My Reading Blog by Sarah Brasseaux https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog Sarah Brasseaux en-us 2018-09-04 12:44:21 UTC 2025-11-15 12:46:17 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Simplehouse.png 1st Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/277520465 I chose to read Desert Angel by Charlie Price and so far, the book has been very suspenseful and interesting. The book sparked my interest during our passing around time by starting off with the setting of Angel discovering that her mom has been murdered. The author was successful in forming a hook that makes the reader interested, and it also helps that their cover/title seems interesting. Reading this book has made me think of some of the similar books I have read. In the Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas, Celaena is independent and believed to be only bad just because she is labeled as an assassin. But just like Celaena, Angel proves to the people she meets that she cares about them and has good intentions, mainly just to survive. Both girls have a massive weight on their shoulder, yet they persist to prove the people who doubted their word as wrong. This book is also very relatable, because sometimes it seems like the world is against us, but things always have a way of working out, like I hope it does in Desert Angel. I like how Charlie Price writes the book in third person, because that allows him to include some of what is happening that the reader would not know of if it was only in Angel's perspective. I was able to learn where Scotty was sometimes and when someone was watching Angel, which made the book seem more interesting with the dramatic irony. I am looking forward to finding out what happens due the the mastery with which Price writes this suspenseful novel.]]> 2018-09-04 12:53:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/277520465 2nd Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/281099930 I chose to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor because I had heard about it a few years ago. So far, I find the book to be intriguing. I am left wanting to find out about what is so different about the main character, Karou. I like how the author includes different chapters that keep the reader updated on what Akiva is doing. This book is very relatable, because we are able to see Karou's problems. She feels like there is an empty space in her chest waiting to be filled and she sometimes feels insecure about how Brimstone feels about her. I like the book because Karou is not flawless. We are able to see behind the normal outlook of a person, and thus are able to relate and feel more connected. This book is different than Desert Angel, the previous book I read. Desert Angel was more realistic fiction, while Daughter of Smoke and Bone is more of fantasy. However, both books feature a strong female character. Karou and Angel both face challenges during the book, and both have flaws. This made me like both books, because I felt connected and the plot of both stories are filled with suspense and action, so I never got bored. I have felt excited every flip of the page to the action, and I feel like I am a part of the action in the story. As for Akiva, I can tell that he has a long past filled with harshness and hurt. He has also been in love before, but now his heart has turned cold. I can see that when he meets and sees Karou, she will probably have him fall for her, because he always looks at her.]]> 2018-09-14 00:40:02 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/281099930 3rd Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/283480716 I chose to read The Reader by Traci Chee next. I first read a little of it during the book passing, and the magic and rarity of books seemed interesting to me. The main character Sefia loses her parents and the only thing she keeps of them is a book. I find it interesting that she does not know the object is a book at first, and that she was able to figure out what a little of it says. I like how Sefia is a strong character, because even though her parents die, she finds Nin and tries her best to move on with her. The book is also very suspenseful, because the writing shows how people are after Sefia, yet the reader does not know exactly who is after her or why. The lives of these people is different from the real world, because they are in different kingdoms and there is something odd about them. The writer is constantly including gold and ink of books to show something magical and telling. This book is heart-wrenching, because you feel bad for Sefia when she discovers that her parents were killed, and you also feel bad when her guardian Nin is taken. I can tell that Sefia will most likely try to avenge her parents’ death, and find the killers before they discover her and where she is hiding. Once she finds them, she will find peace with herself because her memories were able to rest more in peace. I find this book interesting with the theme of searching and hiding.

