Katya Balen became an auto-buy author for me after I read The Space We're In and this book reminds me why. There is something so sActual Rating - 4.25
Katya Balen became an auto-buy author for me after I read The Space We're In and this book reminds me why. There is something so simple, raw and magical about her prose that went straight to my heart and set up camp.
October is wild and lives with her father in the woods. She rescues owls, howls at the moon and collect treasures to spin stories around but on her 11th birthday something unexpected happens and she's suddenly in London with the woman who is her mother and the stories don't come to her anymore.
There is an owl, a boy named Yusuf, treasures in the riverbed and a gold ring and a soft story that I'll treasure for it's simple beauty and whimsical prose. It may be a middle grade book but I would wholeheartedly recommend it to adults too!...more
(I received a free eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.)
packpackpack
Honestly the most favourite part of the series f (I received a free eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.)
packpackpack
Honestly the most favourite part of the series for me is the found family and the banter. I LOVED the banter and dialogue so much I can't even. T J Klune knows how to write in a way that invokes multiple emotions at a time. This book is as heartwarming as it's heartbreaking.
Things I want to flail about -
- Can we just all put our hands together for all the relationships in this series? More than the romances, I adore the friendships and other three dimensional relationships SO SO MUCH.
- Elizabeth is the Wolf goddess and the most sweetest and badass mom to exist ever. She makes her mistakes but she owns up to them and knows just the things to say to each character. Her dialogues made me choke up at some points.
- Bambi. That's the whole sentence.
- I know I said this in my review of a previous book but I reiterate - HOW ARE THESE MIDDLE AGED MEN? OMFG THEY ARE RIDICULOUS AND HILARIOUS AND I LOVE THEM. Especially Chris, Tanner and Rico. The three musketeers. I STAN.
- But more importantly, the holy trinity. Wolf mom, Jessie and Bambi. QUEENS TAKE OVER THE WORLD.
- The three brothers! This book made the three brothers really see each other and know how they feel about each other and a certain conversation made me sob.
- The banter. Oh my God the banter. I was in stitches and just howling (yes pun very much intended) because of all the banter. I missed the banter in the first part of the book and I'm so glad we got more of it after some chapters!
- Green Creek. When can I move there and which ridiculously hot werewolf is going to bite and turn me so I can run with the wolves and howl at the moon?...more
17/08/2020 - I GOT THE EARC OF BROTHERSONG AND I AM FLAILING EVERYWHERE
___________
15/08/2020
This has got to be my favourite book in the series. I had17/08/2020 - I GOT THE EARC OF BROTHERSONG AND I AM FLAILING EVERYWHERE
___________
15/08/2020
This has got to be my favourite book in the series. I had so many emotions while reading it that let me just go put my head through a wall and flail.
This book confused me at the beginning in an OH MY GOD I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING way because I truly did not see it coming. The plot of the first two books were mostly straightforward. Things happened but they didn't eff up my mind like this book did. Kudos to the author for leaving me with my mouth opening and closing like a goldfish while I read the first few chapters.
Other thoughts -
- How are the guys at the store MIDDLE AGED MEN? Like HOW? They act like sophomores. I will now join the holy trinity (Jessie, Elizabeth and Bambi) in rolling my eyes at them. - Will I ever get over the banter? NOPE never. I was in stitches whenever the guys were goofing around. - The romance is so sweet and complex and just really sweet. - Also kudos for the ace rep. I read #ownvoices reviews that said the rep is really well-written. - Elizabeth had so many BAMF moments that I was literally jumping up and down and cheering for her. - Found family at it's finest although seriously I'm with Gordo on this one - BOUNDARIES LMAO. The pack could do with *some* boundaries although the lack of it sure makes things hilarious. - What the cliffhanger of an ending was that? WHAT.
A huge thanks to @prhinternational and MTMC tours for a free copy of the book.
This was my most anticipated sequel of 2020! WActual Rating - 4.5 Stars
A huge thanks to @prhinternational and MTMC tours for a free copy of the book.
