REVIEW: One Dark Throne

One Dark Throne

by Kendare Blake

Pages: 464

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: September 19th 2017

Received From: HarperTeen

The battle for the crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail? 

With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favour without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before - ones that put those around her in danger that she can’t seem to prevent.

When I read Three Dark Crowns I think I gushed about it for about a month! The world in which Kendare Blake creates pulls you in and the story keeps you on tender hooks until last page is closed... and I have to say One Dark Throne is no different! I was so excited to get a copy of this and I read it within a couple of days. The three Queens are just as kick ass and awesome as I remembered and the story just kept getting better and better. 

One Dark Throne picks up where Three Dark Crowns finished, with the three queens, Katherine, Mirabella and Arsinoe about to start their Ascension Year. The purpose of this year is for the Queens to kill each other until only one is left to rule over Fennbirn and after the events of the The Quickening it is set to be a very exciting and dangerous year indeed. With the hurt of Arsinoe's betrayal still hanging heavy in Mirabella's heart, with Katherine's sudden strength and Arsinoe's new found ability no one knows quite where they stand. But when the poisoned gifts arrive and the festivities begin only one thing is certain... no one is safe from the three deadly Queen's as they fight for the throne and for their lives.

This is one of those reviews where I keep it all quite vague as I don't want to give anything away. I love YA fiction but with it such a huge genre it can mean the stories become a bit predictable. However, One Dark Throne had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, I didn't know what was coming next or how the story would unfold. If I'm honest I didn't know how Kendare was going to keep up the pace after Three Dark Crowns but holy moly on toast she did it! I couldn't put this book down, I NEEDED to know what was going to happen to the characters that have well and truly made their way into my heart and I must say I was not disappointed! 

When reviewing the first installment I wrote, "All three queens have their moments where they could do with a slap," and this book was no different! Kendare creates these characters that will have you wanting to give them a good shake and yet, by the end of the book you want to wrap them up in your arms and tell them everything is going to be okay. I found that with this book more than the last this was the case and I went on an emotional roller-coaster within the covers of One Dark Throne. 

Overall One Dark Throne is fast paced, unpredictable, exciting, heartbreaking and everything I hoped it would be. For those of you that adored Three Dark Crowns as much as I did you will fall in love with this book in less time than it takes you to make a cup of tea. The island of Fennbirn takes no prisoners and this book will leave you begging for more! If there is only one book you read this month can I recommend that it be this one... you wont regret it. 

**I received this book as an ARC from HarperTeen to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

REVIEW: Thirteen Reasons Why

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY

by Jay Asher

Pages: 288

Publisher: Penguin UK

Publication Date: September 19th 2009 (originally October 18th 2007)

Received From: Penguin UK

You can't stop the future.

You can't rewind the past.

The only way to learn the secret is to press play.

Clay Jensen returns home to find a strange package with his name on it. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker – his classmate and first love – who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

Hannah's voice explains there are thirteen reasons why she killed herself. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why.

All through the night, Clay keeps listening – and what he discovers changes his life... forever.

"I hope you're ready, because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you're listening to these tapes, you're one of the reasons why."

By now the majority of the human race has heard of Thirteen Reasons Why... I mean I'm pretty sure any UFO's flying around up there logged into Netflix this Spring to watch it. However, what some of you might not know (I'm actually shocked the amount of my friends that didn't know this) that before Katherine Langford and Dylan Minnette broke our hearts on screen this unbelievably brave and honest story started off as a book. I must confess that I watched the show before reading the book myself and there are some differences... so if like myself you haven't read the book because you're like "I've already watched it on Netflix" DONT BE!!! I read this book in one sitting and even though I knew what was coming the way in which Asher writes has you on tender hooks from the very first page.

For those of you that don't know this is what Thirteen Reasons Why is about. Hannah Baker killed herself, that's no secret but no one really understands why. One day she was in class like everyone else and the next she was gone. However, two weeks after Hannah's death Clay Jensen comes home from school to find a package with no return address on it and inside is 7 tapes. Over the course of one night Clay listens to each and every side of the tapes, 13 to be exact, and as he does he discovers why Hannah Baker died. 

