tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12823478722510298912024-03-06T01:34:58.107+05:30Books.Bags.Burgers.Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.comBlogger258125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-28894911237679290642021-06-18T19:30:00.091+05:302021-06-18T21:06:00.250+05:30The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri // Diversity, murderous girls and a sapphic romance to root for - Blog Tour <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdswNTb6opyEpDA7Z67EuAE9SwiWcPgYwXn1_PKm8kMmEt_Is11_PubcBwxjQnBLSjkSQPIKXvjdh-WJbEMPof8Tu0SxPFFq9_uan-QcRMEzv4k9JA7bPj5_bb3lG6qkTdPPQ8uuPnhdIw/s800/BLOG+POST+NEW+%252811%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdswNTb6opyEpDA7Z67EuAE9SwiWcPgYwXn1_PKm8kMmEt_Is11_PubcBwxjQnBLSjkSQPIKXvjdh-WJbEMPof8Tu0SxPFFq9_uan-QcRMEzv4k9JA7bPj5_bb3lG6qkTdPPQ8uuPnhdIw/s16000/BLOG+POST+NEW+%252811%2529.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS3pTStF0oZ5JGjBXCaPADkRKTol-6R3quDgs8D-g7cfYkbOd1oGjR6ZWrJ5UJJRFCEksoLwLLXzgUNHO0kDgMpYR33dSwsJmgzhUYKuvvnGYYEe1lUyYdhB-hSBkvnITCT3nGNbeSK21/s1010/Header+%2528The+Jasmine+Throne%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS3pTStF0oZ5JGjBXCaPADkRKTol-6R3quDgs8D-g7cfYkbOd1oGjR6ZWrJ5UJJRFCEksoLwLLXzgUNHO0kDgMpYR33dSwsJmgzhUYKuvvnGYYEe1lUyYdhB-hSBkvnITCT3nGNbeSK21/s16000/Header+%2528The+Jasmine+Throne%2529.png" /></a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV0FnhXKQ4sysBBz4NcgJcA4xW9_ibuTBwl6iot7ofwBiBlFe-7cpCeECpEoLtXtQ6KQLsqEXG6WIrGqAfU9wY1MlOvYy0Z2ZnP5d8q43A8bEJlxsHOp3g0PRq3gB9ym88_oNntIhEaUl/s2048/Jasmine+Throne+%25282021%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV0FnhXKQ4sysBBz4NcgJcA4xW9_ibuTBwl6iot7ofwBiBlFe-7cpCeECpEoLtXtQ6KQLsqEXG6WIrGqAfU9wY1MlOvYy0Z2ZnP5d8q43A8bEJlxsHOp3g0PRq3gB9ym88_oNntIhEaUl/s320/Jasmine+Throne+%25282021%2529.jpg" /></a></div></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50523477-the-jasmine-throne" target="_blank">GOODREADS </a>// <a href="https://amzn.to/3htImEd" target="_blank">AMAZON </a>// <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50523477" target="_blank">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a> </b></p><blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;"><i><span style="color: black;">Imprisoned by her dictator brother, Malini spends her days in isolation in the Hirana: an ancient temple that was once the source of the powerful, magical deathless waters — but is now little more than a decaying ruin.
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Priya is a maidservant, one among several who make the treacherous journey to the top of the Hirana every night to clean Malini’s chambers. She is happy to be an anonymous drudge, so long as it keeps anyone from guessing the dangerous secret she hides.
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But when Malini accidentally bears witness to Priya’s true nature, their destinies become irrevocably tangled. One is a vengeful princess seeking to depose her brother from his throne. The other is a priestess seeking to find her family. Together, they will change the fate of an empire.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="https://caffeinebooktours.wordpress.com/2021/05/16/jasmine-throne-tour" target="_blank">Caffeine Tours</a> and Orbit for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour.)</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdboAS6mdYNtRtqnwvNGqjOy-0gtdprklbq6qXVPucYUoQL9ID8MR5ezaA8Q9dFEsv8eF9tSfY44NDpTQVdynIozhHTpyP2iuN7_ogRupfd-pMdLV8bWFYuNLWfF2mBaVeS38ifJV5LIg/s300/ladyandabook1913-2400px.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdboAS6mdYNtRtqnwvNGqjOy-0gtdprklbq6qXVPucYUoQL9ID8MR5ezaA8Q9dFEsv8eF9tSfY44NDpTQVdynIozhHTpyP2iuN7_ogRupfd-pMdLV8bWFYuNLWfF2mBaVeS38ifJV5LIg/s0/ladyandabook1913-2400px.png" /></a></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b><i>~ When a book sees you ~</i></b></h1><div style="text-align: left;">Is anyone surprised that the first thing I'm screaming about is the diversity and the representation? Excuse me but the descriptions of the indian architecture, the clothes, the FOOD, the wonderful way in which Hindu mythology is used in this book-- it all just gives me so much serotonin. <br /><br />From the very beginning, I just connected with this book because of that familiarity. The way you have to tuck in the pallu when wearing a saree and doing strenuous jobs, the way the characters look, the art and attire of this world-- JUST OOF. This is why we need representation guys!<br /><br /><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b><i>~ Murderous characters you root for ~</i></b></h1></div><div style="text-align: left;">Murderous princess exiled to an ancient temple for her crimes and forms an alliance with a somewhat murderous badass with a secret? <b>This is literally the aesthetic I live for</b>. We have morally grey sapphic goddesses (<i>they are absolute goddesses in my head okay?</i>) who have their own agendas but are pulled closer because of circumstances.<br /><br />Princess Malini wants revenge on her traitor brother, if only she can stay up long enough to come up with a plan. Her 'jailer' keeps her drugged, too drowsy to think but Malini won't give up just yet.<br /><br />Priya has a secret, a dark secret that could get her killed. She guards it with all she has but when she happens to reveal her secret to none other that princess Malini, they form a tentative alliance that becomes so much more. And me? <b><i>I was just rooting for them from the get go.</i></b></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Some men dream of times long dead, and times that never existed, and they’re willing to tear the present apart entirely to get it.</span></i></blockquote><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b><i>~ Sapphic Romance ~</i></b></h1><div style="text-align: left;">The slow-burn sapphic romance in this book is <b>EVERYTHING</b>. There's the whole kinda enemies to reluctant allies to maybe something more and god I am so here for it! I love that both women kind of grew together, the romance not taking away from their independent growths and plans, it only added to it all.</div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b><i>~ Gorgeous prose that I wanted to fall into ~</i></b></h1><div style="text-align: left;">The writing is so so beautiful I ended up bookmarking over 150 pages! There is something atmospheric and magical about Tasha Suri's writing that is unique to her. Even when the plot was moving slowly, I couldn't stop reading because pretty! writing! *<i>squeals</i>* The language had me spellbound throughout and I can't wait to pick up all of the author's other books soon!</div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">She could make herself into something monstrous. She could be a creature born of poison and pyre, flame and blood.
</span></i></blockquote>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><b><i>~ Fabulous worldbuilding ~</i></b></h1><div style="text-align: left;">Like I mentioned before, I was absolutely <b>GONE </b>for the Indian folklore and Hindu mythology sprinkled through the story. The author puts her own spin on things and I got so absorbed in understanding this world she has created. The world building is vivid right from the start, with so much rich history and cultures intermingling in a turbulent socio-political scenario. I am pretty sure I'll be rereading again just to savour the beautiful world building!</div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">There is no meaning in the universe: no fate, no high blood, no rights of kings over land. Everything is emptiness. The world only had meaning when we give it meaning.</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">We didn’t deserve what was done to us. I want to believe that. I want to know that. I want that to be true, and if it isn’t, I want to make it true. But you, Malini, you want to remake the world.</span></i></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJsgsz4nyisJz21AXAtXJC3BXR6kJ-9rgwRrNP004Hz5ZCqjCBBEOm0UpfFSiYFmnXWhxdP6x84rvCaOMihiewhzsUFbMnvTMnbm1s69ol_QXtTH2Uns9tL62x6v50WFzmrqbi-dzm8rz/s300/ladyandabook1913-2400pxw.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJsgsz4nyisJz21AXAtXJC3BXR6kJ-9rgwRrNP004Hz5ZCqjCBBEOm0UpfFSiYFmnXWhxdP6x84rvCaOMihiewhzsUFbMnvTMnbm1s69ol_QXtTH2Uns9tL62x6v50WFzmrqbi-dzm8rz/s0/ladyandabook1913-2400pxw.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz2426cIrLvwbrhOi6lGc9WFA7PGykR5qJcw_VAmN_UAaD1G3IxwU6X9BfzmantqYTyVXj158jCFWF87ljCpieEoqGWgv8T_uD-6kHqoHE3bmCTBE9syXmKgiCBxONaP8Ejns_lmIOssI/s300/circlewreath.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz2426cIrLvwbrhOi6lGc9WFA7PGykR5qJcw_VAmN_UAaD1G3IxwU6X9BfzmantqYTyVXj158jCFWF87ljCpieEoqGWgv8T_uD-6kHqoHE3bmCTBE9syXmKgiCBxONaP8Ejns_lmIOssI/s0/circlewreath.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Spotify Playlist~</i></b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2lmgJpsBT8hB1vuowN7DVZ" width="300"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div><b><i>- On-page Representation -</i></b></div><div><i>Indian</i></div><div><i>South Asian</i></div><div><i>Lesbian</i></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b><i>- Trigger/Content Warnings in The Jasmine Throne- </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><i>Immolation/self-immolation</i></div><div><i>Child murder</i></div><div><i>Human sacrifice</i></div><div><i>Abusive family dynamics</i></div><div><i>Forced drug use, depictions of addiction/withdrawal</i></div><div><i>Colourism, xenophobia</i></div><div><i>Violence against women</i></div><div><i>Homophobia/internalized homophobia</i></div><div><i>Body horror</i></div><h1><i><b>~ Other Book Information ~</b></i></h1><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Orbit Books</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Publication date: 08 June 2021</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cover art: Micah Epstein (illustrator), Lauren Panepinto (designer)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Age group: Adult</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Genres: Fantasy</span></div><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span face="Lato, sans-serif" style="color: #2b2b2b;"><b><i>~ About the Author~</i></b></span></h1><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UhBTfMr_CJGsX7kZBLDO4zCsnP-OebypW3knt9UhpsmxesEpXG-uV28Iw9idECOM564PPIbUCcmDYoR0oM_wlQD77djQ5IXIIQ5is-qcQ_pmLPG3_24GQ646M94LosWX2bxbr2eAXIWm/s2048/Author+%2528Tasha+Suri%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UhBTfMr_CJGsX7kZBLDO4zCsnP-OebypW3knt9UhpsmxesEpXG-uV28Iw9idECOM564PPIbUCcmDYoR0oM_wlQD77djQ5IXIIQ5is-qcQ_pmLPG3_24GQ646M94LosWX2bxbr2eAXIWm/w133-h200/Author+%2528Tasha+Suri%2529.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tasha Suri was born in Harrow, north-west London. The daughter of Punjabi parents, she spent many childhood holidays exploring India with her family, and still fondly remembers the time she was chased around the Taj Mahal by an irate tour guide. She studied English and creative writing at Warwick University, and now lives in London where she works as a librarian. To no one's surprise, she owns a cat. A love of period Bollywood films, history and mythology led her to begin writing South Asian influenced fantasy. Tasha Suri has won the British Fantasy Society Best Newcomer Award and Starburst Brave New Words Award</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7cda1beb-7fff-eec7-547b-543db12ebe58"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author website — </span><a href="https://tashasuri.com/about/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://tashasuri.com/about/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads — </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17718309.Tasha_Suri" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17718309.Tasha_Suri</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram — </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tashasuri" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.instagram.com/tashasuri</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twitter — </span><a href="https://twitter.com/tashadrinkstea" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://twitter.com/tashadrinkstea</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div><div><i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>What was the last diverse high fantasy you read?! Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div></div><br /><span face="Lato, sans-serif" style="color: #2b2b2b;"><br /></span></div></div>Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-63970045021080676462020-10-13T23:00:00.012+05:302021-05-07T20:52:04.158+05:30A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe // Alchemy, Ambition and Betrayal in 18th Century Europe<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET4dA6YZ-15YiQdCvjLZabzYSTPYBdaqIE15c1oh1tK99SBfg1eAtuFy_nAQqfcPJFeUsdV-T_2LcdObCF8wfHL8cYzVA8-W02lobi27CX7Qy8hFGF3KzmNIty3C_3bb0mR8sh64AbDJ0/s800/BLOG+POST+NEW+%252810%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET4dA6YZ-15YiQdCvjLZabzYSTPYBdaqIE15c1oh1tK99SBfg1eAtuFy_nAQqfcPJFeUsdV-T_2LcdObCF8wfHL8cYzVA8-W02lobi27CX7Qy8hFGF3KzmNIty3C_3bb0mR8sh64AbDJ0/s16000/BLOG+POST+NEW+%252810%2529.png" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VMvBQGzqsFW7F3zXv-rZvvNNN-xlPWUL3jJMstBf59LWRcTgPMgdiDlMh0a6EE5XIwnbBWPOPtK2WHYRSwpCii7vSPJcEQ3m1sT78rApjYZyyFt9oA-RRE1SkBNTSexKxp7hlgE1XiqL/s1640/A+Golden+Fury_Blog+Tour+Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VMvBQGzqsFW7F3zXv-rZvvNNN-xlPWUL3jJMstBf59LWRcTgPMgdiDlMh0a6EE5XIwnbBWPOPtK2WHYRSwpCii7vSPJcEQ3m1sT78rApjYZyyFt9oA-RRE1SkBNTSexKxp7hlgE1XiqL/s16000/A+Golden+Fury_Blog+Tour+Banner.png" /></a></p>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;"><i><span style="color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwr55ibeW0YvpHRlmBMU3pXDH4IqoN4d3BtqePQGz80vDFND5fAmAffPq3jchO15YvtC5g3-CJ3jzpNDe-pVjRSCY1cpuqcjURBovCOXt1RF5OiztPCdfQjkycMApDDenGxUvkN7wZvKUR/s2048/A+Golden+Fury_COVER.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwr55ibeW0YvpHRlmBMU3pXDH4IqoN4d3BtqePQGz80vDFND5fAmAffPq3jchO15YvtC5g3-CJ3jzpNDe-pVjRSCY1cpuqcjURBovCOXt1RF5OiztPCdfQjkycMApDDenGxUvkN7wZvKUR/s320/A+Golden+Fury_COVER.jpg" /></a></div> </span></i></blockquote><p> <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52989188" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Fury-Novel-Samantha-Cohoe/dp/1250220408/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Golden-Fury-Samantha-Cohoe/9781250220400" target="_blank">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></p><blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;"><i><span style="color: black;">Thea Hope longs to be an alchemist out of the shadow of her famous mother. The two of them are close to creating the legendary Philosopher’s Stone—whose properties include immortality and can turn any metal into gold—but just when the promise of the Stone’s riches is in their grasp, Thea’s mother destroys the Stone in a sudden fit of violent madness.
<br /><br />
While combing through her mother’s notes, Thea learns that there’s a curse on the Stone that causes anyone who tries to make it to lose their sanity. With the threat of the French Revolution looming, Thea is sent to Oxford for her safety, to live with the father who doesn’t know she exists.
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But in Oxford, there are alchemists after the Stone who don’t believe Thea’s warning about the curse—instead, they’ll stop at nothing to steal Thea’s knowledge of how to create the Stone. But Thea can only run for so long, and soon she will have to choose: create the Stone and sacrifice her sanity, or let the people she loves die.</span></i></blockquote><p> (<i>A huge thank you to the Wednesday Books and the publicist for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. )</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdboAS6mdYNtRtqnwvNGqjOy-0gtdprklbq6qXVPucYUoQL9ID8MR5ezaA8Q9dFEsv8eF9tSfY44NDpTQVdynIozhHTpyP2iuN7_ogRupfd-pMdLV8bWFYuNLWfF2mBaVeS38ifJV5LIg/s300/ladyandabook1913-2400px.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdboAS6mdYNtRtqnwvNGqjOy-0gtdprklbq6qXVPucYUoQL9ID8MR5ezaA8Q9dFEsv8eF9tSfY44NDpTQVdynIozhHTpyP2iuN7_ogRupfd-pMdLV8bWFYuNLWfF2mBaVeS38ifJV5LIg/s0/ladyandabook1913-2400px.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Alchemy has always fascinated me; while I'd like to say it's because of historic texts, the truth is, it's because of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. Okay scratch that, I'm more proud of FMA B. Anyway! the moment I see a book has to do with alchemy, I will pounce on it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">~ 3 REASONS TO PICK UP THIS STANDALONE~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>~Realistic characters and complicated relationships~</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> Thea Hope has a strained and confused relationship with her mother that added a character to the story I had not expected. It was a very realistic look on how a toxic relationship can twist the way you think and influence your actions. I absolutely couldn't stand her mother. Her father wasn't any better but at least he didn't know of her existence till now and is still trying to come to terms with the fact that he has a 17 year old daughter. But her mother is the one who raised her and the only family Thea has and yet the woman was a mess of a parental figure. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> </span>I empathized with Thea's conflicting emotions when it came to her mother. She disliked her but also cared for her; she was mad at her but also sought her approval. I understood why she did some things solely to go against her mother.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> It's not that Thea doesn't make any bad decisions at all; she totally does but it only made her feel more real. She was thinking on her feet and trying to do her best considering her limited experience with the world in general.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>~Alchemy and 18th Century~</b></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span> I loved that the author didn't gloss over the alchemical studies or the historical implications of a 18th century setting. It was fascinating seeing how the historical time period meshed with the idea of alchemists and their experiments. I really want to go back to my alchemy phase and dig into all the alchemical texts out of curiosity.</span><br /></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span> I really enjoyed the descriptions of the alchemical experiments.. The imagery is wonderful and just makes the readers more intrigued with the subject matter.</span><br /></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>~Beautiful Writing~</b></i></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span> The writing sucked me in completely. I always love it when the descriptions are lush enough that it's like a movie in the head and this book totally delivered on that aspect! The whole "descent into madness" parts of the book were written wonderfully and I literally held my breath as I read them.</span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> The descriptions of 18th century England were also really well done! Basically the imagery was spot-on and I wish I could write as beautifully as that someday.</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div><div><span> While I really enjoyed the journey despite the somewhat rushed ending, I can't believe this is a standalone. The ending didn't truly satisfy me because it was left feeling incomplete when it came to some character arcs. A certain someone deserves better and another certain someone deserves WAY worse. I really wish someday we get a companion novel or sequel that satisfies the story arcs. </span><br /></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJsgsz4nyisJz21AXAtXJC3BXR6kJ-9rgwRrNP004Hz5ZCqjCBBEOm0UpfFSiYFmnXWhxdP6x84rvCaOMihiewhzsUFbMnvTMnbm1s69ol_QXtTH2Uns9tL62x6v50WFzmrqbi-dzm8rz/s1600/ladyandabook1913-2400pxw.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJsgsz4nyisJz21AXAtXJC3BXR6kJ-9rgwRrNP004Hz5ZCqjCBBEOm0UpfFSiYFmnXWhxdP6x84rvCaOMihiewhzsUFbMnvTMnbm1s69ol_QXtTH2Uns9tL62x6v50WFzmrqbi-dzm8rz/s1600/ladyandabook1913-2400pxw.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz2426cIrLvwbrhOi6lGc9WFA7PGykR5qJcw_VAmN_UAaD1G3IxwU6X9BfzmantqYTyVXj158jCFWF87ljCpieEoqGWgv8T_uD-6kHqoHE3bmCTBE9syXmKgiCBxONaP8Ejns_lmIOssI/s1600/circlewreath.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz2426cIrLvwbrhOi6lGc9WFA7PGykR5qJcw_VAmN_UAaD1G3IxwU6X9BfzmantqYTyVXj158jCFWF87ljCpieEoqGWgv8T_uD-6kHqoHE3bmCTBE9syXmKgiCBxONaP8Ejns_lmIOssI/s1600/circlewreath.png" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div><div><i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you have any recommendations for historical fantasies? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div></div></div></div>Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-61577914685120133962020-10-13T21:30:00.017+05:302020-10-14T17:36:46.852+05:30Disenchanted by Brianna Sugalski // Monsters, Banter and adventure through a dark forest<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJhoM2qWGrngpw1v9ZV_TaJYbt0JM-5UCGO3rha7ST41l6PwvwbqNdOojFTzb3q8kiXpYCAJfJhMr09AG3XXXutCFO3aCWv4OLlKhaR2muMFudL_7dAwImXPi2-T9j4zfV5pdva3mYsVG/s800/BLOG+POST+NEW+%25289%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJhoM2qWGrngpw1v9ZV_TaJYbt0JM-5UCGO3rha7ST41l6PwvwbqNdOojFTzb3q8kiXpYCAJfJhMr09AG3XXXutCFO3aCWv4OLlKhaR2muMFudL_7dAwImXPi2-T9j4zfV5pdva3mYsVG/s16000/BLOG+POST+NEW+%25289%2529.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO33oGRAJmg5xUMLLee0L5u8J-8etfp__3X6akDnnCoYPgfnjF2mSqf_oFa52W7GBNvuHLpAYoE5XyLYKui1AREY8VFvsP937TZShyphenhyphen7e-qkLOabYCOcuqyWrJt-2e28Mrln4y3ir3ILLu1/s1024/MTMC+Tour+Banner+-+Disenchanted+%2528Official%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO33oGRAJmg5xUMLLee0L5u8J-8etfp__3X6akDnnCoYPgfnjF2mSqf_oFa52W7GBNvuHLpAYoE5XyLYKui1AREY8VFvsP937TZShyphenhyphen7e-qkLOabYCOcuqyWrJt-2e28Mrln4y3ir3ILLu1/s16000/MTMC+Tour+Banner+-+Disenchanted+%2528Official%2529.png" /></a></p>
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<i><span style="color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeVv69SisT1x-Ex7vQdGWak23xpMDoz9l5xOcSmFVJaWk2sJHgC7ihBqB-tRtFLm0jL_93xhUfHnJF1QMKKid-SKWp_aopPEpNKk1UDyT71odzlzs5YaurUUYBcm9atrTgcYodW1DC1rR/s2048/Disenchanted+cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeVv69SisT1x-Ex7vQdGWak23xpMDoz9l5xOcSmFVJaWk2sJHgC7ihBqB-tRtFLm0jL_93xhUfHnJF1QMKKid-SKWp_aopPEpNKk1UDyT71odzlzs5YaurUUYBcm9atrTgcYodW1DC1rR/s320/Disenchanted+cover.jpg" /></a></div> </span></i></blockquote><p> <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52989188" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GN1FSSN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Disenchanted-Brianna-Sugalski/9798621445461" target="_blank">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></p><blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;"><i><span style="color: black;">Breton princess at the peak of the French Renaissance, Lilac lives prisoner in her parents' castle after a wicked secret is revealed on the eve of her tenth birthday soirée. Years later, her coronation ceremony looms, and between the riotous townsfolk and scheming nobleman bent on snatching the throne, Lilac prepares for the worst... Until a mysterious letter arrives from The Witch of Lupine Grotto, detailing a curious offer to cure her darkness forever.
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Lilac begrudgingly trades her coronet for a cloak and ventures into the forest Brocéliande in pursuit of the impious enchantress at the edge of town. With only the protection of an inherited dagger—and unsolicited help of the sardonic stranger who inserts himself on her quest—she must traverse Brocèliande and return in time to claim her rightful position as sovereign monarch.
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This is the story of a cursed princess,
A crestfallen killer,
The town that wants them to burn,
And the witch that can save them both.</span></i></blockquote><p> (<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="https://mtmctours.com/">MTMC tours</a> and Parliament Press for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. )</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdboAS6mdYNtRtqnwvNGqjOy-0gtdprklbq6qXVPucYUoQL9ID8MR5ezaA8Q9dFEsv8eF9tSfY44NDpTQVdynIozhHTpyP2iuN7_ogRupfd-pMdLV8bWFYuNLWfF2mBaVeS38ifJV5LIg/s300/ladyandabook1913-2400px.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdboAS6mdYNtRtqnwvNGqjOy-0gtdprklbq6qXVPucYUoQL9ID8MR5ezaA8Q9dFEsv8eF9tSfY44NDpTQVdynIozhHTpyP2iuN7_ogRupfd-pMdLV8bWFYuNLWfF2mBaVeS38ifJV5LIg/s0/ladyandabook1913-2400px.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They said witches. They said enemies to lovers romance. They said banter. I said HELL YES and made grabby hands at the book. (I am also really sorry for the ridiculous pun in the next sentence) </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~ 5 WAYS DISENCHANTED ENCHANTED ME ~</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~ Characters who care about food ~</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div><span> </span>It's like the most realistic thing for characters to care about sustenance and these characters do! The main character is ridiculously obsessed with pastries and sweets and I 200% approve. Everyone's busy hunting a possibly dangerous creature? Lilac is thinking what a great time to sneak into the pantry and eat yummy food! I'm not saying it was always the right decision but I'm saying I'd be right there next to her hiding pastries behind my back. <b><i>We stan a princess who cares about food. </i></b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ Monsters big and small ~</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span> </span>There are monsters that wouldn't think twice about having a human for breakfast, there are monsters who would tolerate humans as long as they don't say anything unsavory, there are monsters who are soft and gentle, there are monsters who care but god forbid they let anyone know they care. They are called Darklings and there are vampires and fae folk and what not. There are also witches and warlocks and I just was so intrigued by all the non human characters in the book. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ Enemies to Lovers means banter ~</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span> </span>Garin is ridiculous and Lilac is also ridiculous and thus ensues mayhem, which I thoroughly enjoyed. there were times when I laughed out loud because the dialogue is so entertaining. And I love those little moments of "<b><i>So I totally hate him but okay that was really sweet</i></b>". Their banter is biting at times and soft at times and I was just grinning so much.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ Character growth for the win ~</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span> </span>Lilac is a sheltered princess; sheltered to limit the citizen's interactions with their "odd" would-be queen. And now Lilac has set out on an adventure into the darkest, creepiest forest. I was so looking forward to the character development and I was NOT disappointed. I liked how Lilac started to see past the propaganda that reaches her within the castle and she took her time trying to understand how the world works.</div><div><br /></div><div><span> </span>Garin grew too! He's such a dark and mysterious character and I truly enjoyed getting to know more about him throughout the book and it was fun watching him grow and question things. That said the best thing about him was all that sass. I'm so glad we're getting a sequel because I want more of that!</div><div><blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">"You forget the things that humans are capable of, when fear is a strong factor."</span></i></blockquote><br /><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ Morally grey characters who question the world ~</i></b></span></h2><p style="text-align: left;">Yes I do love my good boys in books. But I'm also here for morally grey characters who are just trying to survive a cruel world. There are complex characters who have a past and don't always make the best decisions despite having good intentions. The book stresses on how people get to choose who they want to be and I really liked that.</p></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“What is different is not necessarily dark, and even then, darkness does not equate to wickedness.Even then, I'd rather be perceived as wicked than weak, any day. Women are part heaven and hell.”</span></i></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ Disenchented is an entertaining tale of adventure with a side of hate-to-love, snarky banter, intriguing monsters, curses and atmospheric settings.~</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJsgsz4nyisJz21AXAtXJC3BXR6kJ-9rgwRrNP004Hz5ZCqjCBBEOm0UpfFSiYFmnXWhxdP6x84rvCaOMihiewhzsUFbMnvTMnbm1s69ol_QXtTH2Uns9tL62x6v50WFzmrqbi-dzm8rz/s300/ladyandabook1913-2400pxw.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJsgsz4nyisJz21AXAtXJC3BXR6kJ-9rgwRrNP004Hz5ZCqjCBBEOm0UpfFSiYFmnXWhxdP6x84rvCaOMihiewhzsUFbMnvTMnbm1s69ol_QXtTH2Uns9tL62x6v50WFzmrqbi-dzm8rz/s0/ladyandabook1913-2400pxw.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQh1Ycz-DbYzDccX_25HfDi92gJOsGeVOSJ8COqmoC1PEzPpLcRxyblbdCdnhz1z-HzsJcmY_dpOKFH9OsosHDVPkCKEW-AFWbqBg0addVlgynLBMZ5ICfPTyI8sKqSyqORZTIfCIgl3b/s258/circlewreath4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQh1Ycz-DbYzDccX_25HfDi92gJOsGeVOSJ8COqmoC1PEzPpLcRxyblbdCdnhz1z-HzsJcmY_dpOKFH9OsosHDVPkCKEW-AFWbqBg0addVlgynLBMZ5ICfPTyI8sKqSyqORZTIfCIgl3b/s0/circlewreath4.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="2aeeb25b76" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2aeeb25b76/" id="rcwidget_vkp4eh10" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">***</span></div><div><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you have any recommendations for dark fantasy books? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-75403743925308326492020-08-11T22:47:00.000+05:302020-08-11T22:47:31.770+05:30Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar // Night Markets, Star Courts and Desi goodness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52781202-star-daughter">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Star-Daughter-Shveta-Thakrar/dp/0062894625/">AMAZON</a> // BOOK DEPOSITORY</b></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">The daughter of a star and a mortal, Sheetal is used to keeping secrets. Pretending to be "normal." But when an accidental flare of her starfire puts her human father in the hospital, Sheetal needs a full star's help to heal him. A star like her mother, who returned to the sky long ago.
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Sheetal's quest to save her father will take her to a celestial court of shining wonders and dark shadows, where she must take the stage as her family's champion in a competition to decide the next ruling house of the heavens--and win, or risk never returning to Earth at all.
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This gorgeously imagined YA debut blends shades of Neil Gaiman's Stardust and a breathtaking landscape of Hindu mythology into a radiant contemporary fantasy.</span></i></blockquote>
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(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="https://hearourvoicesbooktours.com/">HOV Tours</a> and HarperTeen for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~When a book sees you~
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Yes I am absolutely going to start this review by screaming about just how <b><i>desi </i></b>this book was! It's not everyday I come across a book in which I can see myself. Star Daughter gave me stories from my childhood, it gave me <b><i>apsaras </i></b>and <b><i>naginis</i></b>, <b><i>aloo matar</i></b> and <b><i>rasmalai</i></b>, <b><i>nakshatras </i></b>and <b><i>svargalok</i></b>.
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Right from the beginning, I was grinning like a monkey because I felt so represented. This book is brown girl magic, steeped in Hindu folklore, filled with overbearing desi aunties and delicious Indian food.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Lets talk about friendship~
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Sheetal and Minal's friendship is to die for. I absolutely adored how fiercely loyal they were to each other. I'm so here for positive female friendships with the sweetest moments! Sheetal couldn't have gone through her quest without the bubbly, ever optimistic Minal by her side. And can we talk about Minal? Where can I get the ever optimistic, bubbly Minal for a best friend?
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I also loved the other friendships that sprang up. The friendship between Sheetal and Kaushal is adorable, both of them bonding over the feeling of not quite belonging and stories from their completely different worlds.
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Also I have to mention that the casual queer rep in this book was so wholesome!
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Even in the court of stars, there be politics and scheming~
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The plot albeit a bit predictable, plays out wonderfully. I loved getting to know how the court works and why the competition Sheetal was being thrust into was needed in the first place. It was so intersting seeing the different Star Houses compete, vying for the throne for reasons of their own.
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The politics of the court is an important part of the story and I enjoyed every bit of it. The ending was a bit rushed but I still enjoyed the adrenaline rush towards the end when things were clicking into place and starting to make sense.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~A world spun from the night sky and embedded with stars~
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The world building was my most favorite part of it all. And the author describes it all so beautifully I couldn't help but fall in love with it all. The night market where people sell fruits like geodes and barrettes shaped like clouds; where you could also get perfumes that let you walk on cloud. the Star Court with it's flower shaped palaces and the Hall of Mirrors.
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The mythology and the little fairytale stories the author added here and there added so much to the magical world. Star hunters and <b><i>Naginis </i></b>who wore the stars in their hair added to the breathtaking beauty of the world.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~And there was a boy~
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While the romance wasn't my favourite aspect of the story, I liked how Sheetal and Dev had such a realistic relationship. They had their ups and downs, their moments of misunderstanding and those of tenderness.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Souls for a sequel and a spinoff~
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I would gladly sell my soul to get a spin-off of Minal. It would be absolutely amazing shopping with her at the night court while she flirted with a star.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~#OwnVoices Reflection~</i></b></span></div>
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Dear Star Daughter,, <br />
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Thank you for the cloud barrettes and geode fruits. Thank you for stories of apsaras and nagini, for the overbearing <b><i>desi </i></b>aunties and the allure of <b><i>svarglok</i></b>. For <b><i>dilrubas </i></b>and <b><i>ghararas</i></b>. For skyberry cordials and <b><i>aloo matar</i></b>. <br />
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Thank you letting me see myself in you <br />
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Star Daughter has been my most anticipated read for 2020 even before I knew what it was about. I saw the cover and I saw a brown girl who looked like me except for her silver locks and who wore clothes I would wear to a party. And then I read the synopsis and I remember messaging the lovely author thanking her for writing a book in which I could see myself even before I read it. (She replied ever so sweetly to my crazy fangirling by the way!) <br />
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It's not everyday that I come across a book that makes me feel "This is for me" and Star Daughter made me feel that. Thank you for this piece of Brown girl magic.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Moodboards~</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Spotify Playlist~</i></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>What is the last book you read dealing with stars and moons? I'm on a celestial night sky high! Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-25171902886051306102020-08-07T21:44:00.001+05:302020-08-07T22:06:00.617+05:30COVER REVEAL: RESISTOR by C.E. Clayton (+ INTL INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today I’m excited to participate in the cover reveal of RESISTOR by C.E. Clayton! Resistor is an Adult Cyberpunk Fantasy novel releasing on October 1st, 2020 from Starfish Ink.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>LOOK AT THE COVER!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Title: </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Resistor<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Author:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> C.E. Clayton<br />
<b>Series: </b>An Eerden Novel (Eerden #1,
Ellinor #1)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Publisher: </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Starfish Ink<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Publishing Date: </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">October 1st, 2020<br />
<b>Cover Design:</b> Dane at </span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://ebooklaunch.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">https://ebooklaunch.com/</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<b>Genres:</b> Adult Cyberpunk Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Preorder/buy: </span></b><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BooksbyCEClayton"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C.E. Clayton's Etsy Store</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FBMXP29/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Add on </span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54735463-resistor"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Goodreads</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">!</span></span><br />
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<b><i>Ellinor Rask has wanted one thing for the past eight years: vengeance. But when Ellinor is captured, she finds herself dragged back into the world she walked away from, entangled once more with friends she would rather forget.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>As if that weren’t humiliating enough, Ellinor learns first hand that her magic can be stripped away by a piece of bio-tech—and her ex-boss is happy to leash her with the technology in order to get what he wants. If Ellinor behaves, the device will be removed. All she has to do is deliver a package. One containing a creature created from raw magical energy and discarded technology. Simple, right?</i></b></div>
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<b><i>But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. She must put her faith in technology, and her life in the hands of independent contractors, all while racing to deliver the package before it gets taken by force, or worse, the creature decides to make an appearance itself.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Intl Pre-order Campaign!! </i></b></span><br />
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Several artists worked on the art that will be included for pre-order! </div>
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Pre-order period is from August 7th (when the paperback is available) - October 1st (when the digital book is released).</div>
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●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Anyone who purchases either a physical or digital copy of the book via Amazon during the pre-order period (August 7 - October 1) will get the 3 exclusive character playing cards featuring the main character Ellinor, her ex-best friend, Kai, and the mysterious freelancer, Jelani—designed by Golden Rose! (@golden.rose.art). Proof of purchase can be emailed to: starfishinkpublishing@gmail.com , or DM @chelscey on Instagram).</div>
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●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Anyone who purchases a signed paperback from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BooksbyCEClayton">C.E. Clayton's Etsy store</a> during the pre-order period will automatically get the playing cards PLUS the print of Ellinor in chains designed by the talented Arzzz (@arz28) and a bookmark of Ellinor done by Dominque Wesson (@dominquewesson). </div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bonus: There’s a polaroid art of Ellinor and her old crew (also done by @arz28) will be given out as a giveaway for every 5 reviews of Resistor on Amazon or Goodreads!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>International Cover Reveal Giveaway!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Head over to my Instagram account to
enter the cover reveal giveaway where TWO readers will win a Signed paperback
copy of RESISTOR, with the bookmark, character cards, and scene art before the
official release on October 1st. (And check the hashtag #ResistorCoverReveal to
get in more entries!)</span></i></b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">About
C.E. Clayton:</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">C. E. Clayton was born and raised in the greater Los
Angeles area. After going the traditional career route and becoming restless,
she went back to her first love—writing—and hasn’t stopped. She is the author
of young adult fantasy series, “The Monster of Selkirk”, the creator of the
cyberpunk Eerden Novels, and her horror short stories have appeared in
anthologies across the country. When she’s not writing you can find her
treating her fur-babies like humans, constantly drinking tea, and trying to
convince her husband to go to more concerts. And reading. She does read quite a
bit. More about C.E. Clayton, including her blog, book reviews, social media
presence, and newsletter, can be found on her website. She'd also be thrilled
if you followed her on Instagram and liked her bookish and pet photos, and
Amazon where you can get updates on her new releases. And there's always
Facebook, if that's your thing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.ceclayton.com/"><b><span style="color: #e43b6e; line-height: 115%;">Website</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #e43b6e; line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16646507.C_E_Clayton"><b><span style="color: #e43b6e; line-height: 115%;">Goodreads</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #e43b6e; line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span lang="EN"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chelscey/"><b><span style="color: #e43b6e; line-height: 115%;">Instagram</span></b></a></span></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #e43b6e; font-family: "lora"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HOSTED BY</span></b><br />
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-66299778868313524322020-07-12T22:08:00.001+05:302020-07-12T22:10:57.642+05:30Unravel the Dusk (The Blood of Stars, #2) by Elizabeth Lim // Battles, Curses and star crossed love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36683940-unravel-the-dusk">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unravel-Dusk-Blood-Stars-Elizabeth/dp/0525647023/">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Unravel-the-Dusk/9780593302019">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b><br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">The thrilling sequel to SPIN THE DAWN, a magical series steeped in Chinese culture.
<br /><br />
Maia Tamarin’s journey to sew the dresses of the sun, the moon and the stars has taken a grievous toll. She returns to a kingdom on the brink of war. The boy she loves is gone, and she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor’s bride-to-be to keep the peace.
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But the war raging around Maia is nothing compared to the battle within. Ever since she was touched by the demon Bandur, she has been changing . . . glancing in the mirror to see her own eyes glowing red, losing control of her magic, her body, her mind. It’s only a matter of time before Maia loses herself completely, but she will stop at nothing to find Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her country.
<br /><br />
YA fantasy readers will love the sizzling forbidden romance, mystery, and intrigue of UNRAVEL THE DUSK.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="https://mtmctours.com/">MTMC tours</a> and PRH International for the physical copy and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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This was my most anticipated sequel of 2020! <b>Was it what I expected? </b>Not exactly. <b>But did I love it all the same? <i>Absolutely</i></b>. Unravel the Dusk is much darker than Spin the Dawn and the stakes are high. I constantly worried for the characters, not just Maia and Edan but the secondary characters too and I read the whole book in like 2 hours straight because <b>I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~4 REASONS THIS BOOK IS THE FINALE WE DESERVE~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~So much at stake, so much to lose~
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Right from the start I worried for Maia. Considering how book one ended can you blame me? And as the chapters flew by, I was scared for everyone, even characters I had not cared much for in book one.
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There is more than one war to fight for Maia. While she struggles to save her country, she must also work fervently to fight the darkness spreading within her. And when we think one problem is over, another crops up! Elizabeth Lim made sure we'd be on the edge of our seats praying to Amana to <b>JUST KEEP THE BABIES ALIVE.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Dark magic and Mayhem ~
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While Spin the Dawn focused so much on Maia making the three enchanted dresses, Unravel the Dusk focuses on their magic. Maia sacrificed so much to make those dresses and I'd have been disappointed if the dresses didn't turn out to be so awesome and powerful. <b><i>Also can I just say I love the idea of couture fashion being powerful?</i></b> I would very much like a magical dress please and with pockets.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Magic was the blood of stars falling from the sky, the song of my enchanted scissors—eager to make a miracle out of thread and hope.</span></i></blockquote>
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I liked learning more about the magic of enchanters and demons. We were shown so little of demonic power in Spin the Dawn but the sequel elaborates on that. We see Maia starting to change because of her deal with Bhandur, starting to become something else altogether while she struggles to keep her memories.
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Also the whole descent into darkness is a trope I didn't realize I loved until I read this book! At some points Maia's struggles with her curse were described so vividly my heart ached for her. <b><i>Ms Lim why must you hurt Maia so?
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Secondary characters take center-stage ~
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I loved that secondary characters from book 1 have more role here. Can I just say I want an Ammi in my life? <b><i>I love seeing female friendships and the one that grows between Maia and Ammi is sweet and adorable.
</i></b><br />
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No spoilers but I am glad we see more of Lady Sarnai and as always she is complex and interesting and has so many layers. While there were some characters I didn't exactly like, i found them interesting and understood their actions even when they were not right. morally grey characters make the plotline so much more interesting.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">"Whatever history remembered of us, whether it likened us to the sun and the moon - only permitted to meet once a year - or simply to a boy and a girl touched by the stars, fate had danced to bring us together."</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~The unstoppable action right from page one ~
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While I missed the domestic banter and humor from spin the Dawn, I quickly became enamored by the non-stop action and seriousness of Unravel the dusk. I do wish we had more of Maia-Edan goodness and bantering BUT the lack of it did not in any way make the book less interesting. <b><i>In fact the action barely gave me time to breathe.</i></b><br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">“I will stay by your side until the fire in the sun grows cold and the light of the moon is no more. Until time blots out the stars.”</span></i></blockquote>
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The entirety of the book is fast paced and I liked how all the subplots came together. The action scenes were so vivid and also it's not secret I <b>LOVE </b>Elizabeth Lim's magical writing. The depictions of magic and enchanted fighting were so beautifully described, it's almost easy to forget there is a battle going on. <i>Seriously, I'd read </i><b>ANYTHING </b><i>Ms Lim writes.
</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Unravel the Dusk is the best finale we could have asked for and it delivers with high stakes, an intricate plot and characters to fall in love with~</i></b></span><br />
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(Actual rating - 4.5)</div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>What is a sequel you are very excited for? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-43697795594034522442020-06-18T23:00:00.000+05:302020-06-19T13:06:13.869+05:30Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross // Sister love, magic and myths<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmbJ2vsqM417nCDq4hhrToRFdXYnaAQmQPMUifDH4xet-vVcxx4nqstg_1CunRbB_zG03_9rOmm4QfKqFkrRDMj61pJtg0yAjBH0xcFqXWOYSOLdAxnECHxJHA2BNwYft3eYyC_UQGcdk/s1600/52038346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="635" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmbJ2vsqM417nCDq4hhrToRFdXYnaAQmQPMUifDH4xet-vVcxx4nqstg_1CunRbB_zG03_9rOmm4QfKqFkrRDMj61pJtg0yAjBH0xcFqXWOYSOLdAxnECHxJHA2BNwYft3eYyC_UQGcdk/s320/52038346.jpg" width="211" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52038346-sisters-of-sword-and-song" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Sword-Song-Rebecca-Ross/dp/0062471414" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Sisters-Sword-Song-Rebecca-Ross/9780062471413" target="_blank">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">From the author of The Queen’s Rising comes a thrilling YA stand-alone fantasy about the unbreakable bond between sisters. Perfect for fans of Ember in the Ashes, Sky in the Deep, and Court of Fives.
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After eight long years, Evadne will finally be reunited with her older sister, Halcyon, who has been proudly serving in the queen’s army. But when Halcyon appears earlier than expected, Eva knows something has gone terribly wrong. Halcyon is on the run, hunted by her commander and charged with murder.
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Though Halcyon’s life is spared during her trial, the punishment is heavy. And when Eva volunteers to serve part of Halcyon’s sentence, she’s determined to find out exactly what happened. But as Eva begins her sentence, she quickly learns that there are fates much worse than death.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross is one of those books that took me by surprise. I hadn't expected it to love it so much but I did and I think the author's latest book makes me feel so too. <b><i>It definitely exceeded expectations and I read it in almost one sitting.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~5 REASONS TO READ THIS BOOK ASAP~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Underdog protagonists who will make you feel and root for them~
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Something I've loved in the author's previous duology is how her main characters aren't all powerful, supremely strong characters who can do anything at all. They're normal people who grow to be something more with sheer hard work and willpower.
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Sisters of Sword and Song does this too. <b><i>Gives you protagonists who are flawed and real, protagonists who make it easy for us readers to root for them.
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Evadne suffered a dog attack leaving her ankle permanently sore, making her limp badly on cold days. She's a girl who dreams of magic but has accepted there's none within herself. She envies her older sister but loves her fiercely all the same. she isn't the most strongest or cleverest person around but she's fierce and loyal and always tries her best.
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<b>Also personal note -</b> When Evadne asked if she could please have a chiton with POCKETS, I totally whooped. <b>YOU TELL THEM GIRL!</b><br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">There is steel within me.<br />
I will not bend.<br />
I will not break.</span></i></blockquote>
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Halcyon envies her younger sister for having the most of her parents' affections. She's strong and brave and a fighter to the core but she's made mistakes and will do anything to amend them.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">And now she was finally being held by the father of her soul, the man who had loved her in his own quiet, steel-sharpened way.</span></i></blockquote>
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Damon has the magic than Evadne envies but he thinks himself average. Not great, not bad but just somewhere in the middle. He is gentle and kind and also wants to prove himself to his father even though he feels he'll fall short of the person his brother had been.
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And I rooted for all three of them throughout the book.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~All the family wholesomeness~
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This is something I also loved in The Queen's Rising. The wholesome and supportive family and familial love. Evadne's family is the best. I loved that while they don't have as much page time as the sisters did, they still make their mark. I'm so here for loving parents, annoying cousins and all that comes with being a family. I loved the descriptions of their home and the little stories from their lives.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Sibling love that makes me cry happily~
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Seriously this should be a more popular trope. Amazing siblings who love each other and hold each other up. Evadne and Hal are so different from each other but they are each other's strengths and they keep each other marching forward. I liked that the book also shows the envy they have for each other and the times where they argued about things.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Evadne threaded their fingers together. It was the hand Halcyon had killed with, the hand Evadne had written spells with. Two very different hands and two very different women, and yet they had sharpened the other, upheld the other. Defended and protected and healed one another.</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i>Seriously, I want to start a petition for loving, realistic sibling love in books!
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~The mythology and World Building~
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The story is set in an alternate Ancient Greek world. The pantheon is made up of 9 divines who no longer walk among humans. Instead they left behind relics the humans could use. They hoped commoners would find them rather than people who already wielded magic. Mages are descended from the divines themselves and each has a different amount of magic within themselves. I loved seeing the politics of uneven power play out. I would totally read more books set in this world because it's fascinating. I want to read more myths about the divines and see how the humans play out their politics.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~The romance is not all-encompassing~
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The romance is gentle and sweet and something of a slow-burn. It is a predictable ship but lovely all the same. And I liked that while there was a bit of romance it never took away from the main plot or the story; it simply added to the magic of it all.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Sisters of Sword and Song is a beautiful standalone filled with magic, myths, sisterly love and a sweet romance.~</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you have any recommendations for standalone fantasies? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-88121208324065459032020-06-09T23:30:00.000+05:302020-06-10T18:09:40.704+05:30Hood by Jenny Elder Moke // Robin Hood's daughter features in this retelling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpI6lBptkzj7Ry3ywnsDcGdzPczseflls-87ILWVcmgJAllSvJxZiVKAKuSni8_jeTSQRNFdd3fsMYr34yQJxwkVVYUQmC052H9KmuWZ-_k9bkuqkCTkDrCDsl7m74saz_oxmHaN30lFc/s1600/49780757._SX318_SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpI6lBptkzj7Ry3ywnsDcGdzPczseflls-87ILWVcmgJAllSvJxZiVKAKuSni8_jeTSQRNFdd3fsMYr34yQJxwkVVYUQmC052H9KmuWZ-_k9bkuqkCTkDrCDsl7m74saz_oxmHaN30lFc/s320/49780757._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="213" /></a><b>GOODREADS// AMAZON // BOOK DEPOSITORY</b></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">You have the blood of kings and rebels within you, love. Let it rise to meet the call.
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Isabelle of Kirklees has only ever known a quiet life inside the sheltered walls of the convent, where she lives with her mother, Marien. But after she is arrested by royal soldiers for defending innocent villagers, Isabelle becomes the target of the Wolf, King John's ruthless right hand. Desperate to keep her daughter safe, Marien helps Isabelle escape and sends her on a mission to find the one person who can help: Isabelle's father, Robin Hood.
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As Isabelle races to stay out of the Wolf's clutches and find the father she's never known, she is thrust into a world of thieves and mercenaries, handsome young outlaws, new enemies with old grudges, and a king who wants her entire family dead. As she joins forces with Robin and his Merry Men in a final battle against the Wolf, will Isabelle find the strength to defy the crown and save the lives of everyone she holds dear?</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~5 THOUGHTS WHILE I READ HOOD~
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Fast paced and doesn't slow down till the end~
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Hood is a really fast read; the kind of book where you start reading and then realize you're already 50% in. I read the book in one sitting and the action starts from page one. We are introduced to the protagonist, Isabelle when she's been captured by the soldiers and the story just takes off. I did think that while it was fast paced, it glossed over a lot of things and times didn't give me enough time to know the characters or understand the surroundings. Nevertheless, the speed at which the plot moved, kept me hooked and turning the pages quickly.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Found family love~
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If there's only one trope I could ever read, I'd pick found family. Robin and his merry men are obviously the best characters for a lovely found family. Although we don't get acquainted with all the merry men, I did like the ones who were the secondary characters. Helena and Patrick were my favourites. Helena with her sharp tongue, quick temper and immense skill in archery was fun to read about and learning how despite her rough attitude, she also cares about her friends with a fierce loyalty.
