-
The Blackstone Ritual Book Review: A Discussion About Author Ethics
Okay, so this review will be a little bit different from any others that I have written, mostly because along with reviewing the book, I want to talk about the manipulative marketing techniques the author appears to have employed in order to boost sales of his books. This review will contain spoilers, mostly because this review is (hopefully) intended to prevent people from supporting an author that seems to resort to these tactics. In many ways, the situation is reminiscent of the Handbook for Mortals by Lani Sarem, who conned her way onto the NYT Bestseller List by bulk buying copies of her own book. From Goodreads: Throughout the kingdoms…
-
The Bone Shard Daughter Book Review
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart From Goodreads: The emperor’s reign has lasted for decades, his mastery of bone shard magic powering the animal-like constructs that maintain law and order. But now his rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empire’s many islands. Lin is the emperor’s daughter and spends her days trapped in a palace of locked doors and dark secrets. When her father refuses to recognise her as heir to the throne, she vows to prove her worth by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic. Yet such power carries a great cost, and when the revolution reaches the gates of the palace, Lin…
-
All the Stars and Teeth Book Review
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace From Goodreads: Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice. She will reign. As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer — the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic. When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a…
-
July TBR: 2020
Since we’re now a few days into July, I thought I’d share my To Be Read list for this month. My apartment is slowly getting taken over by books. There’s no room on the shelves, and there are several teetering piles of novels in the bedroom, so I’ve had to put myself on a physical book buying ban until we (hopefully) move in September to (hopefully) somewhere with more space for shelves. I’m still getting monthly boxes from Illumicrate and Fairyloot, and I’ve still treated myself to the special edition Shades of Magic box, but I think, unless there are any other incredibly amazing special edition boxes coming out between…
-
The Damned Book Review
The Damned by Renee Ahdieh From Goodreads: Following the events of The Beautiful, Sébastien Saint Germain is now cursed and forever changed. The treaty between the Fallen and the Brotherhood has been broken, and war between the immortals seems imminent. The price of loving Celine was costly. But Celine has also paid a high price for loving Bastien. Still recovering from injuries sustained during a night she can’t quite remember, her dreams are troubled. And she doesn’t know she has inadvertently set into motion a chain of events that could lead to her demise and unveil a truth about herself she’s not quite ready to learn. Forces hiding in the shadows…
-
Dangerous Remedy Book Review
Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn From Goodreads: Camille, a revolutionary’s daughter, leads a band of outcasts – a runaway girl, a deserter, an aristocrat in hiding. As the Battalion des Mortes they cheat death, saving those about to meet a bloody end at the blade of Madame La Guillotine. But their latest rescue is not what she seems. The girl’s no aristocrat, but her dark and disturbing powers means both the Royalists and the Revolutionaries want her. But who and what is she? In these dangerous days, no one can be trusted, everyone is to be feared. As Camille learns the truth, she’s forced to choose between loyalty to those she…
-
Wishlist Wednesday: The Faithless Hawk
The Faithless Hawk by Margaret Owen When is it released: July 28th What is it about?: As the new chieftain of the Crows, Fie knows better than to expect a royal to keep his word. Still she’s hopeful that Prince Jasimir will fulfill his oath to protect her fellow Crows. But then black smoke fills the sky, signaling the death of King Surimir and the beginning of Queen Rhusana’s merciless bid for the throne. With the witch queen using the deadly plague to unite the nation of Sabor against Crows—and add numbers to her monstrous army—Fie and her band are forced to go into hiding, leaving the country to be ravaged…
-
A Note About J.K. Rowling
CW: Discussions of transphobia, abuse, and sexual assault. Hi everyone, As I am sure many of you have now seen, J.K. Rowling has recently made some reprehensible comments about transgender people. This is not the first time she has said such hurtful things- her defence of transphobic women such as Maya Forstater and the 61 year old woman assaulted by Tara Wolf (while I don’t condone violence, it should be noted that Rowling deliberately neglected to mention that the 61 year old had repeatedly misgendered Wolf prior to the assault, and had used transphobic slurs against her), prove that she has always harboured problematic and transphobic views. This is the…
-
Havenfall Book Review
Havenfall by Sara Holland From Goodreads: A safe haven between four realms. The girl sworn to protect it–at any cost. Hidden deep in the mountains of Colorado lies the Inn at Havenfall, a sanctuary that connects ancient worlds–each with their own magic–together. For generations, the inn has protected all who seek refuge within its walls, and any who disrupt the peace can never return. For Maddie Morrow, summers at the inn are more than a chance to experience this magic first-hand. Havenfall is an escape from reality, where her mother sits on death row accused of murdering Maddie’s brother. It’s where Maddie fell in love with handsome Fiorden soldier Brekken. And…
-
The Midnight Lie Book Review
The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski From Goodreads: Where Nirrim lives, crime abounds, a harsh tribunal rules, and society’s pleasures are reserved for the High Kith. Life in the Ward is grim and punishing. People of her low status are forbidden from sampling sweets or wearing colors. You either follow the rules, or pay a tithe and suffer the consequences. Nirrim keeps her head down and a dangerous secret close to her chest. But then she encounters Sid, a rakish traveler from far away who whispers rumors that the High Caste possesses magic. Sid tempts Nirrim to seek that magic for herself. But to do that, Nirrim must surrender her…
