2019 Reading Goals and Challenges

Books Read In 2019:

1. Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices, #2) by Cassandra Clare
2. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
3. Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6) by Sarah J Maas
4. Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7) by Sarah J Maas
5. Queen of Air and Darkness (The Dark Artifices, #3) by Cassandra Clare
6. Navigating the Stars by Maria V. Snyder
7. Catwoman: Soulstealer (DC Icons, #3) by Sarah J Maas
8. Akarnae (The Medoran Chronicles, #1) by Lynette Noni
9. Raelia (The Medoran Chronicles, #2) by Lynette Noni
10. Draekora (The Medoran Chronicles, #3) by Lynette Noni
11. Something Borrowed (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts, #6) by Richelle Mead
12. Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
13. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
14. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck:A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
15. The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker - Review
16. The Eyes of Tamburah by Maria V. Snyder - Review
17. China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians #2) by Kevin Kwan
18. The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1) by Cassandra Clare
19. Whisper by Lynette Noni
20. Graevale (The Medoran Chronicles, #4) by Lynette Noni
21. Chasing the Shadows by Maria V. Snyder - Review
22. Weapon (Whisper, #2) by Lynette Noni
23. The Testament by Margaret Atwood
24. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling
25. Broken Things by Lauren Oliver
26. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling

Reading Challenges Completed:

2019 Reading Challenge

Nicki has read 25 books toward her goal of 20 books.

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15 of 20 (125%)

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So that's 26 books, 9107 pages, and one reading challenge completed in 2019

I'm aiming for 30 books in 2020 and will be signing up for Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge.

What reading challenges or goals have you signed up for in 2020?

Nicki

Review: Chasing The Shadows

Chasing The Shadows by Maria V. Snyder

As you likely know I love Maria V. Snyder's worlds, so I was delighted when I received an ARC of Chasing the Shadows through NetGalley to review. Here is the cover and blurb from Goodreads, read on below for my review.

Year 2522. Lyra Daniels is dead.

Okay, so I only died for sixty-six seconds. But when I came back to life, I got a brand new name and a snazzy new uniform. Go me! Seriously, though, it's very important that Lyra Daniels stays dead, at least as far as my ex-friend Jarren, the murdering looter, knows.

While dying is the scariest thing that's happened to me, it morphed my worming skills. I can manipulate the Q-net like never before. But Jarren has blocked us from communicating with the rest of the galaxy and now they believe we've gone silent, like Planet Xinji (where silent really means dead).

A Protector Class spaceship is coming to our rescue, but we still have to survive almost two years before they arrive - if they arrive at all. Until then, we have to figure out how to stop an unstoppable alien threat. And it's only a matter of time before Jarren learns I'm not dead and returns to finish what he started.

There's no way I'm going to let Jarren win. Instead I'll do whatever it takes to save the people I love. But even I'm running out of ideas... - Goodreads

Review: The Girl Behind the Red Rope

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker

I was recently invited to review Ted and Rachelle Dekker's new release The Girl Behind the Red Rope. I've not read anything by Ted or Rachelle before but after a quick Google search of their previous books I was keen to dive into this story. I jumped on board the launch team and after reading this book I'll be adding some of Ted and Rachelle's other work to my to-be-read list.

Ten years ago, Grace saw something that would forever change the course of history. When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, she and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure--and alive. As long as they stay there, behind the red perimeter.

Her older brother's questions and the arrival of the first outsiders she's seen in a decade set in motion events that will question everything Grace has built her life on. Enemies rise on all sides--but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost her to uncover the truth? - Goodreads

This story had me hooked very early on. I was intrigued by the characters and loved the supernatural elements of the story. I enjoyed following the main character's journey as she began to question what she believed and navigate the consequences of those questions.

Review: The Eyes Of Tamburah

The Eyes Of Tamburah by Maria V. Snyder

Maria has created yet another fascinating world in The Eyes of Tamburah. I have enjoyed all of Maria's books and quickly jumped on the opportunity to review this latest novel.

Shyla is a researcher who resides in the underground desert city of Zirdai, which is ruled by the wealthy Water Prince and brutal Heliacal Priestess. Even though Shyla is sun-kissed - an outcast, considered cursed by the Sun Goddess - she is still renowned for uncovering innumerable archaic facts, lost artefacts, ancient maps, and obscure historical documents. Her quiet life is about to change when Banqui, an archaeologist, enlists her services to find The Eyes of Tamburah: legendary gemstones that bestows great magic to its wielder. These ancient objects can tip the balance of power and give whoever possesses them complete control of the city.

But chaos erupts when The Eyes are stolen soon after they're found - and Shyla is blamed for the theft. Forced to flee, with the Prince's soldiers and the Priestess' deacons on her trail, Shyla must recover the jewels and clear her name. A quest that will unearth secrets even more valuable than The Eyes of Tamburah themselves 
- Goodreads

I love Maria's dedication to research and authenticity. The information and real life experiences she gathers when preparing a book is evident in her world building. Each world is unique and captivating. The details and layers invite me into the world and stay with me long after I've put the book down. This is perhaps one of my favourite things about The Eyes of Tamburah, the intricate underground desert city of Zirdai.