Victoria Moschou's Blog, page 16

Copyright Violation: A Self-Published Author’s Tale

Am I an island? Am I the only one feeling right now that 2020 never left?

The last few days of January were really rough, with many emotional ups and downs. My insomnia has gotten worse again, I feel like I’m falling back in depression, and I simply want to do everything mechanically, just for the time to pass. Because it hurts to think. It hurts to wonder. It hurts to play scenarios in my head.

And just when I thought that I was slowly getting to realise how things are going to be from now on, a couple of days ago I found out that somebody had illegally uploaded my ENTIRE book on YouTube, in the form of an audiobook, without my consent.

Those of you who’ve been here for quite some time now, you know how much I love my debut novel, Guardian of the Auras.

This was the first story that actually made me believe that I could truly be a published author. This was the first book I actually pitched to literary agents. This was the first full manuscript a literary agent asked from me to send to them. And I was so freaking excited that day, that I will cherish and protect this memory forever!

Finding out that my intellectual property had been STOLEN (because that’s what it is when you upload something on the internet, without the owner’s consent) was simply the cherry on my shitty cake.

I’ve spent the last two days contacting Amazon and YouTube, in order for the issue to be resolved. I spent hours cursing and crying, and wondering what have I done to deserve something like that. I spent even more hours wondering of whether or not I should finish the second book of the series and self-publish it again via KDP Amazon.

I feel… violated. It’s like somebody took away a piece of my soul. And this hurts. A lot!

So, to those of you who’ve been following me for quite some time and have been supporting my work and my content all these years, thank you so very much for reporting this particular YouTube channel. The entire playlist has been taken down and it is all thanks to you!

Also, if you want to truly support me by buying the book, you can follow that link to get your copy from Amazon, the only authorised distribution network.

And to you, the one who thinks that’s smarter than everyone else, every author and illustrator and content creator out there, newsflash buddy. I have a gift that you don’t: it’s called creativity. You may try to steal my hard work and my creation, my very soul and my sweat and tears, but what you can’t steal, no matter how hard you try, is my dreams!

You’ll be left with your misery and your cruelty. I may be hurt, but I will get back on my feet. I will create again and again and again. And this will be the biggest punishment of them all for you.

Mark my word!

Thank you all for stoping by once again. I told you that the posts from now onwards were going to be a bit more depressing than usual, but I will make it up to you, hopefully in the coming weeks. It truly means the world to me though, that you keep coming back and that you keep supporting me and my work all those years.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week, and I truly hope that this month is going to be better than the last one.

Till next time… Toodles!

The First Time

“Are you sure about that?” the Power asked her. Its unearthly voice was echoing across the clearing, overcoming the booming of the waves upon the river’s rocks. 

“I am,” was all Felicity said. She felt paralysed as the Power moved closer toward her. Such was the light and magnificence of it that Felicity turned her head down. Nature had awakened once more; green leaves were now covering the ground, laying upon every plant. Flowers were blooming, their colours and scents a crescent of beauty and charms. 

The nightingales were singing their sweet song. Music! That’s what Felicity had missed the most. Along with something else, something she couldn’t find there. She took a deep breath and rose her head, only to come face to face with this glorious illumination again.

“You need to know that this decision is final,” said the Power, fierceness pouring with every word. “Once you drink from the river’s water, you’ll return to Earth. Yet, you won’t remember you’d lived again, nor that you were brought here after your demise.”

An eerie feeling consumed her. This was a big decision indeed; for she would have to return to a place of darkness and destruction, of manipulation and vengeance. But it was also a place of love and hope, of light and possibilities; endless possibilities. And that was all she wanted. To feel again! For as beautiful and perfect as this heavenly place was, it wasn’t Earth. She knew that.

The first time she had lived, Earth seemed this magical, wonderful place. A place were she could be who she wanted to be. But as she was moving closer to the core of the Earth and mankind, she had realised this wasn’t entirely true. People had used, abused her, for she was all her name meant; a person who could produce positive results, someone who wanted to believe in people’s good intentions; their best intentions actually. Nonetheless, they had shown their true colours, sooner rather than later.

Lies, sarcasm, rage, wars… That’s what people of her first lifetime had mastered. They had managed to become experts at everything she loathed; at everything the Power had warned her to stay away from. And she had tried. By the Power, how hard she had tried! But none of her efforts had paid off in the end. Because, no matter how careful she had been, she had ignored one basic thing; the way people could be deceived when falling in love. And she had fallen hard and inextricably!

But this was a different lifetime, a completely different era. She hoped three and a half millennia would’ve made some difference. She stepped closer to the river, sitting by its edge. Either she’d dominate or she’d crash. But she was already broken. And the broken always became masters at mending. No matter what this life had to offer, she’d take it.

With a faint gesture, she took some water inside her palm and bended closer to drink. Her lips became wet in an instant. She opened her mouth wider for the liquid to flow down her throat. Then she waited.

An explosion of feelings, smells, images and sounds consumed her mind, body and soul. And Felicity started her new voyage, running with full speed to this new life. If only she knew at the time…

© Victoria Moschou. All Rights Reserved 2017-2021.

Hello awesome nerds and happy Monday everyone! Happy 1st of February, as well.

I hope the first month of 2021 treated you well, far better than it treated me. I also hope February is going to be a far better month, full of health, love, happiness and possibilities. Endless possibilities.

This past weekend I came across this little scene I had written back in 2017. I still can’t believe how freaking accurate it feels, right to this very day. It’s just too much to take. Too much to fathom, at least right now.

But, in a way, I’m grateful. Grateful that, no matter what’s going on in my life, I can sit down and pour my very soul out on a piece of paper or on my laptop’s screen. I can sit down and write about everything that’s eating me from the inside out. I feel truly blessed that this rare wonder of writing helps me endure even the hardest of days. And I know I’m lucky. For feeling pain means that everything was worth it. And I will come out stronger and wiser in the end.

Or at least, I hope so.

Thank you all so very much for stopping by once again. It truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted. I never will.

Till next time… Toodles!

BOOK REVIEW: Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked, #1), by Kerri Maniscalco ~ A Wicked Story Through and Through! *SPOILER FREE*

“Love is the most powerful magic. Above all else, remember that. It will always guide you where you need to go.”

~ Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked, #1), by Kerri Maniscalco

When you have read a book and you’re this close to falling in a reading slump, and your life is a complete and utter mess, finding a book that’s quite addictive to read can truly cheer you up. Even if it is for just a few hours.

Hello awesome nerds and happy Saturday everyone.

First of all, let me apologise in advance if my future posts are going to be a bit more depressing than usual in the coming weeks. Being a Scorpio, such as myself, means that I live both the good and the bad phases to the fullest, being extra dramatic sometimes, until I’m ready to face life again.

That’s probably one of the reasons why I loved Kingdom of the Wicked, by Kerri Maniscalco, so much; because Emilia, the protagonist of the book lived every situation with just a little drop of extra drama. If you ask me, that’s what makes life beautiful, in a peculiar, bittersweet way.

But that’s a discussion for another day. Today’s post is about my thoughts and feelings regarding the new YA Fantasy series, written by this amazing, talented woman, Kerri Maniscalco, the author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series.

“Two sisters.

One brutal murder.

A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself…

And an intoxicating romance.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems…”

Before delving into the actual review, let me remind you that this is going to be a SPOILER FREE review, so feel free to read it without warring about hectic spoilers or major revelations.

With that being said, let me start with the fact that, once again, the writing style was amazing and it hooked me straight from the beginning. The narration was fast-paced, the descriptions breathtaking and mouthwatering, all at the same time, the characters were so very relatable and at the same time intriguing, and the whole plot was something that truly excited me.

One of the things that make me fall in love with books, is its characters. Kingdom of the Wicked had characters to love and to hate, and that was what made me feel intrigued about the plot and want to know more. I admit, I would’ve loved it if Vittoria, Emilia’s twin, wasn’t murdered straight at the beginning, because it was a really nice change seeing my name being mentioned in a book. Plus, Vittoria had all that sass and energy I’d love to have right now, and she was such a fun character to know, that I honestly hope somehow Kerri Maniscalco brings her back (I swear, I don’t know anything).

But, I guess anything is possible when you have to do with Princes of Hell.

“A good book was its own brand of magic, one I could safely indulge in without fear of getting caught by those who hunted. I loved escaping from reality, especially during times of trouble. Stories made everything possible.”

~ Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked, #1), by Kerri Maniscalco

My only “problem” I suppose with this first instalment of the series was that I saw who the murderer was quite early. It didn’t really bother me though, mostly because the main interest of the book lied elsewhere.

It was nice seeing Emilia discover who she truly is. How much stronger and braver and smarter she really is, than she actually thinks she is. And it was nice seeing that not everyone is who we think they are, nor everything is what we think it is.

