Happy Book Birthday, Chasing Eternity by Alyson Noel!

 It's time to celebrate another book birthday! This is the final installment of the Stealing Beauty trilogy, and believe it or not, I've actually read the first two books. So, I not only am excited to see how this very complex tale ends, but my expectations are pretty high. 

Let's see if this is a fitting end to an engaging series.

CHASING ETERNITY

Stealing Beauty #3

by Alyson Noel

Entangled Teen

YA Fantasy

496 pages

At Gray Wolf Academy, time is the ultimate weapon…if you know how to use it. Step into the breathtakingly imaginative third book in New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël’s incredible Stealing Infinity series

I’m about to break one of the biggest rules of all.

But I need to find my dad. And if that means going back to New York City in 1998 to find him―before I’m even born―then that’s what I have to do. Because I need someone I trust to teach me what it means to be a Timekeeper.

Now I’m in the land of post-grunge, low-rise jeans, baby doll tees, chunky boots…and risking my own existence in the process. Awesome.

This is no ordinary trip. Just about anything can go wrong, and if I get found out, I’ll lose not only my home and school…but Braxton, too. Because there might not be enough forgiveness in the world for what I’ve done―and what I am about to do.

Because the secrets are more terrible than I thought. The reality is even more horrifying. And I’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth about Gray Wolf Academy, the strange billionaire who runs it, and not only why he’s so invested in traveling―or “Tripping”―through time, but what his real plans are.

And time’s almost up.

The Stealing Infinity series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Stealing Infinity
Book #2 Ruling Destiny
Book #3 Chasing Eternity

GOODREADS   /     AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

If a reader thought that this last book in the series is going to be an exciting end to wrap up the tale of the first two books, they aren't quite right. These pages offer that but also more. 

Nat is determined to stop whatever plans the head of Gray Wolf Academy has in store, especially since they circle around the very thing which defines existence—time. Although it's risky and maybe not her best idea, she heads back thirty years to 1998 to find her father and learn the truth of Timekeeping. What she discovers is worse than first thought, and her every move could destroy the thing she's trying to save.

The first chapter jumps right into Nat's attempt to find her father while managing to ease in enough space to remind readers about where the last book left off before really digging in. The back-and-forth between the characters shines immediately and provides plenty of personality. This is especially true for Nat, but then, the naturalness of her character is one of the strengths of this series. It does take a bit for action to sink in, which would usually be a problem for me, but there is so much to discover and learn along the way that the word 'boring' doesn't poke in its head. s the story progresses, more and more comes to light and many of these not only surprise but add an entirely different twist. 

There is romance, but it doesn't drive everything and holds heart. The friendships also face pulls and tugs but give everything needed to root for. Even the family aspect offers a nice, added foundation with the needed prods tossed in. Add the teen angst and a shrewd villain, and it's a satisfying (and exciting) end to the trilogy.

Happy Book Birthday, Ruling Destiny by Alyson Noel!

I've got to get a sparkly graphic or something to celebrate these book birthdays...something to spice things up and let the party mood spread. Until I get to that point, I'm just going to shout it out to the top of my lungs.

Today's book birthday is the second in the Stolen Beauty series...and yes, I did read the first one around the same time last year (go here if you're curious about book one)

https://www.bookwormforkids.com/2022/06/happy-book-birthday-stealing-infinity.html

RULING DESTINY

Stolen Beauty, #2

by Alyson Noel

Entangled Teen

YA Fantasy / Time Travel

496 pages

The second I stepped through the doors of Gray Wolf Academy, my world disintegrated. Here, time is malleable. It can be manipulated, shifted. Changed. And for those of us who Trip—or travel through time—the possibilities are infinite and perilous.

Now my life is caught in the secrets of everyone around me. Arthur, the eccentric billionaire who rules this school. Killian, who could be the only honest person here…or the biggest liar. And Braxton, magnetic, gorgeous, and unfathomable. The only thing I trust about him is our electric connection.

Whether we’re Tripping through Renaissance Italy or thieving from a ball in Regency England, my life’s become a web of lies and strange truths. And beneath the surface is an elaborate puzzle, filled with cryptic symbols and priceless treasures scattered across history—all somehow connected to my strange ability to see through time.

But Arthur has a dangerously ambitious agenda. And if what my dad taught me is true, I’m not just a threat to everyone at Gray Wolf.