I've read one of Jay Ashers books before, What Light, and as much as I did love the story I found it all a little too sweet... which is probably the last word you can use to describe Thirteen Reasons Why. This book is hard to read, and guess what? It's meant to be! Hannah's story speaks to everyone in one way or another, you get to read what it is like to have life taken out of your hands and throughout the course of the book we as the reader sees how truly damaging a teenagers life can be. 

"I could have helped you. But when I tried,  you pushed me away.

I can almost hear Hannah's voice speaking my next thought for me. "Then why didn't you try harder.""

Okay so lets discuss the elephant in the room shall we? I know that after the TV show came out there was a huge debate on whether or not this story promotes teen suicide and if it was healthy for young people to be watching it. Well here is my opinion on this... For me the book isn't actually about Hannah's Death - I know, curve ball right? - no, it is about the actions, choices and mistakes of very human characters. It is a story that challenges people to really look at the way in which they treat other, to understand that every action as a reaction and most importantly to see that our decisions, our choices, don't just affect us. This book DOES NOT promote teen suicide but it does bring to the forefront a topic that is still very much tabboo. Thirteen Reasons Why invites a conversation that I think more people should be having, it's not just about who did what to who and who killed Hannah, it's about the 'why'. Why did a beautiful, healthy teenage girl feel the need to end her life? Why did no one see Hannah was falling apart? Why didn't anyone stop her? WHY didn't she ask for help? 

WHY?!?

From start to finish this story had me hooked. I struggled to read this book at times, it is honest, raw, heart breaking and felt very very real. Mental health is something I bang on about a lot and I know that but it's books like this that challenge our preconceptions, open our minds and start a conversation that needs to be had. Everything affects everyone in different ways, the things that seem small to you could spiral for someone else and the consequences could be bigger than you ever imagined. This isn't a book for the faint hearted but I honestly could not recommend you to read this more. 

**I received this book as an ARC from Penguin UK to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

REVIEW: Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy

TALES FROM THE SHADOWHUNTER ACADEMY

by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson & Robin Wasserman

Pages: 651 paperback

Publisher: Walker Books

Publication Date: May 4th 2017

ISBN: 1406373583
Received From:  Walker Books

Ten illustrated stories following the adventures of Simon Lewis, star of the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments, as he trains to become a Shadowhunter. Simon has been a human and a vampire, but after the events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, he isn't sure who he is any more. When the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. Whomever this Simon might be... Join him on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. The series features characters from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments, Infernal Devices, Dark Artifices and the upcoming Last Hours series.

Holy Moly this collection of short stories makes me so happy I'm struggling to put it into words. Simon Lewis is my favourite character from The Mortal Instruments series and after the way in which City of Heavenly Fire finished I didn't know what to do with myself. Even though this is a book consisting of 10 short stories, when read together it feels like one and I was enthralled from the very first page... reading about simon packing for Shadowhunter Academy was just hysterical! 

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy is set over the course of two years. In these years Simon enrols at the Shadowhunter Academy, his name known by pretty much everyone (not that he remembers what he did), as he is taken on the path to Ascension. Each story reveals a little bit more about some of our other favourite characters as well as keeping us up to date with all things Simon. From learning about Jace's family past to really seeing how the circle began to discovering what happened to Helen and Mark Blackthorn after the Dark War. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy is a fangirls dream and not one story disappointed! 

With a new book comes new characters and the students of the Academy was just as entertaining as our pervious protagonists. I instantly fell in love with George, Simon's very Scottish and very muscular roommate who is, in short, the Scottish version of Simon. Their little sarcastic conversations made me smile throughout every story and the way in which they made each other better shadowhunters warmed my heart. 

Each story had a cameo from characters we've gotten to know over the course of previous books and my favourite had to be Born To Endless Night where we see Mangus and Alec appear at the Academy. These stories fill in some of the blanks and was probably one of my favourite Shadowhunter books to date. It was funny, it was full of adventure, it had love and friendship. In short it was pretty much everything I could have possibly asked for. 