All in all, I ended up rating this first instalment of the Kingdom of the Wicked series with 4 out of 5 stars, and I do suggest you guys pick it up, if you haven’t done so already. I honestly can’t wait to read the sequel, Kingdom of the Cursed, which is going to be released on October 26th, 2021.

Have you guys read Kingdom of the Wicked? If so, and without spoiling anything, did you enjoy this book? How do you feel about Emilia’s and Wrath’s relationship throughout the book?

Let me know all your thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for stopping by once again. It means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted; I never will.

Have a wonderful weekend, beautiful people.

Till next time… Toodles!

A Little Rant… Or Story Time

Have you ever felt as if you were standing in the middle of a crossroad? That you didn’t know which way to go and you just stood there, almost petrified, with thoughts consuming your head?

I know I do feel like that right now. Because this has been the case for the past five days. Well, in all honesty, this has been the case since August, but apparently I was not bold enough to admit it, not even to myself. The thing though is that I’ve grown up since I first had to face some quite tough situations and take some serious life decisions. I’m more mature now. I know what I want. I know who I want.

I know that I don’t want things in half measures. Or, as Jenny Han wrote in P.S.: I Still Love You, “I know now that I don’t want to love or be loved in half measures. I want it all, and to have it all, you have to risk it all.”.

I don’t know what the future holds. But I do know for a fact that I don’t want to live with “what ifs” and leave opportunities go away, simply because I remained in a familiar situation, that apparently has come to an end. I don’t want to look back and regret for all the things I wasn’t brave enough to chase, simply because I didn’t pluck up the courage to do so.

My uncle always told me that every new day is just like a premiere. You don’t know how things are going to be, yet you feel that excitement every single day. You hope. I do see that clearly now. Nobody has a happy life. Life consists of happy moments. But in order to have these happy moments, we just need to be brave enough to chase them. To fight for what we truly want to have in our life.

As another famous writer once wrote, what never happened is what we didn’t desire enough.

Just a piece of advice to everyone who’s going to read this…

You tell people how you feel when you feel it. Don’t bottle up your emotions. Take chances. Take risks. Be bold. Live life to the fullest, for only this way you’ll know that, at least, you tried.

Yes, I do believe in destiny, karma and all that jazz. But I also believe that our luck is in our own hands, too.

It seems stupid to me to not chase something when you know that you’re not the only one who truly wants it to happen. It seems stupid to me to take people out of your life when it’s crystal clear to you that they make you happy, and you make them happy, too.

So why put yourself in this hopeless inferno? And again, as Jenny Han wrote, “I suppose you can’t hold on to old things just for the sake of holding on.”.

It’s perfectly clear to me now. I hope it is to you, too.

Thank you all for coming back once again. This wasn’t one of my usual posts, but I do appreciate that you keep stopping by. I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted. It is because of you that I keep writing here. And, truth be told, it makes me feel… lighter every single time I write. It helps me endure the hard days.

I hope you find something, and someone, who helps you endure your hard days, too.

Till next time… Toodles!

The Reread Tag

Hello awesome nerds and happy Monday everyone!

I hope you guys had a great weekend and you’re ready to embrace this new week that’s right upon us.

Although my weekend wasn’t really good, this week started with the best of omens and I hope it will continue as such! That is because I really need something to brighten my days and cheer me up. Rereading favourite books is one of the things that truly make me feel better.

That is why today I decided to do the reread tag, because there is indeed a fine chance that this year is going to be packed with books I have already read. And loved, for that matter.

The rules: Link back to the creator ( Brianna @ Brianna’s Books and Randomness ).Tag as many or as little readers as you like.

Personally, I came across this tag on Kristin’s blog, and since I was in desperate need of some content, I decided to do my own, even though I wasn’t tagged.

With all that being said, let’s get to the actual tag.

1. A childhood favourite that you could read 100 times and still love

Naturally, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the book that, no matter how many times I read it, I’ll still feel like this is the book that makes me feel at home.

It is the book that turned me into the avid reader I am today, the book that shaped who I am as a person, and the book that’s been there for me countless times, especially for the past six years.

I know many of us felt disappointed to say the least when we found certain things that were mentioned this past summer, but still, the fandom belongs to the fans and the readers all around the globe. And the lessons this book series taught us will never be forgotten, no matter what.