]]> 2018-09-19 15:16:37 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/283480716 4th Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/286495973 I am still reading The Reader by Traci Chee. The story is developing even more as I go along. I like how Chee started the story with the main story about Sefia, and later continued to include different points of view. The reader shows some of the stories that Sefia is reading in the book. At first I found the stories boring, but later on as I read, the author connected the lives of the people in the story Sefia was reading to Sefia's direct life. She ended up accidentally ending up on the ship, "The Current of Faith" and met all the characters she was reading about. I find this interesting, because it makes me wonder what the book does. I think it writes the history of different people that will connect with the life of the individual person reading the book. The book might even change depending on who is reading it, because their lives would not all be connected. Another thing I find interesting, is the connection of Sefia's powers to the Master Librarians that say that seeing the past is relatively easy, but very few can see the future. This was amazing, because in other chapters we see Sefia unknowingly accomplishing the almost impossible task of seeing the future. Right now, I am worried about the future of Sefia and Archer, because Captain Reed is a changed person from what she read about him. He is more angry and distrusting, so he might try to kill the kids if they say the wrong things.]]> 2018-09-27 13:25:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/286495973 5th Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/288742104  I have started a new book, called The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst. My original reason for reading it, was that it involved a female main character and there was magic involved. So far, I like how Durst has written the book in third person, because the reader can see what is happening for characters other than Daleina. I like how Daleina has faced challenges, including Merecot being a seemingly very good spirit controller and how Daleina had to save her family from spirits. My first thought about the academy that Daleina has started going to, is that it is very tough and character-testing, because there are few older girls that are still there. I like how Durst made Daleina a very smart and strong female. She can understand that the academy is trying to filter out the weak links by trying to get them to fail and feel discouraged. Daleina has thought around that and has one focus stemming from her sister’s support, to be able to stop spirits and maybe one day become queen. I am predicting that as I get further on in the book, someone will choose Daleina to be their candidate and that the queen will be exposed for not being able to prevent the massacre of a village. I do like the author’s idea of having houses and buildings as a part of the tree instead of the normal brick, stone, and wood we are used to. I also like how spirits are different elements and want to know what element Daleina will end being best at controlling.]]> 2018-10-03 16:23:02 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/288742104 6th Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/296491969 I am reading Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes, and currently I am experiencing mixed feelings. Cleo lets her soon to be fiancé, Lord Aron, try to cheat a poor wine seller, and eventually kill his son. This instance has made me already not really like Cleo much, even though she says the reason she tolerates Aron is because he knows a secret of hers. I feel especially bad for the brother, Jonas, who has experienced a tough life already, and now lost a brother. I am worried for when Cleo and Jonas meet again, because I feel that Jonas will try to kill her because he thinks that she is at fault for his brother’s murder. Also, another chapter went into the lives of Lucia and her brother Magnus. I have made the connection that Lucia is the prophesied child, based on an earlier chapter that discusses a baby being taken. However, even though Lucia and Magnus might not be blood related, I do not like the idea of Magnus liking Lucia romantically, especially since he still thinks she is his sister. These first few chapters have been slightly confusing, because they switch the point of view every chapter, but I am willing to keep reading because I am hoping that the four main characters will meet each other, so the story line will be easier to understand. I do like how Rhodes is building up the action in every chapter, and finding small and intricate ways to demonstrate links forming between characters.

]]> 2018-10-24 15:05:13 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/296491969 7th Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/299421134 I am currently reading Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes, and am starting to like the book more. I have been able to learn and connect more with each character, even though the point of view changes every chapter. Sometimes I have to go back to a few chapters before to refresh on what happened to the character previously, so I would suggest that the author give a short recap at the beginning of every chapter. I like Cleo, as she is a very determined person, which can prove to be very necessary at times, but at other times detrimental. She is determined to save her sister from an illness, so she goes off to Paelsia to try to find the magic wielder. I want to learn more about what is going on with Jonas, because it seems like he is starting to form a group to attack Auranos. Rhodes does a good job using various sentence structures, and includes many ellipsis and hyphens. I still want to the connection of all four main characters. Also, I want a chapter in the point of view of Lucia to learn more about what changes she is experiencing with her new magical powers. Rhodes has mainly only been writing in Magnus’ view when discussing the kingdom of Limeros, so the reader does not get to see the behind the scenes point of view of Lucia, only what Magnus experiences around her. I am excited however, about the buildup of tensions between the kingdoms and am torn between whether to support the rise of Limeros and Paelsia against Auranos, or the determination of Cleo to fix things.

]]> 2018-11-01 15:26:09 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/299421134 8th Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/302042913 I am currently reading, Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes, the second book in the Falling Kingdoms series. Right now, the author has made me start rooting more for Jonas’ cause, and want Jonas and Cleo to be united. Jonas is forming a rebel group to rise up against King Gaius, but he is waiting for the right time and for more support. I do not like Aron, because he is now showing a weak spine by becoming one of King Gaius’ supporters. I like how the author shows different views for each chapter now, because it is necessary for the understanding of the reader of all that is going on. I want Magnus to change his mind about supporting King Gaius, and for Lucia to turn against him also. It is frustrating seeing characters I had originally like turning to the bad side. I like how Rhodes introduced a new character, by originally throwing her in an early chapter and then including her in one of the main characters’ chapter as a new rebel. The background story of Lysandra, really helped me understand why she was so good at shooting with a bow, and why she wants to be a rebel. As I continue reading, I hope that Jonas will get Cleo to tell him about the King’s secrets, and Cleo to be able to escape the castle with the invaluable Keeper’s ring. I have liked how Rhodes has built more on the character, Cleo, by showing her vulnerable side after her father’s and sister’s deaths.]]> 2018-11-08 13:49:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/302042913 9th Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/303861986 I am still reading Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes, and am currently over half way through. The book has become even more interesting as the characters are developed. I officially do not like King Gaius, because he has proven to be a power-thirsty king that goes to the lengths of killing innocents to get what he wants. I also want Magnus and Lucia to either die or change to the good side, because I am worried that Lucia’s powers will become out of control and cause her to destroy based on what King Gaius wants. The kidnapping of Cleo by Jonas and the rebels was interesting, because there is chemistry between the two characters and the author includes instances of them arguing. However, Jonas is proven to really care about Cleo, because it took a great deal of her convincing him, to finally allow her to go back to the castle. I like Cleo even more now because she has demonstrated more of her cleverness and fearlessness when facing the King. She trusts Jonas to save her during her wedding with Magnus, so she can show the normal citizens just how bad the King is. I am worried for when Cleo discovers that the king killed her best friend, Mira, because that will definitely put a dampen to her enthusiastic mood of becoming queen to save the kingdoms. By the end of this book, I hope that Cleo and Jonas will be reunited and that Alexius will help do something to save Lucia from the evil ways of her magic.]]> 2018-11-13 16:42:53 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/303861986 10th Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/309104380 I am currently reading Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton and it is very interesting. The main character Amani is a strong female surviving in a time of man empowerment. She disguises herself as a boy to be able to try to escape her desert homeland. She meets a strong boy named Jin who is mysterious and has many secrets that he slips up and reveals to Amani. I really like how Hamilton wrote the novel so far, with a strong yet vulnerable main character. Also, I like how there is conflict and various seemingly good sides of the conflict that makes the reader wish for success for various groups. Hamilton writes the book in Amani's point of view so it adds to the mystery of Jin's life. I am hoping to finish this book soon so I can start reading the sequel. I hope that Jin will be developed to be the prince of the rebels, the one trying to rise over the Gallan army. I also like how the author includes great descriptions of the hardship the characters are going through in the desert with similes and metaphors included. The author has me wishing for Amani and Jin to get together and end up successful during their quest for saving the desert cities. Amani has proven that she is capable of protecting herself, through expertise with a gun, and Jin has secret abilities that come out whenever the two are in danger, such as a hidden knife. The two characters are slight opposites, with Amani being very stubborn and unhappy, and Jin being slightly bubbly and seemingly uncaring.

