Book Review: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

 

This is the second time I'm reading this series because I loved it the first time around. It was such a quick and fun read. And I was just in the mood to reread them.

I will say, this is a perfect book. There are a few times where I either rolled my eyes or question everything that these characters were doing. The best advice I have, is don't take this book seriously. Have fun and enjoy the blossoming romance.

I will say, Amanda Bouchet can do world building. I love this world and wanting to know more about it. 

The magic, the hierarchy just everything that is going on is well out together.

I cannot wait to continue reading this series again

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith

 

This was such a fun and interesting concept for a book. I was hooked from the first chapter, but then definitely sucked in from the second.

I love the world building, the magic aspect of it all, even though I did want more from this world once I finished.

I really loved reading from Luxe's POV the most. Out of all the characters, she seemed the most mature one who was willing to sacrifice herself for her family. 

And, of course, I loved the romance. Even though it was a slow burn and you just wanted to shake them with frustration. 

I'm not going to say anymore about this book because I know that I'm going to spoil it. 

Read this book if you love fantasy setting set in the 1920's. Where there is magic, love and all the plot twists that make you put your book down.

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: The Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson

 

Right from the get go I was hooked into this story.

The characters, the premise, everything was what I was looking for in a book.

Now, I'm not sure if it's because it reminded me of ACOTAR series or because I was listening to The Witcher 3 soundtrack; whatever the reasons, I was in love.

Before I continue and start gushing about my love for The Kiss of Deception, I want to say one negative... I hate Kaden. 

Right from the beginning I could not stand him. To be honest, and please take no offence if he is a favourite character of yours, he didn't need to be in the book. He was only there to create tension between Lia and Rafe and the following things that happen later on. But, overall, he's just an annoying side character.

Now that the bad stuff is out the way, let's get onto the good.

Lia is an amazing character, and her development throughout the book was so well done. You can see she has a lot more growing to do, but I think she is going into the direction of a good leader. We will see.

And if I have anything to say about this, I want Rafe to be by her side for this. 

The chemistry between the two is amazing to read.

I will say, and I don't believe it's a spoiler, but I wonder if she didn't run away, if they would both fall in love anyway. 

Then again, this book might not have been written. Who knows.

I cannot wait to continue with the series, even though I'm apprehensive. Please end beautifully...

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: The Fine Print by Lauren Asher

 

Oh no, how could BookTok do this to me...

It started so well, but these characters started to become unbearable. How are they grown adults when they act like this. Instead of reading about two people falling in love with each other, I was cringing out of my body. 

Do you know where it went downhill for me? This might be spoiler, but oh well...

When she asked for the number of the guy who helped with a drawing (because she can't draw), she doesn't know it's Rowan. He then pretends to be said artist so she doesn't know it's him.

What made me question these text messages is the flirting... What? And then says she is picturing him as James Dean... 

The whole banter between the two was so painful to read. These people are human? 

I cannot stand these characters at all. Zahra is just so immature and continuously doing stupid things. 

And then you have Rowan who is really trying hard to be the tough sexy guy, but can definitely not pull that off.

It's really disappointing because it did start strong, but nothing was developing story or character wise, and I cannot tolerate a book or like it if there is no character or world development. 

Maybe later on in the future I might give this a go, sometimes reading certain books I need to be in the head space for it. But, for now, I don't want to continue with the series.

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: The Serpent & The Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

 

When I tell you I loved this book from start to finish, I mean it. 

Everything about this was just so perfect. The character developments, world building, romance; everything was so well written.

I'll definitely be reading more of Carissa Broadbent.

This is giving me Throne of Glass vibes where there is a competition, and with no shade to SJM, but this was written much better (is that a word? It is now). 

I don't want to toot it's horn too much, there were times where it didn't make sense and some characters actions were eye rolling. But, overall, it was just well written. 

I also can't believe I got this book because of TikTok. I might have to go on there more often.

Now, I can't believe I have to wait for book two in April. Give me more of these characters, I need to know how it will end.

Until next time, happy reading

Weekend Reads 24 - 26 February

 

It has been so long since I've done one of these blog posts.
It's basically where I just say what I'm up to on the weekend, but mainly what I'll be reading.

It has been so long that I have really enjoyed reading. I'm not sure if it's because of covid or horrible things that have been happening in my life, whatever it is I sadly haven't read basically anything.
It's just nice to get back into something that I absolutely love and brings me joy.

I decided to treat myself this morning (Friday 24/2) to getting myself a Kindle and tiramisu.
The reason why I finally got a Kindle was because of many reasons. 

I've been really getting into reading EBooks, mainly because it's so much cheaper, but also I am running out of room on my bookshelves.

It's also so much easier having all your books in one place. The convenience when you have to travel anywhere, instead of bringing hard copy books, deciding which ones you want to bring, you can bring one item with all your books on it.
The other reason why I got the Kindle is because I was finding it hard to read on my phone. I'm old and my eyesight isn't the best. This Kindle edition is just the right size. Not too big and not too small.

Okay, enough of my morning (which was bliss by the way), and onto the books I'll be reading...

I'm about 85% into the The Serpent & The Wings of Night and I'm absolutely loving it.
It's just such an enjoyable read with amazing characters.
I know I shouldn't toot it's horn just yet, I'm not finished, but if you knew this was a book that BookTok made me buy. I'm more surprised than you that I'm loving it.

Another book BookTok made me buy; The Fine Print.
I have been seeing non-stop people loving this series, so I'm hoping it's as good as everyone says it is.
If I'm loving The Serpent & The Wings of Night because of BookTok, my hopes are high with this one.

Depending on how quickly I read, I'm not sure what I'll be reading after these two.
If these two books ends amazingly, I'll definitely be taking more recommendations from BookTok.
Which I never though I'll ever say, ever.

Those are my reading plans for the weekend. This is not definite, but I might also do a blog post after the weekend and see if I accomplished what I set out to do. We will see.


Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco

 

I am so disappointed in the last book of the series. Everything, to me, felt flat. I had to skim through so much of the book because it was either boring, or it felt irrelevant. 

I'm not one to shy away from smut by the way, but it's only good if the story is good. If it makes sense for it to be there in the story to begin with. 

The plot twist, if that's what you want to call it, was so obvious to me (I will say this a lot so no one gets offended), right from book one. It dragged on for three books! 

I know I said this in book two review, but I take it back, this series can be summed up in one book, definitely not three.

I'm so upset that I didn't love the last two books, because I really wanted to. Maybe I loved it because it was set in Italy, and as soon as it wasn't, I lost interest in it.

There is something that I keep forgetting to mention in the past two books, so I'll just mention it now... What time period is this set in? 

It felt like at times it was set in medieval fantasy era, but then they mention something like people or the way they talked sounded like modern day.

I have seen a few reviews mention this, so it's good that I'm not alone, but if anyone has the answer, please let me know. After three books, I'm still confused.

Overall, I'm happy I finished the series so I know what will happen to the characters. Did I guess right, yes, but you never know. I could've been surprised...

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco

 

I still enjoyed Kingdom of the Cursed, but I did not enjoy it as much as book one; Kingdom of the Wicked.

I was hoping for more world building, more of an understanding on what is going on. Unfortunately, I got none of that. It felt to me that the world building from book one became non-existent in this book, like we were getting a whole new world and now I'm trying to understand this one.

I was genuinely excited for Emilia to go into the underworld (is that what it's called in this world?), but it felt boring and it didn't make sense. There are journalists in hell? Well, that makes sense actually...

To be absolutely honest, I think this book didn't need to be written. Yes, it left on a cliff-hanger and crazily enough, I need to know more. However, nothing significant happened that requires a whole book on it's own. My guess, at the most, this series can be summed up in a duology. 

I will say, Kerri Maniscalco knows how to suck you in and keep you engaged. I just want to know what is going to happen to these characters. And if you can do that to a reader, then you're a pretty good author in my book. Even if her main female character makes stupid decisions, acts like she is perfection, and can be an eye roll when it comes to her love interests. Like seriously, make up your mind already.

Okay, one more book in the series and I will finally find out what will happen. Fingers crossed it's the best one out of the three.

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

 

I really, really enjoyed this book. 

There were times where I was either slightly bored or wanting to get to the "good bits" quicker, even though I didn't know what the good bits actually were. 

However, overall, I was really engrossed in the story and the world Kerri Maniscalco was creating.

I do agree with people saying it needs to be expanded on and maybe instead of explaining everything, show us. Other than that, I literally couldn't put the book down.

I think what I really loved about this book, and what sold me on buying it, was the setting. Italy. I'm Italian, so hearing about the food that was described (which some people didn't like for some reason), made me so excited. 

Cooking with my Nonna is a big thing in my family, so seeing Emilia bond with her Nonna was very special to me. Especially just a day prior to starting this book, I was making fresh pasta with her.

Of course with a book like this we also need to talk about the love interest (if that's what he is). Wrath. I'm not sure what to say about him just yet. I felt like we are slowly in book one getting to know who these characters are. I'm hoping in book two we get to know them a lot better.

And saying that, I'm going to pick up book two; Kingdom of the Cursed right now.

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

I'm on the fence with this one.

It was a very cute book, fun to read with some some likeable characters, but I did find it dragged a lot.

There was so much inner monologue going on when our main love interest were talking. It got to a point where I was skimming that part just to see what Olive's (main female character) response was to Adam (main maile character).

This definitely felt like a book that needed a certain word count to finish, it definitely could've been shorter. 

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, it was a cute read, something light and romantic if you are into that, but don't expect anything more. 

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

 

This is the third time I'm reading The Cruel Prince and I still love it.

There is something about reading strategy type books that peak my interest. But what I like most is that the romance doesn't take up the whole story, it's like a subplot, just there in the distance.

Which doesn't mean I don't love a good romance book; I just think sometimes they take over the main plot like the author always skims over the main issues that are going on just to focus on the main love interest. I want plotting and scheming and spies.

Even though I have loved this book every time I have read it, I still haven't read the next book in the trilogy. 

Two reasons; I'm worried that the book will take a nose dive and secondly, I never saw it in store when I went book shopping. Until now. 

I've read good reviews about The Wicked King, so hopefully it's just as good as The Cruel Prince.

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout

 

I'm not going to rate or review this book like I have done with many books before. I don't know how I really feel about it is the problem.
It wasn't great but it wasn't as bad as some books I've read in the past.

I know I definitely wont be continuing with the series after I deliberately wanted to spoil myself and found out what happens in book four. No thanks. My imagination can make this series better and much less problematic.

That's all I have to say about it, which is not much at all.

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: Heroes by Stephen Fry

 

This is my second time reading Heroes by Stephen Fry.

And while I still enjoyed it, Stephen Fry is brilliant at telling stories and weaving them together, I felt like I was over the footnotes and constantly saying that this person or people will be explain later. 

It got to a point where I was questioning if I should read the footnotes at all, but then what if I was missing out... 

This is the only problem I had with Heroes, because I loved everything else.

For an amazing story teller like Stephen Fry, retelling stories of the Heroes from ancient Greek is perfect. He knows how to keep you hooked and intrigued in what these crazy mortals and especially immortals will do.

I've mentioned this in my review for Mythos; Hera and Zeus. 

Zeus is a pig to put it nicely. Goes around just taking whatever he likes, and instead of being angry and taking her fury out on him, she takes it out on innocent victims.

Reading what she did with Heracles angered me so much that I actually had to put the book down for a while. And I know, it's basically "make believe", but I can still feel frustration on the Gods.

I loved reading about the heroes of these stories, each one tragic and beautiful as the next. Highly recommend Heroes, more so Mythos, if you love ancient Greece.

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review: Mythos by Stephen Fry

 

This is the second time reading Mythos by Stephen Fry.
I enjoyed it so much more the second time reading it, maybe because I want to actually start learning about ancient Greece and because of that, I'm absorbing the stories more.

Stephen Fry has such an amazing ability to tell stories for modern audiences. It's not hard to follow along and every now and then he will throw in his opinion that are always a delight to read.
He's basically an enjoyable author to read. I couldn't put it down. Again. 

Okay, enough of my praise for Stephen Fry, now onto the actual book.
The Gods were insane! I want to do blog posts on each one of them because their stories are bonkers.

What I appreciate about the Gods, they have flaws. Unlike another God, these aren't 100% perfect. Which, even though they see themselves above mortals, they aren't any better than us.

I will just briefly bring up two God's because I want to save the others for special posts.
I want to talk about Zeus and Hera. Wow.
They are both as bad as each other. He sleeps around with willing or unwilling partners behind Hera's back. Instead of going after Zeus for that, she goes after the innocent victims (that's how I see most of them if not all).
I'll definitely get more into detail with other blog posts about these two and more. Hopefully soon-ish...maybe.

Until then, I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially if you want to learn more about ancient Greece.
It's easy to read and highly enjoyable.


Until next time, happy reading 

Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

**Possible spoilers ahead. You have been warned**

I have seen this book a while ago; everyone was reading it and absolutely loving it. But I kept putting it off thinking it's not a book for me.
Oh how I was wrong, but happy I finally read it. One of the best books I've read in a while.
My love might also be because I love and adore Elizabeth Taylor. This story is not about Elizabeth Taylor, but something about the story reminded me of her. And not just the countless husband's, even though that might have a little to do with it.

What can I say about this book without giving anything away. I think you truly need to read this book blind just like I did. I didn't even read the synopsis for it, I just knew it was about an actress and her seven husband's. Nothing else. 

I'll just keep this short and say how amazing Taylor Jenkins Reid writing style is. How she kept me captivated right from the beginning.
And of course my love for Evelyn Hugo, who is a fictional character, I know I know, but she is such a great character to read. She wasn't perfect, and made decisions I would never make, but I appreciate and understand her reasoning behind them. 
If a man can do it, especially in Hollywood, why do we look differently on women.

Alright enough because I have the temptation to spill all the beans, but you really need to go in this blind.
Read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you won't regret it. Oh, and have tissues on hand, you'll need it.


Until next time, happy reading 

Book Review: Magic Study by Maria V Snyder

Book Two

**Possible spoilers ahead. 

You have been warned**

This is why I never continue with a series, especially if I loved the first book. It's a gamble; either I'll love or hate the second book.

Unfortunately, not only was I not enjoying Magic Study, I also DNF (did not finish). It was like everything good from Poison Study was thrown out the window. 

I don't know where to begin on my dislike of the book, everything basically annoyed me.
The things I didn't like from the first book became, if it's even possible, worse in this one. The things I did enjoy from book one, like Yelena who had great character building, became intolerable and one of the worst character traits in literature (in my opinion of course).
Yelena used to think before she did things, weighing her options and seeing the best route to take. She was headstrong, but not to the point of obnoxious.
Oh how it all changed.
I cannot stand reading characters, especially the main ones, who think they are better than everyone. They oddly learn things quickly, doesn't listen to reason and the people around them, gets themselves and other people in deep trouble only for the author to give the main character no consequences for their actions.

It's very sad that it didn't get any better, which means I'll probably not continue with the series. I might just read the summaries or other people's reviews to see what happens with the story. That's if I care too much about it.

And just like the mother that I am; I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed.


Until next time, happy reading