Victoria Moschou's Blog, page 4

July 23, 2022

BOOK REVIEW: Defy the Night (Defy the Night, #1), by Brigid Kemmerer ~ Just Not the Revolutionary Fantasy I Had in Mind *SPOILER FREE*


“True strength is not determined by how brutal you can be,” she says, and her tone is still quiet, but full of steel. “True leadership is not determined by killing those who oppose you.” 


~ Defy the Night (Defy the Night, #1), by Brigid Kemmerer


Hello, wonderful creatures, and happy Saturday everyone.

July is slowly coming to an end and I am pleased to say that I’ve already broken this three-books-read pattern already. That is because today I’m here to share with you my thoughts and feelings about Defy the Night, the first instalment in Brigid Kemmerer’s new YA Fantasy series.

A fantasy series about a kingdom divided by corruption, the prince desperately holding it together, and the girl who will risk everything to bring it crashing down.

The kingdom of Kandala is on the brink of disaster. Rifts between sectors have only worsened since a sickness began ravaging the land, and within the Royal Palace, the king holds a tenuous peace with a ruthless hand.

King Harristan was thrust into power after his parents’ shocking assassination, leaving the younger Prince Corrick to take on the brutal role of the King’s Justice. The brothers have learned to react mercilessly to any sign of rebellion–it’s the only way to maintain order when the sickness can strike anywhere, and the only known cure, an elixir made from delicate Moonflower petals, is severely limited.

Out in the Wilds, apothecary apprentice Tessa Cade is tired of seeing her neighbors die, their suffering ignored by the unyielding royals. Every night, she and her best friend Wes risk their lives to steal Moonflower petals and distribute the elixir to those who need it most–but it’s still not enough.

As rumors spread that the cure no longer works and sparks of rebellion begin to flare, a particularly cruel act from the King’s Justice makes Tessa desperate enough to try the impossible: sneaking into the palace. But what she finds upon her arrival makes her wonder if it’s even possible to fix Kandala without destroying it first.”

Having very much enjoyed the Cursebreakers series, by Brigid Kemmerer, and loving the author’s writing style, I truly had great expectations about this one. Considering, as well, that I buddy-read the first instalment in this new series with my friends, Eleanna and Kalliopi, I truly wanted it to be an unforgettable experience.

And it was. Just not exactly the one I had in mind.

For the first a hundred or so pages, the pacing felt really slow, the world-building confusing and the main characters truly flat to me.

It was hard for me to pinpoint the exact time where the story took place and it felt like a bummer that there was electricity and technology mentioned, but at the same time people lived in castles and huts, the wore seemingly medieval clothes and traveled on horses.

What’s more, the story as a whole seemed packed with way too many clichés, thrown to the reader all at once. We had the orphaned girl who sought revenge, the morally grey prince who acted all tough but was truly a softy, the king who wasn’t actually ruling and the trusted consul, who also acted like a comic relief at times.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that I have read many YA Fantasy novels of that kind, but the characters, at least for the first half of the book felt flat to me.

Only after a certain revelation, which was slightly expected, and a few more intriguing turns did the story become more interesting.

What I loved the most, and was probably the reason why I gave this book a chance and ended up rating it with 3.5 out of 5 stars, was, naturally, the writing style.

Brigid Kemmerer knows how to write her retellings. And if you weren’t aware of that, Defy the Night is basically a Robin Hood retelling. It had all the sneaking, thrilling, revolutionary aspects of the original story, but the main characters didn’t feel as interesting and empowering as they are in Robin Hood.

Truth be told, I think I would’ve enjoyed the book more if the secondary characters, like a certain Palace Master and trusted friend, played a more important part in the story.

Overall, though, the book was a pleasant one, with the finale making me eager to continue with the series.


“Kindness leaves you vulnerable, Tessa. I learned that lesson years ago.”


~ Defy the Night (Defy the Night, #1), by Brigid Kemmerer


Have you guys read Defy the Night? Did you enjoy it? Are you excited about Defend the Dawn?

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 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 an amazing weekend, awesome nerds, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles! 💜

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 23, 2022 06:00

July 21, 2022

🌿 BookBrewed Summer Sales ~ Apothecary Cleansing 🌿

Hello awesome nerds and happy Thursday everyone!

