Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 44

Book Review: The Island by Natasha Preston

The Island by Natasha PrestonBlurb:

Hot on the heels of the New York Times bestsellers The Twin and The Lake, another pulse-pounding read from the undisputed queen of YA thrillers!

They said goodbye to their friends and family for the weekend. They weren’t counting on forever.

Jagged Island: a private amusement park for the very rich—or the very influential. Liam, James, Will, Ava, Harper, and Paisley—social media influencers with millions of followers—have been invited for an exclusive weekend before the park opens. They’ll make posts and videos for their channels and report every second of their VIP treatment.

When the teens arrive, they’re stunned: the resort is even better than they’d imagined. Their hotel rooms are unreal, the park’s themed rides are incredible, and the island is hauntingly beautiful. They’re given a jam-packed itinerary for the weekend.

But soon they’ll discover that something’s missing from their schedule: getting off the island alive.

My Review:

This book was on my radar from the first time I saw it on another blogger’s Can’t Wait Wednesday post. I’ve wanted to read this author’s books before and this was my jumping off point…

I loved the “And Then There Were None” stranded on an island with a killer vibes and it’s so twisty you find it impossible to put down. Before you know it you’re halfway through the book and are on the edge of your seat.

I like Paisley as a main character and found her relatable with her love for true crime. I’m also fascinated with the way people’s minds work and why they do the things they do.

One thing that stood out to me was the similarity between The Island and Never Coming Home by Kate Williams as they are both about a group of teen influencers lured to an island but where that killer sought to kill their victims to right wrongs they had done, this one seemed to kill for the thrill like more of a slasher film. Take that as you will.

I kind of suspected one of the characters early on but the big reveal and the ambiguous end still thrilled me. I will definitely read more by this author!

My Rating:4.5 of 5 Stars Rounded Up!

Can’t Wait Wednesday… The Invisible Hour!

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

Standalone, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism

eBook, Hardcover, Audiobook, 272 pages

August 15, 2023 by Atria Books

Blurb:

From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Marriage of Opposites and the Practical Magic series comes an enchanting novel about love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and the enduring magic of books.

One brilliant June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community—an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden, and books are considered evil. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?

Through a journey of heartbreak, love, and time, Mia must abandon the rules she was raised with at the Community. As she does, she realizes that reading can transport you to other worlds or bring them to you, and that readers and writers affect one another in mysterious ways. She learns that time is more fluid than she can imagine, and that love is stronger than any chains that bind you.

As a girl Mia fell in love with a book. Now as a young woman she falls in love with a brilliant writer as she makes her way back in time. But what if Nathaniel Hawthorne never wrote The Scarlet Letter? And what if Mia Jacob never found it on the day she planned to die?

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote: “A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.”

This is the story of one woman’s dream. For a little while it came true.

Why I Want to Read The Invisible Hour:

I’ll admit, the cover drew me in first. It reminds me of fall, my favorite season. But then I read the blurb and it sounded, while not what I usually read, really interesting. A book about falling in love with books and how a book can help you escape from the world around you as well as a love story? I’m in.

Will you be checking this one out? Have you read books by this author? I keep meaning to read Practical Magic by her but I love the movie and it’s usually love the movie hate the book or vise versa, rarely love both so I think I should start something wholly different by her first. What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books on My Spring 2023 To-Read List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books on My Spring 2023 To-Read List

This week’s TTT is all about the books on our Spring 2023 TBR. This season I’m trying to read more books I’ve recently gotten or books I’ve gotten in book boxes in the past months that I have been neglecting…

1. Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter

My family and I watched this miniseries on Netflix and I grabbed a copy of the book a few months ago.

2. Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen

I’ve been saving this one for my trip to Charleston at the end of April.

3. The Cloisters by Katy Hays

I’ve heard mostly good things about this one, it’s on my immediate TBR when I’m in the right mood.

4. On Spine of Death by Tamara Berry

I grabbed this one after Christmas but haven’t been in a cozy mood. Maybe spring will change that.

5. Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston

This was in my last Fairyloot box and I was really looking forward to it last fall. I need to make time for it.

6. My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

I won an ARC of this before it released in 2021 and it’s about time I read it, right?

7. Sun Touched by Becky Moynihan

I feel so bad that I haven’t read this one yet. Becky is a great author friend and I love this series so I need to make time for it this spring!!

8. The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

I have so many editions of this book it’s not even funny. I need to make time to actually read it (or listen to it as I enjoy Stephanie Garber’s books the most in audiobook).

9. Claw Heart Mountain by David Oppegaard

This was in February’s Twisted Retreat box. I haven’t even taken it out of the plastic wrap yet to check it out in any detail but it sounds interesting.

10. The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner

This is another book I saw on a Can’t Wait Wednesday post and added to my TBR. I chose it for my March BOTM along with Lone Women by Victor LaValle.

Have you read any of these? What books are on your Spring 2023 TBR? Let me know in the comments or drop me a link to your TTT!

First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: The Island

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Socrates Book Reviews where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading. Each week bloggers will choose a book or books of the week (which will be one of the books that you are currently reading) and that book will take part in this book blog meme.

My book of the week is: The Island by Natasha Preston

First Chapter, First Paragraph:

I upload my latest trailer to TikTok advertising my new YouTube video, Killer in the Family, and I sit back. Within seconds the numbers under the little heart start climbing as if Jeff Bezos were watching a livestream of his bank balance.

Blurb:

Hot on the heels of the New York Times bestsellers The Twin and The Lake, another pulse-pounding read from the undisputed queen of YA thrillers!

They said goodbye to their friends and family for the weekend. They weren’t counting on forever.

Jagged Island: a private amusement park for the very rich—or the very influential. Liam, James, Will, Ava, Harper, and Paisley—social media influencers with millions of followers—have been invited for an exclusive weekend before the park opens. They’ll make posts and videos for their channels and report every second of their VIP treatment.

When the teens arrive, they’re stunned: the resort is even better than they’d imagined. Their hotel rooms are unreal, the park’s themed rides are incredible, and the island is hauntingly beautiful. They’re given a jam-packed itinerary for the weekend.

But soon they’ll discover that something’s missing from their schedule: getting off the island alive.

What do you think? Would you read this one? I just finished it yesterday and binged it in about 36 hours every spare moment I had.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 6 March 2023

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

Hey Bookdragons! What was your first read of March? How many books did you read last month?

Last Week I Read:Lightlark by Alex Aster

It’s been a while since I enjoyed a fantasy novel but I devoured this one and I can’t wait to read the next book whenever it comes out!

Phantom by Greer Rivers

I really enjoyed this one, it was an interest retelling and I’d probably read more by this author!

The Guest With Claws by Ella Maven

This was a fun, spicy read and I’ll definitely read the next book. My only drawback is in spots there were some typos an editor should have caught.

Currently Reading:Fallen by Linda Castillo

I’m only about 50 pages in but I like this one so far. The Lifetime movie An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell is based on this series.

Next Read:Does it Hurt by H.D. Carlton

I keep seeing this one recommended. I tried starting it two weeks ago but wasn’t in the mood for it so I want to try again after I finish Fallen.

Have you read any of these?

The Sunday Post: Meltdowns, Red Hair, and Catching Up

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Meltdowns, Red Hair, and Catching Up

Hey Bookdragons! Happy first Sunday of March! How was your week? Mine felt endless.

I probably mentioned my work situation a few weeks back where I have a coworker who calls in sick all the time? Well she called in all but 3 days in February and now into March. 3 straight rotations. Friday my mom and I had some appointments late in the afternoon in a city about 45 miles away. I was not scheduled to work until 10:00 pm so this should not have been an issue. At 1pm one of my bosses called to “order me in” at 6 pm since this woman called in “sick” again for the afternoon shift. I told him that wasn’t going to work because of these appointments I wouldn’t be back in town until 7:30 or 8 pm minimum. I was then told to just come in as soon as I could. In the meantime my mom and I on our way to the appointments ended up with her car breaking down halfway there and ended up stranded for hours in the cold waiting for a tow. After everything I didn’t get home until 8:45 and dressed for work in record time and got to work just minutes after 9. When I got there I had a nasty email from the main boss saying I was a no-call no-show. Needless to say I had a total meltdown (since I was already in the middle of a panic attack) and started crying in front of one of my coworkers. I’m still upset from it.

Earlier this week I did make it to the hair appointment I mentioned last week. My hair turned out nice, I think I might go lighter next time though. What do you think?

This week I plan to catch up on comments on my blog and social media. I’m not ignoring you I swear. It’s just between my work stress and my mom being referred to a clinical trial for her cancer I’m pretty exhausted. But I appreciate each and every one of you!

The Sunday Post: Snowpocalypse, Spring Cleaning, and Hair Appointments

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 27 February 2023

First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Lightlark

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Horror and Thriller Novels That Should Be On Your Radar

Can’t Wait Wednesday… The Fae Princes!

The Friday 56: Phantom

The Sunday Post: Meltdowns, Red Hair, and Catching Up (You Are Here)

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 6 March 2023

First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: The Guest with Claws

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Bookish People I’d Like To Meet

Can’t Wait Wednesday… The Invisible Hour

The Friday 56: Fallen by Linda Castillo

Physical:

None this week.

The Friday 56: Phantom

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. How to participate: Grab a book, any book. Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay. Find a snippet, short and sweet. Post it, and link up on Freda’s Voice so everyone knows to visit.

