Top 10 5 Star Reads!

Hello Everyone!

Today I am coming to you with a list of my top 10 5 star reads on Goodreads.

Now these books are not any sort of order, they are just the books that have left the biggest impression on me. You guys may disagree with what I have chosen but they are my opinions. So lets get on with the list. In this I will list the book, give the synopsis from Goodreads, and then a brief note on why I chose the book.

1. The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ’80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

Taylor has now become one of my favourite authors. This book was amazing, the character development was amazing. Honestly, after I finished reading the book, I almost when onto IMDB to look Evelyn up, she seemed that real. The story was gripping, heartbreaking and just amazing, if you haven’t read this yet, I highly recommend you do.

2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson

An international publishing sensation, Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue into one satisfyingly complex and entertainingly atmospheric novel.

Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

I read this book when I was on holidays in 2016. The story, the characters and the tension of the book was amazing. It was the perfect book to read by the pool.

3. Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan..

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words… And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

This is one of my all time favourite books, I don’t even know how many times I have reread this book. I love it so much, because I identify with the main character Cath and her struggle with anxiety, and I class Levi as my perfect book boyfriend.

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter’s third year at Hogwarts is full of new dangers. A convicted murderer, Sirius Black, has broken out of Azkaban prison, and it seems he’s after Harry. Now Hogwarts is being patrolled by the dementors, the Azkaban guards who are hunting Sirius. But Harry can’t imagine that Sirius or, for that matter, the evil Lord Voldemort could be more frightening than the dementors themselves, who have the terrible power to fill anyone they come across with aching loneliness and despair. Meanwhile, life continues as usual at Hogwarts. A top-of-the-line broom takes Harry’s success at Quidditch, the sport of the Wizarding world, to new heights. A cute fourth-year student catches his eye. And he becomes close with the new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher, who was a childhood friend of his father. Yet despite the relative safety of life at Hogwarts and the best efforts of the dementors, the threat of Sirius Black grows ever closer. But if Harry has learned anything from his education in wizardry, it is that things are often not what they seem. Tragic revelations, heartwarming surprises, and high-stakes magical adventures await the boy wizard in this funny and poignant third installment of the beloved series.

I don’t think I have to explain this one.

5. Anne of Green Gables – L.M. Montgomery

As soon as Anne Shirley arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she is sure she wants to stay forever . . . but will the Cuthberts send her back to to the orphanage? Anne knows she’s not what they expected—a skinny girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match. If only she can convince them to let her stay, she’ll try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes and blurting out the first thing that comes to her mind. Anne is not like anyone else, the Cuthberts agree; she is special—a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreams of the day when she can call herself Anne of Green Gables.

I loved the descriptions of Green Gables, and Anne is a fantastic character that I just fell in love with.

6. Outlander – Diana Gabaldon

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord…1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

This is the best time travel romance, I have ever read. Honestly Jamie Fraser is just the perfect man. EVER.

7. Saga – Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples

When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.

From bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan, Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.

My boyfriend introduced me to this graphic novel series, and I am so glad he did. The story is amazing, the characters are captivating, and it will slowly break your heart.

8. Game Of Thrones – George RR Martin

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

Also I don’t need to talk about this one.

9. Matilda – Roald Dahl

Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she’s knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she’s a super-nerd and the teacher’s pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda’s world. For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there’s the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Miss (“The”) Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.

She warms up with some practical jokes aimed at her hapless parents, but the true test comes when she rallies in defense of her teacher, the sweet Miss Honey, against the diabolical Trunchbull. There is never any doubt that Matilda will carry the day. Even so, this wonderful story is far from predictable. Roald Dahl, while keeping the plot moving imaginatively, also has an unerring ear for emotional truth. The reader cares about Matilda because in addition to all her other gifts, she has real feelings

This is my favourite book from my childhood. I always wanted to be able to do magic like Matilda when I was younger.

10. Shadow of The Fox – Julie Kagawa

One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish—and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.

Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.

Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll.

There are many who would claim the dragon’s wish for their own. Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, is one such hunter, under orders to retrieve the scroll…at any cost. Fate brings Kage and Yumeko together. With a promise to lead him to the scroll, an uneasy alliance is formed, offering Yumeko her best hope for survival. But he seeks what she has hidden away, and her deception could ultimately tear them both apart.

With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko’s secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself.

This was literally like reading an Anime. It was fantastic. If you want a more detailed review of this book let me know, I have a lot of thoughts about it.

Happy Reading.

Thanks Bookworms.

February Wrap Up

Hello Everybody.

Today I am going to show you all the book I read during February.

The First book I read was Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart. (Goodreads)

I gave this book 5 stars.

The second book I read was Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo.

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her—or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

I gave this 4.25 stars.

The Third book I read was Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

From the acclaimed author of Forever, Interrupted and After I Docomes a breathtaking new novel about a young woman whose fate hinges on the choice she makes after bumping into an old flame; in alternating chapters, we see two possible scenarios unfold—with stunningly different results.

At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?

Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him.

I gave this 5 stars.

The fourth book I read was On the Come Up by Angie Thomas.

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighborhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families.

I gave this 4.5 stars.

The next book I read was a graphic novel called Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

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…

I gave this 4 stars.

The sixth book I read was Fatal Throne by Six different Authors.

Fatal Throne, a book about Henry VIII and his six wives, coordinated by Candace Fleming. Fleming and six other authors will each contribute a story from different points of view: M.T. Anderson, Jennifer Donnelly, Stephanie Hemphill, Deborah Hopkinson, Linda Sue Park, and Lisa Ann Sandell.

I gave this 2.75 stars.

The next book I read was The Wicker King by K. Ancrum.

When August learns that his best friend, Jack, shows signs of degenerative hallucinatory disorder, he is determined to help Jack cope. Jack’s vivid and long-term visions take the form of an elaborate fantasy world layered over our own—a world ruled by the Wicker King. As Jack leads them on a quest to fulfill a dark prophecy in this alternate world, even August begins to question what is real or not.

August and Jack struggle to keep afloat as they teeter between fantasy and their own emotions. In the end, each must choose his own truth.

I gave this 4.5 Stars.

I read The Manga Classics Edition of Jane Eyre.

As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester. Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers.

I gave this 4 stars.

And lastly I read The Secret Diary of Anne Bolyn.

When the young Queen Elizabeth I is entrusted with Anne Boleyn’s secret diary, she discovers a great deal about the much-maligned mother she never knew. And on learning the truth about her lascivious and despotic father, Henry VIII, she vows never to relinquish control to any man. But this avowal doesn’t prevent Elizabeth from pursuing a torrid love affair with her horsemaster, Robin Dudley — described with near-shocking candor — as too are Anne’s graphic trysts with a very persistent and lustful Henry. Blending a historian’s attention to accuracy with a novelist’s artful rendering, Maxwell weaves compelling descriptions of court life and devastating portraits of actual people into her naughty, page-turning tale. The result is a masterpiece of historical fiction — so prophetic of our time that one would think it were ripped from today’s headlines.

I gave this 2 stars.

I had a really good reading month.

Happy Reading.

Thanks Bookworms.

Mini Book Review: Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

Hello everyone,

Today I am going to be doing a mini book review of The Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It’s a book full of Japanese legends and lore, Its a fun ride of a book.

One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish—and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.

Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.

With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko’s secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself. (Goodreads)

While reading this book all I had pictured in my head was anime. This book would make an amazing anime, like a really good anime.

I absolutely loved the main character Yumeko, she was really innocent and mischievous, and if she finds or sees a tough situation she would try to fix it. I loved all her interactions with the characters in this book. She just always seemed to disarm people, it was hilarious. I loved her mischievous side which was her Kitsune side and, she was just a strong main character.