…I’m a threat to time itself.

The Stealing Infinity series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Stealing Infinity
Book #2 Ruling Destiny

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58725062-ruling-destiny

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ruling-destiny-alyson-no-l/1139985515

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZSXXTWD/ref=x_gr_bb_kindle

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/ruling-destiny

MY TIDBITS

Time isn't the only variable in this fast-paced read, where magic and secrets are only the beginning of the mystery involved.

This read starts where book one left off. So, this is a series which does need to be read in order. That said, book two offers everything the continuing tale needs and more. Natasha is caught up in a whirlwind, and she's doing her best to sort through everything around her to discover the truth. But considering she's jetting from one time to the next, each with it's own dangers and secrets, and that while trying to keep her own abilities a secret. The tension remains high as it's impossible to guess, who she can trust. And all of this doesn't get any easier when her friend is drawn into the fray.

Then, there's the love triangle. While this wasn't quite my thing, readers who enjoy the push and pull will be torn between the two interests. Each has their secrets and agendas, and each has a history with the other. Of course, all of this is also layered in secrets, adding even more to Nat's plate.

There's barely a moment's pause as the story races from one situation into the next. There's a bonus of a few historical figures tossed in, which creates a bit of fun, but otherwise, this is a darker read with magic, time travel, dark mysteries, danger, and so much more. In other words, it's a grabbing read from start to finish.

Happy Book Birthday, Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel!

Today's read actually had it's book birthday yesterday...but I'm all for celebrating as long as possible! The moment I saw the cover, I had to get my hands on this book. Plus, time travel can be intriguing if well done. The main character also promises tons of spunk...if she can keep a logical thinking process, that is. Yep, I do have high expectations with this one. So, let's take a peek and see if it's worth the hype.

STEALING INFINITY

Stolen Beauty, #1

by Alyson Noel

Entangled Teen Publishing

YA Time Travel / Fantasy

400 pages

These days, I’ve been killing it when it comes to letting people down. Now I’ve been kicked out of high school, arrested, and accepted into a remote, off-the-grid school owned and operated by an inscrutable billionaire tech guru.

Gray Wolf Academy is looking for a certain kind of student. Ones that no one will miss. Like me.

Then there’s Braxton. The beautiful, oddly anachronistic guy who showed up right when the trouble started. And he’s a total enigma—which means that I definitely can’t trust him, even if there’s something about him that makes me want to.
They all tell me I have a gift. A very rare gift. And Gray Wolf Academy wants me to learn it. To use it. Because if what they say is true, I have all the time in the world.
And that makes me the most dangerous high school student you’ll never know…

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON   /   B&N    /    BOOK DEPOSITORY

MY TIDBITS

Action, intrigue and a touch of romance intermingle with time travel to make an exciting read, which is hard to put down.

Nat's got a tough life, trying to help her mother pay bills while attending school. When a friend convinces her to skip class and go to a club, things race out of control. Convicted of a crime she didn't commit, Nat finds herself at the Gray Wolf Academy, where secrets flood every hallway. She's unable to make friends except with one guy, who's not telling more than he wants to. She knows something's up but has larger problems to deal with as she suspects that there's more to the school than meets the eye.

If you're a fan of academy settings (especially mysterious, secretive ones), time travel, tough girls, and dangerous plots, this will be right down your lane. It starts out with a thrust into Nat's life, who gains sympathy as she does her best to make everything work. Her bad decision is irritating, but everything else about her makes her hard not to root for as she struggles against so much garbage. When the book swings into the academy, there's an interesting twist, which keeps it from growing cliche. Also, Nat has a head and tries to use it as she's navigating the academy and tries to figure out what's going on. There's a quick pace the entire way through and unexpected moments to keep those pages turning.

Then, there's the relationships and characters. Nat is interesting and while she stumbles here and there, she remains a gripping character until the end. The others are touch and go. Some have a bit of depth but others don't. So, if you're into character driven reads, this has some of that but leans much more toward the action.

Even the romance isn't smooth...but it just might be that way intentionally. The love interest keeps a lot of his intentions and goals hidden, and the chemistry suffers because of that. But there are other possibilities in the starting lines on that front. It just depends on where this series goes.

This is an exciting read with tons of mystery and interesting directions. It definitely entertains and does set things up nicely for the rest of the series.