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Fantasy

The Graces + The Curses by Laure Eve (Ft. A Sequel I’ve Waited Soooo Long For!)

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If you pass me a book about deeply mysterious families, witches and woods, and corrupt magic — I will love you forever.

Like this is my favourite reading aesthetic. I am the one who can’t stop reading The Raven Cycle, who adores Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, who is sitting here waiting for my Matilda telekinesis powers to kick in. (So far, no luck tho.) So it was an absolutely freaking delight to be back in The Graces world.

I read The Graces in 2016 and was so in love. The sequel was supposed to come in 2017 but it…just…didn’t. I’m not actually sure what happened, but it is now the good year of Twenty Nineteen and The Curses is here.

I’m going to do a double review! But no spoilers! 🤭

Thank you to Allen & Unwin for the review-copies!

Goodreads | Book Depository | Publisher

It’s like falling in with an old friend when you reread a book you loved years ago! There’s that worry of “oh no will we still click??!” but…I totally adored The Graces still. It’s a book of oddness, a tangle of insecurities and the desperate craving of magic from a lonely girl who needs there to be more to this life. It was atmospheric to the core and I am here for that.

The writing really catches me too — it’s sensory and manages to be ethereal as well as forthright. I love the subtle weaving of magic through this book. Is magic true? Is it not? The writing makes you ache with wanting to know. Until the ending of course, which is like being slammed into the sea at full force. And rereading it had me caught up in such knots?! How did I SURVIVE the wait for the sequel so !! long !!

The Grace family are entrancing, problematic to the core, but yet you can’t look away. I’m with River here. They’re a secretive force, needing none but each other, so when they let that one person in…it means so much. Thalia, with her earthy soft goodness. Fenrin, the sarcastic flirt with wavering faith in his family. Summer, the goth and sharp and fully in love with her witch destiny. And River Page — the narrator who is hiding the darkest of secrets.

(My only qualm reading this one is uncertainty as to whether the book was queerbaiting or not? Summer causally calls River a girlfriend, even, at one stage, but there’s no romantic hints in River’s narration that she ever feels romantic towards Summer. She’s in love with Fenrin…which gives me pause when the straight girl is obsessed with the queer boy.)

Goodreads | Book Depository | Publisher

I went into this absolutely wrapped in anticipation. And it was like a welcome slide back into this witchy and deeply magical story, deliciously vibrant and so sensory that I could taste the mulberries and smell the herbs. The entire book is a feast of power…and of selfishness and insecurity and grief. And afjkdsladjf I just love that.

This time it’s narrated by Summer Grace. And I adore her! She’s easily one of the most epic of the trio of Grace siblings. I did, however, feel this was actually Fenrin’s story…he had all the plot. So I’m curious as to why Summer narrated.

Also am here for how much more sibling life we got. 🙌🏻 They’re still dealing with the trauma of the last book (SOB AREN’T WE ALL) and they’re just such a tight-knit group. They love each other fiercely, but they also know the best ways to hurt each other. Also there is fully a scene where the eat so much cake they can’t function. Quality content. I just love sibling-focused stories, particularly if the siblings are witches.

So did it live up to my 2-years of anxious anticipation? It did in all ways except for how it ended up handling the queerness. I wanted it to pull through and it didn’t and I genuinely felt queerbaited. But maybe I’m misinterpreting it?

SPOILERS DISCUSSED
It built up the relationship between Summer and River the WHOLE time. Especially in book one. And then at the end, Summer is all “oh we’re just sisters and I’m not in love with you” and River was basically relieved?!?!?? It fully killed off Wolf. Again. So the only canon queer couple broke up/buried the gays. Look — it’s just that it built so much up with Summer x River and then the “lol never mind” at the end feels like queerbaiting. It would’ve been so easy to offset Wolf’s death by having another canon queer couple. Why didn’t it? 😐 I’m kind of gutted.

The Curses was deeply magical and haunting, all witches and spells and dark threads running through the town. The writing was everything I wanted, and having more Grace sibling time was amazing! But I can’t ignore the queerbaited feel of the ending.

 

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚  ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚  ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

is there a sequel you had to wait a long time for? or one you’re *still* waiting for?? and tell me if you’ve tried this duology and what you thought!

 

 

Tarot by Marissa Kennerson (A Whimsical Story Of Soft Magic)

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Tarot was such a whimsically beautiful tale!

It reads like a fairy tale or a tumble down a rabbit hole into Wonderland — and I don’t read a lot of books like this, with such an ethereal style, so I really enjoyed the difference! It’s a story about a girl who creates magical tapestries and you could just see the artistry of how the story was put together. Plus the stark contrasts between Anna’s love of beautiful things and how she craves kindness — vs — the inflexible destruction of a tyrannical king who’ll murder to get what he wants??! It was well done.

Also can we please appreciate the pastel perfection fo this cover.  🙌🏻

so much thanks to the author for sending me a copy of her beautiful book!

➸ Anna grows up isolated and alone in a tower…but she refuses to let this warp her.

Like this could be a total villain origin story — but Anna is the actual sweetest soul?! And for once I just really loved reading about a Soft™ girl because strength comes in all shapes. Anna is whimsical and a dreamer, she craves beauty and believes the best of everyone. She makes these AMAZING tapestries, overflowing with vivid colours and imaginations…and she kind of walks herself right into one.

 

➸ Welcome to the tropical paradise of the land of cups!

It gave me some serious hippy commune vibes…but it was also so sweet? Like it’s just full of all these teenagers who genuinely love this life where they flow together and share the work and love. Emotions are all very simplistic and naive. And Anna is like super naive herself, having been locked in a tower for so long, so she makes some mistakes that make you go 😬 But realistically? Her actions made sense. The romance is really fast though, so I didn’t really connect to it, but again…it kind of made sense that Anna would fall in love fast when she’s never had this before. I was just a little awkward about how they’d do things that could have been super sexual, but weren’t? Like taking a bath together… but then I thought about:

Spoiler Mentioned
The fact that Anna CREATED Cups so if she’s naive, then obviously the people she created would be too.

 

➸ Also the Tarot card parallels were great!

Like some of the characters were The Fool, The Magician, the Hermit, etc. And Anna escapes to Cups and the old kingdom is Pentacles. I’m not familiar with the whole tarot deck, so I probably missed references. But it was an interesting way to like weave it in like a retelling?!

