ThatBeMeDiana is Currently Reading

Top 10 Tuesday: Self Help Books You Need in 2023

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:48:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Let me know your thoughts on books you need to read for 2023. Most of these books are new that came out after the pandemic and are framed around problems that people are noticing more after lockdown. I HIGHLY recommend Burnout for female readers it is an amazing read with nice scientific proof behind the strategies they teach you. Reviews for some of these coming out soon ;)

Warm Regards,

Diana Banana

April Reading Haul

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 01:56:00 +0000

READING HAAAAUL! Sorry I haven't been around recently. I've been in a reading burnout phase but I still read books on the down low. Here is a splurge of reviews of books I read recently that I definitely recommend~! MORE REVIEWS TO COME!

Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee
Rating: 3.5/5

KOREAN MYTHOLOGY IN SPACE! How exciting is that!! I had really high hopes for this book as a big fan of the Percy Jackson series and it did not disappoint. One thing I wished we got more of was the mythology aspect. It seemed like the main thing was that some humans have animal spirits and can transform into animals but I wanted MORE. I think I was missing some context as it has been a while since I have read the first book to understand the world building and some characters so I suggest readers so back and get a refresher before diving into this book. Sebin struggles with the honor of his family and his dream of being a space cadet. Which will he choose? I loved his character arc and feel that it was explored very well. Sebin goes through many dilemmas and his choices are very admirable. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK!

The Two Wrong Halves of Ruby Taylor by Amanda Panitch
Rating: 4.5/5

HONESTLY, one of my most favorite middle grade books. It strongly explores how adults don't always handle things the correct way and how it could affect their children and how they process it. I was caught off unexpectedly by the mythology aspect of the book and how STRONG Ruby is. This is a great coming of age book that teaches kids to be individuals and stand up for each other. I hope it can open good conversations between children and their parents about their identity.

Lockdown on London Lane by Beth Reekles
Rating: 4/5

This is such a relatable book about the mundane moments in the pandemic. It follows five flats as they deal with a lock in and and a cute love story of being quarantined together after you JUST started dating. Every tenant is at a different point in their lives for example one is planning a whole WEDDING stuck inside. It was very enjoyable watching everything intertwine and unravel. I look forward to the new surge of pandemic books. This is a great example of one and I hope they are all as good.

Gold Mountain by Betty G. Yee
Rating: 4/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are so many layers in it. After Ling's brother passes away from influenza, she disguises herself as him as she was always raised like a boy. She takes his contract to work in the railroads in America to make money for her family to free her Baba from jail. Ling's one goal is to make money. But as she makes friends along the way her situation becomes complicated. There are layers of racism and injustices in hard labor work that affects Ling's morale. She has a bit of a villain, selfish arc part way through which I appreciated because it made her reflect a lot on her values and made me root for her more. There is so much history in this story that I was not aware of and was so interested to learn more.

Something I wished we got more of was her struggle adapting to the hard labor. She had an existential crisis realizing that she is a woman who has never done hard labor or rough work before compared to her peers. Then when she gets to work, other than some aches she seems to magically fit in.

Audrey by Sean-Paul Thomas
Rating: 4/5

It's hard to put into words how I feel about this book because of the many layers.

First I would like the mention the writing and how amazing it is. It is so easy to read this book and get loss in the worldbuilding and movie tangents. I could tell from the writing style that I was going to love this book in the first couple of pages and I was right. Sean-Paul Thomas makes it so EASY to fall in love with Joe and root for his success and reunion with his daughter. Joe is such a well developed character and I really enjoyed diving into his feelings and motivations behind what he does. His passion for writing is very admirable even as he learns about how hard it is to produce work in the real world. Audrey is a girl on fire. She talks like a heiress but has a dark past. Seeing their complicated romance blossom was a joy. They supported each other in a unique way but in the end it was what they both needed for their true aspirations.

Serenity Poems
Rating: 4.5/5

This is definitely one of my favorite poetry books about love. This is on par with Rupi Kaur in my opinion. Simple yet moving and emotional poems that remind you of first love, feeling secure, hope, and much more. The book is split into three sections. You don't have to read it in order, maybe choose the one that calls to you the most first: acceptance, hope, and tranquility. I want to buy this book to keep it in my collection. Every word just felt so /right/ and the perfect capture of love. I can't get enough of this book!

Thank you Netgalley for these books!!

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Alice in the City of Diamonds by B. A. Lovejoy Review

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 19:45:00 +0000

Alice in the City of Diamonds by B. A. Lovejoy

Published: Jan 20, 2022
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

There is no way back from Wonderland—or so they claim.

Not when the only door leading to my world is broken, and the magic of Wonderland has been thrown out of order. The magic itself relies on the clock at the center of Wonderland; but with the clock broken, my home in a state of disarray, and the man responsible for it missing? There is no hope.

But there is someone who knows how to fix the clock; Fitz, the annoying, self-serving rabbit who got me into this whole mess. Too bad he’s more concerned with wooing his prospective bride and becoming the King of Cards.

He’s locked in a race to the altar; staring down the threat of his youngest brother’s blooming romance with the Red Queen, Fitz’s own unwilling bride, and his unresolved feelings for me. Meanwhile, I couldn’t care less what troubles Fitz faces; I swore he would never become King of Cards, and that I would get home no matter what the cost.

Even if it means interfering in the lives of the royal court to pressure the man who I hate more than anything in this world into working beside me, facing down the Jabberwock, and becoming entangled in a sordid love affair.

But it’s not just the Kings I have to worry about, or even the menacing jaws of the Jabberwock. There’s still someone lurking in the background, someone determined to keep me in Wonderland at any price.

