The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid | BOOK REVIEW

Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Pages: 388 pages
Release Date: June 13th, 2017
Source: Hardcover from Book of the Month
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Historical Fiction
Rating: 5/5 stars

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn's luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the '80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn's story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.

Written with Reid's signature talent for creating "complex, likable characters" (Real Simple), this is a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means—and what it costs—to face the truth.

Buy now! 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

I find it extremely refreshing to step away from the Young Adult genre I'm so used to reading. I always find it so comforting to come back to writing reviews after taking a semi-long hiatus. I don't think I'll ever forget how to write reviews, however, if I did I'd trust that you'd call me out on it.

I don't really know why I decided to start this book. I had heard a tremendous amount of buzz when it first came out, but it all kind of died down after that. Now this book is regarded as a cult classic and only those who have read it will ever know of its greatness. As soon as I started reading, I was captivated. I guess you could say I was as captivated with this book as the whole world was captivated with Evelyn Hugo (well in the book). Reid wastes no time getting into the story. This book is truly a testament to exquisite writing. I found it incredible how she could fit Evelyn's entire life story into 388 pages.

It's safe to say that this book has made me fall in love with historical fiction all over again. The last time I read historical fiction was when I read Secrets of Nanreath Hall by Alix Rickloff, and that was at the beginning of 2017. I am a stranger to this genre. I don't know how Reid makes old Hollywood look so illustrious and also so mysterious like you desperately want to be a part of it. This book will have you panting for answers because the book hints at this massive reveal at the end of the book but it literally doesn't get revealed until the last few pages. I hate that I had to wait so long, but I love how a book made me feel that way; like I couldn't physically put it down. I was tortured every time I had an assignment and it kept me from reading. It's also the whole lure of entering the glamorous and secretive world of Hollywood. This book is incredibly addicting.

Evelyn Hugo is one of the most complex characters I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. At some points, I just wanted to scream through the pages and throw this book on the floor in frustration at her. In others, I wanted to console her. Either way, Evelyn Hugo is a fucking legend. She's a badass woman who was very misunderstood, but this book gives you all the information and lets you make the final call about what kind of person she was. I loved that!

Yes, everything that everyone's saying about this book is true. Don't you just want to read it and be apart of the club that has experienced this book's magic? With a dazzling and diverse cast of characters in a secretive world of Hollywood, this book is likely to change the way you think about historical fiction novels. To put it simply, if there was such a thing as the Book Oscars, this book would go home with Best Novel. I can't wait to see what else Reid has in store for historical fiction.

Book Review | Wolf by Wolf & Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin

Hey guys, let me start off this review by apologizing for our absence (well, mine mostly). I can't blame my cobloggers for not being here haha! I underestimated the workload and stress of senior year that I'm currently sitting here overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I need done by November. So... I'm sorry! The Book's Buzz is a labor of love and something I put my heart and soul into. My intention wasn't to take off for so many weeks without posting, but it just happened. Without further ado, I'm going to direct your attention to my co-blogger Yingchao and her review of the Wolf by Wolf duology. She's been trying to get me to read these books for ages!

- Alex @ The Book's Buzz 

Title: Wolf By Wolf
Author: Ryan Graudin
Pages: 388 pages
Release Date: October 20th, 2015
Source: Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Her story begins on a train.

The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule. To commemorate their Great Victory, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor’s Ball in Tokyo.

Yael, a former death camp prisoner, has witnessed too much suffering, and the five wolves tattooed on her arm are a constant reminder of the loved ones she lost. The resistance has given Yael one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year’s only female racer, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin’s brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael’s every move.

But as Yael grows closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission?

From the author of The Walled City comes a fast-paced and innovative novel that will leave you breathless.