 

➸ Also the contrasts = am here for that.

The dark kingdom she escapes from vs the soft pastel loving beachside commune she ends up in. Plus when these worlds collide it goes from 0 to 100 real fast and just W O W my heart wasn’t ready.

 

➸ The only thing I’m a little uncomfortable with…

…is just how the sole queer couple was written. It doesn’t bury its gays, but it didn’t wrap up their story line and they got, arguably, the worst time. I won’t go into spoilers, but yeah. I’ve just read a lot of disappointing queer rep this month, so I probably went into this feeling a bit raw.

Overall, this was just a delight. It’s whimsical and soft and flowing…and it really captures Anna’s vulnerability as she falls in love with the people of this seaside paradise and realises it’s her fault that darkness is coming. It’s also a bit of a parallel on how humanity gets scared of things they can’t control so they try to destroy it.

 

Anna was never supposed to exist. Born of a forbidden union between the Queen and the tyrannical King’s archnemesis, Anna is forced to live out her days isolated in the Tower, with only her mentors and friends the Hermit, the Fool, and the Magician to keep her company. To pass the time, Anna imagines unique worlds populated by creatives and dreamers—the exact opposite of the King’s land of fixed fates and rigid rules—and weaves them into four glorious tapestries.
But on the eve of her sixteenth birthday and her promised release from the Tower, Anna discovers her true lineage: She’s the daughter of Marco, a powerful magician, and the King is worried that his magical gifts are starting to surface in Anna. Fearing for her life, Anna flees the Tower and finds herself in Cups, a lush, tropical land full of all the adventure, free-spiritedness, and creativity she imagined while weaving.
Anna thinks she’s found paradise in this world of beachside parties, endless food and drink, and exhilarating romance. But when the fabric of Cups begins to unravel, Anna discovers that her tapestries are more than just decoration. They’re the foundation for a new world that she is destined to create—as long as the terrors from the old world don’t catch up with her first.

Goodreads | Amazon | book depository |

 

➸ you might also like…

do you prefer books with more factual styles or do you like fairy tale vibes? and would you like to live in a paradise beach community?? because I’d be down for a hammock nap right about now 😂tell me if this is on your tbr!

 

Slayer by Kiersten White (A Buffy Spinoff Ft. The World’s Most Awkward Chosen One)

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Despite having never seen a single episode of Buffy…I enjoyed reading Slayer!

And shshhh yes I know you’re going to go yell at me to go watch it…but can we acknowledge how many books there are in the world and that I am trying to read them all? Fitting in tv shows is the Real Struggle.

I really adore Kiersten White, especially after her And I Darken series which was both bloody and badass. I also have her Elizabeth Frankenstein retelling! Which I will get to! (This is why I haven’t watched Buffy ok? So. many. books.)

 

➸ Is it enjoyable if you don’t know the original Buffy show?

A resounding “YES!” from me. I actually thought it would be about Buffy, but it’s about Nina and her hidden group of Watchers in a castle in Ireland. It’s set after Buffy apparently broke the world and killed magic…so the backstory was a bit hazy to me. But this is where we’re at. Nina hates Slayers because her dad died because of Buffy…but irony is a jerk, so Nina’s destiny is, in fact, to be a Slayer. (I do question why there was ever supposed to be “just one Slayer”. I mean hi @ the rest of the world? Do they just get to drown in their own vampires or…?? Thx, America.)

 

➸ It gave me immense Supernatural TV show x Shadowhunters vibes.

Ok yes look I know I just said “I have no times for shows!” but I have seen 11 seasons of Superantural in my youth (lol a few years ago). So Slayer had all the trappings of these types of things: (1) secret magical organisation, (2) everyone is steeped in flawed tradition, (3) there are Slayers and Watchers, (4) killin’ demons, researchin’ in the big archaic libraries, (5) let’s leave the saving of the world to a bunch of 16 year olds!

So lots of tropes? Yes. But also lots of heart, diversity, and really relatable messages and great themes. Like even when Nina’s undeniably proved to be a Slayer, people are STILL telling her “Yeah, honey, but you don’t really know what you’re talking about.” Most teenage girls get dismissed like this. Nina is relatable and her decision to take hold of her own fate was super empowering. (Plus Nina is just a sweetie and bubble of sunshine who could ALSO CRUSH YOUR THROAT WITH HER FIST. So! Love her!)

 

➸ Gonna be here with my new demon hunting crew forever, thanks.

Squad goals! Let’s talk about our crew (and even though there were a lot of characters, I loved their dynamics and didn’t get lost!)

✧ Nina: an awkward bundle of sunshine. Will break your jaw and then say sorrysorry!!!! also has yelled “here doggy” at a hellhound before and nearly died.
✧ Artemis: Nina’s twin sister and The Power Child, favourite of their mother, the one everyone expects to be badass and powerful. Power lesbian with knives. Her and Nina have a complicated sisterhood…relationships are strained here ok.
✧ Rhys: wears glasses, loves books, is apparently a “leader” but would rather snuggle with his boyfriend. 0/10 has no idea what is going on but is very Ernest and Supportive.
✧ Cillian: human boyfriend of said Rhys. British-Nigerian. Has a witchy mother and knows about Slayers/Watchers even though he shouldn’t. Will make puns before they nearly die. Has kept a demon in his shed before and tried to make it comfy. Likes Eurovision. Has 100% more common sense than anyone who’s supernatural and trained in combat.
✧ Leo: old crush of Nina, Latinx, went missing but is now b a c k and hot. Acts smooth and confident but absolutely can’t keep up with Nina at all and is probably exhausted.

I also appreciate that it was squad > romance. The romance thread is tiny and honestly didn’t do anything for me haha. Except for:

Romance Spoiler Mentioned
How it turned out that Leo was actually a demon and his mother was a Super Demon. So THAT was fun and I loved that. Also he died, and that was so much easier than having to have a flat romance! I’m heartless! Yes! How are you! 

 

Also Nina and Cillian being Best Bros was giving me life in my bones. Basically them:

Nina: can u keep a demon in your shed for me???
Cillian: SURE
Cillian: what would he like on his sandwich!
Cillian: also will he kill me idk might be good to ask this too

 

➸ As for the plot…

You know that feel when something is super predictable but you love the characters, the writing, the sass, and are just having a good time anyway? This is me here. It was also 400pgs so I think it could’ve been a bit faster/tighter instead of meandering along? But really all I can think about is how I want book 2 so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

 

Slayer is a super enjoyable adventure of magical catastrophes, mistaken “Chosen One” feels, and fighting demons with your friends. (Friends who slay together, stay together!) Overall it was pretty predictable, but sassy and fun. It was like a book of an good ol’ favourite ice cream flavour.