Tatsumi, was interesting and was the opposite of Yumeko, he was very broody and quiet. he had such an interesting story he is a ninja for the shadow clan, he has been trained to not show emotion, as he carries a sword with a demon trapped within it and if he lets his in to much emotion the demon could take over his body, this sword also makes him the best Demon slayer in the world. He had a lot of character growth within the story.

The ending for this book was amazing! it had me on the edge of my seat. I need to get the second book like now.

Another thing with this book, there were a lot of Japanese words used, but if you didn’t know what they were there was a guide in the back of the book.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a quick, fast paced, YA fantasy book.

Goodreads – 5 stars.

Happy Reading.

Thanks Bookworms.

September Wrap Up

Hello everybody.

Today I am going to be doing my wrap up for September. All together in September I read 11 books, which is insane. Most of them I really enjoyed, and a couple I didn’t.

Stats

8 physical books
2 Kindle books
1 audio/kindle book
3971 pages read.

Goodreads

4 – 5 star books
5 – 4 star books
2 – 1 Star books

Books I Read

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

I have a review of this book, if you would like to check it out go here.

Great Britain circa 1985: time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodos are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taken very, very seriously. Baconians are trying to convince the world that Francis Bacon really wrote Shakespeare, there are riots between the Surrealists and Impressionists, and thousands of men are named John Milton, an homage to the real Milton and a very confusing situation for the police. Amidst all this, Acheron Hades, Third Most Wanted Man In the World, steals the original manuscript of Martin Chuzzlewit and kills a minor character, who then disappears from every volume of the novel ever printed! But that’s just a prelude . . .

Hades’ real target is the beloved Jane Eyre, and it’s not long before he plucks her from the pages of Bronte’s novel. Enter Thursday Next. She’s the Special Operative’s renowned literary detective, and she drives a Porsche. With the help of her uncle Mycroft’s Prose Portal, Thursday enters the novel to rescue Jane Eyre from this heinous act of literary homicide. It’s tricky business, all these interlopers running about Thornfield, and deceptions run rampant as their paths cross with Jane, Rochester, and Miss Fairfax. Can Thursday save Jane Eyre and Bronte’s masterpiece? And what of the Crimean War? Will it ever end? And what about those annoying black holes that pop up now and again, sucking things into time-space voids . . . (Goodreads)

Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas

I also have a review of this book. Click here.

When the Bat’s away, the Cat will play. It’s time to see how many lives this cat really has. . .

Two years after escaping Gotham City’s slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, Batwing is left to hold back the tide of notorious criminals. Gotham City is ripe for the taking.

Meanwhile, Luke Fox wants to prove he has what it takes to help people in his role as Batwing. He targets a new thief on the prowl who seems cleverer than most. She has teamed up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, and together they are wreaking havoc. This Catwoman may be Batwing’s undoing. (Goodreads)

Warcross by Marie Lu

I also reviewed this book. Click here.

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire. (Goodreads)

Contagion by Erin Bowman

Also reviewed this book. Click here.

It got in us

After receiving an urgent SOS from a work detail on a distant planet, a skeleton crew is dispatched to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission.

Most are dead.

But when the crew arrives, they find an abandoned site, littered with rotten food, discarded weapons…and dead bodies.

Don’t set foot here again.

As they try to piece together who—or what—could have decimated an entire operation, they discover that some things are best left buried—and some monsters are only too ready to awaken. (Goodreads)

The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill

Deep beneath the sea, off the cold Irish coast, Gaia is a young mermaid who dreams of freedom from her controlling father. On her first swim to the surface, she is drawn towards a human boy. She longs to join his carefree world, but how much will she have to sacrifice? What will it take for the little mermaid to find her voice? Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairy tale is reimagined through a searing feminist lens, with the stunning, scalpel-sharp writing and world building that has won Louise her legions of devoted fans. A book with the darkest of undercurrents, full of rage and rallying cries: storytelling at its most spellbinding. Goodreads.

