Category: fantasy

ARC, blog tour, contemporary, dystopian, fantasy, ya

🌞 May TBR 🌞

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Okay, I went REALLY ambitious with this months TBR! I am participating in Words & Whimsy Reading Challenge again, along with Bookemon! I just learned about Bookemon Readathon and I am so excited. I love Pokemon and reading, so putting them together is heaven for me!

First let’s start off with Words & Whimsy. Our theme is space – Broken Worlds! Here’s our criteria, Instagram challenge, and mini game!

Graphics made by the amazing Jordan.

Now, let’s get into this TBR.

Now for Bookemon! The bookemon I choose as my sidekick is Paperchu! Since he is electric, I get 100 combat points for every hour I read electronically. Since I read exclusively on kindle, I thought he was perfect for me!

All of my books can fit somewhere into the bookemon criteria, but there are a few I have added to complete additional challenges.

So as you can see, I have 16 books on my TBR. That’s a lot for me, but I’m hoping to get through as many as I can!

What’s on your TBR for May? Do we share any books? Are you participating in Bookemon or Words & Whimsy Reading Challenge? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, blog tour, contemporary, fantasy, Five Star Book, ya

🌦️ April Wrap Up 🌦️

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Well, now that I’ve adjusted to the new normal, I’ll be going back to work full time next week! I’m sure this will put a damper on my reading, and I have a HUGE TBR for May. I just could not decide!

April has been my best reading month with 12 books. I’m hoping to keep up and may up the count next month! I’m shooting for 10 a month, and anything over is great!

My favorite book this month was probably Girls with Razor Hearts by Suzanne Young. Crave by Tracy Wolff was a very close second! My least favorite book was Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend by Alan Cumyn. I mean, I knew it was bad going into it, but I had to see what all of the fuss was about. Believe me. I saw.

I had a much better reading month in April. My ratings were a lot higher than March, which I was happy about. I read a lot of great books this month!

  1. Girls with Razor Hearts by Suzanne Young 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  2. We Didn’t Ask for This by Adi Alsaid 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  3. Ghosted in LA by Sina Grace 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  4. Crave by Tracy Wolff 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  5. Open Fire by Amber Lough 🌦️🌦️🌦️
  6. Deny Me by Karen Cole 🌦️🌦️🌦️
  7. Red Hood by Elana K Arnold 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️.5
  8. The Burning by Laura Bates 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  9. Shredded by Tracy Wolff 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  10. Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend by Alan Cumyn 🌦️
  11. What I Like About You by Marisa Kanter 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  12. Jane’s Team by Janie Marie 🌦️🌦️🌦️

🌦️ Stats 🌦️

  • Goodreads Goal: 41/120. I am two books AHEAD OF SCHEDULE! WHAT?! This is the first time all year I’ve been ahead of schedule and I am so excited!
  • I read 4427 pages, which is the most all year! I feel really great about this month. I am so proud of myself! My average rating was 3.71, which is also better than last month!
  • For genres, I read three contemporary and fantasy, two romance, one sci fi, thriller, and historical fiction and graphic novel.
  • This was a YA heavy month, with 10 YA books, one new adult and adult.
  • I read 9 ARCs this month – two more than last month! My tbr for May is very ARC heavy, so I’m hoping to keep making a dent in this pile I have! I am so very grateful and honored to have such an ARC heavy TBR pile!

🌦️ Yearly Goals Check In 🌦️

  • Goal of 10 books a month : I exceeded this goal with 12! It feels so good! Hoping to exceed it next month too.
  • TBR Posts : Still doing a post every Sunday, still only read 4 from it, haha. I am doing good slimming it down though! Under 1800!
  • Words & Whimsy : I had the pleasure of talking to Tracy Wolff this month! It was a blast! She is so sweet and down to earth. We have 7 chats (I think?) scheduled for May. I can’t wait to see who I’ll get to talk to! We have some big names this month – Christopher Paolini and then a joint chat with Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman! You don’t want to miss it! Join us here!
  • Words & Whimsy Reading Challenge : Our first month was a hit! May’s theme is Broken Worlds – aka space! We have open, interpretive criteria and fun group chats! Join here!
  • Mithah Reads : This month was hard blog wise. I’ve been working part time basically, but my three year old is NOT wanting to let me blog! And honestly, he wears me out so I’m going to bed a lot earlier! Hopefully once I’m back working full time in May I can get back into my blogging routine! I’ve got three blog tours next month and reviews from April to catch up on!
  • I’m still keeping up with my three blogging spreadsheets which I am very excited about. I love seeing all the data they track!

How many books did you read in April? What was your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

fantasy, Four Star Book, retelling, ya

🐺 Red Hood Review 🐺

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

🐺 Title: Red Hood
🐺 Author: Elana K Arnold
🐺 Publisher: Balzer + Bray
🐺 Publish Date: February 25, 2020
🐺 Book Form: E-book
🐺 Pages: 368
🐺 Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, YA
🐺 Dates Read: Apr 11 – Apr 17
🐺 Rating: 🐺🐺🐺🐺.5

You are alone in the woods, seen only by the unblinking yellow moon. Your hands are empty. You are nearly naked.

And the wolf is angry.

Since her grandmother became her caretaker when she was four years old, Bisou Martel has lived a quiet life in a little house in Seattle. She’s kept mostly to herself. She’s been good. But then comes the night of homecoming, when she finds herself running for her life over roots and between trees, a fury of claws and teeth behind her. A wolf attacks. Bisou fights back. A new moon rises. And with it, questions. About the blood in Bisou’s past and on her hands as she stumbles home. About broken boys and vicious wolves. About girls lost in the woods—frightened, but not alone.

– Goodreads
Image by TheProseAndCons

Before we get into this review, I just want to point out Words and Whimsy is speaking with Elana K Arnold THIS SUNDAY at 8PM EST! Come join us here! It’s bound to be a great discussion!

Red Hood was the first book by Elana K Arnold that I have read, but now I have to go back and read Damsel! Red Hood was SO GOOD!

I don’t think I’ve ever eyeball-read a 2nd Person POV before. The only other one I can think of is You by Caroline Kepnes and I did the audio for that one. I know in the discussion, some were turned off my the 2nd POV, but I felt it put me more into the story. I was so immersed. It makes me want to look for other 2nd POV books!

The story follows Bisou, who gets her period and things get weird. Both for her, and the book. Like, the end of the first chapter is CRAZY. I’m not going to go into it, because spoilers, but omg. Never read anything like it and don’t think I will again. It’s WILD.

I was so immersed in the story. I loved learning about Bisou’s heritage. There’s a POV shift in part two, and it was like being told a bedtime story, albeit a very messed up one. It was so interesting to me.

Bisou has been through a LOT, and she handles it so well. She’s vulnerable, but strong. I loved following her. The side characters were great, too. Meme was my absoloute favorite.

This is a very feminist story. I loved the girl power, that girls are strong, and we can overcome the wolves. We’ve all met a wolf. We’ve all been victimized by one. Bisou handles them with such ferocity you’re left wondering who is really the predator, and who is the prey. This is also the only Little Red Riding Hood retelling I’ve ever read, and I loved it!

I recommend this to anyone who loves YA retellings, feminist novels, or books with super strong female protagonists. You won’t be disappointed!

Have you read Red Hood? Is it on your TBR? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, book meme, book tag, dystopian, fantasy, ya

#5OnMyTBR

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

I’m so excited to be taking part in this meme! I originally saw this over at KBBookReviews and it was created by Local Bee Hunter’s Nook!

This is a post where you show 5 books on your TBR! It happens every Monday. This week’s prompt is Hype From the Past!

Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice

So, I’ve never read an Anne Rice book. Shame, I know! After reading Crave by Tracy Wolff, I need more vampires!

Release date: April 12, 1976

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

This was a series that I missed back in the day. I have heard such good things about it recently. I need to move it up the list!

Release date: March 10, 2009

No Safety in Numbers by Dayna Lorentz

I actually had copies of this book back in the day but never read them! The covers always intrigued me, so I still want to give them a try!

Release date: May 29, 2012

Everless by Sara Holland

This is another one I keep hearing good things about! This came out during my reading break, so I need to see what the hype is about!

Release date: December 4, 2018

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

I cannot wait for the prequel to my favorite series! The Hunger Games is what got me back into reading and ignited by love for YA. I am very impatiently waiting!

Release date: May 19, 2020

There you have it! My top 5 Hype from the Past books! What are yours? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

contemporary, fantasy, LGBT, mystery, Romance, ya

🤩 April’s Most Anticipated Reads 🤩

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Wow. April is kind of slim for me! I usually have to narrow down the list, but this month there’s not a ton I just can’t wait to read. I have three this month!

First off is Crave by Tracy Wolff! I got the arc box for this which I was super excited about. I am also excited about the return of vampy romances!

Release Date: April 7, 2020

Next is Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson. I fell in love with A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and I have forced many of my friends to read it. They all enjoyed it too! I cannot wait for the sequel!

Release Date: April 30, 2020

Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran. This YA fantasy has a spymaster, plotting, hidden enemies, and of course a love story! Everything I want in a YA fantasy!

Release Date: April 23, 2020

What are your most anticipated releases for April? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, blog tour, contemporary, Erotica, fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi, ya

☔ April TBR ☔

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

I am so excited for April! As I mentioned in my last post, Words & Whimsy has started their own reading game! The theme is dinos! 🦖 I’m team T-Rex! 🦖 Here’s a peek at our very open, interpretative criteria, our mini game, and instagram challenge!

Graphics made by the lovely Jordan.

Since you can see our criteria, let’s dive right in!

Okay, I know, I know. 14 books is A LOT. Like, I’m only reading about 10 a month. HOWEVER. As of right now, I’m only working about 20 hours a week. That’s like, almost 30 hours less than normal. I am going to use that time to read! And play with the toddler. But also read! One of his favorite things to do is cuddle in the chair and read or watch Blippi. I plan to take full advantage of that in the mornings before work.

So a little breakdown on why I chose what I did. 10 of my books are arcs, so I just fit them where I could. I love Marie Lu, so I had to include her newest book. I’ve been wanting to read Belle Revolte since I heard about it and begged asked for an arc. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about Serpent and Dove. It was my most anticipated release the month it came out. I bought it on release day. So why haven’t I read it?! And finally, Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend. I have heard nothing but bad things about this one. But it’s like a train wreck I think? Or Tiger King? So bad you just can’t.look.away. So obviously, for dino month, I had to give it a try.

What do you think about my TBR? What’s on your list for April? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, ARC, blog tour, contemporary, fantasy, Four Star Book, middle grade, three star book, two star book, ya

📓 March Wrap Up 📓

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

What an odd month. Life as we know it has changed for now, and I think we’re all still trying to adjust to the new normal. I know it took a toll on my mental health, so it definitely affected my reading.

I don’t know if that affected my ratings or not, but I read a lot of meh books this month. They weren’t great but weren’t bad either. Here’s what I read:

  1. Lovestruck by Kate Watson ⭐⭐.5
  2. Don’t Check Out This Book! by Kate Klise ⭐⭐⭐
  3. Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak by Adi Alsaid ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  4. The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa de la Cruz ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  5. All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  6. We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian ⭐⭐.5
  7. Music From Another World by Robin Talley ⭐⭐⭐
  8. Hungry for Your love by Lori Perkins ⭐⭐⭐
  9. All the Pretty Things by Emily Arsenault ⭐⭐⭐

I didn’t really have a favorite this month. The middle of the month was best reading wise. I liked Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak, The Queen’s Assassin and All the Stars and Teeth. I liked that I read more fantasy this month. I may try to read more next month. It’s a great way to forget about the real world and get lost in a made up one.

My least favorite was We are the Wildcats. I was just so disappointed. It was my most anticipated this month and it was just a total let down.

✔️ Stats✔️

  • Goodreads Goal: 30/120. I lowered my goal this month. I’m not really reading a ton of audios, and my eyeball reading just isn’t cutting it. I read 9 ebooks this month, which is more than last month, so at least I’m improving!
  • I read 3134 pages, which is a little less than last month. But I did read one more ebook than last month! I didn’t do any audios this month. My average rating was 3.22⭐.
  • I consumed 1 romance, mystery, and horror, 2 fantasies, and 4 contemporaries.
  • For audiences, I read 1 middle grade, 1 adult and 7 YA.
  • I read seven ARCs, which is one more than last month! I am trying super hard to get through those and get caught up.

✔️ Yearly Goals Check In ✔️

  • Monthly Goal of 15 a Month: I read 9 this month. I think I will lower this goal to 10. Ten books a month is definitely doable, and I think I would have hit that had this month not been so weird.
  • TBR Goal: I kept doing the posts every Sunday, along with a bonus post. As far as reading 20 this year – well, I am at 4. But there is still time! And I’m only 28 away from getting it below 1800! I’m excited to see where we are at the end of the year.
  • Words & Whimsy: I did a chat with Eric Smith this month which was so much fun! Don’t Read the Comments is still my favorite book of the year! We also did an overhaul, added more mods, and started our own reading game! I’m excited to see what Words & Whimsy Reading Challenge looks like in April! It’s going to be a blast!
  • Book Battle: Words & Whimsy and Book Battle have parted ways. As I mentioned, we have our own reading game now!
  • Mithah Reads: I didn’t post as much as I wanted to this month, but I am determined to get back on track with April! I am going to do a couple blog tours next month that I’m really excited about!
  • I am still keeping up with my three reading spreadsheets, so I’m pretty proud of myself! I do love finishing a book and adding it to the sheet. It’s so satisfying!

What did you read this month? What were your favorite and least favorite reads? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, fantasy, Romance, ya

📚 Down the TBR Part 17! 📚

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Hey guys! Another week gone by. Hope everyone is staying safe and social distancing!

These past two weeks have been so hard on me mental health wise. The stress of getting screened before work, work hours being cut, but still having to go because I’m essential. It’s all a lot. I haven’t read as much as I wanted, and I haven’t blogged as much as I wanted either. Hopefully soon I will get into the routine of a new normal (for now). It hasn’t all been doom and gloom, thought! I’ve gotten to spend a ton of time with my son and I am taking all I can get! He will be three in a few months and I just want to cherish every moment with him.

Anyway, to this week’s tbr! We are starting at 1843. I don’t think I added any this week! Probably because I haven’t been as active on here or twitter, haha! Also, my life has become consumed with Animal Crossing. Let me know if you want to be friends. I have peaches!

✔ What I Kept ✔

Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz

This sounds like a spicy romance with a little bit of crime solving mixed in. And witches.

Night by Elie Wiesel

I think I’ve read this before, but I’ve always been drawn to books about the Holocaust. I’m not sure why.

Granny Dan by Danielle Steel

I’ll give this one a chance. There’s some historical romance aspects that are intriguing to me.

✘ What I Deleted ✘

The Extraordinary Adventure of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey

I love this cover, but the synopsis just isn’t speaking to me.

The Untelling by Tayari Jones

Eek. Just a little too chick lit for me.

Beneath the Surface by Anne White

A mystery, which I’d usually love. But something about it seems off-putting, I just can’t put my finger on what it is.

The Wedding by Danielle Steel

My mom loves Danielle Steel. I just don’t think I’m that into her work, though.

Nothing Can Keep Us Together by Cecily von Ziegesar

I hate I didn’t read these in my teen years. Now I just don’t know that I would like it.

A Painted House by John Grisham

I’m not sure I’ve ever read anything by John Grisham. This story just seems so… sad.

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham

I went back and forth with this one. It’s about a football player, which I think I would like. But moving to Italy and playing football there… I just don’t know about it.

Impossible by Danielle Steel

Just another typical chick lit romance.

Sisters by Danielle Steel

Another very chick lit read.

Coming Out by Danielle Steel

I mean, same as above.

Nobody Else Has to Know by Ingrid Tomey

I think I own this book from years ago. But it just seems so sad. It may be my headspace right now, but I just can’t do sad books.

Big Girl by Danielle Steel

Another typical chick lit.

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

I mean… it’s Nicholas Sparks.

A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks

Again, Nicholas Sparks.

Family Blessings by Fern Michaels

Just another chick lit.

Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel

I almost kept this one. I may go back and add it. I can’t decide if it’s gonna be too chick lit or a good fiction novel.

Finders Keepers by Fern Michaels

This is about a two year old girl who was kidnapped. It’s just so sad. I can’t.

We are ending at 1826! So close to being under 1800! I only kept three, the most surprising to be the Danielle Steel novel.

Did I make any mistakes? Should I have kept any of these? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

fantasy, Romance, three star book, ya

⚓ All The Stars and Teeth Review ⚓

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

⚓ Title: All the Stars and Teeth
⚓ Author: Adalyn Grace
⚓ Publisher: Imprint
⚓ Publish Date: February 4, 2020
⚓ Book Form: Ebook
⚓ Pages: 384
⚓ Genre: YA, Fantasy, Pirates
⚓ Dates Read: Mar 11 – Mar 20
⚓Rating: ⚓⚓⚓.5

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.

She will reign.

As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.

When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.

But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.

I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.

– Goodreads

I first featured this book on First Impression Friday. I predicted it to be a 4-5 star read. I wasn’t too far off, but I was a little disappointed.

There were tons of magic systems in the novel, but surprisingly, I didn’t have trouble following. It was laid out in a way that’s easy to remember what magic does what. This is super important since magic is the focus of the story! To use the magic, you have to give something whether it be blood, hair, bones, etc. I loved all the systems! My favorite was Zudoh. I’d love to work with curse magic!

There was a love triangle, like in every great ya fantasy. I was rooting for Bastian from teh beginning. He’s the perfect bad(?) boy. Ferrick seemed to have a little bit of Tamlin from ACOTAR-esque feels to him. Like, I kind of hated him. Through the book he got better and maybe even found a love of his own!

I really liked Amora, too. She seemed down to earth and just wanted to be the best leader she could be. She got thrown a lot of set-backs, but she got up fighting every time. While she did have a love interest, her main goal was not overshadowed by cute boys 1&2 so that was really nice to see.

What brought the rating down was the fact that it took me 10 days to read this. I mean, this is short for a fantasy. Part of that was probably me. Work has sucked the life out of me and I don’t see it getting any better soon. Yay healthcare… But by the end I was just ready for it to be over. I’ll definitely read book 2. I’m excited to see what comes next. Maybe I will be in a better headspace and won’t feel like the book is taking years to read!

Have you read All the Stars and Teeth? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, fantasy, Romance, ya

📚 Down the TBR Part 16! 📚

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Happy Sunday guys! I hope we are all social distancing and staying healthy!

I had planned to do a couple bonus posts last week, but work was crazy, I was tired, and it just didn’t happen. So today we will tackle the next 20 books from July 15, 2015.

We are starting at 1854, two more than last week. Not as bad as I thought! Let’s dive right in!

✔ What I Kept ✔

Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally

I feel like this is a classic and I’m not sure how I didn’t read it in school.

Day of the Dragon by Richard A. Knaak

I played WoW for so many years. I’d love to give the books a chance and learn more lore.

A Rose for Her Grave by Ann Rule

Ann, my queen. I love her and her true crime.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

I’m a sucker for historical fiction set in Paris. I gotta have it!

A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris

Book 2 in the series. It’ll stay if I like book 1!

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

I swear I’ve read this before, but I don’t really remember. Plus, it’s part of a series and I know I didn’t read the others.

You’ve Been Warned by James Patterson

I’ve never read a Patterson book before. This sounds interesting so I think I’ll give it a try!

The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie

I love Hugh Laurie. Love. It’s only right that I read his book.

Hot Number by Carly Phillips

Doesn’t look like a book I’d normally read, but I can get behind a sporty romance. This is also book #2, so I added book #1

✘ What I Deleted ✘

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson

I’ve deleted the rest of the series that was on my tbr. Just not the chick lit for me.

Gone by Lisa McMann

This is book 3 in a series. I read the synopsis for book 1 and it didn’t seem like something I would enjoy.

One Door Away from Heaven by Dean Koontz

I’m not a huge horror reader, and the synopsis didn’t grab me.

Damaged by Cathy Glass

I probably could have read this earlier in life. But I just can’t really read child abuse stories anymore – especially if they are true. It breaks my heart.

Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

It’s Nicholas Sparks. Need I say more?

Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult

Another child abuse story. I just can’t.

The Covenant by Beverly Lewis

Another Amish fic.

The Betrayl by Beverly Lewis

Book two to The Covenant

Demon Seed by Dean Koontz

Another horror that I just don’t think I’d be a fan of.

The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes

Honestly, this seems like a movie I’d watch, but I don’t think I’d enjoy reading it.

Jake, Reinvented by Gordon Korman

A Great Gatsby retelling. It didn’t pique my interest.

Okay, I deleted 11, so that brings my tbr to 1844 since I added 1. I’m pretty happy with my results this week!

Did I make any mistakes? Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…