Victoria Moschou's Blog, page 69
February 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW: Dark and Deepest Red, by Anna-Marie McLemore ~ If only it was solely Historical Fantasy… *SPOILER FREE*
~ Dark and Deepest Red, by Anna-Marie McLemore
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Hello awesome people and happy Saturday everyone.
In the aftermath of a quite depressing Valentine’s Day, I’m here to share with you my thoughts and feelings about the latest McLemore book, and the conclusion to which I came regarding her novels.
Like I said at the title of this post, this review will remain spoiler free, but if you haven’t read Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Red Shoes, you may be slightly spoiled.
With that being said, first, let’s go and see what this book is all about.
“Summer, 1518. A strange sickness sweeps through Strasbourg: women dance in the streets, some until they fall down dead. As rumors of witchcraft spread, suspicion turns toward Lavinia and her family, and Lavinia may have to do the unimaginable to save herself and everyone she loves.
Five centuries later, a pair of red shoes seal to Rosella Oliva’s feet, making her dance uncontrollably. They draw her toward a boy who knows the dancing fever’s history better than anyone: Emil, whose family was blamed for the fever five hundred years ago. But there’s more to what happened in 1518 than even Emil knows, and discovering the truth may decide whether Rosella survives the red shoes.
With McLemore’s signature lush prose, Dark and Deepest Red pairs the forbidding magic of a fairy tale with a modern story of passion and betrayal.”
Truth be told, I didn’t feel neither the passion, nor the betrayal in the modern part of the story. And although the blurb seemed very intriguing, if I wasn’t listening to the audiobook, I might have DNFed this particular novel.
The thing is that, when you write a novel of multiple POVs, you need to give some time to the readers to get to know the different characters. In this book, the chapters were five minutes long, or at least the majority of them were, and the moment I started connecting with one of the three main characters, the POV changed again. This is exactly the same thing that happened when I was reading Blanca & Roja, only this time, I started getting annoyed by the constant change of POVs.
I believe I would have enjoyed this book more if it focused solely on Lala’s story; a Romani girl people blamed for for the dancing fever and who wanted to simply live her own life the way she wanted to. Or again, I would’ve liked it more if it focused solely on Rosella and Emil’s story and how both of them tried to find their true selves, while honouring their heritage and family, too.
My point is, dearies, that, this book was just… ok. The writing style was once again beautiful and the descriptions were so very vivid, but the story itself, it just lacked the spark I hoped it would have.
I know that it tried to demonstrate that people don’t actually change, no matter how many years pass, for hate holds their hearts really tight, and that history tends to repeat itself, simply because people are afraid of the things they don’t understand and it just feels easier to blame someone else instead of themselves.
“Those who go looking for demons always find them,” Tante says. “Even in angels.”
All in all, I ended up giving this book 3 stars (actual rating: 2.5, to be honest), because the only thing that I actually enjoyed was the writing style, but none of the main characters truly stuck with me. Unfortunately, I think that I will have forgotten everything there is about this book by the end of the month.
Still, don’t let this review discourage you. There are so many more of McLemore’s books you’ll probably love, and if you have already read Dark and Deepest Red, I look forward to reading your comments, thoughts and feelings about it in the comment section down below.
Thank you all for stopping by once again. It means the world to me and I want you to know that I most definitely don’t take your presence here for granted.
Have a wonderful weekend, awesome nerds, whatever you choose to do.
Till next time… Toodles! 
February 13, 2020
Valentine’s Day 2020 ~ A Romantic Comedies’ List ~ Netflix Movies
Hello awesome nerds and happy (early) Valentine’s Day to you! 
February 10, 2020
Life Update: New NA Romance/Humour WIP, TAC #2 & Project Geek
Hello awesome people and happy Monday everyone!
Do you remember me telling you that all I wanted was to spend a weekend at home, with doing absolutely nothing? Well, I got what I wished for, but that was because I felt as if I were hit by a bus throughout the WHOLE weekend!
My folks and boyfriend, who came to visit and will stay for approximately ten days before returning to the army, are all sick, and if it wasn’t for the royal jelly and the propolis I eat every single morning, I think I’d be worse, too.