This was my most anticipated sequel of 2020! Was it what I expected? Not exactly. But did I love it all the same? Absolutely. Unravel the Dusk is much darker than Spin the Dawn and the stakes are high. I constantly worried for the characters, not just Maia and Edan but the secondary characcters too and I read the whole book in like 2 hours straight because I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!
~4 REASONS THIS BOOK IS THE FINALE WE DESERVE~
~So much at stake, so much to lose~
Right from the start I worried for Maia. Considering how book one ended can you blame me? And as the chapters flew by, I was scared for everyone, even characters I had not cared much for in book one.
There is more than one war to fight for Maia. While she struggles to save her country, she must also work fervently to fight the darkness spreading within her. And when we think one problem is over, another crops up! Elizabeth Lim made sure we'd be on the edge of our seats praying to Amana to JUST KEEP THE BABIES ALIVE.
~Dark magic and Mayhem ~
While Spin the Dawn focused so much on Maia making the three enchanted dresses, Unravel the Dusk focuses on their magic. Maia sacrificed so much to make those dresses and I'd have been disappointed if the dresses didn't turn out to be so awesome and powerful. Also can I just say I love the idea of couture fashion being powerful? I would very much like a magical dress please and with pockets.
Magic was the blood of stars falling from the sky, the song of my enchanted scissors—eager to make a miracle out of thread and hope.
I liked learning more about the magic of enchanters and demons. We were shown so little of demonic power in Spin the Dawn but the sequel elaborates on that. We see Maia starting to change because of her deal with Bhandur, starting to become something else altogether while she struggles to keep her memories.
Also the whole descent into darkness is a trope I didn't realize I loved until I read this book! At some points Maia's struggles with her curse were described so vividly my heart ached for her. Ms Lim why must you hurt Maia so?
~Secondary characters take center-stage ~
I loved that secondary characters from book 1 have more role here. Can i just say I want an Ammi in my life? I love seeing female friendships and the one that grows between Maia and Ammi is sweet and adorable.
No spoilers but I am glad we see more of Lady Sarnai and as always she is complex and interesting and has so many layers. While there were some characters I didn't exactly like, i found them interesting and understood their actions even when they were not right. morally grey characters make the plotline so much more interesting.
"Whatever history remembered of us, whether it likened us to the sun and the moon - only permitted to meet once a year - or simply to a boy and a girl touched by the stars, fate had danced to bring us together."
~The unstoppable action right from page one ~
While I missed the domestic banter and humor from spin the Dawn, I quickly became enamored by the non-stpop action and seriousness of Unravel the dusk. I do wish we had more of Maia-Edan goodness and bantering BUT the lack of it did not in any way make the book less interesting. In fact the action barely gave me time to breathe.
“I will stay by your side until the fire in the sun grows cold and the light of the moon is no more. Until time blots out the stars.”
The entirety of the book is fast paced and I liked how all the subplots came together. The action scenes were so vivid and also it's not secret I LOVE Elizabeth Lim's magical writing. The depictions of magic and enchanted fighting were so beautifully described, it's almost easy to forget there is a battle going on. Seriously, I'd read ANYTHING Ms Lim writes.
Unravel the Dusk is the best finale we could have asked for and it delivers with high stakes, an intricate plot and characters to fall in love with...more
(A huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
TW: mentions of sexual slavery, rape and abu (A huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
TW: mentions of sexual slavery, rape and abuse.
Can I just say I'm incredibly happy that 2020 has been seeing a LOT of culturally diverse fantasy books? (It's probably the only thing 2020 has going for it though)
As an #ownvoices reviewer can I take a moment to cry about just how happy it makes me to see an Indian inspired fantasy by an #ownvoices author in a mainstream media. And it has a brown girl on the cover too and I'll just be sitting over there fawning over this book.
“The sky will fall, a star will rise Ambar changed by the king's demise Her magic untouched and unknown by all Marked with a star, she'll bring his downfall.”
Once there was Svapnalok divided into four kingdoms Ambar, Prithvi, Jwala, and Samudra, each standing for one of the elements of nature - sky, earth, fire and water. Once they used to be united and stood beside each other as friends would. But each Kingdom was corrupted in their own way, none more than Ambar. Now a tyrant rules Ambar and the other 3 kingdoms wouldn't dare to go against him. But the King of Ambar is rattled by the prophecy of the Star warrior and he has every girl with a star like or even a non star like birthmark hunted mercilessly, killing entire families to protect himself.