This week I’m participating with: Phantom by Greer Rivers

Blurb:

A dark, modern, romantic retelling of the classic, Phantom of the Opera.
But this time, the man behind the mask won’t stop until she is his. 

She is my muse, and I am her demon of music.

A year ago, I witnessed sweet Scarlett Day’s dark side. She’s been my obsession ever since.

I was content with being her secret. Content with protecting her from afar… until an enemy from my past sets his sights on her. 

Our families have a deep history of hatred, and Scarlett is caught in the middle.

Meanwhile, her mind plays tricks on her. When a panic attack goes horribly wrong, I emerge from the shadows to save her.

Now that she’s mine, I can’t let her go.

I’ve mastered the darkness. She tempts me with her light.

But when my mask is gone, will she fear the monster underneath?

PHANTOM is a spicy story set in modern-day New Orleans and a complete STANDALONE in the Tattered Curtain series. Guaranteed HEA. 

Author’s Note: All CWs/TWs can be found in the front of the book, the author’s website, or on Goodreads. Mature readers only.

The Friday 56 Excerpt:

When he looks up at me, the candlelight dances on his white mask. His midnight eye is hungry with need, and I stroke his hair back from the right side of his face, uncovering the pink tissue of the bare socket.

“Am I hideous?” he asks in a hoarse whisper, and my heart skips an aching beat.

What do you think? Would you read this book? I finished this one last weekend and I really enjoyed it. If you like spicy reads I recommend it!

Can’t Wait Wednesday… The Fae Princes!

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.

The Fae Princes (Vicious Lost Boys Book 4) by Nikki St. Crowe

Romance, Reverse Harem, Fantasy

eBook, Paperback

March 22, 2023 by Blackwell House LLC

Blurb:

I thought Peter Pan was a myth and Neverland a fairytale. A story spun by my mother who had lost her mind a long time ago.

But there was no denying the overwhelming shadow cast by Peter Pan when he was standing in my house.

Pan took me captive to Neverland and I somehow found my place among him and the Lost Boys.

I’ve never looked back.

Now I’m entangled right alongside him in a war we can’t seem to escape. We thought we had defeated our enemies.

We thought we could finally have our happily ever after.

But there was one enemy we never saw coming.

A fairy who has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The fairy with golden wings and a dark, twisted heart.

She wants Peter Pan and the island and she’ll stop at nothing to have both. Including destroying anyone who stands in her way, even her own flesh and blood.

NOTE: The Fae Princes is a reimagining of Peter and Wendy. Characters have been aged up for this darker, grittier version. If you like your enemies to lovers romance with hot, ruthless, morally gray love interests, you’ll enjoy this series. You can expect hate kissing, fighting, bickering, and ‘touch her and I’ll unalive you’ vibes. The Fae Princes is the final book in the main storyline for Vicious Lost Boys Series.

Please check the author’s website for CWs.

Why I Want to Read The Fae Princes:

I loved and devoured the first three books in this series and I can’t wait to see how the main storyline ends! I’ve read the first couple chapters on the author’s Patreon and I can’t wait until I can get fully immersed in the whole book.

Will you be checking this one out? Have you read the first three books? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Horror and Thriller Novels That Should Be On Your Radar

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Horror and Thriller Novels That Should Be On Your Radar

This week’s TTT is a genre freebie. I’ve decided to do 10 Horror and Thriller Novels That Should Be On Your Radar.

1. A Quiet Retreat by Kiersten Modglin2. The Midnight Game by Cynthia Murphy3. The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle4. She Was the Quiet One by Michele Campbell5. No One’s Home by D.M. Pulley6. Girl Gone Mad by Avery Bishop7. Moon Child by Gaby Triana8. He’ll Be Waiting by Liz Alterman 9. The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout10. Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell

Do you read horror or thrillers? What are some of your favorite underrated ones? What did you pick for this week’s genre freebie? Let me know in the comments or drop me a link to your TTT!

First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Lightlark

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Socrates Book Reviews where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading. Each week bloggers will choose a book or books of the week (which will be one of the books that you are currently reading) and that book will take part in this book blog meme.

My book of the week is: Lightlark by Alex Aster

First Chapter, First Paragraph:

Isla Crown often fell through puddles of stars and into faraway places. Always without permission and seemingly on the worst occasions.

Blurb:

Welcome to the Centennial.

Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.

Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.

To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything.

Filled with secrets, deception, romance, and twists worthy of the darkest thrillers, Lightlark is a must-read for fans of legendary fantasy writers Marie Lu, Marissa Meyer, and Leigh Bardugo.

What do you think? Would you read this book? I finished this one the other day and loved it! I can’t wait for the next book.