2017 End-of-Year Challenge Updates ~ All My 2018 Challenge Sign Ups

I dedicated these last two months of 2017 to finishing up series I was behind in by 1 or 2 books - #TravelingtotheTerminus. 

I managed to complete the following series:

Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day

Games Series by Nyrae Dawn

New Camelot Series by Sierra Simone

Tempest Series by Michelle Mankin

I almost completed these series:

The Mageri Series by Dannika Dark

Blackcreek Series by Riley Hart

Pushing the Limits Series by Katie McGarry

That's not very many considering the list is like 42 series long but I did a re-read of the first two in Day's Crossfire series so that put me behind. At any rate, I'll be working at this goal again in 2018.

***2017 Challenges End-of-Year Updates***

#2017 Bookish Resolutions
Y'all can click here for a list of my resolutions for 2017 but in the end, I still managed to accomplish some and fail at others. Again, I looked at these resolutions as goals which means I didn't really fail. *grins* Laura and Michelle are hosting this challenge again in 2018 but I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to participate...

#2017HW Report Card for Quarter One

My goal was to read 1 book a month. Again, I read 3 books in the first and second quarters of 2017 so that means I got A's!!! However, I received an F in the third and fourth quarters because I only read ONE single book from my list read. Hopefully next year will go better. :)

#2017NewRelease - 46 books
I totally hit my goal of New Release Pro this year - 31-60 books - so I'm happy with that. Lexxie is once again hosting the New Release Challenge and I plan to participate.

#Audiobook Challenge - 26 listens 
I didn't quite make my goal of 30 books but I'm proud of what I accomplished. I plan to join in this challenge again in 2018.

#authorluv - 1 book
Yep, kinda failed at showing CoHo some love. But I *DO* love her so and I plan to get more read in 2018.

#BloggerShame - 10 books
I failed to reach my goal of 20 books but 10 is better than none so I'm considering that a win. :) I'll work at it more in 2018.

Read All the Books - 11 books
I still have quite a bit of Sabrina Jeffries' backlist to tackle but I'll get there. This is an ongoing challenge so I'll be working at it again in 2018.

#ShelfLove - 85 books 
I *nailed* this challenge goal of 51+ books! Woohoo! I might be most proud of having made this goal because that was my aim - to read more of the books I own! Even though the lovely ladies at Chapter Break and Second Run Reviews aren't hosting this challenge in 2018, I plan to continue showing my shelves lots of love.

***CHALLENGES FOR 2018***

I've decided to cut down on the number of challenges I'm doing in 2018. I'm having issues keeping up with all of them all! ;) 

I'm once again participating in the Audiobook Challenge hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer and Hot Listens. My goal for 2018 is Binge Listener or 20-30 books. :)

I'm once again joining in the Blogger Shame Challenge hosted by Herding Cats & Burning Soup. (click the button for all the details) I really am working at reading all those ARCs I requested from Netgalley. *winks* I'm aiming to read 20 books. That ought to help my rating. :)

I'm once again participating in the New Release Challenge hosted by Lexxie @(un)ConventionalBookViews. You can click the button above for all the details but I'm challenging myself to New Release Pro level again in 2018 because I *still* want to read books I already own. :) So that means I'll aim for 31-60 new releases.

Sabrina Jeffries is my author of choice for this challenge. So far, I've finished 11 of her books. :) If you want in on this challenge, click the button for details.

I'm once again participating in the Reading Assignment Challenge hosted by Berls & Michelle @BecauseReading. I'm committing to reading 1 book a month. You can click the button above for details on the challenge. One of the *big* changes they made to the challenge this year is that you only have to create a list for January to June and then in June, create a list for July to December. Yay! Hopefully this will help me stick to my list. My first half of 2018 Reading List is:

#OctobeRecFest Wrap Up ~ #TravelingtotheTerminus ~ Challenges Updates ~ Other Various Updates

My 4th Annual OctobeRecFest has come to an end. I didn't get quite as many books read as I'd have liked BUT I did read FOUR from the list I'd created and that also means I moved a little further into those series. :) I also read 3 not from the list for a total of 7...7 series I moved forward in. I may or may not get one last review posted tomorrow. It depends on how much reading I get done today and chances aren't looking good since it's our State Marching Band finals so I'll be away from home today, helping move pit equipment for the band.