Overall Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy has a very special place in my heart. It seems my favourite character's story resolved and made me smile the whole way through. The ending, much like City of Heavenly Fire did break my heart. In fact it torn it into a thousand little pieces and then stomped all over it again and again but the fact that it coursed so many tears (no exaggeration) meant that the writers did their job perfectly. They made me care for these characters as if they were my friends and that in my opinion is what a great book is all about.

**I received this book as an ARC from Walker Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

REVIEW: A Quiet Kind of Thunder

A QUIET KIND OF THUNDER

by Sara Barnard

Pages: 320 

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Publication Date: January 12th 2017

ISBN: 9781509810987
Received From:  Macmillan Children's Books

Summary 

Steffi doesn't talk, but she has so much to say.
Rhys can't hear, but he can listen.
Their love isn't a lightning strike, it's the rumbling roll of thunder. 

Steffi has been a selective mute for most of her life - she's been silent for so long that she feels completely invisible. But Rhys, the new boy at school, sees her. He's deaf, and her knowledge of basic sign language means that she's assigned to look after him. To Rhys, it doesn't matter that Steffi doesn't talk, and as they find ways to communicate, Steffi finds that she does have a voice, and that she's falling in love with the one person who makes her feel brave enough to use it. 

Review

I've been DYING to tell you all about this one for months now! A Quiet Kind of Thunder is one of my favourite books in a long time and I honestly can not wait for you lot to read it!! I connected so much with the characters in this book and it is a story about celebrating the small things and finding love and courage in the most unlikely of places. 

A Quiet Kind of Thunder is about a girl named Steffi. Steffi doesn't talk very much and over the years has lost her voice to anxiety and fear but on the first day of Sixth Form she is introduced to Rhys. Rhys is deaf and can not hear which leads to the unusual pairing communicating through sign language and hand written notes. They create their own little bubble of communication and an unlikely friendship becomes something quite wonderful. Throughout the book we follow Steffi as she learns to use her voice in situations she would have found paralysing in the past and discover the impact the pair have on each others lives. 

The characters in this book are endearing and unique in a way I wasn't expecting. I love that YA is becoming a massive genre in its own right but it means character profiles are getting used and reused over and over. In A Quiet Kind of Thunder we are introduced to two characters that, in my opinion, were a refreshing change from the usual YA protagonists. There is a fragileness to Steffi I think most people can relate to in one way or another, she is strong in her own way but it is a delicate kind of strength that is built up over time with the help from the people around her. A kind of strength she will have to fight to keep hold of. 

Then we come to Rhys... I think I admired him because he was so completely and utterly honest that at times he doesn't cope with his disability. He isn't a character that has the confidence to take on the world with a single charming glance, he has moments where he throws a strop, acts like life isn't fair and throws the towel in. However, it's moments like those that adds to the believability of him, it is what makes Rhys Rhys. Both Rhys and Steffi are 100% honest, they aren't sugar coated into high school stereotypes and that just makes them all the more engaging as a reader. 

Something you notice as a book blogger is that a lot of people in this community suffer from anxiety in one way or another and I'm no exception to this. Dealing with anxiety in a world that still - for the most part - doesn't understand what you are going through everyday is hard! However, A Quiet Kind of Thunder delves into what it's like to suffer with anxiety in a way I could never explain. Anxiety is a condition that can completely tare a part a persons life and it was overwhelming being able to read a book that completely epitomises the fear of anxiety while at the same time delivering a compelling and interesting story line. 

Overall I adored this book. I could imagine Steffi and Rhys walking down the halls at my high school (back in the day) and the story is charmingly addictive. I couldn't put this book down and I'm so excited you guys get to read it soon!! 

**I received this book as an ARC from Macmillan Children's Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

REVIEW: What Light

WHAT LIGHT

by Jay Asher

Pages: 256

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Publication Date: 20th November 2016

ISBN:1509840761

Summary 

Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon - it's an idyllic place for a girl to grow up, except that every year they have to pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other. Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life begins to eclipse the other...

Review

Christmas has been and gone for another year but I can't be the only one having the holiday blues! I love this time of year and if you are the same as me and want to hold onto that holiday feeling for just a little bit longer this is the book for you! 