Buy now: 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Wolf by Wolf: Paperback 5/5 ⭐️s

Blood for Blood: ARC 4/5 ⭐️s

Hands down, one of the best books [Wolf by Wolf] that I read this year. If you haven't yet read Wolf by Wolf, I understand; please stop whatever you might be doing right now and go read this duology by Ryan Graudin. When you're finished, I promise you that hardly any time in the real world will have passed.

I read Wolf by Wolf almost two months ago, and I haven't been able to put to words my thoughts on this book and its sequel. In regards to how quickly I read Wolf by Wolf, let's just say I devoured (no pun intended) this book, at a consistent heart-racing speed. I read it in probably less than 48 hours, even with final papers and projects to turn in for my final days of high school.

Now, in regards to my thoughts on this book, which let's be honest, is what this review is really about, I still cannot describe how perfect the story was. At its very core, Wolf by Wolf is the tale of a mission, carried out by a revolutionary (very classic), using a worldwide motorcycle race as the cover-up (oH yES). It's intense.

Our main character, Yael (Ya-El; I believe that's how her name is pronounced), is intensely flawed, and emotionally marred by her past. When you meet Yael, she's quick-witted, and fiercely strong, but as we learn more about this alternate post-WWII world, we learn the hardships that Yael's faced since she was little, and the emotional and physical trauma that she's endured under the villains whom exist in both our world and her world.

On top of the high-speed cross-continental motor race that Ryan Graudin executes so effortlessly and flawlessly, there is an additional layer of mystery and intrigue amongst the characters. A mission which seems so simple at sight, becomes so many complicated layers as the race progresses. Yael is challenged to her fullest extents, and we see her become someone whom we might not have at first imagined her to become, but we still root for her.

But it takes two to tango, and three to make a crowd. And Yael is not the only character with so much dynamic. Every character that Ryan Graudin introduces into the plot has a purpose, even if they appear just once. Every character is a part of the larger plot, and every character feels real. The story, the world, the characters, the feels. Wolf by Wolf was utterly perfect. Not to mention the obsession with motorcycles that its fostered in me.

So of course, upon finishing Wolf by Wolf, I was dying to get my hands on Blood for Blood, and luckily, I had an ARC of it available. While Wolf by Wolf was a crazy, whirlwind of surprises and intensity, Blood for Blood was much calmer, by comparison. Blood for Blood is the revenge story, the novel to bring closure; just like how Crooked Kingdom is for Six of Crows.

Comparing Blood for Blood to Wolf by Wolf, I loved Wolf by Wolf far more. For its unexpected twists and heart wrenching moments, Wolf by Wolf will always have a place in my most memorable books of all time. Blood for Blood was a more thought-out journey from point A to point B, where we as the reader generally know what to expect for the most part. Except for that ending. What the f***!?! With that said, I still thoroughly enjoyed Blood for Blood, and though the ending was hard to accept, it does bring closure to Yael's epic tale.

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman | MOVIE REVIEW + Special Guest

On March 28th, my friend and I had the pleasure to attend an early screening of The Zookeeper's Wife. Thanks to the team at Focus Features for making this possible! Although quite long overdue, today I'm excited to share with you guys my thought about the movie. I started the book prior to watching the movie but still haven't finished it, so I'll save a book review for the next time! My friend, Mandy, will also be joining me on a joint review. She's way more seasoned than I in the time period in which this takes place, as she works in our school's Holocaust museum. I brought her along with me because she was interested in the movie from the beginning, and she's really passionate about educating herself at this time in history. 

Title: The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story
Author: Diane Ackerman
Pages: 384 pages
Release Date: September 7th, 2017
Genre: Nonfiction, History, World War II
In 1939 Poland, Antonina Żabiński (portrayed by two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh), have the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care. When their country is invaded by the Nazis, Jan and Antonina are—and forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl). To fight back on their own terms, the Żabińskis covertly begin working with the Resistance—and put into action plans to save lives out of what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, with Antonina putting herself and even her children at great risk.