Review:

Fitz (White Rabbit, King of Diamond) Okay so after the first book I was obviously not rooting for him but there were just these small moments where I was like oh, if you we didn't start off so badly I would actually want you with Alice and Alice realized that too. He genuinely cares about her? In a weird way. And it was heart-racing to read and get a glimpse of those small moments. I wish things started off better because I would love a spin-off story about them in an alternate universe where they work because he would WORSHIP her really!!?!
William (Mad Hatter, King of Clovers) BRUH GET YOUR GIRL.
Claude (Cheshire Cat, King of Spades) The boy we all want but cannot have. They have a weird vibe this book. She walks past him and drags her fingers through his hair which is very intimate but they are strictly friends at the same time. I appreciate that Alice is able to have friends no matter how weird the undervibes are because I guess that's normal in Wonderland.
Kaeden (King of Hearts) MY HEART. KAEDEN FOR THE WIN. Again, with this special name it's hard not to expect something to happen. Kaeden just wants things to be normal again after what happened in the first book and it does have a little bit of insta-love vibes but in this book their romance is built up a lot more and there are some genuine moments between them that makes you understand why Kaeden is fascinated by her. Though I don't really understand why she likes him other than that he is the best choice out of everyone else TBH but their intimate moments make sense for me :) Mini slash of spice in there for y'all too hehe

Pacing. The first half of the book was a lot of running around. Alice is trying to fix her clock to get back to London but some drama happens that makes her pause and take up the role of Alice rather than focusing on herself. THE SECOND HALF OF THE BOOK THOUGH. I was CAUGHT. I could not put the book down during work and was desperately trying to figure out what happens next especially when the ball dropped about he Jabberwocky.

Ending. Unfortunately I thought the ending was a little flat for me? It wasn't as much of a cliffhanger as the first book, but I'm so hooked onto this story that I am looking forward to the next book. Which is coming out February 2022!!!

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Mini Treats: Complicit by Winnie M Li Review

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 00:12:00 +0000

Mini Treats: where I write reviews that won't be as long as my usual but for quick reads.

Complicit by Winnie M Li

Rating: 4 out of 5

After a long-buried, harrowing incident, a woman whose promising film career was derailed has an opportunity for revenge in this visceral and timely thriller about power, privilege, and justice.

Review:

THE WRITING OF THIS BOOK KEEPS YOU SO ENTRANCED. I can't rave enough about how well written this book is. I was so drawn in by the summary but the writing blew me out of this world. The protagonist is a dry humor, cynical person who you can't help but root for. Sarah always dreamt of being a screenwriter and was on the road of climbing the ranks however the book starts years alter where she is a lecturer having given up due to the ugly reality of the industry. The book is about reflecting on the past and accepting your decisions in the past despite them not being the best at the time. This ran like a thriller book however I would not describe it as one, but rather a drama book that speaks VOLUMES about topics that need to be spoken more about like sexual assault, women empowerment, and more. I thoroughly recommend this book. It is so different from other books I have read.

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing In the First Half of 2022

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 05:37:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
Expected publication January 18, 2022
A gothic tale full of mystery and romance about a willful female surgeon, a resurrection man who sells bodies for a living, and the buried secrets they must uncover together.
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
Expected publication January 18, 2022
Follow a cast of intricately linked characters over hundreds of years as humanity struggles to rebuild itself in the aftermath of a climate plague
Book of Night by Holly Black
Expected publication May 3, 2022
With sharp angles and prose, and a sinister bent, Holly Black is a master of shadow and story stitching. Remember while you read, light isn’t playing tricks in Book of Night, the people are.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
Expected publication February 22, 2022
Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering.
My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Expected publication May 31, 2022
Sharply funny and honest about the challenges girls of color face in STEM, in life, and in love, My Mechanical Romance explores the vulnerabilities of trust, allyship, and falling in love—especially when you barely even know who you are yet.
In the Beautiful Country by Jane Kuo
Expected publication June 14, 2022
This emotional debut novel in verse, inspired by the author’s own experiences, is about a young Taiwanese girl who emigrates to America and finds a stark difference between her dreams and her reality.
Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen
Expected publication July 5, 2022
For fans of Hustlers and How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, the story of two Asian American women who band together to grow a counterfeit handbag scheme into a global enterprise--an incisive and glittering blend of fashion, crime, and friendship.
Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor
Expected publication July 28, 2022
Serena Kaylor’s debut, Long Story Short, is a fun rom-com with a whole lot of heart about friendship, first love, and learning to take a chance on yourself.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!! My Goodreads review here.
Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz
Expected publication March 8, 2022
Blockbuster author Melissa de la Cruz’s YA retelling of Cinderella, set in 17th Century Versailles. For this princess, winning the crown is no fairytale.
An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan
Expected publication April 12, 2022
Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology in this magical novel.

What book in this list surprised you the most and made you want to read it? Are you familiar with any already? :)

Warm Regards,

Diana Banana

Circling Back to You by Julie Tieu Review

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:18:00 +0000

Circling Back to You by Julie Tieu

Published: 12 Jul 2022
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Julie Tieu, an exciting new and diverse voice in contemporary romance, returns with a hilarious and sexy new novel about colleagues who decide to take their relationship outside the office.

Cadence Lim has transformed from behind-the-scenes number cruncher to an integral part of the sales team at Prism Realty. But despite moving up the corporate ladder, her complicated relationship with her estranged elderly father weighs heavily and she can’t seem to shake the desire for a new beginning.

At least Cadence can always lean on her favorite co-worker and co-conspirator, Matt Escanilla. A top broker with an unsuccessful love life, the forever single Matt is constantly being nagged by his loving Filipino family to settle down.

Their relationship takes a turn when a business trip lands them both in their hometown and Matt enlists Cadence as a pretend girlfriend for a family gathering. The new after-hours setting forces the two friends to see each other in a new light, and their previously buried feelings rise quickly to the surface. When competing promotions threaten to separate Cadence and Matt, these office besties must work together to round up their ambitions and families to pursue their overdue romance.

Review:

I NEEDED A GOOD CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE HIT AND THIS WAS IT. This cover?!?!?! BEAUTIFUL #RepresentationMatters

Pretend Relationship. I'm not sure why this is being sold as a pretend relationship because it really wasn't one in my opinion. Cadence and Matt are practically already dating and established from the night before the family event and Matt specifically only described her as someone special and a coworker. The girlfriend label was dismissed by him multiple times in my opinion so the family latching onto that title was more of their dreams then what Matt and Cadence were "pretending" to do. Regardless though, they did pretend to be more further along their relationship than they actually were considering they just hooked up the night before after years of banter it seems. So the resolution of a pretend relationship of "Omg do I actually like you more than I thought?" was still there which was very satisfying.

