2017 Audiobook Challenge Semi-Annual Update

Hello everyone! It's June already, which means it is time to look back at the reads you've completed so far in 2017 and be amazed by how well (of course 😎) you've done on all you bookish challenges! 

As you might know, I discovered audiobooks around two years ago now, and I've loved listening to them ever since. I listen to books when I do chores and when I go walking to places, mainly, and I think it's a great way to both read more and to use your time wisely. This year I've surpassed my expectations for the number of audiobooks I've listened to - in fact, more than 40% of the books I've read so far this year are in audiobook format. For the 2017 Audiobook Challenge (hosted by Hot Listens and Caffeinated Book Reviewer), I chose to do the Weekend Warrior level (5-10 audiobooks, specifically setting myself the target of 6 audiobooks), and I've already listened to 5 audiobooks from January to June!

Here is my semi-annual update! 

Note: the cover pictures in this post are linked to their respective Goodreads page

Cova Reviews ARCs | The Cardinal's Court, by Cora Harrison

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book via the publisher (The History Press). This does not affect the content of the following review in any way, which expresses my honest opinion on the book

Hello, everyone! Today I bring to you Cora Harrison's new novel, The Cardinal's Court, which will hit bookstores in just a couple of weeks - July 1st this year. It is a historical mystery set in the Tudor medieval time, with real historical characters like Anne Boleyn or Henri VIII, as well as fictional ones like our protagonist - lawyer Hugh Mac Egan. It is the first novel to what is going to be called the Hugh Mac Egan Mysteries. Up until this book I hadn't read any fictional works set before the XX century, and I found it very informative. It gave me an itch to look for more historical fiction about this period!

I found Goodreads' synopsis to be quite confusing, to be honest, so I've written a much simpler one myself for you (you're welcome 😎):

Hugh Mac Egan - an Irish Brehon lawyer who works for the Earl of Northemberland in Ireland, travels to Hampton Court to legally arrange the marriage between the Earl's son, James Butler, and Anne Boleyn. However, when he gets there the Instructor of the Guards is murdered while the King himself is in the palace, and all clues point towards James as the suspected murderer. It is in Hugh's hand to find the real murderer to clear his employer's son of the harsh punishment implemented by the English law of the beginning of the 16th century. 

Cova Reviews | Caraval, by Stephanie Garber

Hello once more! This post will be a review of this year's release Caraval, by Stephanie Garber. It is a young adult, fantasy novel - the first in a series of books that are still to come. I listened to this book on Audiobook :)

"Remember, it’s only a game…

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away." (Goodreads)

Top 5 Wednesday 3 | Books for your Hogwarts House

In the Goodreads Group Top 5 Wednesday we're given a topic for each Wednesday of the month, and we are meant to say our top 5 related to the topic. It was created by Lainey, and you can find more information here :)

Books for your Hogwarts House

Hello everyone! This week's T5W is all about Hogwarts - the top 5 books that represent our Hogwarts house. Now, you might think you belong to a certain Hogwarts House because that's the one you like or the one you think you'd fit in best, but truth is you'll never really know unless you've taken Pottermore's House sorting test. Yes, my friends. This page, ran partly by J.K. Rowling herself, is the ultimate tool for you to navigate through the wonders of Harry Potter's magical world. You can get your hands on the one wand meant just for you, and you can even attempt to get into Hogwarts by getting your head under the famous Sorting Hat. Only then you'll know for sure what your Hogwarts House is. 

I have, of course, taken the test, and I was lucky enough for the Sorting Hat to place me in the House I'd always wanted to be in - Gryffindor, the House for the brave and the courageous and the chivalrous. It had to be that one! 😏

And thus the books I have chosen to include in this post will for the adventurous, the daring, and the brave. Beware!

Cover pictures are linked to their respective Goodreads page.

Double Giveaway! The Hereafter, by Jessica Bucher

Hello everyone and welcome to this exciting giveaway post! I've been meaning to host a giveaway for some time now, and what better time to do it than the beginning of the summer season, when we all have so much more time to relax and do that which makes us happy - yes, I am talking about reading. Duh 😉

For this special occasion, I have partnered with author Jessica Bucher to give away not only one but two copies of her debut novel The Hereafter - a sweet and unique YA, paranormal novel full of love and adventure. I've talked about this novel a few times over at my blog because I really enjoyed it, and it includes some topics which will definitely have you thinking! You can read my review of The Hereafter here :) 

"Nin has no recollection of her death. 

The things she does remember, like her cruel boyfriend, troubled father, and absent mother, she’d like to forget. 

Dylan doesn’t need to remember his death to know that he deserved it. Who needs memories when you have the scars? 

Sparks ignite when the two, very different, strangers meet. Together they spend one endless summer exploring their new world. Suddenly, their after-lives hold more possibility and promise than their tragic teenage lives ever did.

But no dream lasts forever, and all too soon, harmful memories from their pasts emerge and threaten to tear them apart. Given the chance to change their fates, Nin and Dylan must decide-- life or love.

Weaving through past and present and alternating perspectives, The Hereafter is an emotional journey about young love and second chances." (Goodreads)

Prizes: 

So that everyone can participate, the giveaway prize will consist of the following:

1. One e-book copy of the book The Hereafter that will be gifted to one (1) lucky winner  (open internationally) - please note a valid Amazon account is needed to retrieve this prize
2. One paperback copy of the book The Hereafter that will be gifted to one (1) lucky winner who lives in the USA (USA only)

Yes, two giveaways in one! Isn't it the world's luckiest day 😏 To participate you just have to fill in the Rafflecopter survey below.

Terms and Conditions:

• To enter either giveaway participants must fill in the Rafflecopter survey below (both winners -International and USA only- will be randomly drawn from the same Rafflecopter gadget)
• Ends 19th June 2017 at 23:59 GMT
• Participants can enter only giveaway only
• Participants with a mailing address in the USA are eligible to enter the International giveaway of one e-book. These participants will no longer be able to participate in the USA only giveaway of one paperback copy
• Participants who love outside the USA are eligible to enter the USA only giveaway of one paperback copy so long as they can provide a mailing address from within the USA to mail the prize to. These participants will no longer be able to participate in the International giveaway of one e-book
• The e-book copy will be gifted to the international winner via Amazon, thus a valid Amazon account is needed to retrieve the prize if entering for the International giveaway of one e-book
• Participants must be 18 years old or older, or else have consent from a parent to participate and give WL and/or author Jessica Bucher their mailing address should they become the winner of the USA only giveaway of one paperback copy
• The winners will be announced on this post as well as by e-mail by the three days following the closure of the giveaway, and will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen

Good luck, everybody! 😁

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Happy reading!

Follow WL for updates on the giveaway and new posts!

Google+     Bloglovin'    Goodreads    Twitter

Cova Reviews | Salt to the Sea, by Ruta Sepetys

Hello everyone! It's time for a new book review :) You'd be rare if you didn't already know about Ruta Sepetys' multiple award-winning young adult, historical fiction novel Salt to the Sea. At least, if you frequent the page Goodreads, you'll know it won last year's (2016) Goodreads Choice Award for young Adult Fiction. It had such a good reception I had to read it! Moreover, I listened to it on audiobook -thus it contributes to the 2017 Audiobook Challenge I am taking part in!

"Winter, 1945. Four teenagers. Four secrets.
Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies…and war.
As thousands of desperate refugees flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom.
Yet not all promises can be kept.
Inspired by the single greatest tragedy in maritime history, bestselling and award-winning author Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray) lifts the veil on a shockingly little-known casualty of World War II. An illuminating and life-affirming tale of heart and hope." (Goodreads)

Top 5 Wednesday 2 | Fandoms you are no longer in

In the Goodreads Group Top 5 Wednesday we're given a topic for each Wednesday of the month, and we are meant to say our top 5 related to the topic. It was created by Lainey although it's now hosted by Sam, and you can find more information here :)

Fandoms you are no longer in. 

I have never really been a fandom girl. I like what I like, I ship who I like, I talk about it a lot with my friends and that's about it. I recently said I am very bad at remembering character names and stories not so long after I read them, and thus I guess that's part of the reason why I tend to enjoy stuff and then move on to the next stuff I enjoy :P (Hope that makes sense!).

Nevertheless, I have loved some books/authors/fictional couples that I've later come to "forget", if that counts as fandoms I am no longer in. Here's my list! All pictures are linked to their Goodreads page :)

Top 5 Wednesday 1 | Favourite Minor Characters

Hello guys! I joined the Top 5 Wednesday community on Goodreads not long ago, but because of exams I couldn't start it. So here we are now that I finished the semester! In Top 5 Wednesday we're given a topic for each Wednesday of the month, and we are meant to say our top 5 related to the topic. It was created by Lainey, it is now hosted by Sam and you can find more information here :)

This week's topic is... 

Favourite Minor Characters

More new books than my shelves can handle!

Hello, guys! I've been away for some time now due to exams period in uni. I forgot to write a blog post about it, although I did tweet it and kept updating my exams status 😅 They were hard and painful, but I got through them and I AM BACK! I've been quietly buying too many books lately, so I thought what better way to return strong than telling you guys what awesome new reads I've acquired :P I am calling it "Spring Bookhaul", though  really it's everything from the start of the year which I haven't shared in my blog yet hehe

Let's do this!

The following books are in no particular order. I just added them as I remembered. Hope you enjoy it! :D

Cova Reviews | Famous by Default - MK Harkins

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review via NetGalley. This does not in any away affect the truthfulness of the following statement, which reflects my honest opinion on the novel

Hello, guys! Hope everything's going well :) This week's post will be a review of Famous by Default, by M.K. Harkins. It is a light young adult, contemporary novel about love, loss and finding oneself.

"Jax

Buried,By my family's fame.Dying to escape the limelight,And finally, I do.

Being raised as a Jayne, I'm under constant scrutiny. The rock band my brothers formed makes it impossible to stay under the radar. Paparazzi, tabloids, rabid fans--you name it and I've got it. It all makes me sick. But getting shipped off to crazy Aunt Betty's house in my senior year of high school isn't any better. After all, there isn't a stray kid or pet in the world that my aunt wouldn't take in.

Then I meet her. She's cautious, suspicious, and not interested in me at all. But that's fine by me. Sivan Holt may be beautiful and intelligent, but she's nothing I'm looking for.

Sivan

Drowning,In my past.Struggling to feel settled.And finally, I do.

Growing up in the foster care system, I longed for a sense of belonging. All I wanted was a place to call home.At the age of seventeen, I'm finally starting to feel it here. Home.

When he comes along, it unsettles me. I don't want him to ruin everything we've built--everything that matters. Jax Jayne is arrogant, privileged, and I want nothing to do with him. But those green eyes of his keep drawing me in. If I let down my walls, will it be my final undoing?" (Goodreads)

Cova Reviews | The Hereafter, by Jessica Bucher

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review via NetGalley. This does not in any away affect the truthfulness of the following statement, which reflects my honest opinion on the novel

Hello, everyone! Today I bring to you a review of the book The Hereafter, by Jessica Bucher. It is a great new adult, paranormal novel, a stand-alone (at least, so far) about death, love, faith and consequences.  I was lucky enough to be granted this book for review, and I am so happy I was! It was published independently by the author, and it honestly changed my mind about self-published works. It came out last month, March 16th.

"Nin has no recollection of her death. The things she does remember, like her cruel boyfriend, troubled father, and absent mother, she’d like to forget. Dylan doesn’t need to remember his death to know that he deserved it. Who needs memories when you have the scars? Sparks ignite when the two, very different, strangers meet. Together they spend one endless summer exploring their new world. Suddenly, their after-lives hold more possibility and promise than their tragic teenage lives ever did.But no dream lasts forever, and all too soon, harmful memories from their pasts emerge and threaten to tear them apart. Given the chance to change their fates, Nin and Dylan must decide-- life or love.Weaving through past and present and alternating perspectives, The Hereafter is an emotional journey about young love and second chances." (Goodreads)

Mystery Blogger Award

Hello, guys! I've been away for some weeks now because I had so many things to do - and my exams are coming up, so I'll be away some more in a couple of week's time :( I'm sorry!

Anyway, I was nominated by Shouni @ Through the Book Portal for the Mystery Blogger Award, which was created by Okoto Enigma. Thanks so much! :D Here are the rules:

THE RULES:

• Put the award logo/image on your blog
• List the rules
• Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog
• Mention the creator of the award and provide a link to their blog as well
• Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
• You have to nominate 10-20 people
• Notify each of your nominees by commenting on their blog
• Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify)
• Share your link to your best post(s)

Cova Reviews | The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater

Hello again! Today I bring to you a review of amazing YA, paranormal novel The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater. I'd heard some about it, and I found an awesome deal, so I just decided to buy it and only then asked if it was any good :P Luckily for me, I ended up really loving it! It is the first book to a series that has 4 books in it so far - The Raven Cycle. As I read it in audiobook format, it adds to the list of books I've listened to for my 2017 Audiobook Challenge! :D (surprisingly, I am 50% done with it and were're only half-way through March!). 

"“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore." (Goodreads)

Cova Reviews | Everything I Never Told You - Celeste Ng | 2017 Diverse Reads Challenge

Hi there! This post is a review for the 2017 Diverse Reads Challenge for the month of February. I know it's probably a bit late, but honestly I haven't had much time to sit and write blog posts for a while now - exams and family visits take up too much of my time! (yes, my scheduled post came in handy 😏) So sorry this one's coming slightly off time 😀 

So anyway. February's topic was POC main character / Biracial / Multiracial. I went for biracial with Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste NG. I was really excited to read this book because I'd read about it in so many different places and, although I didn't really know what it was about, it caught my attention. Sadly, it didn't quite lift up to my expectations :(

Lydia is a half-Chinese/half-American teenager who lives in the 70s. She lives with her family - Chinese dad, American mum, and an older brother and a younger sister. The book starts off telling you Lydia is dead. That we know. What we don't know is how, when or why. We will find out as we dive into Lydia's past and her family's, and we will see how difficult it is to be raised in a country that's just starting to accept people of other races. 

Cova Reviews | P.S. I Still Love You, by Jenny Han

Hi there! So here we are again. Hope you all had a great start of the year wherever you are in the world :) Back at reviewing you will see me, as should be. And for the first review of 2017, I shall write about the second novel to the YA, contemporary To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy by Jenny Han, P.S. I Still Love You. This review will be spoiler-free for both the second and first novels of the series, so don't worry if you haven't read To All the Boys I've Loved Before yet, although I'd advise you to go read the review for that one first? 😛 

I was literally dying to read this novel right after I finished the first part to the trilogy, but I had finals (why?! 😓), and I had to be good - so I left it to read at the end of the month. And, oh boy, was it worth the wait!