Anyway, here are the books I managed to read this month:

Y'all know this year I've made it a goal to catch up in series. The last few years, I've dedicated November and December to #TravelingtotheTerminus. Once again, I'm going to tweak how I usually do things. This year, I'm focusing on series that I'm only behind by 1 or 2 books. There are ~45 series that fall into this category for me. There is no way I can read that many books, but at least I'll be able to cross a few series off my list. *grins* 

2017 Challenges

#2017 Bookish Resolutions
Y'all can click here for a list of my resolutions for this year but I just wanted to give a quick general update...and that is, I'm accomplishing some and failing at others. Luckily, I look at these resolutions as goals which means I'm not really failing. I simply need to refocus and get back to work at them. *grins*

#2017HW Report Card for Quarter One

My goal is 1 book a month. I read 3 books in the first and second quarters of 2017 so that means I got A's!!! However, I received an
F in the third quarter because I didn't get a single book from my list read. And my fourth quarter didn't start off well...nothing for October. But I still have November and December so we'll see. :D

#2017NewRelease - 34 books

#Audiobook Challenge - 21 listens
#authorluv - none yet

#BloggerShame - 10 books

Read All the Books - 11 books

#ShelfLove - 73 books

General Updates

As y'all probably know, I was MIA for quite a few months. I really appreciate all of y'all continuing to visit and/or comment on my posts while I was away. I know I owe y'all some raffle boxes and I have SIX already packed up. So look for those drawings over the next two months.

As for why I was MIA...if y'all follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you might have seen photos. At any rate, I did quite a LOT of traveling, following my oldest and youngest children while they toured for drum corps, took my middle on college visits, AND TO SEE HAMILTON!! I also traveled to be present for the wedding of one of my best friends. In all, I was in 17 STATES in 5 months. I like to travel y'all, but even though I had a blast, it was a bit too much for me. :D

Two last things... 1) I had a little accident with my laptop in August. I was opening it and it somehow jumped from the bar and ended up on the tile floor - on its lid - which did not do good things for my screen. So I'm having to share a laptop with James and since it's his, I get it when he doesn't need it. Therefore, my time online is somewhat limited. Santa is bringing me a new one though...so just a little longer. 2) I'm traveling again *sigh* this week. I'm headed to Texas to visit/check in on my grandma. I'll be online as much as I can.

I know this was A LOT. Thanks for reading!!!

Review ~ I'll Meet You There ~ Heather Demetrios #2017HW #COYER #ShelfLove

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
Release Date: February 3, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Source: Purchased Hardback 
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017HW, #COYER, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
If Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing separating Skylar from art school is three months of summer...until Skylar's mother loses her job, and Skylar realizes her dreams may be slipping out of reach.

Josh had a different escape route: the Marines. But after losing his leg in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be.

What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise - a quirky motel off California's Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and, soon, something deeper.

Compelling and ultimately hopeful, this is a powerful examination of love, loss, and resilience.

I procured this gem after reading Tanya's review (Girl Plus Books) and I can't thank her enough for the recommendation! I'll Meet You There is a moving read, powerful, and I'm thrilled I put it on my HW list.

Skylar has just graduated from high school and is preparing for college in San Francisco where she has a full ride scholarship in art. Embarking on this new journey is daunting especially because even though leaving Creek View, a dead-end town, is her dream, she's leaving the familiar and her friends, not to mention her mom lost her job and is losing it. And then there's this boy...

Josh escaped Creek View when he graduated by enlisting in the Marines. He's back home now after suffering a traumatic injury. He's dealing with figuring out what he is if not a Marine as well as parents who are lackluster (an extreme understatement)...And he can't stop thinking about this girl...