Cadence is written as an analytical, cold, only work first kinda character. I get what the author was trying to go for but sometimes it missed the mark and came off as dismissive. Especially since Matt is such a simp for her and totally outgoing. The two find themselves in L.A. together to close a deal and *gasp* find out they are sharing ONE hotel room?!?! but it had two beds :( Again, still hit the spot!

It was like she was allergic to small talk. It took multiple attempts until Matt figured out that somewhere underneath her unsmiling exterior, Cadence had a wry sense of humor. He would never go as far as to tell her to smile more, but he wished that she would because when she did, it was nice.

Chemistry. I LOVE the chemistry between the two and wish we got more of it. When the two inevitably get together (which there wasn't even an attempt to cast a doubt on that), it almost felt rushed to me but I knew it was in the context of them working years together with sexual tension and banter but again I wish we got to see more of them falling in love rather than just already being in love and needing to realize it. I love their teasing, Karl references, and much more. They have such a spark!

While he was tossing and turning last night, he thought about all the ways Cadence could have analyzed the prospect of their dating. He wouldn't be shocked if there was a spreadsheet on her laptop about him listing the pros and cons.

Family. I feel like I have been reading a lot of family emphasis books recently but this one made me feel so at home. Matt is constantly texting his cousin group chat about white elephant and Cadence is dealing with her tough love father and black sheep brother. When she meets Matt's family they emphasize the value of family and are shocked when she isn't close to her brother. This made Cadence question a lot of things in her life and honestly it turned out well in the end.

Hunter. Don't worry no spoilers. But hate that guy! :)

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Winter 2021 To-read List

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 04:56:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's theme: is books I want to read this Winter 2021. I decided to make a fun twist to the prompt as I have missed making graphics and show the quote that made me want to read each book. Enjoy!

“I would not let a man who knew the value of nothing make me doubt the value of myself.” ― Jennifer Saint, Ariadne
“I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still.” ― V.E. Schwab, A Darker Shade of Magic
“Some scars are carved into our bones - a part of who we are, shaping what we become.” ― Sue Lynn Tan, Daughter of the Moon Goddess
“Love is about the good moments, but it's about holding on to each other during the difficult ones, too.” ― Aisha Saeed, Written in the Stars
“My tale doesn't end there, for the end has yet to be written.” ― Brom, The Child Thief

“May you learn to love the broken and most unbeautiful pieces.” ― Alesia Carter, Love Me Like The Stars
“It is a blessing as well as a burden to love so much that you can hurt so badly when love is gone.” ― Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches
“Everyone’s got something. Some people are just better actors than others.” ― Tamara Ireland Stone, Every Last Word
“That was what people did when they wanted to stop a girl from doing something—they shamed her.” ― Jennifer Donnelly, These Shallow Graves
“All the best romances bloom in the midst of a good siege.” ― Miles Cameron, The Red Knight

What are some of your favorite quotes from books?

Warm Regards,

Diana Banana

Mini Treat: Edge of the Woods by Jules Kelley

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 07:47:00 +0000

Mini Treats: where I write reviews that won't be as long as my usual but for quick reads.

Edge of the Woods by Jules Kelley

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review:

I love a good werewolf story and this was exactly that. Pretty predictable as far as werewolf stories go but I found it all very interesting with the side tangents of science and the wildlife. I got this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review:

Pack dynamics. I wish we got more of this. The pack is hinted to be have been small but it wasn’t digested as well as I would have liked. Diego seems to only interact with Haley and Michelle and I would have like to see him interact with other pack members and become a part of the pack through these these dynamics rather than just from sole acceptance of Haley.

Diego. He is thrown into all of this chaos and reacts so realistically. Confusion. Anger. Acceptance. He can’t help but miss his old life and wants to be feel normal again but it is subtlety hinted that his past life wasn’t a slice of cake as well. Would this life be better for him? Will he find a family who loves and cherishes him? This was a big question that was answered through implications of a pack but I wish we again got to see more interactions of acceptance of Diego into pack.

Romance. The romance between Haley and Leland was love at first sight. It may seem like they found love because they were the only two available in this small town but their banter and connection made a lot of sense. Leland doesn’t know about werewolves which keeps Haley on her toes. She’s challenged which is interesting to watch. Their romance is awkward at times. Consent is very big in this book which I appreciate but sometimes it felt like you awkwardly asking your high school crush to touch your boob. I was rooting for them though. Very cute.

A CRUMB OF ROMANCE FOR DIEGO. What I THINK is a crumb of romance happened. But I don’t want to spoil. This makes me very eager for the sequel which I hope focuses on Diego. I understand why this wasn’t dived into deeper because ultimately this novel is about Haley.

LONG STORY SHORT, this is a quick fix of werewolf romance if you are looking for it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and hope you do too!

Warm Regards,

Diana Banana

Review: Velvet by Temple West

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 21:31:00 +0000

Velvet by Temple West

Published: May 12, 2015
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Equal parts steamy and funny, with a few genuinely creepy moments, this paranormal romance has everything -- compelling characters, plenty of witty banter, and a romance that just might be to die for.

After losing both her parents before age 17, aspiring designer Caitlin Holte feels like her whole world has been turned upside down, and that was before she accidentally attracted the attention of a demon. Then, she learns that her hot, bad-boy neighbor, Adrian -- who might have just saved her life -- is actually a half-demon vampire.

Suddenly, Caitlin is stuck with a vampire bodyguard who feels that the best way to protect her is to become her pretend boyfriend. Trouble is, Caitlin is starting to fall in love for real, while Adrian can never love a human. Caitlin trusts Adrian to keep her safe from his demon father, but will he be able to protect her heart?

Temple West’s debut novel Velvet is a sexy, delightful romance chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads.

Review:

I know what you’re thinking. Paranormal romance with vampires? The genre doesn’t exactly have a good reputation and the characters tend to have a problematic streak. Plus this book screams TWILIGHT but it’s not what you think, I promise!

Not your normal vampire. The vampires are a mix between a vampire and incubus/succubus. An incubus is a demon that feeds off of sexual energy but in this case draws energy from any strong feelings. Adrian, however, also needs blood because his body is not able to produce it. Though they soak up feelings, Adrian’s family isn’t exactly the most friendly people. There’s a rule that vampires can’t get connected to humans (no friends or relationships) resulting in a family that doesn’t know how to love each other because they never learned kindness. Adrian is different. He learns compassion and loyalty from books like Harry Potter and vows to teach his little brother, Lucian, the concept of love. I watched as Adrian’s influence turns Lucian into a smiley child who honestly stole my heart. Lucian’s the sweetest little thing ever.