The Washington Post praised the book as being “simultaneously grave and exuberant, wise and playful,” while Jonathan Safran Foer wrote, “The Zookeeper's Wife will touch every nerve you have.”

A Focus Features release, it is directed by Niki Caro, written by Angela Workman.

Buy it now! 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

The Holocaust was irrevocably one of the most terrible and tragic events to have occurred in history. Not only did so many Jewish people lose their lives, but many risked their lives to shelter them and fight this injustice. Two of those people were Antonina and Jan Zabinski and their son Rys Zabinski- a family who spent most of WWII hiding away Jews in their zoo. The Zookeeper's Wife is a true story retold through the eyes of Diane Ackerman who perfectly captured the innocent and fragile atmosphere of everyone inside the zoo while the world crumbled around them.

The last time a movie made me cry, I think it was The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I cried during a eulogy, a part near the end of the movie. However when I was watching TZW, I was crying throughout the entire thing. It's sad to admit that I had never studied the facts of what really happened during the Holocaust- how Jewish people in hiding lived from day to day and the fears of citizens who hid them. I responded well to the way director Niki Caro decided to portray the horrifying things that happened in the ghettos. I appreciated how most of the movie's scenes were spoken in silence and dialogue-free. It gave the actions of the animals and the characters all the more power, and that is something I really appreciated. I remember my friend who came out of the theater with me and the first thing she said was, "that was the best movie I've seen all year." I responded by saying, "I couldn't agree more." The Zookeeper's Wife is a moving and emotionally exceptional addition to the cinema. Never in Hollywood have I seen such a raw and truthful piece. I truly believe that this movie brings awareness to the Holocaust, encourages people to learn more about it and states that although this was something that has happened in our past, we have moved past it. 

As time passes, it becomes harder to remember the Holocaust in a non-statistical way. It becomes harder to remember the 6 million victims as 6 million individuals. It becomes harder to remember the others like the main characters of “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” who do not fit the victim nor the perpetrator category. In the Holocaust Leadership class at my school we stress: do not be a perpetrator, do not be a victim, and above all, do not be a bystander, in order to live up to the “never again” legacy. Part of why the bystander role is so important is because of its potential to transform into the resistance like the one the Zabinski couple created. They were willing to risk exchanging their safety and the safety of their children for the hundreds of lives they saved. This film excelled at capturing the dangers of the resistance. I held my breath in fear during countless moments that were so accurately portrayed by the characters. 

ARC Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco + Fashion Sketches

Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Pages: 336 pages
Release Date: September 20th, 2016
Source: ARC from Jimmy Paterson
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Horror
Rating: 5/5 stars

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

Buy it now!

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

** DISCLAIMER: The publisher was lovely enough to provide me with an advanced copy of the book. This has not affected my thoughts and opinions in this review **

God damn JIMMY Patterson Books really knows how to pick 'em. Stalking Jack the Ripper is the first acquisition that this publishing company decided to print, and they should feel proud for making such a big splash in the water. This book is a new refreshing take on Young Adult historical fiction. I have to admit that I was a little reluctant about getting into this book in the first place. The whole historical fiction aspect didn't really sell me. It wasn't until Twitter blew up with early praise that I knew I had to request a copy from the publishers.

Audrey Rose lives a sheltered life under the eye of her father, who wants to preserve her innocence and give her the life a young lady should have. Tortured by her curiosity, she can't seem to stay away from her uncle's practice with examining dead bodies. She's not your average Victorian young woman. Along with the help of an unlikely ally who is rather charming, Audrey Rose thinks she can catch the killer responsible for the frequent murders. As blood is spilled and she is falling head over heels for her partner, Audrey Rose realizes that she might not want to find the answer at the end of the tunnel.

My favorite part was the writing style. Kerri was able to effortlessly mimic the accent and the way people talked in Victorian times. It was done so so well that from time to time I liked to go back into the book just to read the dialogue between the characters. If I could give you only one reason to read this book, the writing style would be it!