This story of a girl, who's dealt with so much loss and pain, figuring out how she's going to move onto the next phase when it's going to mean leaving behind what she's only just realizing is a big part of her, meshed with the story of a boy who's dealing with his own brand of loss and pain coupled with guilt after all he saw and experienced in Afghanistan...well, it made for an incredibly emotional and gripping read. The detail -- the emotion of it -- was very genuine and realistic. The alternating POV, even though primarily related from Skylar's, provided that much more understanding for what they were experiencing. The format of Josh's POV was unique and really gave a fascinating glimpse into his psyche. The inclusion of Skylar's art -- collages -- was also distinct and well done. The secondary cast is well drawn, allowing me to see the impact they each make on Skylar's and Josh's lives. Honestly, there isn't anything I didn't like about the story. This was my first Demetrios read but it certainly won't be my last. She delivered a meaty, engaging, and realistic young adult story!

Review ~ The Taker ~ Alma Katsu #2017HW #ShelfLove

The Taker by Alma Katsu
The Taker Trilogy #1
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Genre: Adult, Historical/Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance
Source: Purchased paperback 
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017HW, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
True love can last an eternity...but immortality comes at a price...

On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural St. Andrew, Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting a quiet evening--until a mysterious woman, Lanore McIlvrae, arrives in his ER, escorted by police. Lanore is a murder suspect, and Luke is inexplicably drawn to her. As Lanny tells him her story, an impassioned account of love and betrayal that transcends time and mortality, she changes his life forever. At the turn of the nineteenth century, Lanny was consumed as a child by her love for the son of St. Andrew's founder, and she will do anything to be with him forever, but the price she pays is steep--an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate.

My review is going to be purposely very vague. I feel like it would give away too much of the story to provide specifics - even change perceptions and feelings. So this is mostly about how this story made me feel. Here goes:

• Katsu did a tremendous job in bringing the past and present together. The format fit the story well and the historical detail was nicely done. She brought Puritan-era Maine - which was only a territory at this time - to life. And I appreciated the comparison between past and present Maine - all the changes that had occurred.
• The characters are so well done - well, mostly and I'll explain that in a bit. But three of the four MCs, Katsu gave them such distinct personalities and made me both like and dislike them. These characters are flawed, greatly flawed. There were times I had a hard time thinking of them as heroes and heroine. This allowed for character growth, which was imperative for me since there were characteristics such as selfishness, greed...these were eventually tempered with loyalty and compassion. I'm certainly eager to see where they go from this point.
• About my "mostly" regarding the characters... the format bringing the past and present together was very satisfactorily done except that it kept me from really connecting with one of the characters. I have a feel for him and he's flawed but the storytelling kept me from getting to know him as deeply as I did the others. Katsu may have done this purposely as part of the story but I have a feeling I'll get that deeper connection in the next book.
• The paranormal element was fascinating and well done.

Overall, The Taker was compelling and a wonderful introduction to the trilogy. I'm anxious to continue.

Review ~ And I Darken ~ Kiersten White #2017HW #ShelfLove

And I Darken by Kiersten White
The Conqueror's Saga #1
Release Date: June 28, 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Romance
Source: Won paperback from 
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017HW, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dargwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from the homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, Radu feels that he's made a true friend--and Lada wonders if she's finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against--and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point.

This is my 5th HW read of the year and I've discovered something...I have some really outstanding books on my shelves just waiting to be unearthed! ;)

And I Darken is a fabulously written story - historical fiction - that puts an interesting spin on Vlad the Impaler. And y'all, I'm rather fascinated with Vlad so this new "version"...well, I'm tickled. On top of that, this story is set in the Ottoman Empire and THAT is fascinating as well. And then there's Mehmed - the sultan's young son who befriends Lada and her brother, Radu. Well, I was in Portland last week (as y'all know) and therefore in Powell's (I didn't buy anything!). Sky took me to the Rare Book Room where I discovered a book about Mehmed the Conqueror. I don't know if the character is based on this Mehmed but the dates are right, so...