I come bearing good news that will definitely brighten your week and your mood. Especially if things have been hectic for you these past couple of days, as they have been for me.

BookBrewed‘s summer sales are just around the corner and you surely don’t want to lose this Apothecary Cleansing. 🌿

For those of you who don’t know, BookBrewed is my small business, the Greek YA monthly-subscription book box.

Each month you receive a new release, as well as a bunch of bookish items focusing on a specific theme. The August box, FROM OLYMPUS WITH LOVE, is currently available and if you guys love Greek mythology, you can follow the link above to order yours. 🏹

Still, with all the amazing things we’re currently working on and the upcoming projects, our Apothecary needs some cleansing. And you definitely don’t want to miss what’s coming your way in just a few hours.

From July 22 until August 12, 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒 up to 70% off on past boxes’ books and book-inspired items, exclusively designed for BookBrewed.

Make sure you set your alarms and hurry to grab your books and exclusively designed goodies! For once they’re gone, they won’t be coming back!

With shipping costs being a bit crazy for international book lovers, we always make sure to help out if you want. So, don’t hesitate to contact me directly or email us at info@bookbrewed.com if you’re interested in any of our books and bookish goodies. Our team will be happy to serve and provide you an unforgettable reading experience.

Feel free to follow this link to check all the products available on the Apothecary.

Thank you all so very much for being here 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 an amazing day, wonderful people, stay safe and stay positive! ✨

Till next time… Toodles!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 21, 2022 06:00

July 18, 2022

Movies to Deal with the Monday Blues

Hello, awesome nerds, and happy Monday everyone.

I hope you guys had a great weekend, you had fun with your friends and loved ones, and you’re ready to embrace whatever this new week has in store for us all.

And because things can seem bittersweet on Monday, here are some movie recommendations to cheer you up and, maybe, bring happy (and sometimes bittersweet) tears in your eyes.

1. Hello, Goodbye and Everything In Between

Oh boy… This movie… It was just… so heartwarming and just the perfect ending of a very bad day last Thursday for me.

It was sweet and romantic, sometimes cheesy and also RomCom cliché, and yet… I simply loved it.

I don’t know if it has to do with Jordan Fisher or its summer vibes, but I think y’all need to watch it, just to brighten your mood a little bit.

2. Persuasion

Well, what can I say about that? It’s a classic and we can never have enough book-to-movie adaptations of the beloved books of Jane Austen.

It was really refreshing seeing Dakota Johnson in something other than Grey movies, so if you guys like classic books and Historical Romance, then I suggest you check that out.

3. Colors of Love

This one may have some more end-of-summer vibes but, come on! I’m the girl who watches Christmas movies in July.

A small town romance, set in the heart of autumn, isn’t gonna hurt anybody. Plus, Chad Michael Murray is my all-time-favourite sweetheart (were talking about One Tree Hill all-time-fav) and I believe there is nobody out there who can resist him.

4. Purple Hearts

I may haven’t seen this one yet but the trailer just blew my mind and I just can’t wait for the 29th of July. Plus, Sofia Carson has evolved so very much as an actress and I can’t wait to see what she’ll bring to the table this time.

5. Feel The Beat

And speaking of Sofia Carson, summer vibes’ movies and cheerful ones, Feel The Beat is just the movie to brighten your mood and help you deal with your Monday blues.

If you love small town RomComs, dancing and self-discovery journey, then you’ll definitely love that one.

What do you guys watch when you want to cheer yourselves up? Do you have any movie recommendations for me?

Let me know in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so much for being here one 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 an amazing week, wonderful people, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles! 💖

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 18, 2022 06:00

July 16, 2022

BOOK REVIEW: The Unhoneymooners, by Christina Lauren ~ The ULTIMATE Summer Read *SPOILER FREE*


“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” 


~ The Unhoneymooners, by Christina Lauren


Hello, awesome people, happy Saturday everyone and welcome back to Victorious Pages, and to another book review.

Today I’m gonna share with you my thoughts and feelings about one of the most refreshing, fun, super summer-ish books I’ve read so far these past couple of months. I’m talking, of course, about The Unhoneymooners, by Christina Lauren, which y’all need to read ASAP! Like… yesterday, if possible!