2. A book you DNF’d but would be willing to give a second chance to

I’ve never DNFed a book in my life, so I cannot really answer that question…

3. A newer favourite you would reread

For this one, I will definitely go with Kingdom of the Wicked, by Kerri Maniscalco, which was absolutely mind-blowing and I highly suggest you read it soon, if you haven’t done so already.

I know for a fact that I will reread it before reading the second book of the series, Kingdom of the Cursed.

4. A book you hated and never want to read again

Hate is a very intense word, I supposed, but on what comes to These Violent Delights, I suppose it covers pretty well how I felt overall about this book.

This was a 1-star-read for me and I wouldn’t recommend you waste your time on reading it.

5. A classic you read in school but want to try again

Truth be told, we were really given classics at school in our Literature class. We were only reading excerpts of well-known, famous, some would say classic books, but that was it. It was thanks to my mom that I started reading more classic novels and, so far, I’ve loved them all.

6. An author you would reread anything from

For me, that is Cassandra Clare. Hands down!

That woman is a mastermind, she has written amazing books, the worlds she has created are so whimsical and unique, the characters are so very relatable, and the stories are simply PHENOMENAL!

7. A series you want to reread for the fun of it

This may have to do with the fact that I can’t wait for the third movie to be released, but the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series was such a fun series to read and I’d gladly reread these books, if that meant they would brighten my mood.

8. A book you’ve read but want to listen to the audiobook

I love the Caraval series with a passion and it would be fun to listen to the audiobook version of it.

I honestly want to see how similar the voices I listened in my head when I was reading the book, are to the actual one of the narrator of the series.

That was the reread tag. I am not going to tag anyone in particular, but definitely feel free to do your own tag and don’t forget to tag me, so I can see your post.

Are you rereading books? If so, which books are you planning on rereading this year?

Let me know all your thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below.

Thank you all for stopping by once again. This truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have a wonderful week, dearies. Stay safe and stay positive!

Till next time… Toodles!

2021 Reading and Writing Goals

Hello awesome nerds and happy Saturday everyone!

I hope y’all had a great week, full of joy, creativity, love, good books and hot coffee. I mean, come on! These things definitely brighten our days, don’t you think? Even if many of us are still in quarantine, we can still find ways to cheer ourselves up. And we can definitely find things that we’re grateful for and feel blessed about! I know I do.

Today’s post is all about my reading and writing goals for this year, as you’ve already figured out by the title. And even though I want to be optimistic about what the future holds, still I decided to set goals that can actually be accomplished, no matter how big or small they may seem to others.

Starting with my writing goals for 2021, this year my first priority is the second book in The Auras’ Chest series.

For those of you who are new to my blog, The Auras’ Chest series is a YA High Fantasy series, inspired by Greek mythology and set in this fictional world, where feelings have been banned and logic dominates. The first book of the series, Guardian of the Auras, is currently available on Amazon, both on paperback and on Kindle, and you can follow that link to get your copy.

If you’re wondering what the book is about, here is the synopsis for you to get a proper idea of what you should expect:

“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 manages 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. Because feelings can be catastrophic to those who never learned to listen to their hearts…”

In all honesty, I didn’t promote my book as much as I should have in 2020. But things were really crazy, and still are actually, yet I am really grateful that people kept reading the book and they kept reaching out to me, offering constructive criticism. That’s what I truly appreciate and this is what I need in order to become a better writer. Especially now that many fellow bookstagrammers and authors have reached out to me, asking me when the second book is coming out and what’s going to happen next in the story.

For those of you who have already read Guardian of the Auras, here’s the blurb of the second instalment, Creator of Divine Mysteries.

*DISCLAIMER. FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T READ THE BOOK YET, THE BLURB THAT’S ABOUT TO FOLLOW MAY CONTAIN HECTIC SPOILERS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.*

“After the massacre in the Frozen City, Aurora finds herself trapped inside the capital of the Humdrums, forced to face the Crown Prince and the Creator of Divine Mysteries, who want to play a deadly game of their own. A game of submission and fear.

Unwilling to cooperate with them, she is locked inside the Warren, the Frozen City’s prison, a place guarded by a beast from which nobody has managed to escape before.
When friends from the past and new allies team up together, making a bargain with the prison’s guard, Aurora will finally realise her destiny is more complicated than she ever imagined it to be.

