Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 52

Book Review: Castle of the Cursed by Romina Garber

 

My book review of Castle of the Cursed by Romina Garber. A creepy horror novel that will make your blood curl.

Title: Castle of the Cursed

By: Romina Garber

Genre: Horror

Pages: 304

Release Date: July 30th, 2024

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:A delicious and dark gothic romance from bestselling author Romina Garber!
THE HOUSE IS ALWAYS HUNGRY…
After a mysterious attack claims the lives of her parents, all Estela has left is her determination to solve the case. Suffering from survivor’s guilt so intense that she might be losing her grip on reality, she accepts an invitation to live overseas with an estranged aunt at their ancestral Spanish castle, la Sombra.
Beneath its gothic façade, la Sombra harbors a trove of family secrets, and Estela begins to suspect her parents’ deaths may be linked to their past. Her investigation takes a supernatural turn when she crosses paths with a silver-eyed boy only she can see. Estela worries Sebastián is a hallucination, but he claims he’s been trapped in the castle. They grudgingly team up to find answers and as their investigation ignites, so does a romance, mistrust twined with every caress.
As the mysteries pile up, it feels to Estela like everyone in the tiny town of Oscuro is lying and that whoever was behind the attack has followed her to Spain. The deeper she ventures into la Sombra’s secrets, the more certain she becomes that the suspect she’s chasing has already found her . . . and they’re closer than she ever realized.

 

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Review:The feels this book gave me were unreal. This read is definitely in my top 10 for 2024.
After the tragic death of Estela's parents, the only family she has left to take her in are strangers to her. She's moved around her entire life, unable to put down roots and never knowing why. After strange things start happening around her after moving to her families castle in Spain, she begins to realize her parents were keeping a dark secret from her.
Estela is a strong character, and she has to be. The author really made her struggles and situation feel real and relatable. It was hard not to feel her pain over the loss of her parents.
The creep factor was wonderful. It started off small and really ramped up in the end. Romina Garber really knows how to weald a blood curdling tale with ease and gusto. 
There was one thing that kinda threw me off, and is the reason I gave the book 4 stars out of 5. The odd romantic relationship that showed up out of the blue between Estela and the creepy ghost man. It threw me, I'm not going to lie. I was knee deep in the muck of horror and then out of the blue, bam, Estela wants to jump ghost man's bones. 
If the author wanted to put some romance into the story, maybe don't make it an after thought.
All in all, I really enjoyed this read and would love to see what this author has to offer next. 

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Weekly Menu #545 And The Book Of The Week

Hello Monday! Here comes the week from hell. Extra work schedule, meetings at school and a funeral this weekend. Its going to be a lot.

I'm hoping to take a little bit of time to myself before the weekend and maybe get some reading done. I'm still working on Weyward by Emilia Hart. Last week was also busy at work and wasn't able to focus enough to listen to a book. This week I'm also hoping to read Robinson Caruso and maybe Mister Monday by Garth Nix, but we shall see.

Lets get to this weeks menu, enjoy!

WEEKLY MENU
Monday
Pork Ramen
Kids - Beef Ramen
 
Tuesday
Caprese Stuffed Chicken and salad
Kids - Cheese Quesadilla
 
Wednesday
Sloppy Joe's
Kids - Mac and Cheese
 
Thursday
Tequila Lime Chicken Club
Kids - Birddogs
 
Friday
Pizza
 
Saturday
Bacon Grilled Cheese
 
Sunday
Leftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #238

 

Hello Sunday. Welcome back to another recap of the blog.

Sunday Confessions #237~
Weekly Menu #544 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard~Reading through the Star Wars Universe Part 10~
Book Review: Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

Weekly Menu #545 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Castle of the Cursed by Romina Garber~Book Review: Jedi Trial by David Sherman~Sunday Confessions #239




There is sooo much to watch right now.
Halo season 2ExpatsFeudExpedition X season 7Finding your rootsThe floorNext level chefI can see your voiceChicago Med
And even more coming up in the next few weeks. I know how I will be spending my days off, lol.

