, but I'm a bad peasant, and I haven't finished the book yet. I'm so sorry. So I thought I'd share a Reading Right Now! style post discussing my thoughts I'm having while reading it.

Title: Robin Hood's Dawn (Book 1 of The Robin Hood Trilogy)

Authors: Olivia Longueville and J.C. Plummer

Published by: Angevin World Publishing

Released: January 16, 2018

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Summary: OH MERRY MEN! This is the story of Robin Hood. Set in England in the mid 1100's, it tells the story of kings, betrayals, and revenge that spans generations. Robin Fitzooth leads a happy life as the Earl of Huntingdon. He is betrothed to marry the lovely Marian Fitzwalter. He loves his home, he loves his friends, and he loves his family. All is set into disarray when the new Sheriff of Nottingham arrives. A crime is committed and Robin is falsely accused, and sentenced to death! Rescued from the swinging noose just in the nick of time, Robin becomes an outlaw. He vows to rescue his lovely Marian, help the poor people of Nottingham, and get back against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and his henchman Guy Gisborne.

This is the story of how Robin Hood came to be. The forces and people that shaped him into the great folk hero he becomes.

My (preliminary) Thoughts: So, as I've said, I haven't exactly finished this book yet. I feel so bad about that. So, look for my full review when I have finished the book. I love the cover! It's so green and pretty.

Currently, I'm about 120 pages in. I'm enjoying it. It's a very historical look at Robin Hood, or more accurately a very historical retelling of the Robin Hood legend. I do feel like I'm looking down from above at 1150's England. All the fashion, all the pageantry, and all the customs. It reads like an adult historical fiction, which I do tend to enjoy. The writing is easy to get into. I'm liking it, I think it's a good time. I won't say it's a story that pulls you in and makes you a part of the action, I tend to feel like a spectator watching from above.

My Robin Hood knowledge comes pretty much from the Disney version of Robin Hood. Where everyone is a cute little woodland creature. So, I won't say that I'm super well versed on all the details of Robin Hood, but it has been nice seeing notable characters pop up, and how they came to be.

The Sheriff of Nottingham is AWFUL!!! Guy Gisborne is pretty awful too. I don't know how I feel about Robin Hood yet, he seems like a nice guy. I feel very bad for Marian. I can't imagine being a girl in the 1100's. Having no power over yourself and pretty much being at the whims of a man. Just doesn't seem like a lot of fun.

I found the beginning of the book to be a little jumpy. It was kind of setting up the whens and wheres and whys. There's a lot of politics at play, cashing in favors, and revenge!

So far, I'm enjoying Robin Hood's Dawn! I can't wait to read more of it and see how everything goes. Be on the lookout for my full review when I finish the book.

Thank you so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Robin Hood's Dawn: Book 1 in The Robin Hood Trilogy by Olivia Longueville and J.C. Plummer. If this book sounds good to you, be sure to check it out!

Here's some links to check the book out for yourself

GoodReads Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository

Review: In A Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Title: In A Dark, Dark Wood

Author: Ruth Ware

Published by: Scout Press

Released: August 2015

Source: Library

Summary: Leonora Shaw, also known as Nora, Lee, and other nicknames, is a crime fiction writer. She lives in a little flat in London, and loves it. She's a bit of a loner, happy in her routines.

One day, an email pops up in her inbox. It's an invitation to attend a hen party for her friend Clare, who she hasn't seen or spoken to in years. Nora wants to decline, but curiosity makes her accept.

It's a weekend retreat in an all glass house, in the middle of the woods. Nora feels awkward, realizes it was a mistake to come. Before she can leave, something happens on the property, something that will change her life forever.

My Thoughts: Meh. This turned out to be a mediocre thriller. I'm not saying it was bad, it just wasn't as thrilling and twisty as I wanted it to be.

I was kind of prepared for the averageness though. This is a hyped up book, but it has mixed reviews. This wasn't the thrilling ride I wanted, but I didn't hate it.

I did think it had an interesting start. A friend that you haven't spoken to in ten years invites you to a hen party, basically a bachelorette weekend. Why? Do you go? Do you decline? If that had been me, the curiosity would have been hard to resist.

There was also something about the weekend that felt so awkward. Stuck in a house with people you don't know or haven't talked to in years.

The setting of the house was pretty creepy too. Essentially in the middle of nowhere. So it had some intriguing bits to it.

I do feel like the story got so drawn out though, with the memory loss aspect. I can't say I was glued to my seat, flipping pages because I needed to know what happened next.

The ending also wasn't shocking or a major twist. It was fairly obvious who-done-it. The why it was done was just kind of ehh. I wasn't shocked or blown out of my seat by it.

I feel like this book would translate into a B Thriller movie. There's a great set-up, with a spooky setting, but then a really obvious ending. It's going to be okay to watch, but it won't change your life. It's not the best, most exciting thriller ever, but it's a way to pass the time.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.3/5

Mediocre

Reading Right Now! (149)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

--Four Summoner's Tales by Kelley Armstrong, Christopher Golden, David Liss, and Jonathan Maberry -- This is a collection of four novellas, were all four writers were given the same premise: A strange visitor comes to town, offering to raise the townsfolk's dearly departed from the dead -- for a price... dum dum duuuuummmm. Each story is about 80 to 90 pages long, so they aren't too short, but they are not long either. I think it's really cool how they all have the same premise, but they've all gone in different directions. So far, no story has sounded like the other. I've read 3 out of the 4 stories, and so far, I've really been enjoying it. Kelley Armstrong's story was probably my favorite (so far), Christopher Golden's was very good with some twists I wasn't expecting. David Liss took a more fun approach, where the owner of the book is a thief, con man who uses his power as leverage to make some money. The only one I have left to read is Jonathan Maberry's story, and I'm already a Jonathan Maberry fan. His story is set in his Joe Ledger world, I think.

So far, I'm pretty pleased with this book. I've enjoyed each story that I've read, which can be really rare when it comes to short story, anthology kind of things. As of right now, I'd definitely recommend it. I think I will have it finished early into my weekend.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading?