BOTM #32

A bit of a slow month of reading for me in May, which I think has something to do with trying to read Wicked I just couldn't get into it. Just under halfway through I decided to stop reading it and I will hopefully go back to it at a later date when Wicked the show isn't so fresh in my mind. It also took me awhile to read the first few books of the month as it took me a little time to get into them but I eventually did.

Here's what I read in May:

• Camp Boyfriend (Camp Boyfriend, #1) by J.K. Rock - 3.5/5
• Entwined by Heather Dixon - 3/5
• Flight (The Crescent Chronicles, #1)by Alyssa Rose Ivy - 3/5
• Storm (Elemental, #1) by Brigid Kemmerer - 5/5
• Legal Affairs - Confessions of a Litigation God by Sawyer Bennett - 5/5
• Take Me On (Pushing the Limits, #4) by Katie McGarry - 4/5
• Off the Record (Record, #1) by K.A. Linde - 4.5/5

And the book of the month goes to...

 

Another month where I couldn't pick just one favourite book. Both of these where the only 5 star books that I read so it only seemed fair to have them joint favourites plus they are both completely different so there's no way to compare them. I was addicted to both of these books that when I was reading them I just didn't want to put either of them down, I loved every minute of both of these books and I can't wait to read more from both of these authors.

Book Review: Entwined by Heather Dixon

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Greenwillow Books

Published: 27th March 2012

Pages: 472

Genre: YA, Romance, Fantasy, re-telling

Main Characters: Azalea

Date Read: 1st May - 10th May 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Come and mend your broken hearts here. In this retelling of the classic tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," the eldest princess must fight to save her family—and her heart—from an ancient dark magic within the palace walls. "Full of mystery, lush settings, and fully orbed characters, Dixon's debut is both suspenseful and rewarding."—ALA Booklist
Just when Azalea should feel that everything is before her—beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing—it's taken away. All of it. And Azalea is trapped. The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. So he extends an invitation.
Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest, but there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late. "Readers who enjoy stories of royalty, romance, and magic will delight in Dixon's first novel."—Publishers Weekly

“You cannot dance up there," he said, quietly. "I can see you are in mourning. But you are welcome to dance here, among the magic. Please. Come and mend you broken hearts here. Come back, every night.”

I have had Entwined on my bookshelf for awhile now but I have only just gotten around to reading it, I just didn't enjoy it as much as what I thought I would...

For me this was very much book cover lust and as soon as I saw it I just had to have it which I should really try and not do that as in some cases the story isn't as stunning as the cover which was the case for this book. I love everything about this cover from the beautiful dress to the flowers around the edging and don't forget the beautiful font for the title.

When I first started Entwined I just couldn't get into it and it took awhile as well. There was moments in the beginning when things would pick up but then it would be uninteresting again, I would say it wasn't until closer to the end when I really got into this book. I think maybe at a different time this would have been amazing for me but I have read so many better re-tellings that this one just doesn't live up to them. The little touches of magic was what had me enjoying parts of the book as it was the most interesting thing to happen in the book also some of the household appliance was very much like Beauty and the Beast except in this book they didn't talk. Even though there was a lot of sadness there was also some very funny and sweet moments. The romance in this book for me was a little forced and in most part unbelievable as to me it seemed like some of the men where just that men and it felt like they where a lot older than the girls. I kind of liked the ending as it was really sweet with everything cleared up which is always a plus for me.

There was so many characters which I felt there was just too much as for me I didn't feel like we got to know all the characters if there was less people but we did get to know more about the 12 daughters. We did get more of an idea of who Azalea was as the book was from her point of view. She was a really good character for the most part and she was fiercely protective of her sisters but there was times when she was a bit selfish but for the most part I understood where she was coming from.

Overall it was an ok read I just didn't feel like it was for me even if it was a re-telling which I always thought I would love but not in this case.

"When are you going to kiss her?"
They pulled away.In the ballroom windows, noses and hands pressed against te glass, were the girls. They stood among the prickly rosebushes, beaming wicked little grins. Delphinium and Eve whispered and giggled to each other;Bramble wore a magnificent grin on her face and a spark of light in her yellow-green eyes.
Another figure stood among them.This one had his arms folded across his chest, stiff and firm and formal...
...Yet he did not look displeased.
"Those rotten little spies!" said Azalea.”

Book Cover Talk: Entwined

This week's book cover that I am talking about is...

 

Entwined by Heather Dixon

 

I seem to have a particular taste when it comes to covers that I love. I have chosen a few cover with the elegant big dress and flowers before and here I am again choosing a cover with similar themes and I just love it.

With the others that I liked the flowers turned into the dress but this time it's around the edge of the cover which I think looks beautiful as it looks like it's captured a moment in the book.

This cover reminds me of a fairytale which is why I bought the book as i love my fairytales and when I received it and it said that it was a fairytale retelling I was over the moon as they are my favourite kind of books. This is a re-telling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses which to be honest I haven't heard about until this book was in my possession so I have no idea if this scene is something in the book yet as I haven't read this book as of yet.

The scenery is stunning with a castle in the background and then the grounds that she is walking upon just set the scene and the scene for me looks picturesque. I would have maybe liked to have seen the flowers around the edges as real flowers as then it would be completely realistic but because they're not it just doesn't have the realistic feel to it.

With the dress I can't tell what it looks like from the front but if the back is anything to go by I bet it's a breathtaking dress that I wish I had. I love all the ruffles as it adds texture to the book which you may know by know I love a bit of texture.

I love the font of the title very flowing and elegant just like the rest of the book. I think the font of the author needed to be kept simple as if it too was like the title it would have been too much but maybe it could have been in a different colour as it doesn't stand out as much, it's been overpowered by the rest of the book.

I can't wait to read this book but i just hope the story lives upto the cover as I don't want to have to give this book away I love the cover far too much.

 

What does everyone else think of this cover? Do you agree with me? Or do you disagree? Have you been let down by the story? Or does it live upto the cover?

Showcase Sunday #10

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea and for more info click on the SS image which will take you straight to the blog. Click on the titles of the books to take you to Goodreads.

Review Books
Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan (Thank you to St.Martin's Press)
Pushing the Limits by Kate McGarry (Thank you to Mira Ink)

Swap Books
Hereafter by Tara Hudson (Thank you to Kayleigh from K-Books)

Gifted Books
1-4 Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent (Thank you to Misty from Bookaholics Book Club)

Books Bought
Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris
Entwined by Heather Dixon
Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

So that's the books I received this week let me know what you received