Dusk Angel Reads

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab 💫 Spoiler Free Review

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date September 28, 2019

Title: A Gathering of Shadows
Series: Shades of Magic
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: February 23rd, 2016
Pages: 512
Publishers: Tor Books
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift–back into Black London.

Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games–an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries–a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

So I may as well get my negative out of the road first and then we can look at the positives. The pacing & not being as action packed as expected was my 2 negatives. This book was fairly slow reading which was impacted by not only the pacing but with the minimal actual fast paced action.

Now as for the things I liked, firstly the word & the world development! The Shades of Magic world is very vivid & fleshed out. V.E. Schwab has a way of describing worlds that just come alive on the page and it’s one of my favourite things about her writing!

Then there was the POV. In this book we follow many POVs which is more than book 1 I believe. It’s been a long time since I read book 1 but I think it was only from 2 POV, I could be wrong though. Anyways, the multi POV in this one was done very well. The characters that we had many chapters from had a distinctive voice to the writing. They felt individual and the characters personality came through. I also just enjoyed that we had so many points of view. It added an interesting twist to the story line that we wouldn’t of gotten with just 1 or 2 POVs.

Next I really enjoyed the plot of this one! I hadn’t read a synopsis going in and I just loved this game/challenge aspect that was introduced. It was very different from book 1 but also had that underlying plot which has continued from book 1 which I enjoyed. Even though it didn’t fell super action packed the story itself was intriguing and I’m super keen to find out where this is all going!

Lastly we have the characters! Much like the world all the characters are very fleshed out and well developed. This was helped with having the multi POV as you get to learn about the characters from their own view point as well as the views of others. My favourite character is definitely Lila. She is just super interesting and stubborn and kinda badass and I love her! I do also of course love Kell but Lila is my fave.

So overall I really enjoyed this one and I’m keen to get to book 3, which I hoping will be a bit more action packed! Now I just need to read it soon rather than waiting a couple years like I did between books 1 & 2!

You can order a copy for yourself at any of the links below. There is an alternate cover and. they are marked by a * next to the format. See the alternate cover below!

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Box Set*
Paperback*
Hardcover*
Collector’s Edition*
Paperback
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Paperback*
Hardcover*
Collector’s Edition*

Amazon Australia
Paperback
Hardcover*
Collector’s Edition*

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Tags Book, Book Blog, Book Blogger, Book Review, Bookish, bookreview, Books, Review, Spoiler Free Review, VE Schwab

Reviews

Wilder Girls by Rory Power 💫 Spoiler Free Review

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date September 16, 2019
1 Comment on Wilder Girls by Rory Power 💫 Spoiler Free Review

Title: Wilder Girls
Author: Rory Power
Genre: YA Mystery Horror
Publication Date: July 9th, 2019
Pages: 353
Publishers: Delacorte Press
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

It’s been eighteen months since the Raxter School for Girls was put under quarantine. Since the Tox hit and pulled Hetty’s life out from under her.

It started slow. First the teachers died one by one. Then it began to infect the students, turning their bodies strange and foreign. Now, cut off from the rest of the world and left to fend for themselves on their island home, the girls don’t dare wander outside the school’s fence, where the Tox has made the woods wild and dangerous. They wait for the cure they were promised as the Tox seeps into everything.

But when Byatt goes missing, Hetty will do anything to find her, even if it means breaking quarantine and braving the horrors that lie beyond the fence. And when she does, Hetty learns that there’s more to their story, to their life at Raxter, than she could have ever thought true.

So, firstly this book was just super disappointing for me! I’ve heard a fair amount of hype for this one & I expected to really enjoy this one! A dystopian sounding mystery? I was in! But overall it was just a nope for me in the end.

So for the thing that I did enjoy to start off with. I really enjoyed the setting of this one. It was super creepy & eerie feeling and it had so much potential if the rest of the story had followed through.

So mostly I think it was the writing that overall let this one down. To begin with the writing just felt super flat! I didn’t feel engaged in the story or hooked to it in anyway. Because of that I ended up not really caring what happened or about the characters. As for the characters I just couldn’t connect with them at all. Again they were just flat. It didn’t really feel like they had a personality or individuality that we were meant to connect with. The MC described the other characters & their personalities but it didn’t really follow through to what we actually saw of those characters.