Gul hides her birthmark and after the loss of her parents, finds solace in a group of warrior females. She is driven by revenge against the man who ordered the death of her parents but the fact that her magic is so temperamental makes things much harder for her. Cavas is a non magi boy and hence suffers having to live in the worst part of the city and be called a dirt licker by those with magic. He harbors a secret that could get him killed. He has been leaking palace secrets to a mysterious man in exchange for money; money that he needs for his sick father's medicine.
While both of them sometimes really annoyed me with their decisions, I understood their confusions. The romance wasn't my favourite but I still liked it. I know that makes NO SENSE so I'll try to explain. I felt the romance came together in a kind of insta-love manner BUT there was still a lot of chemistry? There was banter, not being sure of their feelings and a palpable attraction so I didn't mind it too much.
I also enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters especially Juhi, Amira, and Amar. And the ending has left me feeling very intrigued about other characters too. I liked that they all had a story and a life that did not have much to do with the protagonists. The secondary characters were their own people and I definitely appreciate that!
“It wasn't your fault, Rajkumar. You didn't do anything."
"No, I didn't. And with my silence, I became an accomplice.”
The diversity. I could scream with joy about the amazing representation in this book. I recognized myself in how the characters looked, the clothes they wore and the food they ate. Also I so badly want the chandaramas mentioned in the book! (moon shaped filigreed dough foiled with gold and garnished with honeyweed seeds). The world is inspired by medieval India and Persian mythology and I loved how within the book there are all kinds of diverse elements. Some characters pray to the sky goddess and some to Sant Javer, some to Prophet Zaal and there are also those who are atheists. They have all heard different stories and myths as a child and have experienced a variety of cultures. There was also casual queer representation and I hope we see more of that in the forefront with the sequel.
While I had some issues with the pacing, this book sets up the scene for a much more complex sequel I feel. A lot happened towards the end and so much was revealed! I have a few guesses and I can't wait to read the second book to find out if I guessed right!
~Hunted by the Sky is an amazing debut with badass females, Indian & Persian mythology, beautiful writing and SO MUCH DIVERSITY! Definitely recommended! ~...more
(A huge thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the eARC of the book)
The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross is one of those books that took me by sur(A huge thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the eARC of the book)
The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross is one of those books that took me by surprise. I hadn't expected it to love it so much but I did and I think the author's latest book makes me feel so too. It definitely exceeded expectations and I read it in almost one sitting.
~5 REASONS TO READ THIS BOOK ASAP~
~Underdog protagonists who will make you feel and root for them~
Something I've loved in the author's previous duology is how her main characters aren't all powerful, supremely strong characters who can do anything at all. They're normal people who grow to be something more with sheer hard work and willpower.
Sisters of Sword and Song does this too. Gives you protagonists who are flawed and real, protagonists who make it easy for us readers to root for them.
Evadne suffered a dog attack leaving her ankle permanently sore, making her limp badly on cold days. She's a girl who dreams of magic but has accepted there's none within herself. She envies her older sister but loves her fiercely all the same. she isn't the most strongest or cleverest person around but she's fierce and loyal and always tries her best.
Also personal note - When Evadne asked if she could please have a chiton with POCKETS, I totally whooped. YOU TELL THEM GIRL!
There is steel within me. I will not bend. I will not break.
Halcyon envies her younger sister for having the most of her parents' affections. She's strong and brave and a fighter to the core but she's made mistakes and will do anything to amend them.
And now she was finally being held by the father of her soul, the man who had loved her in his own quiet, steel-sharpened way.
Damon has the magic than Evadne envies but he thinks himself average. Not great, not bad but just somewhere in the middle. He is gentle and kind and also wants to prove himself to his father even though he feels he'll fall short of the person his brother had been.
And I rooted for all three of them throughout the book.
~All the family wholesomeness~
This is something I also loved in The Queen's Rising. The wholesome and supportive family and familial love. Evadne's family is the best. I loved that while they don't have as much page time as the sisters did, they still make their mark. I'm so here for loving parents, annoying cousins and all that comes with being a family. I loved the descriptions of their home and the little stories from their lives.
