Books Less Travelled

I'm Stephanie, an avid book reader. I read a little of everything but most often either YA or Fantasy with a dash of romance! (Previously Adventures Thru Wonderland)

Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 01

Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 01 - Bisco Hatori This was a library read.

This book...is weird. I liked the characters, but the idea of a Host Club is strange to me. Everyone is super fake, and it's just about guys who flirt and flatter girls for entertainment. While the girls know full well none of it's real, they still line up for this attention. That said, I did enjoy reading about all the awkward moments and liked seeing how they react to a poor kid, and a girl at that, joining their club. I will probably read on, but not sure how far I'll make it in this series.

Helen's Daimones (Dyscrasia Fiction)

Helen's Daimones (Dyscrasia Fiction) - S.E. Lindberg *I received a copy from the author for review. This does not affect my review*

This book, where to start? I first heard about this series starting with Lords of Dyscrasia a few years ago, and long before my new found appreciation of horror, and apparently, weird fiction. Only recently have I started reading such stories, and I was reminded of this series. I was advised by the author to start here. While it didn't give much in way of getting to know the characters, it has a disgustingly brilliant world, full of strange magics, and sorcery. I loved how detailed and grotesque this world is, and am excited to know there are two more books in this series!

Angel of Shadow: Wormwood Trilogy, Book 2

Angel of Shadow: Wormwood Trilogy, Book 2 - D.H. Nevins *I received a copy from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*

I read the first one in this series, Wormwood, in December, and loved it, so I was excited for the chance to read this one! I never read angel/demon books, but this one grabbed my attention, and I am so glad I took a chance! While the first one caught my attention, it was this book that made me fall in love with this series! I love Kali and Tiamat's characters and seeing them struggle to survive in a dangerous world. The writing style is masterfully done, and the plot is well written. I am excited to learn there will be another book in this series!

Prism

Prism - Nina Walker *I received a copy from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*

This book is so cool and original! I loved the characters, and the story was brilliantly told! I enjoyed how unique and original the story is. In a world where colors are magic, Jessa is training to be a color alchemist. I was fascinated by the idea of colors representing different magical aspects. I can't wait for more from this series!

Gravitate

Gravitate - Cory  Reynolds *I received a copy from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*

I enjoyed this paranormal romance. While it seems like a simple idea, I love how Gravitate takes witches and vampires and turns it on its head. Not only is this a paranormal or romance story, but it also answers questions I haven't even thought of in a fun and interesting way. I love that this is the first book in a series! I am excited to read more from this author!

Oak and Mistletoe

Oak and Mistletoe - J.Z.N. McCauley I really enjoyed this one! Rich in culture and magic, and well written! I loved reading about the characters, especially Catherine Green, and her connection to Ireland. I love the setting, and the descriptions used throughout the book, it really is a beautiful setting, and one I could easily picture as I read along. While it is a fantasy, it also has a touch of historical fiction and maybe even a bit of sci-fi mixed in, making it a thrilling read. Fast paced, and a quick read, I'm excited to read more of this series!

The Oathing Stone

The Oathing Stone - J.Z.N. McCauley *I received a copy from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*

Even better than the first! Just as action packed, with more at stake than ever before! I loved this one from cover to cover. When Catherine marries Bowen, the love of her life, the world around them suddenly explodes with chaos. The Fae want something that was stolen from them, Bowen is dying, and the King of the Fae has a sudden interest in Bella, Catherine's best friend. I sped through this one, the fast pace is perfect for this story, and the plot is fun and exciting.

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The Creeping Shadow - Jonathan Stroud I...I feel totally unprepared for book 5. Reading this only strengthened my fears of what might happen in the next book. and I'm so not ready to say goodbye. That said, I loved this installment of the Lockwood & Co. series, and loved listening to it on audio. This one focuses slightly more on Lucy, much like the first, but for a very different reason. Whereas in the first book Lucy had just met Lockwood and George, in this one she has recently left them after a ghost reveals a terrifying future for one of them, which places Lucy as the cause.

Against her better judgment, she does see Lockwood again, and we get to learn more about the Problem, as well as some key players in other agencies. While I am not ready for this series to end, after the cliffhanger in this book, I am anxious to read on! I want to know how things end, perhaps more so than I'm afraid of the end, and so I look forward to listening to the last book in this series soon! (I bought it on Audible as soon as it came out, but have been putting off these last two books because I want the series to go on forever. That said I plan to reread them, or rather listen to them again this year, so my review might change slightly in the future.)

I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four - Neil Kaplan, Pittacus Lore I read this originally when the movie first came out. At the time I rated it 3 stars, and started the second book, but never finished. Needless to say, I liked the series, but the writing style didn't hold my attention my first time around.

This year it was my goal to try to finish some of the series I started but never finished. While I didn't get to reread as many as I hoped, I'm finally catching up with my reading to a point that next year I plan to listen to a lot of audiobooks to finish the series faster.

After listening to this one on audio, I decided that I will listen to this series instead of reading them. I loved listening to this one, and am once again excited to be reading this series! I loved Neil Kaplan's accents and the emotion he put into his acting! I'm happy to see he is also reading the rest of the series on audio!

Mama Graciela's Secret

Mama Graciela's Secret - Mayra Calvani *I received a copy through Enchanted Book Promotions for review. This does not affect my review.*

I loved reading about Mama Graciela's bacalaĆ­tos fritos, but more than that, I wanted to see how Mama handled the Food Inspector. I love how this story is told, and the illustrations are beautiful. A great children's book, and one that parents can enjoy too.


Fragile Chaos

Fragile Chaos - Amber R. Duell *I received an Audible coupon for this title from AudioBookWorm Book Tours. This does not affect my review*

This book...THIS BOOK. I really really want another book in this world! I love the mythology created, and how everything is original, but the characters feel like old friends! Ok, so it wasn't my favorite mythology of the year or even favorite read, but I love the world building and characters, and would gladly be pulled back into this universe!

I *did* have a problem with the romance being so rushed but am glad that was covered and explained later in the book. I loved the chemistry between Cassia and Theo and would have loved to see more, but I understand why it was written the way it is.

I loved all the gods and goddesses, and would really like to see more of Cy and Leander, but I'm happy with how things turned out if there aren't any more books to come.

I don't recommend this so much as a romance story because I feel it was very rushed, but more for the fact that if you like mythology, this one is fresh and original!

Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 10

Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 10 - Kiiro Yumi Tensions are rising as the team visits another library to offer assistance against the MBC. Kasahara makes some new friends with fellow agents in the library defence corp, and puts a bully in her place. But will her determination and strong spirit be enough for the battle to come?

Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 11 (Library Wars: Love & War, #11)

Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 11 (Library Wars: Love & War, #11) - Kiiro Yumi, Hiro Arikawa This volume is full of surprises! Along with pain and suffering, there are some hopeful and sweet moments to be had.

Dreams Collide

Dreams Collide - Kristina Beck *I received an ecopy for review from the author. This does not affect my review.*

This is my first time reading this author, but I loved this book, and plan to read the first in this series soon! I love a good second chance at first love story, and this one was a blast to read. From funny and sarcastic to sad and upset, this book was full of emotion. I enjoyed reading about Tina and Garry's relationship through the ups and downs.

Locked Out

Locked Out - L.M. Schukraft * I received an eARC from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*

I love a good mystery, and this one kept me guessing! I also enjoyed Ethan and Emmie's relationship throughout the story and their shared chemistry. The story keeps the reader in suspense, and gives little tidbits of history, just enough to keep the reader on their toes! I loved the mystery in this one, and the surprises were well done! Such a fun story, can't wait for more from this series!

The World War 2 Trivia Book: Interesting Stories and Random Facts from the Second World War (Trivia War Books Book 1)

The World War 2 Trivia Book: Interesting Stories and Random Facts from the Second World War (Trivia War Books Book 1) - Bill O'Neill, Steve Penn *I won an ecopy of this title in a LibraryThing's Member Giveaway. This does not affect my review.*

I enjoyed reading this, and learning some interesting facts about WWII. Easy to read and understand, this book is perfect for trivia fans who want to know more about WWII. None of the facts are hard to find and most are well known by historians, but it's perfect for normal people who just want to know a bit more, or anyone who wants to learn some neat facts. I enjoyed the layout of this book, with short chapters ending with some trivia questions to help you think more about what you just read.

Currently reading

The Unsound Theory by Emilia Zeeland
Moonlight City Drive by Brian Paone
Gold Shadow by L.C. Perry
The Falcon Flies Alone (Falcon Trilogy) (Volume 1) by Gabrielle Mathieu
Courage by Lauren H. Salisbury
Odin's Promise by Sandy Brehl
Nirvana by Nancy Radke
Wolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1) by Christina Bauer
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
Moonburner (Moonburner Cycle Book 1) by Claire Luana