{Review || LivTheBookClub May 2018 BOTM} The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Page Count: 288

Published on: February 13, 2017

Published by: First Second

Genre(s): Graphic Novel, YA, LGBTQAI+, Historical, Romance, Comics

Source: purchased for book club

Age Rating: all ages

Where to Find it: Amazon // Goodreads // Book Depository

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart. 

~~~

Hey, guys!
    During the month of May, the Liv the Book Club chose The Prince and the Dressmaker as our book of the month. This is a full color graphic novel that takes place in Paris, France during the dawn of the modern age. The novel follows the young seamstress Frances. After creating a unique dress for a noblewoman, France's talent is noticed by the Crown Prince of Belgium: Sebastian. Sebastian hires Frances to become his personal seamstress and enlists her in aiding him in maintaining his secret identity as Lady Crystallia. The two grow close and soon are best friends. Though Frances adores being Sebastian's secret weapon, she longs to live her dream and become a famous fashion designer. 

     This novel was absolutely beautiful. I absolutely adored every bit of it. The characters were so well thought out, their stories were fantastic. The plot was so wonderful and the pace was so addicting. I didn't want it to end. The art style was beyond perfect for the vibe of this book. The writing was phenomenal and stirred up every emotion. The colors and line work were just stunning. I cannot stress the perfection of this book enough. 
      There was a fantastic focus on acceptance and unconditional love in this book. The discussion on gender norms was done so well. This story is going to be one of those influential stories that will brilliantly inform the uninformed reader. Often times, those who are considered different often are dehumanized and forced into a label that does not accurately portray or define who they are. There is a trend lately where people will just make assumptions about people, specific group of people, etc. I think this book has the capability to enable readers to begin to accept people for who they are or even just understand why people are who they are. 

     Overall, this graphic novel is an absolute treat. I highly recommend it to everyone. Happiness is imminent when reading this beautiful story. This is going to be one of my all time favorite books of the year and probably ever. Everyone needs to pick it up.

Happy reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{LivTheBookClub} May 2018

Hey, guys!

If you follow me on Instagram, or any of my other social media, you'll know that the book club is BACK ON! Julia and I have decided to officially make the Liv the Book Club a summer book club. We have announced the summer reading picks for each month {here}. 

In May we are reading:

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang!!!

Goodreads synopsis:

Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart.

Page Count: 288

Release Date: February 13, 2018

Publisher: First Second

Goodreads Average Rating: 4.47 stars

Author Twitter: {@alooghobi}

Author Instagram: @wangstagram

Author Website: {click}

Book Club Goodreads Discussion: {click here}

Discussion Start Date: May 13-May 29

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{Liv the Book Club 2018} Summer Reading List

Hey, guys!

     I've already helped announce the reading list on the Instagram, Twitter, and the Facebook page! I think it's time to announce it here! This summer, the book club is meeting back up again and we are reading 3 books! August is currently under discussion because we are unsure if we all will be able to keep up, but we will be reading the three books mentioned below! We hope you enjoy these books! More information will be posted in a couple weeks. Until then, connect with us on the book club social media! 

Happy reading! This summer is going to be the best session, yet!

Stay tuned to meet our newest members! 

Book Links

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Released: February 13, 2018

Goodreads link: {click here}

Purchasing Links: {Amazon} {Book Depository} 

The Belles (The Belles #1) by Dhonielle Clayton

Released: February 6, 2018

Goodreads link: {click here}

Purchasing Links: {Amazon} {Book Depository}

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Released: June 5, 2018

Goodreads link:{click here}

Purchasing Links: {Amazon} {Book Depository}

What do you think we should read in August? 

Tweet us, DM us, or message us!

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Twitter: @livthebookclub

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Happy reading!
Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review || LivTheBookClub June 2017 BOTM} Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Page Count: 240

Published on: October 24, 2017

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Mystery, Paranormal

Source: Paperback - via publisher 

Age Rating: PG

