It’s finally October and it makes me so happy. I love October because of Halloween, school Fall Break is on Monday, and people start decorating their houses – it’s just so festive. Also, I love reading books that are darker, to match the season. 🎃
So let’s see how September went:
New Books Acquired:
Hardcovers:
Kindle Unlimited ebook:
NetGalley Newly Acquired:
Netflix:
Enola Holmes ~ it was so good!
American Murder: The Family Next Door ~ so awful, and heartbreaking.
Title: Warriors of Wing and Flame (Sisters of Shadow and Light, #2)
Author: Sara B. Larson
Format: eBook (NetGalley)
Pages: 384
Publication Date: October 27, 2020
Categories: Romance, Young Adult, Fantasy, Paladin
Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.
In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.
Thank you to Tor Teen and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this eARC.
I loved the first book of this duology and was looking forward to reading this sequel. There was a lot to digest in this final book but it was a very emotional, enjoyable ride.
My Reactions:
My Attention: I read this book in two days so it’s safe to say it had my attention.
World Building: I really love this world the author created. I want to ride on a gryphon and be a paladin! It’s what made me love the first book.
Writing Style: With the dual perspective, I thought it was uneven. I loved Inara’s perspective more than Zuhra’s.
Bringing the Heat: 🔥🔥 – there is a bunch of kissing
Crazy in Love: we already know Zuhra and Raidyn are crazy about each other but Inara’s love story emerges in this book and that was unexpected!
Creativity: The world of Paladins is awesome with their beautiful city, powers, gryphons and blazing eyes.
Mood: roller-coaster of emotions while reading this
Triggers: violence
My Takeaway: Zuhra and Inara step into their power. 💪🏾 They start off in book one sheltered, with no outside contact and social skills. They come out of book two SO strong apart and together.
The sisterhood bond between Zuhra and Inara is palpable. Zuhra has always been the caretaker, and Inara is always being used to being different. They make separate journeys and learn to stand on their own. It made me emotional in the end – maybe because I have a sister and understand the bond as well.
I love Zuhra and Raidyn. But I think I love Inara’s love story even more than Zuhra’s. It was so unexpected. Both love stories in this book are pretty intense. Inara’s love story gave us insight into how she felt being different all her life – the two of them coming together made my heart hurt a little, in a good way! So glad they got a happy ending as well.
There is a lot of action as Zuhra, Inara and the Paladin’s that crossed the gateway plan to go after Barloc. So they travel a lot but it keeps the story moving. But I absolutely love when they are in Visperium because the world of the Paladin is so lush and different.
Depression is featured in this story as well as social anxiety (Zuhra). Both girls, Zuhra and Inara have led such a closed life, both have anxieties grown out of their upbringing. They have a mother that basically abandoned caring for them when their father left. When they do encounter the outside world, so to speak, they are challenged in many, many ways. At times we are immersed in each girl’s fears and sorrows, going with them in the dark places of their minds. But love brings them back though.
The story is as uneven as the first book, it felt so choppy at times. In the first book, I was more drawn to Zuhra, but in this book, I only wanted to follow Inara! So I do wish it wasn’t dual perspectives and each girl had their own book. But I can see what the author was trying to do, it made me see the bond between Zuhra and Inara more with their journeys side by side.
Their mom had a long ways to go to become a better parent and does she turn it around in book two? Not really…she’s just there but the girls understand her more now.
Zuhra and Inara, both raised in seclusion, come into their own because the love they have for each other. They learn to be strong without one another and even stronger together when they both learn to accept who they are and how to use their powers. This is a beautiful story of sisterhood, finding one’s strength, falling in love, and finding a family in the world of Paladins.
Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.
But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.
The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.
Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.
My Attention: had it for the most part
World Building: Salt Lake, Utah – annual Christmas trip
Writing Style: flows quickly, great character dialogues
Bringing the Heat: 🔥🔥
Crazy in Love: friends to lovers
Creativity: it has a Groundhog’s Day movie time loop
Mood: ready for the holidays
Triggers: car accident
My Takeaway: Be careful what you put out into the universe – you might really get what you want. And I mean that in a good way.