What Light is the story of Sierra and her two lives. For the majority of the year she lives her everyday life in Oregon - ON A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM - she goes to school, hangs out with mates and lives like any other teenager. However, from thanksgiving to Christmas Eve Sierra and her family move to California to run their christmas tree lot. For as long as she can remember she has had these two lives but that is all about to change. This year Sierra catches the eye of Caleb on the lot and from that moment on things start to change... and not all for the better. 

Okay so I will start with the negatives and I hate to say it but that mostly comes in the form of a teenage stereotype named Caleb. He has everything he needed to be the perfect book boyfriend however, there was something about him that didn't sit right. I think it was the predictability of him being misunderstood. I get that there was the whole "don't listen to gossip" moral going on but I guess I wanted more from him as a character. I feel like the reason he did what he did wasn't good enough and if I'm honest if I had been in Sierra's shoes I wouldn't have given him the time of day. I didn't feel like there was enough conviction to his arc and it made it a little two dimensional at times. A little hard to believe. 

However, saying that the story itself was very sweet and I think everyone can connect with the struggles of finding that balance between your friends and your first love. Its is very much the quintessential coming of age story with a rather adorable christmas spin. Not to mention it kinda made me want to open a Christmas tree farm somewhere... who knew they didn't just grown all pointy and christmas tree like? 

It was a sweet little book that tugged on the heart strings. If you want a book that will make you feel all warm and festive then this is definitely for you. It has all the YA requirements, misunderstood bad boy, friendship, protective farther and cute moral centre. Although I felt it might have needed a bit more depth to it if you want something easy to read and enjoyable then enjoy. Even though Christmas has past it is perfect for those upcoming winter nights. 

REVIEW: Haunt Me

HAUNT ME

by Liz Kessler

Pages: 400

Publisher: Orion Children's Books

Publication Date: October 6th 2016

ISBN: 1444009192
Received From:  Orion Children's Books via Netgalley

Summary 

Joe wakes up from a deep sleep to see his family leave in a removals van. Where they've gone, he has no idea. Erin moves house and instantly feels at home in her new room. Even if it appears she isn't the only one living in it. Bit by bit, Erin and Joe discover that they have somehow found a way across the ultimate divide - life and death. Bound by their backgrounds, a love of poetry and their growing feelings for each other, they are determined to find a way to be together.
Joe's brother, Olly, never cared much for poetry. He was always too busy being king of the school - but that all changed when Joe died. And when an encounter in the school corridor brings him face to face with Erin, he realises how different things really are - including the kind of girl he falls for.
Two brothers. Two choices. Will Erin's decision destroy her completely, or can she save herself before she is lost forever?

Review

This book hit me right in the feels! I can't explain how much this book got to me but it has been such a long time since I read a book with SO many incredible characters. Character's that ALL completely and utterly melt your heart!

Haunt Me is told from three point of views with Erin and Joe the main two protagonists and Olly *swoons* coming in a little later on. The story starts with Joe watching his family leave him behind and Erin and her family moving into his old house. The two connect in an unusual way, with song lyrics and poems that make them feel like they understand each other... like they have found their other half. Only slight downfall being Joe died 6 months ago! The book follows these two as they try to understand their feelings and discover why they're connected. As well as finding out how Joe died, if Erin can find a place in her new school and will Joe's big brother Olly come between them?

"If this is how it feels to be lost, I would be happy never to be found again."

I've already made it pretty clear I have serious feels for this book but where to start! I think the reason I connected so much with this book definitely came down to our three main characters. Erin and Joe both have this dark side to them with anxiety and depression causing them to shut themselves away from the world. They connect with each other because they both have similar dark places, which in hand helped me as a reader connect with them. They are real and honest and very raw as far as protagonists go and it made them all the more endearing. Ignoring the small issue of Joe not being quite alive, you find yourself rooting for the pair of misfits... whether as friends, or more is up for debate. After all what is YA without a little love triangle!?! *In enters Olly*

I actually love Olly! It is a tricky love triangle where you could easily form a Team Joe and a Team Olly but in the end if you don't some how want both of them to win I think we may have to have a little talk about your priorities... yes you! Olly as a character is the typical popular boy except his world got turned upside down when his brother (Joe) dies. He carries a level of guilt around with him but I can't tell you why... spoilers and all that. He's charming and everything you expect from the hot older boy but he isn't shallow - well not anymore - and he has his own dark and twisty side. However, unlike our other characters his anxieties keep him grounded, they strip back the cocky teenage boy and reveal a caring and honest man who will do anything to keep the people he loves safe.

