Victoria Moschou's Blog, page 111
December 6, 2018
BOOK REVIEW: Girls of Paper and Fire, by Natasha Ngan ❤️
~GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE, BY NATASHA NGAN
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Hello, hello awesome people and welcome back to a new book review!
It’s been a while since I shared my thoughts and feelings about a book with you, but I’m glad that we get back to our routine with this particular novel. That is because GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE, by Natasha Ngan is the best book I’ve read so far in 2018, along with my dearest Bree Barton‘s HEART OF THORNS.
But this is a post dedicated to me new favourite girls, so, without any further ado, let’s dive in!
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Memoirs of a Geisha meets The Selection in this stunning YA fantasy novel. Perfect for fans of Renee Ahdieh, Laini Taylor and Sabaa Tahir.
‘A timely reminder that, in the right hands, the fantasy genre has things to say about injustice and abuse of power in the real world’ GUARDIAN
“Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It’s the highest honour they could hope for…and the most demeaning. This year, there’s a ninth. And instead of paper, she’s made of fire.
In this lush fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most oppressed class in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards still haunts her. Now, the guards are back, and this time it’s Lei they’re after–the girl whose golden eyes have piqued the king’s interest.
Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king’s consort. But Lei isn’t content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable–she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she’s willing to go for justice and revenge.”
*DISCLAIMER. THERE ARE MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN THIS NOVEL.*
Taking things from the beginning, this book felt so refreshing, unique, spontaneous and original, that I honestly don’t mind the fact that it broke my heart time and again! 
December 3, 2018
My Writing Playlist, Vol. 2
Hello wonderful creatures and happy Monday everyone!
Back in May, I had shared with you my writing playlist and I had also promised to share more posts like this one with you. But then life happened, reading slump and writer’s block came to kick me hard, and this second part of my writing playlist never came.
But, I’m back once again and since I’ve been working on three different writing projects over the last couple of months, I thought I should share with you some of the songs that inspired and keep inspiring me, some of the songs that helped me see the bigger picture for what I want my stories to become, as well as some songs that have won a very special place in my heart, simply because they made me cry (a lot) and they helped me make some of my readers cry too, when they read that first draft of one of my stories.
So, sit back comfortably, dearies, and enjoy some lovely writing songs… 
December 1, 2018
NOVEMBER WRAP UP & FUTURE PLANS
It’s so good to be back after taking that little break to recharge my batteries and figure out what I want to do from this month onwards with the blog.
But before delving into more detail about my future plans, let me share with you the wonderful books I read in the month of November. And believe me, it’s been a while since I read so many 4 and 5-star rating books![image error]
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So, in the month of November I read a total of four books, mostly because I was working on the sequel of TAC , as well as because I was planning and scheduling the upcoming posts for the entire month of December.Yes, I know that four books is nothing compared to the amount of books I’ve been reading at the beginning of 2018, still I’m really happy that I managed to read these four books, for they were all amazing and they helped me overcome that terrible writer’s block, somewhere towards the middle of November, and they also inspired me for what I want to do from this point onwards.So, without any further ado, let’s get to the books!
1. GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE, BY NATASHA NGAN
[image error]One of my most anticipated releases of 2018 and one of my favourite books of the year! I loved this book right from the first page and I couldn’t get it out of my mind long after finishing it.It was everything I wanted and more. It was all about girl-power and honour and bravery and sacrifice, and if you guys haven’t read it yet, I highly, highly recommend you do!Natasha has created a PHENOMENAL world, unique, brave characters and she helps us explore some really sensitive issues. Issues that, sometimes, we’re even afraid to think about. But she’s not. And that’s what makes her, and her book, so very special and dear to me!
2. HEIR OF FIRE, BY SARAH J. MAAS
[image error]Far better than the previous two books, the third instalment of the Throne of Glass series brought me utter joy. At last, somebody taught Celaena/Aelin/whatever-her-name-is a lesson! And that someone is ROWAN!
November 7, 2018
Choices – Flash Fiction by Victoria Moschou
Hello awesome nerds!
Long time no see, right?
NaNo has been so time-consuming and there are a few other things that I’m dying to share with you, but honestly, I feel like I made the right decision and I’ll return with much more enthusiasm and so many more new ideas for the blog from December onwards.