“Olive is always unlucky: in her career, in love, in…well, everything. Her identical twin sister Ami, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world. Her meet-cute with her fiancé is something out of a romantic comedy (gag) and she’s managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a series of Internet contests (double gag). Worst of all, she’s forcing Olive to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man.

Olive braces herself to get through 24 hours of wedding hell before she can return to her comfortable, unlucky life. But when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from eating bad shellfish, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs.

Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head for paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of… lucky.”

Funny, fast-paced, with characters you adore and hate, wonderful descriptions and the fake-dating trope exceptionally well-done throughout the entire book, The Unhoneymooners will be the only thing you’ll be able to think of once you start reading it.

The book itself transports us to Maui and if that isn’t an excellent beginning of a story and the ultimate getaway from a hectic everyday routine, I don’t know what is. 🧉

I fell in love with Olive and Ethan, and their love-and-hate relationship, straight from the beginning of the book. And although I knew how things between them were going to evolve, I didn’t mind, not even in the slightest.

It was fun to see how misunderstandings sometimes lead to the most intimate, unexpected and passionate relationships. It was also heartwarming to be reminded that we should always, always hear someone out, and what they have to say, before setting our minds on a certain opinion we may have about them.

And, on that note, it was alluring to also be reminded that sometimes, just sometimes, our gut feeling and first instincts simply know better.

There were twists and turns I had seen coming and, honestly, I was glad they happened. But, there were also revelations I had no clue they would occur. These were the ones that made me appreciate the book even more.

Overall, The Unhoneymooners. by Christina Lauren, is an amazing, fresh, utterly hilarious and perfect for this time of the year book that will make you believe in romance and moonshots again. Because, even though I don’t really believe in destiny, I do believe in luck, especially in matters of the heart.

And y’all need some serious luck to be able to find, just once, what Olive and Ethan share with each other.

Have you guys read The Unhoneymooners? What did you think of it? If not, have you ever read any of Christina Lauren’s books? Which one is your favourite?

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 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 weekend, dearies. Stay safe and stay positive! ✨

Till next time… Toodles!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 16, 2022 06:00

July 14, 2022

⚡️ BookBrewed ~ August Sneak Peek ~ Fandom & Item Reveal ⚡️

Hello awesome nerds, happy Thursday everyone and welcome back to Victorious Pages.

Can you believe how quickly this week has passed by? I most certainly can’t. I’ve been so freaking busy at work lately that it feels as if the days have been a blur.

Still, I’m so very excited to share with you the first BookBrewed sneak peek for the August box, From Olympus With Love. 🏹

For those of you who don’t know, BookBrewed is my company, the Greek YA monthly-subscription book box. Each month you receive a new release, as well as a bunch of bookish items, focusing on a specific theme.

The August book is going to be in English, so to all the international bookbrewers out there, this is definitely your chance to check this out.

Each FROM OLYMPUS WITH LOVE box will feature an exclusively designed by BookBrewed team puzzle, inspired by our beloved LORE.

The illustration is stunning and we are certain this is going to be a spectacular addition to your collection.

The book of the month is a new YA Fantasy release, where the Olympus pantheon rules everything except one thing. Inspired by Greek mythology, this lush retelling will transport you to Ancient Greece and beyond.

You can also except items inspired by PERCY JACKSON, THE SONG OF ACHILLES and CIRCE.

Ready to go the distance, bookbrewers?

With shipping being a bit crazy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@bookbrewed.com, if you’re interested in ordering your own box. We’ll make sure to help you out and we will definitely provide you with an unforgettable reading experience.

And on that note, I would like to personally thank each and every one of you, international people, for supporting my small company. I literally squealed the other day when orders from Cyprus, UK and Australia showed up on the company’s inbox.

I truly want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your trust and support for granted.

We’re working on some amazing stuff and I can’t wait to share everything with you.

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.

Which is your favourite Greek myth, dearies?

Let me know in the comment section down below.

Have an amazing day y’all, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles! ⚡

1 like ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 14, 2022 06:00

July 11, 2022

Life Update: Birthday Weekend, Life Circles and Christmas Movies

Marcus Tullius Cicero said that if you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. Let me add good company and good food to that.

Hello awesome people and happy Monday everyone.

I hope you guys had a lovely weekend, you spent time with your loved ones and your friends, and you’re now ready to embrace everything this new week has in store for all of us.