Science! Adrian is a science nerd. He goes on a rant about how why vampires need blood on a molecular level. He talks about hemoglobins and oxygen bonding. He explains the science behind vampire healing with his supernatural platelets. Adrian tutors Caitlin on water properties while scaling a library using harnesses (Yes that happened. Flying in a huge library). It was the most interesting EVER. My inner AP Biology nerd was crying with happiness. Would I ever need to use vampire science in my life? No, probably not. But it was SO awesome for West to include it in the book because I was soaking it up.

Wonderful side characters. Caitlin’s girl friends at school have lives. It’s not something you see often in books. This one girl was explored so much that I thought she had an angle for the entire book because I wasn’t used to side characters getting attention. I really appreciated her friends.

Perfect pacing = BFFs before romance. There’s no rush in this book. It spans out for half a year allowing us to slowly fall in love with Adrian as Caitlin did. There’s no INSTA-anything in this book. The two spends more time in the book as best friends than a couple. They are so silly and their banter made me laugh a ton. I aspire to have a friendship like these two one day. Caitlin spends the beginning of the book thinking that Adrian is gay which is why the “I know what you are” scene is as hilarious as you would think. All this together is why when Caitlin realizes she’s in love with Adrian, it was perfect.

What I didn’t like:

Since the book was inspired by Twilight, there are some similarities. It is more noticeable in the beginning which puts some people off. But I promise you, once Adrian explains the problem with his demon father, thus becoming Caitlin’s bodyguard, his brooding act ends and the hilarity begins.

There is angst. It’s understandable though because Caitlin’s mother died just days before the book starts, but she’s really angry. Angry enough to lash out at people and refuse to be grateful. This ends eventually but be aware it’s hard to connect to Caitlin in the beginning.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Velvet is exciting, funny, and everything I wish the paranormal romance genre to be. I hope anyone who reads this book enjoys it as much as I did!

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Anyway, I'm Falling in Love With You. by Haruka Mitsui Review

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 17:40:00 +0000

Anyway, I'm Falling in Love With You. by Haruka Mitsui

Published: 16 Nov 2021
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:

Mizuha's 17th birthday is the pits. Her parents totally forgot, and the sempai she likes isn't interested in her. But when her longtime childhood friend asks her out, Mizuha has to sort out what this change in relationship could mean. And her feelings may not be the only ones changing...! A brand-new school love story from the author of I Fell in Love After School!

Review:

AHH I knew by the title right away that this manga was going to ruin me. And it did. Mizuho confesses her love to her crush but he rejects her harshly. As she is trying to console herself, her childhood friend confesses his love other and now she can't stop thinking about him! The art in this manga is beautiful. There so many beautiful boys to make you drool. Mizuho is a very relatable character. She grew up with a groups boy so they are like brothers to her. It's /weird/ to consider a brother as something more but she can't stop staring at Kizuki after he shared his love with her and showed her intimate moments of kindness and small acts of love. Aside from the love story, Mizuho is trying to be a manga artist but her storylines are average according to her teacher. She needs to experience a real love story to inspire her before she can write a good manga but she is at a loss. How is she supposed to get inspired when her crush won't even acknowledge her?

THE CLIFFHANGER AT THE END. Omg I am so excited for this manga. It hurts me that I know I have to wait a long time for the next. I am so excited for this story and the beautiful characters to realize their love for each other and goals in life. I like how inklings of the pandemic is scattered in the story making it SO MUCH more real. This is a MUST READ if you are a fan of romance and manga.

Do people really have exciting experiences every day? Like stuff that gets your heart racing...

What's your favorite romance anime/manga?

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Paper Girl and the Knives That Made Her by Ari. B. Cofer Review

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 02:29:00 +0000

Paper Girl and the Knives That Made Her by Ari. B. Cofer

Published: January 4th, 2022
Source: NetGalley
Format: eBook
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:

“I have never been anything but a paper girl. Something to tear into pieces. Something to burn.”

We’ve all been paper before. We’ve all been fragile. Leaf-like and gently blowing. Enough to create stories or build fires. So, we go through life like that. We come across the things that tear us into pieces, and we keep going. We keep fighting because we must. We look for ways to be whole. To be the person we dream to be.

Fragile by nature, but tough by circumstance, paper girls are shaped by their love and loss. This collection of poetry and prose describes the journey of learning to live fully through the messiness of life and tenuousness of mental health.

Review:

NEW POETRY BOOK ON THE HORIZON COMING OUT JANUARY 4TH, 2022 FOR FANS OF RUPI KAUR AND AMANDA LOVELACE.

First, I would like to say I appreciated the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. I believe that is so meaningful these days and such a small thing that can be overlooked.

Secondly, this book took my breath away. I was in shock at how moved I was. The poems start off simple - about heartbreak - yet were very relatable. And as you got used to the way the writer talks, start to trust her journey, she dives into deeper topics: racism, sexual assault, mental illness. The little doodles here and there were cute for a nice breather in between deep poems.

There is so much stigma about being a rape survivor and nobody ever talks about what happens next. This book talks about that gray area. Processing. Trying to live. Getting lost in your head. The confusion. The guilt. How you feel when you see your attacker on social media - the surreal moment of seeing them get in a new relationship. How easy it is for young people to be taken advantaged of. This book was raw of emotion and I truly felt like a piece of the author's soul was in this book. This book really stands out and I cannot wait for other pieces by Ari Cofer

Special thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an ARC.

Warm regards,

Diana Banana @ thatbemediana.blogspot.com

Mini Treat: Goddess of the Rose by P.C. Cast Review

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 09:51:00 +0000

Mini Treats: where I write reviews that won't be as long as my usual but for quick reads.