Then there was the kind of romance I guess you could call it. You guys know that I’m not a huge romance fan but in this case I don’t believe it was just my dislike of YA romances that was an issue. The romance was just bad. The romance was just completely pointless and did not anything to the story. It felt forced and like the author was kinda only half going for it. To some degree it felt like the romance was just there to make sure you understood that the 2 girls were not straight.. I love a LGBT feature in a book but it wasn’t necessary to throw this not very thought out and forced romance in there just to prove the sexuality of the two characters. We believed it perfectly fine when the MC mentions it, it didn’t need to be anything more.

Then lastly I just want to talk about the plot. So, the plot was unpredictable but because the writing was so flat the ‘big reveals’ just left me thinking ‘oh, yeah okay’ and not ‘holy shit I didn’t see that coming’. There just wasn’t that anxious excitement of wanting to know what would come next.

So overall there was only one thing I really liked about this book. This one just really disappointed me! It had so much potential between the setting and the overall idea/synopsis of the world/plot but the writing just let it down majorly!

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Tags Book, Book Blog, Book Blogger, Book Review, Bookish, Books, Review, Spoiler Free Review, Wilder Girls

Reviews

As She Ascends by Jodi Meadows 💫 Spoiler Free Review

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date September 11, 2019
1 Comment on As She Ascends by Jodi Meadows 💫 Spoiler Free Review

Title: As She Ascends
Series: Fallen Isles
Author: Jodi Meadows
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: September 11th, 2018
Pages: 550
Publishers: Katherine Tegen Books
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

Mira, the Hopebearer

Mira Minkoba is on the run with her friends after a fiery escape from the Pit, where she’d been imprisoned for defending the dragons she loves. And she wants answers. Where have all the dragons been taken? Why are powerful noorestones being shipped to the mainland? And did the treaty she’s been defending her whole life truly sell out the Fallen Isles to their enemies?

Mira, the Dragonhearted

As her connection to the dragons—and their power—grows stronger, so does Mira’s fear that she might lose control and hurt someone she loves. But the only way to find the truth is to go home again, to Damina, to face the people who betrayed her and the parents she’s not sure she can trust.

Home, where she must rise above her fears. Or be consumed.

BEFORE SHE IGNITES REVIEW

So firstly, if you have seen my review for Before She Ignites then you may have noticed that I rated it 5 stars. However, I definitely believe that As She Ascends was a lot better than Before She Ignites. I wrote the review for Before She Ignites AGES ago, well before I really figured out my rating system. I’m also more critical now than I was when I reviewed Before She Ignites. Looking back now I would probably only rate Before She Ignites a 4 stars.

So, as I said I enjoyed As She Ascends even more than Before She Ignites! This book is full of unpredictable twists and turns that kept you guessing the entire book! As She Ascends also felt a lot more fast paced than Before She Ignites which made it more engaging and kept you wanting to know what would happen next.

I enjoyed how this series including As She Ascends plays with time & POVs. In this one we get the past from the POV of one of the side characters leading up to the events of Before She Ignites. Which I thought was quite interesting. I enjoyed learning more about them & it helped you develop a better understand on this world & that character.

I also enjoyed that we got even more into the political side of things in this book. I imagine it will be even more prominent in book 3, When She Reigns, which I can’t wait for. It helps develop the world and the background and adds another interest factor.

Also just the development in this book, from the plot to the characters everything to flowed and grew in this book. I love learning about this world which is developing more and more with each book. The character development as well was really well done. We learn more about the characters and see them develop together as a team & as people.

Lastly, from by review of Before She Ignites, I still think this book needs a map! This would be the perfect book for a map displaying all the islands & there placement. There is a fair amount of boat travel in this one and it would be nice to get a better idea of that journey with a map

So overall, there is so many elements in this book that I enjoyed. From the characters, to the world, to the writing. It’s just all done so damn well! I can’t wait to get my hands on Book 3, When She Reigns which I ordered about an hour ago! Hopefully it will arrive soon and I can jump straight in!

You can order a copy for yourself at any of the links below.

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Have you read As She Ascends?
What did you rate it?
Are you keen for When She Reigns?!

