21st Century Once Upon a Time's

Birthday Musings | 24 Lessons I've Learned from Book Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 12:34:00 +0000

✼ Tomorrow I turn twenty-four ✼

That's right, dear readers - I am one step closer to becoming one of those brilliant wallflower heroines in historical romance novels! Jokes aside [although Victorian era fashion is to die for!], I've actually been looking forward to turning twenty-four.

This past year has been a journey and one that has shaped me into my 'adult' self. This adult self still avidly watches cartoons and binges cat videos...but she also has some pretty great new qualities and skills.

One of the biggest factors to have shaped me in life is literature.

Books have been my constant companions, mentors and havens throughout my life. And I've noticed more and more that I'll reference books [moments, or quotes] when dealing with life's trials. I've found so much wisdom between the pages of books and some of these nuggets of wisdom have become cornerstones of life for me.

Today I'll be sharing twenty-four lessons literature has taught me.

Books through their characters have given me so many incredible life lessons and I thought I'd share some of those with you lovelies today. Some are deep...some are the complete opposite! But all are true gems. I hope you enjoy reading through them!

So without further ado...let's get into it!

(1) Having good, loyal friends is essential

Whether it was The Golden Trio from the Harry Potter series or the deep, abiding bond between friends and allies in the Throne of Glass series, true friends have always been a literary staple. No matter what odds a protagonist has to face - during the darkest of times, anything is possible when they have the support of their friends.

This is a lesson that seems quite matter-of-fact but is actually something that has become a focal point of mine fairly recently - in the last couple of years or so. I used to view friendship as something that existed within its own sphere. It was never something that had the power to truly aid and heal, in the way it seems to do in the fictional world.

But I realised it's all timing. Eventually, fate connects you with kindred spirits whose friendship provides you with opportunities for personal growth. True friendships embrace the good, the bad and the ugly and a true friendship is something to treasure always.

(2) Sacrifices are a part of life's journey

A constant theme in literature is that of sacrifice. From the Harry Potter series [again!], the Gemma Doyle trilogy and the His Dark Materials books (to name a few), literature continuously integrates sacrifice and tragedy. Someone is always nobly offering their life in place of another's - or keeping secrets/lying to their loved one to keep them safe. There is this idea that victory cannot be secured without some sort of loss - a ritual of sorts, where the character evolves into the person they are meant to be via a 'trial by fire'-esque scenario.

Sacrifice is a part of adult life. True, it's often not as dramatic as fictional sacrifices (thank goodness!) but it's still often necessary to sacrifice your own immediate happiness or wants for the greater good of, for e.g., your family or for your own goals and future aspirations.

These last six years for me have been full of sacrifices. And I've come to understand that one can find joy amongst it all. You can find a quiet kind of contentment in knowing that the things you are sacrificing will pay off in the long run, or that they will contribute to your own growth as a human being.

(3) Pursue your goals and dreams

Every novel has at least one of these characters. Whether it's the ladies of The Writing Girls series who pursue their love of writing in secret...or Audrey-Rose from the Stalking Jack The Ripper who dares to claim a 'man's' profession as her own. There are always incredible women and men in literature who chase their dreams and future goals with everything in them.

But novels also cover the flip side of the pursuit - the doubts. The loss of hope (usually at the novel's 3/4 mark!) or the brief abandoning of their dream when the going gets rough. It's comforting to see our own doubts and insecurities about the practicality of our own dreams and ambitions reflected in these characters.

I myself have had many moments in my many years of education where I have questioned the path I have set for myself. But if there's one lesson book characters have taught me, it's to shake off those moments of doubt and not let them extinguish your passion, your drive, for your end goals.

(4) Find your hobby

Hobbies in novels are rarely activities the characters do because they have no other choice (with the exception, perhaps, of Victorian ladies making sewing samplers or playing the pianoforte!). From Harry Potter's love of Quidditch, to Clary Fray's immersion in art - many book characters have hobbies and interests they hold close to their heart. These hobbies often help them soothe their souls during darker times, or provide them with much-needed escape or support.

Hobbies have become something I have been pursuing over the last year because I've found they give me something beyond the everyday. Beyond the same-old-same-old routine of my life and the monotony of study, work, etc. Some of these hobbies of mine include: music composing, painting (e.g. acrylic pours), clay work, bushwalking, writing and photography. Each activity gives me...something. It connects to a part of me that needs nurturing and helps me grow as a person.

(5) Everyone has a story

Every book I've ever read has had primary and secondary characters of some sort. And occasional the book will have me thinking: "What happened to that girl they briefly met in the first book?" or "I bet that character has an intriguing backstory." Sometimes authors also realise that secondary characters have fulfilling lives and give us world expansions (the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series, for example).

I feel like that is a philosophy we should all have in our everyday lives too. That whilst we may be the 'protagonists' of our own story, the people we interact with - or pass by, briefly in life - have their own stories. Maybe sometimes we can lend an ear to them, or show them through our actions how they're appreciated and supported.

(6) Love...is not a triangle

Despite what Twilight has led us all to believe (along with many, many other YA novels!), love triangles are nothing short of disastrous. Literature love triangles especially can be messy, emotional garbage-fires that really don't showcase the deep and maturity that real love and real relationships should and do have. True, some are just cheesy works of fiction. But others can set harmful standards for real-life relationships.

As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate novels that provide a more realistic view of love. That have couples willing to communicate, to better one another and to face their struggles and trials in productive manners. And relationships that are toxic or flawed aren't glorified or made to seem like good options - I like that authors are taking steps to show their readers that they deserve respect and dignity from their relationships.

(7) Communication is a gift

Linking to the love triangle, romance point - communication is everything. How many times have you read a novel where the main character was like: "Uhhh I should tell this person about [insert very important plot point] but I won't because I want to protect them...which makes total sense." Again, this is usually 3/4 mark stuff in books and you want to just roll your eyes and shout "TELL. THEM. THE. TRUUUUUTH!"

Book characters have taught me that things can resolve - and people can finally heal - when the truth is put on the table. Clarifying situations and openly communicating your thoughts and feelings with people close to you isn't easy. Not at all. But it is a great habit to acquire and one that will definitely make life easier for everyone involved.

(8) Mental health + illness are complex

So many books have put an emphasis on mental awareness and helping reduce stigma when it comes to people suffering from mental illnesses. Willow by Julia Hoban and Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers are two examples of novels that really impacted me, affecting me deeply. They are works that focus on raw, unapologetic portrayals of the struggles so many people deal with daily - battles they fight in and against their own minds.

I have struggled with my own mental health for years now (7-8 years to be exact) and am genuinely relieved that I have been able to find the tools, wisdom and support necessary to deal with the trials that arise. No sugar coating, though - some days are hard. And it may sound cheesy, but sometimes just reading about characters with mental illness...seeing my thoughts, my unspoken words and emotions on the page...is such a cathartic process. I really hope authors continue to come out with books that deal with this difficult subject matter - they do a world of good.

(9) Be the hero of your own story

This one's pretty simple. If heroes and heroines in books have taught me anything, it's that don't wait around for other people to save you! If there's something that needs doing - if there are difficult decisions that need to be made - take the initiative.

This doesn't mean you have to go at life alone. Finding support and knowing when to ask for help are important. But I think a really good fictional example is Harry Potter (I know, I'm using this series again!). There are times in the series where Harry needs Ron and Hermione by his side and their support is vital...but there are also times where Harry alone has to do what needs to be done.

(10) Small Southern towns are Cupid's favourite destination

This is a nod to every single contemporary romance novel that is:

Set at a Southern bed and breakfast
Set on a Southern ranch
Set in a Southern bar
Set at a Southern wedding destination
Set in a small Southern boutique/bakery/speciality store run by a sweet and single Southern woman

Basically, they (and the Hallmark channel!) have taught me that the South is where Cupid permanently vacations!

(11) Wallflowers are awesome

If it isn't a more modern novel like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, it's a classic like Northanger Abbey or Pride and Prejudice. Wallflowers may not always have the social skills necessary to make a big 'splash' in society or earn the admiration of their peers...but they shine a quiet, steady light that is noticeable to the right people.

(12) Grandparents are fountains of wisdom (& stories!)

Especially in contemporary romance novels, some confused single person is always rocking up to their grandma/grandpa's front porch to hear some much-needed advice. Maybe their grandmother is also deadly with weapons (like in the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews!)...but the fact remains that grandparents are often shown as a source of comfort, wisdom and endless stories of days long past.

Over the past year, I have come to have a newfound appreciation of grandparents. I lost one of my grandfathers mid-2019 and it left me feeling adrift, deeply sad and as if time was slipping through my fingers. I realised I needed more time - more time sitting with the grandparents I had left, hearing their stories and just being with them. They're priceless treasures and I plan to continue my own project of writing down their stories as keepsakes into my 24th year.

(13) Always be nice to witches

Just ask the people in Sleeping Beauty or Beauty and the Beast. Bad things happen when you make witches mad!

(14) Women should support women

I'll keep this short (because I could write pages on the subject!) but I just wanted to shine a spotlight on my favourite topic: women supporting women.

There is nothing better than reading about sisterhoods - women who come together and admire their differences, raising one another to new heights instead of being dragged down by petty jealousies. Like with strong friendships, a strong sense of sisterhood can help women to thrive and deal with the trials they face in this ever-changing world.

Books and the bookish + bookstagram communities have introduced me to so many incredible women and I'm continuously thankful for their bright presence in my life.

(15) Different cultures have value

#Ownvoices fiction has been such an incredible world of diverse perspectives and experiences. One of my favourite #ownvoices authors - Randa Abdel-Fattah - was my first plunge into the genre and I ate up every word. There was something utterly engaging about the raw, realistic voices of these characters. Their lives in between the pages of their books opened my own eyes to the lives of their real-life counterparts.

I think this is an important attitude to have in life, too. To be open to the opinions, thoughts, perspectives, cultures, religions and life experiences of other people. To not let the fear of the 'different' or the 'other' alienate us from one another. To find peace and solidarity as a human race.

(16) You have a voice - use it!

To quote Laurie Halse Anderson: “When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time.” Whether it's the Hunger Games series - or some other dystopian/sci-fi novel - we're forever seeing rebellions, protests and outcries for justice.

It's important to speak out in real life too. To prove that bravery and fighting for what is right don't only exist in novels or Hollywood scenarios. I have made it a personal goal to always call out - and own up to - unreasonable behaviour. Whether it's as simple as the way we verbally communicate with others or stopping hurtful patterns of behaviour - remaining silent should not be the default option.

(17) Being the new girl/boy means unbelievable things WILL happen!

I mean in J.L. Armentrout's Lux series those unbelievable things came in the form of a seriously hot alien guy and wicked awesome powers! But often being the new girl/boy in YA fiction means that you're 99.9% likely to be the protagonist...and a target for all the forces of evil!

(18) Animal sidekicks are the best

I mean...do I need to convince you?! Animal sidekicks are both adorable and functional.

(19) Accents make you interesting

...or so I've read. I mean, I have an Australian accent and it has gotten me nowhere! So maybe it only counts if you've got a British one lol (and are a missing/brooding prince).

(20) Dragons are cool

Again...do I need to convince you?!

Game of Thrones

The Inheritance Cycle

The Hobbit

Talon series

Firelight series

And many, many more fiery reads can attest to that!

(21) Teachers & mentors are amazing individuals

*hair flips* Or so I've been told! Putting aside that it's my chosen profession lol, teaching and mentoring are staples of fiction. I think it's inspiring that these figures have chosen to use their lives, time and effort to shape and mould young minds, leading them to their destinies.

I mean...characters like Dumbledore and Gandalf could have done a better job. But at least they tried!

(22) Life is a journey of self-discovery

All coming-of-age novels have some sort of 'self-discovery journey'. The protagonist will start off unsure and conflicted, and will eventually mature - growing in understanding, learning from experiences and making important decisions about their path in life.

It's important to sometimes view ourselves as book characters...ones with more chapters to go until the end! I know I'm always expecting my journey to be easy and quick, so I can get to the mature and content part. But maybe we need to focus more on the idea of growth as evolution - something gradual, ongoing and hard to clearly define. We never truly stop learning or growing as human beings.

(23) The Hogwarts mail delivery system needs an upgrade

Still. Waiting :(

(24) Books are life

Bookworms across literature - and real-life - would agree!

Books are so special. And I truly love how they open doors for our minds to explore both externally (other people, other places, other times) and internally (within ourselves). Their power is immense and their reach astronomical. We are truly blessed to have authors whose creativity and passion have given us so many gems to read and treasure.

What is a lesson books have taught you?
Which book has had the most impact on you?

Let me know in the comments below!

Myths & Legends | The Harp of Kings Review + Author Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 01:35:00 +0000

Myths and legends are like ink wells.

Writers dip their mental quills into these ink wells, drawing from them inspiration to construct their own timeless tales. There is a sense of the ancient - of mystery, wild magic and hidden depths to explore. And one author who does this so brilliantly is the incredible Juliet Marillier.

Juliet Marillier is a treasured storyteller.

Throughout my life my love of whimsical, wild magic stories has continued to thrive. I remember reading Juliet Marillier’s novel Wildwood Dancing for the first time and being swept away by what can only be described as storytelling magic. Her stories speak to me as if from a forgotten past - they feel like glimpses into old and mystical worlds. They hold a classic charm that failed to fade over time - instead, becoming all the more poignant and treasured.

Today's post is about her latest novel The Harp of Kings.

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The Harp of Kings is an absolute gem of a novel and I'm truly excited today to not only be giving my review of it but to also be sharing with you all my interview with Juliet Marillier! Both the review and the interview can be found below.

A massive thank you to Juliet Marillier and the team over at Pan Macmillan Australia for helping organise this incredible interview opportunity + sending me a review copy of this incredible book to read and review.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

The Harp of Kings (Warrior Bards #1)
By Juliet Marillier

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Pub Date: September 3rd 2019
Page(s): 464 pages
Price: $29.99 (AUD - Paperback)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My thoughts: My first impression of The Harp of Kings was...how was this written by a mere mortal?!

This may sound like an exaggeration, but those who have read a Marillier novel before will understand. There is an air of The Iliad or the Aeneid about her works. The detail, the complexity of every single character - all the elements of her story weave a vivid tapestry that feels as if it doesn't belong to our modern world. You become immersed in her world and her characters from the first page, and this is no small feat. Rather, it is a testament to her storytelling sorcery.

This book is told through three perspectives: Liobhan, Brocc and Dau. I really love how across Liobhan & Brocc's perspectives you get a good grasp of the dynamics of their sibling relationship, which helps us as readers connect to them (especially emotionally, throughout their various trials). Dau's perspective is a nice shift in tone too and never felt out-of-place or unnecessary.

In fact, looking back on my reading of The Harp of Kings, something Juliet mentioned in our interview together rings true: "I [Juliet] write in the knowledge that every character is the centre of his or her own story." And it truly shows - no character feels two-dimensional or lacking in depth. Each one is their own masterpiece, brought to life between the book's pages.

Since this is a spoiler-free review I won't reveal too much of the plot, so it remains a mystery for all of you to uncover. However, I will say:

The song snippets are everything
I appreciate that character arcs and relationships are not fully evolved or stagnant. This leaves room for growth and further development in the rest of the series.
The ending had me close to tears (and dying for Book #2!)

Overall, there is true, heartwarming magic in The Harp of Kings that will stand the test of time. I highly recommend it to lovers of fantasy and of epic journeys whose characters will find a special place in your heart.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today

Find more information about this title on the Pan Macmillan site

“I cannot come with you wherever you go,
And I cannot stay by you in joy and in woe,
But I’ll be beside you, though gone from your sight,
I’ll love you and guard you till we meet in the light.”

The official book trailer can be seen below!

The Harp of Kings: Juliet Marillier Interview

Juliet Marillier was born in New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy.

Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing. Juliet is the author of twenty historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet's novels and short stories have won many awards. She is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)

Booknut: Juliet, may I just say that The Harp of Kings is a thing of beauty. Growing up I adored the Wildwood series for its vivid imagery and the way it seemed to capture the natural magic and charm so often associated with traditional fairytales. I found The Harp of Kings to be very reminiscent of the Wildwood series, with a winsome blend of folklore and fantasy elements. Were there any particular historical stories, or folklore tales, that inspired you during The Harp of Kings’ creation?

Juliet: Thank you so much – I’m delighted that you enjoyed the book. The Harp of Kings wasn’t inspired by any particular story, historical or traditional, though the tale Eirne tells about the harp is loosely based on Irish mythology, and Aislinn’s doll is named after a mythical queen of Erin.

As for Swan Island, whose mysterious fighting force first appeared in some of my earlier series, there’s an old Irish story about a warrior woman, Scathach, who trained the hero Cu Chulainn in the art of battle. Her stronghold was on the Isle of Skye. I was delighted to open up the Swan Island establishment to women in this series and to include an outstanding female fighter as one my protagonists.

Booknut: Music seems to be at the very core of The Harp of Kings. Not only is the story centred around the retrieval of a precious harp, but its main protagonists include a singer and whistle player, as well as a talented harpist. My personal favourite parts however have to be the song snippets that are scattered throughout. They’re so poignant and layered with meaning. What was the writing process like for those?

Juliet: I love to write verses and song lyrics, and as I am a musician I do usually make up a tune to go with each. I find writing real poetry very challenging, but verses of this kind seem to come naturally, perhaps because I was brought up on folk music and still love to sing. I’m very happy that you liked the song snippets – there were more originally but my publisher made me cut them back!

Booknut: The Harp of Kings’ chapters alternate between Liobhan’s, Dau’s and Brocc’s perspectives. I really like that as a reader you get to peek into the minds of these characters whose perspectives are different yet detailed. None of the perspectives seemed ‘less’ than the other – they worked together in a really beautiful harmony. Which was your personal favourite perspective to write from and why?

Juliet: That is a tricky question! I’m fond of all three characters and I loved creating an individual voice for each of them. If pressed on the issue I would probably choose Liobhan, because I love how passionate and sure she is about issues that matter to her – so much so that it sometimes gets her in trouble. I’d give the ‘most compelling’ award to a Dau chapter, and the ‘most fun to write’ award to a Brocc chapter.

Booknut: On their journey in The Harp of Kings, Liobhan, Dau and Brocc all come across a variety of colourful characters and beings. I personally really enjoyed meeting Eirne, who was really intriguing and complex in nature. Which secondary character did you enjoy writing about the most?

Juliet: Definitely Mistress Juniper, the wise woman, though little Aislinn would be a close second. I love creating well-rounded secondary characters – I write in the knowledge that every character is the centre of his or her own story – and I enjoyed developing Juniper’s role as a person who stands between worlds, with an understanding of and connection with both the human kingdom and Eirne’s uncanny realm. Juniper is shrewd and down to earth as well as deeply intuitive. The relationship between her and the sceptical Dau was interesting to write.

And of course, being a crazy dog lady myself, I love the dog characters! There are two in The Harp of Kings and two others in the second book, which I’ve just finished writing.

Booknut: Like many of your stories, The Harp of Kings features characters who – either directly or indirectly – engage in various forms of storytelling. Whether they’re listening to the tales of others, or imparting tales of their own through story or song, storytelling seems to be vital form of communication. What role does storytelling play in The Harp of Kings?

Juliet: I guess in a novel about bards, some storytelling was inevitable, along with the songs! But yes, I do tend to include storytelling in many of my books and it’s always for a purpose. In this novel, the mythical tale of the Harp of Kings, told by the druid Faelan to Brocc, gives us some vital clues to the story’s central mystery.

But storytelling also achieves other ends in this book: a tale provides the opportunity for one character to put into words a painful personal secret; a tale told as part of a childhood game reveals critical information; a tale from the past casts insight on the present. The song lyrics mentioned earlier are another kind of storytelling. While our bardic characters sing to entertain people, the words of their songs are usually relevant to their own situation or feelings.

Booknut: When I read a detailed, well-worded story like The Harp of Kings I’m always tempted to bookmark every page! There are so many quotes that just resonate deeply with me, due to where they’ve been placed, the choice of words, and the impression they leave. Do you have a favourite quote from The Harp of Kings?

Juliet: I quite like this, from one of Brocc’s scenes: ‘I have walked willingly into the Otherworld, and now there is no way out.’ That is the scene I usually choose when I’m asked to read aloud from the book, even though it requires me to sing!

And there’s a scene where Liobhan stands up in a council of powerful men and challenges them over their withholding of crucial information. She’s a risk-taker, and I love her courage and her passion for justice:
‘Nobody speaks. Dau’s words echo in my mind. Hold yourself tall. Tell the truth. “My silence can bring the harp back,” I say. “What is the purpose of your silence?”’

Booknut: Without spoiling anything, the ending for The Harp of Kings was highly emotional and bittersweet. I think the line “I’ll love you and guard you til we meet in the light” was particularly impactful (and may have made me cry a bit!). Did you always plan for The Harp of Kings to end in such a way (i.e. a cliff-hanger)?

Juliet: Yes, I did plan to end the book that way, though to me it doesn’t feel like a cliff-hanger! The Harp of Kings is the first instalment in a trilogy, and while each book has its own stand-alone story, the personal stories of our three central characters stretch over the whole series. Readers can be reassured that they will find out what happened next for Liobhan, Brocc and Dau, as well as some of the supporting cast.

Booknut: The Harp of Kings is Book #1 in the Warrior Bards trilogy. The trilogy has been described as focusing on ‘an organization of elite operatives -- MI6 in a medieval-style fantasy world -- who use magic, song, poetry, weapons, and combat skills to solve crimes and protect the public’ [Publishers' Marketplace]. Are there any hints you can give as to what readers can expect from the upcoming books?

Juliet: Our protagonists face different challenges in each book. Things get more personal in Book #2, where one character must face up to the demons of the past at uncomfortably close quarters. Book #2 has two parallel stories, one unfolding in the human world and one in the Otherworld, and the two gradually converge. As well as music, this book contains monks, lawyers, fist fights, an uncanny ferryman and some ancient ancestors. Plus more unforgettable dog characters. Plenty of mystery and intrigue, with very high stakes for our central trio.

Booknut: The Harp of Kings is the kind of book that can’t help but leave a lasting impression in its readers’ minds. If you could tell readers one message or moral of the story to take away from The Harp of Kings, what would it be?

Juliet: Be brave, hold your head high, speak out for truth and justice.

It was an absolute joy and honour to have the opportunity to interview Juliet and chat about the masterpiece that is The Harp of Kings. A massive thank you to her for taking the time to answer my questions.

What is your favourite myth or legend?
Do you have a favourite Juliet Marillier novel?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

♡ Brief Life Update ♡

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 04:20:00 +0000

Hey lovelies!

Just wanted to let you all know that reviews, interviews (both author + my new, upcoming bookstagrammers series!) and more will be up by September!

I'm so sorry for the short absence. I've had a number of losses in my family over the last few months and have had to take the time to be with the ones I love - taking the time to remember, rest and heal.

Thank you all for being absolutely incredible and I can't wait to share the projects I have lined up. Keep an eye out for my interview with author Juliet Marillier which will be featured here on September 6th! I can't wait to share my chat with her and my thoughts on her brand new novel The Harp of Kings.

All the hugs,

Booknut 101

Igniting The Imagination | We Hunt The Flame (Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 02:46:00 +0000

There are books that are well-written.

A well-written book is like a cake. A certain 'recipe' can be followed, certain measures can be taken. There is a process that can be perfected in order to 'bake' a book and have a satisfactory novel as an end result.

And then there are books that are masterpieces.

We Hunt The Flame is such a book. It wasn't made using a go-to 'recipe'. It forges its own path and has a distinct flair and originality that makes it a truly memorable gem of a read. My full thoughts on the book are below.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this incredible book to read and review.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1)
By Hafsah Faizal

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Pub Date: May 14th 2019
Page(s): 480
Price: $18.99 (AUD - Paperback)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My thoughts: We Hunt The Flame is a vivid tapestry of Arabian and fantasy elements, resulting in an unforgettable journey that is worthy of its own legend.

From the very first page, I was hooked by Hafsah Faizal's clever worldbuilding and seamless integration of Arabic terms and concepts. Oftentimes it is difficult for an author to effectively and accurately merge another culture or a language with English storytelling or within a fantasy world. We Hunt The Flame has no issues with this at all, allowing for an immediate - almost instant - immersion into the kingdom of Arawiya.

As I progressed through the novel, there was never a moment where I felt like a traveller in an unknown land. Hafsah Faizal's writing style is utterly poetic and reveals her world in easy-to-digest snippets that always tease at deeper or greater revelations to come. We Hunt The Flame was not a novel that ever released its hold on me. There was never a time where my mind and imagination disengaged from the plot and its characters. That level of storytelling from a debut novel speaks volumes as to Hafsah Faizal's true talent as an author.

Nasir was a brilliant character. His title, or persona, of 'The Prince of Death' is a fascinating contrast to the layered and complex man he is. Both he and Zafira were so fleshed-out, with detailed motivations and personal flaws and triumphs...it was a joy to read about both of them. I am usually the sort of person who dislikes switches in character POV, as it usually ruins my immersion in the book. But due to the wonderful construction of these characters, I became so invested in them that I was eager to slip from POV to POV and experience the inner thoughts of each one.

The chemistry between character was off the charts! I have ever only truly felt the like in the Throne of Glass series - that kind of connection that leaps off of the page. The following quote is a great example:

'Their lips touched.

Once, barely. Twice, scarcely.

And her world disappeared.

She had never expected a hashashin’s lips to be so soft. So gentle. Like the first snow across the jumu’a, melting at mere embrace. But Zafira had befriended the darkness. She had slain safin and ifrit. She was the Huntress. She was magic.

Zafira bint Iskandar did not want gentle from the Prince of Death. She wanted more.

He pulled back and read her face. She traced his scar with one trembling finger, and he murmured a curse as something wild gripped her. She knotted her hands in his hair—pausing at the softness between her fingers, the feel of him against her—before she pulled him closer.'

To say I liked We Hunt The Flame is an understatement. I adored every page, every sentence, every word. It's a literary masterpiece and I cannot wait to read what Hafsah Faizal has in store for us bookworms next.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

‘All Demenhune looked like ghosts, but the Huntress moved like one, too.

Nasir wondered what it was like to live without the endless and ever-shifting sands beneath one’s feet. Without the sun deepening one’s skin and rooting in one’s soul. Without the push and pull as the heat of the sun-drenched and the cold of the moon caressed.

He glanced back to find her watching him, for once, unreadable. Her lips were pursed.

Why did the compass lead me to you? he wanted to ask.

He looked away first.'

Have you read We Hunt The Flame, or will you be adding it to your TBR?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Love On The Ranch | The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings (ARC Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Thu, 30 May 2019 04:27:00 +0000

Country romance stories are a balm to the soul.

They remind me of movie days snuggled up on the couch or cradling a cup of tea as you gaze out of a window at the view beyond. It's a type of...warmth. They somehow embody this warm, cosy feeling - connecting with the emotions, trials and wants that us readers feel as deeply as country romance characters do. They make us long for simpler times and simple comforts of the heart.

The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings is one such novel.

A big thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title. My thoughts on this TBR tale of love, loss and redemption are below.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings (A Mile High Romance Book #5)
By Nicole Helm

Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, Country, Fiction
Publisher: Kensington Books
Pub Date: 25 June 2019 (TBR)
Page(s): 304
Price: $12.99 (AUD - Paperback)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My thoughts: The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings is like something out of a Hallmark Channel movie. The book's romance takes a front seat and steers the reader into a whirlwind of emotions - the story flying by in an array of vivid, impactful scenes that touch the heart.

Gavin and Lou are the quintessential 'missed connection' case. Both have harboured half-realised feelings for one another since their teens years. However, neither have acted upon these feelings, choosing instead the convenience of friendship over the risk of romance.

But they have such a deep, abiding connection that chemistry between them is inevitable. Especially when Gavin proposes a way to help Lou save her family's ranch: marriage. To him.

'He had a solution. One he knew she’d refuse and hate, but maybe if things were this bad . . . Hell, it was worth a shot. What was there to lose? Your dignity? He shoved that thought away and grinned at her.

“I hate your ideas,” she said.

“And you’ll undoubtedly hate this one, but I don’t see you coming up with better.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine, what is it?”

“You could marry me.”

She laughed, and it was nearly foreign for as little as he’d heard that sound from her lately. “Yeah, sure, Gav. We’ll get married."'

One of the most magnetic qualities both Gav and Lou possess is their vulnerability. Despite their outward bravado and vocalised 'reasons' for agreeing to the plan, both are subconsciously using the plan to gain access to what could be between them, should they take a chance. They have the opportunity to support one another and to be the 'better half' the other needs:

[About Lou] '“She needs a partner. Someone to support her without suffocating her. She needs someone she’ll share some of that weight with. Someone who understands she’s gonna take more than her share of that weight on herself. Someone who cares about her regardless of getting a ranch out of the deal. That going to be you?"'

Their 'playacting' as fiancés is, in fact, a very real period of emotional revelation for each of them. It's a chance to explore what lies between them and to decide whether it's work risking everything for. The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings is a tale of longing and of trusting - of exploring life's 'what ifs?' and taking a chance on the deepest desires of one's heart.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

‘“Anyway,” he said. (...) “I’m going to move in, touch your face, and you’re going to count to fifteen, then back away.”

“All this acting seems . . . over the top.”
“You want to play it a different way? I’m all ears.”

Gavin’s fingers brushed her cheek, almost like he was wiping off a smudge. His fingers rough, the touch delicate, and then they simply lingered there.

(...) He angled his head again, this time tipping it so his hat brim hid most of their faces from the house. When he spoke, it was a heated kind of whisper, a tone of voice she’d never heard come out of his mouth, because good Lord, she’d have remembered that.

“You forgot to count,” he murmured, too close to her ear.'

What do you enjoy about contemporary romance? Will you be adding The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings to your TBR?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Love, Murder & Rogues...Oh My! | Project Duchess (ARC Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Wed, 29 May 2019 01:04:00 +0000

Historical romance novels are my kryptonite.

There is something about the historical fiction genre that is utterly captivating. I adore the witty banter, longing glances and Hallmark movie-esque moments (shout out to Regency gazebos and strolls through picturesque gardens!). Romantic connections develop under the pressure of social conventions, familial expectations, and future prospects...and become stronger for it. It's a world of contrasts - composedness and spontaneity, rules and rule-breaking, cool regard and fiery passion.

Project Duchess is an ode to your inner romantic.

Following its characters as they find love, despite the ghosts of their past, is an absolute delight. Sabrina Jeffries is an incredible wordsmith and does a brilliant job of bringing these characters to life.

A big thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title. My thoughts on this TBR literary gem are below.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

Project Duchess (Duke Dynasty #1)
By Sabrina Jeffries

Genre(s): Romance, Historical, Fiction
Publisher: Kensington Books
Pub Date: June 25th 2019 (TBR)
Page(s): 352
Price: $19.99 (AUD - Paperback)

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

My thoughts: Project Duchess is a historical romance creatively embellished with murder-mystery elements. It's a clever take on a rogue wooing a lady of lower status (a tale as old as time!) and the trials standing in the way of their happily ever after.

I read Project Duchess in one sitting (10pm - 1:30am) and couldn't put it down. Bea and Grey were characters who didn't simply reside statically between the pages of the book - they projected themselves through it. They were vibrant, full of personality and complex motivations. Their initial interactions were playful, even when they were at odds:

“Bea, as you may have deduced, this is my brother Grey.”

“Half brother,” Greycourt corrected him.

Sheridan scowled. “You just had to make the distinction, didn’t you?”

“If I didn’t, the lady would be confused. Since you’re the heir to the Armitage dukedom, she’d be forced to wonder if I am merely much younger than I look or if I’m illegitimate. I am neither, so I thought it best to clarify.”

“Don’t worry, sir,” Beatrice said with false sweetness. “Not all of us make assumptions without being aware of the facts.”

“Really?” Greycourt drawled. “How unusual.”

Their connection was a steady flame that carried itself throughout the novel from start to finish. Even during dancing lessons, the chemistry between the two characters was off the charts:

'"I haven’t managed to master the French version, though. I can only do the English one.”

“Not too many people do the French step in London anyway. But if you really want to learn, it’s not so difficult. Just let me lead you.”

“I will do whatever you wish, Your Grace.”

Something dangerously enticing flickered in his gaze. “Every time you offer to do whatever I wish, you tempt me, Beatrice,” he murmured. “So don’t offer unless you mean it.”

But it wasn't just the surface-level attraction between the two that drew me in. It was their deep and abiding respect for one another. Even when he is not yet fully aware of the extent and intensity of his feelings for Bea, Grey's admiration for her is clearly evident:

'“With enough fine clothes and subtle cosmetics and a lady’s maid to dress her hair to greatest advantage, anybody can be a beauty.” He stared her down. “But only a few have beauty bred in the bone. And you, my dear lady, even in your mourning clothes, with your lovely locks simply dressed, are one of those."'

Project Duchess made me smile and it made me tear up - a rollercoaster of emotions for a thrill-ride of a read. If you love historical fiction (or want to be whisked away by a romantic duke for an hour or two!) be sure to grab yourself a copy when it is released on June 25th.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

‘After a moment, she murmured, “I’ve lost count of how many turns we’ve made.”

The words only half broke the spell she’d cast over him. “So have I.” Yet they kept turning.

“Are we still even dancing ‘Jenny’s Market’?” Her voice was breathy, her eyes wide (...). It mirrored his own.

“Not quite.” Lowering his mouth to within a hairbreadth of hers, he said, “I believe musicians would call this a variation upon the dance.”

He hovered there a moment to give her a chance to protest what they both knew he meant to do. Then he covered her mouth with his, exulting in how she rose to his kiss.

What do you enjoy about the historical romance genre? Will you be adding Project Duchess to your TBR?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

A Magical, Slow-Burn Romance | Howl's Moving Castle (Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Tue, 28 May 2019 00:54:00 +0000

A heart's a heavy burden...

Many novels incorporate elements of romance. Some, with a heavy hand - passionate, fiery connections that burn bright and hot. Others, with a subtler touch - the occasional glance, stolen moments, leading to a love that burns steady and true.

I myself have always been more partial to slow-burn romances. Romances that allow the characters involved to get to know one another on a deeper level than the physical. A romance for me shouldn't overshadow the plot or act as a substitute for it. And a perfect example of this is Howl's Moving Castle.

Howl's Moving Castle is a modern classic.

I fell in love many years ago with the Studio Ghibli adaption of Howl's Moving Castle. It was colourful, fun and entertaining. From the beautiful soundtrack to the perfectly cast voice actors, it was an utter success and an immediate favourite. However, it wasn't until recently that I found the time to pick up the original tale in book form and give it a go.

A wizard's breakfast! (Original HD post can be found on my bookstagram)

From the very first page I was captivated by Diana Wynne Jones' special brand of storytelling magic. I can't wait to share my thoughts on this epic novel and its unforgettable adventure with you all (see below).

So without further ado...let's get into it!

Howl's Moving Castle
By Diana Wynne Jones

Genre(s): YA, fantasy, adventure
Pub Date: August, 2001
Page(s): 329

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My thoughts: There is an air of whimsy - of nonsensical mutterings and magic - that accompanies Howl's Moving Castle. Its unique approach to magical concepts and character development caught my imagination from the get-go.

Let's start with the magic. In a departure from the traditions of mainstream literature, Howl's Moving Castle rarely finds the need to sit its readers down and give them an extensive lesson on the world's magical history.

There are no lengthy paragraphs dedicated to long-winded, monotone explanations. You're so fully immersed in the world that you barely notice as Diana feeds you breadcrumbs of information (e.g. via character conversations and actions) that help you to fully visualise her unique world. There is a 'matter of fact' air about the book's magic that gives a sense of realism to the world and its characters. Magic isn't grand, or awe-inspiring to magic-users - it's as natural to them as breathing. The hints of awe come through Sophie (who acts as a stand-in for us mere mortals) and she is our guide through the weird and wonderful magical shenanigans that take place.

The characters are the icing on top of this fictional cake. They're quirky and flawed and oftentimes vexing. Yet through it all, their brazen honesty and wit call to something in us all and make them not only enjoyable but also memorable.

Howl himself is a vain, fickle creature with seemingly frivolous ambitions. Or as Sophie puts it:

"'He's fickle, careless, selfish, and hysterical,' she said. 'Half the time I think he doesn't care what happens to anyone as long as he's alright--but then I find out how awfully kind he's been to someone. Then I think he's kind just when it suits him--only then I find out he undercharges poor people. I don't know, Your Majesty. He's a mess.'”

Sophie, on the other hand, is the family doormat - discontent with her lot in life but lacking the courage to ignite change. She lives to feel needed by others - to provide labours of love in the hopes of being loved in returned. Although she's the heroine (and as such we're set up to be sympathetic to her plight) she's still in need of personal growth. Much of the wisdom she needs, funnily enough, can be found in Howl:

“'You are a terror, aren't you? Leave this yard alone. I know just where everything is in it, and I won't be able to find the things I need for my transport spells if you tidy them up.'

So there was probably a bundle of souls or a box of chewed hearts somewhere out here, Sophie thought. She felt really thwarted. ‘Tidying up is what I’m here for!’ she shouted at Howl.

‘Then you must think of a new meaning for your life,’ Howl said.”

Together, Sophie and Howl are a union of contrasting - and complementing - flaws and idiosyncrasies. They understand the messy, contradictory nature of love and are willing to take it on, despite knowing that the person they love isn't perfect. People are complex and Howl's Moving Castle does a fantastic job of portraying this complexity.

With a brilliant cast of characters (shout out to Turnip Head!) and a beautifully constructed world, Howl's Moving Castle is as vivid and enchanting as its Studio Ghibli adaption. I can't wait to pick up the rest of the series!

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

‘Sophie stared at the blue jewel hanging from Howl’s ear and passed him egg after egg. (...) “I came because I’m your new cleaning lady, of course.”

“Are you indeed?” Howl said, cracking the eggs one-handed and tossing shells among the logs, where Calcifer seemed to be eating them with a lot of snarling and gobbling. “Who says you are?”

“I do,” said Sophie, and she added piously, “I can clean the dirt from this place even if I can’t clean you from your wickedness, young man.”

“Howl’s not wicked,” Michael said.
“Yes, I am,” Howl contradicted him.’

Have you watched/read Howl's Moving Castle? If so, did you enjoy it?!

Let me know in the comments below!

'Tis Written In the Stars | Star Crossed (Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 08:11:00 +0000

Why don't we rewrite the stars?

All The Greatest Showman lyrics aside (I just couldn't resist!), I've always found astrology to be an intriguing pseudoscience. It seemingly bridges the gap between the terrestrial and the celestial, bringing with it various forms of divination from horoscopes to tarot readings. It's almost as if astrology provides a way for us mere mortals to peek beyond the mundane and to take a glimpse at the tapestry of life woven by Fate.

Is love written in the stars...or in the Alexandria Park Star?

Minnie Darke's Star Crossed utilises astrology as a device to bring together two souls for a fresh and fun romance. Its protagonist - Justine - works for the Alexandria Park Star. She makes a small alteration to the magazine's astrology column, in the hopes of securing the attention - and affection! - of her old friend Nick. Star Crossed follows the comical consequences of Justine's meddling and asks the question: are some people really destined to be together?

A big thank you to Penguin Books Australia for sending me a copy of Star Crossed to review! Below are my thoughts on the novel + more information on the book for those of you interested in reading Star Crossed for yourselves.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

Star Crossed
By Minnie Darke

Genre(s): Romance, contemporary, chick lit, fiction
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Pub Date: March 5th 2019
Page(s): 387
Price: $32.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

Best part(s): Minnie Darke is a fantastic contemporary storyteller.

There is a quirky, almost slightly off-centre air to her characters and their thought processes - they seem to view the world through a brilliant, yet eccentric lens. And Minnie's writing almost takes the role of a tour guide through the maze of these characters' thoughts, as we're introduced to their quirks and slowly become enamoured with them.

One of my favourite elements of this type of storytelling was the descriptions and dialogue that seemed to ramble along the characters' often nonsensical trains of thought. From gems like "What is an occasional table? A table that's only occasionally a table?", to lines like "wading through a sea of bubble wrap and commemorative china" - Star Crossed is full of vivid imagery that really immerses you in Minnie Darke's world.

No spoilers - but even a certain breakup scene is executed in such a beautifully crafted, yet somehow deeply realistic, manner. Whilst reading Star Crossed you never get the sense that its writing and its characters are anything but genuine. The situations all have a sense of authenticity about them that just makes them really enjoyable to read. Again, no spoilers, but pages 367-370 were my absolute favourites - Minnie Darke pulling all the puzzle pieces of the romance together to create a truly emotionally satisfying scene.

Least favourite part(s): In my personal opinion, Star Crossed became an immersive experience about a fifth, or a quarter of the way into the book. I did find it difficult to fully dive into the story at the beginning and did feel as if the true meat of the story - the action, etc. - started a bit later on in the book.

Also, I became quite fond of Justine and Nick - which made it difficult for me to read through long passages about other secondary characters whom I liked to a degree, but didn't have a vested interest in. These little sidetracks from the main plot did abruptly pull me out of the story at times. However, they don't detract from the entertainment value of Star Crossed as a whole.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

‘Brain: You're going to have to do a better job at distracting them.
Justine: How?
Brain: Just say something!

"Erklärungsnot!" said Justine loudly.

"What?" said Nick.
"Do you need a tissue?" Daniel asked.
"No, no. I was just thinking, the other day, you know, about those great German words that have no translation."

"And what was that one?" Nick asked.
(...) "Erklärungsnot. It means something like 'explanation emergency'. Like when you've got caught out lying, and you don't know how you're going to get out of it."'

What is your star sign? Will you be adding Star Crossed to your TBR?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Re-Imagining The Elements | The Dysasters (Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 09:12:00 +0000

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast have returned with a stormy read!

When I was getting back into reviewing post-hiatus, I took a little while to pick the books I wanted to review. After having read a bunch of books with seemingly tired or recycled concepts (for leisure), I was ready to pick something up that was unique. Something that was going to hold my attention and get me immersed from the get-go.

The Dysasters was my first pick.

When I read the blurb for The Dysasters, my inner Avatar the Last Airbender fangirl jumped for joy! The use of natural elements - water, earth, fire and air - in fiction is usually sporadic or secondary to the plot itself. But The Dysasters held the potential to reimagine the elements and produce a story that would be both inventive and captivating.

A big thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me this copy to review! The full review is down below - but if you'd like a quick summary of my thoughts, feel free to check out my Instagram post on The Dysasters for a mini review.

So without further ado...let's get into it!

The Dysasters
By P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Genre(s): Children's/Teenage Fantasy, Magical realism, YA
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Pub Date: 26th of February 2019
Page(s): 320
Price: $18.99 (AUD)

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars

Best part(s): My favourite part of The Dysasters was the use of illustrations to elevate the story itself. The comic-esque art style was entertaining and enjoyable - it never felt excessive or ill-placed. Every illustration had a purpose and helped to bring the characters and action of The Dysasters to life.

As I mentioned previously in my review intro, the concept of the elements is one that holds so much wealth when it comes to storytelling, if an author approaches it in the right way. And The Dysasters as a series seems to be on the path to creating a memorable team of characters with intriguing elemental capabilities.

I also really enjoyed that the main protagonists Foster and Tate didn’t always have the perfect witty comeback, or one-liner. Rather, they constantly floundered when it came to navigating conversations with one another - adding to the story’s sense of realism. The banter they did have was fairly comical and added a degree of levity between scenes of scientific information and the building of character interrelationships. Foster and Tate are not perfect characters, yet their flaws make them far more interesting and less like the typical YA caricatures of teenagers I'm used to reading about.

Least favourite part(s): The romance between Foster and Tate - although not terrible - felt a little speedy for my personal tastes. A slower build up would have been a great way to show their emotional development as characters and wouldn't have overshadowed the plot as much, or felt as forced. However - as I am assuming that each book in this series may be focused on one of the elemental 'pairs' - I understand that a single book may have been all that was able to be devoted to building up Foster and Tate's romance.

Apart from a few pacing issues here and there, The Dysasters was the kind of refreshing YA read that makes me excited for what P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast will come up with next.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

‘“The other pairs, they each have different abilities.”
Foster nodded. “Water, fire, and earth.”
“The Planeteers. We’re the Planeteers!” Tate’s eyes were so wide Foster half expected them to pop in and out of his head like in a cartoon.

Foster cocked her head. “You lost me.”

“Captain Planet,” Tate said matter-of-factly.
Foster clicked her tongue. “Nope, still lost.”’

If you could control any element what would it be? Will you be adding The Dysasters to your TBR?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Health & Happiness ~ My Hiatus & Reigniting My Love of Books

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Wed, 23 May 2018 06:15:00 +0000

Hello again lovelies!

It's so good to be back! After many semi-returns (a.k.a me popping in on social media to post the occasional book pic) it feels amazing to be returning to the world of book reading, reviewing and blogging. It's been quite the journey.

This post is about the importance of health and happiness and my quest to find them for myself. 2018 so far as been a beautiful mess of highs and lows. My hiatus allowed me the opportunity to reignite my love of books and to prioritise my life so that I could not only be happy but stay happy.

♥ Read on for my complete hiatus overview ♥

Firstly, thank you to everyone.

For your kindness, support, patience and understanding. I decided to put together this post mainly because I felt that after all of your support during these past months that you all deserve an explanation as to why I was away for so long. Know that it was not at all easy to be away from the book community and that I missed you all so much.

A massive thank you to all the authors, publishers and publisher media employees for giving me the chance to catch up on my reviews and for being so patient. A special thank you to these beautiful ladies: the women of Read3r'z Re-Vu, Jess, Joanna, Maria, Neneh, Cassie, Sabrina, Straight Off The Shelf and many more of my close friends for providing me with a support network when I needed it the most.

Quick note: This post is mainly going to be about why I took my hiatus, what I learned from it and how it has helped me return to reading, reviewing and blogging with a better mindset. It's my way of giving you all an explanation for my absence as well as a way of letting you know the signs I stumbled across that led me to making some key life changes.

A hiatus is a chance to find your missing piece.

Many people feel the need to take a hiatus in order to reprioritise and to recuperate. It's an opportunity to figure out what is missing in your life and what changes need to be made.

My hiatus boiled down to three key factors: (1) my personal health, (2) my family, and (3) my studies. All three of these factors made it difficult to find the usual happiness - the usual sense of escape, of joy - that I usually found in reviewing and blogging.

I remember one evening I was typing away on my laptop. I was working on a review post - it was 11pm and the stress of the day was weighing so heavily on me that I hadn't even noticed I'd typed the same sentence twice. I'd submitted an assessment earlier that evening and my back ached from being hunched over a computer all day. Everything around me had become a brand of white noise. All I could see was stress. All I could feel was stress. All I was...was stress.

Stress had become my norm.

Every day was a blur. This isn't hyperbole, or a creative devise - every single day passed by in a daze of stress, anxiety and hopelessness. I felt as if I couldn't do everything I needed to do. When I did sit down to read, my mind was too exhausted to take in the story beyond the surface level of characters, plot, and conclusion. I would go to bed at 11pm...and fall asleep at 4am. I'd lie awake, trying to sleep, with a million things on my mind. The buzz of my thoughts wouldn't stop.

I'm by no means special. I know a lot of people who undergo the same - or worse - on a daily basis. But I can only speak from my own experiences. And those were ones that led me to the conclusion that enough was enough and I needed to make some changes.

My personal health was the biggest factor.

The first time I had a severe tension headache I didn't leave my bed for a full 12 hours.

It was the type of pain that struck me at the base of my skull and didn't dull at all as the hours ticked on. No painkillers could diminish the pain. It was a constant throbbing, drumming through my head. I've had headaches and migraines in the past (one of the joys of being a woman and a uni student!) but this was something else.

They were chronic for about six months, beginning around October. It was during the last stretch of my university degree - I was in the middle of writing my final thesis - and had the worse possible timing imaginable. Every time I would sit down at my computer, the pain would be there. It got to a point where even reading a book whilst lying down was too much strain. The only way to deal with it was to curl up and wait it out.

Being there for my family was also a priority.

During the midst of everything, four of my family members experienced major health hurdles. I won't go into the details - they deserve their privacy - but two of those in particular were very hard hitting. Seeing someone you love in pain is one of the hardest experiences ever. Seeing so many people I loved hurting filled me with immeasurable sadness and a sense of utter helplessness.

There were times when I'd go to pick up a book, or to blog (or even to binge watch a show or two!) and I'd feel guilt eat away at me. I'd worry that I was wasting time when I could be spending that time with any of them - that there was some answer to their situation I hadn't found. This cycle of worry and anxiety only got worse as the months went on.

There was a point where I had to say "enough".

Funnily enough I was inspired to do so by two wonderful bookworms and bloggers: Jeann of Happy Indulgence and Annie of Read3r'z Re-Vu. Jeann herself released a post awhile ago about being aware of your own personal health that struck a chord with me. And Annie was such a source of support for me personally - encouraging me to spend time with my loved ones because every moment in life is precious.

The advice and wisdom of these two ladies set in motion my belief that something in my life had to change. I needed time to recover - mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally - without worry, without stress and without my own personal expectations.

My hiatus was a chance to celebrate my achievements and life's greatest gifts.

In the beginning it wasn't meant to be a hiatus. I decided to press pause on the reviews I'd been in the middle of writing up and channel all my energy and spare time into being with my family and de-stressing.

As the weeks went on I realised I hadn't taken a break in so long - a real break, cut off from a pile of concerns, tasks and strict schedules. And I decided (probably around March of 2018) that I wouldn't return to reviewing and blogging until I was at a place - and in a mindset - where health and happiness were a priority.

And the hiatus proved itself to be a useful tool in freeing up one part of my life so that I could sort of the cluttered mess the other part(s) had become. I managed to fit in quite a few things that brought me a measure of satisfaction I hadn't felt in a long time:

♥ I finished my undergrad studies, graduated (thank goodness!) and found a post grad degree that will hopefully lead me to an occupation that I'm not only qualified for but I enjoy.

Got that degree finally!

♥ I got a chance to dabble in another love of mine, photography! I'd help organise brief family trips to some of our favourite places and took in some truly magnificent landscapes.

Recipe for happiness: lots of tea, hot chocolate, garden walks and taking in the beauty life has to offer

My number one weakness = the ocean

♥ I got the chance to do some leisure reading!! Not just reading for reviewing but reading for just the fun of it - from historical romance novels, to self-help books and autobiographies. It was a great chance to develop a deeper understanding of what I love to read and why I love to read.

All in all a hiatus was the biggest gift I could have given myself.

Because reading, reviewing and blogging aren't the issue. The highs and lows of life aren't insurmountable. Your physical health isn't a barrier to living your life. It's the way we look at life that sets the structure of our days, our priorities and how we feel when we go to bed at the end of the day.

We can't forget that we're just human at the end of the day. That we've got faults and that we probably won't get everything done that we wanted to! And that's ok. We're our own biggest critics and we need to be easier on ourselves. Taking a break every now and again isn't a cop out or giving up. It's standing up for your own needs, health and happiness.

My hiatus has helped me find new meaning in what I do.

Returning to reading, reviewing and blogging I'll now be going with a different approach. I'll be reviewing ARCs and review copies still and posting the usual types of posts, but I will be cutting back on the sheer volume (e.g. some of my old posts had like eight books featured on each!). I'll also be trying to feature books I've read for leisure - these types of reviews will be more relaxed and less about dissecting the book than about discussing why it was enjoyable to read. I also want to post more on the book community and the people who have made it the brilliant place it is. Finding a personal aspect to reading is something I really value and I want to focus more on in the future.

I'm still working on finding the perfect balance in my life. But that's what life's all about - progress. Step by step, day by day, we make the choice to seek happiness. And my hope is that all of you will make that choice for yourselves - to be happy and to find what 'happiness' looks like for you in your lives. Because you deserve it ♥

Thank you all so much for reading this!

Wishing you all health and happiness in your lives (as well as an endless supply of good reading material!). Reviews will be going up later this week xx

Enchanting Editions ~ 2017 Picks

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 03:45:00 +0000

I'm so excited to welcome you back to the Enchanting Editions tag!

The Enchanting Editions tag covers some of the treasured and special books that have a home on my bookshelves - books which stand out, either due to their outsides or their insides.

I've really been having so much fun with this tag. It's gotten me to view my bookshelf in a whole new light, and I've stumbled across some treasures that have given me so many great memories...especially when it comes to today's picks!

Today's featured books are all from 2017.

There were so many eye-catching, show-stopping books in 2017 that I had the pleasure of adding to my bookshelves, that I thought I'd feature some of them on the tag! From the City of Bones 10th Anniversary Edition, to Norma by Sofia Oksanen, 2017 produced some beautiful gems that would brighten up any bookshelf.

A big thank you to Allen and Unwin, Walker Books Australia, and Bloomsbury for sending me copies to review.

#1: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (10th Anniversary Edition)

Picture: artwork of Clary on book's inner front cover (x)

Picture: artwork of Jace on book's inner back cover (x)

Picture: artworks of Simon and Isabelle (x)

Title: City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Pub Date: November 2017
Page(s): 512
Price: $29.99 (AUD)

The edition: This edition of City of Bones is by far the prettiest one I've seen! The hardcover copy boasts a luxurious looking front, spine, and back, decorated with silver symbols and designs set around the book title. The back reads "All the stories are true" which is one of my favourite City of Bones quotes!

Inside the book are several pieces of art by artist (and goddess!) Cassandra Jean Piedra. Her art is always next-level - and these are no exception! My personal favourites are the large artworks of Jace and Clary that grace the inner back and inner front covers of the book.

Extra content is featured throughout City of Bones, from the 'Official Clave Files' and chapter illustrations, to some of the cutest maps I've ever seen. Loving City of Bones and The Mortal Instruments series as much as I do, it was wonderful to see how much effort was put into celebrating the 10th year of this winsome piece of literature.

For all you Shadowhunters, Downworlders, and plain old mortals out there looking for a copy of City of Bones to buy and love, I highly recommend this treasure for your collection.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

#2: Norma by Sofi Oksanen

Picture: Norma's front cover (placed in this adorable antique wine box I found!) (x)

Picture: Details (front cover)

Title: Norma by Sofi Oksanen
Genre(s): Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, European Lit
Imprint: Atlantic
Pub Date: December 2017
Page(s): 304

The edition: The colours! Reminiscent of the Greek islands, or some ancient palace's colour scheme of jade and golds, this copy of Norma had me spellbound from the moment it arrived on my doorstep.

This book is a wonder, before you even get to the amazing story within. Sofi's storytelling is unlike anything I've read in awhile, and I was in awe of the world and characters she's created. I love, love, love the concept of supernatural hair that changes with a person's mood! Your own personal mood ring haha. A web of secrets and paranormal intrigue is woven in a book you are not going to want to put down.

The gold detailing on the front, pairing with the sprinkling of leaves and wheat sprigs, make for an almost legendary or mythological frame for the book's title. From its front cover to its back cover, Norma is a treat for the senses and for the mind.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

#3: The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

Picture: the gorgeous front cover + some of the matches that came with the book! (x)

Title: The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
Genre(s): Horror, Historical, Gothic, Mystery
Imprint: Raven Books
Pub Date: October 2017
Page(s): 384

The edition: The Halloween vibes are strong with this one! I cannot stop gushing over the cover and the attention to detail. It has a historical, vintage feel with its black motifs and the single break away from the theme being the eye looking through the keyhole. The fact that the book came with a matchbox (which also featured the cover image!) was just the icing on the cake - after all what better way to read such a spooky novel than by candlelight?!

The inner book cover features a picture of a woman's portrait painting - below which are the words 'Its eyes moved'. You haven't even started the book yet and you've already begun your immersion into Laura's enticingly dark world!

The story gripped me from start to finish. The wording was often haunting, and phrased in a way that made you want to keep on reading, to uncover every hidden secret the book had. One of my favourite quotes was "Now she had begun to tell her story, there was no hiding at all." That eerie feel never quite leaves you as you continue through the book. The more you read, the more you begin to second-guess whether or not that portrait was actually looking at you...!

One of the most unique and hair-raising reads of 2017, The Silent Companions is as enthralling as it is beautiful.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

#4: Poe: Stories and Poems (Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds)

Picture: a snippet from "The Tell-Tale Heart"

Picture: the shiny, alluring front cover of the book

Picture: the inner front cover (and inner back cover) art

Title: Poe: Stories and Poems: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Gareth Hinds
Genre(s): Graphic Novels, Horror, Poetry, Classics, YA
Imprint: Candlewick
Pub Date: August 2017
Page(s): 120

The edition: When I was in high school, in English class, we once covered the horror genre and what made for the more frightening reads. Poe was my favourite example that we covered, because of his ingenuity and ability to bring the horror to life on the page - not so that it frightened you purely within the realm of your mind, but so that it made you all too aware of your vulnerability in real life.

Gareth Hinds has done a brilliant job of further bringing Poe's stories and characters to life in this graphic novel. The art style is dark, yet classic - warm colour tones intermingled with deep shadows and attention to the placement of light sources.

My favourite art has to be the inner front and back covers - I just adore the raven, lock, skull, saw, coffin, bottle, lantern, bell, mask, knife, cameo pin, and rat sketches that look almost chalk-like against the black. Honestly it'd make for a stunning (if not somewhat terrifying!) wallpaper.

The graphic novel features some of Poe's best work, including: The Masque of the Red Death, The Cask of Amontillado, Annabel Lee, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Bells, and The Raven. The one that had me fangirling the most has to be The Tell-Tale Heart, which has always been one of my favourite Poe pieces.

For those who love revisiting the classics, or who have an interest in graphic novels and the incredible art they contain, Poe: Stories and Poems is a enjoyable addition to any shelf.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Which book will you be adding to your TBR? What was the most enchanting edition you came across in 2017?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Saturday Stack ~ Reads for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 05:03:00 +0000

The holidays are a time for good books and good company.

As many of you know, the second half of this year was extremely busy for me. With finishing my uni thesis + degree (so happy to have that behind me!) and dealing with challenges that arose within the family, it was hard to find time to sit back and devour some of the best books that 2017 had to offer.

The holidays allowed me to finally sit down and - one after the other! - get to reading some truly transportive reads. From assassins and magic, to mystery and trickery, there was so much to enjoy and many, many memorable quotes to bookmark!

So today's post is going to be a recap of this stack of reads that kept my imagination company over Christmas + the Christmas weekend and that can keep you entertained this holiday season (whether you're celebrating New Years or just taking a break from work or study!). I can't wait to share what I thought of each of these six books with you guys.

A massive thank you to Allen and Unwin, Bloomsbury, and Hot Key Books for sending me these copies to review.

So without further ado...let's get stacking!

#1: Follow Me

Follow Me (The Amateurs #2)
By Sara Shepard

Genre(s): Mystery, YA, Thriller, Crime
Imprint: Hotkey
Pub Date: October 2017
Page(s): 288
Price: $16.99 (AUD)

Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars

Best part(s): Sara is wonderful when it comes to YA mystery - the subterfuge, the collection of miscreant characters who all have their own agendas, secrets, and stories. And Follow Me definitely kept with this theme, presenting readers with another intriguing read.

I especially enjoyed the different POV. I know how difficult it is to get an individual sense, so to speak, attached to each POV - to make each one stand out and not sound like it's just the author or an omniscient narrator, etcetera. And just like the POVs, the cast of characters were all just as interesting as when we last saw them, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them all over again...and uncovering more about their characters.

Overall, although different in many ways from The Amateurs, Follow Me captures your attention and definitely encourages you to grab your detective's cap and magnifying glass!

Least favourite part(s): I really did enjoy The Amateurs (see my review here) but for some reason Follow Me just doesn't quite hit the same note as its predecessor.

One of the best features of Sara's work has always been that big question mark - who is behind the masterplan? As an avid fan of Pretty Little Liars and its eternal "Who is A?" conundrum, I was a tad disappointed that the villain was revealed so early on. Like...ok then, story done! Oh, there's more? Soooo I do just keep reading then?!

I know that the plot still contained complexity, and mysteries to be solved, but my heart just wasn't in it as much. I'm in it for the big reveals, the big mysteries, the chance to see if I can follow the author's - and characters' - way of thinking. I think the biggest draw of The Amateurs was that big mystery. Having to settle for a lesser one in Follow Me, as well as the fact that it had to live up to The Amateurs, just didn't make for the same sense of satisfaction.

Also secondary characters - many of whom I'd actually really liked in The Amateurs - sort of fell 'off the shelf'. Forgotten about, or reduced to simply a device for moving the story on (as opposed to having depth and purpose), it saddened me to see them so neglected.

However, a Book #3 is in the works! So, hopefully, all the characters will get their chance to shine and we'll get another chance to solve a complex mystery in the near future :)

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'Chuckling softly, he thought about the new message he would send...and what he had in store. It was perfect. And it was going to blow them all away.'

#2: Avenged

Avenged (Ruined #2)
By Amy Tintera

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Romance
Imprint: A & U Children
Pub Date: May 2017
Page(s): 416
Price: $16.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

Best part(s): The complexity!! Fantasy is always a win for me when it is complex, but understandable - detailed, but treats readers with respect and doesn't knock them over the head with pages of description or world building lore. Amy so far in the Ruined series has managed to find this perfect balance, and it was a treat getting to experience it again in Avenged.

And the dialogue. Don't get me started! It is my eternal struggle to not bookmark every single witty/sarcastic/"oh my gosh I have to use this in real life" quote that I come across. Avenged tested my bookmarking restraint to its limits - in the best way possible of course!

But the star of the entire book - and series - is the Ruined. The Ruined make this series. The whole concept, the ingenious way its been put to paper, just works and there are no words to accurately capture the kind of magic that's created.

I was going to dedicate a paragraph to my fangirling over every single character in this book but it kinda turned into an essay!! So to summarise:

Em is a sarcastic goddess.
Olivia is Scary Spice but like in the best way possible.
Aren is a loveable bundle of POV goodness.
Cas *CUE ALL THE SQUEALING*
Violet is awesome sauce.
And everyone else I've forgotten are magical in their own ways.

I cannot wait for Allied and to experience more of Amy's incredible storytelling and brilliant characters.

Least favourite part(s): Pacing/balance of drier plot areas and action pieces - although this may just be me being fussy, haha! I adore Amy's action sequences, so when we're engaging in meetings, planning, etcetera, sometimes it got a little hard to commit my attention 110%. But, overall, this book was a win <3

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'(She) jumped, trying to pull her hand away. He didn't let go.

He could see her fear. He was usually perfectly to terrify people, but he didn't like it from her. This girl who risked her life to join him (...), who had helped him (...), she shouldn't be scared of him.'

#3: Tower of Dawn

Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6)
By Sarah J. Maas

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Romance
Imprint: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Pub Date: September 2017
Page(s): 672
Price: $17.99 (AUD)

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars

Best part(s): The fact that it was written by Sarah is probably the best part!!

For anyone who hasn't read a book by Sarah J. Maas...firstly I don't know how you accomplished this but like omigosh you are missing out on so much!! *showers you with a million quotes about stars and then proceeds to list all the reasons fae men are superior*

But if you haven't read one of her books, then you probably wouldn't understand why the fact Sarah wrote this is enough for it to be incredible off-the-bat. To explain briefly, Sarah J. Maas has a gift. I honestly don't believe that you can acquire this kind of storytelling finesse, character and world building effortlessness, and just endless amounts of quotable material, by studying writing or practising it. There is just this inner fire that makes her works so addictive and makes them stay with you long after you've closed the final page...after your twentieth re-read!

I knew that a part of me would adore any book she released, so when she released Tower of Dawn I was immediately in love with it, its plot, and (of course!) the fact that it is centred around Chaol. I loved getting to revisit parts of Sarah's world that we'd only glimpsed on occasion, and getting introduced to even more amazing characters.

I look forward to Chaol's paths crossing with the rest of the crew in Sarah's upcoming Throne of Glass series novel - which is bound to be an epic adventure.

Least favourite part(s): Timing, my friends. Timing!

I know I'm not the first reviewer to say this (and I probably won't be the last!) but the announcement of this book's plot, POV, and character focus were a major disappointment. As much as I do adore Chaol and Sarah J. Maas, this book felt like (A) a diversionary tactic, (B) a novella forced into becoming a novel because its parents told it to, and (C) a total 180 turnaround from the plot and characters we'd become emotionally attached to.

The ending of the previous book in the series, Empire of Storms, ruined me. Like actually! I was on my couch, eyes raw from crying, and that's not even mentioning the days...months!...spent stressing over the damage done and the heartache caused to the characters. Sarah J. Maas is a genius and honestly Empire of Storms - as a fifth book in the series, no less! - is probably my favourite book os Sarah's so far. Everything was just so perfect. The ending had us all invested and ready to go.

Which made it so hard to care about Tower of Dawn! It'd be like if Harry Potter had stopped at Harry discovering the location of the final Horcrux...to give you an entire book dedicated to Neville's time at Hogwarts during the Death Eater reign.

Would I love a book about that? Umm yes! Yes I would! Even a novella!
Would I want it in place of a much needed finish to the emotional and plot-related stakes the author raised in the last book? No. Nope. Nada. Nooooo.

There is a time for novellas, or novels, dedicated to side characters and this just wasn't it in my opinion. As much as I treasure Tower of Dawn, my attention kept slipping and returning to Empire of Storms. I was dying to know what's happened to everyone! The stakes in the previous novel were lightyears ahead of Tower of Dawn's, which was a wonderful read...just not as epic as it would have been if it had picked up where Empire of Storms left off.

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

The book is so gorgeous that I got a little carried away taking pics...!

'A gift. A gift from a queen who had seen another woman in hell and thought to reach back a hand. With no thought of it ever being returned. A moment of kindness, a tug on a thread.'

#4: Unearthed

Unearthed (Unearthed #1)

By Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, YA
Imprint: A & U Children
Pub Date: December 2017
Page(s): 352
Price: $19.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Best part(s): I'm an ancient history student so when a book mentions the words 'Indiana Jones' I'm immediately on board! Despite Indiana Jones' historical inaccuracies and horrific amounts of destruction, there is just something so cool about the combination of scavengers, raiders, temples, and artefacts - the merging of humans and their history in high-stakes settings. Add space into the mix (plus the goddesses Amie and Meagan!) and this book was bound to be a success from the start.

I'm actually 99% convinced we should be making sure writing dynamic duos like Amie and Meagan are signing a pact to write together forever. Like, on their own these women are epic. Together?! *cue the mind explosion*

The problem solving, dialogue, world building, and the awesome-as-hell characters are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Unearthed has to offer. I especially liked the fact that archaeology and space are combined. It's always been a pet peeve of mine that modern society - a good percentage of it - has been built on our ancient history, making it difficult to truly get a look at history in its authentic context and to gain access to it. Where will we get a chance to uncover something new? A whole new world, a new planet?! That's my idea of a good time! This book being fiction aside, this would be amazing and I honestly think that the fact the book draws from fields and practices in real life makes the book's sense of realism heightened.

I loved this book and found it to be the perfect read to jump into headfirst, falling into a world of adventure and hidden wonders.

Least favourite part(s): The romance??? I put question marks here lol because I'm not 100% sure if lessening the romance would have aided the plot or not - but I personally found it a little distracting. With Unearthed just being so dang awesome and original, having that YA romance in there was a little like finding a chocolate coin in a Lindt chocolate box! However, I liked both characters a lot so it wasn't so bad. It did nothing to deter my history-obsessed mind from reading and enjoying this good read.

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'I want to convince her that I will always find a way to help her.

I want to try and explain one more time that we could be in the middle of the most important discovery on Gaia - that we could be saving our whole world. I want to...

"Mia -"
"Don't."

The word is a bullet, and it silences me.'

#5: Shadowblack

Shadowblack (Spellslinger #2)
By Sebastien de Castell

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Magic
Imprint: Hotkey
Pub Date: October 2017
Page(s): 352
Price: $19.99 (AUD)

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars

Best part(s): I really enjoyed Spellslinger and its unique concepts. The tattoos and bands that determined a wielder's magic type: iron (protective), ember (fire), breath (air), silk (mind manipulation), blood (physical manipulation), sand (secret knowledge), shadow (emptiness and demonic). Everything about the creation of the world of Spellslinger fit perfectly together like pieces of a puzzle.

The world of this series is what made Shadowblack for me. It was nice getting to revisit these concepts again and see them evolve and be reflected in different ways. This world with all its quirks is a feast for the imagination and full of endless possibilities.

Least favourite part(s): As much as I truly like these characters and this world, Book #2 (like I talked about in my Tower of Dawn review above!) is following in the path of greatness. It's not easy being a sequel - it's a path full of judgement and comparisons and I know not every sequel can be as perfectly balanced and addictive as its predecessor.

It felt like even the characters weren't committed to their given paths. The romance lacked lustre and believability. Honestly I've seen people pass one another on the street who've had way more chemistry than these two. I feel like nowadays YA has this draw towards the plot of single characters of the opposite gender being shoved together, regardless of compatibility. Like, we can have a book where two people aren't mooning over one another! Or where two people who no longer connect in a romantic way are simply allies, friends, or even enemies lol, and the protagonist is left to find someone they do connect with eventually.

Shadowblack has a keen sense of mystery, magic, and adventure, although a tad aimless at times in regards to character and plot. I'm hoping that some of Spellslinger's charm will be more present in the upcoming Book #3 Charmcaster.

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'There are many winds that travel across the land: winds of change, winds of sorrow, winds of joy, winds of war, To know the truth of the world, an Argosi must listen to these winds, awaken to their touch upon the skin and follow every discordance, for any one of them could grow into a hurricane that could change the course of history.'

#6: Nexus

Nexus (Zeroes #3)
By Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, & Deborah Biancotti

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Sci-Fi
Imprint: A & U Children
Pub Date: November 2017
Page(s): 432
Price: $19.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Best part(s): The terrific trinity is back! Scott, Margo, and Deborah create magic together, and this has been evident in Books #1-#2 of the Zeroes series. Despite the quality of Books #1-#2 however, they now pale in comparison to Nexus. Nexus is just next-level, packed full of incredible writing, adventure and mayhem, and a ticking clock in the background as the 'final showdown' begins.

First off, how is it possible that one book carries so much?! Normally this would put me off a book - I have only one brain and that one brain can't hold too much information at one time lol (it's already full of useless trivia, repetitive song lyrics, and history nerd material). But somehow it just works. There is a perfect harmony amid the chaos. The Zeroes and their troubles, Agent Phan, new superpowers to go up against...disaster awaits and yet there is this buzz of anticipation throughout it all that makes everything just a joy to uncover and experience.

I don't want to give too much away, but I'll just say that it is a perfect finale. A worthy conclusion. It's not often that a trilogy gets that - a chance to shine without it seeming forced, rushed, or an imitation of the former glory created by its predecessors. Nexus is one of the highlights of 2017 in sci-fi.

Least favourite part(s): It's done! Gone! Why must all good things come to an end?! *cue the Nelly Furtado song*

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'She was in pain. She was in tears.
It was very simple all of a sudden.
He couldn't let her cry.

He opened his mouth, and a voice came out of it, hardly a voice at all, hoarse with disuse...
"Flicker?"

Instantly he wanted to snatch the word back. That single sound reeling everything in - all his pain, his guilt, what he'd done.'

Which book will you be adding to your TBR? Have you read any standout books these holidays?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

2016 Debut Authors Bash ~ Erin Beaty Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 19:30:00 +0000

Welcome back to this year's Debut Authors Bash.

The Debut Authors Bash is an annual event that YA Reads started in 2013 to promote debut authors through reviews, guest posts, interviews, promo posts, etc. It's an exciting chance to get to know a little more about the year's incredible authors and their brilliant books!

This year's Bash runs from December 1st through to December 30th. To view the rest of the tour schedule click here.

The author I'm featuring today is the lovely Erin Beaty!

I got the chance to chat with Erin about her novel The Traitor's Kiss (which I loved!), writing characters, and femininity.

Along with the interview is a giveaway you don't want to miss thanks to Erin Beaty and the wonderful people over at YA Reads, so be sure to check that out if you love books and free things ~~I mean who doesn't?!~~

Now let's get this Debut Authors Bash started!

Erin Beaty was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, which means she can't drive a tractor, but she won't eat veggies that come from a can.

She graduated from the US Naval Academy with a degree in rocket science and somehow always ended up writing her study group's lab reports. After serving in the fleet as a weapons officer and a leadership instructor, she resigned to pursue her side hobby of populating the Church of Rome. It still amazes her when other people want to hear the stories that come out of her head.

She and her husband have five children, two cats, and a vegetable garden and live wherever the navy tells them to go.

Erin Beaty is represented by Valerie Noble. Her young adult fantasy adventure, THE TRAITOR'S KISS, the first in a trilogy called The Traitor's Trilogy, was released May 9th, 2017 .

Connect with Erin via her:

Twitter | Website | Instagram | Facebook

Booknut: Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview today! It truly is a pleasure to have you on the blog.

Erin Beaty: Thank you so much for picking me! I was so excited when I saw this was an Aussie blog. Someday I’m coming down there!

Booknut: Tell us a little about yourself. What inspired you to be an author? What is your favourite genre(s) to write?

Erin Beaty: I was always an engineer. I built models and huge Lego castles, and my favorite subjects in school were math and sciences. Writing was a tool for expressing ideas clearly and concisely, so I put effort into mastering it, but I never considered a strength. I knew I was a decent writer because everyone always wanted me to edit their stuff, and in group projects I was voted to do the write-up (the majority of engineers are terrible writers).

All my life I’d created stories for myself, so it was really just a matter of letting one out of my head. When I first decided to write this one down, I loved how easy it felt. By the time I realized how hard it actually was - both writing and publishing - I was hooked. I can’t stop now, no matter how much it makes me want to bang my head against the wall.

It may seem like an odd jump to storytelling, but at its heart, engineering is about how parts within a system interact. Whether that’s thrust and stress forces on a rocket or limited resources and power plays within a society doesn’t matter. It’s all about those interactions and what gets pushed in a certain direction and for how long before another force exerts influence. Science!

Fantasy and historical will always be my favorite genres to write in, I think, though sci-fi has appeal, too. Where else can I fight dragons, pilot spaceships, or be involved in world-altering events? I don’t think I ever really lived in my own time.

Booknut: You’re the author of the YA fantasy novel The Traitor's Kiss. What ignited your imagination and brought about the creation of this book?

Erin Beaty: I’ve always been interested in the historical aspects of marriage and politics - the engineering of the world as we know it. I read a lot of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir around the time I was teaching personality theory in leadership courses, and as a consequence the two topics are stored two side-by-side in my brain. I started wondering if some sort of E-harmony-like compatibility-based matching thing would have worked in those times. Wouldn’t it have been cool to have a guild of matchmakers that put people together like that? It would be a great way for women to protect each other but also to influence national and international events. You could bring families down or build them up, and you could strengthen ties between regions that could win wars. But then I started thinking that system could also be exploited. The plot of The Traitor’s Kiss grew out of that.

Booknut: The title for your book is truly captivating. How do you come up with it?

Erin Beaty: That was 100% my publisher, and I was actually afraid people would think it was a Jesus/Judas book. My working title was “The Matchmaker’s Apprentice,” but I knew that would never make it to publication so I wasn’t attached to it. When it came to the 2nd and 3rd books, the publisher asked for words I thought sounded good and fit where the plots were going, so I had some say in The Traitor’s Ruin and the next, which is secret-ish right now.

Booknut: If you had to pick a favourite character to write about from The Traitor's Kiss who would it be?

Erin Beaty: I have a soft spot for Captain Quinn. He’s a lot like me in personality and ways of thinking, but that makes him kind of boring. EVERYONE I talk to wants to hear more about the Matchmaker Darnessa Rodelle. I’d love to write a novella about her, but she’s not told me all her secrets yet.

Booknut: Your novel is centred on a protagonist (Sage) who is thought to be unfit for marriage due to her supposed lack of femininity. However, as we see in The Traitor's Kiss, Sage turns out to be quite the empowered female. What would you define ‘femininity’ as, and do you think judging women by their amount of/lack of it is an issue in today’s society?

Erin Beaty: I’ve been told by many that Sage is a “feminine” heroine, and when I ask people to break that comment down, I usually get because she’s not a ruthless assassin or something, nor does she want to be. Until recently strong female characters were predominantly shown as successful only when they acted like men, which was a huge shame - and I say this as someone who did that in real life. In the military I enjoyed eschewing the girlish things I was never into growing up. Ironically, it was being in an asexual/masculine environment made me appreciate the “traditional” feminine qualities I’d always disdained (emotion, mercy, nurturing, or even just wanting to look pretty).

We spend our whole lives receiving conflicting messages about what we’re supposed to be. When we’re little, we’re princesses. Later, magazines tell us on page 43 how to be mega-sexy, while on page 91 there’s an article on why you shouldn’t dress to please men. We want women to be tough and strong, but there’s nothing wrong with being loving and nurturing, which is why I lovedlovedloved the Wonder Woman movie. You can be both.

While there are huge differences between Mad Max’s bad-ass Furiosa and Jane Austen’s very girlish Emma, both character extremes show there’s no greater ferocity than that of women protecting those they love or feel motherly toward. (Love and motherliness often intertwine, but can be separate - just look at Scarlett O’Hara.) Whether they do it with bullets and roundhouse kicks or ballroom dances and social calls doesn’t matter. I welcome the wide variety in female characters because it sends a very powerful message: Be comfortable with where you are on that scale. Embrace it. None of it makes you any more or less of a woman.

Booknut: What is your favourite line or quote from The Traitor's Kiss?

Erin Beaty: Maybe it’s because it’s Sage trying to bend social convention back on the matchmaker, but I love it when she apologizes, and Darnessa makes her stew a bit until she says, “You see, the way this works is, I say I’m sorry for the horrible things I said, and then you say you’re sorry for the horrible things you said. Then we smile and pretend we believe each other.”

Booknut: What are you most excited for readers to experience in The Traitor's Kiss?

Erin Beaty: There’s a “big twist” in there, and I love when people are surprised but then happier than they ever thought they’d be.

Booknut: If you could tell readers one message or moral of the story to take away from The Traitor's Kiss, what would it be?

Erin Beaty: I hope it sets the bar pretty high for romance. I don’t want my daughters (or sons) settling for anything less than the respect, admiration, and caring Sage and Ash have for each other.

Otherwise, I hope Sage is a heroine a broad spectrum of young women can relate to. As cool as highly skilled assassins and lost princesses with dormant magical powers are, I truly believe in the power of ordinary people. There’s no agenda behind Sage’s character or the plot, however. I only wanted to create someone with realistic abilities within a familiar society. If my story inspires young women to believe what they have within them is valuable, then I’ll pat myself on the back.

Booknut: Thank you so much again for sitting down with me! It was wonderful having you on the blog. I wish you the best of luck with all your future writing.

Erin Beaty: Thank you for inviting me!

An obstinate girl who will not be married. A soldier desperate to prove himself. A kingdom on the brink of war.

With a sharp tongue and an unruly temper, Sage Fowler is not what they’d call a lady―which is perfectly fine with her. Deemed unfit for marriage, Sage is apprenticed to a matchmaker and tasked with wrangling other young ladies to be married off for political alliances. She spies on the girls―and on the soldiers escorting them.

As the girls' military escort senses a political uprising, Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate the enemy ranks. The more she discovers as a spy, the less certain she becomes about whom to trust―and Sage becomes caught in a dangerous balancing act that will determine the fate of her kingdom

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All The Gothic Feels ~ The Hummingbird Heart by A. G. Howard | Review

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 08:41:00 +0000

A.G. Howard has created another whirlwind read.

A. G. Howard is the queen of hand-picking magical elements of fiction and weaving them into a beautiful tapestry. Her Haunted Hearts Legacy series is a testament to her brilliant storytelling and its latest addition, The Hummingbird Heart, is a diamond of the first water. Enchanting and addictive, it showcases a cast of winsome characters and a plot that holds your interest from start to finish.

A big thank you to A.G. Howard for sending me a copy of the book to review.

Without further ado, let's get started!

The Hummingbird Heart (Haunted Hearts Legacy #2)
By A. G. Howard

Release date: August 15th 2017
Genre(s): Fantasy, Historical Fiction, New Adult, Romance, Paranormal

Synopsis: Set 19 years after The Architect of Song.

Shortly after escaping a circus tragedy, young Italian orphan, Willow Antoniette, seeks refuge at The Manor of Diversions—a holiday resort in England born of a ghost story. For eleven years, she’s raised alongside the children of the resort’s owners: Julian, his twin brother, Nick, and their younger sister Emilia. Now that Willow is of marriable age, she's determined to escape finishing school along with everyone's efforts to make her a proper lady. The only man she wants to spend her life with is Julian, after all. Yet how can she tell him, when he thinks of her as nothing but a friend?

As a machinist and engineer, Julian Thornton prefers a governable life. He can't allow his ever-deepening attraction for Willow to distract from his amusement park plans to lure a younger, wealthier clientele to their family's resort. In hopes to escape Willow and find investors, Julian sets off on a transatlantic ocean liner headed for the St. Louis World’s Fair, unaware Willow has secretly stowed away on the same ship.

A tiny, mute orphan named Newton and a pair of haunted Italian shoes bring Willow and Julian face to face on deck. Forced to work together to solve the mystery of Newton and his vindictive, ghostly companion, Julian and Willow can no longer fight their untapped passions. However, time to admit their true feelings is running out, for the ghost and her murderer have enlisted them as unsuspecting pawns in a karmic game of cat-and-mouse that could cost all of them their lives.

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Rating:

He loves her, he loves her not...

Julian and Willow are truly a timeless love story. In a similar vein to tales such as Phantom of the Opera, Northanger Abbey, and Alice in Wonderland, A. G. Howard's The Hummingbird Heart combines mystery with passion. There is an underlying sense of yearning that comes through in her characters - yearning for love, for freedom, for adventure. It combines the best elements of historical fiction and fantasy, painting a world containing a myriad of possibilities.

Someone old, something new...

Little nods to A. G.'s older works are scattered through The Hummingbird Heart, much to my delight! The pinning of insects as an art form or hobby, for example, took me back to the Splintered series. There were also references to Alice in Wonderland, bringing a bit of whimsy and wonder to the already intriguing tale.

When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen...

The relationship between Julian and Willow captivated me from start to finish. There was just so much raw emotion behind it - so many layers. What I've always adored about A. G. Howard's romances is the foundation of friendship they advocate. Julian and Willow's friendship matures and develops, blossoming into a romance that is all the richer for their childhood and their shared past. It reminded me of the quote:

"Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses." - Ann Landers

Discover magic, discover madness, discover a masterpiece.

From the ghostly additions and careful world building, to the characters that breathe life into the book's brilliant plot...The Hummingbird Heart is certainly worthy of a top spot on 2017's list of great reads.

'Strands of hair had escaped her chignon and tangled with the long drop curls Aunt Enya had formed at her temples. The frizzy mess hung over her mouth and fluttered with her breath, drawing Julian's attention to it. He stroked the hair away, as intent upon her face as she'd ever seen him with his calculations.

"Willomena," he mumbled.

He was the only person in the world who could make her name sound like poetry.'

Are you excited to read The Hummingbird Heart? What is your favourite gothic-esqye novel? (Mine has to be Northanger Abbey!)

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Fire's Kiss by Brittany Pate ~ Blog Tour, Review & Excerpt

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 01:14:00 +0000

The stakes are high in this paranormal romance.

My terrible stake pun aside (apologies to Ryder and his vampire hunting!), Fire's Kiss is a read that presents a great blend of romance and paranormal elements. With intriguing protagonists and two well balanced POVs, it's certainly an enjoyable read.

Today's stop on the blog tour is an exciting one.

I'm so excited to be a part of the Fire's Kiss Blog Tour and as well as a review of the book, I have a great excerpt to share with you all. A big thank you to Fiery Seas Publishing for organising the blog tour and for sending me a copy of the book to review.

So without further ado, let's get started!

Fire's Kiss
By Brittany Pate

Release date: November 21, 2017

Genre(s): Paranormal Romance Fiction

Synopsis: Embyr tends her tavern while keeping her dangerous parentage a secret, until she's attacked by a hellhound and saved by one of the most feared men in history.

For the last eight hundred years, Ryder McLennon, the infamous leader of Death's Horsemen, has used his army to hunt the vampire who killed his wife. He's earned a reputation as a murderous madman. But in Embyr, he discovers something that could turn the tide of battle in his favor. Her control over fire can reduce an enemy to ash and her flippant disregard of him heats his blood in ways no one else ever has. She's beautiful, powerful and completely different from her violence-loving brethren.

Embyr finds herself thrust into a war she wants no part of, targeted by a vicious vampire because of her cooperation with Ryder. As she learns to wield her demonic powers without letting the madness of her race overcome her, she also has to fight her attraction to a killer bent on her seduction.

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Or grab your copy today via:

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Intrigued? Check out the book trailer!

Rating:

Fire's Kiss is a great blend of genres.

Often when books and their authors attempt to combine - or draw upon - multiple genres, readers will tend to get lost in a confusing mix of worlds and concepts. Sometimes one genre takes over as the dominant, overshadowing the other(s), and you're left with a story that lacks cohesiveness overall.

Fire's Kiss doesn't have this problem. Brittany Pate has managed to skilfully blend the foundation concepts from both genres, to create a solid base for a story that becomes more enjoyable as you continue to read and dive deeper into her fictional world.

Embyr is a brilliant protagonist.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Embyr, as she goes from simple tavern owner to an integral player in a paranormal war. Her struggles and character development were key to the reader's ability to connect with her more.

Although I do love romantic elements in books, I did feel that Embyr may have shined more if the romance between her and Ryder had been a little more subtle - or delayed. Her connection to him grew to become one of her leading qualities which I think is a shame, because she has so many great ones - from her bravery and will, to her sassiness and wit. That said, I think it also showed a different facet of her character and their connection did showcases the changes they brought forth in one another.

Overall Fire's Kiss is a collision of adventure and passion.

I would very much recommend Fire's Kiss to lovers of a good paranormal romance (or of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!). It's a well-paced read that is sure to keep you entertained from start to finish.

'Perhaps she loved him. Despite what people say, I have learned that any creature, regardless of race, can love.'

CHAPTER 12

Embyr hit the ground hard, breath whooshing out of her. Ryder was there in an instant, rolling her over and checking for damage. She swatted his hand away.

“I’m fine,” she snapped as soon as her wind came back. She climbed to her feet and retrieved the wooden daggers from the ground. The muscles in her back and arms protested, but she ignored it.

Two weeks. For two damn weeks, he had bested her, with still no sign of the power she destroyed Michael with.

She placed her hands on her hips and glared. “I can’t get angry if you’re afraid to hurt me.”

“I am unaccustomed to beating women.” An infuriating smirk curved his lips.

Embyr grasped that anger and tried to focus it on him. The candles in the windowless room flared to life, then settled. She shook her head.

“Come, have a drink.” He moved over to the small table, the only bit of furniture in his training room, and filled two cups with water.

She joined him and took the proffered cup, glaring over the rim at the candle as she took a drink. It flickered. Embyr put the cup down. “It mocks me.”

Ryder chuckled. “Give it time.”

“Time is something I don’t have. Neither does Katrina.”

“Impatience will not make your power easier to control. Take pride in what you can do now. If you were facing mortal opponents, I have no doubt you would succeed. Your skill with daggers is impressive.”

At least she had been a credit to her mother’s training. So long as Ryder didn’t press his advantage in physical strength and years of experience, she could almost best him. “I’m not facing anything mortal. I need all of my abilities at my disposal.”

He nodded. “You do. But you spent years controlling your power, trying to force it back. It comes as no surprise that it is crippled now. With more work, you will have mastery over it.”

Crippled. Embyr never thought she would see that as a bad thing. It seemed the extent of her abilities were limited to making the fire pop and burning her clothes off. If she hadn’t felt the raw strength and speed with Michael, Embyr would swear she wasn’t capable of such feats.

“I hope you’re right,” she grumbled. “All I can really do now is bleed on them.”

“That is more of a weapon than you think. Your blood does not seem to mix well on vampire skin. Come, I have something for you.”

Brittany Pate lives in Texas with her husband and son.

She is a longtime lover of all things fantasy and romance. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys narrating audio books and drinking entirely too much coffee.

Connect with Brittany via her:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Are you excited to read Fire's Kiss? What's your favourite paranormal/fantasy novel?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Spook or Sweet? Halloween Reads for the Brave (and Not-So Brave!) of Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 09:16:00 +0000

Trick or treat...spook or sweet?

It's that time of year again! The perfect opportunity to pick up a read that sends a shiver down your spine, or has you glancing over your shoulder to make sure no vampires or ghouls have entered your home unannounced.

But sometimes we like to keep our sanity intact.

Halloween can be a time of spookiness overload, so it's important to have a balance between the tricks and treats, and spooks and sweets. Luckily for you guys I've come up with three sets of Spooks & Sweets - with each set featuring a spooky read and a sweeter read to calm the nerves or tickle the funny bone.

The three sets are organised by theme: Haunting History (historical fiction), Ghoulish Girls (female leads), and Terrifying Tech (technology or sci-fi based).

A big thank you to Allen and Unwin, Hotkey, Pan Macmillan Australia, and Bloomsbury for sending me these copies to review.

Pick your poison and settle down with a Spook & Sweet pairing that fits your reading preferences this Halloween!

Spook #1: Before the Devil Breaks You

Before the Devil Breaks You (The Diviners #3)
By Libba Bray

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Pub Date: October 2017
Page(s): 564
Price: $24.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars

My thoughts on the book: Ever since the Gemma Doyle trilogy, Libba Bray has captivated me with her compelling storytelling and well crafted characters. She's mastered the art of creating historical fiction so that her books (A) don't contain the tedium usually associated with history, and (B) don't feel like fiction. Before The Devil Breaks You is a tale that hovers on the edges of reality, daring you to take a glimpse into the paranormal.

Apart from a few minor pacing issues at its start, the plot was intriguing and was the perfect match to Libba Bray's signature world building. Before The Devil Breaks You takes on the grim world of mental hospitals and asylums and the secrets their walls contain. I loved the immediate American Horror Story vibes I was getting - asylums (their terrible histories aside) make for fascinating stages for the paranormal, as well as mystery and mayhem.

Honestly though, the plot of this book could have been 'The Diviners Go To Disneyland' and I still would have raved about it because these characters are just so well thought out. Their flaws are interwoven with loveable attributes, their fears and dreams almost tangible. It's almost like Libba Bray has written a book about people she knows, telling a story she's heard from their own lips. The sense of realism surrounding their dialogue and interactions just adds to the enjoyment factor of the book and the series as a whole.

Prepare yourself for plot twists and an ominous undertone that only heightens the book's intensity. So get your party shoes on (and keep a weapon or two handy!) as the Diviners come face-to-face with the most sinister of forces. Before The Devil Breaks You is not to be missed!

Favourite quote: 'Dear Betty: Violets are blue. Red is the rose. You left him for dead. But somebody knows.'

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Want to see this book's spooky photoshoot? You can find it on my Instagram here!

Sweet #1: The Ship Beyond Time

The Ship Beyond Time (The Girl from Everywhere #2)
By Heidi Heilig

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Time Travel, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Hotkey
Pub Date: June 2017
Page(s): 368
Price: $19.99 (AUD)

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars

My thoughts on the book: The Girl from Everywhere was one of those 2016 reads that stood out for its unique concepts and its memorable heroine. I remember finishing it and immediately wanting more - more Nix, more ships, more maps...and more Kash! I had come to really enjoy reading about Nix and her inner struggles. It gave me the same feeling as I got watching Pirates of the Caribbean for the first time - I was swept away by the adventure and never wanted it to end.

Needless to say I had high hopes for The Ship Beyond Time. And, in many ways, it met all my expectations and more. I think the only issue I had with the book was the love triangle. Not because there was one...but because it didn't feel natural. It lacked believable emotional backing or stakes and it failed to engage me as the book went on. But apart from the love triangle, I did enjoy the book's plot and its continuation of the time travel theme. Honestly this book's time travel concept is one of the coolest I've come across in YA (with me being a diehard fan of historical maps and all!) and I was truly glad that the concept was further developed in the The Ship Beyond Time.

So if you love adventure, ships, mythology, and the occasional sighting of a very handsome and witty young man (*cough* Kash *cough*) then you're going to love The Ship Beyond Time.

Favourite quote: "His words came back to me from earlier in the evening: 'genius or madness'? I still had no answer."

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Want to see this book's sweet photoshoot? You can find it on my Instagram here!

Spook #2: Girls Made of Snow and Glass

Girls Made of Snow and Glass
By Melissa Bashardoust

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Retellings, Fairytales, GLBT
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Pub Date: October 2017
Page(s): 384
Price: $24.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My thoughts on the book: Firstly can we just get a good look at that book cover?! I'm a big fan of understated beauty and Girls Made of Snow and Glass has it in spades. I have the hardback edition and let me just say it's 110% stunning in person - the stark silhouette of the icicles against the solid black is pure perfection.

I don't even know where to start with this book. It has so many layers to uncover and to analyse - there is so much complexity within its pages that it's just not possible for me to do it justice in a single review. From the mother-daughter relationship, to the creative use of the original fairytale of Snow White, there is so much to love about this book.

I'm a big fan of retellings balancing unique material with material, or concepts, from the original fairytale, myth, or legend. It's a difficult balance to create - the story has to stand on its own, but still hold ties to the original. Melissa Bashardoust did a fantastic job of this, combining her unique magical elements (shout out to the glass heart concept!) with the simple structural 'skeleton' of Snow White's tale.

I'm unsure still about whether or not a bit more of Snow White's tale should have been adopted - it may have helped a little with the pacing, or at least with setting the stage for the story's world building. Or...on the other hand, that would have probably diluted Meliisa Bashardoust's creative storytelling *cue the inner struggle*. Basically I have no answers haha, but I do think that the intriguing characters and concepts could have benefitted from more context.

With a great cast of female characters, Girls Made of Snow and Glass balances the book's more eerie elements with an inner strength that makes for a magical read.

Favourite quote: 'She had never wished her dead. But no tears came, and her lack of emotional display made her feel…Heartless. But that's what I am, she thought. That's what I'll always be.'

Add to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Want to see this book's spooky photoshoot? You can find it on my Instagram here!

Sweet #2: Royce Rolls

Royce Rolls
By Margaret Stohl

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Fiction
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub Date: May 2017
Page(s): 400
Price: $14.39 (AUD)

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

My thoughts on the book: Royce Rolls, like an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, is a drama-packed race to the finish line. Like a America's Next Top Model confessional, it's filled to the brim with stereotypes and plot twists...and by the end of it you're ready for someone to just be voted off the island. ~~Aaaaand I really need to quit it with the reality tv comparisons!~~

I give Margaret Stohl total points for her used of 'mixed media', from Celebcity.com articles and Tweets, to the use of footnotes. Creativity in YA formats is something that is always wonderful to see (like for e.g. Illuminae and its case file/collection of documents format) and it certainly piques readers' interest. However, personally, I was a tad overwhelmed by the amount of extra material. It tended to make my attention stray from the storyline, plot, etc. to other lesser details (e.g. the use of the smiley emoji). This, however, may be less a flaw with Royce Rolls than a testament to my limited attention span lol.

That said, I did enjoy the material I read. The Celebcity.com articles especially provided a really interesting contrast between the action we'd just read about (or would be reading about) and how it was received by the public. It really highlighted the flimsy nature of reality tv and how gossip sites, etc. take what's on the screen and sell it as reality, as truth.

Overall the book was entertaining and Margaret Stohl is really good at capturing the hilarity of a situation and setting up her characters for full effect. Royce Rolls is a ride on the wild side, so be sure to buckle up!

Favourite quote: "If I play my cards right, I can get my family renewed for another season and get the hell out of here. Look out, world. It was time to double down on Being Bentley."

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Want to see this book's sweet photoshoot? You can find it on my Instagram here!

Spook #3: Day 7

Day 7 (Cell 7 #2)
By Kerry Drewery

Genre(s): YA, Dystopia, Sci-fi
Publisher: Hotkey
Pub Date: September 2017
Page(s): 256
Price: $19.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

My thoughts on the book: Question: is it possible for a book, or an author, to kill you with fictional tension?!

Kerry Drewery knows how to create tension and Day 7 is the perfect example of this. The separation of two of my favourite characters drove me crazy in that Hunger Games: Mockingjay kind of way - it was so hard to watch these characters I'd grown to care about in Cell 7 get thrust into another set of dangerous and unpredictable circumstances. But at the same time...you kind of grow to love it! As torturous as storylines like this are, they're the good kind of torture. They're the kind that lets you know that the book's author is talented enough to create a plot and characters that you want to become invested in and that you root for.

One of the freakiest things about this book isn't an obvious 'spook'. It's the realism of the book and the series. This idea that governing forces can have such control over the lives of people. That media, and technology, can be manipulated and used to ruin the lives of innocent people for the 'entertainment' of the masses. Basically, a situation that hits close to home in today's modern age.

And the ending...oh boy, the ending! *struggles to contain my emotions*

Aaah I can't spoil it for you guys but it was so, so good. It made be even more excited for upcoming book(s) in the series and to see what complexities Martha will face next. Definitely the kind of dystopian tale that will have you eagerly hanging on to every word.

Favourite quote: 'I didn't dare look at her because I knew what I'd see in her eyes. Lies. Lies to make me feel better; I know damn well what will happen tomorrow. We're back to square one (...) I won't give up on you though. I'll do whatever it takes. But the fact is, I don't know what that is. Be with me, in my head, next to me, to help me find it.'

Add to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Sweet #3: I Hate Everyone But You

I Hate Everyone But You
By Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Fiction, GLBT
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Pub Date: October 2017
Page(s): 352
Price: $19.99 (AUD)

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Note(s): Does include some mature themes. I tend to view most college-esque content as 18+, just to be safe for my younger followers and readers. However, the decision is up to each individual to make :)

My thoughts on the book: Full of humour and heart I Hate Everyone But You is both a quirky read...and possibly the title of my autobiography! The 'you' part, of course, referring to my beautiful bookshelves ;)

The characters in I Hate Everyone But You are very reminiscent of Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With The Wind. They're flawed, troubled, and sometimes really, really annoying! I can't count the number of times I just stared at something Ava or Gen said and thought: "Umm what?!" They're not the kind of girls you'd be friends with...but I kinda started to realise that might be the point. Maybe, just maybe, their prickly exteriors and witty remarks were part of the bigger picture. As much as I didn't personally like Ava and Gen, I appreciated that their flawed characters made them realistic. That their friendship worked for them because no one else seemed to get it, or them.

The format was really interesting - the emails are a fun way of formatting the book, although it does take a bit of effort to get into the 'flow' of them. I did like how the subject lines of the emails foreshadowed the conversations or hinted at important points. It was also difficult to separate Gen and Ava as being separate people haha (they're so alike!) especially since I'm reading this in my one 'voice' inside my head.

The book does contain some mature themes - there are mentions of drinking and drugs, and the book is set in a college context. So if you're either (A) not a fan of this kind of content, or (B) read more of the younger or mid section of YA, just note that I Hate Everyone But You falls more on the 'adult' spectrum of YA.

A story that highlights the strength of a friendship based on hard truths and many a laugh, I Hate Everyone But You is as colourful and humorous as its emoji-covered cover.

Favourite quote: 'Gen: TELL ME ABOUT THE BOY BEFORE I STRANGLE YOU.
Ava: (...) I don't know what to say because I don't know if the entire thing was in my head. I guess I will start by setting the scene. Did I mention I'm currently in Screenwriting 101? The night: black. The stars: I'm not sure. We were inside.'

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Which book will you be settling down with for Halloween? What is the spookiest book you've ever read?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Drink Your Way Through A Court of Thorns & Roses: Tea Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 08:24:00 +0000

'"Who wants someone around who's covered in thorns? (...) Thorny. Prickly. Sour. Contrary."

He leaned forward and kissed me lightly. "Not forever," he said onto my mouth.'

There are few books I adore more than A Court of Thorns and Roses. After all what is not to love about a Sarah J. Maas book that (A) includes a feisty heroine, (B) is a fairytale re-telling, and (C) features gorgeous fae men?

You know what would make this great book even better? Tea!

Today I've paired up A Court of Thorns and Roses characters with tea choices that I felt were destined to be their better half. I've also included a few A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Moments To Drink To for each character - moments that not only link well with the chosen tea, but that are just too awesome not to raise a teacup to!

So without further ado...let's get sipping!

Character: Feyre

Drink: Cranberry and Pomegranate (Twinings)

The Cranberry and Pomegranate tea is one that pairs well with Feyre's fiery personality and inner strength. The bittersweet hints of pomegranate compliment the sweetness of the cranberry, making for a cup of tea that is full-bodied and rich in flavour.

I also liked how the inclusion of pomegranate - a fruit whose origins are steeped in mythology - fit well with the storyline of ACOTAR. Feyre, like Persephone, becomes trapped in a strange world, the captive of a brooding figure, due to a life-changing choice that she makes (Feyre's choice however does not involve fruit!).

There is also this pull between the world of mortals and the world of magic, myth, and legend. Just like Persephone and her dual nature, Feyre's dual nature comes into play during ACOTAR and the following books in the series. The tea brings to mind a woman who has all the makings of a heroine and who has the strength to do what must be done.

ACOTAR Moments To Drink To

“I threw myself into that fire, threw myself into it, into him, and let myself burn.”

“I wouldn't want to die alone," I said, and my voice wobbled as I looked at Tamlin again, forcing myself to meet his stare. "Because I'd want someone to hold my hand until the end, and awhile after that. That's something everyone deserves, human or faerie.”

“I was loosened, a top whirling around and around, and I didn't know who I danced with or what they looked like, only that I had become the music and the fire and the night, and there was nothing that could slow me down.”

Character: Rhysand

Drink: Jaffalicious (T2)

This Jaffalicious tea is an utter delight and wickedly decadent. A rush of alternating chocolate notes combined with bursts of citrus, this tea is just as mischievous and devilish as the ruler of the Night Court himself.

This tea, like Rhysand, has hidden depths and isn't as bitter or dark as it appears. One of my favourite parts of ACOTAR is the way that Rhysand, a secondary character, slowly steps into the spotlight as his character evolves from 'possibly evil hot fae lord' to 'he's totally misunderstood and a total cutie pie'. True, both sides of Rhysand are deadly when provoked! But there are hints of a hidden heart, a sweeter side to his wicked ways. Next time you settle down with ACOTAR and stumble across Rhys and his swoonworthy smile, be sure to have a cup of Jaffaclicious ready to go!

(Note: For the sake of pretty pictures I left the loose leaf tea in the cup in order to show off its colours, textures, etc. When making your own cup at home, the tea would be taken out after it has steeped.)

ACOTAR Moments To Drink To

'He (...) shrugged. "Because when the legends get written, I didn't want to be remembered for standing on the sidelines. I want my future offspring to know that I was there, and that I fought against her at the end, even if I couldn't do anything useful."

I blinked, this time not at the brightness of the sun.

"Because," he went on, his eyes locked with mine, "I didn't want you to fight alone. Or die alone."'

“Because all the monsters have been let out of their cages tonight, no matter what court they belong to. So I may roam wherever I wish until the dawn.”

"Why are you telling me this?"

The swagger and nastiness were gone. "Because I'm tired and lonely, and you're the only person I can talk to without putting myself at risk." He let out a low laugh. "How absurd: a High Lord of Prythian and a - "

"You can leave if you're just going to insult me."

"But I'm so good at it". He flashed one of his grins. I glared at him.'

Character: Tamlin

Drink: Lemon Sorbet (T2)

Nothing quite says High Lord of the Spring Court like a cup of Lemon Sorbet tea! A mixture of zesty and sweet, this is the kind of tea that you can't help but be drawn to. Just like Tamlin, it inspires a feeling of warmth and a little touch of wildness.

What is intriguing about Tamlin is that, as far as I was aware of growing up, the ideas that 'spring' brought to mind were always lighthearted and frivolous in nature - the complete opposite of this High Lord. True, there are moments where he lets loose a little, but it's a fine balance of freedom and control. Tamlin, like this tea, walks a fine line between the two - a thrilling journey from start to finish.

(Note: Again, for the sake of pretty pictures I left the loose leaf tea in the cup in order to show off its colours, textures, etc. When making your own cup at home, the tea would be taken out after it has steeped.)

ACOTAR Moments To Drink To

'The golden-haired High Fae's mask gleamed with the last rays of the afternoon sunshine. (...) When I didn't move, he sighed sharply. "What do you want, then?"

I said nothing. (...) Lucien drawled from his seat along the length of the table, " I told you so, Tamlin. (...) Your skills with females have definitely become rusty in recent decades."'

'“You look . . . better than before."

Was that a compliment? I could have sworn Lucien gave Tamlin an encouraging nod.

"And you hair is . . . clean.”'

'Tamlin paused, so close that one swipe of those claws lurking under his skin could rip my throat out. That was why the leather baldric bore no weapons: why use them when you were a weapon yourself?'

Which tea pairing was your favourite? Which book/series/character would you like to see a 'Drink Your Way Through' post of next?

Let me know in the comments below!

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)
Author: Sarah J. Maas

Description: Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price...

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

Add to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Quick Picks ~ This Week's Top 3 Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 09:25:00 +0000

Witches, troublemakers, and choices...oh my!

From a waitress and pop-star love story, to a tale of prophecies and magic, this past week has been filled with books that captured my attention and imagination.

Today I'm bringing three of these to your attention: The Black Witch by Laurie Forest, When It's Real by Erin Watt, and If There's No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

All three novels had something to offer and I hope they will intrigue you, entertain you, and above all have you falling in love with them just as much as I did.

A big thank you to Harlequin Publishing Australia for sending me these copies to review.

Let's get listing!

#1: The Black Witch

The Black Witch

By Laurie Forest

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Magic, Paranormal
Imprint: Harlequin Teen
Pub Date: June 2017
Page(s): 601
Price: $14.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

One sentence summary: The granddaughter of a powerful witch, despite having no magical abilities, must navigate the treacherous halls of a paranormal university in order to pursue her dreams.

Best part(s): There is something so compelling about unique elements in fantasy novels - regardless of whether they utilise tropes or plot devices that we've seen before. Unique elements can refresh concepts like 'magical schools/universities' and 'prophecies', bringing a new perspective to the table. Despite having read many a YA novel about magic-less descendants of beings of immense power, I was intrigued by The Black Witch's blurb and what it seemed to offer. What were Icarals? Who were the Gardnerian people? From the blurb alone, I wanted to know more.

The Black Witch is to be commended for drawing you in from the very first page. And nope, that's not a figure of speech - the first page set the stage for some really interesting plot points and mysteries that slowly unfurled as you continued. I liked that the book didn't need a 'settling in' period, and that I was able to commit to it from the get-go. It was well paced from the start and came with a cast of characters who were equally entertaining and flawed, as characters should be.

A small little sidetrack: I wanted to briefly address a point that has come up in the reviewing of this book for many of my fellow bloggers and reviewers.

Despite hearing about the 'controversy' surrounding themes such as racism and prejudice in The Black Witch, I didn't find anything. Not a hint. Instead, I found careful handling of the issues by an author who wasn't afraid to give a voice to the problems that plague us as a society in real life.

People seem to believe that when an author includes racist characters (or generally terrible human beings) in their books, that they are condoning or, worse, promoting the actions of these characters. There are rare cases where this is true, and horrible for all involved. However, nothing could be further from the truth in The Black Witch - it is setting a stage to make a point. To quote the book itself: "People see what they expect to see (...) through a filter of their own hatred and prejudice." It is sending a message that there is a problem with racism and prejudice and it is not ok.

In my opinion, The Black Witch provides some much-needed commentary on prejudice, its origins, and the impact it has on society. And whether you agree with my opinion, or not, one piece of advice stands true: decide for yourself. Alot of my fellow bloggers and reviewers have stressed this point, as have I, over the years and it's especially important when it comes to books that are 'controversial'. Before making a snap judgement about a book, read it. Make up your own mind before joining in the conversation. Don't just take people's opinions as law.

As the reviewer Bentley @ Bookbastion.net wrote in his review: "You owe it to your followers to acknowledge when the content/theme/or plot of a book was too offensive for you personally, to fully evaluate the literary aspects of the book with any degree of objectivity." Therefore I wanted to let you guys know that though some parts of the book were harrowing and emotional, I personally was able to get through them and thought they added to the overall message that these issues are problematic and should not be condoned.

Aaaand (now that my mothering moment is over lol!) back to the plot!

The plot itself was really nicely pieced together and, as I mentioned earlier, well paced. There was a good balance of information and plot movement, and very few 'information dumps' for the reader which is always nice in fantasy.

Elloren's character growth was another treat in The Black Witch and I truly hope that she (and the other characters) continue to evolve in The Iron Flower and any future books in The Black Witch Chronicles. I'm looking forward to the next leg of Elloren's journey and more of Laurie Forest's brilliant storytelling!

Least favourite part(s): I loved this book but (if I want to be fussy!) there were times when some things came a little to easily to our heroine or the other characters in this book - whether it was 'sensing' how another person felt or what they were thinking, or coming to convenient conclusions that furthered their character development or the plot.

These instances didn't take away from the book per se, but they did lessen the believability or realism of some of the more pivotal moments. However, overall, the book was a truly enjoyable read.

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'There are assorted side characters, too: the beautiful Gardnerian maidens with their long black hair; wicked Lupine shapeshifters—half-human, half-wolf; green-scaled Snake Elves; and the mysterious Vu Trin sorceresses. They’re characters from the storybooks and songs of my childhood, as familiar to me as the old patchwork quilt that lies on my bed.'

#2: When It's Real

When It's Real
By Erin Watt

Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pub Date: June 2017
Page(s): 413
Price: $14.99 (AUD)

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars

One sentence summary: A bad boy pop star requires an image overhaul and a fake girlfriend, and a part-time waitress just might be the solution to both.

Best part(s): I'm a sucker for romance! I've been honest about this in the past lol and it bears repeating: sometimes you're just in the mood for a feel-good read.

You know how it's gonna end. You know there's gonna be a conflict at the three-quarter mark where the two lovebirds will have a falling out. And you know the bad boy will have a repertoire of witty remarks, 50% if which will make you swoon. But it doesn't matter how predictable it is because you love the 'tale as old as time' and how entertaining it can be when the right writer is at the helm.

When It's Real was so, so good. I will admit that I went into with very little in the way of expectations, but was surprised by the imaginative spins on the 'popstar romance' story. The text messages were adorable (I especially love Vaughn's responses to Oakley's songwriting skills!) and their chemistry didn't seem overly forced, with a base of camaraderie that made their eventual romance a little more realistic.

Overall, I think the best part about When It's Real is its underlying message and the way the story forced both of its characters to reassess their priorities and the importance of being genuine when it comes to relationships in and out of the public eye.

Least favourite part(s): W. What a loser!! Every time I read about him I internally cringed - especially the way he treated Vaughn at times. Let's just say that he definitely will not be up for the 'Book Boyfriend of 2017' award!

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'I can't maintain eye contact anymore, because I don't have a different idea. I rub my throat and wonder how I lost my mojo. If pretending to date a girl I don't know, who doesn't like me, gets it back, then I'll be the best boyfriend that this chick has ever had.

Which can't be hard considering her current one is named 'W'.'

#3: If There's No Tomorrow

If There's No Tomorrow
By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pub Date: September 2017
Page(s): 384
Price: $14.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

One sentence summary: A young woman faces her senior year with mixed emotions, but everything is turned upside down when a single choice, a single moment, changes the importance of tomorrow.

Best part(s): The goddess has returned!!! Cue the celebratory music!!! J. L. Armentrout is known for bringing us brilliantly pieced together YA, emotional moments to sob over, and swoonworthy men (and yep, If There's No Tomorrow has all three!). I was so happy to see that she'd written a standalone, not because I didn't want a new series, or a continuation of an existing one, but because I was so excited to see what new ideas she had in store.

If There's No Tomorrow is built around the idea that a single choice can shape your tomorrow, and the tomorrow of others. That our choices can bring us a range of emotions, from guilt to grief, and they can turn a situation or a relationship on its head. If There's No Tomorrow makes readers take a second look at their own actions, making them think about whether or not mistakes are trials, or lessons. Whether they are things to cry over, or moments to learn from in order to make wiser choices moving forward.

Lena's own 'choice' that sends her spiralling is one that is so complex, as most choices are. I think one of the highlights of the book for me was the way J. L. wrote the impact of this choice - the way Lena took the choice and gave it a life of its own. No spoilers, but Lena's guilt feeds the choice, turning it into something she uses as a shield, a sword, a wall...a defence against change and facing the consequences. In her mind, she knew what others thought, what they would say, how they would react. She burned so many bridges by allowing herself to wallow in the choice, instead of moving on.

The theme of this book, 'moving on', was explored well and was very nuanced. There was no 'miracle cure' to Lena's grief and guilt, or for anyone else's. There was no turning back time, or redo, no High School Musical-esque reunion. Instead there was a gradual process of healing, with realistic bumps and sidetracks.

All in all If There's No Tomorrow made me smile, it made me cry, and it made me swoon over yet another one of J.L. Armentrout's fictional males (honestly at this point I'm pretty much in love with every single one she's written lol).

Least favourite part(s): I have a love-hate relationship with the whole 'two people love each other but for some reason aren't together' thing (*cough* La La Land *cough*). I get that it's a part of the plot but it hurts my little bookworm heart! :(

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'"You're delusional!" I swung my arm out.

He was wicked fast, catching my wrist effortlessly. (...) I tried to yank my arm free, but he pulled me forward at the same time, and I was off balance. (...) We were eye to eye. Except he wasn't staring at my eyes.

At least it didn't seem that way. It felt like his gaze was focused on my mouth, and my stomach hollowed. Time seemed to stop and I became aware of every part of him that was touching me.

(...) "I'm delusional?" he asked, voice raspy.
I shivered. "Yes."'

Which book will you be adding to your TBR? Have you read any standout books this week?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

A New Shade of Summer ~ Review

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 09:23:00 +0000

Love in Lenox is back!

It's time to crack out the bookmarks (and the tissue boxes!) because author Nicole Deese is back with her third book in the Love in Lenox series, A New Shade of Summer.

The Love in Lenox series is a treat of a contemporary romance series that has gifted readers with many a fictional couple to journey along with and root for. And I am so delighted to have gotten the chance to discover Callie and Davis' romance.

Read on for more information on the book + my thoughts on the latest Love in Lenox addition!

A New Shade of Summer (Love in Lenox #3)

By Nicole Deese

Genre(s): Contemporary, Romance, Clean, Christian Fiction
Publisher: Waterfall Press
Pub Date: September 12th 2017
Page(s): 336

Summary: As an artist, Callie Quinn relies on inspiration to guide her wandering soul. This summer she accepts a short-term muralist job in her sister’s charming town to spend some much-needed time with her family. After meeting her nephew’s friend, Brandon, she’s eager to draw out his untapped artistic talents—however, it’s the boy’s straitlaced single father who could use a little color in his life.

Davis Carter may be the town’s favorite animal whisperer, but his experience is limited when it comes to understanding his preteen’s rebellious behavior. Desperate for a breakthrough, he follows the lead of a free spirit who claims to know the way into his son’s closed-off world. Soon, Davis isn’t the only one caught up in the hope of a new beginning.