For the time being though, I am pleased to share with you a Flash Fiction piece of mine, one that Kingston University was kind enough to publish on their personal site.
It’s been such a blessing to have people believing in my dreams just as much as I do, and helping me achieve these dreams!
So, I would like to thank my lovely professors, Judith, Heidi and Martin, for helping me truly embrace the writer in me.
Also, huge thanks to Vangelis and Chrysoula, the coordinators of the summer courses at the British Council of Thessaloniki, in association with Kingston University.
Finally, I would like to thank two wonderful people; Sinead Keegan and David Rogers, for helping me start this wonderful journey of being a published author! 
October 30, 2018
Break for NaNoWriMo
Hello awesome people and welcome to an unexpected, Tuesday post!
Well, not truly unexpected anyway, since I had mentioned my plans for this November in previous posts, in order to prepare you all a little bit.
Still, I feel like I need to dedicate a full-length post to what I hope that I’ll achieve this next month and the reasons why I need to take this time off.
So, first things first, the main reason why I decided to take a break from blogging thrice a week (and sometimes even posting four, quite lengthy posts) is because on November 1st NaNoWriMo starts.
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For those of you who don’t know, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month and it’s basically a golden opportunity to write a rough draft of 50k words in a month!
I participated for the first time in the Camp NaNo back in July 2017, started working on the first draft of TAC last year, revised it during the Camp NaNo of April, 2018, and started working on the sequel of this so very beloved new world of mine this past July.
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Still, as I started querying potential agents, I had too many obligations to count AND I started working on two more projects, I decided to put TAC‘s sequel aside, just for a little while, in order to perfect (if that’s possible) the first instalment of my series, because…
I’m planning on self-publishing it at the beginning of 2019.
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Oh, yeah… You heard that right!
Though I know that having an agent basically solves so many problems, such as editing, proof-reading, the cover of the book, the entire promotion, and so many more, still, I had a pretty interesting proposal a few weeks ago and well, I think I wanna give it a try. Besides, only those who attempt the absurd, achieve the impossible. And if I don’t try, I’ll never know. Right?
So, in order to focus more on the whole publishing preparation and the completion of the sequel’s first draft, I need to find as much time as possible to write, without having to prepare three (or four) posts every week.
I know… When you want to find time to write, you do. Still, I feel like I have “lost” my voice on what comes to coming up with new ideas and content for the blog itself.
And this is the second reason why I need this little break.
I love you all, you know I do, and I never take your presence here for granted. Which is why I need to recharge my batteries, come up with new content and return back in December with new stuff, new books and (hopefully) new writing projects to discuss with you. And TV shows and movies, of course. And unboxings. And giveaways. And so many more stuff!
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So, that’s it, I guess…
I hope that you understand why I made this decision and that you’ll be here in December when I come back. Because I WILL come back.
In the meantime, I will try to update you once (maybe twice) a week on how the writing process is going, whether I’m reading any good books or not and what’s going on in my writing journey in general.
Are there any of you dearies participating in this year’s NaNoWriMo? Will you still be here when I return? Do you think I made the right choice? Also, what kind of content do you want to see from December onwards?
Thank you all for being here once again!
It means the world to me and I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted!
Till next time… Toodles!
October 29, 2018
Weekly Wrap Up (October 22nd-28th, 2018) ~ Getting busier!
Hello wonderful people and welcome to the last weekly wrap up for the month of October and the last weekly wrap up you’re going to see, at least for a little while.
Do I remember everything that happened last week? No. Was it a week to remember? Definitely yes!
And I will explain why…
Starting with my writing schedule, this past week I worked on a few more revisions on my writing projects, both on The Auras’ Chest series, as well as on my Urban Fantasy project, Bird of Paradise, and for the first time in a long time, I felt really happy with the outcome.
I suppose this has to do partly with the fact that I decided to work on TAC‘s sequel, as well as on BoP during NaNoWriMo, and with the fact that I decided to self-publish the first instalment of TAC in early 2019.
And speaking of TAC, what do you think of this first cover I worked on the other day?