For me, last week was a crazy busy one, yet so very productive at the same time. And because I knew I’d have little spare time during the week, I went to Mom’s village for the weekend, especially since it was my cousin’s birthday, too.

For those of you who’ve been around for a while, you probably remember that my cousin’s parties are always legendary. Food, drinks, music and friends. What else could somebody ask for?

I hit the road on Saturday and I was at my cousin Dep’s house around 5pm. We had coffee and chatted a bit about our everyday life, books, summer vacation and all that fun stuff, and around 7pm, we went to my cousin’s house, where the party would take place.

Naturally, we ate a lot, we laughed a lot, we had shots -I within reason, my brother-in-law and my cousin’s friends not so much- and, generally speaking, it was once again a blast. And once again, we went out for drinks afterwards and we went to bed around 4:30pm.

This becomes a tradition of some sort, but I’m totally fine with it. Considering that we have super hangover breakfast the next day, I cannot complain.

And even though I wouldn’t say no to an extra day-off, on Sunday I had to get back home, as the new week was right around the corner.

The August BookBrewed theme had already been revealed (FYI, the theme is From Olympus With Love and you guys can click here to get your box) and I had to work on the last few details for the July Realities in Waiting box.

As per usual, I had prepared spreadsheets for everything and I was thrilled to start promoting the August box. What I hadn’t seen coming was the revelation about the current situation between two of my friends. And in all honesty, the reason why I hadn’t seen this coming was because a) I always tend to believe the best about people and b) I was so freaking busy lately, that I was mostly talking with my family and my besties on a daily basis.

I’ve said it in the past, I’ve even written it in my book, Guardian of the Auras, but I’m gonna say it again here, as people tend to forget sometimes. Everyone is the villain in someone else’s story. We shouldn’t rush to judge or even accuse someone of being guilty of something when we don’t know the whole story. Whether or not we are the “villains”, that is entirely up to who’s narrating the story. And when, sometimes, rumours have been spread and lies have been told, it’s not always clear to say who’s really the bad person in a situation.

I’ve learnt this the hard way this past year, but I’ve come to the conclusion that people who spread lies and rumours are not worth neither my time, nor my energy. It’s the path they’ve chosen in life. It’s not the path that I will follow, too.

Life circles exist to either close or create new ones. It’s fine. This is how we evolve, how we become better people.

At the age of 29, all I want is inner peace and no drama in my everyday life. If I have this, my family’s and my health, my garden, good coffee and a good book, I can face everything. I can focus on the things that truly matter to me: my loved ones and my job.

And because, like I said, some circles open again, aside from BookBrewed, my full-time job, I’m also tutoring again, twice every week.

It’s been two years since the last time I had to teach on a weekly basis. Only this past week I realised how much I’d missed it. I guess teaching is also part of my ikigai (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check my previous post).

I cannot help but feel happy whenever I see my students excited about Economics, whenever they ask questions and they crave for more knowledge. And I’m just glad and proud that I have the chance to share my experience and knowledge with them.

That’s probably why I don’t mind the long hours. That, the Christmas movies I watched and the book I’m currently reading.

Of course I am continuing with House of Sky and Breath, which is slower than I expected it to be, but I also wanted something fun and summer-ish. And The Unhoneymooners have been on my TBR for quite some time, so the time for me to read this beauty has finally come.

Stay tuned for my review in the next couple of weeks.

And because this life update post has been quite long already, I’m gonna wrap everything up with the movies I watched this past week, both of them revolving around the merriest of seasons. The first one was Too Close For Christmas, with Chad Michael Murray, and the second was Midnight at the Magnolia, which I’ve already watched but boy, it never gets old.

Well, what can I say? Watching Christmas movies during summer can definitely brighten your mood!

How about you, dearies? Have you watched any fun movies lately? What are you currently reading? What do you do when you find out that people have been spreading lies about you?

I really wanna know your thoughts and feelings about this last one, so I’m looking forward to reading all your comments 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 week, amazing creatures. Stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles! 💗

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 11, 2022 06:00

July 9, 2022

BOOK REVIEW: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, by Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles *SPOILER FREE*

Hello awesome people and happy Saturday everyone.

I am back again with another book review, this time about a book I didn’t know I needed to read, let alone a book that would become one of my favourites of 2022.

I’m talking, of course, about Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, by Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles.

“The people of Japan believe that everyone has an ikigai – a reason to jump out of bed each morning. And according to the residents of the Japanese island of Okinawa – the world’s longest-living people – finding it is the key to a longer and more fulfilled life. Inspiring and comforting, this book will give you the life-changing tools to uncover your personal ikigai. It will show you how to leave urgency behind, find your purpose, nurture friendships and throw yourself into your passions.”

With a writing style that makes the book flow easily, many facts and data, and Japanese culture exercises, Ikigai is a self-improvement book that will make you reevaluate your priorities and it’ll help you see things from a new perspective.

It will make you get a new perspective and a new purpose in life. If you’re feeling down, if you think that nothing matters, then Ikigai is the perfect read for you. It will remind you that there are important, beautiful, great things in life, truly worth living -and dying- for.

Most importantly, it will help you see that if you combine what you love with what you’re good at, what you’re being paid to do with what the world needs, all of them together, then that’s when you’ll have truly found your ikigai; your true purpose in life – a life worth living for a long while.

I know I felt really good while reading this book. I know I remembered things that made me smile, that made me face difficulties with bravery, courage and kindness, that helped me look upon the future with optimism.

It’s truly hard sometimes to control bad emotions. It’s hard to tame anxiety, dark thoughts and fear. But if there’s one thing that Ikigai taught me is that we should let emotions flow; we should let them come and go. We should act, despite these emotions, because if we want things to be different, then we should do different.

If you’re looking for an empowering, motivating and optimistic self-improvement book, then I highly recommend you pick this one up.

Do you guys read self-improvement books? If so, which is the last one you read?

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

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 do not take your presence here for granted – I never will.

Have an amazing weekend, awesome nerds. Stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles! 🌺

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 09, 2022 06:00

July 7, 2022

🏹 BookBrewed ~ FROM OLYMPUS WITH LOVE ~ August 2022 🏹

Hello awesome nerds, happy Thursday everyone and welcome, welcome back to another BookBrewed related post.

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

With the REALITIES IN WAITING July box already sold out, I am so very pleased to reveal to you the August theme, which is, of course… FROM OLYMPUS WITH LOVE! ⚡

The featured book of the month is a mythology retelling, where the Olympus pantheon rules everything, except one thing.

Trapped in the Underworld and destined to serve its king for all eternity, our protagonist jumps at the opportunity to regain her freedom, when the tyrant of Thebes offers fortune and freedom to whoever can retrieve his dead wife. In order to win, she has to work with a group of fellow prisoners and servants, she neither trusts nor likes.

Perfect for the fans of LORE and MEDUSA, this epic, new fantasy will transport you to Ancient Greece and beyond.

The book of the month is a brand new release in English, which comes out in early August. The hardback edition is absolutely stunning and the cover is to die for.

You can expect items inspired by PERCY JACKSONTHE SONG OF ACHILLESCIRCE and LORE. Soon there will be more reveals and sneak peeks, about this month’s collaborations, as well as the items included.

You can get your box today, by activating your subscription or ordering your one-time box, by following this link.

As I’ve said in the past, with the shipping costs being crazy, you can always reach out to me via personal email, or you can contact our team at info@bookbrewed.com, and we’ll be more than happy to be of service.

Do you guys like mythology retellings? Which is your favourite mythology and your favourite book, inspired by it.

Let me know in the comment section down below.

Thank you all so very much for being here 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.

Love you all to Pluto and back, dearies.

Stay safe and stay positive – always!

Till next time… Toodles! ✨

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 07, 2022 06:00

July 4, 2022

🎨 Beacon Book Box Unboxing ~ Shadow and Ink ~ April 2022 🎨

Hello awesome people, happy Monday everyone and welcome back to Victorious Pages!

I’m back again, with the second Beacon Book Box unboxing in a row and probably the second-to-last in a while, as things have been changing for the company lately.

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 release, as well as a bunch of bookish items, focusing on a specific theme.

I have been a rep for Beacon Book Box since January 2020 and if there’s anything you like on the bunker, you can use my rep code 🎨 VICTORIOUS5 🎨 for a 5% off discount.

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

The theme for the month of April was Shadow and Ink, and, once again, it was one of the coolest Beacon Book Box boxes EVER!

