Book Review:The Sword of Summer

Magnus Chase and The Gods of Asgard (#1): Written by Rick Riordan

Release Date: October 6th, 2015

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books

Format of Novel: Hardcover

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from good reads): Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die..

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At long last, Rick Riordan has created a trilogy with Norse Mythology! (Yay Loki and Fenrir!). This book was a delight to read. We follow Magus Chase, the cousin of Annabeth (not a surprise there if you as me..) and his journey in the demi-goddess status of Valhalla after taking the leap of faith to protect those that helped him and dying in the process. Wait a minute you may ask, he died? Well hell yeah he died.. How else are you going to get to the hotel of the gods right? Haha. Sorry there, I needed to be a butt with you all. But, for those that have read this book already caught on with this cruel short summary of the book. Any who, if you all followed Riordan in the past, you know that the end of the book or is it? haha.

In this exciting book, we follow Riordan's take on Norse Mythology and Magus Chase's life before and after he discovers the truth of his heritage. Unlike the Percy Jackson Series, this book took on a little more serious approach with the character development, especially with Magus. We see him transisting from being homeless, to death, to living in this freakin' beautiful and adventurous hotel filled with fallen heroes from all different times periods, to embracing a quest in a similar matter like Percy did in his series. In a personal opinion, I felt that this book was my instant fan girl book out of all of the Rick Riordan books I've read in the past because I felt a more mature connection with Magus from the moment I read the first sentence.

The other character were fantastic as well. Like the ones from Percy Jackson, these characters maintained a humor to them that we see from the crazy author that really brought out the story to life. The action scenes in this was spot on with exciting descriptions and the dialogue was realistic and wonderful. Each of the plot twists and milestones were a great touch to the start of this wonderful trilogy. Even though this was the first to Magus' adventure, I'm dying to read more of this protagonist and his friends in the near future. This book was a nice touch to Riordan's mythological world and I can't wait to read more from him in the near future!

December TBR List

Good day everyone, hope you're doing well today. Today, I'm revealing to you all my monthly TBR list from now till probably beginning of the new year. As far as the list goes, this month is mainly going to be filled with e-books or arcs that I requested from Net galley. Due to work, I fell behind in maintaining a personal promise to myself as a blogger to read and review more of these books on a regular basis. But, since I figured this month will be the e-book focused month, I should be able to read/review more for you guys and post them on here when I get the chance too.

Let's get started on the TBR list because that's what you've been waiting for right? Right.

1. Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin (E-ARC)

2. The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse by Brian Farrey (E-ARC)

3. The Casquette Girls by Alys Arden (E-ARC)

4. Wolf, WY by A.F Henley (E-ARC)

5. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (E-Book)

6. Slammed by Colleen Hoover (E-Book)

7. Her Dark Curiosity by Meghan Shepherd (E-Book)

8. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas (Physical book)

9. Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (Physical book)

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I think that's plenty, right? Or should I keep adding more to it? No? Probably will keep adding more to the list on my own time or whatever. What are your tbr books for this month? Tell me in the comments below and I'll see you tomorrow with a book review. Happy howling my fellow wolves!

Top Ten 2016 debut books I can't wait to read

I know there's a thing call "Top Ten Tuesday" roaming around the blogging world, but since I work on Tuesdays, I wanted to switch it up and do Top tens posts on my own time instead on a set date since I'm a newbie around the book reviewing world. I'll probably sign up to do it on Tuesdays eventually, but I can't with work consuming my life. But, basically this post is gonna describe what books I'm dying to read during the new year and since it's already December, why not talk about it right? :) Now I'll say this, this list has only debut novels and authors that are appearing in 2016. I am going to make a 2016 list of other novels for authors that are already published, but have books being released during the new year. So let's get started right? Right.

(In no particular order)

1.) After the Woods by Kim Savage: As I looked at the summary on good reads, I'm growing more interested by the second, the premise seems to be a thriller theme with a dash of paranormal. Since these sort of books are up my alley in the reading department, I may snag a copy when it comes out. And look at this cover, mysterious right?