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Would you pick up that book, based on the cover above? Also would you be entered in reading a book with a blurb like that?
“Everyone is the villain in someone else’s story.
In a realm where hearts have been frozen for centuries, feelings are nonexistent and logic dominates. The unleashing of ancient emotions can either save or doom the entire realm..
Aurora, the youngest Priestess of Rondure, finds out the Creators of her homeland, the divine Valiant Four, have weaved a different destiny for her from what she had in mind. For even though elemental magic is what her kin has been controlling for centuries now, there’s also a different, far more dangerous kind of magic, almost forgotten from the world. And she could be its master; if she managed to survive, of course!
After a long and arduous journey, Aurora finds herself deep inside the forests of her realm, ready to enter a cave everyone seems to have forgotten. Inside that cave lies a box, a little chest, that when she opens it, all the Auras and feelings of the word are set free; and Aurora realises this wasn’t what she was meant to do.
After all, feelings can be catastrophic to those who never learned to listen to their hearts.
A coming-of-age story, inspired by the Greek myth of Pandora’s box, filled with elemental magic, dysfunctional families, intense friendships, love triangles, adventures and schemes. A story where feelings and Auras are the ones that create this world’s pure magic!”
Surely I had uploaded the first rough drafts of The Auras’ Chest, but things had changed a lot since then. Still, I would really like to know whether you would be interested in reading the whole book and whether you would support me or not in this new writing adventure.
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I’m trying hard to promote the book as much as possible, prior to the publication, still if you’re interested in reading bits and pieces of it, you can always check my Instagram account.
Other than writing this week, I didn’t read as much as I wanted to, and I’m afraid that I’m getting into yet another reading slump.
I only finished reading Fierce Like A Firestorm, which left me with bittersweet emotions, and started reading Heir of Fire and Red Sister, which still seems indifferent to me. I do hope that things will change soon!
Other than that, I was pretty busy with work and some dance company obligations I had, especially from Thursday onwards.
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Which means that all I wanted to do when I got home was to lay in bed and watch some Netflix. And thank the Lord above that The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina started, just on time for Halloween.
Honestly, folks, Netflix has some seriously good shows this year!
If you want to watch something spooky, you should definitely check this one. As well as The Holiday Calendar if you wanna get those Christmas vibes earlier this year.
I mean, I love these movies, don’t you?
Last but not least, this Sunday was my 4-year anniversary with Apo and it was AMAZING!
I still can’t believe it’s been four years already! I guess time flies by when you have a good time.
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How about you dearies? How was your week?
Have you read the books mentioned above? Have you started watching Sabrina yet?
Also, don’t forget to share all your thoughts and feeling regarding The Auras’ Chest in the comment section down below.
Thank you all for being here once again! It means the world to me and I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted!
Till next time (which may be sooner than you expect)… Toodles!
October 28, 2018
OCTOBER WRAP UP
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to this month’s wrap up!
I wanted to read more. I really did. But with me being sick for about a week, my trip to France, my everyday schedule getting busier and busier, and the whole preparation for NaNoWriMo, as well as my decision to self-publish TAC, I ended up reading only three books.
I told you I’m not doing well with TBRs.
Still, without further ado, let’s get to the books that I read this month!
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1. CROWN OF MIDNIGHT (THRONE OF GLASS, #2), BY SARAH J. MAAS
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I reread this one, or actually listened to the audiobook, in an attempt to be ready for Kingdom of Ash, which of course didn’t happen, since I still have four more books to read, before getting to the series finale.
Still, I stick to my initial reaction about this book. It felt a bit slow-paced and I only truly enjoyed the last fifty pages or so. But since everyone claims that Heir of Fire is way better than the first two novels of the series, I hope that I will grow fonder of Celaena because that girls gets on my nerves BIG TIME!
2. MIRAGE (MIRAGE, #1), BY SOMAIYA DAUD
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Truly, one of the best books I read this year, Mirage was such an original and unique story!
It reminded me so much of the Star Wars universe, the Empire, the schemes and plots and the double-agents, who try to achieve their ultimate goals, regardless of whether they’ll hurt the people they care about in the process.