Extra points for originality! In the back there is an entire explanation of the creative liberties that were taken. The entire story was, of course, based off of the infamous killer. It was fun to see the author create her entire world around the real murders and events. If I'm not mistaken, the women murdered in the book were real names from history. She took many creative liberties to give these women a backstory and a life beyond knowing they were murdered.

It really bothers me that this book is labeled under horror on Goodreads. I think it's so misleading because this book wasn't scary at all! That's coming from a girl who's got an affliction with horror books and movies. I've already had some people say to me that they don't plan on picking it up because it's supposedly 'scary'. It was bloody, cringe-worthy and kinda nasty (if you don't like dead bodies and brutal murders kind of way), but definitely not scary! I've seen a lot of other people say the same thing, and I really wished it were changed.

I'm trying (trying is the key word) to keep this review short and sweet because I've got something else to show ya'll. I really think this book is worth a read! It's so unique from any other historical fiction on the market, and I commend Kerri Maniscalco for putting so much blood (haha, you get it?) and sweat into her work. It really does show from the effortless writing style, impeccable character development and swoon-worthy romance. She's got all the typical elements of a YA novel without it being too cliche. I had a fantastic time flipping through this title and only hope it's everything you've been looking for as well! 

5 bees for a must-read!

Fashion Sketches from Victorian England 

My sister has this dream of being a fashion designer. I'm her number one fangirl, and I really wanted to feature one of her pieces on my blog. She originally created these pieces for her school play as costumes, but I really though they fit this book's time period. Hope you enjoy and definitely be sure to give my sister a follow on Instagram (@kristina.ang). 

ARC Review: The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye + Outfit Recreations

Title: The Crown's Game
Author: Evelyn Skye
Pages: 416 pages
Publication: May 17th, 2016
Source: ARC from Brittany
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Rating: 5/5 stars

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.
  life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.

Preorder now!

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Crown's Game is one of the strongest debuts I've read this year, in terms of both writing and story development. It was similar to Throne of Glass in the sense that there was a competition where contestants fought to the death to have a chance at serving the king, but in this case, we're talking about enchanters doing the fighting.

Vika and Nikolai are the only living enchanters in 19th-century Russia. Every few years when the tsar's enchanter dies, he must find a new replacement to aid him in the fight against the threats of the Ottoman Empire and Kazakhs. But he can only use one enchanter, which means they both must duel to see who would be of greater use to the tsar. But it's hard to kill someone you're so drawn to and even start to develop feelings for.

Skye's gives an extensive background for her characters. It's excellent, really. The first 100 pages are dedicated to giving an in depth story into Vika's and Nikolai's lives- their mentors, parents and how their powers first came about. I thoroughly enjoyed the amount of information we got and think it's extremely important for this to be included, especially if we want to understand the origins of their powers. Their upbringing also plays a large role in the story as their power solely depends on how their mentors trained them.

The characters were what done it for me. They're so loveable and human, god I can't tell you the last book I read where characters were terribly flawed and acted like real human beings (not these perfectly engineered robots). As you begin a new chapter, you enter a different character's thought process. Unlike most books that usually switch off POV's without notice, it was very fluent throughout this book. The character's voices were distinct enough for me to distinguish who was who when beginning new chapters without a problem. Rather than take away from my reading experience, I was able to fully dive into the story with the characters.

I knew from the beginning that there was going to be a huge power showdown between Vika and Nikolai. I did not expect, however, the amazingly well-done display of magic Skye was going to throw in there. I was expecting a lot of: She threw a shot of light in front of him, or something like: She blasted him with energy. The way their powers were interpreted... UH AMAZING. Don't think of it is as magical bippity bop crap, but more like Avatar the Last Airbender style. The magic is describe to be more concrete than most books that include magic and as something that can be held in your hand.