2.) Underwater by Marisa Reichardit: Like After the Woods, this book's premise caught my eye. However, since I don't read a lot of contemporary novels, I think this will be a risk taker on my part into that genre. Personally, I think it's gonna make me shiver and cry a little on how relatable this character sounds to a introverted person like myself.

3. Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan: I've been seeing popping up on blogger's twitter accounts and blogs lately, and my gut is telling me that this is going to be the fantasy of the year when it's officially released. But, only time is

4. The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie: Just the title makes this book sound and look fantastic as all hell. Plus the premise on good reads sounds pretty bad ass.

5. Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshabaugh: I am in complete and utter awe for this author because I've been waiting for her to make a debut with a book since she became a contributor in the 'Let the words flow/(Pub)crawling' blogs back in I want to say 2011? The premise of this book sounds fantastic and I'm gonna pick this up when it releases. I'm so proud of her for kicking ass and making a name in the publishing world!

6. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton: The idea of this story sounds interesting to me, plus its nice to read books with diversity in it. :)

7.) Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst: This book sounds like a heartbreak waiting to happen, especially with the princess falling in lover with another. But, what I like is the twist within the romance and how the premise from good reads doesn't tell you much about it. Hopefully it turns out pretty cool in the end.

8.) Dreamology by Lucy Keating: Every girl needs a romance in her life and this sounds like my perfect romance story of the year. This is the first time hearing about this book and already, I'm craving it from what I saw on good reads.

9.) A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess: This books is apparently about magic and I do enjoy seeing magic in books. Haha.

and finally...

10.) Daybreak Rising by C.K Oliver: This is like number nine on my list, but I feel as so it's gonna be a little darker than A Shadow Bright and Burning. Though more or less, this sounds like a kick ass book as well.

Okay, so these books are my most anticipated of 2016 in terms of debut novels being released. What are you looking for reading next year? Let me in the comments below or on twitter(@xthewolfwriterx) and I'll be back tomorrow with a book review. Happy Howling!

NaNoWriMo: Final Results

Hey guys. Well yesterday was the last day of National Novel Writing Month, or the end of hell in my words. Haha. I will like to take this moment to give you all pats on the back or shoulders because we made it out alive. Even if some of us didn't win the event, it's the effort of trying our very hardest with the butt kicking and getting an idea out there in the world that may be the 'one' we will crown ourselves with the title of author.

So let's get to it, what are we going to do after NaNoWriMo? Well one or three things. Either plomp into food comas, read loads of books, or write some more? I go with all three if I was you. As writers, we have to balance our lifestyles with our writing and realistic choices like being an adult/student. It gives us the chance to breath and the chance to pretty much do whatever the hell we want since no one is around to stop us from taking a break. They see the way we look, talk, or even walk after dealing with our characters for a month straight, so the people of the outside world have to get use to us when we are in (how to put this nicely) our demonic forms. It's basically a sign for people to stay away till at least a week later or a month.. or till whenever we want a touch of reality..

MOVING ON.. haha. As I mentioned before, we writers are entitled to a break, or get that burst of energy to finish the damn novel! All I can really say is do what makes you happy when NaNoWriMo is done. If you want to keep working on the same project, do it. If you want time to work on another project, do it. If you want to binge eat, play videos games, etc- do it. It's entirely up to you as a writer and as a person. You can keep kicking ass like you normally do in your writing and edit the stuffing out of it.

I myself am taking a minor break from writing for a few days because I just gotten my new laptop (Trying to figure out scrivener and alternative to Microsoft word *don't have it yet..*) and work is giving me more hours (yikes) so there's that.. However, I will be blogging more now! Since I don't have to use my mom's laptop now, I can post book reviews faster than the speed of light. (Or try too at least lol). I dunno, my mind changes so many times that half of the stuff I say on here could be a bunch of lies or not.. Haha.

So what are you planning on doing now as a writer? Let me know in the comments below and I'll see you guys with another blog post really soon. Happy Howling!

Ps: You're crazies are beautiful and here's my final word count of the event.

Word count: 50,550

(So much better than last year! Two time 'champion' here lol)