Amani is one hell of a protagonist! She’s caring and fierce and passionate, and she’s actually one of those rare people called DREAMERS!
If you haven’t picked up that book yet, dearies, I highly recommend you do!
3. FIERCE LIKE A FIRESTORM (HIBISCUS DAUGHTER, #2), BY LANA POPOVIĆ
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The second and final instalment of Lana Popović’s duology left me with bittersweet emotions.
I wanted to read this book so badly since I read Wicked Like A Wildfire last year, and I had os great expectations about it, yet the reality was quite different.
Although I loved the multiple POVs, because they gave a more complete picture of the whole story and I managed to understand the motives of the characters, at the same time, I felt that there were things left unanswered, characters that were constantly being put aside and a finale that actually made me think that this story should have finished differently.
And yet, I loved the series as a whole so very much, that I do believe you guys should read this duology this Halloween.
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CURRENTLY READING
1. RED SISTER (BOOK OF THE ANCESTOR, #1), BY MARK LAWRENCE
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Yes, I know that everyone’s ranting about this book and that it has gotten amazing reviews, still I haven’t managed to connect with the main protagonist yet. I want to! I really do. But up till now, I feel like there’s something off about her and I cannot put my finger on it.
2. HEIR OF FIRE (THRONE OF GLASS, #3), BY SARAH J. MAAS
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It’s supposed to be one of the best books in the series and I do want to believe that, still Celaena keeps being annoying right now and I cannot get all the feels other readers claim they got.
I do hope this changes soon!
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Most importantly though, I hope that this isn’t the beginning of another reading slump, because honestly the last one was super annoying.
I just want to find a book that will make me crave for so much more.
So if you guys have read anything PHENOMENAL lately, please do let me know in the comment section down below.
How many books did you guys read this month? What are you planning on reading in November? Also, how many books have you read so far in 2018?
Thank you all for being here once again!
It means the world to me and I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted!
Till next time… Toodles!
October 27, 2018
FAVOURITE OPENING LINES
They can either make or break a book. That’s basically the reason why authors revise time and again their very first chapters, simply to give their book a chance to make readers feel hooked.
And there are some, who have achieved that.
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Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the last Saturday of October!
I’ve been dying to publish this post for quite some time, and after reading a fair amount of super engaging, phenomenal books, I thought the time has officially come to share with you eight of the most amazing, spontaneous opening lines I’ve read in a very long time!
So, sit back comfortably, dearies, and enjoy!
1. HEART OF THORNS, BY BREE BARTON
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“Once upon a time, in a castle carved of stone, a girl plotted murder.”
This is the best book I’ve read so far in 2018, and it’s probably gonna be the best book I’ve read in the entire year, unless Girls of Paper and Fire or Queen of Air and Darkness surpass it.
October 25, 2018
BOOK REVIEW: Fierce Like A Firestorm (Hibiscus Daughter, #2), by Lana Popović ~ The conclusion to an eerie tale. *SPOILER FREE*
~Fierce Like A Firestorm, by Lana Popović
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Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the last book review for the month of October; the last review for a while in general.
Before delving into more details regarding today’s review, I would like to let you know that I’m planning on taking November off, in order to focus on NaNoWriMo, and this wouldn’t be possible if I had to prepare three posts every week, let alone go to work, tutoring classes, Spanish lessons and dance classes, as well.
What’s more, I’m planning on changing (yet again) the theme of the blog from November onwards. I’ll still talk about bookish stuff (you definitely don’t need to worry about that), but I will try to do that in a more… creative way.
So stay tuned for some Christmas gifts and more surprises in the near future!
And now that’s all said and done, let’s get to the review.
Fierce Like A Firestorm is the second and final instalment in the Hibiscus Daughter duology, written by Lana Popović.
I read Wicked Like A Wildfire last year, I fell in love with the story and the characters and when I found out that the sequel was coming out this summer, I just had to read it! 
October 22, 2018
Weekly Wrap Up (October 15th-21st, 2018) ~ In the blink of an eye!
Hey awesome people and Happy Monday everyone!
My week didn’t start with very good omens, still I don’t want to be extra pessimistic and for that reason, I’ll simply focus on the positive events that happened last week. Even though I feel like last week just flew by.