 

Into every generation a Slayer is born…
Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watcher’s Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.
Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.
Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One—she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.
As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams…
But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested—because someone she loves might be next.
One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard.

Goodreads | Simon & Schuster | booktopia | book depository

 

➸ You might also like…

   

is there a tv show you’d like to see a book spin-off series for? have you seen buffy? is Slayer on your tbr?

 

To Best The Boys by Mary Weber (Ft. STEM Girls Crushing The Patriarchy Yessss)

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If you thought getting into university was stressful, woah, take a step back and try this book.

It’s basically about a contest where the winner of the death-defying-maze-of-monsters gets a scholarship to university and also PTSD. (Isn’t that lovely!? Packaged deal!) I totally enjoyed myself with this one! The author is beyond lovely on instagram and has reached out and said such encouraging things to me during my debut year when I was losing hair (writing is hard, folks). I was super excited to read my first book from her!

It was such an empowering adventure. Did not disappoint!

 

Thanks to the author + Harpercollins for the ARC!

➸ I love the apt parallels to today’s world too.

It’s a story that really has its fingertips on the heartbeat of society’s discussions today and I love that. It’s set in a world with a 1900s vibe and there’s magic, ballgowns, plagues, classism and ghouls. The current view of females is “go have babies” and “leave the thinking to the men”…and it makes you just shake with with rage. The book is here to hit us with discussions on what feminism truly is! And I love how it discused that it’s VALID for women to want (a) eduction and careers, but also (b) babies and being a homemaker too!! The point of feminism is: you get to choose, you have power over your body and your aspirations, and there is no “one way” to be female. Yesss for a book that brings that home — and also mixes in MAGIC.

 

➸ Rhen is our STEM girl who is the actual loveliest.

My heart is so full and warm with love for the fact we have two main girls who are so different and so brilliant. Rhen is into science and cutting up corpses. She’s also dyslexic, impulsive (like 2 seconds after a decisions she’ll hack off all her hair to fake being a boy) and sharp-witted and craves a world full of opportunities. Then there’s her cousin, Seleni, who is soft and a little giddy about her boy crushes and is intelligent and forthright and takes risks and loves frills. They’re contrast was made even more amazing by how they supported each other and were badass in their own ways. 10/10 for epic female friendships!

(Also hilarious note: I spent the longest time thinking this book was called “To The Best Boys” not To Best The Boys…because I’m also slightly dyslexic. And then I open it up and is Rhen dyslexic lmaoooo. Relate.)

 

➸ so let’s talk about these boys we need to best

Because ugh, mate, do we need to best them. Again, we’re not left with caricatures. It gives us the total scope of boys, with (1) the privileged snob jerks who treat women like property, (2) the old men so solid in their warped beliefs that they can’t see beyond their own classism, (3) the softly anxious boys who want to please their fathers…but also want change, (4) the cute dorky boys here for a good time and so chilllll, and (5) the soft careful heartfelt boys who work hard and think for themselves.

So Vincent and Germain & Co fit into category #1 and I’d be ok if they fell into the sea. I loved Beryll who is so posh and ridiculous but also sweet!!! And Will and Sam were DORKS I LOVE THEM. And Lute? Lute is a gift to this broken world. He’s the poor fisherman boy, supporting his single-mum and disabled brother (absolutely loved the disability rep!), and he’s so heartfelt and kind!! His and Rhen’s romance is here to make your heart do floppy things.

 

➸ now for university scholarships and ptsd

Ok this was amazing. It is like Caraval x The Maze Runner. We have this old rich man who runs this contest every year — the winner takes a scholarship to a university. It’s “for boys” but Rhen and Seleni dress up as boys to get in. The contest is stresssssful. Mazes. Locked rooms. Puzzles. Inventions. Hallucinations. Poisons…

There’s backstabbing and danger and the magic and wildness is amazing.

Also am a big fan of the fact the relationships were already set up (waiting for a little nudge) so there was no rushed 1-day romances. And I found the “disguised as boys” trope realistically done because who the heck is peering at everyone’s faces when tHE MAZE WALLS MIGHT EAT YOU. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It’s a plot with the potential for some annoying tropes: and it did none of them!!!!! Yes!!!!

 

➸ it’s so easy to be absorbed by the story!

I’d been finding it hard to focus lately…but this? I flew through it and lost time. I love that feeling while reading! The writing is engaging and Rhen’s voice is dynamic and she’s such a winning character with her intense passions for finding a plague cure and her anxiety over taking control of her own future.

this is truly a story of feminism and love. It embraces all types of women and their strengths and vulnerabilities. It’s about girls forging paths so that others can follow. it balances the sweetness of romantic and family love…all set in a world of ghouls and mazes and tests. Here is a book for girls taking charge of their fate and totally besting those boys.

 

Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port receive a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. Every year, the poorer residents look to see that their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.
In the province of Caldon, where women are trained in wifely duties and men are encouraged into collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her Mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition.
With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone’s ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the maze.

Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Author’s Instagram |

 

➸ SIMILAR TITLES TO TRY…

   

give me your favourite feminism book recs! have you read many characters with dyslexia before? and is this one on your TBR pile?

Queen Of Air And Darkness by Cassandra Clare || I Just Lost My Heartbeat…WOW

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My opinion on this is basically one long extended screeeeam.

This was absolutely, earth shatteringly perfect. Am I obsessed with The Dark Artifices?? Ah, yes. Yes I am. And I’ve been through several Shadowhunter finales, but I still get nervous! I had fierce plans for my ships here and I was all tied up in anxious knots about it the characters, the plot…the stakes…

But, look. It was perfect. Just perfect.

(And it’s ridiculously hard to write a review when your brain is a catastrophe of emotions!!!!!!)

 

You can see my reviews for Lady Midnight and Lord of Shadows here!

 

This is a NO SPOILER REVIEW for Queen of Air and Darkness, but there WILL be spoilers from first two books!

 

(And for once this isn’t a book from a publisher! Just so you know haha.)

 

➸ I had so much emotions for these ships.

I had my expectations and my wishes…and they were met. Ok sure I also had some cool theories that didn’t happen (GUESS IT’S TIME FOR FANFIC) but otherwise I just adore how Cassandra Clare scares the absolute skin off us wondering if our ships will be ok and then (1) makes it satisfying, but (2) never easy or perfect by the end. I love her romances, loooove them.

I know it’s common to roll eyes and say, “It’s the end of the world and they’re caring about kissing? unrealistic.” But, hear me out: it makes sense. At one point Cristina told Emma she had romance problems, and Emma fully yelled, “THANK THE HEAVENS. LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT INSTEAD OF DEATH!!!!” And I get that. You put a crowd of super stressed teens in a super stressful situation, where there’s a 900% chance they’re gonna die or end the world — so yes they do some kissing too. And cuddling. There is a lot of cuddling here. It’s a distraction and a reminder of what you’re fighting for.

Also, more (((SPOILER))) ship thoughts ➸

SPOILERS
I was so freaking relieved that Kieran x Mark x Cristina all sailed. Like it was SET UP SO WELL, but I was terrified it wouldn’t pull through for the poly rep. But here we are. I am a tree sap of appreciation. But at the same time I was a little disappointed because I wanted Kieran to marry Cristina and Mark and they all live as faerie kings/queens. Just…let me have that wish, ok. Anyway, it didn’t happen. They get to hang out in a cottage on the weekends. I felt that was just…unnecessary?

“Faerie kings don’t take human consorts…” COUGH WHATEVER. I have literally never read a fae book where they didn’t. But you go make unnecessary disappointment. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

As for Julian x Emma…I was actually banking on Emma to die LOL. I’m SO SORRY. But I figured one of them would have to and Julian would suffer more if he lived so…(yes??? I have literally no soul I’m so sorry). Instead they turned into giant nephilim and were brought back to safety by Tavvy saying he loved them or whatever. Super adorable. I confess I rooted for K x M x C more lmao. I DID love Julian x Emma getting to be together at the end!!!!

 

 

➸ How my heart beats for my Blackthorns.

My Blackthorn kids are so stressed and wrecked in this book. They tear away from each other because they’re hurting so bad…and I loved that arc. How they realised they couldn’t be divided to heal. Helen getting to be there was AMAZING. She is a gift! And her wife, Aline, totally yells at everyone when they make Helen cry so A+ for Aline.

✧ Julian just went and SNAPPED, SON, DAYUM. He makes stupid decisions because he hurts so bad.
✧ Mark continues to be so pure, so soft and wholesome. (He makes donut sandwiches and he’s so pleased with himself while arranging the plates.)
✧ Dru has more of a part too which I loved. She so desperately wants to fit in with Ty/Kit and I love how Kit makes an effort to let her.
✧ Ty…honestly, I would’ve liked to see more reaction from him? He dealt with the death in his own way, but very emotionless and I’m worried that fits into the stereotype that autistic people don’t show emotions well. Just ONCE, I wanted him to blow up and cry, ok. But anyway. I still love Ty and he is amazing jfdkslad.
✧ Tavvy continues to be adorable and useless, bless him.

 

 

➸ Other character thoughts?

✧ Kieran is my absolute FAVE, I can’t even with how much I love him. He’s so intense and dramatic and he just melts for his loves and I adore that. Also fab hair.
✧ Cristina is a true hero, so unflappable unless one of her boys kisses her and then she just screams internally for 200 years.
✧ Perfect Diego is…less perfect! Well done. I don’t really care about him and Jaime, but eh, they exist.
✧ ZARA COULD GO DIE THANKS.
✧ Manuel could’ve used a bit more motive but ugh hate him.
✧ Ash???? WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ASH???????? MORE INFO NEEDED?????? (I take it he’s being set up for another series?)

 

 

➸ Was it too long???

Here’s the thing: I loved every freaking page as well as acknowledge the book was genuinely uncomfortable to hold. It took me forever to finish it. I wanted to, but it physically hurt to hold a 900 page book. (Yes I realise there are eBooks but I’d bought the paperback already?) It could’ve been two books.Two would’ve been great.

 

 

➸ The plot is so intense and exhausting…in a good way!

So much happened…it was a stressful whirlwind. I won’t give spoilers on the details, but least to say they went to a LOT of places and it was NOT dull. It was unexpected and clever and thrilling. And, even though it was so highly intensely emotional, it still squeezed in some famous Shadowhunter snark. Yas.

It balanced the soft moments (coffees and cuddles and coloured pencil smudges and beach kisses) with the hardcore action (fighting in Faerie, breaking immortal blades, using impossible black magic, heartwrenching traumaaaaa).

There are so many threads, so many details! It’s incredible how it references other series and sets up for more. It is just Clever™.

 

 

➸ Emotions? We gotcha emotions and we shall crunch them.

I laughed. I cried. I was a mess. (Also so so anxious the entire time?! ANXIETY LAUGHTER, LOOK AT ME GO.) I still live for the one-liners though, but I loved that this one talked about much darker topics: like grief and loss and moving on. And the character arcs were just brilliant. These kids grew up so much in three books and I love it.

 

I think the thing to take away from this review is: WOW I LOVED THIS BOOK. It ruined me and rebuilt me and it was such a beautiful collision of love and grief and hate and revenge. It was a stark reminder of the state the world is in today (that feel when fantasy is not so fantasy). And it gave us MAXIMUM BLACKTHORN TIME which is perfect. Plot twsts, cunning schemes, love and destruction. I shall scream for a very very long time and not be back for many days.

 

 

➸ also coming out this year that I can’t wait for…

  

tell me your favourite Cassandra Clare series?! and where you satisfied with the ending of QOAAD? who is your favourite character? Pls flail with me I’m desperate.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi || Glittery Parisian Thefts And Friend Crime Squad!

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The Gilded Wolves was a glittering and lush story of heists and grandeur, with light smashing punch to the feels.

All the chill things. Actually hold up, hold up, this is the least chill book ever. It’s set in the 1800s in Paris with magical artefacts and a super complexly woven history. It also has the most adorable and flamboyant cast ever. I just…[clenches fist] love them so much.

 

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for the review-copy!

➸ The plot is a WHIRLWIND.

I get why people compare it to Six of Crows but it had more of an Ace of Shades vibe to me?! The plot is a bit of a heist, but also it’s about SOLVING PUZZLES (aka wait is this National Treasure?!). Severin is trying to regain his title of one of the 4 most powerful Houses, so he’s stealing back his artefacts. Then he gets roped into stealing the Eye of Horus for Hypnos (an ex-childhood-friend) in return for his inheritance back. It has the found-family aspect that we all freak out over in SoC + a glittery Parisian aesthetic + a very complex and twisting history that attaches to the Tower of Babel (my Sunday school childhood says i UNDERSTOOD THESE REFERENCES).

 

➸ The characters are the light of my little softly beating heart.

THE C H A R A C T E R S. Little flamboyant sassy pockets of delight. They absolutely made the book for me and I enjoyed all of their narrations. The only thing my eye is twitching about is that: their backstories didn’t make a lot of sense. (Like who gave Severin the money to run this flashy hotel?!) But onwards!

✧ Séverin: he’s the leader of this motley crew, the disgraced heir, the thief and schemer. He chews cloves which is, um, disgusting dude. But I guess he doesn’t get toothaches? I loved how openly protective he was over his KIDS, especially Tristan!
✧ Laila: She is tHE MUM FRIEND and Indian and I love her so much. She’s an enigma in public and a dancer + a baker (she always has sugar in her hair) + and when she touches something, she can read its story. She and Severin have a “WE KISSED ONCE BUT WE DON’T LOVE EACH OTHER!!” lie going on.
✧ Enrique: our BISEXUAL NERD SON whom we love dearly. He is equal parts dramatic and will geek out over history and cry when they smash said history to get at the clues (aka: he is the person who would’ve beaten Indiana Jones to death with an umbrella). I freaking love Enrique he is a gift. He’s also Spanish/Filipino.
✧ Zofia: I do appreciate the autistic rep even if she is a total stereotype (but…not offensively? So I guess that counts…although living for the day when people realise autism vs OCD traits are not the, um, same). Zofia is the math genius, the explosionist, the genius who got thrown out of school. Laila just keeps feeding her cookies the whole time and it’s wholesome. She’s also proudly Jewish!
✧ Tristan: the family bABY and they all coddle him it’s so so adorable. He’s the youngest (16) and has pet spiders and loves plants. He’s basically Severin’s baby brother.
✧ Hypnos: He’s the half-sort-of-antagonist who lures them into working for him, but his entire aesthetic is GLITTER PARTY BISEXUAL PRETTY KING and I love him so. He just wants friends!!! He’s like blackmailing them basically but! !!! to get !!! friends!!!

I loved their dynamics! They had sassy scenes and they all melded together wonderfully, plus the glib wove into the heartfelt/serious moments amazingly. MY FAMILY <333 They all totally lived off cookies and crime.

 

 

➸ However…I was confused.

I was really really really confused. I love this book, and I fully cannot WAIT for the next one (see tHE FINAL CHAPTER adkslf that revelation has me 8ft into my grave). But the magic system, the super complex history of the world, the actual plot at times…I was just so confused. This zapped a lot of enjoyment from me. While writing this review, I literally couldn’t sum up the plot without rereading the back cover again. I’m just ???? the whole way through the book. It could be me. I could tell the characters’ and the author’s minds were intensely clever.

This is a shiny book of puzzles and magic, of complex tight-knit characters, and thievery with super high stakes. I loved it even though I’m not really sure what just happened haha…my bad.

 

★★★☆☆

Set in a darkly glamorous world, The Gilded Wolves is full of mystery, decadence, and dangerous but thrilling adventure.
Paris, 1889: The world is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. In this city, no one keeps tabs on secrets better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. But when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.
To find the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin will need help from a band of experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian who can’t yet go home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in all but blood, who might care too much.
Together, they’ll have to use their wits and knowledge to hunt the artifact through the dark and glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the world, but only if they can stay alive.

Goodreads | Pan Macmillan | Booktopia | Book Depository 

 

➸ similar titles to try…

    

have you read this one yet?? or any of Roshani Chokshi’s books? (tell me your favourites!) and have you read a book you loved but also felt confused??

#MiniReviews || The Reread Edition (Um, While My TBR Hates Me Even More)

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As if my TBR pile couldn’t hate me anymore…this month has been for rereads!

I know! I know! I have so many books to read for the first time still. But as much as I feel guilty for neglecting the TBR…I freaking love rereading. It’s like revisting an old friend and it’s downright comforting if you’re feeling like a refried mop. (Accurate description of me tbh.)

October has had me rereading so much, so you know what?!  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’m just going to go with this nEED FOR THE REREAD. I thought it’d be fun to compare some old vs new thoughts — in mini review style!

 

Also PS. I’ve been having issues with WordPress no longer sending my post emails. I’m using Mailchimp to tie us over till it gets fixed?! So can you let me know if you get emailed this!! THANK YOU.

THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE BY MACKENZIE LEE

Goodreads

HOW MANY TIMES READ? 3

FIRST OPINION? Loved it! Wholly! I first read it via eARC in 2017 and then promptly read it again that same year! See how much I loved it?! It’s a 1700s adventures gone wrong with Henry “Move I’m Gay” Montague and his contrary feminist little sister, Felicity, and unrequited love-of-his-life, Percy Newton. It’s SO HILARIOUS. I crack up every time and the character arcs are A+ perfection.

WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because Felicity’s book was coming out! And I 100% needed to revisit Monty before starting hers. (Which was also good…but not as fun as Monty’s??)

ANY OPINION CHANGES? Actually, none! I enjoyed it just as much! (THE AUDIOBOOK IS WORTH GOLD, BTW.)

 

SHIVER (WOLVES OF MERCY FALLS #1) BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER

Goodreads

HOW MANY TIMES READ? 3

FIRST OPINION? Duuude, I don’t even know. It was before 2014 and my opinion was as trustworthy as a stale crumpet back then. My second read was 2014 and I called it my “guilty pleasure read” which…um, pfft @ 2014-Cait?!? There is no shame in loving a paranormal romance.

WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because I am OBSESSED with Maggie Stiefvater books! I reread The Raven Cycle every year but somehow neglect The Wolves of Mercy Falls!??? The dishonour. These books are also my favourites. I love Sam more than bread and that’s saying something because I freaking love bread. Also Finn and I were holding a Stiefvater bookstagram challenge and I needed to think up prompts so I accidentally reread the whole book. Wow wHOopS.

ANY OPINION CHANGES? Um just that I love it more. Sam is so soft and sweet and kind and why aren’t boys in books like that more?! Plus I have full respect for the scene where they melted mean-girl-Isabel’s heart by insisting she cook omelettes with them before talking about murderous shapeshifting werewolves. As you do.

VICIOUS (VILLAINS #1) BY VE SCHWAB

Goodreads

HOW MANY TIMES READ? 2

FIRST OPINION? It was my first ever Schwab read back in 2015!!! Shout out to Vicious for finding me a new favourite author (although somehow I’ve loved her 2018 releases less? Which is a shame. But anyway). I totally loved it back then and gushed 1000%.

WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because Vengeful was coming out and how much did I remember of Vicious? AH HAHAH. None.

ANY OPINION CHANGES? I actually was a bit surprised with how slow it was. I didn’t remember that? It’s all villains and sociopaths and I love that and my star-rating didn’t drop at all, but I was a bit more critical of it this time. I still totally see Victor and Eli as Magento and Professor Charles Xavier from X-men and AHHHHHHH the stab levels are so fine. Such fine stab levels.

PS. I was actually so disappointed with Vengeful?! Tell me if I should give it a full review!

LAMENT (#1) BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER

Goodreads

HOW MANY TIMES READ? 2

FIRST OPINION? I read this in 2012 and I WAS SCATHING. It’s actually hilarious and I’m so dead omg. 2012-Cait wasn’t allowed to enjoy things apparently. Anyway I apparently “wasn’t a fan” of “dead kings” or “faeries” and I can’t even with me. Those are my favourite things?! I also said I wasn’t really attached to Dee and Luke’s relationship.

WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because IT HAD BEEN SO LONG!! And I’ve been saying “yeah I’ll reread this” for ages so, dammit, I’m doing it.

ANY OPINION CHANGES? So firstly (1) I loved it more because it was just so Stiefvater. Magic and music and murderous faeries. These things speak so so much to me ahhhh. But (2) Luke was still frikkin’ creepy and not in an attractive way. I hate how he shut Dee down all the time by calling her “pretty thing” (it was so condescending) but at the same time he was a SOULLESS FAERIE ASSASSIN and I am a fan of that concept. So I love it! Maybe more because I know these are my thiiiiings. But at the same time I’m not ignoring the grossness of Luke’s macho attitude.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NGIHTTIME BY MARK HADDON

Goodreads

HOW MANY TIMES READ? 2

FIRST OPINION? I read it first in 2013 and adored it! It was one of my first reads of an autistic character (I hadn’t been diagnosed then) and I was like ?!?! wow relatable content. Although my original review is like 100% glowing and my reread has me lowering it a star oops.

WHY THE NEED FOR REREAD? Because I heard several people calling it problematic! And I mean, we’ve established younger-me was a terrible reviewer. I wouldn’t have known problematic autism rep if it had hit me in the eye with a spoon since I knew so little about autism…aka not even enough to know I was on the spectrum. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I very much wanted to reread critically!

ANY OPINION CHANGES? I was a little less enchanted with all of Christopher’s mathematical detours (there was a whole chapter describing his opinions ON A SIGN!?!?) and I dropped a star for that. But problematic autism rep? It wasn’t to me tbh. I do think Christopher had OCD as well (which shouldn’t been noted) and he was a stereotype (straight / white / male / maths savant)…which makes me sigh. But (in my opinion) he was well written and realistic! I think it’s fair to remember (and I have to pull myself up with this too) that problematic ≠ experience that isn’t identical to ours. Like Christopher’s ASD wasn’t mine but it still felt authentic. And BEST THING = he didn’t end the book having to change! I love it when autistics are accepted for being autistic. (It was his parents bad treatment of him that had to change instead!)

* NOTE – obviously this is my opinion and if another autistic finds the portrayal problematic then they’re welcome to that view too! I don’t know everything lmao.

do you reread?! what’s the last book you reread? or one you’d really LIKE to reread soon? or are you scared of ruining old favourites if you reread them?

The Tales Of Beedle The Bard (Illustrated Edition!) by JK Rowling + Harry Potter Tag!

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My eyeballs have been thoroughly blessed by the gift to the world that is the illustrated version of The Tales of Beedle The Bard.

Seriously this book is gorgeous. I hadn’t read Beedle the Bard before this and I actually can’t fathom why anyone would want to read one without pictures?! Also this reminds me why I’m SO glad they’re doing illustrated editions of all the Harry Potters. My new author life goal is: have a book illustrated. I AM ALL HEART EYES, OK. This is spectacular.

So today I’m going to:

★ Do a little review of Beedle!
★ And also absolutely FLOOD you with gorgeous pictures of the insides.
★ Aaaaand I’ll finish off with a little Harry Potter tag because  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  tags are too fun and I actually don’t talk about Harry Potter a lot around here?! So you definitely want to hear all my opinions. I know you do. I see it in your eyes.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for the review-copy!

THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD by JK Rowling

Goodreads  Bloomsbury  Booktopia AUS  Book Depository

A spectacular full-colour illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling’s fairytale classic The Tales of Beedle the Bard, with breathtaking illustrations by all-round genius and national treasure Chris Riddell.
The dazzlingly brilliant Chris Riddell brings his magical illustration talents to J.K. Rowling’s gloriously inventive The Tales of Beedle the Bard in a fully illustrated colour edition of this essential classic for Harry Potter fans. Translated from the runes by Hermione Granger, the volume includes ‘The Tale of the Three Brothers’, familiar to readers of Harry Potter from the crucial role it played in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Mischievous and witty, these five rollicking tales are a deeply satisfying read in the tradition of all great fables and fairytales. Kindnesses are rewarded and selfishness shown to be the ruin of many a wizard. Burping cauldrons, hairy hearts and cackling stumps are met along the way. Each of the tales is accompanied by a deliciously subversive and insightful commentary by Professor Albus Dumbledore, all brought vividly to life with Riddell’s trademark wit and elegance.

My favourite part of this was absolutely the illustrations by Chris Riddell!

The stories were great (a little gory and entirely magical, ha!) but the illustrations just captured the essence of the wizarding world and I couldn’t stop staring at the epic double-page spreads, the characters’ expressions, the detail and the creative depictions! I will forever be disgruntled that not all books of ever are illustrated. If you’re going o read Beedle the Bard, I say 10/10 go for the Illustrated edition.

As for the stories… I quite liked them! Although I’m glad for Dumbledore’s footnotes for a lot because I wasn’t sure what the point was except “DEATH COMES FOR YOU” which is a great thing to tell all the little wizarding children, way to go Beedle. (I laughed at the section where a witch tried to “rewrite” the stories to be more applicable and sweet and kind…and was reminded of that time someone tried to rewrite Harry Potter to be “Christian” and it was so freaking bad lmao. I wonder if JK Rowling was poking fun? I HOPE SO.)

My favourite was The Fountain of Fair Fortune! It was so sweet how a group of people could band together and help each other and become stronger and fill the lonely hollows in their hearts…even without magic. Awww.

Obviously The Tale of Three Brothers is important considering Deathly Hallows centres around it, but I would’ve picked the Elder Wand so oops.

Anyhow! I really enjoyed this! It was light and Dumbledore’s footnotes were funny aND THE ILLUSTRATIONS AFJDSKALD. Excuse me while I just go back to staring at them forever.

 

This is slightly adapted from the “Ultimate Harry Potter Tag” because 30 questions was way too much for someone who has forgotten like…half the books. Excuse me.

1. FAVOURITE VS LEAST FAVOURITE BOOK?

I confess that I really need to reread because I’ve forgotten a lot! But I think Order Of The Phoenix is probably the least favourite??? 100pgs of a Quidditch match ahahah slay me now. AND DEATHLY HALLOWS MOST FAVOURITE. The feeeeelings.

 

2. FAVOURITE VS LEAST FAVOURITE MOVIE

I’ve only seen ONE MOVIE! And that was The Prisoner of Azkaban! Whoops haha.

 

3. FAVOURITE QUOTE

4. FAVOURITE FEMALE CHARACTERS

  • Luna Lovegood! (STILL disgruntled that she didn’t have more page time!!)
  • Hermione Granger (an actual queen I adore her so much)
  • Molly Weasley (the ultimate mother bear)
  • McGonagall (hAVE A BISCUIT POTTER…although lowkey think she could’ve just taken out Umbridge and Voldemort by herself, but fine)

5. FAVOURITE MALE CHARACTER

  • Harry! (He was so grumpy and such an unwilling saviour of the world, I LOVE IT)
  • George and Fred (because they are everything an annoying sibling should aspire to be)
  • Kreature (he was relatable tbh)
  • Neville Longbottom (an actual Softest Boy who should be protected forever)

6. FAVOURITE PROFESSOR

The only answer to this is ALWAYS going to be McGonagall, even though I have to google her name constantly. She was so perfectly composed, badass, untouchable, and deadly. In other words: life goals.

 

7. YOUR HOGWARTS HOUSE

SLYTHERIN REPRESENT. I also have a lot of Hufflepuff tendencies, which I think I act more like online, but woooow I am so ambitious and just a little deviously cunning (my sister can attest ¯\_(ツ)_/¯) and I always end up writing Slytherin characters myself because I LOVE THEM SO.

PS. I sort everything into Hogwarts houses. My characters, my family, my dog, my cereal…none are spared.

8. WHICH SPELL WOULD BE THE MOST USEFUL TO LEARN

How to make a Horcrux…

AHAHAH OK, SETTLE DOWN THERE, VOLDETTE.

9. IF YOU OWNED ONE OF THE THREE HALLOWS, WHICH WOULD IT BE?

Now I have read the story in Beedle’s tales and I know the point is you can’t cheat death so don’t be presumptuous and greedy etc etc. But let’s be real, you could do a LOT of damage by being invisible (which apparently was the “noble” choice). Like you could rob banks, steal art, stay in libraries after-hours reading, etc, etc.

I’d choose the Elder Wand though. (I told you I’m a Slytherin…) SEE ME, FEAR ME.

 

10. IS THERE ANY ASPECT OF THE BOOKS YOU’D CHANGE?

  • I thoroughly dislike ALL the ships (sorrrry) but particularly I would make Hermione marry someone intelligent and kind and toss Ron in the ocean.
  • I’d dedicate a whole book just to Luna’s life (I headcanon she is so very thoroughly autistic I LOVE HER)
  • I’d skip the prolonged Quidditch scenes (oops)
  • Get some actual unproblematic diversity in there ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  None of this off-the-page-in-retrospect stuff which doesn’t count.
  • Knit myself a Weasley jumper (I’M AWARE THIS DOESN’T MAKE SENSE IN THE LIST BUT I WANTED TO SAY IT)
  • Feature all the Houses!! Slytherin needed to show it’s good side (cunning doesn’t HAVE to equal evil) and give the Hufflepuffs more page time too!!


hey chat with me!

how old where you when you discovered Harry Potter? what would YOU change about the books? aaaand are you excited for the Illustrated edition?!

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd || Darkly Delicious! I Am So Here For This

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This was actually the most deliciously lovely thing.

This is the kind of book where the gorgeous cover thoroughly promises what you’re going to find inside. It was so good, OK?! I completely fell in love with the characters, the vivid world building, thE PASTRY APPRECIATION, and all the characters’ snark (despite them being about to die). Quality content right here thank you I will take 7 more of these books.

OK but where to even start?! (I FLAIL)

The setting! The world! The exquisite descriptions!

I freaking love Paris. I have I been? No. But that doesn’t stop me being a teeny bit obsessed with it. And the descriptions were gorgeous and vivid so it’s like the bookworm trip to Paris! Also Parisian pastries are keeping this world together, so 10/10 here for the appreciation they gave to them.

The descriptions are the kind that are very sensory and really pull you in with the taste of things and colours and the scruffy details of someone’s coat — I LIVE FOR THIS.

I loved that it’s from the perspective of the animals who are enchanted into humans.

You know?! Like in the Disney Cinderella movie where the fairy godmother turns mice into men, etc. THAT is what a “grim lovely” is. (They also call them “Beasties”.) So we have this witch and her 5 enchanted servants (she treats them as slaves too) but when she’s murdered they have 3 days to get someone else to cast a new humanising spell on them or GOODBYE.

Also we don’t know what their animal forms original were, but the 5 of them are: wolf, owl, cat, mouse, and dog.

So obviously we have a huge ticking time bomb here, which I looooved. Makes the pace fast! And stressful! Of course bookworms love stress haha, our grey hair and bloodshot eyes mean nothing, carry on.

I totally fell in love with Anouk as the story went on.

She’s so timid and demure to start with, and she doesn’t suddenly — ZAP — change into a saucy fighter or anything. She stays quiet and calm…but she gets confidence and she fights back and she believes in more than what she’s spoon fed. I LOVE HER SO MUCH. We need more soft™ protagonists! Her arc just ahhhhhh. SO good.

Also the cast is BIG and amazing and I feel all the things for them.

  • CRICKET: She’s like the badass older sister, made to be a thief, and she loves flowers and skulls and lipstick. Love her.
  • BEAU: So of course we must have a love interest (although it’s good that it’s the “we already knew each other” romance because otherwise a 3-day romance is always too hard to believe)…and I admit I DIDN’T LIKE HIM. He’s very overprotective of Anouk. Aka “no no Anouk you can’t do anythinggggg” and I wanted to slap him. I didn’t really see their chemistry? But he drives cars fast so I’ll give him that.
  • LUC: He’s actually missing when the book starts, but he’s the Big Bro figure and they all love him so bad.
  • HUNTER BLACK: he’s the trained assassin and actually starts off an enemy of the rest because he’s super close to the witch’s son. I feel many things for Hunter Black. Ugh the antiheroes get me every time I can’t even.
  • VIGGO: he’s NOT a beastie, but the “witch’s boy”. Basically a kid she stole to use as a blood bank (you need blood for magic) but also spoiled rotten and super rich thanks to the witch. He is AWFUL and we HATE him but by thE END….WHAT HAPPENED WE DON’T. GO VIGGO!!!

They have all the dysfunctional family vibes and I freaking LOVE IT.

Ok so a lot of people have expressed concerned over the Bury Your Gays trope appearing. I’ll put my thoughts in spoilers but I DON’T spoil the book. I’m just talking about the trope’s use:

THOUGHTS (Possibly Spoilery...mostly not)
I am very very rarely ok with this trope. Especially if it’s only the gay character who dies and no straight ones. However for Grim Lovelies: I don’t quite believe That Character is dead. Because they threw in a “probably” and there’s magic so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’m hoping the author pulls through. Otherwise, people…it’s 2018 and you can’t have the ONLY death be a minority character. Enough of that. We deserve better.

So Pls Prepare Yourself For

☆ magic and witches and enchantments but in a modern setting
☆ Paris!!
☆ staying to eat pastries > running for your life
☆ dysfunctional family squad dynamics
☆ villains grudgingly doing good omg
☆ softest sweet hufflepuff being badass
☆ wickedly beautiful world building
☆ m a g i c
☆ sneaky evil plotting by people you think are sweet
☆ fashion appreciation, especially of epic jackets
☆ LIES AND MURDER

Yes I’m thoroughly in love with this one! It totally captured my imagination, from all the unique twists on old magic, and the fairy tales it wove in, to the gorgeous lush setting and the characters I wOULD DIE FOR. I’m chill as a person, for sure. I’ve wanted an intoxicating magical fantasy for a while and this !! is it !!  

THANK YOU TO HMH TEEN FOR THE ARC. Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd is out October 2nd, 2018!

Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.
Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.

Goodreads  Publisher  Buy  Author’s Website

 

  

tell me which countries you’d like to see more books set in?! will you read Grim Lovelies?? do you like fairy tales from different angles??

And The Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness || Upside Down Moby Dick! Also Illustrated! We’ve Been Blessed

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And The Ocean Was Our Sky is an extremely beautiful and somewhat odd story.

I do like how Patrick Ness’ books are rarely “the usual” because it’s fresh and different and unpredictable! And the illustrations of this one were just !!! That’s how you write a good review, kids. You say your opinion is “!!!” and pretend to be eloquent. I’VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS TRUST ME.

This is definitely not like any of the other Ness books. I thought it’d be like A Monster Calls, considering it’s illustrated too, but…not really. It’s extremely metaphorical and basically a fable that talks about war turning people into monsters, and how sometimes you make monsters by forever pursuing justice through violence instead of choosing peace.

So good stuff. I like.

It’s also an upside-down retelling of Moby Dick!

I have nOT read Moby Dick and all I know is that there’s a whale. I’m…I’m a little ashamed of me too. (I actually looked up the wikipedia synopsis about this and gUESS WHAT IT IS ABOUT A WHALE.) However you need to know the original to appreciate this one! But it is upside-down so it’s (a) narrated by the whales, and (b) the whales are harpooning the men now. Which quite frankly makes sense. Men…I can’t even with them. So it was weird but I was onboard (LOL LOL SHIP PUN) for a bit of oddity. Although I’m still confused about how the whales had ships? I couldn’t visualise it and there wasn’t an illustration for it.

Also Toby Wick (VERY CLEVER) was on the evil-human side but I am still 0% sure as to what he was. A man? An actual monster???

As a black-and-white sort of person, I did struggle to read between the lines of all the allegories. 

It feels like an Aesop Fable in style really and the writing has an old-fashion voice so I had to really focus to stay engaged. But the illustrations were GORGEOUS. And they got super dark (so um, yes, this is not middle-grade ok). I also want to raise my hands and just say: “THANK YOU. ADULTS DESERVE ILLUSTRATIONS TOO.” 10/10 would like all books to have more illustrations.

And The Ocean Was Our Sky feels like it’s full of questions and meanings and leaves you thinking. It’s beautifully put together too! Even if I was a bit confused how a whale had a narrator…my imagination got a work out haa ha ha.

THANK YOU TO WALKER BOOKS FOR THE REVIEW-COPY. And The Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness is published September 2018.

With harpoons strapped to their backs, the proud whales of Bathsheba’s pod live for the hunt, fighting in the ongoing war against the world of men. When they attack a ship bobbing on the surface of the Abyss, they expect to find easy prey. Instead, they find the trail of a myth, a monster, perhaps the devil himself…
As their relentless Captain leads the chase, they embark on a final, vengeful hunt, one that will forever change the worlds of both whales and men.

Goodreads  Book Depository  Booktopia  Publisher

alright tell me a YA book you WISH was illustrated?! and do you read much Patrick Ness? What’s your favourite? Will you try this one?