This is a story told in verse about a kid who gets put in charge of his two younger siblings when his mom gets deployed and his dad works long hours. It’s an ARC!
In the mythical desert kingdom of Achra, an ancient law forces sixteen-year-old Princess Kateri to fight in the arena to prove her right to rule. For Kateri, winning also means fulfilling a promise to her late mother that she would protect her people, who are struggling through windstorms and drought. The situation is worsened by the gang of Desert Boys that frequently raids the city wells, forcing the king to ration what little water is left. The punishment for stealing water is a choice between two doors: behind one lies freedom, and behind the other is a tiger.
But when Kateri’s final opponent is announced, she knows she cannot win. In desperation, she turns to the desert and the one person she never thought she’d side with. What Kateri discovers twists her world—and her heart—upside down. Her future is now behind two doors—only she’s not sure which holds the key to keeping her kingdom and which releases the tiger.
– GOodreads
Thank you to Blink and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I LOVE Annie Sullivan! She is super sweet. Her second novel did not disappoint. It was an amazing retelling of The Lady, Or the Tiger.
This was such a fierce novel! I loved the training and fight scenes. I felt like I was watching it happen! I love a strong female lead! I also liked the setting was the desert. It’s not something I have read before and I loved being transported there!
The back and forth with the romance was amazing! As always, Annie’s books are clean, so this is perfect for a younger teen!
The story was intriguing and hooked me right from the beginning. I have never read The Lady, Or the Tiger, but I definitely want to now! I’d love to see where Annie drew her inspiration.
At about 30% in, I thought I knew what the outcome was going to be. I was so wrong, and I loved the ending!
Also – myself and my fellow Words and Whimsy modmins are in the acknowledgements. I am so so thankful and grateful to Annie for that! She is the sweetest person, and I love supporting someone like that!
What I didn’t like:
I can’t think of anything I didn’t like! The story was interesting, the pacing was great, the characters were likable. I loved it all!
Would I recommend?
Yes! This is a story anyone can enjoy. It’s also great for younger teens since it is a clean read!
Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.
Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.
– Goodreads
Sorry for being absent for a month. First we had family over for labor day, then my husband was sick, then my baby had double ear infections. It’s been a wild month. But I’m back with book reviews! I’ve read a few so far this month! But first we’ll pick up with a book I finished in August and was obsessed with – King of Scars!
Okay. First off, I have to say Leigh is my Queen and I will forever love her. If she publishes a grocery list, I’ll read it. I just.love.her.so.much.
Why did I wait so long to read this? Part of it was I was sad that I wouldn’t have another Leigh book to read and I didn’t want to run out of her amazing stories. Dumb, I know. I won’t do it again.
I fell in love with Nikolai in the Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology. I was so excited to dive into his book and his backstory. The banter was amazing. I loved getting an insight to his thoughts and feelings. And the budding romance. I am SHIPPING.
The story was action packed. It followed two story lines – Nikoli and Nina. More on that later. Both stories were intriguing and I just wanted to keep reading to find out what happened with each. I love being in the Grishaverse. The world building and descriptions are so on point. If I could choose a fictional world to live in, it would definitely be with the Grisha.
Also – THAT ENDING. WHAT?!?!?!?! No spoilers, obviously, but I have theories on what will happen. Message me to know more. I’d love to talk about your theories, too!
What I didn’t like:
So. I mentioned earlier that the novel followed two story lines. I felt like I was reading two books combined into one. Maybe it was just me selfishly wanting another book by Leigh, but I thought it would be better if Nina’s story was a separate book. They didn’t seem to cross over at all. But Leigh is a master and I’m sure she will make them come together in the most amazing way possible in book two!
Also, I started with the audio and quickly switched to ebook. I felt like I wasn’t getting the full effect of the novel. Just a personal preference I guess.
Would I recommend?
Duh. Yes. I recommend Leigh’s books whenever I can. She is a master storyteller and I can’t wait for her next book!
It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.
Break the curse, save the kingdom.
A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.
Everything!! Oh man. What a stark contrast to the last novel I read. I couldn’t put this book down. You know, being a granny and all, I stayed up till 1130 PM to finish! That is UNHEARD OF! My friend, Jordan, has a great taste in books. She kept saying this one was amazing, and she was absoloutely correct. I don’t know why I waited so long to read! When I read a book, I always start a note in my phone so I can list likes, dislikes, and just random facts I want to hit on in my review. I was so engrossed in this story my list is BLANK! I didn’t want to quit reading long enough to jot anything down.
Beauty and the Beast was my favorite Disney movie as a kid. I think that’s the case with all us book nerd. Brigid did an amazing job weaving Beauty and the Beast with fantasy.
The beauty was a girl with cerebral palsy. Harper was strong and fierce and didn’t let her disability get in her way. She was an amazing representation of a condition I don’t see often in books.
The beast was so interesting. When Rhen changed each season, he became a new terrifying beast. Sometimes with scales, sometimes with wings, sometimes with fangs. His character and growth were so captivating to me – the same goes for Harper.
I loved seeing their relationship grow and blossom. I loved seeing their plans and Harper’s heart grow for Rhen’s people.
Side characters. I loved them all. They all were developed with stories you would be interested in hearing. Grey, Rhen’s commander, played a huge role in this story, and I think he will be the main character in A Heart so Fierce and Broken and I am shook! I CANNOT wait!!
What I didn’t like:
Nothing. I mean, I loved every aspect of this book. It’s a must read for fantasy and/or Beauty and the Beast lovers!
Would I recommend?
I mean, I think it’s obvious I would. The story was compelling and engrossing. The characters were well developed with great story arcs that showed flaws and growth. Like I said, a must read for fantasy or Beauty and the Beast lovers.
Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.
Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?
When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.
– Goodreads
So, this is probably my first gothic, horror-ish novel and I am here. for. it!
Thanks, giphy!
What I liked:
“We are born of the Salt, we live by the Salt, and to the Salt we return.”
House of Salt and Sorrows was a great mix of fantasy, mystery, gothic horror, and a little bit of romance thrown in. Now, I am a granny. 9pm? I’m in bed usually asleep. But this book kept me up LATE – and by late I mean 1030pm. I could not put it down! The night I stayed up reading I got up to go to the bathroom and I thought, well, I’m kind of thirsty. I was at a rather creepy part of the book. I looked down the long, dark hallway and thought, nah. I’m ok. I don’t need water. And I got back in bed. No lie. It creeped me out!
The descriptions of this novel brought it to life. I usually have a hard time picturing what I’m reading, but Erin made it so easy! I loved the descriptions of the castle, the dresses, and all the creepy things that I won’t mention because I don’t want to spoil it!
The start was a little slow, but once I hit about 30% I did not want to put this baby down. It was so good!
Two funny things about this novel: first, I think I am being called to make squid ink risotto because it is everywhere in my life. It was on Queer Eye, it was on Master Chef, and now it’s mentioned in this novel! So I think I need to find a recipe. Also, my sister hates names that end in -leigh. Well, the main character is Annaleigh and every time I saw her name I smiled and thought of my sister in law. She said she wouldn’t read it because of the name. I told her she was making a grave mistake.
What I didn’t like:
The only reason this book isn’t getting five stars is because of the pace at the beginning. Maybe I’m just hard to please, but it felt slow. But like I said, after 30% I just wanted to devour it!
Would I recommend?
Yessssss! It was the perfect mix of fantasy, horror, mystery and romance. It had everything you could ever want in a novel. And this is a debut! I’m expecting more great things from Ms. Craig. I can’t wait to read the next one!
A big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…
First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.
The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.
As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you
– Goodreads
I cannot stop gushing over this super-cute, super-adorable, super-lovable novel. It was just super good, okay guys?
That gif pretty much describes my feels as I was reading Red, White & Royal Blue. I adored all of the main characters. I cared about all six of them and their backstories. I was rooting for them from the get-go.
There’s just enough political intrigue in this novel to keep it from being just a basic LGBT love story with a backdrop of politics. I loved that it really played on the politics of it. This is set in an alternate universe, I guess is the best way to put it, where we have our first female president and people who are LGBTQ+ are just, like, the norm. It’s not a whole deal. I. Love. It. I kept thinking, can’t I just live in this universe? Can this just please be real?
The love story is amazing. It’s enemies – to friends – to lovers and I was here for it.
What I didn’t like:
Um, was there anything I didn’t like? I honestly can’t think of anything. There were a couple of times I didn’t like actions of characters, but that’s what makes a book good, isn’t it? This novel really was that good.
Would I recommend?
Oh yes. Hell yes. This book is for anyone who loves a good enemies-to-lovers love story or lgbt love stories. The political intrigue was great and kept me on my toes for the ending!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout’s knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media’s attempts, they never meet.
Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past.
That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy’s doorstep. Blowing through Quincy’s life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa’s death come to light, Quincy’s life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam’s truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.
– Goodreads
My friend and fellow Words & Whimsy and Book Battle mod Erin is OBSESSED with Riley Sager. We had the privilege to talk to him earlier this month! We loved hearing how he got his pen name, his inspirations, and all about his books! The chat is still up over at Words & Whimsy. Go check it out!
So all month Erin has been pestering – I mean, gently pushing – us to read a Riley book. Final Girls was a club read in Book Battle, so I gave in. Boy, am I glad I did! Thanks, Erin!
Final Girls was a twisty thriller with an end I NEVER saw coming! This is the gif I sent to literally everyone when I was finished:
Final Girls alternates between present and past – specifically what happened that fateful night at the cabin. At parts I was like, ok let’s get back to the cabin. I’m intrigued. Then sometimes it would switch to the cabin and I’d be like, no! There was so much action in the present! I love how Riley twisted the two together. You learn little bits of info about both timelines and it leaves you wanting everything, like, yesterday. I had to know what was going on. I was listening at work and would get SO aggravated when people would interrupt me! Like, yo, I’m tryin’ to find a killer here! Spoiler alert – I did not find the killer.
What I didn’t like – which wasn’t much!
To me, the beginning somewhat drug on. There seemed to be a lot of info – which I ended up needing. However, at the time I was like, get on with it! I want action! I ended up getting plenty of action – yes, even that kind! – and was thoroughly satisfied. That’s really it. The beginning could have been faster, but it didn’t really take away from the book at all. I still gave 5 stars.
Would I recommend?
Yes yes yes yes yes! 100 times yes! Please read this if you like mystery, thrillers, red herrings, and your mind being blow in general. This is a MUST READ for any mystery or thriller fans. Or if you like horror movies – which is where is inspo came from!
December, 2574. Forty-three days before the BeiTech attack on Kerenza IV.
This is the story of my first friendship.
This is the tale of my first murder?
Some monsters are born.
But I?
< ERROR >
I was made.
– Goodreads
Wow. I mean. How can a book wreck me in 82 pages?
Amie and Jay have done it again. I was instantly sucked in by the format, as it’s been with this whole series. I was so quickly engrossed and just cared about these people. I loved learning more about AIDAN and his backstory. Yes, the AI has a backstory and it’s insane.
What struck me most was the letter that was sent at the very end by AIDAN. I. Was. SHOOK. I think I just stared at the last page with my mouth open for five minutes.
Did I laugh? Yep. Did I cry? Yes. This book makes you care so much you cry in 82 pages. I’m still kind of in awe of that.
If you didn’t pre-order Aurora Rising to get this, I’m so sorry. It might be a decision you will regret forever. Sorry!
In this heartfelt, funny, touching memoir, Tan France, star of Netflix’s smash-hit QUEER EYE, tells his origin story for the first time. With his trademark wit, humor, and radical compassion, Tan reveals what it was like to grow up gay in a traditional Muslim family, as one of the few people of color in Doncaster, England. He illuminates his winding journey of coming of age, finding his voice (and style!), and how he finally came out to his family at the age of 34, revealing that he was happily married to the love of his life–a Mormon cowboy from Salt Lake City.
In Tan’s own words, “The book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be.”
– Goodreads
I loved this memoir. I love Tan France. I love Queer Eye. SO MUCH LOVE.
I really liked hearing about Tan’s life when he was growing up. It showed a great perspective. I loved hearing how he built himself from the ground up and how his business and brand evolved.
I especially liked the parts about Queer Eye. The hiring process, behind the scenes, the Emmys, everything. It was great.
There’s also life lessons and notes on style and how to style yourself. Which I may or may not need.
Also as a plus – Antoni appears in the audio!
Pick this book up if you love queer eye, style, memoirs, or just need a pick me up. Listening to this book made me so happy!
Yall. This month has been CRAZY. I’ve been getting back to the gym. My husband had his wisdom teeth taken out. I have a two year old so that’s crazy.
I’ve gotta carve out more me time somewhere! I also need to read. Its June 9 and I have read a whopping ZERO books this month! Omg.
I am almost done with an ARC from Netgalley that I’m so excited to share with you guys! Its serving YA, contemporary, medical realness and I am in LOVE! Okay, so maybe I have been watching A LOT of Queer Eye this month and I am OBSESSED. Especially with Jonathan. Be my bff? Please?
Jonathan if he ever sees this post.
ANYWAYS. So May reads.
The Beautiful Brain. Audible Original. Four stars for a medical book about CTE and brain injuries. I loved it. Most people probably won’t though, I wouldn’t think. I just look a good medical book.
The Shift. Four Stars. I read this in honor of Nurse’s Week that was May 6-12. Its a memoir about a day in the life of a nurse. I loved it. It brought back the feels of being a nurse on the floor I used to have.
Nimona. 3.5 Stars. This is a graphic novel, but I listened to the audio. The audio was good, the actors were good. But I think I would have liked the graphic novel better.
Collective 3 stars for this sci-fi romance series. Each book follows a different alien and his mate. They were good. The romance scenes were spicy. It just didn’t jump out as being over a 3 star.
Aurora Rising. Oh my. Definitely my most favorite read of the month and will probably be top 5 for the year. I am LIVING for Kal. I mean. I want that body. haha! Plus, I got to talk DnD with Jay Kristoff after our author chat. He is the sweetest, most genuine guy. I love him and want to play DnD with him. Love him. Love this book. Full review to come but just go read it right now.
Caraval. Four star book. This was a great book about magic and carnivals and deception. I can’t wait to read the next two installments!
Illuminae. Five stars. This was a reread. I read the physical version last year and LOVED the format. It was so interesting and original. I listened to the audio this month and it may have been better! It was full cast. All the voice actors were amazing. Its a book that I would love to listen as I read along.
Whatever Normal Is. Two stars. This was the very first ARC I received. I loved the cover, but the story was just… not good.
12 Days of Forever. Three stars. Typical audio romance. Wasn’t great, but wasn’t bad.
Gemina. Five Stars. Book two of the Illuminae files. AMAZING. Again, I read the physical. The format was amazing. It follows different characters, so I was scared I wouldn’t like them as much. This was not the case. New book boyfriend in the bad-boy main character.
Standing Sideways. Four Star. Full review posted. This was an arc I received and I really loved the way it looked at loss and redemption.
June plan? WHAT June plan?
I’m just trying to read a book, guys. But really, my plan is to read as many ARCs as possible and get caught up. Fingers crossed!
Mithah Reads 