Oh heavens, there was a love triangle. As a reader who's not so fond of love triangles, I secretly enjoyed the one featured in this book. We're aware that Pasha, the heir to the throne and Nikolai's best friend, begins to fall in love with Vika. Despite both of the guys numerous attempts to woo her, she is composed and doesn't pine for either of them back. I freaking loved Skye's complex character and because Vika's problems root deeper than looking for a man to love her, she doesn't swoon like most girls would if you sought after by two guys (and both dashing, if I do say so myself).

The only real problem I had with this book was how predictable the ending was. Well I take that back because it wasn't so much of a problem as it was a habitual instinct. I always try to guess the ending of the books I read and when I started it, it was quite clear who prevail in the end. From the many reviews I've read, people have found the ending to be unexpected. As a reader who sucks at guessing the correct endings, for some reason, the ending was just so clear to me. But I definitely don't want anyone to let this be a problem or stop them from picking up this gem because seriously, it's a must-read.

Evelyn Skye likes small details. She would often eloquently drop hints regarding what the character was wearing, which brings me into my next order of business. Clothes. Fashion. We find out that Nikolai spends his free time tailoring clothes and criticizing people based on what they're wearing (ahem ahem Vika). To highlight Skye's attention to detail, I've decided to envision what I think Nikolai & Vika would wear in the 21st century.

Vika Andreyeva is a force to be reckoned with. Her vibrant red hair and gorgeous features are enough to woo the hearts of all men that cross her. She doesn't put as much time into her outfits as most fair ladies do in this time, but somehow still looks flattering. She wears her black stone necklace that she's had since birth. I decided to play with some neutral tones since she was never said to like the pinks and purples. I also got a tomboy vibe from her character and wanted to work with simple and non-extravagant items. A white blouse is ladylike and not too fancy. Leather pants show her kickbutt-assery. She can whip off the belt if someone needs to be punished. Boots are a must and sandals are optional.  

Nikolai Karimov takes pride in what he wears. He has an eye for how things look and one of his many hobbies include tailoring clothes. Although he doesn't need to dress well when he already has a handsome and brooding face, he somehow manages to be best-dressed. Of course, who would Nikolai be without his frock coat. It's sleek and classy, what more could you ask for? A top hat to show off to the ladies *raises eyebrows* I added in cufflinks for show. And lastly, his dagger he received as a gift from his mentor before beginning the battle.  

The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig + GIVEAWAY!

Title: The Girl From Everywhere
Author: Heidi Heilig
Pages: 464 pages
Published: February 16th, 2016
Source: Hardback from Books of Wonder
Genre: Historical Romance YA
Rating: 4/5 stars

It was the kind of August day that hinted at monsoons, and the year was 1774, though not for very much longer.

Sixteen-year-old Nix Song is a time-traveller. She, her father and their crew of time refugees travel the world aboard The Temptation, a glorious pirate ship stuffed with treasures both typical and mythical. Old maps allow Nix and her father to navigate not just to distant lands, but distant times - although a map will only take you somewhere once. And Nix's father is only interested in one time, and one place: Honolulu 1868. A time before Nix was born, and her mother was alive. Something that puts Nix's existence rather dangerously in question...

Nix has grown used to her father's obsession, but only because she's convinced it can't work. But then a map falls into her father's lap that changes everything. And when Nix refuses to help, her father threatens to maroon Kashmir, her only friend (and perhaps, only love) in a time where Nix will never be able to find him. And if Nix has learned one thing, it's that losing the person you love is a torment that no one can withstand. Nix must work out what she wants, who she is, and where she really belongs before time runs out on her forever.

Buy it now! 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

It seems as if 2016 is dominating in debuts with this one novel. If all debut novels are like Heidi Heilig's The Girl From Everywhere, I'm in trouble because there's not enough money in my wallet to afford all those hardcovers! Heidi's novel was one that I never planned on starting. I was waiting for her event to start in Books of Wonder and picked up the book out of sheer boredom. I honestly wasn't going to start the book until my April break, but I'm so glad I did. 