"A challenge to be a better person, to be as good as she is, to be worthy of her."

It has been a long time since a book has made me cry but Haunt Me's final chapters had me choking back the tears. This book is so good and if you are looking for something new to read then choose this! It's honest, heartwarming, heartbreaking and beautifully written. I really enjoyed it.

"The only relief for me was oblivion"

A very special Hogwarts cheer for Haunt Me

**I received this book as an ARC from Orion Children's Books via Netgalley to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.** 

#IreadYA - Part 2

This week is #IreadYA week. It's a time to tell everyone why YA fiction is such an amazing genre to read. I spent a lot of time thinking about why it is exactly I love these books so much and I came up with two very different and very important reasons. 1. Because YA novels have the most amazing book boyfriends! & 2. These books, no matter what sub-genre of YA, are full of first. Full of discoveries.

So lovelies, as part of YA Week I'm going to write two posts that show you exactly what I mean!
Don't forget, as always, click on the book covers and it will take you straight to my reviews for each swoon worthy book!

To read the first post CLICK HERE.

#IreadYA because they're full of firsts & discoveries.
— Emily (@TheYANightstand) May 19, 2014

I was having a discussion last night on twitter and we were trying to figure out what YA actually is. I personally don't think it's about the age of that characters because in a lot of YA's even though the main protagonist may be in her late teens the love interest tends to be in his twenties. But the conclusion I came to was that what makes a book YA is the way in which its written and the topics it deals with. Young Adult books are about firsts and finding yourself. They're rife with discoveries and that wonderment of all the new experiences this world has to offer.
Here are a couple of books I loved that show you just that. These are my recommendations for all the FIRSTS you need.

First Love

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

This is a quintessential 'first love' story with a twist. It's the whole boy meets girl, girl meets boy, they have some awkward moments then admit they're feelings for one another - accept in this after the whole first encounter they start moving in opposite directions. It's a first love story with the ultimate obstacle - distance. 

First Time in Human Form

Since the beginning, two entities have had complete, unquestioned control over Thea: the Earth and God.

But when Thea suddenly figures out that the Earth has  trapped her within a forest, she discovers that the only way to set herself free is to break God's one rule; she must forsake her animal form and become human. 

The result is nothing she could ever have expected. Lost within the torrent of human emotions, Thea starts to lose who she is and even begins to fall in love with the one thing she always hated: a hunter.

As her act against God proves more problematic than anticipated, it is only a matter of time before her punishment may prove to be worse than Earth's entrapment.

So this one isn't a traditional first but it's definitely a big one. Thea has spent the last couple of millennia - give or take - in animal forms. From a doe to a owl to a mountain lion and just about everything in between. But in this book she takes a human form for the first time. It's a quirky little twist on the whole coming of age story and a fun read. Thea is dealing with every human emotion for the first time and it's about to get interesting. 

First Kiss

Sixteen-year-old Lily O’Brien has one goal in life—to sing. Her dream is to get into a topnotch college vocal program, but the summer before her junior year, her high school cuts their awarding-winning vocal ensemble. She might as well kiss her dreams goodbye.

When the snobby new neighbours move into their mansion up the hill, Lily is positive summer can’t get any worse, and she’s determined to hate and ignore them—until she meets Aiden. 

He’s broken and beautiful, and they become reluctant friends. Through her newfound friendship, she finds the strength to step outside the comfort of her plan and follow her dream. 

But when Lily’s family is about to lose their home, she puts her wishes aside and finds the answer to save their generations-old ranch in the last place she expected.

Now my full review for this isn't up until June 7th but to see my mini review on Goodreads click on the cover. I have so many mixed feelings towards Aiden I can't even start to tell you but both of Lily's first kisses were quite special - yes I said both. In fact I think it was one of my favourite scenes from the whole book. 