 

I have finished reading the sequel to Rebel of the Sands, Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton. It has been even more suspenseful than the first book, because Amani is kidnapped and kept in the palace by the Sultan. What adds even more, is the fact that the Sultan had metal put underneath Amani’s skin so that she has to obey him due to her Djimdji powers. Also, her powers had been made inaccessible because of the iron, and due to her genes, she cannot lie to the Sultan. All of these factors included by Hamilton, help to make the reader hope for Amani’s escape even though it may seem impossible without something going badly. This added suspense that had built up ever since Amani discovered she was a djimdji makes the reader feel mad at Jin, because he knew she was one when he met her, but he never told her. However, I like how Hamilton writes the book in Amani’s view, because when her rebel friends rescued her, it was even more surprising. I like how Hamilton took the time to develop each individual character, so the reader felt for each one when either they died or had something bad happen to them. Hamilton has done a great job throughout the story of making the reader confused on who they should like and dislike, because the seemingly bad Sultan was kind to Amani, and Amani’s mean cousin sacrificed her life for the rebels. I hope that the next book will have a satisfying wrap up of this intricate story.

]]> 2018-11-29 01:04:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/309104380 11th Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/314096573 I read the book, Feed by M. T. Anderson this past week. It was a very interesting book about a sci-fi future theme. The main character, Titus, is brainwashed by the Feed creators, just like the common public of America, and does not know what the world was like without the Feed. He meets Violet, an odd girl who got her Feed later, and has a weird father who speaks in figurative language. I like how Anderson really developed the characters, and how the ending was not your typical hero saves the world ending. I also like the whole idea of the Feed, because it is almost a warning to present-day people to beware of new technology. It brings about the importance of preserving nature, by having the book set in time where meat is growing instead of plants. The way the book ended, with Violet basically dead and Titus in remorse for closing her off, makes me want to see a sequel where some of the problems in their world are solved. However, I understand why Anderson ended the book like this, to show that not every story receives a happy ending, and to be an example of how much the peoples’ suffering was being covered up by the Feed. I liked that the book was written in Titus’ point of view, because the reader was able to see the indecision and questioning of rightness that Titus was experiencing when faced with Violet’s situation. Anderson also adds to the importance of education, because his representation of a world without accurate education portrays a brainwashed civilization.]]> 2018-12-13 01:05:16 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/314096573 12th Blog Post sbrasseaux1 https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/320105633  
This past week I started reading Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger. My interest in the book started after I had seen an ad for the book on a amazon. I remembered the book, so when I saw it on the shelf I read the back cover and have been reading it since. I like how Sophronia is not the average girl. The book starts off with her already getting in trouble. I like how Carriger keeps the reader on their toes, because when I found out that the seemingly odd Mademoiselle Geraldine was actually a young girl acting, I was totally surprised. Carriger does not write the book in Sophronia’s point of view, adding to the suspense as the reader does not know what Sophronia is thinking and the reasons behind her seemingly crazy actions. I like how Carriger is structuring Sophronia to be an independent girl who is a tomboy at heart with a smart brain to solve problems on the fly. I am looking forward to getting to the point in the book where Sophronia reaches the new school to see her reaction. From reading the back cover, I know that the school she is going to is not normal, and I am wondering if Sophronia will fit in well with the new topics of diversion, espionage, and death. So far Carriger has not disappointed me by keeping the book interesting and like nothing I have ever read. I will have to see if the school is as interesting as it sounds. 

]]> 2019-01-13 22:17:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sbrasseaux1/readingblog/wish/320105633