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Tags As She Ascends, Before She Ignites, Book, Book Blog, Book Blogger, Book Review, Bookish, bookreview, Books, Jodi Meadows, Review, Spoiler Free Review

Challenges/Readathons

MateAThon 🇦🇺 Round 2 💫 Announcement!

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date September 10, 2019

It’s time for Round 2 of MateAThon! MateAThon is an Australian themed ReadAThon but you don’t have to be Aussie to participate!

Also, welcome our fellow Aussie Co-Hosts and follow them on Social Media!
Sammi
Blog: One Bookish Girl
Insta: OneBookishGirl
Twitter: Sam_BookishGirl
Annie
Insta: Read3rZ_revu
Twitter: Read3rZ
Sam
Blog: She Writes About It
Insta: She Writes About Books
Twitter: SamanthaSWAI
Caitlin
Insta: TakeALookAtMyBook

WHEN: starting at 12:01am on the 14th and finishing at midnight on the 23rd of October in your timezone!

If you are planning on participating please use the hashtag #MateAThon on social media so we can see your posts!!

Reading Challenges

Firstly, you are allowed to use 1 book for up to 2 challenges but no more than 2.

Challenge 1: Read a book by an Aussie author

Challenge 2: Read a book with the letters M A T E in the title

Challenge 3: Read a book with Green & Gold (or Yellow) on the cover

Challenge 4: Read a book recommended by an Aussie

Challenge 5: Read a book with a map

Challenge 6: Read a 2019 release

Challenge 7: Read a book with a title that is 4 or more words

Team Competition!

This round we are having Teams for the ReadAThon! You do not have to join the teams but it’s just a fun bonus!

The teams are based on Australian Animals of course!

Team Captains!

Dingo: Eliza @ Dusk Angel Reads
Koala: Sammi @ One Bookish Girl & Sam @ She Writes About Books
Wallaby: Annie @ Read3rZ
Kookaburra: Caitlin @ TakeALookAtMyBook

How to earn points!

1 point – Per page read
10 points – Per reading challenge completed
5 points – Per twitter sprint participated in
5 points – Per Instagram Challenge completed

After you are assigned a team you will need to add how many pages you read each day of the ReadAThon & also when you complete a reading challenge! This is how you will earn the majority of your points, so make sure you keep it up to date to help your team out!
You can do that HERE!

Giveaways!

I will be hosting some bookmark giveaways throughout the ReadAThon on both Instagram & Twitter! So make sure you follow both & turn on Twitter notifications so you don’t miss out!

Instagram Challenge

Make sure you use #MateAThonIG on Instagram when you post your challenges so that your points go towards your team!

Social Media!

Again, don’t forget to use #MateAThon when posting on Social Media!

Twitter

Instagram

Are you planning on participating?!
Let me know what you’re most looking forward to on your TBR!

Purchase any of the books mentioned from BOOK DEPOSITORY! World Wide FREE shipping and awesome prices? Can’t say no to that!

All the links!

Tags Announcement, Book, Book Blog, Book Blogger, Bookish, Books, MateAThon, ReadAThon, ReadAThon Announcement, Reading

Reviews

The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman 💫 Spoiler Free Review

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date September 10, 2019
5 Comments on The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman 💫 Spoiler Free Review

Title: The Devouring Gray
Series: The Devouring Gray
Author: Christine Lynn Herman
Genre: YA Diverse Fantasy
Publication Date: April 2nd, 2019
Pages: 368
Publishers: Titan Books
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

On the edge of town a beast haunts the woods, trapped in the Gray, its bonds loosening…

Uprooted from the city, Violet Saunders doesn’t have much hope of fitting in at her new school in Four Paths, a town almost buried in the woodlands of rural New York. The fact that she’s descended from one of the town’s founders doesn’t help much, either—her new neighbours treat her with distant respect, and something very like fear. When she meets Justin, May, Isaac, and Harper, all children of founder families, and sees the otherworldly destruction they can wreak, she starts to wonder if the townsfolk are right to be afraid.

When bodies start to appear in the woods, the locals become downright hostile. Can the teenagers solve the mystery of Four Paths, and their own part in it, before another calamity strikes?

This was a bloody amazing debut! This book was an intense & creepy read that I just couldn’t put down! In the beginning this book was a little confusing. You are thrown straight in with no background which usually would irritate me but I think it was done really well. There was enough that left you curious & interested. Then slowly you are given background and this world blossoms around you.

This book was extremely atmospheric! You couldn’t help being engrossed in this world and the setting. It was creepy, vivid and very well developed. The setting & atmosphere of this book was probably my favourite part of the book. The plot and characters were great but the atmosphere is what really made this book for me.

The plot was very unpredictbale! There were plenty of twists and turns which kept me gripped to this story the whole time! I just didn’t want to put it down .

All of the characters were very well developed as well! They all felt fleshed out and realistic. I also really enjoyed the multi POV of this one! Even though there was no direct indication of whose POV you were reading from at the time there was no confusion. Each of the POV felt very individual to the character, with their own personality.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for book 2! Everything was very well developed, from the setting to the characters. The book was gripping and I just couldn’t put it down!

You can order a copy for yourself at any of the links below.

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Have you read The Devouring Gray?
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What was your favourite aspect of the book?

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Tags Book, Book Blog, Book Blogger, Book Review, Bookish, bookreview, Books, Christine Lynn Herman, Review, Spoiler Free Review

Reviews

One Word Kill by Mark Lawerence – Spoiler Free Review

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date September 9, 2019
4 Comments on One Word Kill by Mark Lawerence – Spoiler Free Review

Title: One Word Kill
Series Name: Impossible Times
Author: Mark Lawerence
Genre: Adult Sci-Fi Fantasy
Publication Date: May 1st, 2019
Pages: 201 (Paperback)
Publishers: 47North
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

In January 1986, fifteen-year-old boy-genius Nick Hayes discovers he’s dying. And it isn’t even the strangest thing to happen to him that week.

Nick and his Dungeons & Dragons-playing friends are used to living in their imaginations. But when a new girl, Mia, joins the group and reality becomes weirder than the fantasy world they visit in their weekly games, none of them are prepared for what comes next. A strange—yet curiously familiar—man is following Nick, with abilities that just shouldn’t exist. And this man bears a cryptic message: Mia’s in grave danger, though she doesn’t know it yet. She needs Nick’s help—now.

He finds himself in a race against time to unravel an impossible mystery and save the girl. And all that stands in his way is a probably terminal disease, a knife-wielding maniac and the laws of physics.

Challenge accepted.

So just a little note, I actually read this back in July. I was planning on reading book 2, which I also had from NetGalley soon after & review them together as they are very short books. But here I am in September and I still haven’t read book 2. So I finally decided to review this one. I am basing this review on my memory of a book I read a couple months ago, so it may not be super indepth.

At the time this was the first book I had read by Mark Lawernce and I was not disappointed. The author created this very mysterious but vivid world full of time travel and other odd sci-fi stuff but with the background of the 1980s and blended it all together brilliantly. Everything is in this 200 page book was thought out and very well developed. Of course there was mystery but that’s the whole idea.

Also this super short book kept me hooked from page 1 to page 201! It was full of twists & turns, none of which were predictable. It was gripping and just dragged you into it with full force.

I really enjoyed the strong friendships that Lawerence built in One Word Kill. You felt like you were part of them and it made you care about the characters just as much as they did each other in the story. The characters were very well developed as well which made it easier to connect with them as they felt more real. There was of course a blossoming romance which I didn’t hate. It developed well and didn’t feel overly tropey in any way which is a plus.

I will say that there is a trigger warning for Cancer, however it’s not a major part of the plot, it’s just apart of that characters life and it comes up throughout the book.

Overall, for a book this short it well and truly packs a punch. I recommend picking this one up and I can’t wait to have time to continue the series.

Thank you to NetGalley & 47North for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

You can order a copy for yourself at any of the links below.

You could also use my affiliate links for Book Depository if you would like to support this blog!

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Have you had the opportunity to read this one yet?
Did you enjoy it as much as I did?

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Tags Book, Book Blog, Book Blogger, Book Review, Bookish, Books, Mark Lawerence, One Word Kill, Review, Spoiler Free Review

Reviews

Graphic Novel 📚 Misfit City, The Woods & Heartstopper 💫 Mashup Mini Spoiler Free Reviews

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date September 8, 2019
2 Comments on Graphic Novel 📚 Misfit City, The Woods & Heartstopper 💫 Mashup Mini Spoiler Free Reviews

Misfit City, Vol 1: The Arrow

Title: Misfit City: Vol 1
Series: Misfit City
Author: Kirsten Smith, Kurt Lustgarten & Naomi Franquiz
Genre: YA Mystery
Publication Date: December 19th, 2017
Pages: 112
Publishers: BOOM! Box
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

Nothing’s happened in Wilder’s hometown since they filmed that cult kids’ adventure movie there in the 80s…Until one day, she and her friends come upon a centuries-old pirate map!

Smothered by her backwater hometown and frustrated by its 1980s cult-movie fame (The Gloomies…have you seen it? It’s a real classic, y’know.), Wilder is pretty sure she’s seen everything Cannon Cove has to offer. She’s desperate to get away from home as soon as she can, and move on to bigger, better, and less annoying things…even if that might mean leaving her best friends behind.

But when Wilder discovers a centuries-old pirate map, she may find out that REAL adventure was in their tiny town all along…and they need each other to get to the bottom of it! It’s a rip-roaring adventure written by award-winning screenwriter Kiwi Smith (10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde) and Kurt Lustgarten, and illustrated by Naomi Franquiz.

This is one of the only Graphic Novels I’ve read that I was hooked basically straight away! I love a good mystery so I was intrigued from the very beginning and I can’t wait to continue to the next volume!
This one so far is easy to follow & mysterious which I’m loving. I’ve only read 1 volume so far, so not quite far enough in to really get into the plot and get a real feel for the characters just yet but enjoying both so far.
Also I love that there is dog in this one that just comes along for all the adventures. That would be my girl too!

The Woods: Vol 1, 2 & 3

Title: The Woods, Vol 1: The Arrow
Series: The Woods
Author: James Tynion IV & Michael Dialynas
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Horror
Publication Date: September 23rd, 2014
Pages: 128 & 112
Publishers: BOOM! Studios
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

Title: The Woods, Vol 2: The Swarm
Series:The Woods
Author: James Tynion IV & Michael Dialynas
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Horror
Publication Date: May 12th, 2015
Pages: 112
Publishers: BOOM! Studios
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

An entire high school has been transported to an alien world and must now survive together or die individually.

On October 16, 2013, 437 students, 52 teachers, and 24 additional staff from Bay Point Preparatory High School in suburban Milwaukee, WI vanished without a trace. Countless light years away, far outside the bounds of the charted universe, 513 people find themselves in the middle of an ancient, primordial wilderness. Where are they? Why are they there? The answers will prove stranger than anyone could possibly imagine. Catch a glimpse of Bay Point Preparatory High School before the fateful events of October 16, 2013 in this new story arc. On opening night of the school’s rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the lives of the students and faculty crossed paths in an almost premonitory way, seeding the various horrors to come. Collects The Woods #5-8.

Title: The Woods, Vol 2: New London
Series: The Woods
Author: James Tynion IV & Michael Dialynas
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Horror
Publication Date: Jan 19th, 2016
Pages: 112
Publishers: BOOM! Studios
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

The first year of the GLAAD nominated series concludes. The more the crew finds out about the woods, the deeper the mystery gets. With Clay and the Duke teaming up to try and force the school into servitude for the New London army, the kids need to think up a plan to save their peers, and fast. And with Adrian uncontrollable and on the loose, no one knows what his next move will be

So I’ll review these three volumes together.
Firstly, this series so far is just freaking weird, but I enjoy it. This is a YA Sci-Fi Graphic Novel that is very mysterious and crazy. This one is full of weird things happening with no explanation and these kids are just basically trying to figure out what the hell is happening. Vol 3 I have enjoyed least out of the 3 volumes I’ve read so far. It introduced this second timeline and was kinda hard to follow at times. It felt very choppy and all over the place which I didn’t love. Basically with this series I am just super curious to find out how and why all this happened, which is keeping me hooked enough to keep going even though its a bit confusing at times. Hopefully I’ll enjoy Vol 4 more than I did Vol 3.

Heartstopper: Vol 1 & 2

Title: Heartstopper: Vol 1
Series: Heartstopper
Author: Alice Oseman
Genre: YA LGBT Contemporary
Publication Date: October, 2018
Pages: 278
Publishers: Hodder Children’s Books
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore, and he’s sort of got a boyfriend, even if he’s kind of mean and only wants to meet up in secret.

Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him. That is, until the start of January, in which Nick and Charlie are placed in the same form group and made to sit together.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…

From the author of Solitaire and Radio Silence comes a bind up of the first two chapters of Heartstopper, an ongoing webcomic.

Title: Heartstopper: Vol 2
Series: Heartstopper
Author: Alice Oseman
Genre: YA LGBT Contemporary
Publication Date: July 11th, 2019
Pages: 296
Publishers: Hodder Children’s Books
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. An LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the second volume of HEARTSTOPPER, for fans of The Art of Being Normal, Holly Bourne and Love, Simon.

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie’s gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn’t.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family … and himself.

Heartstopper is about friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.

This is the second volume of Heartstopper, with more to come.

As you probably know by now, I don’t really enjoy romance books. However, there is something about Alice Oseman’s writing & stories that I just enjoy. This one is basically straight up romance but I still enjoyed it. It’s just a super fun, easy and light read. Also, I loved realising how these characters tie into Alice Oseman’s other book, Solitaire. Nick is one of the main characters of Heartstopper & his sister, Tori, is the main character of Solitaire. So that was a fun discovery.
Also, Heartstopper started out as a webcomic before being turned into physical books that they are still releasing. You can read the webcomic HERE!

Have you read any of these Graphic Novels?
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Tags Alice Oseman, Book, Book Blog, Book Blogger, Book Review, Bookish, Books, Graphic Novel, Heartstopper, James Tynion IV, Kirsten Smith, Kurt Lustgarten, Mash up reviews, Micahel Dialynas, Misfit City, Naomi Franquiz, Spoiler Free Review, The Woods

Reviews

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho 💫 Spoiler Free Review

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date September 7, 2019
2 Comments on Wicked Fox by Kat Cho 💫 Spoiler Free Review

Title: Wicked Fox
Series: Gumiho
Author: Kat Cho
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: June 25th, 2019
Pages: 429
Publishers: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

A fresh and addictive fantasy-romance set in modern-day Seoul.

Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret–she’s a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt.

But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead–her gumiho soul–in the process.

Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl–he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to humans. He’s drawn to her anyway.

With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon’s.

So, you may be able to tell by my rating, but I didn’t love this book. One of the main reasons for that was the writing.

Firstly, there were times in this book were the writing felt super rushed. This resulted in some parts being confusing and hard to follow. I found myself rereading sections to try and understand what was actually happening. It also felt jumpy sometimes too. The writing just didn’t flow nicely and it felt choppy and rushed and confusing.

I also don’t think Miyoung was written very well. Jihoon was done well though. He had personality & felt fleshed out whereas Miyoung’s character just felt 2 dimensional. There was no distinguishing features to her and barely any personality. She just felt like a cardboard cut out of a typical YA female character.

Then there was the romance which was straight up instalove. It was also very predictable and felt forced. At times it felt like the romance was in there just because there had to be a romance. I never felt an actual connection between the characters but that could be the result of Miyoung’s very flat personality.

And speaking of predictability I felt like majority of the book was predictable. I’m pretty sure I guessed majority of the plot points/twists that were in there. Also, some of the plot twists were kinda ridiculous. It felt like the author was just throwing them in there for the sake of having plot twists.

Lastly, I want to know more about this world & the mythical creatures! I understand that the book is based around Gumiho, so there was plenty of talk about it but I wanted more. There were other mythical creatures/beings mentioned but it was just in passing. There was barley any substance or detail given about them. I guess this might be fine if you grew up in the culture that heard about these in fairytales and such as kids, but what about the rest of us?

Actually, lastly some advice for the characters. TELL THE FREAKING TRUTH FOR ONCE!!! The characters drove me mad constantly lying and covering stuff up. Just the tell truth, get it out of the road and move the hell on. Holding it in is just going to make shit worse when the truth does come out, because it will.

So, overall I didn’t love this book. The writing just fell flat in a lot of places for me. I can see how this would be entertaining to someone who loves tropey romances but that is just not me, at all. I will not be continuing onto book 2 of the duology when it releases.

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Tags 3 Star Review, Book, Book Blog, Book Blogger, Book Review, Bookish, bookreview, Books, Gumiho, Kat Cho, Review, Spoiler Free Review, Wicked Fox

TBR

Hogwarts House Battles + September 💫 TBR

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date September 3, 2019
4 Comments on Hogwarts House Battles + September 💫 TBR

So, you may have seen my post last week with my TBR for September & Reading Rivalry. Well it is 3 days into September and I decided to leave the Reading Rivalry groups. This is mainly because the people running things were so damn pushy. I joined the group for the reading only but was pushed to answer questions and post daily instagram posts (or weekly reviews) and if you didn’t comment or post then you would get tagged in posts with reminders.. Which even after 3 days was just getting bloody irritating. I don’t mind doing a monthly insta challenge but I don’t like being pushed to post if I don’t feel like it and I prefer ones that have challenges anyone can do. This challenge was very US based from what I could tell. Day 2s challenge being ‘Labour Day’, which is COMPLETELY irrelevant to me. For one, it is not labour day here in Australia and 2 basically no one in Australia (myself included) gives a damn about Labour Day. It means nothing to us besides a day off work/school. So why would I make a post about it?
So anyways, I just had an issue with how things were run on that group and made the decision just to leave it as it wasn’t worth the irritation.

Now, onto the actual TBR! After posting my last TBR I decided to join the Hogwarts House Battles, so here is my TBR for that!

Alchemy – New Forms – Read a recommendation from a friend

I was recommended this one a while back and I was going to use it for a similar challenge for the NEWTs but didn’t get to it. So I’m putting it on this TBR instead! I have started this one and am about 50 pages in and I’m intrigued so far.

Apparition – Teleportation – Only Read this book in public

This challenge I will be skipping as I don’t read any books in public except for the odd few pages when waiting at the Drs.

Arithmancy – Numbers – Read a book with a number in the title

The Woods: Vol 3 has the number 3 in the title. It’s also the next volume I need to read and I’m keen to continue.

Astronomy – Reading under the stars – Only read this book at Night

I haven’t chosen a specific book for this one but I will likely just pick up a graphic novel or novella that I can finish in one sitting at night.

Care of Magical Creatures – The Beasts – Read a book with an animal on the cover

Appointment with Death has a snake on the cover, so it fits. It’s also the next book in the Hercule Poirot series that I need to read!

Charms – Something New & Unexpected – Read a “New-To-You” Book

Ford this one basically what I did was went onto Scribd, into the audiobook section and looked at the recommendation until I found a cover hat I hadn’t seen before. I then looked up the genre on Goodreads, mainly to make sure it wasn’t romance heavy & also checked it wasn’t a sequel. And this is what I found, which actually sounds right up my alley. It’s a Historical Fiction set during WWII which it the part of Historical Fiction I gravitate towards.

Defence Against the Dark Arts – Can’t Last – Read a book you previously put down

Furyborn I started to read physically just after it came out. I was trying to get out of a reading slump at the time and was told by a few people that it was pretty slow going, so I decided to put it down. A slow book didn’t sound like the best idea for a slump. So I’m going to give it another go but this time via audiobook.

Divination – The Future – Read a predicted 5 star read

The Devil’s Thief is the second book to The Last Magician which I really enjoyed! I just still haven’t gotten to The Devil’s Thief yet! I haven’t decided whether I will read this physically or on audiobook. I want to read it physically but it is huge and kinda intimidating. I also originally read book 1 on audiobook, so I’m indecisive on whether I should audiobook or physically read it!

Flying – Fly High – Read your most anticipated book

At the moment this is the book that I’m super keen to get into, so I’m considering it my most anticipated.

Herbology – Caring – Read a book that means a lot to you

I haven’t chosen a book for this one specifically as I don’t know if I’ll do the challenge. Of course I would reread Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone for this challenge but I only just finished another reread of the whole series this morning, so if I have time I might do it but it won’t be top priority.

History of Magic – Historical – Read a book from another generation

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas is well and truly from another generation considering it was published in 1938. This is also the next book after Appointment with Death in the series!

Muggle Studies – Blending In – Read a hyped book

The Shades of London series in general is super hyped and I’ve been meaning to read this one for ages! So I thought it was time to add this one to a TBR!

Potions – Mixing – Read a genre you wouldn’t usually pick up

I haven’t chosen a book for this one as I have felt a little slumpy lately, so at the moment I don’t think it’s the best idea to be picking up something I wouldn’t usually and risking making the slump worse. If later in the month I feel like it I might choose something but for now I’m not.

Study of Ancient Runes – Ancients – Read a classic novel

I don’t generally read classics as they usually aren’t genres I’m interested in or are very romance heavy, so I haven’t picked anything for this one.

Transfiguration – Change – Read the Last Book You Bought

As of right now the last book I bought was a Harry Potter Box Set which is strictly for display only, so I will not be reading that one. I will basically choose a book for this one if I buy something else between now & the end of the month.

The rest of my September TBR!

Okay, so I have put the covers for the two Year Book Editions of The Woods just to display that I want to finish all the issues that are currently out rather than putting all of the volume covers.
House of Salt and Sorrows I saw on Scribd yesterday on Audiobook! I’ve been seeing it around and the cover is gorgeous, so I want to pick it up!
Spin the Dawn is also on audiobook on scribd. I do own it physically but I feel like picking up the audiobook at the moment. But will see what happens throughout the month!
Kriss is a Graphic Novel eARC that I need to get to and I’m super keen to jump in!
We are Blood and Thunder is a review copy I got from Bloomsbury and I really need to get to it! Just haven’t had the chance yet. So I’m keen to get into it.

Well that is all of the books currently on my TBR!
What are you most looking forward to in September?!

Purchase any of the books mentioned from BOOK DEPOSITORY! World Wide FREE shipping and awesome prices? Can’t say no to that!

All the links!

Tags Book, Book Blog, Book Blogger, Bookish, Books, Hogwarts House Battles, ReadAThon, September TBR, TBR

Reviews

Archangel One by Evan Currie 💫 DNF Review

Post author By Eliza Eames
Post date August 27, 2019
2 Comments on Archangel One by Evan Currie 💫 DNF Review

Title: Archangel One
Author: Evan Currie
Genre: Adult Sci-Fi
Publication Date: September 1st, 2019
Pages: 272
Publishers: 47North

Goodreads Synopsis

An elite squadron must go undercover behind enemy lines in this thrilling new space adventure from the author of the Odyssey One series.

Humanity has reached an uneasy truce with the Empire—but unless the allies bring the fight to the enemy, extinction is all but assured. In preparation for the inevitable next war, Commander Stephen Michaels is at the helm of the Archangel Squadron, and his orders are simple: go rogue.

Disguised as mercenaries, Commander Michaels and the Archangels seek valuable intelligence on their imposing foe. Their mission takes them deep into uncharted territory, where they make inroads with the Empire, fiercely guarding their true identities and purpose. Fighting for the enemy goes against everything they stand for, but these are desperate times.

As their deception increases, so does the risk. With the Empire’s deadliest secrets within reach, Commander Michaels and the Archangels accept a mission that will take them even deeper into the Imperial fold. They know all too well that one wrong step won’t just end their lives—it could end their entire civilization.

Normally, I wouldn’t review something that I only read about 10% of before DNFing but as there was a pretty specific thing I had an issue with I wanted to share.

So my issue with this book is straight up the writing. As I said I only read about 10% of this one before DNFing, so the writing might have improved after that, I don’t know. What I read though I found very difficult to get through.
Firstly, some of the writing was quite technical and I just didn’t understand what was being talked about. This is an adult Sci-Fi and I don’t have a tonne of experience with the genre or a tonne of knowledge. So, with all the technical terms I was a little lost.
Next was the speech between characters. It all felt very formal. Like there wasn’t emotion or meaning behind it and the conversations just felt forced and didn’t flow. I don’t know how else to describe it, so I hope you kinda understand what I mean.
Lastly, the writing itself was just bland. I just didn’t find myself interested or hooked in any way as the writing just felt flat.

I didn’t get far enough in to really have strong thoughts on the characters or plot yet but the writing is the reason I DNFd and I just wanted to share that.