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Still, the fact that I stayed in for two days granted me that precious “free time” I so desperately wanted and I managed to plan… a new New Adult Romance/Humour (or at least, that’s the initial idea about this story) project.
Yes, I know that the sequel of the Guardian of the Auras should be my number one priority right now, but this new story popped up inside my head the time I needed it the most. Probably even before that…
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Do you guys believe in premonitions? In forces that are greater than us? I don’t. I mean I love reading about them, watching them in movies, but I don’t actually believe witches and warlocks, or people that can predict the future are real.
But I believe there is a higher power. I like to call it God, but you can call it Buddha, Allah or whatever you want. I do believe we all have our personal Guardian Angel, a spirit that looks over us, even when we feel that we’re all alone. And I do believe that everything happens for a reason. Even the smallest decisions we make, they do, as well, happen for a reason.
Take the two main characters of this new project of mine, for instance. They both have my dearest uncle’s name. I named them after him subconsciously, yet, that decision had a reason. And after everything that happened in the past couple of weeks, I do believe this particular story had a reason to start taking shape in the depths of my mind.
I’m not gonna tell you what this story is about, not just yet, but I can tell you with utmost certainty that it’s nothing like what I’ve written so far. It’s definitely not Fantasy, but it isn’t a Dystopian/Utopian story either, as I wanna believe that Project Geek will eventually become.
All I can say for the time being is that this story excited me so very much and it inspires me to keep writing, and keep visualising how these new characters will react, how they will make decisions of their own and how they will shape their paths and destinies, all because of a little, funny mistake.
If you’ve been following me here for quite some time now, you probably know that I’ve been dealing with a reading/writing slump, plus insomnia and grief. This new project reminded me of the joy stories used to bring to me. It reminded me of this warmth I used to feel right in the middle of my chest when I started telling a story.
Because of the circumstances under which it started taking form, I’m fully dedicated to tell this story to the end of it. For you!
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I know I said that I’m not gonna tell you what this new project is about, but I will share a potential quote with you.
“Memories fade. The colours in them can become blurry. The voices of your loved ones can get lost into the void, and no matter how hard you try to recall how they used to sound in your ears, you can’t. But you know what cannot get lost, what cannot fade? What you felt when these memories were your reality.”
~ © Untitled Project, Victoria Moschou, 2020
Would you guys be interested in finding out more about this project, once it’s ready? Would you like to get more frequent updates about the TAC series and Project Geek?
Feel free to share all your comments, thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below. I know I’ve said it many times already, but it’s because of you that I keep writing here. Why I keep writing in general sometimes…
Thank you all 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!
Have a wonderful week, dearies. 
February 8, 2020
Favourite Netflix Shows of 2020 (So far…)
When it comes to movies and TV shows, and sometimes books as well, I’ve come to the conclusion that I only tend to watch, and read, stuff that I’m absolutely PASSIONATE about.
My schedule is really hectic and I don’t always have the energy to focus on something that doesn’t intrigue me, and that’s probably the reason why I’ve given up on shows like Riverdale or Dear White People, and book series like Throne of Glass and The Nevernight Chronicle.
To be honest, I’m gonna read Darkdawn at some point, simply to find out how the story is gonna end. Well, yes, I do know that Mia dies but… what else?
As we grow older, we want to feel extreme emotions and that sentiment of fulfilment and warmth, and that’s why we seek something… EPIC!
That’s why the shows and movies below are my most favourite of 2020 (so far) on Netflix.
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1. THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA
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I was afraid this third season would turn out to be another Riverdale, and although the references throughout the season were TOO MANY, if you ask me, still, the show kept its dark, gothic vibe and it become even more grotesque from time to time, something that, personally speaking, I very much enjoyed.
Enough with the sweet witches and the clean murder scenes. They practice dark (ok, light, too) magic and we need to see all that blood being spilled. Plus, in this show, we’re talking about Lucifer’s daughter, for crying out loud! Terrifying situations and blood and the occult are a must!
2. THE ORDER
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And speaking of the occult, this show is what I hope the second half of Ninth House to be, because so far I feel meh about it.