Will she endure in this sacred, hidden place, where she’s being led?
Will she manage to find out more about the mysteries of her past, present and future, and fight against the monsters that threaten to destroy her home?
And what will she do when those Divine Mysteries try to alter her life, but more importantly her heart, for ever?

The breathtaking sequel of the GUARDIAN OF THE AURAS is here to prove that there are no heroes without villains, and both of them exist inside us all.“

I honestly hope that you guys are going to like what I have in store for this story and its characters. It’s because of you that I keep writing and that I keep pushing myself to achieve my goal.

So, the deadline that I’ve set is February 28th, when I hope to finish writing the second instalment, so I can have it ready for publication by October. Although I took a break from writing after NaNoWriMo this past November, I’ve started working on the story again last weekend and, holy freaking guacamole, you guys! I can’t even begin to describe to you how much I had missed this whole vibe the story has! Or, at least it has to me.

My goal is to write 1-2k words every day, so that the draft will end up being approximately 100k words long, before I start editing. It’s actually a good thing that I left many unanswered questions in the first book (), because this gives me the opportunity to explore the story and this world even further. Plus, it’s really encouraging the fact that I’ve been reading some really good books lately, so I know what I should do, in order to intrigue the reader, and what is it that I should avoid.

And speaking of books, this year, I decided to challenge myself a little bit more.

For the past few years, I’ve been reading mostly Fantasy, something that has turned me into a very demanding reader, on what comes to this particular genre.

This year, I decided to mix things up a bit, and read more mystery novels, classics and some contemporaries, as well. What’s certain is that this is going to keep things interesting for me.

I’ve set a goal of 40 books and I do hope that I’ll achieve reading them, but still, I’m not going to stress about it. I’ve already finished two books and I’m about to finish two more, so this is definitely a good start. I know for a fact that, at some point during 2021, I will fall into a slump or I won’t have as much time to read as I have now. So, if I can read as many books as possible this next month and during the summer holidays, then I’m definitely on track.

What about you, dearies? Are you working on any stories of your own? Have you set your 2021 reading challenge? How many books have you read so far?

I look forward to reading all your comments, thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for stopping by once again. I know I say this every single time but, it truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have a wonderful weekend, you beautiful creatures! Stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

BOOK REVIEW: These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights, #1), by Chloe Gong ~ Am I The Only One Who Didn’t Like This Book? *SPOILER FREE*

When a book is pitched as a “heart-stopping imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling, set in 1920s Shanghai”, I expected at least a little bit of romance. Or a little bit of lush. Either way, I would’ve been happy. What I got instead was endless, monotonous narration.

Hello awesome nerds and happy Thursday everyone!

I honestly hoped it would take more time for me to come to you with a bad review, but alas, my reading challenge this year had different plans for me. That is because, even though I was super excited to read These Violent Delights, by Chloe Gong, which was the featured book of the month for the November FairyLoot box, unfortunately, this particular novel wasn’t at all what I expected it to be.

Before sharing the synopsis of the book and my review with you all, I want to remind you that, all the thoughts, feelings and comments mentioned here are entirely my own. I don’t want by any means to offend any of you guys, or the author themselves. Everyone’s free to like whichever books they want and that is totally fine!

With all that being said, let me tell you a little bit about the book and its plot, before moving on to the actual review.

“The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.

A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.

But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.

Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.“

First things first, let me just tell you that… I got seriously misled!

Although I see and fully understand how problematic the actual concept of Romeo and Juliet is, still this is one of my favourite plays of Shakespeare. So, when I read that These Violent Delights was going to be an imaginative retelling of the classic, set in the 20s Shanghai, I got seriously hyped! For real though! For weeks, this was the only thing I was ranting about. And so, I started reading it. With great hopes, that I have to admit. Unfortunately, I had forgotten that, sometimes, great expectations and hopes can lead to disappointment.

The first serious problem I had with this book was its writing style. To me, it felt too flowery, just for the sake of being flowery. There was too much narration, not enough dialogue for me to actually get to know the characters and care about them, there was too much telling rather than showing, and overall, it literally caused me pain to read this book.

Things kept repeating again and again and again, with the two main protagonists, Juliette and Roma, running around Shanghai with their cousins and friends, trying to figure out what kind of monster (?) was causing all this chaos. It was ok at first. From a certain point onwards though, it felt repetitive, to say the least, not to mention annoying. For example, there were certain scenes that where truly disturbing to think of, mostly because it was told, with every single detail, what the reader was supposed to read and, above all, feel.