Goddess of the Rose by P.C. Cast

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review:

I got this book while thrifting and was drawn in by the advertisement of Beauty and the Beast... with emphasis on the Beast. Mikki is an independent woman who find herself in the Realm of Roses and is given the task of tending to the flowers, something she has a natural talent for. Her companions? The four Elements and the mysterious Guardian. A beast. Who she can't help but be fond of despite the cold treatment to him from all her handmaidens. They fear him, yet she is curious. From the beginning, Mikki sees him as a human despite his beastly exterior. She treats him with kindness and it is emphasized that it is her maturity and older age compared to the rest of everyone in the Realm that allows her to look past his exterior. Her love for him is gradual as he helps her navigate the Realm but there is also some instant lust that helped with that. Watching the Guardian hold himself back from Mikki's kindness broke my heart. He has never been treated with respect before. The moment he finds out that she is in love with him had me squealing!

Spice - 5/5 IT'S SPICY LMAO. The build up to it almost makes you want to scream like juST GET IN BED TOGETHER ALREADY.

This book is for everyone who fell in love with the Beast, and then was truly disappointed when he turned into a handsome prince.

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Mini Treats: Trusting True North by Gina Linko

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 01:34:00 +0000

I am starting a new series called Mini Treats where I write reviews that won't be as long as my usual but for quick reads. I was lucky to receive an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I genuinely enjoyed this children's fiction book.

Trusting True North by Gina Linko

Published: 05 Apr 2022
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review:

Speaking from the perspective of an older sibling, this book gripped my heart. I felt along with True as she desperately tries to bring her little brother's spirits up when their mother is unable to come back home due to the border closing from the virus. She puts his feelings before her own and is only able process her emotions through anger and drawing her map. This is the first book I have read set in the pandemic. It talks about friendship through the screen, the boredom of being stuck inside, and ultimately, teaches us to appreciate what we have and learn when to ask for help.

Building maps is a wonderful way to introduce children to worldbuilding and wanderlust. I loved the tidbits that teach us how to make a map with your own quirk in it.

I mean, I know you can't really fly but what if you could? Can't you just imagine floating over your area? Seeing things from up there? Imagine it. I bet you can do it. Now, I'll help you draw it.

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Top Ten Tuesday: Freebie - Ten Books by Asian Authors

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 06:14:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's theme: It's been a LOOOOONG time since I've done a TTT. I am so excited to contribute to the community again and check out others' posts. This week was a Freebie theme so I decided to do my post on ten books by Asian Authors because REPRESENTATION MATTERS. I decided to split up the category into five books I've read and five books I want to read and included descriptions + links to their Goodreads. I tried to avoid the big most famous books with adaptations and etc. Please enjoy!

The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel
Why: You can read my review here. This is definitely one of my all time favorite books.
Prairie Ostrich by Tamai Kobayashi
Why: I had to read this book for school to study racism, identity, death, and homophobia. It is a short book yet SO POWERFUL. The book is written from the limited perspective of eight-year-old "Egg" watching her family grieve after the death of her older brother. Her parents have shut-down and secluded themselves in grief so the only one Egg can turn to is Kathy, her older sister who reads stories to Egg at night but edits the ending to make them happier. I wrote an entire essay on this book and I can say so much more but it is SO overlooked and such a good book.
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
Why: I first got this book from summer reading back in 2005 during the Summer Reading Program at the library. It has been one of my comfort books that I return to often about hope and "Kira-kira", which means glittering. A coming of age story that I believe is a classic.
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa, Stephen Snyder (Translator), Markus Juslin (Translator)
Why: SUCH A UNIQUE PREMISE. On an unnamed island, objects disappear from the habitants' memory at night by the Memory Police. First they start off simple: flowers, ribbons, birds.. but then they get serious as those who have the power to remember start disappearing. A young woman, whose mother was taken away when she was young, decides to help her friend by hiding him in a small hidden cubby in her home when she learns of his powers. This is a beautiful book that describes the smell of roses when you have lost the memory and idea of what a rose is. It is a very unique, gentle apocalypse book that talks about trauma, loss, and, of course, the beauty of memories and words.
Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook, Chi-Young Kim (Translator)
Why: I read this book on the plane and I could NOT put it down despite how motion sick I was getting. It's a story about a mother's love and the sacrifices she makes for her family that just makes you want to cry and hug your mom. It dives into the memories of Mom's children after she goes missing and how they come to face the real depth of the lessons she taught them growing up when it was too late. There is a lot Korean culture and the importance of family in this book which I appreciated.

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
Why: I'm not gonna lie I first bought this book because of the cover which is BEAUTIFUL. But I am so excited to read it because, and I quote, my cousin said that this book "revived" her. I can't wait to read this Chinese-inspired fantasy book.
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
Why: THIS IS GIVING ME MULAN VIIIIIBES. I'm so excited for this award nominated book.
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
Why: I've been putting off this book for the night I really want to CRY MY EYES OUT. The story is about Julie and her recently deceased boyfriend. After his funeral, she calls his phone to hear his voice and HE PICKS UP. THIS BOOK I ASSUME GOES OVER THEIR LAST LONG CONVERSATION. I'M TEARING UP THINKING ABOUT IT.
The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta
Why: I love love love middle grade books and am super excited for this indian-inspired mythology/fantasy book about KIRANMALA: INTERDIMENSIONAL DEMON SLAYER.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Why: Late to the party but I hear LOTS about this series and can't wait to dive into it.

Questions: What's your favorite book by a POC author?

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Alice in the Land of Clovers by Bethany Anne Lovejoy Review

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 05:16:00 +0000

Alice in the Land of Clovers by B.A. Lovejoy

Published: November 29, 2021
Source: BookSirens
Format: eBook
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:

There were two facts that I was sure of; Wonderland was not real and I, Alice Grey, was a very ordinary young woman—it was impossible for me to be otherwise.

Or so I thought.

I had begun to accept that my father would not return from the war when his pocket watch mysteriously reappears and is stolen by a white rabbit. But just as I give up on catching the rabbit, I fall into a hole, landing somewhere that is most certainly not Oxford.

I soon realize that this is the Wonderland my father had told me stories about. But the White Rabbit of my father’s story is no longer a rabbit, he’s a man-- a king even, one with three charming brothers, all heirs to a far greater throne. Only one of them is destined to become the King of Cards and rule over all-- and he needs a queen.

Unfortunately, I have no interest in being anyone’s queen or falling in love; all I wish to do is return to Oxford. However, I cannot do it alone, I have to put my trust in someone. But the characters of Wonderland are far from ordinary and even further from trustworthy-- Each seems to have their own agenda, and someone does not want me to leave Wonderland at all.