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     This review has been a long time coming, but I'm finally getting to it! Julia and I read this for the summer book club back in June. I, unfortunately, was really disappointed in this book. Unlike Renee Ahdieh's previous books, the characters, the plot, and the whole concept of this book fell really flat for me. The characters were boring, annoying, and two-dimensional, the plot was underdeveloped, the magic, overall, lacked any kind of magical-ness. I was entertained and the writing style was interesting, but I just felt like Ahdieh just wasn't writing her best in FitM. I adored her Wrath and the Dawn duology. They were stunningly written and so intensely beautiful. I was so impressed, however, I feel like this book was written by a completely different person. 

      Let's talk about characters. This book didn't have any characters that I connected to. I felt like the characters that we met in this book were just "there" and didn't actually fit the story. The main character, Mariko, was just so annoying. I felt like she just whined the whole time and she would never make up her mind. She was just a mess. At first, I was really into her character. I thought she was really badass and really inspiring, but once the book started to progress, she just constantly whined and didn't progress at all. Anything that happened to her just seemed like a convenient plot device to keep the story going. The story didn't flow well at all. 

     The whole romance aspect of this book was just a big "nope" for me. I could not get behind the random and all-of-a-sudden kind of love. The romantic plot did not build up at all. It felt like it just was plopped into the story to make it "interesting". The little development that we got was much too rushed and I didn't really sense any real chemistry between the two characters. They went from enemy strangers to acquaintances to lovers. I just really didn't like that pacing. It was too much. The romance could have been left out and the plot would have been fine. I just think it was really unneeded. 

     I feel similarly about the magic system in this book. I don't know much of anything about it after reading the book. It just exploded towards the end of the book and left me confused. I really thought there would be more magic throughout the book, but I felt like it was just a mish-mash of an attempt at a history-based fantasy novel..but not done well. 

     I was hoping for a more history-based Japanese story, but I was just left with a massive state of confusion. The first part of the book was really fantastic and intriguing. I was really into the first part, however, the rest of the book was just a muddle of confusing ... stuff. I was just really confused throughout the book. 

    This book was far too busy for my taste. There was just too much happening and nothing productive. The ending was far too rushed and confusing. I'm still not sure what was happening. There were far too many instances where I was just questioning why I was reading the book. If I had not been reading it for the book club and buddy reading it with Julia, I would have probably DNF'd the book. Overall, I was just bored and confused. I only like a couple of the minor characters. I don't even remember their names. 

Favorite Characters: Yumi, Yoshi, and the peasant girl Mariko's brother likes

Least Favorite Characters: Mariko, Okami, & Ranmaru

Book Club Discussion Board: {click here}

Book Club Links:

Goodreads: {click here}

Twitter: @livthebookclub

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Liv's Social Media:

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Blog: www.livthebooknerd.blogspot.com

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Twitter: @jujuthereader

Instagram: @juliatharp

Happy reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{LivTheBookClub} October 2016 Book of the Month Announcement

Hey, guys!

I'm a bit behind when it comes to announcing the newest book of the month and participating in the previous discussions for Furthermore. School has been kicking my butt. Sorry, guys! Anyway, I can't promise that I'll be keeping up with discussions and events for the book club, but I definitely will try. This month we will be reading and discussing 

The First Principle by Marissa Shrock

Synopsis:

In the not-too-distant future, the United Regions of America has formed. Governors hold territories instead of states, and while Washington, DC, is gone, the government has more control than ever before. For fifteen-year-old Vivica Wilkins, the daughter of a governor, this is life as usual. High school seems pretty much the same--until one day, that controlling power steps right through the door during study hall.

When Vivica speaks out to defend her pregnant friend against the harsh treatment of Population Management Officer Marina Ward, she has no idea she's sowing the seeds of a revolution in her own life. But it isn't long before she discovers her own illegal pregnancy. Now she has to decide whether to get the mandatory abortion--or follow her heart, try to keep the baby, and possibly ruin her mother's chances at becoming president.

A rebel group called the Emancipation Warriors, who are fighting to restore freedoms once held unalienable, offer her asylum. Can Vivica trust these rebels to help her or will they bring everything crashing down around her? Accepting their help may come with consequences she isn't ready to face.

Marissa Shrock's debut novel crafts a chilling story of what may be to come if we allow the economic and moral crises currently facing our country to change the foundations on which we built our independence--and of the difference one person can make when they choose to trust God's lead.