The bonds between the families is awesome. Mae’s parents and their best friends have a tradition, they meet up in Utah and spend Christmas together. They’ve been doing it for years and the bonds are evident.
It’s so hard to hate a Christmas book – it just puts you in a happy mood and this book definitely made me feel like I was watching a Hallmark Channel holiday movie!
Andrew and Mae are so cute together. She’s crushed on him forever, since they were kids and now as adults her love has endured but he’s never reciprocated his feelings until something happens – and Mae finally has the guts to tell him. They are friends who become lovers, so there is heat in their touches but laughter too when things get awkward. It’s wonderful!
Benny is awesome, he’s the family friend/Uncle figure who is a great listeners and knows Mae’s secrets. We all need a Benny.
The groundhog day’s aspect of the story threw me off a little. I was getting into the story and then bam! Haha…it’s not my favorite kind of trope to read but I went with it.
Theo, Andrew’s brother is supposedly the closest to Mae. They sounded like they were besties and yet…it didn’t come off that way in the book at all. So I think I wanted to see more of her interaction with Theo.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, lighthearted holiday romance story that would totally make a good Christmas movie. I look forward to reading more books from this author!
I was so upset to learn Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away last Friday. 💔 May she rest in power and peace. She did so much for women’s rights in America. Our political environment is…crazy…with the election only 39 days away…39! It’s making me anxious. You know my birthday is the day after the election? I told my husband I may need to get a bottle of wine for election night (to calm my nerves). Hello, I haven’t drank alcohol in a long while…it makes me so tired and with two young kids, my poison choice is caffeine. 🤷🏻♀️
So what happened this week ~
New Books Acquired:
Legendborn by. Tracy Deonn – I finally have it IN MY HANDS!
To Carve a Fae Heart by. Tessonja Odette (Kindle Unlimited)
I’m Not Dying With You Tonight by. Kimberly Jo & Gilly Segal (Overdrive Online Library)
The Midnight Lie by. Marie Rutkoski (Overdrive Online Library)
The Merciful Crow by. Margaret Owen (Overdrive Online Library)
NetGalley Books I’m Reading:
Every Single Lie – Rachel Vincent
Shadow City – Francesca Flores
Warmaidens – Kelly Coon
Books on my Shelf That I’m Trying To Finish:
Rogue Princess by. B.B. Myers
Strange Grace by. Tessa Gratton
Books I Want:
The Inheritance Games by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Greythorne (The Bloodleaf Trilogy, #2) by. Crystal Smith
Skyhunter by. Marie Lu
Adulting News:
Hoping to get a car this weekend! 🤞🏽
Counting the days when my son can go back to his physical school location haha – we are both kind of tired of each other at this point. His first quarter is ending soon and he has fall break in two weeks. Crazy!!
Time has flown by…we will be in October and I’m so sad that Halloween finally falls on a weekend this year and Halloween isn’t going to be happening, exactly. I’ll decorate for sure, but passing out candy – sorry no. Guess I’ll save money that way haha! ☹️
I know we are only approaching Halloween but I have to start thinking of Christmas items for my Etsy shop! So I’ll be getting started on making ornaments soon. 💚❤️
Categories: Gaming, Race, Racism, Relationships, Family, Friendship, Contemporary, Young Adult, Own Voices, Identity
By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honors student, a math tutor, and one of the only Black kids at Jefferson Academy. But at home, she joins hundreds of thousands of Black gamers who duel worldwide as Nubian personas in the secret multiplayer online role-playing card game, SLAY. No one knows Kiera is the game developer, not her friends, her family, not even her boyfriend, Malcolm, who believes video games are partially responsible for the “downfall of the Black man.”
But when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, news of the game reaches mainstream media, and SLAY is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals. Even worse, an anonymous troll infiltrates the game, threatening to sue Kiera for “anti-white discrimination.”
Driven to save the only world in which she can be herself, Kiera must preserve her secret identity and harness what it means to be unapologetically Black in a world intimidated by Blackness. But can she protect her game without losing herself in the process?
My Attention: Read in 1 day
World Building: Washington State
Writing Style: Kiera’s voice carries us through this story and it flowed so well, even when it was describing game play scenes which can get confusing as a non-gamer
Crazy in Love: Kiera and Malcom are definitely in love but they have challenges
Creativity: I loved everything about Kiera’s virtual reality game!
Triggers: racism, toxic masculinity
My Takeaway: Wear your crown!
This story covers so many topics! Racism – Kiera and her sister are 2 out of 4 black kids at their school. Toxic Masculinity – in Kiera’s relationship with Malcom and when it appears in a male dominated gaming world. Identity – who is Kiera? She’s hiding this VR game she created, she’s smart, beautiful, and she has a great family and boyfriend, she seems to have it all – but her secret remains a secret because she doesn’t think anyone would understand it or accept her.
Gaming is a big part of this story and I’ve been reading more books about it because my son is a gamer. I’ve learned more about how male dominated it in and how feels go through so much harassment as a gamer. So this story was so good because Kiera created this rich, lush virtual world based on black and African culture – a world where black people can feel safe playing in no matter what kind of black they are. But then the question of safety comes at the forefront when someone dies after playing the game…so yes to all the issues and questions that come up in this story! Safety, racism, toxic masculinity, responsibility, all in the gaming world.
I love Kiera’s family – her parents have raised her as well as they could, and her sister, Steph always has her back. But there was a moment I teared up at the end, when she tells her parents why she never told them about the game and the pressure to conform to what they think is acceptable. Kiera poured her heart and soul into this game and to be afraid that her loved ones wouldn’t accept that – I felt her.
There are parts of this book where some of the main gamers in Kiera’s game gets some book time. For Cicada/Claire, who is an African French national but half Italian, in her France she has to deal with French people assuming she was born somewhere in Africa. She’s smart, can speak many languages and has a mom who is dying in Italy. Then there is Spade, a businessman who plays the game to escape the everyday life. I loved that the gamers were all different ages all over the world.
The search for Kiera’s black identity is a journey – for Kiera, I thought it was fascinating how she talked about being the voice of blackness at her mostly white school because she was one of the four black kids there. We see it in her relationship with her friend white friend, Harper. And then there is her boyfriend, Malcolm who is filled with goals and dreams to succeed as a black man in America. He has a plan for how this will happen with Kiera at his side…but will he accept her secret? The discussion in the news about if the game she created is racist because the game only allows black people to play…so much to think about and I loved that the book kept asking questions.
The ending! It shocked me and bugged me a little because I didn’t expect it. Like, no, how could that happen?! It came near the end and we don’t get to see Kiera try to work it out fully. But wow…and yes I’m trying to be vague and not spoil anything!
Read it. Gamer or not, I think you can relate to people wanting their own safe spaces and finding their identity. The game Kiera creates is fantastic – the costumes and scenes that are describe in this world of Slay is something I would love to experience as well. Also, the game cards (the cards they use in a duel) are so cool and inventive! Most importantly though are the issues and questions this book touches on. Kiera is a Queen, in her game and outside of it. I’m definitely going to be reading more from Brittney Morris.
I am Renata Convida. I have lived a hundred stolen lives. Now I live my own.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My Attention: read in 3 days
World Building: epic world building inspired by Spanish Inquisition era
Writing Style: flowed nicely, story slowed down a bit in the middle
Crazy in Love: so in love
Creativity: Moira people have magic, Whispers are the Moira rebels fighting the king of Puerto Leones
Triggers: grief, violence, death, torture
My Takeaway: Who can you really trust?
That cover is pretty amazing!
I liked learning about the world of the Moira, people with different magic. Renata is a Robari, she can take memories and even do it to the extent to kill or “hollow” out a person. Other magics include persuasion, illusions and reading minds. The Moira have been pushed out of their homes and they are being hunted by the King of Puerto Leones. Now the king has a weapon that would ensure the destruction of the Moira for good.
Renata is a Robari so a lot of what her character does is taking memories and examining them. But her past is a mystery to her – she remembers some things, but not everything. This is a weakness for her. She’s a fighter, she’s tough and brave, but because she can’t fully face the memories of her past, there are things she misses and it causes her to make some mistakes. I thought it was fascinating to watch her deal with feeling like an outcast with both the rebels and being in the palace.
There are some twists and turns in this story that was like putting together a puzzle. But I could only really piece them together through Ren taking memories. It definitely drew an unexpected picture of evil Prince Castian!
This story is dark – I mean the Spanish Inquisition, with all that torture? 😒
The story starts off fast, with action but it dies off somewhere in the middle. Then picks up again to finish strong. I think what was missing for me was Prince Caspian making a real appearance throughout the book. He is there at the beginning and the end, the middle felt like a mystery and slow…I just wished he was there throughout the whole thing, just to give Ren someone to battle.
The beginning starts off with no world building, you get thrown into the story with a lot of action – so I did have to get my bearings.
So that cliffhanger ending…what the heck is going to happen in book two?!
This story grew on me. I found the world building interesting, even though the rebels with magic versus the king who hated magic trope is pretty similar to many young adult fantasy books out there. I think the Spanish Inquisition inspiration makes it stand out. Renata with her missing memories and taking memories is a fascinating character, and so is Prince Castian who we still don’t really know much about! And yes, I will be reading book two because that ending was pretty crazy.
After three long years away, Ruthie Hayden arrives in her hometown of Anchorage, Alaska to this devastating news. Zahra was Ruthie’s best friend–the only person who ever really understood her–and she vows to do whatever it takes to find her.
Zahra vanished from a party just days before Ruthie’s return, but the more people she talks to, the more she realizes that the Zahra she knew disappeared long before that fateful night. Gone is the whimsical, artistic girl who loved books and knew Ruthie’s every secret. In her place is an athlete, a partier, a girl with secrets of her own. Darker still are the rumors that something happened to Zahra while Ruthie was gone, something that changed her forever…
As Ruthie desperately tries to piece together the truth, she falls deeper and deeper into her friend’s new world, circling closer to a dangerous revelation about what Zahra experienced in the days before her disappearance–one that might be better off buried.
My Attention: read in one night
World Building: Anchorage, Alaska – rugged trails and terrain, trailer parks, diverse population
Writing Style: quick read
Crazy in Love: not a romance
Creativity: major twist I didn’t see coming
Triggers: violence, racism, mentions of drug abuse, physical abuse, abuse in a church
My Takeaway: You think you know…but then you don’t.
Ruthie’s dad is a recovering alcoholic, and her mom just died. She is trying to deal with it when she moves back home to her dad in Anchorage, Alaska. Now she has a step-mom and step-sister, Ingrid who is her age. But all Ruthie wants to do is see her best friend, Zahra. But Zahra is missing, so Ruthie does her own investigating.
I like the diversity represented in this book, since I don’t know a lot about Alaska. I enjoyed the Native American and Samoan representation. Alaska is the perfect setting for this book too, because bears? (Frightening), woods and trails where you can get lost in (and maybe get mauled by a bear?) haha…but it lent the story some of the creepy vibe.
Usually mysteries bore me, but this one really had me guessing. We get a cast of characters who last saw Zahra and so one by one we follow Ruthie as she tries to find out what really happened to her.
I liked Ingrid. She seems sweet and cheery but underneath all of it is a past where her mom was a meth head, they lived in their car for awhile, so she did not have things easy.
The twist was good, in a messed up way. I had some suspicions but couldn’t quite put the puzzle together totally.
There were some parts along the way to the twist that made me think…what does this have to do with Zahra? It was a slow build but I really wanted to know what happened to Zahra so I stuck with it.
I bought this book last year and I haven’t read it until now because I was waiting for the right time. I don’t read many thrillers but since Halloween is near, I felt I was ready to read this and I really enjoyed it! It’s a quick read that led to a twist that was so unexpected. If you like to read mysteries and young adult thrillers, this one might be something you would enjoy.
Welcome to the Skunk and Badger blog tour! This one is a little different from the books I usually feature on this blog but I couldn’t pass up on the illustrations in this book. Look and their faces!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: Skunk and Badger
Author: Amy Timberlake
Illustrations: Jon Klassen
Format: eBook (NetGalley)
Pages: 136
Publication Date: 9/15/20
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Categories: Middle-Grade Fiction, Animals
Disclaimer: **I received this book free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Wallace and Gromit meets Winnie-the-Pooh in a fresh take on a classic odd-couple friendship, from Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake with full-color and black-and-white illustrations throughout by Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen.
No one wants a skunk.
They are unwelcome on front stoops. They should not linger in Important Rock Rooms. Skunks should never, ever be allowed to move in. But Skunk is Badger’s new roommate, and there is nothing Badger can do about it.
When Skunk plows into Badger’s life, everything Badger knows is upended. Tails are flipped. The wrong animal is sprayed. And why-oh-why are there so many chickens?
“Nooooooooooooooooooooo!”
Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake spins the first tale in a series about two opposites who need to be friends.
New York Times bestselling author/illustrator and Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen completes the book with his signature lushly textured art. This beautifully bound edition contains both full-color plates and numerous black-and-white illustrations.
Skunk and Badger is a book you’ll want to read, reread, and read out loud . . . again and again.
The illustrations are what caught my eye in the first place. I love the facial expressions of Badger and Skunk, the drawings really capture their personalities.
The characters Badger and Skunk are so different that living together comes with some challenges. Badger is set in his ways and Skunk is a flurry of energy. I like how the story shows how people with different personalities can learn to get along if they try.
This is perfect for middle grade readers but as an adult, I enjoyed it a lot too.
The ukulele scene had me! I live in Hawaii, so when Badger started belting out a Hawaiian tune, it made my heart melt and smile.
Skunk and Badger is so full of charm! I love how they eventually resolve their problems. It just goes to show that even with differences we are also alike in a lot of ways.
Another week done and we are almost into October. Craziness!
New Books Acquired:
Legendborn by. Tracy Deonn – I pre-ordered but my book didn’t come this week. 🙁 It’s shipping next week! Oh well, at least I already read the arc.
Blood & Honey by. Shelby Mahurin
NetGalley Books I’m Reading:
The Ravens – Kass Morgan & Danielle Page
Shadow City – Francesca Flores
Books on my Shelf That I’m Trying To Finish:
Rogue Princess by. B.B. Myers
Strange Grace by. Tessa Gratton
Adulting News:
Finally going to shop for another car 😕. I honestly hate car shopping, it just takes too long and I’m not into cars at all haha, plus it’s a pandemic so showrooms here are “closed”. That makes things somewhat challenging but hopefully I can get a car by next week? Or please by the end of September. I can’t believe I’ve been carless for more than a month, just happy the claim went through.
My son’s online schooling is…going. We supposedly have two more weeks of it but I think it may extend into the 2nd quarter. We shall see, our positive COVID cases have dropped but they are going to open up our state to tourism in three weeks. We’ll see how that goes.
I’m trying to work on Halloween items to add to my Etsy shop. Any resin pieces that need help or I just can’t sell, I’m going to turn into Christmas ornaments.
What’s new in your life? Or what new book did you get? Leave me a comment bellow!
Past Midnight Book Reviews & More 