And that was the second issue I had with These Violent Delights. I was told pretty much in every single page how I was supposed to feel that, in the end, I couldn’t feel anything at all. I didn’t connect with the characters, I didn’t care about the story, everything felt flat to me and the ending… after this whole boring and not so delightful at all book, it just felt meh to me.

The only thing that worked kind of well, at least in my personal opinion, was the historical vibe this story had. I enjoyed the politics references, as well as the references to the opium war and the colonialism. I also enjoyed the Chinese history as a whole, yet this wasn’t enough for me to say that this was actually a good book.

If I had to describe These Violent Delights with one word, that would’ve been… boring!

All in all, I ended up rating this book with 1 out of 5 stars. And yes, I know it sounds harsh, but after reading YA fantasy for many years now, I have certain expectations from this particular genre. This book didn’t live up to its pitch, and so, I’d be lying if I told you that I liked it. Frankly, I’d recommend you avoid reading it.

Have you guys read These Violent Delights? Did you like it? If so, please do tell me what is it that you saw that I didn’t.

I look forward to reading all your thoughts, comments and feelings, in the comment section down below.

Thank you all for stopping by once again. It honestly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have a wonderful rest of the week, dearies. Stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

🗡 FairyLoot Unboxing ~ THICK AS THIEVES ~ December 2020 🗡

Hello awesome nerds, happy Monday everyone and welcome back to Victorious Pages and to another unboxing!

Although I don’t know how things will be affected by Brexit, especially on what comes to VAT, shipping and custom clearance, still, today I have for you, my December FairyLoot unboxing!

For those of you who don’t know, FairyLoot is a monthly-subscription box, in which every month you receive a new YA release, as well as a bunch of bookish items focusing on a specific theme.

The theme for the month of December was THICK AS THIEVES and it was a very cool box indeed!

THE GOODIES

A beanie, inspired by The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolien and designed by @jezhawk.

The last secret book, designed by @noverantale, which is absolutely perfect, especially if you want to store bookish goodies or just display it on your bookshelves.

A Damaris sword letter opener, inspired by Throne of Glass and brought to us by FairyLoot team.

A 2021 calendar, featuring artwork by @dominiquewesson, inspired by Throne of Glass, A Darker Shade of Magic, The Gilded Wolves, Scythe, Percy Jackson and Dance of Thieves.

A notepad, inspired by Children of Blood and Bone, and designed by @eunicify.art.

An art print, inspired by The Raven Cycle and illustrated by @_saintdri.

The month’s tarot cards, inspired by House of Earth and Blood, and designed by @arz28.

THE BOOK

The featured book of the month was Master of One, by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett.

As the spoiler card informs us, it is packed with fae, sinister sorcery and gallows humour.

The FairyLoot exclusive edition is signed by both authors, it has a foil design on the hardcover, shimmery sprayed edges and artwork on the reverse of the dust jacket, illustrated by @bloodydamnit. It also came with a letter from the authors, again featuring artwork by @bloodydamnit.

If you haven’t seen this book around, here’s the blurb for you to read:

“Sinister sorcery. Gallows humor. A queer romance so glorious it could be right out of fae legend itself. Master of One is a fantasy unlike any other.

Rags is a thief—an excellent one. He’s stolen into noble’s coffers, picked soldier’s pockets, and even liberated a ring or two off the fingers of passersby. Until he’s caught by the Queensguard and forced to find an ancient fae relic for a sadistic royal sorcerer.

But Rags could never have guessed this “relic” would actually be a fae himself—a distractingly handsome, annoyingly perfect, ancient fae prince called Shining Talon. Good thing Rags can think on his toes, because things just get stranger from there…

With the heist and intrigue of Six of Crows and the dark fairy tale feel of The Cruel Prince, this young adult fantasy debut will have readers rooting for a pair of reluctant heroes as they take on a world-ending fae prophecy, a malicious royal plot, and, most dangerously of all, their feelings for each other.“

It seems super intriguing, but since I’ve read too much fantasy lately, I may take a break, focus on my writing project (which is also High Fantasy) and then come back to it and read it.

Despite that, I have to admit that this was a very good box. I absolutely loved the beanie and the secret book, which always come super handy.

Did you guys buy your December FairyLoot box? If so, which was your favourite item? Also, without spoiling anything, have you read Master of One, and if so, did you enjoy it?

I look forward to reading all your thoughts, comments and feelings in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for coming back once again. It truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have a wonderful week, dearies!