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Patrick is a kind soul and the best at making Isabelle feel at home among the merry men. i liked that he takes the time to teach Isabelle something. Even though it wasn't much, he made her feel welcome by teaching her how to use a knife.
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I wanted to like Adam, but he felt too two dimensional for my taste. The moment we meet this boy with piercing eyes, smelling of pine, I knew he was to be the love interest and I wasn't impressed. I hoped he's impress me later on but alas. But the other secondary characters definitely make up for the lack of Adam's originality.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>~Action filled plotline~</b></i>
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Like I mentioned, the action moves really fast and there are multiple fighting scenes that were done quite well. The plot keeps moving and while nothing in it shocked me, I didn't think a certain incident towards the end would happen. It was a bittersweet and considering the fun adventurous tone, I wasn't expecting that and was surprised!
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My only issue is that as far as plot twists go, I found most of them predictable. I wish the story had made me jump up in my seat a lot more than it did. That being said, the way the story ended, I think a sequel would be great. This book wraps up as a standalone really well but there's a lot of scope for sequels or other books set in this world. I would like to have a closer look at some of the political schemes that were kind of the the far background in this book.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Hood is a unique take on the robin Hood tale as it revolve's around his daughter. I enjoyed the premise and fast writing but would have loved to see more depth in the main character. </b></i>
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(Rating - 3.5)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you have any recommendations for Robin Hood retellings? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-74653015631702308072020-06-05T23:00:00.000+05:302020-06-06T11:43:22.452+05:30A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown // Magic, Diversity and plot Twists Galore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49629448-a-song-of-wraiths-and-ruin" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://amzn.to/3bb61Do" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Song-Wraiths-Ruin-Roseanne-Brown/9780062891495?ref=grid-view&qid=1587062543544&sr=1-1" target="_blank">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></b></div>
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">The first in an fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee find themselves on a collision course to murder each other despite their growing attraction.
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For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.
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But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.
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When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>International Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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The book was pitched as "<b><i>What if Aladdin and Jasmine had to kill each other?</i></b>" and naturally I was flailing and dying to read the book. I'm a simple girl. They said diverse fantasy with angst and I said <b>HELL YES.
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">~5 REASONS TO HAVE THIS BOOK IN YOUR LIFE~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Protagonists you want to root for~
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<b><i>Malik </i></b>is the absolute cinnamon roll of ever who just wants to save his little sister. He is a sensitive soul who loves listening to and telling stories, who would help an absolute stranger, who holds on to his sister's stuffed toy hoping to give it to her when he saves her. Excuse me I'll be over there crying.
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<b><i> Karina </i></b>is someone who has lost too much; who had already been drowning when her mother too is taken away from her. She's not easy to like because often she comes off as someone who doesn't care about others or the consequences of her actions but with time, I started sympathizing with her. She had lost her father and sister before and now her mother and is suddenly thrust into a position of responsibilities when she hasn't even grieved properly.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Aminata was right. The world would last a single morning without her. And if it didn't, well, that was hardly her problem.</span></i></blockquote>
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Neither of them are killers but they are willing to do what needs to be done for their family. Malik will give anything to save his innocent little sister and Karina will give anything to bring back the mother she lost so suddenly and unexpectedly. But between the two, I think I favored Malik more. Karina at times made supremely brash decisions and was ruder than she had to be which did not win any points from me.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Solid mental health rep~
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Both the protagonists suffer from <b>anxiety </b>and <b>panic attacks</b> of different kinds. Karina has been plagued by attacks since the day she lost her father and sister. Mentions and memories of them bring on her panic attacks that result in splitting headaches and over time she has learnt various ways of dealing with them; not all of them ideal.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">In the years after the fire, it had come frequently, but now it only visited her every once and again, a reminder that her childhood demons were poised to strike at any moment</span></i></blockquote>
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Malik suffers panic attacks due to his childhood; back when his abilities were seen as a disease to be driven away by his family and people; back when no one had believed he could see spirits. His panic attacks and jumbled thoughts that come with it are described so well by the author. He also has social anxiety which makes him fumble his answers to very simple questions and makes him try his best to blend into the background of social gatherings.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">Malik wasn't sure how long they stayed like that - minutes, maybe hours. Adetunde sat by his side the entire time, chatting aimlessly about everything and nothing. Slowly, Malik's bearings returned as the tendrils of panic slowly receded"</span></i></blockquote>
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I also liked how for both of them, there were other characters who understood and helped them overcome the panic attacks.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~So much culture and diversity~
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The world is built on west African folklore and it's so fascinating. There is a <b>LOT </b>going on but the author explains the world so well without info dumping us and that's awesome! I loved how diverse the world was within itself. There were matriarchal kingdoms and patriarchal ones, cultures that believed in magic and those that did not and just everything is so diverse! Like two people could pray to the same patron god and yet they'd be from entirely different parts of the world and follow different rituals and culture.<br />
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Also I'm so here for the <b>casual queer diversity</b>. Although there isn't a major rep; it's mentioned how the consorts of the Ziranian Sultana could be of any gender and a certain character mentions their sister's relationship with another girl and such.
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Also special mention to all the foods and dishes described in the book. Ms. Brown you succeeded in making my mouth water even in serious situations because of <b>ALL THE FOOD.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~So much stabbiness and betrayals~
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I certainly did not see <b><i>that </i></b>coming. There are reveals throughout the book as the protagonists realize there's more to the world than they knew. Karina has never left Ziran and throughout the book she comes face to face with the truth about her ancestors' past and herself. Malik has travelled a lot to reach the city where he hoped to find his fortune but learns there is more lurking in the city than just opportunities.
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I'm happy to say that for most of the big plot reveals, I so did not see it coming and was left gaping like a fish. The ending just made me go "<b><i>Whaaaaaa</i></b>" and then "<b><i>EXCUSE ME WHERE IS BOOK TWO?</i></b>"
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Three dimensional secondary characters~
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I just <b><i>HAVE </i></b>to talk about this. The secondary characters really drew me in because they're so interesting and the author doesn't ignore their stories. There's Leila, Malik's older sister who wanted to have more formal education but had to give up her apprenticeship to raise her siblings, Tunde who is kind but also calculating so readers and the characters are left wondering if his kindness is real or a part of his elaborate schemes, Farid who is raised by the Sultana and her husband as their ward and has a complex relationship with the family and so many more charcters who I wanted to know more about.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~A song of wraiths and ruin is a wild ride with lots of diversity, fantasy, engaging characters and a nail-biting plotline! ~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you have any recommendations for fantasy books by Black authors? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-59554966204737194042020-05-04T18:11:00.000+05:302020-05-05T18:43:59.295+05:30Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova // Magic, memories and mayhem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52888729-incendiary">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Incendiary-1-Zoraida-Cordova/dp/1368023800">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Incendiary-Zoraida-Cordova/9781473677586">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;"><b>I am Renata Convida.<br />
I have lived a hundred stolen lives.<br />
Now I live my own.<br />
</b><br />
Renata Convida was only a child when she was kidnapped by the King's Justice and brought to the luxurious palace of Andalucia. As a Robari, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, Renata's ability to steal memories from royal enemies enabled the King's Wrath, a siege that resulted in the deaths of thousands of her own people.
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Now Renata is one of the Whispers, rebel spies working against the crown and helping the remaining Moria escape the kingdom bent on their destruction. The Whispers may have rescued Renata from the palace years ago, but she cannot escape their mistrust and hatred--or the overpowering memories of the hundreds of souls she turned "hollow" during her time in the palace.
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When Dez, the commander of her unit, is taken captive by the notorious Sangrado Prince, Renata will do anything to save the boy whose love makes her place among the Whispers bearable. But a disastrous rescue attempt means Renata must return to the palace under cover and complete Dez's top secret mission. Can Renata convince her former captors that she remains loyal, even as she burns for vengeance against the brutal, enigmatic prince? Her life and the fate of the Moria depend on it.
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But returning to the palace stirs childhood memories long locked away. As Renata grows more deeply embedded in the politics of the royal court, she uncovers a secret in her past that could change the entire fate of the kingdom--and end the war that has cost her everything.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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Look I finished the book and have been screaming for a good one hour and now I'm expected to put down coherent thoughts? *<b><i>grumbles</i></b>* . I shall try okay? But I can't assure my review will be coherent because right now my brain is basically going <b><i>asddkfkhjdfkfkkk</i></b>.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~4 REASONS TO READ INCENDIARY~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Complex characters~
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Morally grey characters and characters with multiple facets are the most interesting. Renata Convida is the <b><i>most intriguing protagonist</i></b> I've read about in recent days. She's the girl who worked for the enemy as a child, now a part of the rebellion to take them down. She can't remember her memories from when she was used as a weapon at the palace but vows to earn her people's trust someday and atone for her sin by being an important part of the rebellion. I was rooting for her and her magic from page one. I love how her memories and her ability to steal people's memories is a huge part of the plot and she's an active protagonist. She doesn't stand around watching things happen around her but truly takes part in the plotline and that's awesome.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“You’re a shadow. You’re steel. You’re vengeance in the night. You’re a Whisper of the rebel Moria.”</span></i></blockquote>
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All the secondary characters are so interesting and while I hated some of them I loved how well they written to evoke such emotions from me. The most interesting character arc of all is that of the villain and *<b><i>cue screaming</i></b>* . It was done <b>SO WELL</b>.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~World Building for the Win~
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The magic system was so amazingly crafted and I loved how the magic of the Moria worked. It was a magic system like no other I've read and I wanted to learn more about it. I can't wait to learn more in book two because of a certain thing revealed at the end (I did think that might come up again and I was glad it did). Also a good time to mention but I also loved the author's world building in Labyrinth Lost, the first book of hers that I read.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Plot Line to keep you on the edge of your seat~
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It was such a ride. Right from the start there is so much action and so many things happening that it left me breathless. There is a romance but it does not feature for the majority part of the story and when it does show up (<i>at the beginning</i>) it's really lovely. (<i>I just really really hope there is not love triangle in book 2</i>)<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">"I will always come back for you." Those are bold words, an impossible promise that he can't actually keep. We don't live in a world that allows for those kinds of vows. But I choose to believe them. I want to.</span></i></blockquote>
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Plot twists are of course there! Quite a few actually. I was expecting one or two of them but the rest just blew me away. The twists and the foreshadowing were so well done and I just felt so freaking immersed in the story.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Beautiful writing I want to climb into~
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I know that's a weird description but that's exactly what I wanted to do; climb into the book and sit among the words because they're perfect. The author makes you feel for the characters, feel like you're there right alongside them, picture the scenes and descriptions so perfectly in your head. I swear I'll read anything Zoraida Córdova writes because it's so beautiful!
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Incendiary is a retelling of the Spanish Inquisition and filled with magic, vengeance and revenge. It keeps you turning the pages because you just HAVE to know what happens next~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Is this book on your radar? What was the last book you read and loved? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-12293315121937189472020-04-14T23:30:00.000+05:302020-04-15T19:07:49.872+05:30Elysium Girls by Kate Pentecost // steampunk and Mad Max meets witches and girl power<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVIGFEdxuV69fnIE6rU8-_trsbwQ-Rjx8iVJBqe_B9OWbBNcJjiwac7ljOFqdHaExuiFA5drjYwwGs4zfUVeKMY3d98AThtkaqGHdaBbxB9GEiwixrz52t4She3t_6px6OdrxqjuBERsb/s1600/52782471._SX318_SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVIGFEdxuV69fnIE6rU8-_trsbwQ-Rjx8iVJBqe_B9OWbBNcJjiwac7ljOFqdHaExuiFA5drjYwwGs4zfUVeKMY3d98AThtkaqGHdaBbxB9GEiwixrz52t4She3t_6px6OdrxqjuBERsb/s320/52782471._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="212" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52782471-elysium-girls">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Elysium-Girls-Kate-Pentecost/dp/1368041868">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Elysium-Girls-Kate-Pentecost/9781368041867">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">In this sweeping Dust Bowl-inspired fantasy, a ten-year game between Life and Death pits the walled Oklahoma city of Elysium-including a girl gang of witches and a demon who longs for humanity-against the supernatural in order to judge mankind.
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When Sal is named Successor to Mother Morevna, a powerful witch and leader of Elysium, she jumps at the chance to prove herself to the town. Ever since she was a kid, Sal has been plagued by false visions of rain, and though people think she's a liar, she knows she's a leader. Even the arrival of enigmatic outsider Asa-a human-obsessed demon in disguise-doesn't shake her confidence in her ability. Until a terrible mistake results in both Sal and Asa's exile into the Desert of Dust and Steel.
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Face-to-face with a brutal, unforgiving landscape, Sal and Asa join a gang of girls headed by another Elysium exile-and young witch herself-Olivia Rosales. In order to atone for their mistake, they create a cavalry of magic powered, scrap metal horses to save Elysium from the coming apocalypse. But Sal, Asa, and Olivia must do more than simply tip the scales in Elysium's favor-only by reinventing the rules can they beat the Life and Death at their own game.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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<b>SAY HELLO TO MY NEW FAVOURITE BOOK.</b> The author takes some regular tropes tropes and turns them into something crazy spectacular and 200% unique and I'll just be over here rambling about the brilliance of this book so read on! I shall try to be coherent
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Hello to the most incredible setting/world of ever~
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A walled city surrounded by the desert of sand and steel, watched by Life and Death. That would be an underrated and simplistic way of describing it. Elysium is the city the two sisters, Life and Death are betting over. They are betting over it's survival in the harshest conditions trying to tip the scales in their favour by using their wildcard.
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The aesthetic of this world was just so unique, a kind of recycled metal technology along with magic. my favourite part were the horses (an example of which you see on the cover); made of metal scraps, held together by bolts and magic, brought to a type of life by magic. It's not quite steampunk meets magic and I AM SO HERE FOR IT. I get exactly why it's described as Mad Max: Fury road meets witches.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Meet the Characters~
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Kate Pentecost plays with tropes, teases us with the idea of cliche tropes but before we can groan about it, <b><i>BAM she reinvents the whole trope and gives us something unique.</i></b> There is Sal, the orphaned MC who is something of an outsider within Elysium. There is Asa, the demon in human form, something of a chosen one, a wildcard who appears pretty much out of nowhere at the Elysium. There is so much chance this could have been orphan girl meets mysterious stranger boy and goes lovey eyed. Readers almost expect that to happen but the brilliant story teller that is Ms. Pentecost turns it all around.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">”And it’s not like you, the strong, patient, ingenious girl I know, to bow before something as insignificant as fate.”</span></i></blockquote>
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The non stilted romances <b>THAT WERE NOT THE FOCUS OF THE STORY</b> were a <b>HUGE </b>plus. The romance is there, the crushes are there but they are not all-encompassing or taking away from the plot. There is both a straight romance and a f/f pairing is all I'm going to say.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Hello Plot Twists ~
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I'm not saying I didn't at all see some of the plot twists coming; I did, BUT were they still awesome? <b>ABSOLUTELY</b>. And when some plot twists were revealed, I could go back and see just how cleverly and subtly it had been foreshadowed. I like it when a book has <b>(a)</b> Plot twists that shock me <b>(b)</b> Plot twists that are not as shocking but are cleverly foreshadowed and utterly brilliant. this book has both these kinds of plot twists
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~A Writing style to draw you In ~
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The writing is amazing. This is probably the most well written debut book I have read so far. I loved how the authors puts everything in front of the readers in a simple but captivating manner. I read this book in pretty much one sitting. Even when we came to some points where the story itself was a bit slow, the writing was always there to keep me swiping through the pages.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~A unique, badass standalone novel where metal meets magic and strong willed characters fight for their own destinies and not bow to any predetermined fates ~</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you like steampunk books? Any recommendations? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-73951500901163614162020-03-28T09:25:00.000+05:302020-03-29T09:29:09.904+05:30Thorn by Intisar Khanani // Friendship, justice and secondary characters to die for<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZpOkLygJz7U9q0MRW8c-PKGS-PjRBdhzKewp2YmTOXvrhbtIH3phvq7i1gcnGn7mLn0Qf1HfgPo0_Mlv3lvtld5GO8NmQ8PcHNINV4O4pBu2sg4uncej7b1THc-0eyg3HWnG1eJsVoPV/s1600/36443368._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZpOkLygJz7U9q0MRW8c-PKGS-PjRBdhzKewp2YmTOXvrhbtIH3phvq7i1gcnGn7mLn0Qf1HfgPo0_Mlv3lvtld5GO8NmQ8PcHNINV4O4pBu2sg4uncej7b1THc-0eyg3HWnG1eJsVoPV/s320/36443368._SY475_.jpg" width="207" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36443368-thorn?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=O1SgT1Z7Z9&rank=1">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Intisar-Khanani/dp/1471408728/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Thorn-Intisar-Khanani/9780062835703">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">A princess with two futures. A destiny all her own
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Between her cruel family and the contempt she faces at court, Princess Alyrra has always longed to escape the confines of her royal life. But when she’s betrothed to the powerful prince Kestrin, Alyrra embarks on a journey to his land with little hope for a better future.
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When a mysterious and terrifying sorceress robs Alyrra of both her identity and her role as princess, Alyrra seizes the opportunity to start a new life for herself as a goose girl.
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But Alyrra soon finds that Kestrin is not what she expected. The more Alyrra learns of this new kingdom, the pain and suffering its people endure, as well as the danger facing Kestrin from the sorceress herself, the more she knows she can’t remain the goose girl forever.
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With the fate of the kingdom at stake, Alyrra is caught between two worlds and ultimately must decide who she is, and what she stands for.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>International Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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<b><i>(+ favourite quotes)</i></b></div>
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This is the year of retellings and couldn't be more happy about it *<b><i>weird happy dance</i></b>* Thorn is a retelling of The Grimm's fairytale, 'The Goose Girl' which I hadn't read and I think I can safely say that didn't affect the enjoyment of the novel. Although I did go back and read the fairytale after I finished the book and got some answers as to why the author included certain characters and scenes.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~5 THINGS ABOUT THORN THAT STAND OUT~
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~The Classic Fairytale vibes but with explanations~
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Yes it is a retelling but it has quite a bit of the whimsical vibes of original fairytales. There is a talking horse, the whispering wind and you notice multiple fairytale elements peeking out every now and then. But unlike in original fairytales, Thorn strives to explain the '<b>why</b>' of many things. Why is there a talking horse and how does the wind whisper and I really appreciated that because it's something I don't like in fairytales; how things just are and the characters never question anything, no matter how weird it is.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Crime, justice and punishment~
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The book deals with topics that I believe will always be relevant. Constantly there are crimes happening in the world Alyrra lives in and she tries to understand what justice truly means. When does punishment by death go from justice to another murder, when justice is delayed by the law, is it okay to take it into our hands? and I truly liked how Alyrra herself has contradictory opinions when she thinks about it which is true for all of us in matters like these.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">"It may not be pretty, but sometimes justice has to be hard to keep the rest of us straight and safe." she suggests practically.</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Secondary characters I want more of and scope for a sequel~
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I loved the secondary characters so much! Alyrra's friends at the stable, Red Hawk the mysterious morally gray character, the kids Alyrra befriends on the streets and even the soldiers around the Prince were all an interesting bunch and <b><i>I'd gladly read more stories with them in it.</i></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">"Start somewhere and keep going," she suggests practically.</span></i></blockquote>
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That brings me to begging the author for a sequel because <b>I NEEDS IT.</b> The main plot point is resolved but the ending isn't wrapped up tight. There were questions I had and things I wanted to know. I was mildly frustrated that we don't really know the fate of a despicable character from the beginning. I wanted justice to be done there and for the character to get the punishment they clearly deserve. And of course here's a lot left for us to ponder over, especially regarding where do the characters go next? What do they do after the last page is turned? <b><i>Thorn doesn't have a full sense of closure at the end and left me asking for more.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~A complex romance which again, I want more of~
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Unlike fairytales, we do not have an inta-love here which I'll forever be thankful for. And it is a super lowkey romance <b>that does not overshadow the plot</b> but simply adds to it. I can't say much because *spoilers* BUT I loved that it's not a perfect romance. There are doubts, questions and sometimes the characters aren't sure about what they want from the other. It makes the couple feel quite real instead of a fairytale pairing that's just too unrealistically perfect.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Found family and the importance of friendship~
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Can I just hug all the stablehands and the street kids? I love how they all lookout for their friends and are there when someone needs them, especially Sage and violet telling Allyra they will help her even if it affects the sensibilities of the royals and the noblemen.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">"Thorn, let me tell you about dangerous. Dangerous is cutting your finger on a rusty nail. Dangerous is walking too close behind a skittish horse. Dangerous is going anywhere in this city at night. Dangerous is NOT helping someone stay safe."</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Thorn is an underrated retelling of a lesser known fairytale and honestly deserves more hype because it truly delivers what it promises. ~</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you enjoy fairytale retellings? Any underrated ones you'd recommend? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-3258509860814070382020-03-22T09:09:00.000+05:302020-03-25T14:27:22.193+05:30Frozen Beauty by Lexa Hillyer // Loss, Sisterhood and the weight of secrets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/2020/02/tour-schedule-frozen-beauty-by-lexa.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUihhyphenhyphene5Gkal0PuVAm_NqYQGEmuOi7MseWtgv6OAGzkt5lCU4saSUb6i9pbsds8LWF78qfg5KVVfu6oMWai6w3X7HqS0taMwKk5S73y9gQH5yf2Z4_SPWdC96TBrGEd3HJzBQzQLaw2HTP/s1600/tour+banner+%25284%2529.png" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh1X8KtVPwrU8zbVG3CFaCg1Oa4o91Xdy_ZBlhuDLQpSIqYoA-OQzAExRp4oukapyd5DDK4j0inWA4_agVQjTgdfHi3Vs87uNw7t5IqlV7WNIdSAIYqKtokjtm94ENSGP2d4RyxQAm5n7/s1600/BOOK+COVER+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh1X8KtVPwrU8zbVG3CFaCg1Oa4o91Xdy_ZBlhuDLQpSIqYoA-OQzAExRp4oukapyd5DDK4j0inWA4_agVQjTgdfHi3Vs87uNw7t5IqlV7WNIdSAIYqKtokjtm94ENSGP2d4RyxQAm5n7/s320/BOOK+COVER+%25281%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43720997-frozen-beauty">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Frozen-Beauty-Lexa-Hillyer/dp/0062330403">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Frozen-Beauty-Lexa-Hillyer/9780062330406">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Everyone in Devil’s Lake knows the three golden Malloy sisters—but one of them is keeping a secret that will turn their little world inside out….
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No one knows exactly what happened to Kit in the woods that night—all they have are a constellation of facts: icy blue lips and fingers cold to the touch, a lacy bra, an abandoned pick-up truck with keys still in the ignition. Still, Tessa, even in her fog of grief, is certain that her sister’s killer wasn’t Boyd, the boy next door whom they’ve all loved in their own way. There are too many details that don’t add up, too many secrets still tucked away.
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But no matter how fiercely she searches for answers, at the core of that complicated night is a truth that’s heartbreakingly simple.
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Told in lush, haunting prose, Frozen Beauty is a story of the intoxicating power of first love, the deep bonds of sisterhood, and a shocking death that will forever change the living.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the author for the signed physical ARC and a huge thanks to <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for including me in the blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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<b><i>(+ favourite quotes)</i></b></div>
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You know how when we read a book and we try to explain our thoughts about it, we think about the plot and how good the twists were and all these technical things? But every now and then you read a book and when you try to explain to someone what you thought of the book, all you can coherently say is that it made you feel. That's how I feel about this book. I got interested in the book for the mystery but now that I finished reading it, I think I can safely say I stayed for the feelings.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~3 THINGS THE BOOK MADE ME FEEL~
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Pining for a sisterhood connection~
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As an only child I've missed out on the whole sibling connection (<i>but thank god for my soul sisters and found families</i>) and this book made me miss it on a whole new level. Kit, Tessa and Lilly have this unsaid competition between them regarding some things, there is envy, the fear of being left out as the younger one, but there's also the deep seated feeling of togetherness and knowing that at the end of the day, your sister is on your side even if the world is against you.<br />
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And the author writes it <b>SO </b>well that it made me physically feel this need for sisters like that. she writes the complex relationships between the sisters so well, the intricacies that come with being seen together; as a triad, the closeness that comes with living under the same room and how despite that you have your own personalities and secrets that your sisters don't know.
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Can you understand from my rambling just how much these three sisters made me feel?
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<i><span style="color: black;">'As the youngest of three, this was the story of her life: this winter coldness, this left-out-ness, this butt-out-and-don't-complain-or-you'll-sound-like-a-whiny-baby-ness'</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~The realization that you never really know a person fully~
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This story is character driven. The plot might not always be character driven but the things in the story that made me have emotions and feel a deep connection were the characters and the relationships between them. And as the story progresses each of the character realizes in their own way that they didn't really know the person they share the house with/ go out with/ see everyday/ had a close moment with.
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In their own ways each character realizes that they didn't really know Kit and each other and it's a realization that hits us just as much as it hits the characters. Tessa struggles with the knowledge that Kit is dead and Tessa didn't know everything about her when she was alive and I felt that helplessness, desperation and loss that Tessa feels as she realizes that she no longer has a chance to get to know her sister better.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Knowing the truth wrecks you as much as it builds you up~
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Tessa searches for answers throughout the book and when she finds them, they're not what she expected but more importantly the answers didn't miraculously make her pain and loss disappear. In some ways the truth made her feel them more acutely. Knowing the truth gives Tessa both relief and a sense of dread and I think that's the case with most hard truths.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">'She should probably be crying now, but her eyes remained a stinging dry and her chest tight, trapped under a thick layer of ice. All she could think was how weird this felt, everyone staring at her.'</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Final thoughts~
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I wouldn't necessarily call it a murder mystery even though that's what the story is built around. As a matter of fact, the reveal at the end felt a bit rushed as compared to the rest of the story and quite sudden. It was the only part I had a quibble with.
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Do not go in expecting a fast paced thriller. Go in knowing that it's the story of three sisters and what happens when one of them is gone. The story is about the murder investigation but more about what happens with the people left behind, how to they cope. It's beautiful and atmospheric and will give the readers so many emotions that they weren't expecting.
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<i><span style="color: black;">“Death had always seemed like that to Tessa: anonymous and abrupt, crude in its specificity. It happened in the open but was smothered in silence, stifling as a hot day in August. It came without any good reason.”</span></i></blockquote>
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(actual rating - 4.5)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>What was the last book you read that made you emotional? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-71202468626138753582020-03-21T08:30:00.000+05:302020-03-22T08:38:33.610+05:30Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer // Modern Witchcraft, badass females and all the diversity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/2020/03/tour-schedule-witches-of-ash-and-ruin.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOztZ7nz5pNWBq4i2LRkfG_kgVDIx4KkEgfX3CMCiE7uqEStyecLRVwGicTNaFCqIl6Rxw-BiocdUIzRQVeHGxCxX3Elsk-5SSdDMyTqrD80GY3tfhv0ORzm4phpdpKrVzKf4vQyAVywZ/s1600/TOUR+BANNER+%25283%2529.png" /></a></div>
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Seventeen-year-old Dayna Walsh is struggling to cope with her somatic OCD; the aftermath of being outed as bisexual in her conservative Irish town; and the return of her long-absent mother, who barely seems like a parent. But all that really matters to her is ascending and finally, finally becoming a full witch-plans that are complicated when another coven, rumored to have a sordid history with black magic, arrives in town with premonitions of death. Dayna immediately finds herself at odds with the bewitchingly frustrating Meiner King, the granddaughter of their coven leader.
<br /><br />
And then a witch turns up murdered at a local sacred site, along with the blood symbol of the Butcher of Manchester-an infamous serial killer whose trail has long gone cold. The killer's motives are enmeshed in a complex web of witches and gods, and Dayna and Meiner soon find themselves at the center of it all. If they don't stop the Butcher, one of them will be next.
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With razor-sharp prose and achingly real characters, E. Latimer crafts a sweeping, mesmerizing story of dark magic and brutal mythology set against a backdrop of contemporary Ireland that's impossible to put down.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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<b><i>(+ favourite quotes)</i></b></div>
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I keep saying we need <b><i>modern Witchcraft books</i></b>. This is why. I'm so here for a witch who studies Particle Physics in school then goes home to her coven to brew potions. I mean, that's the coolest ever. Also say hello to my <b>latest favourite book</b> and now I'll be over here flailing until the sequel comes out because <b>DAMN I NEED THE SEQUEL.
</b><br />
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<i>(TW - homophobia and mentions of conversion therapy, somatic OCD, panic attacks)
</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~6 THOUGHTS WHILE I READ WITCHES OF ASH AND RUIN~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Hello there diversity~
</i></b></span></div>
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You say the word diversity and I'll bend over backwards to read the book. <b>Witches of Ash and Ruin scores full points for diversity</b>-<br />
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<b><i>-a bisexual protagonist </i></b><br />
<b><i>-with somatic OCD</i></b><br />
<b><i>-who gets panic attacks at the most terrible of times </i></b><br />
<b><i>-a protagonist who is queer </i></b><br />
<b><i>-secondary characters who are queer</i></b><br />
<b><i>-cultural diversity
</i></b><br />
<br />
And can we talk about the mental health rep?? The realistic depiction of panic attacks and there are even discussions of the stigma surrounding taking medication and just, the author does it <b>SO </b>well.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">“It started the same way it always did. Some small shift in the air around her. Subtle, but enough to make her breath catch. Suddenly it was all she could think about”</span></i></blockquote>
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As the Goodreads synopsis says, the MC Dayna has been outed as bisexual in her conservative Irish town and it doesn't help that her father is the Reverend. I really felt for Dayna. The anger at being outed without permission, the fear that her father might send her to conversion therapy, the confusion she feels about her ex-boyfriend and I just wanted to reach in and give her a hug.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Found Family and female friendships and complex relationships~
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I adore found families okay? <b>I'm legit trash for this trope.
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I loved how Dayna was literally adopted into her coven, especially by Reagan ad her mother Yemi. Yemi is that motherly figure bustling around making tea and fussing with your hair until someone does something stupid and she's hands-on-the-hip glowering lioness (she reminded me of Mrs. Weasley a lot but I think i prefer Yemi)
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Female friendships and complex relationships~
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Reagan and Dayna's friendship is goals and I loved how they appreciated each other and it was such a non-toxic, extremely lovely friendship and I again have all the feels, excuse me.
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Meiner and Cora on the other hand have a toxic, competitive friendship and honestly it made a bit sick how Cora would go behind Meiner's back and just as easily backstab her. Kids, this is the kind of relationship you avoid at all costs because it be <b>TOXIC</b>. Kudos to the author for having written contrasting relationships in the same book and showing that in reality, both kinds exist and which is the kind of friendship you ought to aim for.
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There is also the complex relationship between Sam and Dayna with Dayna not sure if she wants to get back together and Samuel just pining after her. There were pooints where I wanted to smack Sam on the head and tell him to um, move on plis.
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Also I think Dayna and Meiner happened in a super awkward way but I did like it once they got over the initial annoyance towards each other. I wouldn't exactly call it hate to love though. But also my weird favourite thing was how Dayna didn't let Meiner get away with her temper tantrums. She point blank told her 'stop giving excuses for losing your temper. That doesn't make it better' and I was like YASS
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Alternating PoVs~
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Okay so I generally don't like it if the PoV shifts all the freaking time but i really liked it here?
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- <b><i>Dayna</i></b>, the main protagonist who was recently outed as bi without her permission<br />
- <b><i>Meiner</i></b> who is being made to travel all the way across the country with her coven which includes her horrible and possibly evil grandmother and Cora<br />
- <b><i>Cora </i></b>who is one super scheming, ambitious witch and honestly a huge JERK<br />
- <b><i>Samuel</i></b>, Dayna's ex boyfriend and a true crime fanatic who is obsessed with The Butcher, a certain serial killer<br />
- <b><i>Dubh</i></b>, the murderer himself and an absolute sickward (okay it's not an actual word, sue me) whose chapters creeped me out because he has one sick mind
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~All the dark modern Witchcraft and Celtic myhtology~
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Buying potion ingredients after school, discussing schoolwork while brewing potions, wearing good luck charms to school; <b><i>the modern witch aesthetic speaks to my soul</i></b> and there were scenes that had me grinning like a monkey.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">“Witchcraft doesn't pay the bills, grandmother. You think she can walk into a grocery store and trade that luck talisman for food? We don't work on the barter system anymore.”</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">“And I'll pray to the great Oracle, Google” Reagan pulled the laptop back over.</span></i></blockquote>
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I'd never read anything with Celtic mythology before and I found this utterly fascinating. You know I'm going to obssesively google everyhting about Celtic myths now for the next two weeks or so.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~WHERE IS THE SEQUEL?~
</span></i></b></div>
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Um Ms.Latimer <b>NO</b>. You can't write an ending like that when book two isn't even available that is cruel OKA?
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<b><i>I will sacrifice souls to get book two mind you.