~~~

Goodreads Average Rating: 4.27 stars

Page Count: 240

Date Published: December 20, 2014

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Christian Fiction, Suspense, YA

We're really excited to read this book and hopefully the discussions get started. Don't forget to participate in the discussions on Goodreads. We will answer the questions asked during the discussions and we will mention the different points that y'all make during the discussions during the live shows. 

The September Live Show's date is still undetermined, but we will announce the date as soon as we can on Twitter, Goodreads, and our personal twitters. 

Follow us on social media!

Book Club Links:

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Blog: www.livthebooknerd.blogspot.com

Julia's Social Media:

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Courtney's Social Media:

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Happy reading!

~Liv~

{Book Club} July Live Show Announcement + August BOTM Announcement!

Hey, guys!

Okay, so yesterday I sent out the live show announcement to the members of the Liv The Book Club group on Goodreads that announced the dates of the live show and all of the information that you need to make sure you can get to the live show. Anyway: here is what I sent to the members of the LivTheBookClub group!

~~~

Hey, guys! Okay, this is kind of short notice, but Julia, Courtney,& I have figured out when the live show will be! August 2 @4PM EST. We will be having a spoiler and non-spoiler discussions during our live stream and we will be discussing this book in depth, so check that out! It will be posted on the Liv The Book Nerd YouTube channel & we're figuring out how to enable you to get a notification when the live show starts. Don't forget to subscribe to get the notification! THERE IS ALSO A CHANCE THAT YOU COULD WIN A HOME MADE LIVTHEBOOKNERD BOOKMARK! WATCH THE LIVESHOW TO FIND OUT HOW! We can't wait to discuss this book with you! Happy reading!~Liv~ Book Club Links:Twitter: @livthebookclubInstagram: @livthebookclub  Liv's Social Media:Twitter: @livthebooknerdInstagram: @livthebooknerdYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLAl...Blog: www.livthebooknerd.blogspot.com Julia's Social Media:Twitter: @jujuthereaderInstagram: @juliatharp Courtney's Social Media:Twitter: @annamariaizlandInstagram: @annamariaizland ~~~ Okay, there is one more thing that I wanted to post yesterday, but I couldn't send out another mass message last night. I wanted to announce the August book of the month is....*drum roll*  Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw! We are so excited to read this book! I know that I think I could relate to Scarlett ;) and I think her whole situation could be really funny if it's written well. I have high hopes for this book.... Happy reading, y'all!  Olivia ~LivTheBookNerd~ Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin @LivTheBookNerd on Books

LivTheBookClub Book of the Month Announcement!

Hey guys!

      I'm not sure if you knew, but I've had a Goodreads book club group for quite a while labeled "LivTheBookNerdBookClub" (Now called "LivTheBookClub") which I planned on using for monthly read-a-longs. Well, long story short, life got in the way and it wasn't my top priority. My friends and I have been planning on buddy reading at least 3 books, so we decided to start up the book club again! I'm really excited to share this with you all and I hope you all join us to read Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo this month! 

I have already announced the BOTM on Goodreads, but here it is anyway, just in case you are unable to see it:

~~~

Hey, guys!

So I know this is really short notice, but I've been wanting to do this for a while. This next month, July, we will be reading Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Julia and I have been meaning to read this book for quite a while and we decided that it be really cool to read it with the LivTheBookClub. I've added Julia to the Moderator list, so welcome her with open arms! Welcome to the moderator club, Juju! ;)

There are no deadlines, so don't worry! There will be discussion spaces, however, for those who would like to discuss specific bits of the book. This is a precaution for those who do not want to be spoiled while they read. :)

Anyway, since we are reading Six of Crows during the next few weeks, we will have a live show at the end of the month to discuss the book. I will be announcing the date and time later this month.

Don't forget to follow us on twitter for random bookish updates:
@livthebooknerd
@jujuthereader

Happy reading everyone!
Olivia
www.livthebooknerd.blogspot.com

~~~

Since that update has gone up, Courtney has also been added to the moderator list, so welcome her as well! Courtney has reviewed a couple books on here as well so check out those reviews! 

• The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chobosky
• My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
• Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

We're so excited to read and discuss this lovely book with you all! If you have any questions, then you can message me on Twitter or Goodreads. 

We will be discussing the book throughout the month. There are different discussion folders for different sections of the book, so that y'all can discuss the book in segments. It's broken up in sections so that y'all can discuss the book without the risk of spoilers. 

There are no deadlines, so don't worry about that either! We will be hosting a live show at the end of the month (Date to be determined. Keep an eye on our Twitters!)

Goodreads Group: Liv The Book Club

Moderator Social Media:

Twitter: @jujuthereader
Instagram: @juliatharp

Twitter: @annamariaizland
Instagram: @annamariaizland

Twitter: @livthebooknerd
Instagram: @livthebooknerd
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLAl...
Happy reading everyone!
Olivia 
~LivTheBookNerd~

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