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The Island Book Review
The Island by M.A. Bennett From Goodreads: Link is a fish out of water. Newly arrived from America, he is finding it hard to settle into the venerable and prestigious Osney School. Who knew there could be so many strange traditions to understand? And what kind of school ranks its students by how fast they can run round the school quad – however ancient that quad may be? When Link runs the slowest time in years, he immediately becomes the butt of every school joke. And some students are determined to make his life more miserable than others . . . When a school summer trip is offered, Link can think of…
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On Writing: World Building
Hey everyone, how is it going? So I recently mentioned that I might do some posts about writing and I got a very positive response, so first of all thank you for that, and secondly I guess this means you’re about to see several of these posts on my blog. Don’t worry, book blog readers, I promise I won’t be changing the theme of this blog– I’ll just be talking about writing alongside my book reviews and articles. In the coming days, I’ll also be hopefully posting up videos for youtube which cover the same topics, so if you’d prefer to listen to me bumble about writing instead, then you…
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Posts About Writing?
Okay guys, so this is more of a question/poll than an actual post. I’ve recently gotten back into writing and querying, as well as doing some buddy writing and other things. A while ago, I uploaded some writing advice posts. At the time I felt like I had said about all I was comfortable saying about writing, especially given that I’m not an expert and I don’t work in the industry. Part of this reservation also stemmed from the fact that, when I started my blog, I was done drafting and editing The Heir of Ink and Magic and had already been through a few rounds of querying. However, I’m now embarking…
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Onyx and Ivory Book Review
Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett From Goodreads: They call her Traitor Kate. It’s a title Kate Brighton inherited from her father after he tried to assassinate the high king years ago. Now Kate lives as an outcast, clinging to the fringes of society as a member of the Relay, the imperial courier service. Only those most skilled in riding and bow hunting ride for the Relay; and only the fastest survive, for when dark falls, the nightdrakes—deadly flightless dragons—come out to hunt. Fortunately, Kate has a secret edge: she is a wilder, born with magic that allows her to influence the minds of animals. But it’s this magic that she needs…
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Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes? Book Review
Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes? by Holly Bourne From Goodreads: Welcome to Camp Reset, a summer camp with a difference. A place offering a shot at “normality” for Olive, a girl on the edge, and for the new friends she never expected to make – who each have their own reasons for being there. Luckily Olive has a plan to solve all their problems. But how do you fix the world when you can’t fix yourself? Thanks so much to my awesome friend Moon for buying me a copy of this book at YALC. The novel was released a few days early at the convention, and I did read it…
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My [Secret] YouTube Life Book Review
My [Secret] YouTube Life by Charlotte Seager From Goodreads: What if your favourite YouTuber’s life was a lie? What if you were the one to expose it? YouTuber LilyLoves has an amazing life: a rockstar boyfriend, a totally Insta-worthy London flat and a collection of beauty products that seems to grow daily (thanks, PO Box). Sixteen-year-old Melissa’s life is way less amazing – LilyLoves is the only thing getting her through it. She’s Lily’s biggest fan and spends hours each night watching her videos and liking her posts. Melissa wants that life for herself – or at least to look like she has it . . . As Melissa starts to grow…
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Save the Date Book Review
Save the Date by Morgan Matson From Goodreads: Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait—for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster—all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect. The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster. There’s the…
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A Skinful of Shadows Book Review
A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge From Goodreads: This is the story of a bear-hearted girl . . . Sometimes, when a person dies, their spirit goes looking for somewhere to hide. Some people have space within them, perfect for hiding. Twelve-year-old Makepeace has learned to defend herself from the ghosts which try to possess her in the night, desperate for refuge, but one day a dreadful event causes her to drop her guard. And now there’s a spirit inside her. The spirit is wild, brutish and strong, and it may be her only defence when she is sent to live with her father’s rich and powerful ancestors. There is talk…
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YALC Vlog
Hey everyone, So I went and uploaded my video from YALC last weekend over on Youtube if anyone fancies taking a little peek at what I got up to. I’ll be posting a special YALC haul soon to show you all not only the books I got hold of, but all the samples and swag too 😀 In the meantime however, you can watch the video of my antics here. Until next time fellow book lovers,
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July Haul and Wrap Up
Hey everyone, how’s it going? First up, I want to apologise for the lack of reviews and articles recently. Everything has been very hectic around here lately, and my partner has been ill, so I haven’t had too much time to read or post reviews. However, I was just at YALC this weekend and I will be posting a second haul soon full of all the books and swag that I picked up. There’ll also be a video going up on Youtube later today of the weekend in all its bookish wonderfulness. Anyhow, on to the haul, which as you can expect, was pretty huge this month. Books I Bought:…