🎨 THE GOODIES 🎨A Serpent and Dove -inspired soup bowl, designed by @jdnetto.A Stalking Jack the Ripper -inspired quill pen and ink, designed by @jdnetto. The Selection Bookmark set, designed by @summerdreams.arts and @tg_art_.A The Raven Boys -inspired notebook, designed by @andreaaguirresart.The monthly #BakingWithTheBeacons recipe.

The book of the month was A Forgery of Roses, by Jessica S. Olson, which I have already read and if you’re interested to find out more, you can click here to read my review about it.

Myra Whitlock has a gift. One many would kill for.

She’s an artist whose portraits alter people’s real-life bodies, a talent she must hide from those who would kidnap, blackmail, and worse in order to control it. Guarding that secret is the only way to keep her younger sister safe now that their parents are gone. 

But one frigid night, the governor’s wife discovers the truth and threatens to expose Myra if she does not complete a special portrait that would resurrect the governor’s dead son. Desperate, Myra ventures to his legendary stone mansion. 

Once she arrives, however, it becomes clear the boy’s death was no accident. Someone dangerous lurks within these glittering halls. Someone harboring a disturbing obsession with portrait magic. 

Myra cannot do the painting until she knows what really happened, so she turns to the governor’s older son, a captivating redheaded poet. Together, they delve into the family’s most shadowed affairs, racing to uncover the truth before the secret Myra spent her life concealing makes her the killer’s next victim.

From Sing Me Forgotten author Jessica S. Olson comes a gothic fantasy murder mystery perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Erin A. Craig.”

The book was signed by the author and the cover is simply STUNNING!

Let me know in the comment section down below which was your favourite item of this box and if you have already read A Forgery of Roses, and what you thought of it.

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.

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

Till next time… Toodles! 🌹

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 04, 2022 06:00

July 2, 2022

🦋 Beacon Book Box Unboxing ~ The Art of Storytelling ~ March 2022 🦋

Hello awesome nerds, happy July everyone and welcome back to Victorious Pages!

I am FINALLY back with a Beacon Book Box unboxing and you guys have no idea how excited I am about that.

With international shipping being a pain in the a$$ lately, it was a miracle to get this box at last. And with everything inside it intact.

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 release, as well as a bunch of bookish items, focusing on a specific theme.

Although things have been changing lately for Beacon Book Box, you can still use my rep code 🦋 VICTORIOUS5 🦋for 5% off on anything you buy from the bunker.

And so, with all that being said, let’s get to the unboxing.

The theme for the month of March was The Art of Storytelling and HOLY FREAKING GUACAMOLE! It was magical indeed!

🦋 THE GOODIES 🦋A transparent book reading light guest-curated with @mikaauguste.A Three Dark Crowns -inspired enamel necklace, designed by @litpinsandco.An Eragon -inspired booksleeve, designed by @stellabookishart.A Strange The Dreamer -inspired sleep mask, exclusively designed by @ladychubbletters.A The Gilded Wolves -inspired woodmark, designed by @sjwonderlandz.

The book of the month was A Thousand Steps Into Night, by Traci Chee, and I simply cannot wait to do my Asian mythology-inspired readathon! The book was signed by the author and accompanied by a letter as well.

If you guys haven’t heard of this book before, please find the blurb attached below:

“From New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, Traci Chee, comes a Japanese-influenced fantasy brimming with demons, adventure, and plans gone awry.

In the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side, Miuko is an ordinary girl resigned to a safe, if uneventful, existence as an innkeeper’s daughter. But when Miuko is cursed and begins to transform into a demon with a deadly touch, she embarks on a quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life.

Aided by a thieving magpie spirit and continuously thwarted by a demon prince, Miuko must outfox tricksters, escape demon hunters, and negotiate with feral gods if she wants to make it home again.

But with her transformation comes power and freedom she never even dreamed of, and she’ll have to decide if saving her soul is worth trying to cram herself back into an ordinary life that no longer fits her… and perhaps never did.”

I’ve been dying to read more Asian mythology-inspired novels and now I have a decent amount of them to do a three-month-long readathon.

What did you guys think of this box? Which was your favourite item and why? Also, have you read the book? Did you enjoy it?

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

Thank you all so very much for being here 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.

Have a phenomenal month, dearies, stay safe and stay positive.

Till next time… Toodles! ✨

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 02, 2022 06:00