Just as Callie considers trading her unattached existence for a life rich with promise and permanence, an unexpected visit from the past threatens to send her packing once again. Davis and Callie must learn to surrender their fears so they can find a love that will outlast the summer.

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Rating:

A New Shade of Summer is a quintessential Nicole Deese novel.

Nicole Deese's stories always bring so much to the table in terms of development and intensity. From their plot, to their characters, they always go above and beyond to deliver readers a tale that connects as well as entertains.

I've always admired the way that Nicole Deese manages to balance 'connection' with 'entertainment', not sacrificing one for the other. Her Love in Lenox series has so far proven again and again that it is possible for a book to keep you hooked, laughing and content - and for it to make you think deeply on love, life, and loss. And A New Shade of Summer is no different. In fact, it may just be one of Nicole Deese's most heart-tugging reads to date!

Callie Quinn is a kindred spirit.

A wandering soul that secretly yearns for roots of her own, Callie was a delight to discover. There were so many moments where the story unfolded yet another layer of her character, building her into this multi-faceted woman whose determination, fears, and strengths made her all the more relatable.

Her connection with David Carter was utter magic from the very beginning. It's impossible for me to be unbiased here (because I am a romantic at heart!) but there was this zing! when the two characters interacted. Their romance didn't feel force-fed to the reader and had as many depths as it did stepping stones.

Prepare yourself for some cathartic reflection.

I love books that subtly - or not-so-subtly - interweave some 'moments of reflection' or 'life lessons' into the story's framework. A New Shade of Summer had so many bookmark-worthy moments to read (and re-read!) and to just sit back and take in.

One of my favourite moments was a realistic lesson on love and loss and on opening ourselves to both:

'"I had to decide what I was more afraid of - living life without her, or facing death with her. There was no second-guessing once my decision was made."

Again, my nose tingled with ready emotion. Would I ever allow myself to experience that kind of love? "Wow. That's really...extraordinary."

He gave a slight chuckle. "It didn't feel extraordinary at the time."

Didn't it? I wondered. How would it feel to love so deeply? To give myself to another person so willingly? I couldn't even begin to imagine. "Well, take it from me, a love like that is beyond rare."'

But my favourite lessons above all from A New Shade of Summer was that love is unconditional and that when you love someone, you love them as they are. You're accepting all of them, not the 'good' parts in the hopes of shaping them into your 'ideal' partner along the road.

'"I didn't fall in love with some maternal, bread-making, scrapbook-saving traditionalist. I fell in love with you. You. (...) You, the ever-whimsical, have-an-inside-picnic-on-a-Sunday-afternoon, mural-painting, dog-saving, teenage-boy-whispering you. No one else."'

Overall, A New Shade of Summer is not a read to miss out on experiencing.

Whether you're looking for a read to make you smile, or a novel with depths to explore, A New Shade of Summer certainly offers both!

A big thank you to Nicole Deese and Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book.

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the following reviews are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

We That Are Left Blog Tour ~ Review + Guest Post

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 22:55:00 +0000

I am woman, hear me roar.

Women have always played a diverse and multi-layered role in our world's history. Whether it was at the forefront, or behind the scenes, women often found ways of dealing with seemingly impossible trials and overcoming them.

Lisa Bigelow's We That Are Left is a story that highlights the ability of women to adapt, evolve, and triumph in times of turmoil and war. Thanks to Allen and Unwin I was able to obtain a copy for review as a part of their We That Are Left Blog Tour. It was an emotional read that balanced history and heart.

Read on to find out more about We That Are Left and my thoughts on the book. Also be sure to check out the guest post by We That Are Left's author, Lisa Bigelow!

For more We That Are Left Blog Tour content, follow the tour as it hops from blog to blog! Details can be found on the tour's official poster (bottom of post).

We That Are Left

By Lisa Bigelow

Genre(s): Fiction, Chick Lit, War, Women's Fiction
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Pub Date: September 2017
Page(s): 400
Price: $29.99 (AUD)

Summary: A moving debut novel about love and war, and the terrifyingly thin line between happiness and tragedy, hope and despair.

Melbourne, 1941. Headstrong young Mae meets and falls head over heels in love with Harry Parker, a dashing naval engineer. After a whirlwind courtship they marry and Mae is heavily pregnant when she hears that Harry has just received his dream posting to HMAS Sydney. Just after Mae becomes a mother, she learns Harry's ship is missing.

Meanwhile, Grace Fowler is battling prejudice to become a reporter on the afternoon daily newspaper, The Tribune, while waiting for word on whether her journalist boyfriend Phil Taylor, captured during the fall of Singapore, is still alive.

Surrounded by their friends and families, Mae and Grace struggle to keep hope alive in the face of hardship and despair. Then Mae's neighbour and Grace's boss Sam Barton tells Mae about a rumour that the Japanese have towed the damaged ship to Singapore and taken the crew prisoner. Mae's life is changed forever as she focuses her efforts on willing her husband home.

Set in inner Melbourne and rural Victoria, We That Are Left is a moving and haunting novel about love and war, the terrifyingly thin line between happiness and tragedy, and how servicemen and women are not the only lives lost when tragedy strikes during war.

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Book Credit

We That Are Left by Lisa Bigelow is published by Allen & Unwin, RRP $29.99, available now.

Order your copy today via:

iBooks | Google Play | Amazon | Booktopia

Rating:

We That Are Left is a tale highlighting female strength.

As an avid history student, both back in highschool and currently in university, I am always drawn to tales of women who defied odds, or overcame obstacles. Sometimes the stories come in the form of 'epic' tales - stories featuring women whose feats were so thrilling, so impossibly brave or ingenious, that it was hard to believe that they were real.

But, more often than not, the stories are much more mundane - although just as impactful. Women who were good mothers, good wives, good people. 'Average' women who carried life's burdens and still found reasons to smile, or offer a kind word. These women held a kind of magnetic pull, because they didn't need to discover new horizons or jump headfirst into battle. They used what they had to keep things running and to keep up a sense of hope and strength, even during the darkest times.

We That Are Left features two such women.

Mae and Grace are such intriguing characters. In their own ways, each of them utilises the war and its accompanying emotions of grief, worry, fear, and anger. They used these emotions to fuel their will to live and to fight in the small - or bigger - ways that they can. The women the war left behind are shown to grow, if not thrive, in a world that was so sure they'd simply fall apart.

Lisa Bigelow is so talented. She has a way of writing that really highlights the humanity in her characters. From character idiosyncrasies, to subtleties of speech, there are so many delightful instances where the reader becomes lost in the world Lisa Bigelow has painted. It's often hard to consider this fiction whilst reading it, because its message and story ring so true - emotionally and historically. Stories like this help us to remember the women and the moments that defined Australia as a country - and that impacted the world.

Historical fiction can often be a struggle.

I know that for a lot of people, historical fiction is a 'chore' to get through. Personally, I enjoy historical fiction (although I usually steer towards either the ancient, Victorian, or ballgown variety!) yet I have always found modern historical fiction to be a difficult genre to navigate. You often feel like you've heard this tale before.

The key is for the author to reinvent - or present a shifted perspective on - history. The reader need to view these characters as a worthy investment of their time and emotion, rather than as representations of historical issues or concepts. And Lisa Bigelow's characters, with all their personal trials and flaws, do not come across as artificial or as 'regurgitated' history. You're invested in them and their journey from the start.

We That Are Left paints a portrait of history whilst paying tribute to those who paved the way for the present.

'Clutching the robe, stiff from the clothesline, she rolled it lengthwise and lay on the bed beside it so it stretched from her face to her feet, her knee bent across the middle as though Harry were inside it. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly and deeply. I'm right here, darling. I'm staying right here till I know you're coming home.'

Bringing Grace Fowler To Life
~ By Lisa Bigelow ~

I began writing this novel from Mae Parker’s perspective. But parts of the HMAS Sydney story were begging to be told that were difficult to weave into the existing narrative of Mae and her family and friends. At one point a publisher who read an earlier draft of my manuscript suggested that I should try adding a female journalist to the story. That suggestion immediately sparked possibilities. In fact,

I went to a gym class that night and as I was working out, Grace Fowler appeared in my imagination and began presenting parts of the story that I’d so far had to leave out.

Grace could cover news events that Mae might not have known about and she could also illustrate the work and career opportunities that women had during wartime, knowing that they would have to return to the kitchen when the men came home. She could also interact with the Women’s Land Army and write stories about rationing while having a parallel experience to Mae, of waiting for

news of her boyfriend and wishing him home.

Grace also bought to life my personal love of 1930s Girl Reporter movies. I’d grown up on those but it wasn’t until I was researching Grace’s story that I learned that 1930s Girl Reporter movies formed an entire cinematic genre. Torchy Blane was the heroine in one of the most popular Girl Reporter movie series and you can watch her on YouTube.

Lisa Bigelow’s life revolves around story-telling. An avid reader from age five, her career as a journalist and communicator has been all building and delivering compelling stories about water resources, climate change and any issue that interests her audiences.

She recently completed a Masters Degree in Communication and aims to use her writing to illuminate ongoing issues and make them accessible to a wide readership. We That Are Left is her first novel.

Connect with Lisa via her:

Website | Facebook

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Spellbinding From Start to Finish ~ Spellslinger Review

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 11:50:00 +0000

Now you see it...now you don't!

Magic has such an allure. Whether it's the kind of magic that involves wands and Nimbus 2000s...or the type that's entrenched in trickery and relies on sleight of hand. Magic and magic tricks are a world of wonder for the senses and the mind, encouraging us to second guess everything and question what is real and what is illusion.

Sebastien De Castell's Spellslinger weaves a tale centred around a protagonist who straddles the line between magic and con-artistery. Thanks to Allen and Unwin and Hot Key Books I was able to obtain a copy for review. And let me just say, it was not an easy book to put down!

*No kings, queens, or jokers were harmed during the taking of these photographs.

Read on to find out my thoughts on Spellslinger. And be sure to let me know which De Castell magic band you'd choose to belong to in the comments below!

Rating:

Spellslinger is the kind of fantasy that puts you in a trance.

There's no slow crawl to the main action, or a bunch of info-dumping paragraphs shoved between important plot points. It integrates the unique fantasy concepts organically, in a way that makes them easy for the reader's mind to pick up and adopt. This allows you to become fully immersed in De Castell's vivid world of magic and skilled illusion...so much so that when you finally do put down the book, it's still replaying itself in your head!

De Castell's imagination is a wild and wonderful place.

From the Jan'Tep and Sha'Tep (magical wielders and failed mages turned servants ~~essentially wizards and Squibs for all you Potterheads!~~), to the tattooed 'bands' that children are required to 'spark'...there are just so many details to uncover and fangirl over.

I honestly thought that the tattoos and bands were such a unique way of determining a wielder's magic type, especially the way De Castell breaks down the different bands: iron (protective), ember (fire), breath (air), silk (mind manipulation), blood (physical manipulation), sand (secret knowledge), shadow (emptiness and demonic).

This perspective on magic really set the stage for a pleasurable journey from the first page to the last.

Kellen and Ferius are total team goals.

I'm a fan of dynamic duos and these two definitely make the list! There is something so intriguing about their interactions and the way they compliment one another.

Kellen is burdened by loyalties and the complexities of the society he lives in. Ferius is a map drawer, with a fiery inner strength. There is this underlying push and pull between them, as they bring out different facets of one another. I also like how their relationship isn't burdened with an typical YA romantic expectations, which I wasn't expecting and really appreciated.

Overall, Spellslinger was a winsome read with tonnes of potential.

I was so happy to discover that this is the first book in the series and not a standalone! Although an enjoyable read, there was certainly room for improvement and growth - both in regards to Spellslinger's world and its characters.

It was very reminiscent of a lot of 'first books' that I've read in some of my favourite series. It introduces the world and characters nicely, but doesn't delve too deeply below the surface with them just yet. I'm hoping that the next book(s) allow the world and characters to reach their fullest potential and to wow us with more magical hijinks.

'I could see its pain so clearly in that moment. The anger. The fear. And I finally saw what Ferius had wanted me to see.

I saw myself.
I saw who I was and I saw the man I wanted to be.

I finally understood how that man was different from my friends and from my family, from my people. And I knew precisely what that man would do.

It was something very, very stupid.'

Spellslinger

By Sebastien De Castell

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Magic
Publisher: Hotkey
Pub Date: May 2017
Page(s): 400
Price: $19.99 (AUD)

Summary: There are three things that earn you a man’s name among the Jan’Tep. The first is to demonstrate the strength to defend your family. The second is to prove you can perform the high magic that defines our people. The third is surviving your fourteenth year. I was a few weeks shy of my birthday when I learned that I wouldn’t be doing any of those things.

Magic is a con game.

Kellen is moments away from facing his first mage's duel and the start of four trials that will make him a spellcaster. There's just one problem: his magic is gone. As his sixteenth birthday approaches, Kellen falls back on his cunning in a bid to avoid total disgrace. But when a daring stranger arrives in town, she challenges Kellen to take a different path. Ferius Parfax is one of the mysterious Argosi - a traveller who lives by her wits and the three decks of cards she carries. She's difficult and unpredictable, but she may be Kellen's only hope...

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Will you be adding Spellslinger to your TBR? If you could belong to a magic band (iron, ember, breath, silk, blood, sand, or shadow) which would it be and why?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Love & Loss ~ 3 Reads That Will Tug On The Heartstrings

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:56:00 +0000

Most bookworms have a love-hate relationship with heartstring-pullers.

Heartstring-pullers have a spot on every bookshelf (usually hidden behind intensely emotionally fan art, tissue boxes, and empty wine glasses!). They're the reads we're drawn to despite the potential heartbreak and tearjerking scenes to come.

But there is sense of catharsis that comes with reads like these - stories that get us to think about, or re-connect with, moments in our own lives. Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer, Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland, and Out Of Heart by Irfan Master, are three examples of reads that will have you shedding a tear or two ~~or a flood of tears to rival Alice in Wonderland's tear-fest~~ and learning some heartwarming lessons.

A big thank you to Allen and Unwin, Hot Key Books, and Bloomsbury for sending me these copies to review.

Read on to find out my thoughts on these books and be sure to let me know which reads tug at your heartstrings in the comments below!

#1: Letters to the Lost

Letters to the Lost

By Brigid Kemmerer

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub Date: April 2017
Page(s): 393
Price: $16.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

One sentence summary: A young woman leaves letters at her mother's grave, which are discovered by a young man with secrets of his own.

Best part(s): Brigid Kemmerer has a way of showing the beautiful in the broken. Very much like the art of kintsugi (the Japanese method of repairing broken ceramics with gold, silver, or platinum), Kemmerer's books take the broken pieces of her characters and turn them into something new, something bright and alluring that draws the reader in.

We read books all the time about broken people who have lost loved ones, and I know personally that it's often a struggle to find books that connect fully with your own personal understanding of loss, death, and grief. Especially in YA, emotional characters can often come across as exaggerated or 'sad for the sake of plot development'. Letters to the Lost has a sense of authenticity about it that makes it hard to put down.

Kemmerer's use of Juliet and Declan's messages makes the sorrow real. Neither one pretends to have the answers, or to be capable of healing the other's pain. Neither of them is a perfect person. Both have flaws that bring so much to their characters. There is a sense of raw realism in their writing to one another - vulnerable admissions that make you feel like you're almost intruding. As if you're reading someone's personal diary, in a way! I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter and felt that there was a nice balance between message elements and plot, making the novel well paced throughout.

Overall, Letters to the Lost was the kind of YA romance I can get behind. One with soul, a keen sense of awareness, and a whole lot of heart.

Least favourite part(s): I wanted more romance...but then I didn't...but then I did...but then I didn't! Aaaaah I'm such a mess haha, but I couldn't figure out whether I wanted there to be more romance or swoony elements or whether it would have ruined the book and/or overtaken the plot. I'm still not sure on that to be honest (just call me Ms. Indecisive Bookworm :P).

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'I'd say you're kind of dark, but I'm writing to a girl who leaves letters in a cemetery, so I guess that's a given.'

#2: Lost for Words

Lost for Words
By Stephanie Butland

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit
Publisher: Bonnier
Pub Date: August 2017
Page(s): 352
Price: $29.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

One sentence summary: Life's losses have made a woman seek refuge in a bookshop - the past refuses to stay put, but is there healing to be found?

Best part(s): Loveday. Loveday is the best part of Lost for Words! I mean, what's not to love?

(1) She works in a bookshop (automatic A+ right there)
(2) She prefers books to people (which makes her my new best friend)
(3) She may be an introvert, but she's got a secret sassy and sarcastic side hidden within (three cheers for introverts!)

I love how Stephanie Butland's character development for Loveday is well paced and isn't set up to be an immediate 'oh I totally relate/love/wanna be bffs with her' kind of thing. Loveday seems pretty average and unassuming when we first meet her, but as the book goes on new facets of Loveday are brought to the surface.

With each facet comes another layer of complexity, making Loveday more interesting by the page. Past and present Loveday collide to create a protagonist that you will root for as she discovers who she is and where her place is. Beautiful and bittersweet, Lost for Words is a vivid tale that should most certainly find a spot on your bookshelf.

Least favourite part(s): It was truly a brilliant read, however it was not - for me - as gripping as I normally prefer my reads.

This is purely personal preference (because it truly is a standout of a book!) and probably reflects my lazy reading habits haha. But I like my books to sort of pull me into the action and to have an intensity, or an undertone, to keep me hooked. Lost for Words is fairly relaxed. Which again, isn't a bad thing! It was just took a little more effort for me to connect with at first.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'No words came. I just started to cry and, even though the salt hurt on the outside and the effort hurt on the inside, the physical pain was nothing compared to the way that my feelings were ripping at me, and it was a long, long time until the tears stopped.'

#3: Out Of Heart

Out Of Heart
By Irfan Master

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary
Publisher: Bonnier
Pub Date: July 2017
Page(s): 272
Price: $16.99 (AUD)

Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars

One sentence summary: An elderly man dies and donates his heart, giving another man a chance to live life and to connect with the deceased's family.

Best part(s): Irfan Master has given a stage and a voice to disability and diversity in YA, which I found to be refreshing and intriguing. I do not know if there is a 'right' way to write about disability and diversity, but Irfan does an admirable job of bringing the issues and emotions surrounding heart transplants to light.

I especially like that the plot focuses on this idea of life VS death and what it means to be given a chance to live at the expense of someone else's death. William is alive because of another person, but does that make him a part of the deceased's family? Does that give him a place in their world, or does it in fact exclude him from it? Does he owe the deceased and his family a debt of gratitude, or does he simply get to live his life as he chooses, free of guilt or concerns?

These sorts of questions arise as the plot unfolds and give the reader a lot to mull over as they journey along with William and the Shah family. Out of Heart is a touching tale that proves that loved ones may be out of sight, but they are never out of heart and mind.

Least favourite part(s): Pacing for me was an issue - the book felt a little slow, or drawn out. It was as if the plot was a wad of slime or putty of some sort and had been stretched out super thin, so that holes or gaps started to form. I just felt as if it could have either (A) been more concise or (B) been added to, to give it more purpose or intensity.

There was nothing that jumped out at me plot-wise, which made it a more slower paced book (which, for me, can lead to drops in concentration when reading). It would have been interesting to see more dynamics apart from the often two-dimensional secondary characters. There was some character development, however none of it was truly surprising or dramatic in any way.

It was a book with a lot of heart (literally and figuratively!) and I did like it, however if its pacing had picked up it would have been far more enjoyable.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'William felt such warmth for them then, and joy that they had come for him. But even in that moment, he knew that as much as he didn't want to, as much as his new heart told him to stay, his old heart told him to leave. They all walked out of the station together, but William was already thinking of ways to be alone.'

Which book will you be adding to your TBR? Have you read any heartwarming or heart-tugging books this week?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Drink Your Way Through SJTR: Tea Edition (Hunting Prince Dracula Blog Tour)

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 04:47:00 +0000

There are few books I adore more than Stalking Jack The Ripper and I am so excited to be a part of tour for the latest book in the series Hunting Prince Dracula.

You know what goes well with a great book? Tea!

Today I've paired up Stalking Jack The Ripper characters with tea choices that I felt were destined to be their better half. I've also included a few Stalking Jack The Ripper (SJTR) Moments To Drink To for each character - moments that not only link well with the chosen tea, but that are just too awesome not to raise a teacup to!

A massive thank you to author Kerri Maniscalco and one of the amazing Knights of the Whitechapel Library Luv from Beyond the Book Reviews for organising this awesome event.

Also don't forget to enter the tour's giveaway for a chance to win an ARC of Hunting Prince Dracula (INTL)!

Character: Audrey Rose Wadsworth

Drink: English Breakfast (Bag Ladies Novel Teas)

English Breakfast seemed to me to be Audrey's perfect match, with its hidden depths and its underlying strength. Not only is this tea a nod to her being a member of the aristocracy, but Bag Ladies Novel Teas are all about pairing the classic tea flavour with some of the most memorable book quotes. Every tea comes with a surprise quote that highlights another reason to love books (and tea!).

I also thought it would be a little ironic. English breakfast is quite a common tea...and Audrey is anything but common! However, just like the Bag Ladies have done with their teas, Audrey has taken the idea of a 'proper' lady and given it a twist. This combination of class and smarts immediately brings Audrey to mind.

SJTR Moments To Drink To

'"Where in a medical dictionary does it say a woman cannot handle such things? What is a man’s soul made of that a woman’s is not?” I teased. “I had no idea my innards were composed of cotton and kittens, while yours were filled with steel and steam-driven parts.”'

'My daily worries were so far removed, I feared I’d always be shunned amongst my peers. While I enjoyed finery, I tried imagining myself chattering on about a napkin design, but my thoughts kept turning to deceased bodies, and I laughed at my failure to even picture being a so-called normal young lady. I was determined to be both pretty and fierce, as Mother had said I could be.'

Character: Thomas Cresswell

Drink: Forest Fruits with a Twist of Apple (Tetley)

The Forest Fruits with a Twist of Apple tea pairs well with the handsome (and charming) Thomas. The darker, slightly bitter notes of forest fruits are complemented nicely by the unexpected sweetness of the apple.

This contrast reminded me strongly of the battling sides of Thomas we experience in SJTR - the darker side with its arrogance and suppressed emotion, and the playful, kinder side that appreciates Audrey and her intelligence. Just like how when steeping tea it goes from weak to strong, Thomas' SJTR evolution strengthens him as a character, shaping him into the Thomas we all know and adore.

SJTR Moments To Drink To

'Golden-brown eyes were perfectly set into an angular face, as if Leonardo da Vinci had painted him himself (...) His chin was squared, giving him a look of steadfast determination. Even his nose was thin and regal, giving an air of alertness to his every expression. If he weren’t so infuriatingly aware of his own intelligence, he’d be quite attractive, I supposed.'

'His eyes danced as if he’d discovered a vastly entertaining secret, and I knew I was a mouse that had been caught by an all too clever cat.'

'He twisted on his heel and crossed the room in a few short strides. Clutching my elbows, he kissed my cheek, rendering me both speechless and scarlet. (...) “You’re brilliant, Audrey Rose,” Thomas said, eyes glittering with admiration.'

Character: Jonathan Wadsworth

Drink: Apple Cider (DavidsTea)

This Apple Cider tea is honestly one of the most amazing tea mixes I've tried - not only does its taste like a freshly baked apple pie, but the aroma is simply irresistible. It's one of my go-to teas when I want something mind-clarifying. Just like Jonathan Wadsworth, whose mind is a maze of connections and experiments, this tea has a startling level of complexity.

(NB: Funnily enough this tea was actually a gift from Library Luv! When I was mapping out this post, I just knew I had to include it.)

SJTR Moments To Drink To

'Uncle Jonathan sighed. “You’re to come dressed as a boy. And if you so much as utter one word, it will be your first and last time in my classroom. Understand?”

I nodded vigorously. “I promise. I’ll be as silent as the dead.”

“Ah,” Uncle said, putting a hat on and tugging it low, “the dead speak to those who listen. Be quieter than even them.”'

'He was a strong-minded man. (...) He probably found a way of studying different mold specimens growing in patches along the dank walls and floor. The thought made me smile in the face of fear. That’s precisely what Uncle would do in this situation. He’d turn it into a giant experiment to pass the time, never realizing he was actually set inside against his will.'

'“Ha!” Uncle clapped his hands with echoing force.

I jumped at his outburst, relieved most of the class jolted in their wooden seats along with me. There was no denying Uncle was passionate about murder.'

Character: Liza

Drink: Passionfruit with a Twist of Hibiscus (Tetley)

The Passionfruit with a Twist of Hibiscus tea is just as summery and bright as the lovely Liza - Audrey's cousin and friend. Liza has been raised to be the perfect lady but has a hidden, romantic side with strong opinions and a stubborn streak.

The tea embodies this perfectly. Whilst the passionfruit notes present Liza's passionate nature, the hibiscus is traditionally a flower that is considered to be quite feminine. In Victorian times, giving a lady a hibiscus meant that the giver was acknowledging the her beauty. Liza, like her tea, is a pleasing mix of both passion and beauty.

SJTR Moments To Drink To

'I sincerely doubted my cousin, Liza, would think of blood splatter. She’d probably bid an attendant to come and address the stain before it had time to set. Aunt Amelia had raised her well and was undoubtedly hoping I’d turn out the same with a little polishing.'

'If Aunt Amelia was the embodiment of what all proper young ladies should aspire to, Liza was her shining protégé. Except Liza had a fascinating way of flouting tradition when it suited her romantic notions.'

'She (Liza) tapped my nose. “Wield your assets like a blade, Cousin. No man has invented a corset for our brains. Let them think they rule the world. It’s a queen who sits on that throne. Never forget that. There’s no reason you can’t wear a simple frock to work, then don the finest gown and dance the night away. But only if it pleases you.”'

Character: Jack the Ripper

Drink: Baxter's Choc Buns (T2)

When it comes to murderers, mystery and mayhem, what goes better than chocolate?! Baxter's Choc Buns tea is a rich blend of spices and chocolate. With a packaging that is as almost as showy as Jack's personality, it's an almost sinful treat to enjoy. You can almost picture Jack the Ripper coming home, after another night of crime, and sitting down with a cup (although such a domestic scene certainly doesn't fit with his character!).

As a lover of all things history, the figure of Jack the Ripper has always intrigued me and when I read Stalking Jack the Ripper I was blown away by Kerri's creative storytelling and the way she's re-imagined and woven together Jack. In a way, she made him more terrifying. So whilst Jack's tea may be the perfect thing to soothe and calm your nerves, Jack - on the other hand - is most definitely not!

(NB: Those who've read the book will know that when Audrey stumbled across Jack's lair she offered 'Jack' tea to calm him down! I'm not certain whether that particular tea had chocolate, but I thought it was a wonderful coincidence.)

SJTR Moments To Drink To

'The days of holding back his ghastly deeds were apparently over. Jack wanted everyone to know he was responsible for these horrendous crimes. He was like an actor or king soaking up the attention of adoring fans and countrymen.'

'"Jack the Ripper, whoever he truly is, doesn’t appear to be thinking logically, Wadsworth. The man just ingested a human organ. Perhaps he feels invincible, and rightly so; thus far he’s gotten away with his crimes.”'

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Release Date: September 19th 2017

Description: In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer…or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper’s true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories.

Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe’s best schools of forensic medicine…and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life’s dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the
school’s forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life
once again.

Praise for Hunting Prince Dracula

“There are plenty of suspects and red herrings as well as tense escalations….A scenic, twisty mystery.” ― Kirkus Reviews

“Readers of the previous mystery will be thrilled to have more of this likable duo. [A] delightful romp into an 1888 Gothic mystery with a hint of romance.” ― School Library Connection

Add to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

Or order yourself a copy via:

Interested in reading the first chapter? Catch the Entertainment Weekly exclusive here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began.

In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.

Connect with Kerri via:

Quick Picks ~ This Week's Top 3 Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 10:46:00 +0000

It's been awhile but Quick Picks is back!

A massive thank you to all of you guys for being patient with me over the last couple of months as I took a bit of a health hiatus from blogging and reviewing. Taking a break to focus on my health is a decision I am truly thankful I made, but I missed reviewing and am so, so happy to be back!

This past week I've indulged in some great reads.

Today I'm bringing three of these to your attention: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon, Nightstruck by Jenna Black, and The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan.

Each of these reads had something in common.

All three novels had plots whose unique concepts captured my imagination from the start. I hope they will intrigue you, entertain you, and above all have you falling in love with them just as much as I did.

A big thank you to Allen & Unwin, Bloomsbury, Pan Macmillan Australia, and Penguin Random House Australia for sending me these copies to review.

Let's get listing!

#1: The Bone Season

The Bone Season

By Samantha Shannon

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Science Fiction, Paranormal
Imprint: Bloomsbury
Pub Date: February 2017
Page(s): 560
Price: $24.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

One sentence summary: A powerful Dreamwalker, leading a double life and dabbling in crime, is abducted by a race of immortals and must fight to escape.

Best part(s): I have always envied authors who seemingly pluck incredibly imaginative concepts out of thin air. And Samantha Shannon has been officially added to that list!

There is something so intriguing about the idea that there are 'types' of clairvoyants: Soothsayers, Augurs, Mediums, Sensors, Guardians, Furies, and Jumpers (each with their own 'sub categories' of clairvoyants). It really ignites your imagination as a reader and makes you consider how each type of clairvoyant differs and how these differences make for a great plot basis and storytelling.

From the very first page our protagonist Paige is an amusing narrator, managing to balance the book's current line of plot and action with backstory. There is no information dumping, and the introduction of futuristic or paranormal elements is made with relative ease.

The dialogue is another treat in The Bone Season, with many quotable lines and vivid imagery. The combination of steady plot pacing and quality dialogue leads to satisfying character development. Even though Paige is the book's focal point, the reader is also easily able to invest in the story's secondary characters.

Overall, I can understand why The Bone Season has been a frequently recommended read - it is a book that is easy to become lost in as you visit a unique and thrilling dystopia.

Least favourite part(s): There is some predictability in The Bone Season's plot, as it follows quite a few 'well travelled' YA pathways and tropes.

Although this may, for some readers, make it harder to digest (as it lessens a reader's anticipation) I myself am not totally against the use of cliches and well-used plot complications, etc. in YA fiction. I think, when well-written and combined with fresh concepts, they can still provide readers with quality reading material.

The Bone Season was still any enjoyable read overall...however I do hope that future books in the series rely less on cliches and instead emphasis Samantha Shannon's own unique creations.

Find out more about the book & add it your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'"Paige. I'm trying to help you."
"Go to hell."
"I already exist on a level of hell."
"Exist on one that isn't near mine."'

#2: Nightstruck

Nightstruck
By Jenna Black

Genre: YA, Horror, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Pub Date: April 2016
Page(s): 304
Price: $14.99 (AUD)

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

One sentence summary: A young woman struggles with the quickly blurring line between reality and nightmare, as people start missing only to emerge again crazed and violent when the sun goes down.

Best part(s): It's been such a long time since I've read a book with really good horror elements. Nightstruck not only has a stunning cover (and title!) but its story paints a portrait of terror and struggle.

One of my favourite parts of the book was Chapter 1 and the ingenious starting scene of our protagonist coming across an abandoned 'baby'. The imagery of the baby turning to dust, the way this scene haunt both the reader and the protagonist...I loved it! I know it probably sounds like I'm fangirling far too much over a single scene haha, but it was just so unique. So perfect - a truly impactful way to kick off a novel and the reader's expectations for it.

The whole way through the book there is this undercurrent of unease. I truly admire books that steadily build up a sense of wrongness - keeping the reader on edge until the main twist or plot event is revealed.

Least favourite part(s): This may just be my least favourite thing about YA haha, but YA romance tends to come across sometimes as trying too hard. I felt like Nightstruck's plot was such a solid construction that it only weakened it to have the addition of the semi-rushed 'romance'. It added nothing to the plot and didn't, in my opinion, contribute much in regards to character development for our protagonist - which was a shame.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'I had the brief thought that maybe I should try to stop her as she sauntered to the front door.

(...) In the end, I let her leave. It's a decision I will regret for the rest of my life.'

#3: The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy

The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy
By Rick Riordan

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Mythology
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Pub Date: May 2017
Page(s): 528
Price: $22.99 (AUD)

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

One sentence summary: A god-turned-mortal journeys across North America in an attempt to discover what is affecting the Oracles.

Best part(s): Rick Riordan is the master of weaving mythology with YA fiction. His books always contain an equal amount of comedy and heart - making you laugh, and at the same time playing on your heartstrings as you become super attached to his motley cast of characters.

When it comes to YA mythology Apollo is always one of my fave characters. Jennifer L. Armentrout's version of him in her Titan series is the most hilarious thing I have ever read, and Riordan also does a phenomenal job of bringing his multi-faceted character to life.

Apollo is by far one of the book's more endearing characters and there are certainly characters who could take a leaf out of his book (*cough* Meg *cough*). The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy once again points a spotlight on the series' most intriguing concept: the differences between an immortal and a mortal. Their temperament, their priorities, their wants and needs. Watching Apollo adapt to mortal life and slowly seeing his priorities shift is one of the highlights of the book. It's not every day you get to glimpse a god's mortal side...without some kind of retribution!

Least favourite part(s): The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy was just as entertaining as Riordan's past works. However...it did take me awhile to get into. I struggled to understand why. I mean, I adore anything to do with Camp Half Blood and as an ancient history undergraduate I am such a fangirl when it comes to YA mythology fiction. But something just wasn't clicking

I came to the conclusion that it may have been my addiction to Riordan fiction that was actually getting in the way of my enjoyment. After reading practically every one of his books to date, I've become used to his writing style - to the patterns in his writing, the punchlines, the character types, the journey twists and turns. I can almost predict the path the plot will take and although it's always a joy to dig into a book that feels like a friend you've known forever, it can lessen the sense of anticipation you have going in. True, the format of The Trials of Apollo differs from some of Riordan's earlier works, but after awhile it too falls into a slight pattern.

That said, I did enjoy The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy once I managed to get past the first few chapters or so. It became easier to fall into a natural reading pattern - to disconnect from my brain's chattering commentary and to just go along for the ride.

Find out more about the book & add it to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

'The girl's eyes were like fractured prisms, swirling with unanchored thoughts and waking nightmares. I knew that look too well. Over the centuries I'd seen many mortal minds broken under the weight of the prophecy.

"Apollo." She let out a burst of giggles as if her brain had developed a leak. "You and the dark. Some death, some death, some death."'

Which book will you be adding to your TBR? Have you read any standout books this week?

Let me know in the comments below!

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Here There Be Dragons ~ The Dragons of Nova by Elise Kova Review

noreply@blogger.com (Booknut101) — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 08:40:00 +0000

Elise Kova breathes new life into the steampunk genre.

I've always adored steampunk. It's the perfect mix of technology ingenuity and magic, setting fire to our imaginations and testing reality's boundaries.

But after reading books from the genre for such a long time, one starts to develop a 'sixth sense' - an irksome feeling that you know all there is to know about a genre. You're no longer wowed by dirigibles or by goggles with cogs. You find patterns in use, authors borrowing from other authors. Nothing seems original anymore.

Elise Kova's steampunk world - Loom, Dragons, Guilds and all their magic - is such a refreshing change of pace. It's vivid, new, and filled with inventions and concepts that will have your mind whirring with possibilities. And it's latest addition, The Dragons of Nova, is just as utterly spellbinding as its predecessor.

A big thank you to Keymaster Press and Elise Kova for the chance to review this incredible book.

Read on for my thoughts on The Dragons of Nova (as well as my favourite quote from te book!).

Title: The Dragons of Nova (Loom Saga #2)
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Keymaster Press
Release date: July 11th 2017

Genre(s): Adult (YA Crossover), High-Fantasy, Steampunk
Page(s): 488 pages

Synopsis: Cvareh returns home to his sky world of Nova with the genius crafter Arianna as his temperamental guest. The mercurial inventor possesses all the Xin family needs to turn the tides of a centuries-old power struggle, but the secrets she harbors must be earned with trust -- hard to come by for Ari, especially when it comes to Dragons. On Nova, Ari finds herself closer to exacting vengeance against the traitor who killed everything -- and everyone – she once loved. But before Ari can complete her campaign of revenge, the Crimson Court exposes her shadowed past and reveals something even more dangerous sparking between her and Cvareh.

While Nova is embroiled in blood sport and political games, the rebels on Loom prepare for an all-out assault on their Dragon oppressors. Florence unexpectedly finds herself at the forefront of change, as her unique blend of skills -- and quick-shooting accuracy -- makes her a force to be reckoned with. For the future of her world, she vows vengeance against the Dragons.

Before the rebellion can rise, though, the Guilds must fall.

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Rating:

Welcome to the land of Dragons.

The Alchemists of Loom introduced a battle of wills, a burning ember of a revolution. Now, in The Dragons of Nova, that ember steadily becomes a flame as the players take their places on the board.

Ari may have experience dealing with the politics of Loom, but Nova is a whole new game with much higher stakes. Not usually one for diplomacy - or subtly - Ari is forced to put her trust in Cvareh. But whose side is Cvareh on - Ari's, or the Dragons'? Navigating a tangled net of lies, Ari must uncover the Dragons' true motives and decide who her allies are...before it's too late.

Prepare for Flor 2.0!

Flor has graduated from 'Right Hand Lady of the Badass Boss' to 'Badass Rebel Boss'. Stepping out on her own, no Ari by her side, Flor is ready to use her skills to defeat the Dragons at whatever cost. I adore how Flor finally gets to spread her (metaphorical!) wings and how she shines as her own person in The Dragons of Nova.

What happens when passion and pain collide?

The romance element between Cvareh and Ari is so bittersweet. Both are burdened with so much - the fate of Loom is practically sitting on Ari's shoulders, whilst the future of Cvareh's Court is under constant threat.

Despite literally being from different worlds, these two are so, so alike. Elise Kova highlights their shared fire, their tenacity and drive. Two warriors, drawn together in spite of the odds stacked against them.

The Dragons of Nova met my expectations...and then exceeded them.

There were so many perfectly executed twists and turns - a build up of tensions worthy of a Game of Thrones episode!

The last few chapters had me glued to each page, holding my breath, and praying that my much-adored cast of characters was going to survive. I could never have guessed the book's epic ending ~~or how devastated it would leave me!~~ A million Kudos to Elise Kova for raising the stakes and setting the stage for an amazing Book #3.

'"Nothing, Arianna. Nothing in your world or mine, or the next, would make me want you less."

She grinned, the flat line of her Fenthri teeth showing. "You're a fool, Cvareh."

"I am," he agreed with a grin of his own. Cvareh closed the gap at last, and found her lips with his.

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Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the this post are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.