~Sibling love that makes me cry happily~
Seriously this should be a more popular trope. Amazing siblings who love each other and hold each other up. Evadne and Hal are so different from each other but they are each other's strengths and they keep each other marching forward. I liked that the book also shows the envy they have for each other and the times where they argued about things.
Evadne threaded their fingers together. It was the hand Halcyon had killed with, the hand Evadne had written spells with. Two very different hands and two very different women, and yet they had sharpened the other, upheld the other. Defended and protected and healed one another.
Seriously, I want to start a petition for loving, realistic sibling love in books!
~The mythology and World Building~
The story is set in an alternate Ancient Greek world. The pantheon is made up of 9 divines who no longer walk among humans. Instead they left behind relics the humans could use. They hoped commoners would find them rather than people who already wielded magic. Mages are descended from the divines themselves and each has a different amount of magic within themselves. I loved seeing the politics of uneven power play out. I would totally read more books set in this world because it's fascinating. I want to read more myths about the divines and see how the humans play out their politics.
~The romance is not all-encompassing~
The romance is gentle and sweet and something of a slow-burn. It is a predictable ship but lovely all the same. And I liked that while there was a bit of romance it never took away from the main plot or the story; it simply added to the magic of it all.
Sisters of Sword and Song is a beautiful standalone filled with magic, myths, sisterly love a a sweet romance....more
(A huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of the book)
Actual rating - 4.5
The book was pitched as "What if Aladdin and Jasmine had (A huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of the book)
Actual rating - 4.5
The book was pitched as "What if Aladdin and Jasmine had to kill each other?" and naturally I was flailing and dying to read the book. I'm a simple girl. They said diverse fantasy with angst and I said HELL YES.
~5 REASONS TO HAVE THIS BOOK IN YOUR LIFE~
~Protagonists you want to root for~
Malik is the absolute cinnamon roll of ever who just wants to save his little sister. He is a sensitive soul who loves listening to and telling stories, who would help an absolute stranger, who holds on to his sister's stuffed toy hoping to give it to her when he saves her. Excuse me I'll be over there crying.
Karina is someone who has lost too much; who had already been drowning when her mother too is taken away from her. She's not easy to like because often she comes off as someone who doesn't care about others or the consequences of her actions but with time, I started sympathizing with her. She had lost her father and sister before and now her mother and is suddenly thrust into a position of responsibilities when she hasn't even grieved properly. But that said, she's annoying too. I wanted her to stop lashing out at others all the time and trying to take out her frustration on others.
Aminata was right. The world would last a single morning without her. And if it didn't, well, that was hardly her problem.
Neither of them are killers but they are willing to do what needs to be done for their family. Malik will give anything to save his innocent little sister and Karina will give anything to bring back the mother she lost so suddenly and unexpectedly. But between the two, I think I favored Malik more. Karina at times made supremely brash decisions and was ruder than she had to be which did not win any points from me.
~Solid mental health rep~
Both the protagonists suffer from anxiety and panic attacks of different kinds. Karina has been plagued by attacks since the day she lost her father and sister. Mentions and memories of them bring on her panic attacks that result in splitting headaches and over time she has learnt various ways of dealing with them; not all of them ideal.
In the years after the fire, it had come frequently, but now it only visited her every once and again, a reminder that her childhood demons were poised to strike at any moment
Malik suffers panic attacks due to his childhood; back when his abilities were seen as a disease to be driven away by his family and people; back when no one had believed he could see spirits. His panic attacks and jumbled thoughts that come with it are described so well by the author. He also has social anxiety which makes him fumble his answers to very simple questions and makes him try his best to blend into the background of social gatherings.
Malik wasn't sure how long they stayed like that - minutes, maybe hours. Adetunde sat by his side the entire time, chatting aimlessly about everything and nothing. Slowly, Malik's bearings returned as the tendrils of panic slowly receded"
I also liked how for both of them, there were other characters who understood and helped them overcome the panic attacks.