17/100 2024 Reading Challenge~64/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~93/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

Here we are again with another wonderful week gone. Its been so busy, I can hardly keep up.
Happy reading, friends!

Book Review: Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

 

My book review of Slewfoot: A tale of bewitchery by Brom. This dark historical horror has everything you crave when it comes to the witching hour.

Title: Slewfoot: a tale of bewitchery

By: Brom

Genre: Horror

Pages: 307

Release Date: September 14th, 2021

Publisher: Tor Nightfire

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it.
A spirited young Englishwoman, Abitha, arrives at a Puritan colony betrothed to a stranger – only to become quickly widowed when her husband dies under mysterious circumstances. All alone in this pious and patriarchal society, Abitha fights for what little freedom she can grasp onto, while trying to stay true to herself and her past.
Enter Slewfoot, a powerful spirit of antiquity newly woken ... and trying to find his own role in the world. Healer or destroyer? Protector or predator? But as the shadows walk and villagers start dying, a new rumor is whispered: Witch.
Both Abitha and Slewfoot must swiftly decide who they are, and what they must do to survive in a world intent on hanging any who meddle in the dark arts.
Complete with 8 pages of Brom’s mesmerizing full-color artwork and chapter illustrations throughout, his latest book is sure to delight.

 

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Review:This horror story was devious and dark. I loved it to its core and that's saying a lot.
Abitha has a simple life with her husband, until one day she finds herself alone after her husband falls into a deep cave. To save what little happiness she has left, Abitha makes a deal to save her farm, but when she starts seeing dark shadows in the forest, things seem to take a turn for the worst.
Brom has a magical way of changing a sweet character into a bitter vindictive monster. The actions in this story are infuriating and brutal, but based in truths for the times. I couldn't imagine what those women went through. The torture based on superstition and hate.
In the end, Abitha finally feels the freedom and happiness she deserves, and those who only saw her as a witch suffered greatly. There was nothing more satisfying than reading those last few pages.
Brom has a wonderful eye for horror, but also a great writing voice. This book could only deserve 5 stars. I can't wait to read it again.

Reading through the Star Wars Universe Part 10

 

Here we go again. Another 5 books from the Star Wars universe.
I'm really loving reading through this timeline. I'm at the point right before Anakin goes postal and turns into Darth Vader. Its a really exciting place to be.
Rating: ★★★★☆Most Wanted
Rae CarsonSet before the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story! Han and Qi'ra don't have a lot in common other than not having a lot. They're street kids on the industrial planet Corellia, doing whatever it takes to get by, dreaming of something more. They each jump at a chance to prove themselves in the perilous world of Corellia's criminal underbelly, only to discover they are on the same mission for the same unscrupulous boss. When the job goes disastrously wrong, Han and Qi'ra are on the run--from pirates, a droid crime syndicate, the Empire, and their boss--and will have to learn to trust each other if they are going to survive.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Leia: Princess of Alderaan
Claudia GrayA long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....there was a princess who became a legend.
Sixteen-year-old Princess Leia Organa faces the most challenging task of her life so far: proving herself in the areas of body, mind, and heart to be formally named heir to the throne of Alderaan. She's taking rigorous survival courses, practicing politics, and spearheading relief missions to worlds under Imperial control. But Leia has worries beyond her claim to the crown. Her parents, Breha and Bail, aren't acting like themselves lately; they are distant and preoccupied, seemingly more concerned with throwing dinner parties for their allies in the Senate than they are with their own daughter. Determined to uncover her parents' secrets, Leia starts down an increasingly dangerous path that puts her right under the watchful eye of the Empire. And when Leia discovers what her parents and their allies are planning behind closed doors, she finds herself facing what seems like an impossible choice; dedicate herself to the people of Alderaan—including the man she loves—or the galaxy at large, which is in desperate need of a rebel hero....
Rating: ★★★★☆
The Cestus Deception
Steven BarnesOrd Cestus, a planet mostly barren and inhospitable to life, was first colonized as a prison world—until a handful of hardy pioneers discovered its rich ore deposits and managed to build up a successful droid-manufacturing industry. But when the Clone Wars erupted, bringing severe rationing of imported resources and a Republic ban on the production of battle droids, Ord Cestus was threatened with imminent economic collapse.
Enter the Confederacy of Independent Systems—the Separatists—with a life-saving offer to purchase a generous quantity of the planet’s most lucrative export: bio-droids. Possessed of tactical capabilities that rival the fighting abilities of even the most advanced Jedi, these sophisticated, techno-organic hybrid units would prove a most formidable weapon if ever deployed for military use. And now the Confederacy’s intention to invest in what amounts to an army of bio-droids has sent ripples of alarm through the highest echelons of the Republic government.
Determined to halt the bio-droid sale—but fearing a show of force will result in a political backlash—Supreme Chancellor Palpatine dispatches a team of envoys, led by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Their mission: persuade Ord Cestus’s government to abandon its dealings with the Confederacy . . . while secretly stirring up revolution among the planet’s struggling underclass. Diplomacy is paramount. But if all else fails, the Republic will not hesitate to launch a full-scale attack—and wipe out not only the means of bio-droid production, but countless lives as well, to demonstrate the consequences of disloyalty.
For Obi-Wan, the prospect of such wholesale slaughter only serves to fuel his growing suspicions about the sinister path the Republic seems to be taking. But the brash Jedi Master Kit Fisto and the detachment of clone soldiers assigned to the mission are ready and willing to do the Supreme Chancellor’s bidding. As the leaders of Ord Cestus refuse to capitulate and Palpatine rapidly loses patience, Obi-Wan’s hopes of a peaceful resolution are dwindling. Now, facing a crisis of conscience, Obi-Wan must find the wisdom and strength to prevent a bloodbath and safeguard the Republic— while abiding by the ancient code to which he has pledged his life.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Star Wars: Medstar I - Battle Surgeons
Michael Reaves, Steve PerryA novel of healers in wartime, in which a unit of medics struggles against the worst possible circumstances to save lives as the Clone Wars rage around them. With a special appearance by Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee, who will gain her Knighthood in the course of this exciting duology. A little of M*A*S*H, a little of ER, a lot of Star Wars! A must-read for everyone who saw STAR WARS: ATTACK OF THE CLONES and looks forward to seeing STAR WARS: EPISODE III!
Rating: ★★★★☆
A New Dawn
John Jackson MillerEver since the Jedi were marked for death and forced to flee Coruscant, Kanan Jarrus has devoted himself to staying alive rather than serving the Force. Wandering the galaxy alone, from one anonymous job to another, he avoids trouble--especially with the Empire--at all costs. So when he discovers a deadly conflict brewing between ruthless Imperial forces and desperate revolutionaries, he's not about to get caught in the crossfire. Then the brutal death of a friend at the Empire's hands forces the ex-Jedi to make a choice: bow down to fear, or stand up and fight.
But Jarrus won't be fighting alone. Unlikely allies, including a bomb-throwing radical, a former Imperial surveillance agent, a vengeful security officer, and the mysterious Hera Syndulla--an agent provocateur with motives of her own--team up with Jarrus to challenge the Empire. As a crisis of apocalyptic proportions unfolds on the planet Gorse, they must stand together against one of the Emperor's most fearsome enforcers--for the sake of a world and its people.

Book Review: The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard

 My book review of The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard. This was a wonderful scifi with LGBTQ undertones and a rambunctious family dynamic.

