spotlight on: hey the world is falling apart

Hi and welcome to another installation of Spotlight On, which is a monthly series here at Stardust and Words. The rest of the Spotlight posts can be seen here. Today, I thought I would use the Spotlight post to talk about something that I'm sure you guys are all aware of: the utter trash fire that is America right now! Whatever your politics, it's super clear that everything is extremely messy right now, and if you're like me, there is a fair amount of anger and fear just mixed in with your every day existence now. So I figured I'd take to the blog and give some recommendations of books that will not only allow you to escape for a minute from the craziness of the outside world, but also books that are A+ with representation of people and things that this new political landscape threatens. In supporting these books, we are supporting these authors, some of whom stand to lose a lot in this new landscape, but who are still fighting and creating things that are beautiful.

1. The Sun is Also A Star – Nicola Yoon
2. History is All You Left Me – Adam Silvera
3. I'll Give You the Sun – Jandy Nelson
4. The Female of the Species – Mindy McGinnis
5. When the Moon Was Ours – Anna Marie McLemore
6. When We Collided – Emery Lord
7. Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli
8. Wolf by Wolf – Ryan Graudin
9. Red Queen – Victoria Aveyard
10. To All the Boys I've Loved Before – Jenny Han
11. The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas (support it when it comes out – February 28)
12. All American Boys – Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
13. An Ember in the Ashes – Sabaa Tahir
14. Shatter Me – Tahereh Mafi
15. I Am Malala – Malala Yousafzai

xx
Caroline

a torch against the night: stardust arc reviews

A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2)
Sabaa Tahir

☆☆☆☆☆

goodreads/b&n/amazon

A Torch Against the Night takes readers into the heart of the Empire as Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts.

In the city of Serra, Helene Aquilla finds herself bound to the will of the Empire’s twisted new leader, Marcus. When her loyalty is questioned, Helene finds herself taking on a mission to prove herself—a mission that might destroy her, instead.


FULL, FEELS-FILLED REVIEW UNDER THE CUT!!

top ten tuesday: 2016 releases part 2

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is "June 14: Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For The Second Half Of The Year (since we did a topic about the releases we were excited about for the first half of 2016 back in the beginning of the year)" And since I know we all LOVE talking about and adding to our TBR piles, I am super excited for this topic :) 

Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases 2016 pt. 2 

in order of release date 

1. This Savage Song – Victoria Schwab 

releases July 5

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

 

2. The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles #3) – Mary E. Pearson

releases August 2 

(spoilers!) 

Lia and Rafe have escaped Venda and the path before them is winding and dangerous - what will happen now? This third and final book in The Remnant Chronicles is not to be missed.

Bestselling author Mary E. Pearson's combination of intrigue, suspense, romance and action make this a riveting page turner for teens.

 

3. A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) – Sabaa Tahir 

releases August 30 

(spoilers!) 

A Torch Against the Night takes readers into the heart of the Empire as Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts.

In the city of Serra, Helene Aquilla finds herself bound to the will of the Empire’s twisted new leader, Marcus. When her loyalty is questioned, Helene finds herself taking on a mission to prove herself—a mission that might destroy her, instead.

4. Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) – Sarah J Maas 

releases September 6

(spoilers!) 

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

5. Kids of Appetite – David Arnold  

releases September 20 

Victor Benucci and Madeline Falco have a story to tell.
It begins with the death of Vic’s father.
It ends with the murder of Mad’s uncle.
The Hackensack Police Department would very much like to hear it.
But in order to tell their story, Vic and Mad must focus on all the chapters in between.

This is a story about:
1. A coded mission to scatter ashes across New Jersey.
2. The momentous nature of the Palisades in winter.
3. One dormant submarine.
4. Two songs about flowers.
5. Being cool in the traditional sense.
6. Sunsets & ice cream & orchards & graveyards.
7. Simultaneous extreme opposites.
8. A narrow escape from a war-torn country.
9. A story collector.
10. How to listen to someone who does not talk.
11. Falling in love with a painting.
12. Falling in love with a song.
13. Falling in love.

 

6. Three Dark Crowns – Kendare Blake 

releases September 20 

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.  

7. Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) 

releases September 27 

 (spoilers!) 

 

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world. 

 

8. Strange the Dreamer – Laini Taylor 

 releases September 27 

Strange the Dreamer is the story of:

the aftermath of a war between gods and men
a mysterious city stripped of its name
a mythic hero with blood on his hands
a young librarian with a singular dream
a girl every bit as perilous as she is imperiled
alchemy and blood candy, nightmares and godspawn, moths and monsters, friendship and treachery, love and carnage.

Welcome to Weep.

9. The Sun is Also A Star – Nicola Yoon

releases November 1

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true? 

10. A Million Worlds with You (Firebird #3) – Claudia Gray
releases November 1

(spoilers!) 

A million universes. A million dangers. One destiny.

The fate of the multiverse rests in Marguerite Caine’s hands. Marguerite has been at the center of a cross-dimensional feud since she first traveled to another universe using her parents’ invention, the Firebird. Only now has she learned the true plans of the evil Triad Corporation—and that those plans could spell doom for dozens or hundreds of universes, each facing total annihilation.

Paul Markov has always been at Marguerite’s side, but Triad’s last attack has left him a changed man—angry and shadowed by tragedy. He struggles to overcome the damage done to him, but despite Marguerite’s efforts to help, Paul may never be the same again.

So it’s up to Marguerite alone to stop the destruction of the multiverse. Billions of lives are at stake. The risks have never been higher. And Triad has unleashed its ultimate weapon: another dimension’s Marguerite—wicked, psychologically twisted, and always one step ahead.

In the epic conclusion to Claudia Gray’s Firebird trilogy, fate and family will be questioned, loves will be won and lost, and the multiverse will be forever changed. It’s a battle of the Marguerites . . . and only one can win.


what books are on your lists this week?? I am always looking for more things to add to my tbr :) 

xx
Caroline 

top ten tuesday: quotable moments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish! This week's theme is: "November 17: Top Ten Quotes I Loved From Books I Read In The Past Year Or So." I absolutely love this theme, though it makes people crazy, I'm constantly marking in my books. I love words and the way they come together to make people feel something, so I go a little bit crazy over quotes!

1. "People think people are in charge, but they're wrong, it's the trees." – Jandy Nelson, I'll Give You the Sun 


2. “She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers. She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing, save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph.”– Sarah J. Maas, Queen of Shadows 

3. “In friendship we are all debtors. We all owe each other for a thousand small kindnesses, for little moments of grace in the chaos.”– Emery Lord, The Start of Me and You 


4.  "'We women are a sad lot, aren't we?' 
 'What do you mean?' 
'Strong enough to take on the world with our bare hands, yet we permit ridiculous boys to make fools of us.'" – Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn 

5.  “If Eli really was a hero, and Victor meant to stop him, did that make him a villain? He took a long sip of his drink, tipped his head back against the Vicious 
couch, and decided he could live with that.” –V.E. Schwab,

6. "Dear Isabel, A quick note: I don't think a vivid imagination is all it's cracked up to be. I'm quite certain you have one, but if not, thank the gods of born-with-gifts and move on. However, if you're cursed as I am with a love of storytelling and adventures in galaxies far far away, and mythical creatures from fictional lands who are more real to you than actual people with blood and bones – which is to say, people who exist– well, let me be the first to pass on my condolences. Because life is rarely what you imagine it would be." – David Arnold, Mosquitoland 

7. "Mathematics or fate: Whatever that force is that keeps bringing us together in world after world, it's powerful. Undeniable. But I still don't know whether that force means my salvation or my destruction." – Claudia Gray, A Thousand Pieces of You 

8. Later, we lay on the riverbank, learning the lines of each other's bodies anew. This, and this and this. We were like gods at the dawning of the world, and our joy was so bright, we could see nothing else but the other." – Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles  

9. “People really are like house with vast rooms and tiny windows. And maybe it's a good thing, the way we never stop surprising each other.” – Becky Albertalli, Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda

10. “You are full, Laia. Full of life and dark and strength and spirit. You are in our dreams. You will burn, for you are an ember in the ashes.”– Sabaa Tahir, An Ember in the Ashes



what are your quotes this week?
xx
Sunny

top ten tuesday: sophomore releases

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish, and every week is a different themed list! This week's theme is: "November 3:  Top Ten Debut Authors Who Have Me Looking Forward To Their Sophomore Novel (because when you love a debut you just are ITCHING to get your hands on the author's second book) or Top Ten Sophomore Novels That I Loved Just As Much If Not More As The Author's Debut (no one hit wonders heeeere!)" So here we go!

Five Sophomore Releases I Can't Wait For 

1. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen #2): I loved Red Queen so much, and I can't wait to see what else this world has in store!

 2. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir (An Ember in the Ashes #2): An Ember in the Ashes was one of my favorite books that I've read so far this year, and I can only hope that this second installment is as kickass as the first.

3. Map of Fates by Maggie Hall (The Conspiracy of Us #2): What makes the first book so interesting and different for me was the incorporation of unusual settings and mythologies, so I hope the second one does this just as well!

4. Wandering Star by Romina Russell (Zodiac #2): I thought the world of Zodiac was incredibly intricate, and I hope that we can delve into different parts of it in this second novel.

 5. Shiny Broken Pieces by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton (Tiny Pretty Things #2): I got so sucked into the drama of the first one that I read it in like six hours, and I'm just looking for my Gossip Girl-esque sequel!

Four Sophomore Releases I Loved Just as Much as Debuts

1. The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord: I thought this novel was just as good, if not better than her debut, Open Road Summer. This is the only book that I have read through twice in a row!

2. Signs Point to Yes by Sandy Hall: Sandy Hall excels at the adorable. Her debut might be slightly better in my eyes, but this second one is just as cute as A Little Something Different, and for that I am grateful.

3. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson: Obviously, Morgan Matson has another book out now too, but I just wanted to point out that Amy and Roger's Epic Detour was a hell of a debut and hard to follow, but Second Chance Summer was just as amazing as Amy and Roger's was!

4. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson: If you've been on here for any amount of time you'll know that this is one of my favorites ever, even more amazing than Nelson's debut, The Sky is Everywhere!

What is on your list this week?

xx
Sunny

bedtime book tag

Hey everyone!! I promised myself that I would do at least one tag post before the month of June was over, and so when I was talking to my friend Violet and she recommended The Bedtime Book tag, I just had to tag myself and give this one a shot! ITS ONLY JULY 2 SO THIS COUNTS. I've gotten this from here if anyone is interested in doing it themselves! I'm not going to tag anyone, except for to tag everyone, so if you want to do this, consider yourself tagged!

1. A Book that Kept You Up All Night Reading

I stayed up all night reading this one because I desperately wanted to get to the end without seeing any spoilers online, so I read it basically all in one sitting on the day that it came out! Many tears were shed, many goodbyes were said, it was all around an emotional night.

 
2. A Book that Made You Scared To Go To Sleep 

I do not do scary books. Or scary movies. Or haunted houses. Basically I tend to avoid being scared for fun. Not because I have a lot of fears, just because I don't find it enjoyable to be jumpy and on edge, and so I don't have a whole lot for this category. However, the world of the 5th Wave freaked me out a lot, so I would say this is the one that comes closest to giving me nightmares.

3. A Book that Made You Go to Sleep 

 I was *so* on board with the premise of this book, I thought it was going to be awesome and different and that I would love it! However, when I read it, two summers ago, it was incredibly disappointing, and I just remember being so bored and waiting for it to be over.

4. A Book That Left You Tossing and Turning All Night in Anticipation of its Release

 For those of you that have read The Mark of Athena, which is the third book in this, The Heroes of Olympus series, you will know that it was one of the most intense and emotional cliff hangers. Then we had an entire YEAR to wait in between that one and this, and so that meant that the night before this was released, I was too excited to sleep.

5. A Book that Has Your Dream Boyfriend 

PAUL *heart eyes emoji* I love him so so much. In my review on this book, I basically just gush for about 500 words about how much I love him. He is loyal and has a strong moral compass, and he is utterly devoted to Marguerite, but he doesn't pressure her at all when she doesn't know where she wants to be with him. He's just perfect and brave and wonderful and I'm obsessed with him. 

6. A Book that Would Be Your Worst Nightmare to Live In

Ok, half of the reason that I really liked this book is because the setting scared the crap out of me, to be honest. I've never read anything like it. This book takes place in an insanely scary world ruled by the Martial Empire, where even a toe out of line could get you disfigured or killed. I liked reading about it, but I would never ever want to live there.

7. A Book that Reminds You of Nighttime

I'm not exactly sure why, but I think of a clear night when I think of this book. Maybe because its kind of dark and twisty, because it takes place in Prague, because of Eretz, the world with two moons, but this is definitely one that reminds me of the night.

8. A Book that Had a Nightmarish Cliffhanger

 Even though I already had the next book in this series when I read this one, I still remember being curled up in a ball on the floor, rocking back and forth, sobbing at the end of this one. Remembering that actually really makes me want to re-read this series...

9. A Book that You Actually Dreamed About

 I'm sure a lot of us have had the Hogwarts dream. I know that I've been sporadically dreaming about Harry Potter since I first read it as a preteen. Who wouldn't want to be whisked away from their life and into a magical wizarding world?