I love these secrets societies that exist in college and all those otherworldly rituals The Order has, and it’s definitely one of the seasons I wanna see more of on Netflix.
3. THE WITCHER
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My list would’ve been incomplete if I didn’t include this PHENOMENAL series that’s the next best thing after Game of Thrones came to an end.
Yes, I know they are completely different series and yes, I know that the storylines and the world-building is completely different, but they’re both EPIC! And that’s what I need to watch and read right now. Epic stories, whether these are of love, adventure or revenge.
I haven’t read the books yet, nor have I played the video games, but I loved the show SO FREAKING MUCH that I’m gonna watch the entire season again!
4. OCTOBER FACTION
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This is one of the shows I found out by accident and I was hooked right from the very first episode.
Combining the High School life of two siblings, along with the life their parents made sure their kids would never find out about, October Faction feels like the perfect show for all those who love Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Mystery series. And one of those people is me.
Of course, there are so many more shows that I’m currently watching and so many more movies that I love watching over and over again, like To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Kissing Booth, but I’m gonna write a full-length post dedicated to romcoms next week, as Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.
For the time being, I’m leaving you with these shows’ recommendations, and if you haven’t watched them yet, I highly suggest you do.
Which series are you currently watching? Have you watched any of the shows mentioned here? If yes, what did you guys think of them?
Thank you all so very much for being here 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 hope you have an amazing weekend, awesome nerds.
Till next time… Toodles!
February 6, 2020
BEACON BOOK BOX UNBOXING ~ JANUARY 2020 ~ CHAOS IN THE COURT
Hello, hello awesome nerds and welcome to another unboxing! 
February 3, 2020
Beacon Book Box ~ February Artist Reveal
Hello awesome nerds and happy Monday everyone!
It was a really buys weekend and although I wanted to just stay home and relax, I didn’t manage to do so due to some family obligations, dance rehearsals and work. Still, I hope this coming weekend will be more casual with nothing extraordinary, for I do need some rest and a good night’s sleep.
But that’s not the reason why I’m writing here today. I will do another life update soon, as many of you told me that you want to see more of these posts and get to know me better.
Today I’m here to share with you two artist reveals the amazing Beacon Fam did earlier last week, and for which I’m absolutely ecstatic! 
February 1, 2020
January Faves ~ A Wrap Up
Hello awesome nerds, happy Saturday and happy February y’all! 
January 30, 2020
Guardian of the Auras 2-Year Book Birthday & A Very Special Collaboration
~ Guardian of the Auras (The Auras’ Chest, #1), by Victoria Moschou
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Hello, hello wonderful people and welcome to a very special post and an extra special announcement! 
January 27, 2020
What we can handle…
Somebody once told me that God will never give us more than we can handle. They said He’ll only give us as much as we can endure. Nothing more and nothing less.
It’s hard to think that this is true when you lose a loved one. It’s hard to think that you can endure the pain when you lose somebody out of the blue. What’s worse is that it reminds you all those times you lost a dear one, and that pain multiplies and becomes ten times worse. It reminds you of the loss almost two years ago… Of the loss seventeen years ago… And of the losses that are to come.
I thought I’d managed to handle the grief, the pain that had become a constant companion. Apparently I was wrong. There’s this huge hole in my chest again, a pain that doesn’t seem to fade away. And there’s this fear that came along with the pain. Not for me, but for my parents.
What will I do when I lose them? Because eventually we’ll all meet the Creator again. But when that time comes… What will I do?
Being an only-child has its pros, but this is definitely one of the disadvantages of not having any siblings. You have to endure it all on your own. And even though the pain sometimes makes you stronger, there are times that it can break you, too.
Somebody once told me that God will never never give us more than we can handle.
Apparently God thinks I’m a bad-a$$…
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January 25, 2020
Life Update: New WIP, Beau in the Army and Possible Move
Hello awesome nerds and happy Saturday everyone!
It’s been a while since I shared a life update with you guys, but plenty of changes occurred lately, so the timing is now perfect. One of those changes was so heartbreaking that for a moment I thought it would be best if I took some time off blogging. But then I thought that if I didn’t write, all those emotions would bottle up and they would make me feel even worse than I do right now. 
