The Black Mage:First Year by Rachel E. Carter

The Black Mage:First Year by Rachel E. Carter
Publisher: Astraea Press
Page Amount: 278
Series: The Black Mage, #1
Source: Review




"Before the age of seventeen the young men and women of Jerar are given a choice –follow tradition, or pursue a trial year in one of the realm’s three war schools to study as a soldier, knight or mage… 

For 15-year-old Ryiah the choice has always been easy. Become a warrior and leave the boring confines of her lowborn life behind. Set to enroll in the School of Knighthood on the eve of her next birthday, plans suddenly shift when her twin brother discovers powers. Hoping that hers will soon follow, she enrolls with Alex at the Academy instead –the realm’s most notorious war school for those with magic. 

Yet when she arrives Ry finds herself competing against friend and foe for one of the exalted apprenticeships. Every “first-year” is given a trial year to prove their worth –and no amount of hard work and drive will guarantee them a spot. It seems like everyone is rooting for her to fail –and first and foremost among them Prince Darren, the school prodigy who has done nothing but make life miserable since she arrived. 

When an accidental encounter leads Ryiah and Darren to an unlikely friendship she is convinced nothing good will come of it. But the lines become blurred when she begins to improve –and soon she is a key competitor for the faction of Combat… Still, nothing is ever as it seems –and when the world comes crashing down around her, Ry is forced to place faith in the one thing she can believe in –herself. Will it be enough?"
-Goodreads


My Thoughts:
I was given for an honest review.I'll started with saying I can definitely see how fans of Tamora Pierce 's Song of the Lioness would love this. Between Ryiah and Alexander being twins and Ryiah training to be a mage. But girls are allowed to train with the boys. Ryiah is a force to be reckoned with. She trained very hard to get to where the first years get to at the end. I loved her bickering the Prince Darren. And how she wasn't sure what to make of him and the way he made her feel.


I am so glad to have been given a change to read and review The Black Mage:First Year by Rachel E. Carter. Highly recommend for fans of Tamora Pierce, Sarah J. Maas. Anyone who loves female progtanstic that kicks butt.

That ending....I need book two now!!!!!

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley.

September TBR 2014

Since I had some reading slumps happen in August. I'm determined to read more in September. With Fall coming up I feel like curling up and getting alot of reading.

Here is my September TBR for 2014:

Currently reading:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling about 65% done.
Its also a re-read

TBR:
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
2. The Black Mage: First Year by Rachel E. Carter
This is for review!!
3. Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout
4. Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
5. Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout
6. Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout
7. Elixir by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rereading the first half of the Covenant series to read the last two
8. Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout
9. Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout
10. Wild Heat by Bella Andre (re-read)
11. Hot As Sin by Bella Andre
12. Never Too Hot by Bella Andre
13. Sanctum by Sarah Fine (re-read)
14. Fractured by Sarah Fine

I've already read three books so far. I'll tell you all about them in my wrap up. But I really want to catch up/finish some series I own.  If I manage to get through all of these I might add some more. I know banned books week is the 21st to ?. I will try to read a banned book.

But that is my really big TBR for September. Hopefully I stick to it.

Happy Reading, Ashley.

August Wrap Up 2014 and Mini Reviews

Here is a look back at the books I read in August and mini reviews for them.

1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
What to say about the Harry Potter series, that hasn't already been said. I loved it more than when I was a child. I'm so glad to be re-reading the series and to finally mark it off my series list. 5/5 stars
2. The Headless Ghost by R.L. Stine
Throughout the month I had times I didn't want to read at all. So I picked up a Goosebumps book, I'm not sure if I read this when I was a kid or not. But it was a quick and spooky read.
4/5 stars
3. The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
I've been slowly working on this big book. I have read a few of Edgar's poems and stories in school. But it was great to read his other tales and poems. 5/5 stars
4. The Selection by Keira Cass
Hearing all about this book and series all over BookTube. I admit the hype it was drew me in and having been in a reading slump. It was just what I needed. I loved America and Prince Maxon. 5/5 stars
5. The Elite by Keira Cass 5/5 stars
6. The One by Keira Cass 5/5 stars
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Another re-read of this installment of the series. 5/5 stars
8. Alanna by Tamora Pierce
If you haven't read anything by Tamora, I can't recommend her enough. Although the Song of the Lioness is the only series I've read by her. I love it enough to know Tamora is one of my favorite authors.

Well that is all I read in August. Please let me know what you think of the books I read and what you read in August.

Happy Reading, Ashley.

August TBR 2014

Here is what I'm hoping to read in August.