What do you get when you mix time travel with romance and an epic heist? You ultimately end up with The Girl From Everywhere. Attending the book launch Q&A was a big plus for anyone who wanted to understand more about why Heidi chose to write about time travel or why she chose the specific settings mentioned in the book. From modern day New York City, nineteenth-century Hawaii, to the ancient Qin Dynasty, the change in setting with always keep you entertained. I found it especially interesting how the author chose to focus on Hawaii, a paradise island where people only dream of going. There's so much myth that follows the island and it was so refreshing to see mythology play a major role.

The story follows Nix as she's traveling aboard the Temptation with her father and his crew. Her father has the ability to Navigate, which means you can travel anywhere, anytime as long as you have a map. With that map, you would travel back in time to where the map was showing and when the map was inked. Her father is obsessed with finding the map of 1868 Honolulu to reunite with his lost love, Nix's mother, and although he's gone through many maps, he can't seem to find one that will work. However, obtaining that map could mean the very end of Nix's existence. This concept was so ingenious. Who would ever think to use maps in time travel? NOT ME! 

At the same time, the time traveling aspect confused me tremendously. Sometimes I would get so lost in the historical information that I would look up the info on Google and go back to read, only to find myself back to square one. Keep in mind, I don't read historical fiction very often and it's normal for this type of thing to occur.

As I mentioned above there is a heist involved. I'd suggest reading the book to learn more about the heist and how it connects to the story (I'm trying to restrain myself from releasing spoilers into this review). The heist reminded me of the one in Six of Crows or Mistborn and it might be safe to say that I love reading books with a dangerous heist.

Romance didn't play a huge part at all but that's exactly what I expected. Relationships were vital to the story line and the character's decisions in the end. I know that Heidi Heilig values family and it was nice to see that idea come to life in the book.

The characters were the real MVP's of the book. Kashmir, my absolute favorite, reminded me of Aladdin and how he was a street urchin stealing a bunch of things from vendors. Plus, the ladies swooned over him... The main character was very much moral-filled but it wasn't to the point where she was a real pain. Well well, what would a book be without a pestering character of some sort? I couldn't stand reading about Nix's dad. He acted like some love-struck teenager that yearned for the past. WHY DON'T YOU FOCUS ON WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU? *ahem ahem* YOUR OWN DAUGHTER.

The Girl From Everywhere is a story you won't want to miss. There aren't many books based on time travel that can claim they've transported you into another world, but I believe this one did quite the job. With the author's prior knowledge of nineteenth-century Hawaii and a mix of ancient mythology, Heidi Heilig brings the true meaning of family and love in her debut YA novel. 

Check out my Instagram (@thebooksbuzz) to learn more about the giveaway. It's an Instagram giveaway where you can win a signed copy of Heidi's The Girl From Everywhere. 

An Interview with Legacy of King's Author, Eleanor Herman

An Interview with the Queen

For those who don't normally read in the historical genre, why do you think your book is unlike any other historical book on the market? 

As a historian, I have written several non-fiction books. My research has taken me far and wide, poking my nose into palaces, archives, and archeological sites. Having spent time in an African village, I understand how people live without electricity and running water, and found that their ancient religious traditions (the gods and ancestors) and their civic institutions (kings and councils of elders) are similar to those of the ancient Greeks. Most YA fantasy/fiction authors don’t have this rather exotic combination of experiences. 

What part of writing this book was better, establishing the world or building the characters?

It was certainly easier establishing the world. As a historian, I know how countries, palaces, cities and houses were set up: the defenses, animals, latrines, wells, you name it. But building the characters was challenging for me because this was my first novel. I had six main characters—three boys and three girls—and needed to give each one a distinctive story and unique voice. It became easier as the writing progressed. The characters seemed to take charge and tell me who they were. They are much easier to write in Book 2 of the series, Empire of Dust.