First Time Away From Home

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

I know I used this one for my first #IreadYA post but it's such a great book and it falls into both of the reasons I adore the YA genre. When Anna moves to Paris for school it's her first time away from home. It's her first time in a new country and it's her first time falling in love. Real love. It's full of firsts and set it one of my favourite places to read about! 

So that's it! That is why I love YA fiction and why you should love it too. Tell me why you read YA in the comments bellow, do you agree with my reasons or is there something else entirely that grabs your attention? 

#IreadYA

This week is #IreadYA week. It's a time to tell everyone why YA fiction is such an amazing genre to read. I spent a lot of time thinking about why it is exactly I love these books so much and I came up with two very different and very important reasons. 1. Because YA novels have the most amazing book boyfriends! & 2. These books, no matter what sub-genre of YA, are full of first. Full of discoveries.

So lovelies, as part of YA Week I'm going to write two posts that show you exactly what I mean, starting with my book boyfriends!
Don't forget, as always, click on the book covers and it will take you straight to my reviews for each swoon worthy book!

ONE reason #IreadYA is because they have the best book boyfriends! Especially @rainbowrowell & @MelissadelaCruz books!
— Emily (@TheYANightstand) May 19, 2014

Fangirl

Cath and Wren are identical twins and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half any more - she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not easy for Cath. She would rather bury herself in the fanfiction she writes where there's romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life. Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's realising that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible...

Levi is the swoon worthy boy in Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl! He's the ultimate book boyfriend, he's sweet and cute and just so damn adorable. If you don't fall in love with this one then there is something seriously wrong with you! 

The Ring & The Crown

Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve? 

Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world's only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. 

But even with the aid of Emrys' magic, Eleanor's extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce an heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen's Guard. 

Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Marie's face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she's always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she's always dreamed of--the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only rule that matters in Eleanor's court: trust no one.

There are so many different characters in this one you'd be pushed to pick just one guy to swoon over. However, for me at least, the only guy you should be giving your attention to is Wolf. He's this perfect mix of bad boy and sweetheart. For the time in which The Ring & The Crown is set, he's a refreshing change to the norm. 

Between the Lives

For as long as she can remember, Sabine has lived two lives. Every 24 hours she shifts to her 'other' life - a life where she is exactly the same, but absolutely everything else is different: different family, different friends, different social expectations. In one life she has a sister, in the other she does not. In one life she's a straight-A student with the perfect boyfriend, in the other she's considered a reckless delinquent. Nothing about her situation has ever changed, until the day when she discovers a glitch: the arm she breaks in one life is perfectly fine in the other.

With this new knowledge, Sabine begins a series of increasingly risky experiments that bring her dangerously close to the life she's always wanted. But if she can only have one life, which is the one she'll choose?

Ah! This ones a damn heartbreaker!!  Ethan believes in Sabine when no one else does, he's supportive and open minded and just about as selfless as you get. He could very easily have been betrayed as an angry and bitter character but he's not, and it makes me love him even more. 

A Witch in Winter

When love is tangled up in magic, how do you know what's real? When Anna meets Seth, it's magic. But her hidden powers unleash a spell that sparks a war among witches and enslaves Seth's heart.

Seth, oh this poor sod will have your heart melting quicker than ice cream on a summers day! I have to admit, Seth has a couple of moments where his book boyfriend status is questioned. However, those moments are very short and once those pass it lets you get straight to the fangirling. 

Anna and the French Kiss

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all... including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Lights, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

So St. Claire may be a little on the short side, and have a girlfriend for the majority of the book but he is most definitely worth adding to this swoon worthy book boyfriends list! Him and Anna have some ridiculously cute scenes together and this is also one of my favourite YA's of all time so make sure you pick this one up! 

Anna and the French Kiss by @naturallysteph is FREE this week on itunes!! Go. Buy. NOW! It's phenomenal!! <3 https://t.co/LYUBFioe1m
— Emily (@TheYANightstand) May 20, 2014

So those were my top book boyfriends and just one of the MANY reasons I love YA novels. Second #IreadYA post will be posted on Friday!

But until then tell me, do you agree with my picks? & who are your book boyfriends?