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (currently reading)(reread)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling(reread)
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu (reread)
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas (audibook)
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
The Conjure Book by A.A. Attanasio (Kindle)
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard (reread)
The Headless Ghost by R.L. Stine
Witch Song by Amber Arsyle (Kindle)
Petals On The Wind by V.C. Andrews (reread)
Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
All That Glows by Ryan Graudin

That's it for now. We'll see if I get through all this. Might add more. Want to read at least one Jane Austen book this month.

18th - 24th Bout of Books TBR:
The Assassin's Blade
Crown of Midnight
The Conjure Book
Petals On The Wind
All That Glows

That's all for me. Let me know what books you are reading this month. Or if you've read any of the books I mentioned. No spoilers though.

Happy Reading, Ashley

June and July Wrap Ups 2014

Here is a look by at all the books I read in June and July.

June Wrap-Up 2014:
In no particular order

1.How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Desutch (Hereville,#1)
This was a graphic novel and a reread for me. My rating still stays 5/5 stars
2. Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
Another graphic novel gave this 3/5 stars
3. Robot Dreams by Sara Varon
This was so sweet and sad. Thanks to Misty at The Book Rat for giving this much love.
My rating 5/5 stars
4. The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks 4/5 stars
5. The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3) 4/5 stars
6. Addicted to Him by Lauren Dodd 4/5 stars
7. The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4) 4/5 stars
8. Cop By Her Side by Janice Kay Johnson 4/5 stars
9. Unbreakable by Abbey Reynolds (Unbreakable,#1) 5/5 stars

July Wrap-Up 2014:

1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter,#2)
This was a reread for me. Still 5/5 stars
2. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James 4/5 stars (reread)
3. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 5/5 stars
4. Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan 5/5 stars (reread)
5. Barely Breathing by Rebecca Donovan 5/5 stars
6. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians,#5) 5/5 stars
7. A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean (The Rules of A Scoundrels,#1) 5/5 stars
8. Landline by Rainbow Rowell 5/5 stars
9. One Perfect Night by Bella Andre (The Sullivans, #8.5) 5/5 stars
10. Struggle by P.A. Jones 3/5 stars
11. This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki 3/5 stars (graphic novel)
12. Pistol by Max Henry 3/5 stars

Currently rereading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, started at the end of July. Will be in my August Wrap-Up.

That's all the books I read the past two months. Let me know your thoughts. And what you've read the past two months.

Happy Reading, Ashley

Bout of Books 11.0

This is my official post for participating in the Bout of Books 11.0.

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to boost the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I will be posting my reading updates on here. As well as marking the book's I've read on my Goodreads account.

My goal is to read at least five books. I'll add more if need be.

To Read:
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas (audibook)
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
The Conjure Book by A.A. Attanasio (Kindle)
Petals On The Wind by V.C. Andrews (reread)
All That Glows by Ryan Graudin

Updates:

Monday:

Number of pages I've read: 

Total number of pages I've read: 

Books: 

Tuesday:

Number of pages I've read: 

Total number of pages I've read:

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Wednesday:

Number of pages I've read: 

Total number of pages I've read: 

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Thursday:

Number of pages I've read: 

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Friday:

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Saturday:

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Sunday:

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May Wrap Up 2014

A look back at the books I read in the month of May. With the star rating and a short explanation of my thoughts.

1.If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin
This is a dark Young Adult contemporary. Was heartbreaking and beautiful.
Gave it 4/5 stars
2. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
I really loved the letters Laurel wrote throughout the story. Also enjoyed the celebrities she choose to address them to. This is a debut novel for 2014.
Gave it 4/5 stars
3. Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James
I needed a break from the two dark heavily emotional books. So I chose to finish up the Fifty Shades series. I loved how much Ana and Christian's relationship grew in this installment of the series. I don't know if this is really the last book or not. Heard talk of maybe a fourth novel. Gave it 5/5 stars *Note this series as adult content and is not for younger readers*
4. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
I do have a review posted on this. Which you can find here:http://www.booksarediamonds.blogspot.com/2012/05/immortal-rules-by-julie-kagawa.html
But I needed to reread it. In order to refresh my mind. Still give it 5/5 stars.
5. The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa Also reread this as well. Another 5/5 stars
6. The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa
A great ending to another amazing series by Julie Kagawa. I love her Iron Fey series. I never thought she could write something that would be as addicting. I was wrong, love her take on vampires. Gave it 5/5 stars

I was in a bit of a slump in the beginning of the month. I got addicted to Doctor Who. Which led me not to read as much. I am happy with have gotten six books in. I'm not sure if I'll post a June TBR, only because once I say this what I'm going to read. I never want to read them then. I'm just going to read whatever calls my name. Although I'd love to finish up some series. Mainly Harry Potter and the Percy Jackson series.

Let me know what you read in May. What you plan to read in June. If you read any of the books I mentioned. Or if you plan to.
That's all for me.
Happy Reading, Ashley