Did you plan on everything (the storyline, the plot, the ending) out before you sat down to write the book, or was it more of a making-it-up-as-you-go-along process?

I had a very intricate chapter-by-chapter outline before I started. But the more I wrote, the more the story evolved. New plot twists presented themselves. Fleshing out a chapter sometimes opened up exciting opportunities for action down the road.   

What is the greatest thing about being a writer thus far in your writing career?

Since all human experience is actually in our minds, through my writing I have traveled back thousands of years in time and experienced life in very different cultures. It’s so very real to me! Sometimes during the day when I am not writing—going to the grocery store, for instance—I might get a vision of torchlight flickering on walls, a whiff of smoke from a fire, or hear goats baahing as they run through village alleyways. The past is a ghost lover that possesses my spirit. It’s so amazing that as an author I get paid to live there a good part of the time.

Last question! If you were to write a new series like Legacy of Kings but based on a new era in history, what or when would it be?

The Renaissance! Like Alexander the Great’s time, it was an era of new discoveries, new cultural connections, and amazing possibilities in what humankind could do. Along with this, of course, was conflict, both international and personal, which has always and will always plague the human story like a virus in the blood. Historical fiction gives the author the opportunity to have two sets of conflicts at once—the clash of personalities and civilizations. 

My review for Legacy of Kings can be found here!

Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman-- A Historical Book For Non-Historical Readers!

Title: Legacy of Kings (Blood of Gods and Royals #1)

Author: Eleanor Herman
Pages: 384 pages
Published: August 18th, 2015
Genre: YA Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Source: Barnes & Noble Hardcopy
Rating: 

Imagine a time when the gods turn a blind eye to the agony of men, when the last of the hellions roam the plains and evil stirs beyond the edges of the map. A time when cities burn, and in their ashes, empires rise.

Alexander, Macedonia's sixteen-year-old heir, is on the brink of discovering his fated role in conquering the known world but finds himself drawn to the newcomer Katerina, who must navigate the dark secrets of court life while hiding her own mission: kill the Queen. But Kat's first love, Jacob, will go to unthinkable lengths to win her, even if it means competing for her heart with Hephaestion, a murderer shelter by the prince. And far across the sea, Zofia, a Persian princess and Alexander's unmet fiancee, wants to alter her destiny by seeking the famed and deadly Spirit Eaters. 

Get it now!

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

The only historical fiction books I'll ever be excited about reading will depend on if they include either Alexander the Great and/or King Arthur and the knights of the round table. Those are the only exception of YA historical fiction literature that I'll read. These two staples in history are the most interesting (according to Global and Social Studies class). And when I heard this was coming out... I stormed out my window (yes window) and bought my copy. Here am I, raving about this book!

Plot

For those who don't like the historical fiction genre, fear not because this book tends to lean more towards the fantasy and mythology genre. Rather than being a historical book with a download of facts and the author shooting times and dates at the reader, Eleanor Herman takes great time and detail to craft a story around events that already took place. It's so much like storytelling that you don't even need to know background information beforehand. It's a misconception for this book that you have to know about what Alexander did in order to read it. I think that's absurd. The story is well established as are the character's backgrounds and how they got to be where they are. 

The historical elements were done very nicely, and I have to give it the author for explaining things in detail and not leaving the reader hanging. The story itself starts off at the beginning, not in the midst of a battle or with murder and that was great because now the reader gets to enjoy and learn things from the start. I think it's extremely hard to find historical fiction books to be non-info dump and usually there are always one or two chapters in the beginning where the author takes time to set up the background historical facts. I loved the nonchalant start of this book where there was no need for that information and instead, a slow start to the tale. 

Characters

I judged very harshly on the characters, since they were the highlight of bringing this whole historical romance piece together. Also the author had to work with what she already knew about Alexander the Great, so creating a younger version of him in this book definitely played with how he acted. She did fantastic! I couldn't have asked for a better cast of characters, with the girls being heroic as hell and the boys understanding their role to lead and conquer.