If I stay, I could lose everything I’ve ever known, and if I leave, I could lose everything I’ve ever wanted.

Review:

I really hope this book gets the attention it deserves because OOOOH MY GOLLY was I squealing and giggling the entire time I was reading it. I first was interested in this title because it is the same as one of my most favorite Japanese otome dating games. AND LET ME TELL YA. IF YOU LOVE OTOME GAMES. THIS BOOK IS PERFECT FOR YOU. Okay enough fangirling, time for the review.

Characters. The main reason why I love all Alice in Wonderland re-tellings. Alice is a witty, strong protagonist that stands up for herself and knows how to swing her fists to protect herself. SHE DON'T NEED A MAN. Which she makes very clear in her unusual situation: she is faced with four bachelors from the kingdoms of Clover, Spades, Hearts, and Diamond, who each are looking for a bride to become King of all of Wonderland.

Fitz (White Rabbit, King of Diamond) Fitz is the one who tricks Alice into falling down the rabbit hole. He has one goal: make Alice his wife. The one word in his vocabulary? "Yet." But Alice doesn't love you?? "Yet." She doesn't want to be next to her kidnapper? "Yet." He's a posh snob who loves the rules and wants Alice if follow his. Be his or nothing.
William (Mad Hatter, King of Clovers) William DOES NOT want to be king. It is almost humorous how much he is avoiding the title, yet, he is the only one engaged. I love all scenes with him as it always sparked a crazy light. He has a warming personality when he is not off the walls bonkers which I appreciated in its little moments.
Claude (Cheshire Cat, King of Spades) Claude is your typical flirt bachelor. He does not wish to find or fall in love but can offer a world of fun and dancing. He has his moments :)
Kaeden (King of Hearts) From the start I knew I liked Kaeden. He's the shy, misunderstood, hesitant type who is the only one who is genuinely kind to Alice from the beginning. He understands the situation she was brought into and emphasizes with her. I can't wait to read more about him to be honest.

Pacing. The beginning of the book describes Alice's life in Oxford, England. She's seen as weird. Has fat ankles (a theme that comes up often). Typical Alice in the real world vibes. Then she falls down the rabbit hole and the adventure starts! From the beginning Alice has her own voice. She doesn't just go along with what everyone drags her along to and is set on her own agenda to get out of Wonderland and find answers about her father. I appreciated that she wasn't a weak female lead that needed someone to save her from every situation.

Worldbuilding. Love the magic of the world. My favorite is "Home", a house-rearranging ghost who looks out for Alice. B.A. Lovejoy did an amazing job building the world and the whimsical-ness of it all.

Romance. I mean. It's a reverse harem romance book. There's romance everywhere and everywhere you did not expect it to be. It's not all perfect, which I appreciated. Alice is faced with many different forms of love and must find one that is genuine and not a need for power. Also, UNEXPECTED SPICE. WOO!

Ahh I wish I could fangirl more about this series. I can't wait for the next book to see what happens next especially after that cliffhanger that left me screaming!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What is you favorite fairy tale?

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Winter Themed Stocking Stuffers

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 22:43:00 +0000

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. They had been best friends since they were six, spending hot Minneapolis summers and cold Minneapolis winters together, dreaming of Hogwarts and Oz, superheroes and baseball. Now that they were eleven, it was weird for a boy and a girl to be best friends. But they couldn't help it - Hazel and Jack fit, in that way you only read about in books. And they didn't fit anywhere else.
My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff
Charlotte Charlie Donovan knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: Teo Ortiz. He's the school's star athlete, in the National Honor Society, invited to every party, contributes to the school paper (where Charlie is co-editor), and is about to be featured as One to Watch in a teen magazine basically, he's exactly the type of guy Charlie s meant to be with. The only problem he barely knows she exists. But Charlie is determined to be Teo's date to the Christmas ball. And she has a plan: To rig the paper's Secret Santa so that she can win his heart with five perfect gifts.
Carols and Chaos by Cindy Anstey
A lady's maid and a valet become entangled in a yuletide counterfeiting scheme in this romantic Christmas YA adventure. 1817. The happy chaos of the Yuletide season has descended upon the country estate of Shackleford Park in full force, but lady's maid Kate Darby barely has the time to notice. Between her household duties, caring for her ailing mother, and saving up money to someday own a dress shop, her hands are quite full. Matt Harlow is also rather busy. He's performing double-duty, acting as valet for both of the Steeple brothers, two of the estate's holiday guests.
Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber
Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there’s only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead.
The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans
At thirty-two Kimberly Rossetti, a finance officer at a Lexus car dealership, has had her heart broken more times than she wants to remember. With two failed engagements, a divorce and again alone with no prospects, she hardly seems the type to dream of being a published romance author. Dreading another holiday alone, she signs up for The Mistletoe Retreat, a nine-day writing retreat in Burlington, VT. Deep inside Kimberly knows she's at a junction in her life and it's time to either fulfill her dream or let it go. The other reason she decides to attend the conference is because famed romance writer, H.T. Cowell, once the best selling romance writer in America, and the author whose books instilled in her the desire to be a writer, will be speaking in public for the first time in more than a decade.
Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I by Hazel Gaynor , Heather Webb
August 1914. England is at war. As Evie Elliott watches her brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas Harding, depart for the front, she believes—as everyone does—that it will be over by Christmas, when the trio plan to celebrate the holiday among the romantic cafes of Paris.
But as history tells us, it all happened so differently…
The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she'd become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways.
She didn't. And then she died.
Now she's stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge--as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.
Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly's afterlife has been miserable.
But this year, everything is about to change. . . .
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart - he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone - but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees.

What is your favorite winter theme read?

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Quotes from His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman that make you cry or think

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 19:14:00 +0000

Honestly, the His Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman is a classic in my eyes. I read this series back in high school and think about it often. There is one quote that just sticks with me. It meshes my love for science and romance into one series and I couldn't get enough of it... But let's not talk about the movie. I always wished for more and will be reviewing the series again soon after a re-read in my current mind state. In the meantime, please enjoy my most favorite quotes from the series that make you either cry or think about life.

I will love you forever; whatever happens. Till I die and after I die, and when I find my way out of the land of the dead, I'll drift about forever, all my atoms, till I find you again...

You speak of destiny as if it was fixed.

I want to kiss you and lie down with you and wake up with you every day of my life till I die, years and years and years away. I don't want a memory, just a memory...

We are all subject to the fates but we must all act as if we are not, or die in despair.

From what we are, spirit; from what we do, matter. Matter and spirit are one.

Hope you enjoyed the photo series! What is your favorite fantasy classic?

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Heart of a Witch by Rebecca L. Garcia

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 21:28:00 +0000

Heart of a Witch by Rebecca L. Garcia

Published: December 14 2021 by Victory Editing
Source: NetGalley
Format: eBook
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:
A vengeful fantasy standalone romance perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom and A Touch of Darkness
I’d never particularly liked humans, but I’d never wanted to kill one. Until now.
Hidden in a kingdom that hates witches, I’m forced to hide what I am. With my sister working in a secret dark magic club, and our family’s shop gaining unwanted attention, things couldn’t be worse when the notorious witch hunter, Damian Shaw, comes to town.

When my sister shows up dead, and my family’s name is called into question, we’re forced to adopt new aliases and leave the home we cherished. As I watch my life fall apart, I vow to destroy the hunter responsible, but his punishment would not be swift. Death was too easy.

Redforest is a quaint town, with a church, pretty shops, and like any good town, a dark past. When me and my family move in, I set my sights on the Shaw family, quickly learning everything I can about them.
Damian’s son, Elijah, is the hunter's greatest pride. His heir. His confidante. The only family he trusts.
I came up with a plan. I was going to shatter every good thing in Damian’s life, ending with his son.
My goal: make Elijah Shaw fall in love with me, twist him into the very thing his father hates, then kill him.
But when secrets about his family surface and strange things begin happening, I realize the monster hiding in the shadows might be closer to home than I first thought.
With my heart challenged, the attraction growing, I find myself trapped in a deadly game. In a twist of fate, Elijah might just end up being the death of me.

Review:

Pacing 5/5

Characters 4/5

Writing 5/5

Romance 5/5

SPICE 4/5

After Victoria's sister dies at the hands of a famous witch hunter, she is driven to only one choice in the face of heartbreaking grieve: revenge. From the start, you connect with Victoria. She is critical and over analyzes everything. She grieves her past mistakes that cost her happiness and is now succumbed to the darkness that is slowly creeping into her actions as long as it keeps her family safe. She is fully aware of the sacrifices that must be made in order to keep everyone alive when they are in hiding. When faced with the death of her sister, she accepts that one thing must happen: Damian Shaw must die.

I read this in ONE sitting. It is rare to find a good female villain arc where you can't help but empathize with the protagonist. And to add more spice to the mix, it was an ENEMIES TO LOVERS ARC TOO! But it wasn't that simple. The love story is gradual. While you knew Victoria's intentions the entire time, you can't help but question yourself at her actions. Is this truly still revenge? Is this love? Elijah's kindness is apparent from the beginning despite his "asshole" demeanor that he keeps up for his father. Slowly you watch as his empathy and patience cracks at Victoria's cold heart. Family is a big part of this story, both within Victoria's family and the Shaw family. Both families struggle to love each other in the face of adversary, often by those who you should normally trust.

One thing I did not like was that I wanted MORE. At times the story felt rushed in spaces where I wanted more dialogue and hashing out of emotions. There is a lot of suspenseful buildup, which was all worth it by the way, but once you reach the climax it was only a couple of pages and you kind of just had to accept what happened at the end and move on. I desperately was entranced by the story of Victoria's little sister, Alex, and wished we saw more of her.

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this book and can't wait to pick up other books by Rebecca L. Garcia.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to enjoy this ARC!

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 12:43:00 +0000

The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel

Published: December 1st 2021 by Lake Union Publishing
Source: NetGalley
Format: eBook
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:

In Japanese-occupied Shanghai, two people from different cultures are drawn together by fate and the freedom of music...

1940. Aiyi Shao is a young heiress and the owner of a formerly popular and glamorous Shanghai nightclub. Ernest Reismann is a penniless Jewish refugee driven out of Germany, an outsider searching for shelter in a city wary of strangers. He loses nearly all hope until he crosses paths with Aiyi. When she hires Ernest to play piano at her club, her defiance of custom causes a sensation. His instant fame makes Aiyi's club once again the hottest spot in Shanghai. Soon they realize they share more than a passion for jazz—but their differences seem insurmountable, and Aiyi is engaged to another man.

As the war escalates, Aiyi and Ernest find themselves torn apart, and their choices between love and survival grow more desperate. In the face of overwhelming odds, a chain of events is set in motion that will change both their lives forever.

From the electrifying jazz clubs to the impoverished streets of a city under siege, The Last Rose of Shanghai is a timeless, sweeping story of love and redemption.

Review:

Pacing 5/5

Characters 5/5

Writing 5/5

Romance 5/5

I'm sixty years old, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and a troubled woman

That's the first line. I cannot express how beautiful this book is without telling you the first line. Look me in the eye and tell me you are not intrigued just by that first sentence.

There is a kind of love that strikes like a thunderbolt; it blinds you, yet opens your eyes to see the world anew. Within its light, a pathway is illuminated.

The Last Rose of Shanghai tells a beautiful story of love at first sight between Aiyi and Ernest. Despite the complex social context between the two, Aiyi being Chinese and Ernest being Jewish, they find love through music - definitely recommend this book to music lovers who wish to be able to describe their love for music into words. Aiyi is the definition of a GIRLBOSS. She is an heiress fighting her Chinese traditional family norms by owning a nightclub that plays jazz for people to dance to all night. Ernest is a refugee escaping Nazi Germany struggling to find a job that support him and his little sister. This overly well-researched story reveals a forbidden romance in a time of war and poverty.

It's hard for me to describe the impact this book made on me without copy and pasting the entire book into this review and asking you to read it. When I first saw that the author also wrote Moon in the Palace (another favorite) I had to drop everything to read it immediately. This book is a big representation of how small acts of love can have a big impact. I am still swooning from the intimacy of Ernest learning how to pronounce Aiyi's name correctly while playing the piano for her to the spicy scenes where they make love.

It was unconscionable, and potentially serious consequences awaited me. But who would say it was wrong to indulge in a song from your heart during the winter days of your life?