~So much culture and diversity~
The world is built on west African folklore and it's so fascinating. There is a LOT going on but the author explains the world so well without info dumping us and that's awesome! I loved how diverse the world was within itself. There were matriarchal kingdoms and patriarchal ones, cultures that believed in magic and those that did not and just everything is so diverse! Like two people could pray to the same patron god and yet they'd be from entirely different parts of the world and follow different rituals and culture. Also I'm so here for the casual queer diversity. Although there isn't a major rep; it's mentioned how the consorts of the Ziranian Sultana could be of any gender and a certain character mentions their sister's relationship with another girl and such.
Also special mention to all the foods and dishes described in the book. Ms. Brown you succeeded in making my mouth water even in serious situations because of ALL THE FOOD.
~So much stabbiness and betrayals~
I certainly did not see that coming. There are reveals throughout the book as the protagonists realize there's more to the world than they knew. Karina has never left Ziran and throughout the book she comes face to face with the truth about her ancestors' past and herself. Malik has travelled a lot to reach the city where he hoped to find his fortune but learns there is more lurking in the city than just opportunities.
I'm happy to say that for most of the big plot reveals, I so did not see it coming and was left gaping like a fish. The ending just made me go "Whaaaaaa" and then "EXCUSE ME WHERE IS BOOK TWO?"
~Three dimensional secondary characters~
I just HAVE to talk about this. The secondary characters really drew me in because they're so interesting and the author doesn't ignore their stories. There's Leila, Malik's older sister who wanted to have more formal education but had to give up her apprenticeship to raise her siblings, Tunde who is kind but also calculating so readers and the characters are left wondering if his kindness is real or a part of his elaborate schemes, Farid who is raised by the Sultana and her husband as their ward and has a complex relationship with the family and so many more charcters who I wanted to know more about.
~A song of wraiths and ruin is a wild ride with lots of diversity, fantasy, engaging characters and a nail-biting plotline! ~...more
Okay I am a puddle of melted feels right now and just this was the most adorable wholesome book I've read in a long time.Okay I am a puddle of melted feels right now and just this was the most adorable wholesome book I've read in a long time....more
(A huge thank you to the FFBC tours FFBC tours the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of the book)
Look I finished the book and have been screaming f(A huge thank you to the FFBC tours FFBC tours the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of the book)
Look I finished the book and have been screaming for a good one hour and now I'm expected to put down coherent thoughts? *grumbles*. I shall try okay? But I can't assure my review will be coherent because right now my brain is basically going asddkfkhjdfkfkkk.
~4 REASONS TO READ INCENDIARY~
~Complex characters~
Morally grey characters and characters with multiple facets are the most interesting. Renata Convida is the most intriguing protagonist I've read about in recent days. She's the girl who worked for the enemy as a child, now a part of the rebellion to take them down. She can't remember her memories from when she was used as a weapon at the palace but vows to earn her people's trust someday and atone for her sin by being an important part of the rebellion. I was rooting for her and her magic from page one. I love how her memories and her ability to steal people's memories is a huge part of the plot and she's an active protagonist. She doesn't stand around watching things happen around her but truly takes part in the plotline and that's awesome.
“You’re a shadow. You’re steel. You’re vengeance in the night. You’re a Whisper of the rebel Moria.”
All the secondary characters are so interesting and while I hated some of them I loved how well they written to evoke such emotions from me. The most interesting character arc of all is that of the villain and *cue screaming*. It was done SO WELL.
~World Building for the Win~
The magic system was so amazingly crafted and I loved how the magic of the Moria worked. It was a magic system like no other I've read and I wanted to learn more about it. I can't wait to learn more in book two because of a certain thing revealed at the end (I did think that might come up again and I was glad it did). Also a good time to mention but I also loved the author's world building in Labyrinth Lost, the first book of hers that I read.
~Plot Line to keep you on the edge of your seat~
It was such a ride. Right from the start there is so much action and so many things happening that it left me breathless. There is a romance but it does not feature for the majority part of the story and when it does show up (at the beginning) it's really lovely. (I just really really hope there is not love triangle in book 2)
"I will always come back for you." Those are bold words, an impossible promise that he can't actually keep. We don't live in a world that allows for those kinds of vows. But I choose to believe them. I want to.
Plot twists are of course there! Quite a few actually. I was expecting one or two of them but the rest just blew me away. The twists and the foreshadowing were so well done and I just felt so freaking immersed in the story.
~Beautiful writing I want to climb into~
I know that's a weird description but that's exactly what I wanted to do; climb into the book and sit among the words because they're perfect. The author makes you feel for the characters, feel like you're there right alongside them, picture the scenes and descriptions so perfectly in your head. I swear I'll read anything Zoraida Córdova writes because it's so beautiful!
~Incendiary is a retelling of the Spanish Inquisition and filled with magic, vengeance and revenge. It keeps you turning the pages because you just HAVE to know what happens next~...more
EXCUSE ME I'M OFF TO BINGE READ ALL OF MIRA GRANT/ SEANAN MCGUIRE'S BOOKS!EXCUSE ME I'M OFF TO BINGE READ ALL OF MIRA GRANT/ SEANAN MCGUIRE'S BOOKS!...more
(A huge thank you to the FFBC tours the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of the book)
I keep saying we need modern Witchcraft books. This is why. I(A huge thank you to the FFBC tours the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of the book)
I keep saying we need modern Witchcraft books. This is why. I'm so here for a witch who studies Particle Physics in school then goes home to her coven to brew potions. I mean, that's the coolest ever. Also say hello to my latest favourite book and now i'll be over here flailing until the sequel comes out because DAMN I NEED THE SEQUEL.
(TW - homophobia and mentions of conversion therapy, somatic OCD, panic attacks)
~6 THOUGHTS WHILE I READ WITCHES OF ASH AND RUIN~
~Hello there diversity~
You say the word diversity and I'll bend over backwards to read the book. Witches of Ash and Ruin scores full points for diversity- -a bisexual protagonist -with somatic OCD -who gets panic attacks at the most terrible of times -a protagonist who is queer -secondary characters who are queer. -cultural diversity
And can we talk about the mental health rep?? The realistic depiction of panic attacks and there are even discussions of the stigma surrounding taking medication and just, the author does it SO well.
“It started the same way it always did. Some small shift in the air around her. Subtle, but enough to make her breath catch. Suddenly it was all she could think about”
As the Goodreads synopsis says, the MC Dayna has been outed as bisexual in her conservative Irish town and it doesn't help that her father is the Reverend. I really felt for Dayna. The anger at being outed without permission, the fear that her father might send her to conversion therapy, the confusion she feels about her ex-boyfriend and I just wanted to reach in and give her a hug.
~Found Family and female friendships and complex relationships~
i adore found families okay? I'm legit trash for this trope.
I loved how Dayna was literally adopted into her coven, especially by Reagan ad her mother Yemi. Yemi is that motherly figure bustling around making tea and fussing with your hair until someone does something stupid and she's hands-on-the-hip glowering lioness (she reminded me of Mrs. Weasley a lot but I think i prefer Yemi)
~Female friendships and complex relationships~
Reagan and Dayna's friendship is goals and I loved how they appreciated each other and it was such a non-toxic, extremely lovely friendship and I again have all the feels, excuse me.
Meiner and Cora on the other hand have a toxic, competitive friendship and honestly it made a bit sick how Cora would go behind Meiner's back and just as easily backstab her. Kids, this is the kind of relationship you avoid at all costs because it be TOXIC. Kudos to the author for having written contrasting relationships in the same book and showing that in reality, both kinds exist and which is the kind of friendship you ought to aim for.
There is also the complex relationship between Sam and Dayna with Dayna not sure if she wants to get back together and Samuel just pining after her. There were pooints where I wanted to smack Sam on the head and tell him to um, move on plis.
Also I think Dayna and Meiner happened in a super awkward way but I did like it once they got over the initial annoyance towards each other. I wouldn't exactly call it hate to love though. But also my weird favourite thing was how Dayna didn't let Meiner get away with her temper tantrums. She point blank told her 'stop giving excuses for losing your temper. That doesn't make it better' and I was like YASS
~Alternating PoVs~
Okay so I generally don't like it if the PoV shifts all the freaking time but i really liked it here?