Her characters are so well geared towards that historical setting that even the way they speak change. Their curses are less hostile and they're actually really hilarious.

Romance

The thing I love about historical fiction books is that the romance is structured around that certain era and it may be different than how we read modern contemporary novels today. This book's romance definitely had a medieval vibe and there was a lot of affairs, arranged marriages between princesses and princes, and forbidden romances.

The romance is so juicy and you can't wait to pick up this book again and jump right back into the time period. There was a lot of forbidden romance and as much as I don't like love triangles and such, there are some good outcomes and true betrayals within the love. It had all the aspects of a normal historical fiction book without the boring info dumps.

In short, I'm so glad I stumbled upon this historical read. The ending leaves off on a major cliffhanger that you will demand for the next book, and I just hope I get an advanced copy of the next book before I rip someone's eyeballs out from the anticipation. 

Will you be picking up this fantastical, mythological, historical fiction book?

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Title: Ink and Bone 

Author: Rachel Caine 

Pages: 352 pages 

Published: July 7th, 2015 

Genre: Fantasy YA 

Source: ARC from Penguin 

Rating:

In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time... 

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly- but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden. 

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family's spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library's service. 

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life- and soon both heretics and books will burn. 

Buy it now!

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

**I want to thank Penguin for an advanced galley of this book**

The synopsis of this book reminded me of Bradbury's classic novel, Fahrenheit 451 with the idea of knowledge (aka books) being forbidden in the hands of an individual person. I loved Fahrenheit 451 and it was my favorite of all the books I was forced to read throughout the school year. It was a dystopian novel that takes place in the future, as this one is now. The authority of this library kind of reminded me of the power of the Catholic Church and the Pope in history. Sorry, just bringing up lessons from Global. 

Sadly but surely, I could not get into this book at all. About 180 pages in, I would stop in between chapters and try to recall what was going on in the past few chapters. After recalling the plot of Fahrenheit, I concluded that this book did not have an original plot and was kind of similar. I was still excited and hyped to read this book because I enjoyed Fahrenheit, which was mentioned before.

The book follows the main protagonist Jess. It starts out with Jess trying to smuggle books for his father because the Great Library forbids the society from having personals books that are not under the consent or knowledge of the library. Basically this sounds exactly like the Roman Catholic Church and how you couldn't read a bible unless it was from the Pope or in the Church. The problem with this is that things can be altered and changed and the people in the society wouldn't even know it! Jess' family, I guess, is enraged by this and feels that people should have their right to owning books and plus it makes good money! Jess himself, though, loves to read and usually sneaks a couple of moments of reading when on the job. His father ends up telling him to compete for a spot at the Great Library.

I hope I'm not confusing you guys with my full explanation of the plot because this book was so confusing at times! I can deal with a fantasy book that has complex and planned twists and turned, but not a book that attempts to be 'intricate' and doesn't succeed.

The characters fell flat for me in this book. Rachel Caine is the author of the infamous Morganville vampires series, which some of my friends have seriously loved. Jess was a booklover, which I could totally relate to but other than that, he had no other shining personalities and highlighted qualities. Jess was like the only character with a 'soul', or in other words, with substance!!! At times, I felt like he was the only character in this book. Well actually, his father was kind of an asshole, so does that count??

And, of course, you probably guessed that I didn't get as far as the romance parts. It was a YA book though so I suppose it had to have a great romance aspect.

This is my first Rachel Caine novel so just because I didn't like this specific book, doesn't mean I won't like any of her others and that you won't like it either. Take this in consideration because whenever I don't like novels 100%, there are so many others that do. I also consider this book as historical fiction, so it was something different.

Did you enjoy Fahrenheit 451 and are looking for a book with a similar dynamic and plot? Check out Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine!