I may have cut back on the number of posts I put out each week, but that doesnāt mean that there werenāt some good ones. Weāre going to keep this intro short (like the month of June ā seriously, where did it go?) and sweet, because I want to curl up in bed and read Web Comics.
Priorities, amirite?
So, letās jump in! Continue reading “Posts You Mightāve Missed This Month #6”
I struggled to figure out how to start this post. I canāt tell you why the words didnāt come to me, but I opened the word doc and *poof* nothing. No words. I just stared at a blank page until I saw double.
So here I am, with no idea, no motivation so I figured Iād just start typing. Itās been a while since Iāve done any kind of life update, so letās go.
Quick Recap/Update before I dive into what Iām reading and watching.
You might have noticed that Iāve not been posting as much. For about a month now, itās been a bit of a struggle to find the time, energy and motivation to create content. I have a full-time job, 40 hours/week and right now itās a bit chaotic. Itās also hot as hell at work, and that saps my energy like nothing else. So already, Iām tired by the time I go home. Then I have to come home and do all the stuff that I couldnāt do because of work ā i.e. walk Codigo, make dinner, make tomorrowās lunch, shower and squeeze some kind of nap in. There are some days that Iām so wiped from work, that I legit canāt function without a nap. I also have to do blog stuff, read and try to write.
I just donāt physically have the time. Itās frustrating and I found myself not really caring if I put content out. So, I cut back. Took a step back. For the next while, youāre probably only going to see 1 post per day. I donāt want to completely stop blogging, because I do still love it and Iāve worked my ass off to get where I am, I just need less stress. You also might see me just not post, or take a long weekend off. This will allow me time to actually unwind and even possibly get some writing in. But itāll also let me schedule more posts in advance, taking stress off me during the week.
And with not posting 2x a day, I donāt have to speed read books in 2 days. I was burning out. Since taking a step back, Iāve actually be able to read for fun ā like, read books that I donāt feel the desire to review. I can just get lost in a story, completely stress free. I honestly canāt remember the last time I read a book where I didnāt feel pressured to review it.
So, Iāll still be around, and Iāll still be putting out content! Donāt worry! I just wonāt be as active.
With all that being said, letās take a look at what Iām currently reading and watching ā there are quite a few things! Continue reading “Currently Reading & Watching #27 + Little Life Update”
Title: Zodiac Academy: The Awakening
Author: Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Pub. Date: August 2, 2019
Pages: 498
Pub: Independently Published
Genre: NA Paranormal Fantasy
Rating: āļøāļø.5
You have been selected to attend Zodiac Academy, where your star sign defines your destiny.
If you’re one of theĀ Fae, elemental magic is in your blood. And apparently it’s in ours. As twins born in the month of Gemini, we’re a rare breed even in thisĀ academy of supernatural a-holes.
Changelings were outlawed hundreds of years ago but I guess our birth parents didn’t get the memo. Which means we’re totally unprepared for the ruthless world ofĀ Fae.
Air. Fire. Water. Earth.
No one has ever harnessed all four of them, until we arrived. And it hasn’t made us any friends so far.
As the rarest Elementals ever known, we’re already a threat to theĀ four celestial heirs; the popular, vindictive bullies who happen to be some of the hottest guys we’ve ever seen. It doesn’t help that they’re the most dangerous beasts in the Academy. And probably on earth too.
Our fates are intertwined, but they want us gone. They’ve only got until the lunar eclipse to force us out and they’ll stop at nothing to succeed.
We never knew we had a birthright to live up to but now that we do, we intend to claim our throne.
We can’t expect any help from the faculty when it comes to defending ourselves. So if theĀ dragon shiftersĀ want some target practice, theĀ werewolvesĀ want someone to hunt or theĀ vampiresĀ fancy a snack then we have to be ready. But we’ve been looking after each other for a long time and fighting back is in our blood.
Today’s horoscope: totally screwed.
This will be a spoiler free review. I listened to the audiobook via Audible.Ā
I first saw this recommend on BookTok and honestly, that should have been my first warning.
Words and phrases like dark academia, dark Harry Potter, Draco+Hermione Romance and a few other choice clickbait things that made me go āooo that sounds good, let me buy that.ā
It sat on my kindle for a few months ā I just didnāt have the time or the energy to read it.
Then I noticed that the audiobook came out, so I bought it and downloaded it. Right off the bat ā the MCās (the twin sisters) were damn annoying. The writing style left a lot to be desired and I was just seriously underwhelmed. But I kept going. I wanted to give it a fair chance and I was at work with nothing better to listen to. Okay, well thatās a lie, but I really wanted to find out if the book lived up to the hype I saw surrounding it on BookTok.
I know where they got Dark Harry Potter from ā itās set at a magical school ā but honestly, this felt more like dark Winx Club. No, not the live action Netflix adaptation Winx Club ā but like, if someone took the animated show, aged the characters up a few years and made it dark. I kind of found the whole thing ridiculous and I kind of wish I hadnāt read it ā or wasted the money on it.
I know Iām being harsh, but yāall this book wasnāt it. I really donāt understand why it has such a high rating. From unlikeable MCās, to really surface level writing with like, no description, a fucking convoluted af magic system that I couldnāt keep straight ā it just wasnāt that good. Now, by the time I reached the end of the book I was wishing that all those things were big turnoffs for me, because the plot is actually kind of interesting. Like, if all those things were better ā even marginally so ā I could probably convince myself to read book 2 and the rest of the series. But as it stands, itās not enough to keep me interested.
I guess I wonāt say that Iāll never read book 2 (or the rest of the series) because curiosity might win out, but Iām not holding my breath.
I wasnāt a fan of the MCās, so Iām not wasting time on them. I just found them to be annoying, immature and shallow.
As for the other Heirs, something must be wrong with me, because I liked them so much more, including the teacher. I get that this is a Bully Romance and therefore theyāre going to be giant asses to the MCās, but it was kind of annoying and just felt like they were being mean for the sake of being mean, instead of being rooted in actual emotion. But with that being said, I found them infinitely more interesting and entertaining to read about than the MCās. I do wish the book had been multiple POVs with the 4 heirs included, instead of just the two sisters. I always find it more interesting when we get to see inside their (love interests) heads.
The magic system annoyed the shit out of me. Okay, tied to the Zodiac signs, cool, cool. I can get behind that. Faeā¦sureā¦oh but every kind of fae and/or supernatural creature known to manā¦okay thatās a lot to keep track of. And elemental magic?
Honestly if theyād just not used Fae anything in this book, it would have been so much better. Or even narrowed it down to just a few core creatures. But Zodiac signs tend to come with their own abilities and classifications + the elemental magic would have been more than enough. I couldnāt keep the magic system straight and it just felt jumbled and crowded.
Overall, this just wasnāt for me. Iām bummed because it honestly sounded like it would be. I am glad I stuck it out and finished the book, because the plot wasnāt necessarily bad. Maybe one day Iāll read the second one, but until then, Iām not going to really recommend this. If it sounds like something you might like, give it a go! It might be right up your alley! It might be a case where the first one is so-so and the rest are fantastic. If thatās the case, let me know LOL.
Yāall this cover.
When I saw it in the email, I freaked out. Itās stunning.
I read Sing Me Forgotten last year and really enjoyed it. You give me a Phantom of the Opera retelling; Iām going to eat it up. I instantly became a Jessica S. Olson fan, so imagine my pure excitement when she announced she had a new book coming out?
It was through the roof.
And yāall, it sounds absolutely amazing.
SYNOPSIS:
Myra Whitlock has a gift. One many would kill for.
Sheās an artist whose portraits alter peopleās real-life bodies, a talent she must hide from those who would kidnap, blackmail, and worse in order to control it. Guarding that secret is the only way to keep her younger sister safe now that their parents are gone.
But one frigid night, the governorās wife discovers the truth and threatens to expose Myra if she does not complete a special portrait that would resurrect the governor’s dead son. Desperate, Myra ventures to his legendary stone mansion.
Once she arrives, however, it becomes clear the boyās death was no accident. Someone dangerous lurks within these glittering halls. Someone harboring a disturbing obsession with portrait magic.
Myra cannot do the painting until she knows what really happened, so she turns to the governorās older son, a captivating redheaded poet. Together, they delve into the familyās most shadowed affairs, racing to uncover the truth before the secret Myra spent her life concealing makes her the killerās next victim.
From Sing Me Forgotten author Jessica S. Olson comes a gothic fantasy murder mystery perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Erin A. Craig. (GR)
Do you ever just read a book and it blows you away?
Transports you on a journey that you never want to come back from?
Okay, maybe thatās a dumb question, since you here, reading this post. Youāre probably a book lover, a story enthusiast and you love falling head over heels into a book. Am I right?
Probably.
Most likely.
But do you ever go into a book, expecting to love it, only to be utterly ā and I mean utterly ā blown away by how much you love it? Your expectations might be high, or you might not know what to expect (except for a good read) and the book just blows it all out of the water. Then youāre left wanting moreā¦another bookā¦anything?
If youāre like me, then I know the answer is yes.
When I first requested Shielded of NetGalley last year (or maybe in late 2019) I honestly thought this was a Nordic/Viking retelling of some sort. While there are some clear influences, itās really just this epic fantasy book, with amazing characters, a vivid world, so much conflict, survival, bad assery, and romance. It surprised me in the best way possible. I knew I was going to enjoy it, but I didnāt really expect it to become a favorite. Continue reading “Spotlight Post ā Shielded Series by KayLynn Flanders”
Title: Of Goblins and Gold
Author: Emma Hamm
Pub. Date: January 5, 2021
Pages: 242
Pub: Not Listed
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: āļøāļøāļøāļø
To save her sister, she must beat a goblin at his own game…
Freya knows the sound of goblin bells. She knows to move to the side of the road and let them pass. Never buy any of their wares. And above all else, never make a deal with the monstrous beasts.
But when her sister takes a necklace and is kidnapped, Freya knows there is no other choice. She must journey to the realm of the fae where the Goblin King himself has stolen her sister. Once there, she must perform four tasks to save the only family she has left.
The Goblin King won’t make this easy, however. He always seems one step ahead of her. To defeat him, she’ll have to put everything on the line.
Even her heart. Continue reading “Book Review: Of Goblins and Gold (Of Goblin Kings #1)”
Title: Daughter of Sparta
Author: Claire M. Andrews
Pub. Date: June 8, 2021
Pages: 400
Pub: Jimmy Patterson Books
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy Retellings
Rating: āļøāļøāļøāļø
Sparta forged her into a deadly weapon. Now the Gods need her to save the world!
Seventeen-year-old Daphne has spent her entire life honing her body and mind into that of a warrior, hoping to be accepted by the unyielding people of ancient Sparta. But an unexpected encounter with the goddess Artemisāwho holds Daphne’s brother’s fate in her handsāupends the life she’s worked so hard to build. Nine mysterious items have been stolen from Mount Olympus and if Daphne cannot find them, the gods’ waning powers will fade away, the mortal world will descend into chaos, and her brother’s life will be forfeit.
Guided by Artemis’s twin-the handsome and entirely-too-self-assured god Apollo-Daphne’s journey will take her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur to the riddle-spinning Sphinx of Thebes, team her up with mythological legends such as Theseus and Hippolyta of the Amazons, and pit her against the gods themselves.
A reinterpretation of the classic Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo,Ā Daughter of SpartaĀ by debut author Claire Andrews turns the traditionally male-dominated mythology we know into a heart-pounding and empowering female-led adventure. Continue reading “Book Review: Daughter of Sparta (Daughter of Sparta #1)”
Title: Wraith
Author: Sylvia Mercedes
Pub. Date: January 20, 2021
Pages: 319
Pub: Not Listed
Genre: Fantasy Romance Retelling
Rating: āļøāļøāļø.5
Can love blossom among the thorns?
Refocused and determined, Nelle plans to snatch the spellbook and escape Roseward Isle once and for all. But when a powerful magic storm blows inābringing with it a small castaway of mysterious originsāNelle and Soran are obliged to lie low inside the lighthouse until it passes.
Trapped in close quarters, they cannot hide from their deepening attraction.
But fate is against them. Soran knows the nightmare he created will not remain bound much longer. He must convince Nelle to leave him, to escape Roseward before she becomes the Thorn Maidenās newest victim. And Nelle sees the moment fast approaching when she will betray Soran. He will never forgive her, but how can she do otherwise? Papaās life depends on her missionās fulfillment.
Will two lost souls find their way through the tangled briar of lies and mistrust? Or will shadowy thorns tear them apart . . . forever? Continue reading “Book Review: Wraith (The Scarred Mage of Roseward #3)”
I love pre-ordering books, but I hardly ever do it way in advance.
If bookstores would take the money off my card when I place the order ā Iād feel differently. But since the funds never leave until the book is shipped ā I donāt. I hate having to make sure that there is enough money on my card and/or I have the money in my budget.
But if you tell me, itās an exclusive edition, or that there is an insanely good pre-order incentive ā Iām more inclined regardless.
These four books have Exclusive Barnes & Noble Editions ā so you know I snatched them up really quickly. I wasnāt sure if there were limited amounts, and honestly ā I learned my lesson with A Court of Silver Flames. So, I bit the bullet and pre-ordered them all way in advanced. Now, I was planning on pre-ordering them to begin with, just closer to their respective release dates. And you know Iām keeping my receipts since Iām sure there are going to be pre-order incentives!
Iām really excited for all of these books. I canāt wait to see them on my shelves, in person and I really canāt wait to read them. I highly recommend that if you like collecting various editions and/or covers you get to pre-ordering. I donāt know how many of the BN Editions are available for each.
But letās take a look at the four books I broke my Pre-Ordering rule for! Continue reading “4 Books That I Just Pre-Ordered”
Title: Reborn
Author: Jaymin Eve
Pub. Date: March 30, 2021
Pages: 440
Pub: Not Listed
Genre: Fantasy Paranormal Romance
Rating: āļøāļøāļøāļø.5
I finally have the life I always dreamed of. So why does it taste like ash on my tongue?
Growing up in Torma, the strongest of the shifter packs, I wanted nothing more than to find my true mate and live my best life. Of course, that dream existed before my father betrayed the pack and turned me into their punching bag.
Iād all but given up, until a quirk of true mate genetics gifted me a true mate like no other.
It seems my childhood dreams were finally a reality. Funny how quickly dreams turn into nightmares.
Iām being lied to and missing weeks and months of time. Someone messed with me and no matter how often Iām told to forget it and move on as Torinās mate, thereās no way I can. Whoever did this to me should have known Iād pick at it until it bled. Itās my nature after all.
As I search out random growls, flutters in my chest, and a suspicion that thereās so much more going on than I could even imagine, I sense that Iām racing against an unknown clock.
I need to get to the bottom of this mystery.
And when I figure out who stole my memories, theyāre going to wish they never messed with Mera Callahan.
Game on. Continue reading “Book Review: Reborn (Shadow Beast Shifters #3)”
Writing The Universe 