With And I Darken I'm not only learning some history but I'm also reading some thought-provoking things. Lada is my favorite kind of historical character...unconventional. She strains against the conventions towards women for her time. She's strong, cunning, ruthless, smart, and she DOES NOT want to be held back by a pair of breasts. Oh the things she did, choices she made - all so calculated so her weaknesses wouldn't be known, she wouldn't appear weak, in order to save lives or advance others. She's brilliant and I both love her and feel for her living in the 15th century. She broke my heart more than once.

Radu has always been viewed as weak. He is more sensitive and he was definitely treated poorly by their father and older brother. But being abandoned to the sultan changed him in marked ways. As he grew, he learned to use his particular strengths and talents. And he found a place to belong.

Mehmed - I'm not quite sure what to say about him. He's pivotal to be sure and he's important to both Lada and Radu. He's also smart and cunning, as well as ambitious. I'll withhold judgement though until I see what he does next.

I know book two in this series releases this month but I can't decide whether to read it soon and endure a year-long wait for the next one or whether to wait awhile...decisions, decisions. I can say And I Darken is in the top 5 books I've read this year!

Review ~ Outlander ~ Diana Gabaldon #2017HW #ShelfLove

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Release Date: July 26, 2005
Genre: Adult, Historical, Romance, Time Travel
Source: Purchased paperback
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017HW, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenack --an "outlander"-- in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire - and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

So, Outlander has been on my TBR - at my friend Diana's request - for something like 12 years. I think I put it off mostly because...it's a big book. :) And it intimidated me somehow. Now that I've finished it I'm kicking myself for having waited and bowing to Diana's prowess with book recommendations. Diana, I should have known. :)

Since you'd have to live under a rock not to have heard of, read, or watched Outlander, I'm not going to cover what happens in the book so much as how it affected me. And it affected me greatly. Here are a few reasons why:

• Claire - I love her. Her spirit, humor, strength...it all combines to make her this feisty, spit-fire of a woman who speaks her mind and acts according to her conscience no matter that it's 1743. As someone who has, on occasion, daydreamed of living in 1700 Scotland, Claire handles everything with grace (Claire grace, anyway) and aplomb.
• And then there's Jamie. I'm not sure I've "met" a Highlander her - or any her - as brave and compassionate as he. On top of that he's intelligent and open-minded, both valuable assets considering he ends up attached to Claire.
• The romance between Claire and Jamie is... I can't come up with the proper word. Their love is real, true and will stand the test of time. They quarrel but never stop fighting for each other. It's heartening to have been a part of them falling in love.
• The history and detail made for an even more affecting story. The brutality of life during this time period, the clan dynamics and politics, the intrigue and suspense created between the Scots and the English, the imagery of the heather-lined hills and even the thief hole - it was all incredible. Gabaldon wove all these details - even antiquated language - into and around this amazing story.
• Humor. I was grateful for the humor injected throughout the story as it was sorely needed at times. It was typically issued via Claire - speaking her mind - and Jamie more often than not.

I was seriously blown away by Outlander. I'm sorry not to have read it sooner and eager to continue the series. Oh and Dragonfly in Amber, the next in the series, became the first physical book I purchased in 2017!

This is now my favorite #2017HW read so far!

Review ~ The Female of the Species ~ Mindy McGinnis #2017HW #ShelfLove

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction
Source: Purchased hardcover
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017HW, #ShelfLove, #TakeControlTBR
Goodreads

Synopsis
Alex Craft knows how to kill someone. And she doesn't feel bad about it. When her older sister, Anna, was murdered three years ago and the killer walked free, Alex uncaged the language she knows best. The language of violence.

While her crime goes unpunished, Alex knows she can't be trusted among other people, even in her small hometown. She relegates herself to the shadows, a girl who goes unseen in plain sight, unremarkable in the high school hallways.

But Jack Fisher sees her. He's the guy all other guys want to be: the star athlete gunning for valedictorian with the prom queen on his arm. Guilt over the role he played the night Anna's body was discovered hasn't let him forget Alex over the years, and now her green eyes amid a constellation of freckles have his attention. He doesn't want to only see Alex Craft; he wants to know her.

So does Peekay, the preacher's kid, a girl whose identity is entangled with her dad's job, though that does not stop her from knowing the taste of beer or missing the touch of her ex-boyfriend. When Peekay and Alex start working together at the animal shelter, a friendship forms and Alex's protective nature extends to more than just the dogs and cats they care for.

Circumstances bring Alex, Jack, and Peekay together as their senior year unfolds. While partying one night, Alex's darker nature breaks out, setting the teens on a collision course that will change their lives forever.

According to the Kipling Society, The Female of the Species describes the "moral strength and single-mindedness of women throughout history, in familial and political contexts, in contrast to the weakness and vacillation of men."

"I am a wolf that my sister kept in a cage, until her hand was removed. I have been out, curious as I wake up from a lethargic solitude, self-enforced because I know I don't belong here. It's not safe for me to be out but they rattled my cage. First Claire, and then Jack. And now I'm awake, deviating from the paths I created in order to remain stable. I'm out, and awake, and afraid I won't be easily put back in."

This book has quite a lot to say. And it did so very well. The parallels between that first quote and the three MC's...Alex, Peekay, and Jack embody those words.

We have Alex, who has defined herself as "vengeance" and despite believing she feels no guilt, has a very strong moral compass. She sees herself as defending the weak - those who can't protect themselves - whether they be human or cats and dogs. This side of her, while scary, was absolutely fascinating. And although she feels she doesn't belong, a part of her longs for that feeling - something I think she had when her sister was alive. She also got people to look at themselves differently...

Peekay, for example. She's always been called Peekay - preacher's kid - and didn't think anything of it. But Alex asks for and calls her by her given name, Claire. It never occurred to Peekay the statements she made without words by accepting that nickname, much less the reasons behind doing so. She allowed it to influence her identity. She's strong though and finds the depth of her inner strength after befriending Alex. I found it of particular interest that she had thoughts similar to those of Alex, the difference being that Peekay would never act on them.

Then there's Jack - who was inspired to be a better person because of Alex. He'd been curious about her and her thoughts about his character since the night her sister's body was found. And Jack, he's a good guy even if he is a cad. But he waffled in his loyalties and decisions - found it apparently difficult to stay on the right path.

And through all this, the interactions between Alex, Peekay, and Jack - the bonds of friendship forming and love blossoming -McGinnis incorporated social commentary on teen culture: rape culture, sexual objectification, the double standards regarding boy vs girl behavior. And it was brilliant! There were some difficult moments to read - this story is raw and gritty - but I also felt things were realistically portrayed. The Female of the Species is certainly thought-provoking. 

This is my favorite #2017HW read so far!

Review ~ Red Rising ~ Pierce Brown #2017HW #ShelfLove

Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Red Rising #1
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Source: Purchased hardcover
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017HW, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
"I live for the dream that my children will be born free," she says. "That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them."

"I live for you," I say sadly.

Eo kisses my cheek. "Then you must live for more."

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.

Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow--and Reds like him--are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

Since I'm late to the party - story of my life - I'm not going to recount all that went down in Red Rising... because y'all probably already know. I'm only going to explain why, even though there was a point where the story dragged a bit for me, I still loved the heck out of Darrow and this story!

• the setup for the story. I was immediately gripped by the world Darrow inhabited, his clan, his being a HellDiver, Eo. Especially Eo. She served as the catalyst for all that came after and even though what she did was shocking, it had to be done. The shock is what set the wheels in motion.
• the detail and world building. We've colonized the moon and Mars?!? The detail of the tunnels and homes as well as the jobs of Darrow's people had me feeling the heat and the sandy grit from deep within Mars. The world on the surface, the Institute, the castles, the woods, the animals - Brown did an incredible job at drawing all the images in my mind. He also realistically portrayed not only the conditions the kids had to live and fight in - the lack of food, the lack of water, the stench of unwashed bodies and human waste - but also the emotions they felt. The things these kids were asked to do in order to survive caused fear, loathing, hate, but also camaraderie, loyalty, and love. I felt it all.
• Greek and Roman names, deities used. I found it ironic that Society would use these names - herald them - when those societies failed...especially since that was the objective.
• the colors - highColors, lowColors - this is how classes are created and distinguished. Society created a complex hierarchy and despite the elevation, the evolution, of the Golds, not much has changed in the future.
• the parallels I could draw between our world and Darrow's. It speaks to the problems of our current political climate and makes me sad to think humanity hasn't evolved...at least in fiction.
• the atmosphere. Even though the characters are primarily teens (late teens), the feel of the story is mature. The politics, the tactics of war employed, the subterfuge...it all lent to a sophistication not typically found in young adult literature. Watching as these kids adapt to the world they've been thrown into, strategizing for battle and survival, deciding how to best motivate your troops, etc., was fascinating.
• the characters. They're all very well developed. I loved and/or hated them all. All is fair in love and war as the old adage goes and these kids certainly learn that lesson. But Darrow sits atop the heap as my favorite. He's sacrificed much for a dream that wasn't even his. He felt denigrated. He felt rage and the need for vengeance. He felt pain and betrayal He felt exalted. But I think as he continues his mission he may learn that things aren't always simple. Black and white. Or Gold and Red in this case. And I'm eager to be a part of his learning, his continued evolution.

The only reason this isn't a 5 Bookworm read is that the middle dragged a bit. It fit in the story, of course, but it didn't hold me hostage to turning the pages like the rest did. I very much look forward to continuing Darrow's story though.

#2017HW Review ~ The Scorpio Races ~ Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: Purchased in Hardcover
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017HW, #ShelfLove
Goodreads 

Synopsis
It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn't given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition - the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

First things first - I love Maggie. I always have. Her writing is so lyrical and her stories so engrossing. So it pains me to say that The Scorpio Races didn't grab me immediately. I can't even tell you why but I kept putting it down. Maybe too much YA too close together? I'm not sure but by 100 pages in, I was hooked. And by the end my heart was galloping to the rhythm of the race.

The story revolves around Kate "Puck" Connolly and Sean Kendrick, two souls bound to the island by circumstance, participating in the Scorpio Races in an attempt at gaining freedom. These two are, to quote Mr. Malvern, "a strange pair." Puck describes Sean as having sharp edges and angles. Puck herself, in my opinion, is sharp edges and angles in personality. They're both unconcerned about what anyone else thinks and their closest friends are horses. They have much in common and when they meet each other, they're intrigued. I adore them both but Puck in particular as shes bucks island tradition by presuming to be the first girl in the races. It never occurred to her that she shouldn't be in them.

Some of the things I found so fascinating about The Scorpio Races are:

• freedom as a central theme, both for Puck, Sean, and Puck's brother, Gabe, as well as for the capall uisce, the water horses
• the mythology of the capall uisce and how Maggie made it her own
• the personification of Thisby island, where the story is set

The characters endeared themselves to me and the story was beautifully rendered. I'm so happy I pulled this one off the shelf!

#2017HW Reading Assignment Challenge ~ Signup/Reading List Post

The Reading Assignment Challenge is hosted by Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading. Essentially, this challenge allows you to create your own "reading list" just like you wanted to do when you were in school. :)

For complete details and rules, click the graphic above. Here are the basics:

• Challenge runs from January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017. You may sign up any time between now and July 1. 
• You may only participate for the months after you sign up.
• Create a list and commit to reading 1-4 books a month from that list.
• Any genre or format is acceptable but it must have been published prior to January 1, 2017 AND be more than 100 pages.
• Post your "report card" quarterly to let everyone know how you're faring.

There will be quarterly giveaways as well as a Grand Prize at the end of the challenge.

**MY READING LIST FOR 2017**

I've failed this challenge for the past 2 years but 2017 is gonna be a game changer! Why? I'm only aiming for ONE book a month. LOL 

Here's my Reading Assignment List:

Are y'all participating? How many books are you aiming for? How did you go about choosing them? Good luck! And I'll keep y'all updated on my progress. :)