- Dayna, the main protagonist who was recently outed as bi without her permission - Meiner who is being made to travel all the way across the country with her coven which includes her horrible and possibly evil grandmother and Cora - Cora who is one super scheming, ambitious witc and honestly a huge JERK - samuel, Dayna's ex boyfriend and a true crime fanatic who is obssesed with The Butcher, a certain serial killer - Dubh, the murderer himself and an absolute sickward (okay it's not an actual word, sue me) whose chapters creeped me out because he has one sick mind
~All the dark modern Witchcraft and Celtic myhtology~
Buying potion ingredients after school, discussing schoolwork while brewing potions, wearing good luck charms to school; the modern witch aesthetic speaks to my soul and there were scenes that had me grinning like a monkey.
“Witchcraft doesn't pay the bills, grandmother. You think she can walk into a grocery store and trade that luck talisman for food? We don't work on the barter system anymore.”
“And I'll pray to the great Oracle, Google” Reagan pulled the laptop back over.
I'd never read anything with Celtic mythology before and I found this utterly fascinating. You know I'm going to obssesively google everyhting about Celtic myths now for the next two weeks or so.
~WHERE IS THE SEQUEL?~
Um Ms.Latimer NO. You can't write an ending like that when book two isn't even avilable that is cruel OKA?
I will sacrifice souls to get book two mind you.
~Witches of Ash and Ruin is a super diverse and witchy book replete with badass females, found families and a fair share of mythology ~...more
(A huge thank you to the FFBC tours FFBC tours and the publisher for the eARC of the book)
My greatest find of 2019 was the dark academia genre and I h(A huge thank you to the FFBC tours FFBC tours and the publisher for the eARC of the book)
My greatest find of 2019 was the dark academia genre and I have completely been sucked into the murderous genre. (I swear I'm mostly normal)
I read Truly Devious and The Vanishing Stair in one go only to realize book two end in one CRAZY cliffhanger and then I basically died and went to underworld because THAT CLIFFHANGER! Extremely thankful to FFBC tours for giving me an opportunity to read the eARC of The Hand on the Wall and thereby bring myself back from the dead.
Does the finale deliver?
YES IT DOES EARTHLINGS! (and any aliens who may be reading this)
~4 REASONS THIS BOOK IS A SWASHBUCKLING FINALE~
~Twists at every turn (warning - you may crick your neck)~
If you have read the first two books, you must be perfectly aware of the ginormous talent Ms.Johnson has for slapping us with twists and revelations throughout the book. The Hand on the Wall is no different. Right from page one we are right beside Stevie on the race against time, trying to solve both present murders and past ones. Everytime I made a guess, the plot would smack me on the head and pull me in a different direction and needless to say, IT WAS AMAZE.
~adorkable cinnamon roll characters~
STEVIE - Murder? I can handle the good sir but PEOPLE? let me go bury myself.
NOAH - *has already locked himself in the dungeon and will answer no questions regarding his book*
These two were my absolute favourite characters and I shall protecc them like proud mama hen.
David did annoy me A LOT though and I legit wanted to hold him upside down and shake him like a ragdoll for being annoying hmmph.
I did like that unlike the first two books, the number of characters reduce here making it a close circle filled with all the tension. ME LIKES THE ANGST (again I'd like to take a moment and assure you that I'm mostly normal)
~Atmospheric setting~
I mean stormy Vermont, lonely academy with weird statues and classy buildings, all the snow and like IT ATMOSPHERIC and 200% perfect for deaths to happen and cases to be solved. Do they get solved? You gotta read and find out. I personally adored the descriptions of places and the weather. It really added to the tension in the story.
~The two plot lines - past and present entwine together so wonderfully~
I generally worry when a book alternates between timelines but Maureen Johnson totally kills it with this trilogy. I enjoyed seeing what happened in the past and also seeing how Stevie tries to get to the answers. There was not a dull moment in either of the timelines and for all of you going crazy after book two, I can assure you, you'll get some answers.
~The Hand on the Wall is an atmospheric finale with Poirot mystery vibes and totally kills it with it's twists and a wonderful cast of characters~
Loading...