Title: The Red Scholar's Wake

By: Aliette de Bodard

Genre: Scifi

Pages: 336

Release Date: November 24th, 2022

Publisher: Gollancz

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:Xích Si: bot maker, data analyst, mother, scavenger. But those days are over now-her ship has just been captured by the Red Banner pirate fleet, famous for their double-dealing and cruelty. Xích Si expects to be tortured to death-only for the pirates' enigmatic leader, Rice Fish, to arrive with a different and shocking proposition: an arranged marriage between Xích Si and herself.
Rice Fish: sentient ship, leader of the infamous Red Banner pirate fleet, wife of the Red Scholar. Or at least, she was the latter before her wife died under suspicious circumstances. Now isolated and alone, Rice Fish wants Xích Si's help to find out who struck against them and why. Marrying Xích Si means Rice Fish can offer Xích Si protection, in exchange for Xích Si's technical fluency: a business arrangement with nothing more to it.
But as the investigation goes on, Rice Fish and Xích Si find themselves falling for each other. As the interstellar war against piracy intensifies and the five fleets start fighting each other, they will have to make a stand-and to decide what kind of future they have together...

 

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Review:I wasn't sure what to think of this read at first, but it quickly grew on me.
Rice Fish is a sentient ship and the leader of the Red Banner pirates. Her wife recently died under suspicious circumstances. When Xich Si's ship is captured, Rice Fish has a proposition that would change both their lives.
At first, I couldn't understand how a sentient ship was such a threat. How it could marry and how it could have children. To be honest, I still don't fully understand it, but with a story like this, I was still very entertained. The depth of these characters and how their family is woven into the storyline is wonderfully put together.
De Bodard has a beautiful writing voice that built a world that is dark and brooding. The surroundings were easy to picture from the descriptions the author left like bread crumbs and the characters had feeling and depth.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was full of surprises and twist I didn't see coming. A definite read.

Weekly Menu #544 And The Book Of The Week

 

Hello Monday! Welcome back to my weekly menu where I share all the delicious recipes we will be making this week.

Somehow, there is only one book on my TBR right now. Not sure how that happened. Here it is. This weeks read is Weyward by Emilia Hart. The book appears to follow three women throughout time. Not always my style, but It looks interesting. We shall see.

Lets get to this weeks menu, Enjoy!


WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Beef Nacho Supreme

Kids - Nachos

 

Tuesday

Potato and Kielbasa Soup

Kids - Sausage and Tater Tots

 

Wednesday

Doritos Taco Salad

Kids - Doritos and Chicken Nuggets

 

Thursday

Chicken Schnitzel

Kids - Chicken Tenders

 

Friday

English Breakfast

French Toast

 

Saturday

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Kids - Grilled Cheese

 

Sunday

Spaghetti Night

Sunday Confessions #237

 

Hello Sunday! Welcome back to the blog. We are recapping the week with all the wonderful books and recipes we've been sharing.

Sunday Confessions #236~Weekly Menu #543 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Pageboy by Elliot Page~January 2024 Wrap Up~
Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Weekly Menu #544 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard~Reading through the Star Wars Universe Part 10~Book Review: Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom~Sunday Confessions #238






Just finished the most recent season of Worst Cooks in America.
I love how horrible these cooks are and what they can accomplish at the end.

13/100 2024 Reading Challenge~63/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~92/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

Another great week.

Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

My book review of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Title: The Alchemist

By: Paulo Coelho

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 182

Release Date: 1988

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom, and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.
Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, following our dreams.

 

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Review:I love diving into a book that is unknown to me and seeing where it will take me. This read was an adventure unlike any other. The author took me to a world that was vivid and full of life. The whole story was one big lesson, but I didn't feel like I was being taught.
Paulo Coelho has a wonderful writers voice and creative palette. I didn't expect to love this read as much as I did.

January 2024 Wrap Up

Hello February!
January hit me with a bang. It went by so fast, but thankfully we made it through in one piece.
Lets wrap up January.







13/100 2024 Reading Challenge~63/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~92/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

Another wonderful month full of great reads. Yes, I went a little hard on the Star Wars books, but the timeline right now is wonderful.
I can't wait for next month. Happy reading, Friends.