</i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Witches of Ash and Ruin is a super diverse and witchy book replete with badass females, found families and a fair share of mythology ~</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b>
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(Actual rating - 4.5)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read any modern witchcraft books? Or anything with Celtic mythology? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-90283956619256712062020-03-15T22:51:00.000+05:302020-03-15T22:51:24.779+05:30The Deep by Alma Katsu // Fact, fiction and fantasy blend in this reimagining of one of the biggest disaster in history<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Someone, or something, is haunting the ship. That is the only way to explain the series of misfortunes that have plagued the passengers of the Titanic from the moment they set sail. The Titanic's passengers expected to enjoy an experience befitting the much-heralded ship's maiden voyage, but instead, amid mysterious disappearances and sudden deaths, find themselves in an eerie, unsettling twilight zone. While some of the guests and crew shrug off strange occurrences, several--including maid Annie Hebbley, guest Mark Fletcher, and millionaires Madeleine Astor and Benjamin Guggenheim--are convinced there's something more sinister going on. And then disaster strikes.
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Years later, Annie, having survived that fateful night, has attempted to put her life back together by going to work as a nurse on the sixth sailing of the Britannic, newly refitted as a hospital ship to support British forces fighting World War I. When she happens across an unconscious Mark, now a soldier, she is at first thrilled and relieved to learn that he too survived the tragic night four years earlier. But soon his presence awakens deep-buried feelings and secrets, forcing her to reckon with the demons of her past--as they both discover that the terror may not yet be over.
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Featuring an ensemble cast of characters and effortlessly combining the supernatural with the height of historical disaster, The Deep is an exploration of love and destiny, desire and innocence, and, above all, a quest to understand how our choices can lead us inexorably toward our doom.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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Retellings and reimaginings are my jam. Add to it the fact that it's <b>reimagining of the sinking of <i>THE </i>Titanic and it's sister ship Britannic</b>, of course I <b>HAD </b>to read this book. Also I've been meaning to read Alma Katsu's work for a while now so I was over the moon when I got to read an eARC of The Deep.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~5 REASONS TO READ THE DEEP~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~The curious case of Human Nature~
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One of the reasons I adore Agatha Christie's books is that she deals with human nature. Poirot doesn't just look around for clues, he looks into the personality of each suspect to find the criminal. <b><i>Something about the way Alma Katsu writes her characters reminds me of Agatha Christie.</i></b> I was utterly fascinated with the characters, many of whom were real people on-board the Titanic. The author deftly weaves each character arc and I love how she took real people and gave them a whole backstory that mixed reality and creativity, such as Madeleine Astor, Lady Duff Gordon, W.T. Stead and the two boxers Les and Dai. I personally love that the author made the boxers queer and their chemistry was so interesting to read about.
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We have original characters too such as our protagonist Annie and the couple Mark and Caroline who are an important part of the mystery. Of all of them, it was Caroline who intrigued me the most and I kept turning the pages (<i>clicking the pages? considering it was the eBook</i>) wanting to know more about her past, especially the past involving Lillian, another very intriguing character.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">'She is not mad.
But there is something in her that is hospitable to madness'</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~The alternating timelines~
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Generally I'm wary about alternating timelines. Unless they're done well, they're jarring and annoying. I did not have to worry about that in this case because <b>Alma Katsu does it brilliantly</b>. She knows just the right moment to stop with the 1912 plot and switch to 1916, making me want to know more about what just happened. And I also loved the parallels drawn between the two ships and at point the plot lines blurred but not in a bad way; rather in a way that makes you go "<b><i>OML WHAT JUST HAPPENED EEEP</i></b>"
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~The atmospheric quality~
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I really love reading about historical fiction with a slight touch of the supernatural; the blending of fact, fiction and fantasy which gives a very atmospheric feel to the story. Because of some reviews I'd thought the book included horror but after reading it, I mainly find it atmospheric and chilly but definitely not scary enough to be called horror (<i>and that's coming from me who is too scared to ever fully watch IT</i>). BUT even though it wasn't scary, the book has the perfect atmosphere for the reality and the supernatural to entwine. There were scenes where I got goosebumps because it felt like I was there on board the ship watching things unfold around me.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“A ship so massive, and here we are, trapped on it, nowhere to run.” She shivered “One is always trapped within oneself though.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~The writing style~
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As I said just above, this book made me feel I was IN it and this is totally due to Ms Katsu's writing prowess. The beautiful descriptions, the scenes where the characters are not sure whether they are actually seeing something or imagining things and the description of the fateful night were all done so magnificently and I can't wait to pick up her other books.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">'Fear was a chained dog, startling and rough and always dangerously close, steretching its leash, baring fangs.'</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~The mystery itself~
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Right from the first page, the author makes us ask questions. Who is Annie? who was she before she set foot on RMS Titanic? What happened to her on the ship? What is the mystery surrounding each of the passengers on the ship? And most importantly, <b><i>which of them are going to survive? </i></b>I rushed through the whole book in less than 24 hours because I needed all the answers. The plot brings together the plot lines of every character in an expert manner that I can't help but admire.<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">"It wasn't trust, or intuition, but something else that had swooped in, in the absence of both, to guide her."</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~The Deep is more than just a reimagining, it truly brings Titanic and her sister ship Britannic to life along with characters both real and fictional; b;lending fact, fiction and fantasy to give us a story that is truly an experience. ~
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you enjoy retellings of historical events? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-44349825436611927282020-03-10T23:06:00.000+05:302020-03-22T08:16:19.893+05:30Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie // Ferrying the dead, female friendships and star-crossed lovers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Bone Criers have a sacred duty. They alone can keep the dead from preying on the living. But their power to ferry the spirits of the dead into goddess Elara’s Night Heavens or Tyrus’s Underworld comes from sacrifice. The gods demand a promise of dedication. And that promise comes at the cost of the Bone Criers’ one true love.
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Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she’s also destined to love.
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Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.
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Sabine has never had the stomach for the Bone Criers’ work. But when her best friend Ailesse is taken captive, Sabine will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means defying their traditions—and their matriarch—to break the bond between Ailesse and Bastien. Before they all die.</span></i></blockquote>
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(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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<b><i>(+ favourite quotes)</i></b></div>
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I literally came across this book because of the gorgeous Charlie Bowater cover. I saw it and was immediately smitten, much like an amouré when he hears the siren song of a Leuress. But I'm getting ahead of myself so let's start at the beginning! (<b><i>Of course I made a list. Did anyone actually expect me to not make a list?</i></b>)
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~5 REASONS TO READ BONE CRIER'S MOON~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Female friendship~ </i></b></span></div>
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Look <b>I just pine for well written female friendships okay?</b> The friendship between Ailesse and Sabine was something I cherished even if their interactions are somewhat less in this book. they reminded me very much of Safi and Iseult from The Witchlands series (<i>another great series you ought to read</i>). I loved the sisterly affection between the two and the fact that despite being best friends, they are very different from each other; but this does not take away from the connection they share. <b>I especially loved Sabine.</b> Her character arc was my favourite and I feel she was the character that grew the most through the story. I can't wait to see more of her in book 2.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“I’m not weak. I’m not a coward. I’m tired of everyone believing I am. I’m tired of believing it myself.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Enemies to lovers trope~
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I think all us bookdragons can agree that this is one trope we all love. Ailesse and Bastien gave me a very witch-witch hunter vibe and I loved the banter and angst. I wish there had been more humor but of course the feeling of tension throughout the book did not give much chance for that. But I sure enjoyed the enemies to lovers <b><i>AND </i></b>star-crossed lovers thing they had going for them. But I wish we had seen them grow more. Their relationship arc wasn't as well fleshed out as Sabine's character arc.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">Tu ne me manque pas. Je ne te manque pas. It means ‘You’re not missing from me. I’m not missing from you’</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“The gods have nothing to do with us. We don’t have to play their games.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Great secondary characters~
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Marcel is a treasure. Marcel and Jules are siblings and friends- more like found family- of Bastien's. And the author really makes them stand out. Marcel is scholarly, gentle and just so endearing. Jules is headstrong, stubborn and nowhere as gentle as her brother but she grew on me. <b>BUT I SHALL PROTECC MARCEL OKAY? </b>He's just so precious and I liked how most times it seemed he was the only one with a working brain.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~The worldbuilding and myths~
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I'm a sucker for good worldbuilding. I mean, who isn't. I love how the author went into detail about the Leuress myths and how she developed a believable world with it own culture and folktales. A part that stood out to me was how she created various versions of the same myth. Ailesse has been taught one version of it since she was a child, Marcel tell her the various versions he's read and heard from people. THAT is believable because there is hardly ever a myth that everyone in the world agrees upon. Kathryn Purdie is a pro at wonderful worldbuilding for sure. I believe she drew inspirationg from some French myths too.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“Without the Leurress,” she says, “the dead would wander the land of the living. Their unmoored souls would wreak havoc on the mortals we are sworn to protect. Our task is to keep the balance between both worlds, the natural and unnatural, and therefore it is our privilege to be born a Leurress and our great honor to become Ferriers.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Complex relationships~
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The relationship between the two best friends is complex in itself. The care a lot about each other but it's complicated by the fact that Ailesse's mother seems to be too hard on her and prefers Sabine over her. It is further complicated by the fact that Sabine feels inferior to her friend at many a times.
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Then there is the relationship between Bastien and his friends that is complicated by Jules's feelings for him and Bastien's confusion over what he wants.
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I love how the author explores all these relationships in a very realistic manner and it adds a tangible feel to every character.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Bone Crier's moon might seem a enemies to lovers romance at first glace but it is a lot more than that; it's a story of betrayal, revenge, friendship and family that is fast paced and will easily pull readers in. ~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~MY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST~</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Are you excited for this book? What is your favourite romance trope? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-85647571236566269272020-01-24T22:13:00.002+05:302020-01-24T22:20:44.486+05:30The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson // An atmospheric finale to the murderous trilogy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43520619-the-hand-on-the-wall">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062338110/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=theunoaddboof-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0062338110&linkId=6b98777916ad4484dee5b660ba6b27d4">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Hand-on-Wall-Maureen-Johnson/9780062338112?ref=grid-view&qid=1574336541463&sr=1-1">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Ellingham Academy must be cursed. Three people are now dead. One, a victim of either a prank gone wrong or a murder. Another, dead by misadventure. And now, an accident in Burlington has claimed another life. All three in the wrong place at the wrong time. All at the exact moment of Stevie’s greatest triumph . . .
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She knows who Truly Devious is. She’s solved it. The greatest case of the century.
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At least, she thinks she has. With this latest tragedy, it’s hard to concentrate on the past. Not only has someone died in town, but David disappeared of his own free will and is up to something. Stevie is sure that somehow—somehow—all these things connect. The three deaths in the present. The deaths in the past. The missing Alice Ellingham and the missing David Eastman. Somewhere in this place of riddles and puzzles there must be answers.
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Then another accident occurs as a massive storm heads toward Vermont and Ellingham Academy is evacuated. Obviously, it’s time for Stevie to do something stupid. It’s time to stay on the mountain and face the storm—and a murderer.
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In the tantalizing finale to the Truly Devious trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson expertly tangles her dual narrative threads and ignites an explosive end for all who’ve walked through Ellingham Academy.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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<b><i>(+ favourite quotes)</i></b></div>
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My greatest find of 2019 was the <b><i>dark academia genre</i></b> and I have completely been sucked into the murderous genre. (<i>I swear I'm <strike>mostly </strike>normal</i>)
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I read Truly Devious and The Vanishing Stair in one go only to realize book two end in one <b>CRAZY </b>cliffhanger and then I basically died and went to underworld because <b>THAT CLIFFHANGER</b>! Extremely thankful to FFBC tours for giving me an opportunity to read the eARC of The Hand on the Wall and thereby bring myself back from the dead.
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<b><i>Does the finale deliver?
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<b>YES IT DOES EARTHLINGS!</b> (<i>and any aliens who may be reading this</i>)
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~4 REASONS THIS BOOK IS A SWASHBUCKLING FINALE~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Twists at every turn (warning - you may crick your neck)~
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If you have read the first two books, you must be perfectly aware of the <b><i>ginormous talent Ms.Johnson has for slapping us with twists and revelations throughout the book</i></b>. The Hand on the Wall is no different. Right from page one we are right beside Stevie on the race against time, trying to solve both present murders and past ones. Everytime I made a guess, the plot would smack me on the head and pull me in a different direction and needless to say, <b>IT WAS AMAZE.</b><br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“She’s like the owl, hunted in the dark and the shadows, looking for something new that would get her more clicks.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~adorkable cinnamon roll characters~
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<b>STEVIE </b>- Murder? I can handle the good sir but PEOPLE? let me go bury myself.
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<b>NOAH </b>- *<i>has already locked himself in the dungeon and will answer no questions regarding his book</i>*<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“Are you trying to get me to have an emotion?” Nate said, his eyes reddening a bit. “Because I’ve spent my whole life learning how to repress and deflect and you’re kind of ruining my thing.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b>These two were my absolute favourite characters and I shall protecc them like proud mama hen. </b>The author does a wonderful job with anxiety representation. This quote in particular was so on point.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">Anxiety does not ask your permission. Anxiety does not come when expected. It’s very rude. It barges in at the strangest moments, stopping all activity, focusing everything on itself. It sucks the air out of your lungs and scrambles the world.</span></i></blockquote>
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David did annoy me A <b>LOT </b>though and I legit wanted to hold him upside down and shake him like a ragdoll for being annoying hmmph.
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I did like that unlike the first two books, the number of characters reduce here making it a close circle filled with all the tension. <b>ME LIKES THE ANGST</b> (<i>again I'd like to take a moment and assure you that I'm <strike>mostly</strike> normal</i>)
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Atmospheric setting~
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I mean stormy Vermont, lonely academy with weird statues and classy buildings, all the snow and like <b>IT ATMOSPHERIC </b>and 200% perfect for deaths to happen and cases to be solved. Do they get solved? You gotta read and find out. I personally adored the descriptions of places and the weather. It really added to the tension in the story.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“This is like being on one of those trips to Mount Everest. You know, the ones with the ten percent death rate and half the landmarks are frozen bodies.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~The two plot lines - past and present entwine together so wonderfully~
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I generally worry when a book alternates between timelines but Maureen Johnson totally kills it with this trilogy. I enjoyed seeing what happened in the past and also seeing how Stevie tries to get to the answers. There was not a dull moment in either of the timelines and for all of you going crazy after book two,<b> I can assure you, you'll get some answers.</b><br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">If you wanted to solve a crime, you needed to detach.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~The Hand on the Wall is an atmospheric finale with Poirot mystery vibes and totally kills it with it's twists and a wonderful cast of characters~
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>(Actual Rating - 4.5)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~MY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST~</b></span></div>
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<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/5qNavlA1myJjinA3orkwjz" width="300"></iframe></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you like murder mysteries? Especially dark academia? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i><br />
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-9822448389958498412020-01-02T20:37:00.000+05:302020-01-02T20:37:00.331+05:30Beat The Backlist 2020 - My TBR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The "<b>BEAT THE BACKLIST</b>" challenge is hosted by the lovely Austine of <b><a href="https://www.novelknight.com/" target="_blank">NovelKnight</a> </b>and it focuses on getting us book dragons to not just read all the shiny new books of ever but also the older books we have glaring at us from bookshelves! You can find full details of the challenge <a href="https://www.novelknight.com/beat-the-backlist/">here</a> and there's also a photo challenge going on so YAY ❤<br />
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This year I'm hoping to get to all the physical books I already own so fingers crossed! Posting my tentative TBR (also including the books I plan to reread this year) here so wish me luck guys 😘<br />
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I'm taking part in the multi-taskers team! ♥</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;">Are you participating in the challenge? Have you read any of the books from my TBR? Tell me in the comments below!</span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-14318335120064893522020-01-02T17:16:00.000+05:302020-01-02T17:16:56.768+05:30Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim // A gender-bent retelling with so much representation (+GIVEAWAY)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/2019/12/tour-schedule-scavenge-stars-scavenge.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="964" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdauCFRe06zRFVL__SFU3zOWT03vePxR0xqb1FDH3ir33k9u7eUPUyZNs3_6_EnEVe1IMZOK5BKUH8mOxocJFL4psV9kWNju3kizbXdgdG18I6E-hVyfYcNNlfoofRIO4iSLGcDOaaDsP/s1600/tour+banner.png" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42248816-scavenge-the-stars">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Scavenge-Stars-Tara-Sim/dp/1368051413">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Scavenge-Stars-Tara-Sim/9781368051415">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">When Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of Moray, where old-world opulence and desperate gamblers collide.
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Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of deception—and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she’s plotting to bring down—the more she uncovers about the truth of her past. And the more she realizes she must trust no one…
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Packed with high-stakes adventure, romance, and dueling identities, this gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is the first novel in an epic YA fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo.</span></i></blockquote>
(<i>A huge thank you to the <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">FFBC tours</a> and the publisher for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour. Click on the tour banner above to view the tour schedule</i>) (<i><b>US Giveaway at the end of the post</b></i>)<br />
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<b><i>(+ favourite quotes)</i></b></div>
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A couple months ago, I heard <b><i>"gender-bent retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo"</i></b> and immediately decided to sell a soul for a copy of this book (<i>not my soul of course, I don't have one smh</i>) Then the lovely people at The FFBC book tours gave me an opportunity to read the book and bless them they didn't even ask for any soul payments.
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<i><b>Scavenge the Stars is a story of revenge and facing the mistakes of the past with a generous dose of diversity. Read on for a review in my classic list fashion; sprinkled with my favorite quotes from the book!</b></i><br />
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<b style="font-size: xx-large;"><i>~5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD PICK UP SCAVENGE THE STARS~</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Diversity here, diversity there, diversity everywhere~
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The badass, bent on revenge MC <b>Amaya </b>is <b>Indian </b>and I could just about cry with happiness. You know how happy it makes me to see characters like me on the page? and on <b>THE COVER?</b> when I realized it was a <b><i>desi girl on the cover</i></b> I spun around gleefully (<i>but sadly NOT gracefully</i>). The other MC our hot mess <b>Cayo </b>is East Asian and as the author mentions in her <a href="https://twitter.com/EachStarAWorld/status/1049747093483479040">mood board</a>; <b><i>a chaotic bisexual</i></b>. I love how we see <b>SO </b>much diversity throughout the book but in an unforced manner and I just *<i><b>incomprehensible flailing</b></i>*.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo~
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I find retellings <b><i>fascinating</i></b>. I like comparing it to the original and letting my brain savour how intelligently the author has weaved an entirely new narrative with glimpses of the original. Reading scavenge the Stars sorely reminded me that I have the memory of a gnat and remember close to nothing about the classic. <b>BUT </b>I did read the cliffs notes so I could draw parallels and I love how Tara Sim <b><i>takes a classic story of revenge and turns it into something altogether new</i></b>. The fact that it's gender-bent makes my heart so happy for it's always clamoring for gender-bent retellings of pretty much everything.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“...I'm beginning to learn the only way to move forward is by confronting the mistakes of your past”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Complex characters struggling on that line between 'the right thing' & 'the easy thing'~
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Let's face it, <b><i>we love the angst</i></b>. We have Amaya trying to <b><i>let go of the girl she'd been all these years to be someone completely new </i></b>- charming and ruthless. And we have Cayo <b><i>repenting over the times he's wasted the family's money on gambling</i></b> and trying to be a better son and brother. And then we have the two characters clash. I love me some good <b>enemies to friends/lovers </b>trope and Scavenge the Stars delivers on that aspect. I did wish we'd had more interactions with each other than internal monologues. I found the internal monologues fascinating because it shows us more about the characters but I really wanted more "<i>I'm supposed to hate you but you make me question my beliefs</i>" interactions.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“Because children are the victims of their parents' crimes.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“This, though - it wasn't survival. Not really. It was merely kindness, and friendship, and Amaya had no idea what to do with either.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Secondary characters who intrigue me~</span></i></b></div>
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I wanted to know more about <b>Ramora, Bas </b>and <b>Roach</b>. I do think we'll be seeing more of one of these characters (<i>I won't say who 'cause spoilers</i>) in book two but I really want to know all the deets about all three. Ramora fascinated me. She's a very '<i><b>love her, hate her but you can't ignore her</b></i>' kind of character who has grown up cold and calculative because of her father. I wouldn't at all be opposed to a Ramora novella
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Plot Twists and Intrigue~</span></i></b></div>
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To be honest, <b>I wanted more of the scheming and badassery.</b> I wish we could have seen more of Amaya's training and more of the scheming and political intrigue. <b>I did enjoy the twists.</b> I guessed some things at the beginning but the ones towards the end? I did not see them coming! I have a feeling book 2 is going to have a lot more political intrigue and <b>I IS EXCITED.</b><br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“Every man carries his sins a different way.”</span></i></blockquote>
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The one thing that made me a bit sore was the lack of world building. I love fantasy especially because we get to see fascinating new worlds. in Scavenge the Stars we do see those but It felt a bit vague to me. There were the names of all these countries and places but without much knowledge about them. I wanted to know more! I did love that there were a few myths and stories the characters talk about but I wanted to know more about the cultures and traditions.<b><i> I'm really hoping I get to see more of it in book two </i></b>because otherwise the world would seem incomplete.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Scavenge the Stars may be a story of revenge but it deals with so much more. If you love diverse characters, flawed protagonists and a dash of political intrigue, this is the book for you ~</i></b></span><br />
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(Actual rating - 3.5)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you like retellings? What is a classic you'd like to read a retelling of? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-5272469509722356812019-12-30T10:04:00.000+05:302019-12-30T10:04:47.415+05:30A Match Made in Mehendi by Nandini Bajpai // A lighthearted romance with a generous dose of diversity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40697008">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Match-Made-Mehendi-Nandini-Bajpai/dp/0316522589">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Match-Made-Mehendi-Nandini-Bajpai/9780316522588">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Fifteen-year-old Simran "Simi" Sangha comes from a long line of Indian vichole-matchmakers-with a rich history for helping parents find good matches for their grown children. When Simi accidentally sets up her cousin and a soon-to-be lawyer, her family is thrilled that she has the "gift."
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But Simi is an artist, and she doesn't want to have anything to do with relationships, helicopter parents, and family drama. That is, until she realizes this might be just the thing to improve her and her best friend Noah's social status. Armed with her family's ancient guide to finding love, Simi starts a matchmaking service-via an app, of course.
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But when she helps connect a wallflower of a girl with the star of the boys' soccer team, she turns the high school hierarchy topsy-turvy, soon making herself public enemy number one.</span></i></blockquote>
A huge thanks to Hachette India for a physical review copy of this book.
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You know when you've been on a roll of dark, intense high fantasies and kind of need a break from all of it? <b>A Match Made in Mehendi is that perfect break you're looking for.</b> It's adorable, lighthearted, deals with tons of stuff without feeling heavy and leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling as you turn the last page. Honestly, even if you're not looking for a break but just want a lighthearted read, pick this one up.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~ All the diversity~
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I'm here for the multitude of Desi characters in this book <b>AHHH BE STILL MY BEATING HEART.</b> Simi, her family, her extended family and just all their Indian family friends. And then there's Noah, the adorkable gay best friend who likes makeup and is just the sweetest ever. There are interracial couples and intersectional feminism clubs at school, and just so much casual diversity that my heart is full<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">~ Characters who are a bit cliche but interesting all the same~ </span></b></div>
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Yes there are some pretty cliche characters what with the high school setting and all but I still found them really interesting. Simi is the average high school girl who has a lot of friends but not super popular. Noah is her gay best friend who has known Simi since they were young. They both decide that they're going to be cooler this year and basically that's how the whole trouble with the app starts. At first glance they do seem like stereotypical characters but as i started getting to know about their little quirks, <b>AHHH I JUST LOVE THIS DUO.
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There's also a mean bully in school who <b>IS </b>cliche but I really liked how the bullying was seen and dealt with by the parents and teachers. I loved Ethan, one of the secondary characters; the most popular boy in school who is also super sweet, loves dogs and is adorable and kind.<b> I NEED MORE SUCH CHARACTERS.
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">~ Lighthearted but deals with a lot~ </span></b></div>
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The plot is kind of predictable but touches on so many important things which I adored. It's not complex but all the characters have a smol story/subplot going on that I adored. There is even this small subplot about stealing creative content and how it is <b>NEVER </b>okay <b>WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT.</b> I really loved how nothing came off as forced and AHHH can you tell I <b>LOVED </b>how lighthearted and adorable this book was? lighthearted yes but it dealt with things the right way!
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">~ I'm here for all the art and Mehendi~ </span></b></div>
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Simi being an artist is a huge part of the novel. She has to decide on an art project for school and is absolutely crazy about mehendi. She makes temporary henna tattoos for her friends during lunch, uses her art talents when creating icons for their matchmaking app, and bonds with people over art too. <b>BRING ON ALL THE ART LOVE!
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">
~ A Match Made in Mehendi at first glance may seem like a not -so-unique, predictable rom-com but while it is predictable, it stands out with it's huge dose of culture, adorkable characters and the way it deals with a multitude of social issues without it feeling heavy or forced. ~
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(actual rating - 3.8)</div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you enjoy adorable fluffy books between really dark ones? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-9791940586543663942019-10-03T20:49:00.000+05:302019-10-03T20:49:04.086+05:30Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands #1) by Alwyn Hamilton // Steampunk Arabian Nights that stole my heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bRu2wdvYy7kqVzrV9myxJeXJ8KHNtOlBHpmIQJTHOg6NOpOZEG7d8Zf_oVIpIMXDTQxsCXusIsGwxIYeVlAHh8H4nKf8MoDGgNZUjALEAhL1Evs9NW_aB-sYPrJvDxENLDowvCFMwu0O/s1600/24934065._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bRu2wdvYy7kqVzrV9myxJeXJ8KHNtOlBHpmIQJTHOg6NOpOZEG7d8Zf_oVIpIMXDTQxsCXusIsGwxIYeVlAHh8H4nKf8MoDGgNZUjALEAhL1Evs9NW_aB-sYPrJvDxENLDowvCFMwu0O/s320/24934065._SY475_.jpg" width="212" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24934065-rebel-of-the-sands">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Sands-Alwyn-Hamilton/dp/0147517974">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Rebel-Sands-Alwyn-Hamilton/9780571325252">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Mortals rule the desert nation of <b>Miraji</b>, but mythical beasts still roam the wild and remote areas, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinn still perform their magic. For humans, it’s an unforgiving place, especially if you’re poor, orphaned, or female.
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Amani Al’Hiza </b>is all three. She’s a gifted gunslinger with perfect aim, but she can’t shoot her way out of Dustwalk, the back-country town where she’s destined to wind up wed or dead.
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Then she meets <b>Jin</b>, a rakish foreigner, in a shooting contest, and sees him as the perfect escape route. But though she’s spent years dreaming of leaving Dustwalk, she never imagined she’d gallop away on mythical horse—or that it would take a foreign fugitive to show her the heart of the desert she thought she knew.
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Rebel of the Sands reveals what happens when a dream deferred explodes—in the fires of rebellion, of romantic passion, and the all-consuming inferno of a girl finally, at long last, embracing her power.</b></span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i>A million thanks to my long lost twin sister Farha, </i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theanatomyofabookworm/">@theanatomyofabookworm</a> <i>for buying me this book and hitting me on the face with it so I'd finally read it. You won Farha.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ I have found another found family y'all~
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Excuse me, the greatest cast of characters coming through.</i></span></b> I would give <b><i>5 stars for just the characters honestly.</i></b> They're all so different from each other, beautifully written, flawed and SO real that I want to pick all of them up and carry them home where they can be safe from Alwyn Hamilton <b><i>because I just know she's gonna hurt them!
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b>↠ </span>There's <b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Amani</span></i></b>, our trigger happy heroine with the perfect aim. She <b>ROCKS</b>. Can we just talk about her character development? She's <b>NOT </b>always likable. At the beginning there's this selfish and kind of heartless thing she does that made me scream <b>AMANI WHYYY??</b> I mean she admits she's being selfish but she has to be because that's how you survive in this world but <b>ALL THE SAME</b>, I was kind of mad at her. But <b><i>THEN</i></b>, the character development. Hell, I <b>LOVED </b>it. She goes from a kind of "<i><b>to each their own</b></i>" midset to a kind of "<b><i>what are we if we don't have people we care about?</i></b>" mindset and it was heartwarming ( <i>but in like a brutal way because it's a brutal world</i> ).</div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“The world makes things for each place. Fish for the sea, Rocs for the mountain skies, and girls with sun in their skin and perfect aim for a desert that doesn't let weakness live.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b>↠ </span><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Jin</span></i></b>. Seriously authors <b><i>NEED </i></b>to stop handing over the perfectest book boyfriends to me on a platter because <b>I NO LONGER HAVE SPACE IN MY SHELVES</b>. Jin is a total sassmaster (<i>my favourite type of characters really</i>) and also so complex and sweet and will 1000% die for his found family. <b>WE LOVE JIN </b>(<i>in case that wasn't clear</i>).</div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">She turned to Jin now, sprawled by the fire, his hat pulled over his eyes. “I can tell you’re awake. Are you coming with us?” He sighed, tipping his hat backward. “Yeah, yeah. Just trying to get some sleep before going to near certain death.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b>↠ </span><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The whole horde of secondary charcters OMG</span></i></b> Ms. Hamilton you are an utter goddess to have created the <b>PERFECT </b>bunch of characters who I connected with in like three pages. <b>Shazad </b>is my favourite girl and I want her to be my best friend. <b>WHERE CAN I FIND A SHAZAD?</b><strike> I SHALL SELL MY SOUL</strike> (<i>I keep forgetting I don't have a soul</i>)
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ Middle Eastern fantasy world meets the Wild West ~
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I rarely come across fantasy novels that have gun and kind of modern non-fantasy ammunition. I mean our MC is basically a sharpshooter who sneaks out as a guy and takes part in shooting competitions. It has a kind of <b><span style="font-size: large;">steampunk Arabian nights</span></b> vibe and <b>I'M SO HERE FOR IT.</b> There are djinnis, ghouls and rocs but also guns, trains and factories and I say <b>BRING IT ON.</b></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“For a second it looked like a mortal horse. The next it was pure sand. Shifting from bright gold to violent red, fire and sun in a windswept desert.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“So are you planning on stealing all our guns, or do you think maybe you only need one per hand?”</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ Fast paced plot, engaging writing ~
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<b><i> I pretty much read this in one sitting. </i></b>I could <b>NOT </b>look away. I <b>HAD </b>to finish it because it was so fast paced and something or the other was always happening. It wasn't completely unpredictable. There are some things you just know from the start but still the author managed to surprise me and keep me engaged through out which I applaud.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ A sweet romance to root for ~
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I love the kind of slow burn between our main characters and it's sweet but not always easy. I loved how realistic the romance felt; they have their differences, misunderstandings and it's not always peachy perfect between them. I can't wait to see more of the Amani X Jin dynamics in Traitor to the Throne (<i>Actually at this point I've finished reading the trilogy hehe</i>)</div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“Tell me that and we’ll go. Right now. Save ourselves and leave this place to burn. Tell me that’s how you want your story to go and we’ll write it straight across the sand.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~ THE ENDING~ </i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> Can I say just one thing?
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Alwyn Hamilton deserves an award for writing the perfect first book with a perfect ending. <b>NO CLIFFHANGER</b>, no 'slowly' dying inside, just a sense of hopefulness and curiosity to learn more about this world.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i> ~ Basically, GO READ THE BOOK~</i></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read this book? Any favourite middle eastern fantasy books? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-55265550508223697662019-09-28T15:29:00.000+05:302019-12-30T10:07:32.479+05:30Darkdawn (The Nevernight Chronicle #3) by Jay Kristoff // The end of an era + A broken heart <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39898825-darkdawn">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Darkdawn-The-Nevernight-Chronicle/dp/0008180091/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Darkdawn-Jay-Kristoff/9780008180089">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></div>
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">The greatest games in Godsgrave's history have ended with the most audacious murders in the history of the Itreyan Republic.
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Mia Corvere, gladiatii, escaped slave and infamous assassin, is on the run. Pursued by Blades of the Red Church and soldiers of the Luminatii legion, she may never escape the City of Bridges and Bones alive. Her mentor Mercurio is now in the clutches of her enemies. Her own family wishes her dead. And her nemesis, Consul Julius Scaeva, stands but a breath from total dominance over the Republic.
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But beneath the city, a dark secret awaits. Together with her lover Ashlinn, brother Jonnen and a mysterious benefactor returned from beyond the veil of death, she must undertake a perilous journey across the Republic, seeking the final answer to the riddle of her life. Truedark approaches. Night is falling on the Republic for perhaps the final time.
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Can Mia survive in a world where even daylight must die?</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><b style="text-align: center;">A huge thanks to <a href="https://harpercollins.co.in/" target="_blank">Harper Collins India</a> for a physical review copy of this book. </b></div>
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<b><i> O, gentlefriends</i></b> , I read this book <b><i>many turns ago</i></b> and <b><i>Aa's four daughters</i></b> , I'm still coming to terms with it. I have so many emotions and not <b>ALL </b>of them good but most of them are marvelous.</div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“You never know what can break you until you're falling apart. You never miss your shadow until you're lost in the dark.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~A Plot worthy of ballads~
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<b> Never let it be said that Jay Kristoff doesn't know how to spin a tale <i>with finesse</i></b> . A plot so intricate and yet at the end of the day so simple that <b><i>gentlefriends </i></b>, I take my <b><i>not-hat </i></b>off to him. I do not know how to talk of it without spoiling you, but I will say to you this; Jay Kristoff breaks my heart with every book he writes but I'll still continue to read anything he writes, for the way he weaves a story enthralling me in it even when I want to look away.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“But to live in the hearts of those we leave behind is to never die. And to burn in the memories of our friends is to never say goodbye.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~A Writing Style that's one of a kind~
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<b>Yes <i>O</i>, <i>gentlefriends </i>the writing IS purple prose</b> and yes it's nowhere near as gentle as you but in my eyes, it fits. Chronicles of Mia Corvere my dears is hardly a sweet fairytale. <b>BUT </b>it is quotable . The number of times I've actually said "<b><i>Never Flinch, never fear, never forget</i></b>" to myself is a LOT. And Darkdawn for me had some <b>AMAZING </b>quotes. The narrator really outdid themselves (<i>If you've read it, you know who.</i>)<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“Don't fuck with librarians, young lady. We know the power of words.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~A World so rich~
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<b>This <i>O, gentlefriends</i> is my favourite thing about the whole trilogy.</b> Jay Kristoff played God with this series, creating a world so complex with its myths, legends, and cultures (<i>and its own fair share of cusswords</i>.) (<i>and let's be real is a language ever really complete without the words reserved for our times of blind hatred and anger?</i>). <b>This world building I shall place on a whole new level with nothing coming halfway close to it.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~My Gripes~
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I know dear friends. You're wondering if all I can sing is praise, why did I cut away one star. <b>why not a perfect 5</b>. And all I can do is blame my heart.<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“Death is a promise we all must keep. Sooner or later.”
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<i> Le sigh</i> I was warned not to grow too close to the characters Mr.K creates dear readers, but you see, I did and I shall forever be sad and salty about the unfairness against a certain someone. <b><i>O yes gentlefriends</i></b> it's a dark tale and rarely fair but it's a matter of the heart and the heart rarely cares about those, it only cares for what it wants. <b><i>And mine did not get what it wanted.
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~So yes, for me, this is the end of an era. it wasn't perfect every which way; but it is what it is.~
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read this series? Any adult fantasy recs? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-27730475011783701072019-09-26T22:06:00.003+05:302019-09-26T22:06:39.864+05:30House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig // A creepy retelling with a good dose of opulent writing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42766858-house-of-salt-and-sorrows" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/House-Salt-Sorrows-Erin-Craig/dp/1984831925" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/House-Salt-Sorrows-Erin-Craig/9780593120934" target="_blank">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></b></div>
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
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As one by one her beautiful sisters mysteriously die on their isolated island estate, Annaleigh must unravel the curse that haunts her family. Be careful who you dance with. . . .
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Four of Annaleigh Thaumas's eleven sisters have returned to the Salt, the brackish water that surrounds their lonely island home, their lives cut short, each more tragically than the last. Whispers throughout the Highmoor estate say the girls have been cursed by the gods.
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When Annaleigh finds out that her sisters have been sneaking out to attend glittering midnight balls and dance until dawn, she's not sure whether to stop them--or join them. And when she begins to see a series of horrific, ghostly visions and more sisters die, she realizes she must solve the mystery--with the help of Cassius, a sea captain who knows much more about her than he should--and unravel the Thaumas curse before she descends into madness or . . . it claims her next.</span></i></blockquote>
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<b style="text-align: center;">A huge thanks to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prhinternational/" target="_blank">@prhinternational</a> and Netgalley for an eARC of the book. </b></div>
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You put <b><i>creepy </i></b>and <b><i>retelling </i></b>in one sentence; that's a surefire way of making me read a book. <b><i>House of Salt and Sorrows</i></b> is such a deliciously dark and creepy retelling of "<b><i>The 12 Dancing Princesses</i></b>". I'm not sure why I procrastinated picking up this book because once I started it, <b>I finished it in one sitting.
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>~A dark atmospheric setting to match my soul~</i></span></b> ( <strike>I'm kidding, I obviously don't have a soul</strike>)
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The setting has a definitive <b><i>dark Gothic feel</i></b> to it that I <b>ADORED </b>because what better place for a creepy retelling than on <b><i>stormy islands </i></b>with <i><b>family mausoleums</b></i> and <i><b>huge houses</b></i>? The author does an amazing job describing the setting that I was surprised to look up from the book and realize I wasn't actually at a stormy beach. There are also these micro settings that are wonderful - like a cave the characters discover, the marketplace, magical gardens and <b><i>I'm just here for all the whimsical, atmospheric places in this book.
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~The horrors that kept me awake the night after I read the book~
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I wasn't like scared out of my wits? <b>But </b>there are these scenes in the book that are creepy in an eerie, almost real way. The kind of creepiness that makes you <b><i>check over your shoulder for any shadows that seem out of place</i></b> or <b><i>sneak a glance at the mirror to see if everything looks normal</i></b>. The main character Annaleigh sees some pretty disturbing visions around their house and some of them were quite graphic. <b><i>If you're easily creeped out or super scared of the dark, definitely walk into this book with caution.</i></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“show me debauched nightmares or sunniest daydreams. come not as you are but as you wish to be seen.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~The 12 Thaumas sisters and the ones still alive~
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The story pretty much is shrouded in death, <b><i>so much so that it literally opens with a funeral.</i></b> The author doesn't pull any punches with that. The were 12 Thaumas sisters once but now 4 have died in gruesome ways. The people think the sisters are cursed and as Annaleigh says, their eyes always seem to be asking the sisters, "<i>which of you will be next?</i>".</div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">"I wanted to chalk it up to the lowbrow superstition, but as a distant aunt approached me, a thin smile on her thin lips, the same question lingered in her eyes, just below the surface, impossible to miss: Which one of us would be next?"</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~The dash of mythology, culture and fashion~
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The islanders primarily worship the sea god Pontus and I <b><i>really liked how the author built a wonderful culture around that.</i></b> The idea of a Churning festival, change of seasons caused by Pontus stirring the sea with his trident and such little pieces added so much to the world building and made me crave for more myths and stories.</div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“I dwelt alone, in a world of moan, and my soul was a stagnant tide<br />
Till the fair and gentle Eulalie became my blushing bride”</span></i></blockquote>
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Also I generally don't enjoy description of dresses and accessories in books but in this book, I <b>LOVED </b>it. Considering this is a retelling of the 12 dancing princesses, there is of course a focus on beautiful fairy shoes and dancing gowns which added beautifully to the imagery.
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<i><span style="color: black;">“Nestled on a bed of navy velvet were my shoes. I'd selected a jade leather, and the cobbler had added glittering seafoam and silver bits, concentrated heavily at the toes, then fading as they swept across the slipper. They would match my gown perfectly”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~The plot that slaps you in the face with twists at every turn~
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<b>This book was definitely <i>NOT </i>predictable</b>. I legit never saw those twists coming. I did make a guess about a certain person which turned out to be partly true but <b>STILL</b>, so many reveals in the second half of the book that left my head churning. Erin A. Craig brilliantly brings together seemingly unrelated events with such finesse that I'm gobsmacked as to <b><span style="font-size: large;">HOW IS THIS A DEBUT?
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~The one thing that made me a bit sore~
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<b> I couldn't buy into the whole romance subplot.</b> I mean there were sweet moments that were lovely on their own but as a part of the story, the romance felt kind of insta-love and super rushed to me. I'm not a fan of the whole proclaiming allegiance to someone you met a couple days ago. But many reviewers seem to have enjoyed the romance, <b><i>so I think this is a case of "It's not you, it's me"
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~Overall, it is an absolutely wonderful retelling with a generous dose of the creepy, the magical and the thrilling. ~
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read this book? Any favourite fairytale retellings? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-26194334567613996982019-09-25T17:36:00.000+05:302019-09-25T17:36:07.100+05:30Where the River Runs Gold by Sita Brahmachari // A passionate story of hope, family and nature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45455378-where-the-river-runs-gold" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Where-the-River-Runs-Gold/dp/1510105417/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Where-River-Runs-Gold-Sita-Brahmachari/9781510105416" target="_blank">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b></b></div>
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Shifa and her brother, Themba, live in Kairos City with their father, Nabil. The few live in luxury, whilst the millions like them crowd together in compounds, surviving on meagre rations and governed by Freedom Fields - the organisation that looks after you, as long as you opt in.
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The bees have long disappeared; instead children must labour on farms, pollinating crops so that the nation can eat. But Nabil remembers Before and he knows that the soul needs to be nourished as much as the body so, despite the risk, he teaches his children how to grow flowers on a secret piece of land hidden beneath the train tracks.
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The farm Shifa and Themba are sent to is hard and cruel. Themba won't survive there and Shifa comes up with a plan to break them out. But they have no idea where they are - their only guide is a map drawn from the ramblings of a stranger.
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The journey ahead is fraught with danger, but Shifa is strong and knows to listen to her instincts - to let hope guide them home. The freedom of a nation depends on it . . .</span></i></blockquote>
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<b>A huge thanks to <a href="https://www.hachetteindia.com/" target="_blank">Hachette India</a> for a physical review copy of the book. </b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Where the River Runs Gold</span></i></b> is a passionate book about the need to protect nature and save the environment, lest we fall into a state of dystopia like the characters in the book.
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<b>↠ </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Shifa </i>and <b><i>Themba </i></b>are raised by their father Nabil as twins but Shifa is constantly watching out for Themba who is the more trusting and gentler of the two. Themba although never explicitly mentioned, is coded as autistic and the author beautifully depicts him as a boy who simply sees things in a different way. He is a wonderful artist and constantly takes to drawing and painting when he feels stressed. I particularly loved how he came up with rhymes to help himself remember more information. <b><i>His utter innocence and ability to forgive people who have hurt him just tugged at my heart.</i></b> <b>PROTECT THIS CINNAMON ROLL.
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<b>↠ <i>The bond between the brother and sister is just wonderful </i></b>and I loved that even after Shifa finds out they're not related by blood (<i>This is not a spoiler. It's mentioned in the first few pages</i>), her feelings towards Themba never changes. She is decidedly angry at Nabil for lying to her but she never once takes out her anger on Themba. It was beautiful how even when she got into trouble because of her brother, she wasn't mad at him. <b>THE PURE SIBLING LOVE WAS JUST PRECIOUS. </b><br />
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<b>↠ This dystopian world is one where the bees are dead and the greenery is dying.</b> Where the only way of facilitating pollination of plants is by hand. And what better than <b><i>little, delicate children's hands to do the job</i></b>. The government paints quite a wonderful image to the public, of life on these "<i>Freedom Fields</i>" where children work and study but the truth is far from rosy. Within a few days of the duo's arrival at the Fields, Shifa realizes that the Fields are nothing short of a prison or labour camp.
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<b>↠ <i>My biggest issue with the book</i></b> was the <b><i>number of unanswered questions about the world building and the time jumps between chapters</i></b>. How did the so called caste system of Paragons, Freedoms and Foragers come to be? Why at the Freedom Fields there's no mention of food crops but rather of pretty flowering plants? (<i>Considering the Freedom Fields were established to provide food to the people</i>) And also the latter world building. The jump between the final chapter and the epilogue was so immense and we see there have been changes with the world but have no idea of how.
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<b>↠ <i>Among the things I liked is the author's descriptive prowess.</i></b> The descriptions of places are so beautiful and vivid that I had an image of every scene in my head as I was reading. Another thing I <b><i>really liked was how the author dealt with human nature</i></b>. Generally in many middle grade books, the world seems to be in black and white but here there are morally grey characters. There are characters you think you will hate but then realize that they're nothing but victims of circumstance and I really appreciate how the authors portrays people.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Where the River Runs Gold is a beautiful book with important lessons on nature, love and family </span></i></b>and would have been an exceptional read with more detail when it came to the world building.
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(Actual Rating - 3 . 5)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you read middle grade books? Any favourite books? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282347872251029891.post-49701587433351570192019-09-24T09:17:00.000+05:302019-09-24T09:17:07.255+05:30Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1) by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman // #SquadGoals and a riveting Space Adventure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30075662-aurora-rising" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Aurora-Rising-Cycle-Amie-Kaufman/dp/1524720968" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Aurora-Rising-Aurora-Cycle-Amie-Kaufman/9781786075338" target="_blank">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a></b> </div>
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<blockquote style="background-color: #c1cdc1;">
<i><span style="color: black;">
The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…
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A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm
A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates
A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder
An alien warrior with anger management issues
A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering
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And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.
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They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.</b></span></i></blockquote>
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When Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman team up to write a book,<b><i> I read it</i></b>. <b>NO </b>questions asked. I mean The Illuminae Files were pure brilliance and <b>Obsidio is one of the few finales that really satisfied me. </b>But that being said, Illuminae set the bar so high and when Aurora Rising was announced, I was worried it might not live up to the awesomeness of Illuminae.
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<b><i>Did it?</i></b> Well not quite
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<b><i>Did I enjoy it though?</i></b> I sure did!
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>5 REASONS TO PICK UP THIS BOOK</u></b></span> -
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<b> 1. #SQUADGOALS</b> - If I had to choose <b>ONE </b>favourite bookish trope ever, I'd go with <b><i>found family.</i></b> This space squad is 1000% dysfunctional and tasked with saving the universe.... <b><i>good luck Universe.</i></b> I love the squad dynamics and the different kinds of relationships between the characters.
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- <b>Tyler </b>and <b>Cat</b> have this whole "<i>so we're kinda totally into each other but will forever pretend otherwise</i>" thing going on so obviously we have the <b><i>#angst.
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- <b>Kal </b>basically<i> looks like Legolas</i>, <i>acts like Thranduil</i> but in space so we have LoTR references and elf drama (<i>it's a thing!</i>).<br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">“I was born with the taste of blood in my mouth. I was born with my hands in fists. I was born for war.”</span></i></blockquote>
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- There's <b>Auri </b>who is totally out of her depth and is throughout alternating between "<i>WHAT IS HAPPENING</i>?" and "<b><i>WHAT THE HOLY HECK IS HAPPENING</i></b>?".
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- We have <b>Scar </b>who is like the <b>most sane person in the group</b> and constantly rolling her eyes because <b><i>#kids</i></b>.<i> le sigh.
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- There's <b>Zila </b>who has the least page space but there's something she says towards the end which made me tear up so we got<b><i> #feels.
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- Then there's my boo <b>Finian </b>who is like <b>the best of them all</b>. Period. He's disabled so wears an exosuit and the disability rep was perfection. Also he's bi and constantly wondering if he should hit on Tyler or Scar and I'm just <b>SO </b>here for his <b>one-liners </b>and <b>sass.
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(<i>I must say though, I thought I'd love Tyler. He sounded like a total Captain America who I LOVE but somehow he just fell short. I mean I still like him but my absolute favourites have got to be Fin, Kal and Scar.</i>)<br />
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<b><i>And special mention to the dedication at the start of the book -</i></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">“If your squad was hard to find, or you’re still looking, then this one is for you.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<b> 2. It's set in space.</b> Okay that's a <b>LEGIT </b>reason. Books set in space are <b><i>automatically more intense and scary than books not set in space</i></b>. And like <b>waaaay </b>more dramatic. Aurora Rising, for all it's humor and fun was also super intense and <b>THAT ENDING</b>. It was right out of a sci-fi horror movie (<i>Think Alien, Prometheus etc</i>) and gave me the goosebumps and also the<b> #feels</b> because is it even a Jay Kristoff book if it doesn't leave you screaming "<b><i>noooooo</i></b>" into the void?
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<b> 3. SO fricking entertaining!</b> What I love the most about Kristoff & Kaufman books are <b>THEY. ARE. UNPUTDOWNABLE</b>. I read this book in one sitting. I mean there's <b>humor, sass, angst, badass action sequences and plot twists </b>that you just <b>CANNOT </b>stop. I mean there were some things about this book that was kind of predictable? But is was <b>STILL </b>entertaining? And I appreciate that.
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<b>4. The Plot Twists. </b>I mean yes a few things were predictable but can we appreciate and cry about the <b>MASSIVE </b>plot twist at the end? I did not see that coming and <b>I SHALL NEVER RECOVER.
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<i><span style="color: black;">“We the legion </span></i></div>
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<i><i><span style="color: black;">We the light </span></i></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="color: black;">Burning bright against the night.”</span></i></span></i></div>
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<b> 5. The diversity.</b> I am so here for the bi rep and the exceptionally done disability rep brought to you by the one and only Finian. Also he's an alien. If it hasn't been clear so far, <b>I LOVE FINIAN</b>. I shall protect this cinnamon roll with my life and stab anyone who tries to hurt him. <i>Thanks for coming to my ted talk.
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So basically, <b>GO READ THE BOOK</b>. The only reason this is not a five star is because in my opinion, The Illuminae files was a notch better. <i>While I love Squad 312, I was more emotionally invested in The Illuminae Group and the trilogy</i>. <b>BUT </b>regardless, this is a super fun, seriously entertaining space opera with a misfit gang, aliens and lots of stuff in space blowing up.
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<i><span style="color: #a93e33; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read this book or The Illuminae Files? Any favourite books books set in space? Tell me in the comments below!</b></span></i></div>
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Uma @Books.Bags.Burgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10112898986107572612noreply@blogger.com0