Of course all love stories come with a tragedy. It is set up from the beginning that not all happiness lasts. Shanghai is crumbling from war and being overtaken. How can one find happiness in its rubble? Reading the two's love story and waiting for the 'drop' was an exhilarating drive. I couldn't put down the book and had to know what happened next. Will they be happy? Seems impossible. But their love is so passionate that it makes you want to squeeze the book, cry, and wish for happiness to come. And let me tell you I did cry at the end from all different kinds of tragedy that Weina Dai Randel taught me. I cannot stress enough how important this book is and the impact it will make in your life, especially if you are of Asian descent and don't get to read many stories of your people. I definitely recommend this book and hope to buy it for my cousin for Christmas :)

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Where Traitors Fall by Kate Callaghan

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:57:00 +0000

Where Traitors Fall by Kate Callaghan

Published: September 22th 2021 by Independent Book Publishers Association
Source: NetGalley
Format: eBook
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

The Realm isn’t for the faint of heart.

Many moons have passed since Klara Lucifer fought to claim the throne of the Dark Forest of Malum.

The new treaty between the Fae Lands of Kalos and Malum has eased border restrictions, and a tense peace is holding between the two lands. However, when rumours of dark creatures going missing begin to reach Klara, the young queen worries that the concord is even more fragile than it appears. Could the Realms be hovering on the brink of war?

When the Fae Queen, Aemella of Kalos, invites Klara to a Kalion ball to honour their lasting peace and treaty, it’s the perfect opportunity to find out what is lurking beneath Kalos’ perfect surface – but it’s not long before old enemies and Malum’s dark history return to haunt Klara in a way she never could have expected. She soon will learn that the enemy of her enemy is not to be trusted.

A lavish evening hiding deadly secrets.

The rise of those fallen.

An unexpected ally.

Can Klara do what she must to save herself and those she loves… or will she end up imprisoned in a cage of her own making?

The sweetest fruit is easily poisoned.

Review:

Pacing 3/5

Romance 4/5

Characters 4/5

Action 3.5/5

Have you ever watched an anime where the whole show is built around this couple getting together, dancing around each other; and when finally the two come together and admit their feelings it just.... ENDS. Aren't you disappointed? Don't you ever wish you could see more of them dating? You just want the juicy details!

Well, good for you in that this book provides you that sense of satisfaction. The first couple chapters of the book goes over the nitty gritty details of how Klara is as the Queen of Malum. You get to see her make treaties, network, and of course play the big sister role for her ward, Lottie. While the book was a slow build up to the conflict of the story that occurred about half-way in, it was a great time feeling Klara's exhaustion and desperateness at trying to keep peace. Kate Callaghan wrote beautiful, authentic characters who were not afraid to admit to their weaknesses. Klara is trying her best to be a good, strong, and fair leader but trouble keeps coming her way. She is frustrated. So frustrated. At the world. Her parents. She's frustrated at how the world is run and how people can trick themselves into believing they are in the right when she is faced with something that is clearly wrong. And she's always being placed in the spot to make the hard decisions, despite how fair it is. But she doesn't complain. She accepts her present and always tries her best.

The story did not just focus on Klara too. It dove into the support characters' own troubles and kept you wanting to jump around to see what happens next with one character. The love story was not in the main spotlight the whole time, but it was sprinkled in where it was needed and had some spice to it. If fantasy is something you want, this book HAS IT. So many different creatures trying to live together and the lore behind each was fascinating to read.

The only complaint I had was that the detailing did drag on a bit too much in some parts, and I wanted to jump straight to the emotions and the Why behind people's actions sooner - but I can't complain when a book keeps me so entertained that I have to keep flipping to the next page.

Warm regards,

Diana Banana

Welcome to my blog!

noreply@blogger.com (ThatBeMeDiana) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 06:05:00 +0000

Hello hello, My name is Diana Banana. I am 24 years old and was the previous blogger at Booking an Adventure. I come to a weird spot in my life where reading has become nostalgic and I want to get into it again. While also studying for University (Check out my Youtube!) I will also be posting book reviews and maybe some art whenever possible. Please join me on my new adventure! In the meantime, please enjoy this "50 minutes note taking real time | ARMY bts piano | Study with me 🌙"

Warm regards, Diana Banana

ThatBeMeDiana is Currently Reading

Top 10 Tuesday: Self Help Books You Need in 2023

April Reading Haul

Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha LeeRating: 3.5/5

The Two Wrong Halves of Ruby Taylor by Amanda PanitchRating: 4.5/5

Lockdown on London Lane by Beth ReeklesRating: 4/5

Gold Mountain by Betty G. YeeRating: 4/5

Audrey by Sean-Paul ThomasRating: 4/5

Serenity PoemsRating: 4.5/5

Alice in the City of Diamonds by B. A. Lovejoy Review

Alice in the City of Diamonds by B. A. Lovejoy

Mini Treats: Complicit by Winnie M Li Review

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing In the First Half of 2022

Circling Back to You by Julie Tieu Review

Circling Back to You by Julie Tieu

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Winter 2021 To-read List

Mini Treat: Edge of the Woods by Jules Kelley

Review: Velvet by Temple West

Velvet by Temple West

What I didn’t like:

Anyway, I'm Falling in Love With You. by Haruka Mitsui Review

Anyway, I'm Falling in Love With You. by Haruka Mitsui

Paper Girl and the Knives That Made Her by Ari. B. Cofer Review

Mini Treat: Goddess of the Rose by P.C. Cast Review

Mini Treats: Trusting True North by Gina Linko

Top Ten Tuesday: Freebie - Ten Books by Asian Authors

Alice in the Land of Clovers by Bethany Anne Lovejoy Review

Winter Themed Stocking Stuffers

Quotes from His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman that make you cry or think

Heart of a Witch by Rebecca L. Garcia

The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel

Where Traitors Fall by Kate Callaghan

Welcome to my blog!

Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee
Rating: 3.5/5

The Two Wrong Halves of Ruby Taylor by Amanda Panitch
Rating: 4.5/5

Lockdown on London Lane by Beth Reekles
Rating: 4/5

Gold Mountain by Betty G. Yee
Rating: 4/5

Audrey by Sean-Paul Thomas
Rating: 4/5

Serenity Poems
Rating: 4.5/5