10. A Book Monster that You Would Not Want to Find Under Your Bed 

I'm going to go with a Strigoi vampire from the Vampire Academy series. They are scary as hell, and you have to be like a super badass to beat them. Definitely not something I'd ever want to meet up with.

This was fun!! I always love doing tags. What would your answers be? 

xx

Sunny

top ten tuesday: best of 2015 (so far)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish, where each week we have a different themed list of fun bookish things! This week's theme is: "June 30: Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2015," which is really difficult for me, because I have really been having a spectacular reading year so far! But I did manage to narrow it down to ten, so here we go!

January 

1. Heir of Fire – Sara J Maas

This was the first book I finished in 2015, and if that isn't getting the year off to a kick-ass start, I don't know what is. This third installment in the Throne of Glass series definitely solidified it as one of my all-time favorite series, it's just so kick-ass and amazing, and I cannot wait for the fourth book, which comes out in September. If you haven't jumped on this bandwagon yet, do yourself a favor and read these books!





February

2. The Song of Achilles – Madeline Miller

I'd heard amazing things about this before I started it, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I absolutely love everything having to do with Greek mythology and stories, and I liked that this was a retelling, but it actually does take place in ancient Greece. I loved the take on Achilles and Patroclus, I felt that this book really humanized them in a way I hadn't seen before. I have a full review of this HERE! 

3. A Thousand Pieces of You – Claudia Gray

The multiverse and a love that spans dimensions... this is one of the most unique stories I've read this year for sure, and also one of my absolute favorites. This book has some absolutely breathtaking settings, as the characters travel from dimension to dimension, and that was a big plus for me with this one. Also, the love story is just so dang adorable, I couldn't put this one down. I have a full review HERE. 





March

4. Mosquitoland – David Arnold

A completely unexpected gem, for me at least. I wasn't expecting to love this one at all, but it was incredible. The narration was, dare I say, poignant, and I connected to the characters and their struggles right away. I love Mim Malone, and the fact that the adventures she has in this book are utterly ridiculous just adds to its charm. I was completely taken in by the spell that this book weaves, and I know I will be going back to this one again and again. I have a full review HERE. 

5. A Darker Shade of Magic – V.E. Schwab 

This was one of my most highly anticipated books of the entire year, because I was so impressed with the description, and I had heard amazing things about V.E. Schwab. It definitely lived up to the hype. I loved the magical world, with multiple Londons layered on top of each other, each more fantastic than the last. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those epic series, and I can't wait for the next book. Full review HERE.





April

6. Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli

One of only three contemporaries on this list, this one was probably the most fun I had reading a book all year. I actually listened to the audiobook, and that probably contributed to how hilarious it was, but I seriously loved it. Simon's voice is so real, like I could actually picture one of my friends saying what he was saying, and I loved the cast of characters that surrounded him. Definitely a must read! Full review HERE.





May 

7. An Ember in the Ashes – Sabaa Tahir

The world of this novel is the thing that really drew me in when I first started it. It is incredibly well-developed, without ever making you read pages and pages of tedious world building. The plot had me on my toes through the entire novel, there was never a place where I felt ok putting the book down for awhile. I encourage you to get swept away in this incredible setting, because this series is going to be amazing, I guarantee. I have a full review HERE.

8. A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J Maas

You know that I'm obsessed with Sarah J Maas when she has two books on this list, in two different series. This is actually my perfect novel, as I have mentioned before. It is a beauty and the beast retelling, combined with fae lore and all of the badass girls and sexy dudes. I am obsessed with this book, so I encourage you all to read it, for my sanity, because I don't think I will rest until everyone has read this amazing novel. Full review HERE.




June
 

9.The Wrath and the Dawn – Renee Ahdieh

I wasn't even planning on reading this book. I thought it looked good, but it wasn't something that immediately captured my attention. However, upon the recommendation of SO MANY people, I had to finally cave and join the hype. And let me tell you, I am so glad that I did. This book is so different, everything from the setting to the hints of magic to the main protags. I loved every single second of it, and I think that everyone could find something to love in this one too. Full review HERE.

10. The Start of Me and You – Emery Lord

This is my summery romance novel of this list, even though it is also much deeper than just a summer romance novel, but I digress. I cannot express how much I loved the relationships in this book, whether they were familial, friendship-y or romantic, they were all very compelling and real to me. I loved that the main character had to learn to move on from her past and accept herself before she could accept someone else into her heart. All very emotional stuff for me. Full review HERE.



&&& a bonus duo honorable mention
11-12. The Winner's Curse & The Winner's Crime – Marie Rutkoski  

what have you been loving this year??

xx
Sunny