Till next time… Toodles!

Always and Forever… 💞

I’ve come to the conclusion that we all find happiness in different ways. Some of us love baking, reading and watching RomComs on Netflix, while others want to party and dance and have drinks with their friends to find joy. Since the pandemic hit though, option number two cannot happen for the time being. So we’re left with option number one, yet not in that specific order.

What’s certain is that, despite COVID, baking, reading and watching RomComs on Netflix will, always and forever, bring joy to me!

Hello, hello awesome nerds and happy Saturday everyone!

As you’ve probably figured out by the title of this post, and the picture above, today I’m gonna rant and fangirl about the third movie in the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, franchise: Always and Forever!

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is a YA Contemporary series, written by Jenny Han, which was turned into a movie, back in 2018, and it was the reason why I started my Netflix subscription.

If you’ve been following me for some time now, you know that I loved the movies far more than the books, still, if you want to read something cute and cozy, then these are definitely the books for you.

You can read my reviews for the first , second and third book, if you follow the links provided.

Last February, I spent almost a week in bed with a terrible cold (which now feels that maybe it had been COVID but back then, we weren’t that aware of it yet), and the only thing that could brighten my mood and day was watching on repeat the first two movies.

So, y’all know what’s going to happen on February 12, 2021! I’m gonna spend that quarantine night (if we’re still in quarantine, that is) with pizza, cupcakes and the third instalment: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before: Always and Forever!

Or even better… a To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before movie marathon!

You guys have no idea how freaking excited I am about this movie! It’s literally all I’ve been talking about with my friends these past few days. Well, that, along with other bookish stuff, naturally.

Kitty is once again an ICON in this movie, Peter K is, and will always be, my cinnamon roll, and LJ is a doll, as per usual!

I know for a fact that this movie is going to be longer than the previous two, as the two protagonists confirmed, and for some kind of reason, I feel like I need to reread the books after watching the third movie. But, we shall see…

Are you guys as excited as I am about the third movie? Have you read the books? Which one do you prefer: the book or the movie adaptation?

I look forward to reading all your thoughts, comments and feelings about this one in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so, so very much for stopping by once again. It truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Love you all to Pluto and back, awesome nerds!

Have a wonderful weekend, dearies, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!

✨💚 Beacon Book Box ~ ENTRANCED – THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY BOX ~ February 2021 Theme Reveal 💚✨

Hello awesome people and happy Thursday everyone!

I’m so very excited today, partly because, so far, this week has been pretty good, and partly because I’m so freaking thrilled to share with you all the February Beacon Book Box theme!

For those of you who don’t know, Beacon Book Box is a YA monthly-subscription box, in which every month you receive a new YA release, as well as a bunch of bookish items, focusing on a specific theme.

For the past year now, I have been a rep for Beacon Book Box, and you can always use my code, VICTORIOUS5, to save on your subscription or single purchase.

And so, with all that being said, the theme for the month of February is… *drumroll, please*

ENTRANCED!

This is going to be the 3-year-anniversary box of Beacon Book Box and OH MY LORD! You guys… If I have learned anything over the past year, while working with the Beacon family, is that they always do their anniversary boxes extra special!

The February box pays tribute to all of our favourite Young Adult books that drew us in from the first page! Whether it was an enchanting plot, character or quote that sparked our love for the book, we are featuring items inspired by four amazing novels that fit this criteria, in addition to the book of the month.

The book of the month will sweep you away into a lush YA fantasy pitched as “American Royals meets The Winner’s Curse” in the first book of a dazzling duology. The book is set in an alternate history American monarchy where a girl grapples for control of her own life in the middle of a looming war. It is full of revolution, love and friendship that will entrance you from page one!

The book will, as per usual, be SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, it will be accompanied by a letter from the author AND it will have EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT for the book!

The fandoms that will be featured in this box include THE KINGDOM OF BACK, A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, KINGDOM OF THE WICKED and THE CRUEL PRINCE! Do I need to say more?

The second 2021 monthly collectible item – glass picture frames – will feature a quote from A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY and the print will feature artwork of Rhen and Harper!

February boxes are now available for subscription and single purchase, and you can follow that link to get yours! Don’t forget to use VICTORIOUS5 at checkout, to get a discount!

Are you guys as excited as I am for this box? Which is your favourite series, from those that were mentioned here?

Thank you all so very much for stopping by once again. It truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted! I never will!

Stay safe everyone and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles!