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Book Review: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

I bought this book 🙂

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Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova27969081

Brooklyn Brujas Book #1

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal

Published: 09.06.16

Edition: Paperback

Pages: 324

Catch it Here: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Blurb:

I was chosen by the Deos. Even gods make mistakes.

Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust, but who may be Alex’s only chance at saving her family.

Note: I read this for #TheReadingChallenge, which you can find out more about here!

Hi all, bringing you a review on this wonderful book! I honestly wonder why it took me so long to read this novel, it was really good!! Yay for bisexual rep! Yay for brujas! Yay for this whole book!

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Continue reading “Book Review: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova”

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Book Review: Peter Darling by Austin Chant

I bought this book 🙂

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Peter Darling by Austin Chant

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Retelling, LGBT+, Adult Fiction, #ownvoices

Edition: Paperback

Published: 02.09.17

Pages: 204

Catch it here: Goodreads, Amazon

Blurb:

Ten years ago, Peter Pan left Neverland to grow up, leaving behind his adolescent dreams of boyhood and resigning himself to life as Wendy Darling. Growing up, however, has only made him realize how inescapable his identity as a man is. But when he returns to Neverland, everything has changed: the Lost Boys have become men, and the war games they once played are now real and deadly. Even more shocking is the attraction Peter never knew he could feel for his old rival, Captain Hook-and the realization that he no longer knows which of them is the real villain.

Hello, yes, this is indeed a Peter Pan retelling, and I. Am. So. Happy. I adore Peter Pan, so when I heard of Peter Darling I knew I had to have it. Even better, there is a romance with Captain James Hook, and I am 110% obsessed with it. So, without further ado, let’s get into it~ (cisclaimer: I am a cisgender queer female, so please let me know if I said anything wrong regarding gender and descriptions so I may correct myself) Continue reading “Book Review: Peter Darling by Austin Chant”

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Book Review: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

I bought this book 🙂


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Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Volume: One

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical

Pages: 393

Released: 05.16.2017

Edition: Hardcover

Catch it Here: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Blurb:

The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has long known her place—she may be an accomplished alchemist, whose cunning rivals that of her brother Kenshin, but because she is not a boy, her future has always been out of her hands. At just seventeen years old, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden, the son of the emperor’s favorite consort—a political marriage that will elevate her family’s standing. But en route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by a dangerous gang of bandits known as the Black Clan, who she learns has been hired to kill her before she reaches the palace.
Dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and track down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.

*Note: I’m reading this as part of the #AsianLitBingo event, read until the end for details!

I literally love Renee Ahdieh so much, and the worlds and characters she brings to us. Ergo, it was only natural that I buy and read her first book in her new series. So, while we are on this topic, I’m just going to point out that Renee Ahdieh is writing about Historical Japan, but she is indeed not Japanese. On top of that, Flame in the Mist is not 100% historically accurate, and it takes a lot of liberties, so if that bothers you, I would skip this one. I was also skeptical in the beginning, but I had seen a lot of positive feedback and decided to give it a try anyway. Continue reading “Book Review: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh”

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Book Review: The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

I bought this book 🙂


30095464The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

Volume: One

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 400

Edition: Hardcover

Published: 03.07.17

Catch it Here: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Blurb:

The beast raged; it punctured the air with its spite. But the girl was fiercer.

Tea is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy makes her a bone witch, who are feared and ostracized in the kingdom. For theirs is a powerful, elemental magic that can reach beyond the boundaries of the living—and of the human.

Great power comes at a price, forcing Tea to leave her homeland to train under the guidance of an older, wiser bone witch. There, Tea puts all of her energy into becoming an asha, learning to control her elemental magic and those beasts who will submit by no other force. And Tea must be strong—stronger than she even believes possible. Because war is brewing in the eight kingdoms, war that will threaten the sovereignty of her homeland…and threaten the very survival of those she loves.

**note: I’m reading this book as part of #AsianLitBingo, read until end for details.

Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bone Witch, with it’s enticing cover, dark magic, and anti-heroes. I particularly enjoyed the world it’s built around; an Asian fantasyland. The point of view is split into two perspectives, the past and present. We begin with older Tea training a new asha about the ways of dark magic, and then we explore the world with young Tea, which is what makes up most of the story. Continue reading “Book Review: The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco”

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Book Review: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I bought this book 🙂

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Volume: One

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure

Pages: 465

Published: 09.29.15

Catch it Here: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Blurb:

Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker has been offered wealth beyond his wildest dreams. But to claim it, he’ll have to pull off a seemingly impossible heist:

Break into the notorious Ice Court
(a military stronghold that has never been breached)

Retrieve a hostage
(who could unleash magical havoc on the world)

Survive long enough to collect his reward
(and spend it)

Kaz needs a crew desperate enough to take on this suicide mission and dangerous enough to get the job done – and he knows exactly who: six of the deadliest outcasts the city has to offer. Together, they just might be unstoppable – if they don’t kill each other first.

Hi all, I’m coming back at you with another book review! I finally read Six of Crows, yes I know I’m late to the party (don’t hurt me), and I actually enjoyed it! I was a little put off by the huge fanbase it has acquired, mostly because I tend to prefer less popular books. Action really is not my thing, but I feel like this had enough emotional turmoil to hold my interest. Continue reading “Book Review: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo”

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Book Review: Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

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I bought this book 🙂

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Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

Volume: One

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Retelling

Pages: 448

Published: 2.7.2016

Catch it here: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Blurb from Goodreads: 

All her life, nineteen-year-old Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, mysterious Goblin King. He is the Lord of Mischief, the Ruler Underground, and the muse around which her music is composed. Yet, as Liesl helps shoulder the burden of running her family’s inn, her dreams of composition and childish fancies about the Goblin King must be set aside in favor of more practical concerns.

But when her sister Käthe is taken by the goblins, Liesl journeys to their realm to rescue her sister and return her to the world above. The Goblin King agrees to let Käthe go—for a price. The life of a maiden must be given to the land, in accordance with the old laws. A life for a life, he says. Without sacrifice, nothing good can grow. Without death, there can be no rebirth. In exchange for her sister’s freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King. He accepts.

Down in the Underground, Liesl discovers that the Goblin King still inspires her—musically, physically, emotionally. Yet even as her talent blossoms, Liesl’s life is slowly fading away, the price she paid for becoming the Goblin King’s bride. As the two of them grow closer, they must learn just what it is they are each willing to sacrifice: her life, her music, or the end of the world.

Hi all, today I am coming at you with a book review! Oh. My. Gosh. I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting for this to debut! I was browsing the “readers also enjoyed” section of Goodreads over the summer, and this book popped up! Winter is my second favourite season, and I was sooo attracted to the cover. It was love at first sight, but then I saw that it wasn’t coming out until February… but just let me tell you now: it was well worth the wait!  Continue reading “Book Review: Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones”

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Book Review: Spice and Wolf vol. 1 by Isuna Hasekura

My friend Sam got me this for Christmas 🙂

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Spice and Wolf by Isuna Hasekura

Translated by: Paul Starr

Volume: 1

Genre: Light Novel, Fiction, Romance, Fantasy

Pages: 234

Published: 12.15.2009 (in English)

Catch it here: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Blurb from Goodreads:

The life of a traveling merchant is a lonely one, a fact with which Kraft Lawrence is well acquainted. Wandering from town to town with just his horse, cart, and whatever wares have come his way, the peddler has pretty well settled into his routine-that is, until the night Lawrence finds a wolf goddess asleep in his cart. Taking the form of a fetching girl with wolf ears and a tail, Holo has wearied of tending to harvests in the countryside and strikes up a bargain with the merchant to lend him the cunning of “Holo the Wisewolf” to increase his profits in exchange for taking her along on his travels. What kind of businessman could turn down such an offer? Lawrence soon learns, though, that having an ancient goddess as a traveling companion can be a bit of a mixed blessing. Will this wolf girl turn out to be too wild to tame?

Hi guys, so I’m not going to lie, I originally watched the anime years ago; but I’ve always wondered what happened to Holo and Lawrence. I found out that the anime was based on a light novel, and not a manga, so I honestly didn’t think there was a English translation anywhere (and I didn’t bother to look, my bad). However, my friend, who is so nice, found this and got it for me! I finally get to find out what happened to our dear protagonists! Continue reading “Book Review: Spice and Wolf vol. 1 by Isuna Hasekura”

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Book Review: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

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I bought this book 🙂41nhwszqa7l-_sx328_bo1204203200_

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Genre: YA, Romance, Fantasy

Edition: First Edition Hardcover

Release Date: 09.20.2016

Pages: 416

Catch it Here: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Goodreads Blurb:

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.

Soooooooo, this book was a total impulse buy for me. I was just in B&N, and I saw this really pretty cover. I love crowns, and royalty in general. I’ve just always found the concept of a Monarchy fascinating, so I read a lot about them, historical and fictional alike. Continue reading “Book Review: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake”

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Top Five Witches and Warlocks

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We got the first snow of the season this morning, I’m so sad. It look’s like it’s going to be a white Halloween… It makes me want to watch the Nightmare Before Christmas. Well, here’s the next installment of my “Monster Season” series, enjoy my top five Witches and Warlocks!

5. Luna Lovegoodlunalovegood_wb_f6_lunalovegoodinquibblerspecsonhogwartsexpress_still_080615_port

Who doesn’t like Luna? She’s weird and magical, one of the best combinations! She’s a strong female character, but not the traditional kind, and a great friend!

Despite being bullied at Hogwarts so much, she still remained a good person and didn’t let them get to her. I think she’s a great role model for everyone!

 

Continue reading “Top Five Witches and Warlocks”

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Book Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

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The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Stand Alone Book

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Edition: Paperback

Pages: 331

Catch it Here: Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

Blurb from Goodreads: 

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

I bought this book over the summer, but other books kept getting in the way, so now I finally finished it! I decided it would be a good book to review for the Halloween holiday season, plus last week I listed my top five faeries, which included Kaye from Holly Black’s older book series. Which is actually why I bought this book in the first place, because I love Holly Black! Continue reading “Book Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black”