I really did not like this book, it was just a painful read, I almost DNFd it. I gave this book 1 Star. I didn’t like the characters and the only person who was interesting was the sea witch.

City Of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

I have also done a review for this book, Click here.

Cassidy Blake’s parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.

When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn’t sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn’t belong in her world. Cassidy’s powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself. (Goodreads)

Damsel by Elana K. Arnold

Also have reviewed this book. Click here, to see how much I didn’t like this book.

The rite has existed for as long as anyone can remember: when the prince-who-will-be-king comes of age, he must venture out into the gray lands, slay a fierce dragon, and rescue a damsel to be his bride. This is the way things have always been.

When Ama wakes in the arms of Prince Emory, however, she knows none of this. She has no memory of what came before she was captured by the dragon, or what horrors she has faced in its lair. She knows only this handsome prince, the story he tells of her rescue, and her destiny to sit on the throne beside him. Ama comes with Emory back to the kingdom of Harding, hailed as the new princess, welcomed to the court.

However, as soon as her first night falls, she begins to realize that not all is as it seems, that there is more to the legends of the dragons and the damsels than anyone knows–and that the greatest threats to her life may not be behind her, but here, in front of her.(Goodreads)

The Other Side Of Lost by Jessi Kirby

Girl Online meets Wild in this emotionally charged story of girl who takes to the wilderness to rediscover herself and escape the superficial persona she created on social media.

Mari Turner’s life is perfect. That is, at least to her thousands of followers who have helped her become an internet starlet. But when she breaks down and posts a video confessing she’s been living a lie—that she isn’t the happy, in-love, inspirational online personality she’s been trying so hard to portray—it goes viral and she receives major backlash. To get away from it all, she makes an impulsive decision: to hike the entire John Muir trail. Mari and her late cousin, Bri, were supposed to do it together, to celebrate their shared eighteenth birthday. But that was before Mari got so wrapped up in her online world that she shut anyone out who questioned its worth—like Bri.

With Bri’s boots and trail diary, a heart full of regret, and a group of strangers that she meets along the way, Mari tries to navigate the difficult terrain of the hike. But the true challenge lies within, as she searches for the way back to the girl she fears may be too lost to find: herself. Goodreads

I really enjoyed this book, I recommend this book, I loved that it looked at the bad side of social media and the need to disconnect sometimes. I gave this 4 stars.

Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

In this third installment in the #1 bestselling Stalking Jack the Ripper series, a luxurious ocean liner becomes a floating prison of scandal, madness, and horror when passengers are murdered one by one…with nowhere to run from the killer. .

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.

But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The strange and disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea. It’s up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer’s horrifying finale? Goodreads

I love this series so much, I absolutely love Thomas so much, and how much he loves Audrey. I listened to this on Audio and read it on my Kindle. I gave this 4.5 Stars on Goodreads.

The Picture of Dorian Gray By Oscar Wilde

Written in his distinctively dazzling manner, Oscar Wilde’s story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is the author’s most popular work. The tale of Dorian Gray’s moral disintegration caused a scandal when it ﬁrst appeared in 1890, but though Wilde was attacked for the novel’s corrupting inﬂuence, he responded that there is, in fact, “a terrible moral in Dorian Gray.” Just a few years later, the book and the aesthetic/moral dilemma it presented became issues in the trials occasioned by Wilde’s homosexual liaisons, which resulted in his imprisonment. Of Dorian Gray’s relationship to autobiography, Wilde noted in a letter, “Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps.” Goodreads

This was a reread for me, I still absolutely love this book, still 4 stars.

Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James

I have a review for this already, Click here.

A magical adventure to delight the imagination. A curl-up-on-the-sofa debut from a uniquely talented author.

Eleven year-old Tilly has lived above her grandparents’ bookshop ever since her mother disappeared shortly after she was born. Like the rest of her family, Tilly loves nothing more than to escape into the pages of her favourite stories.

One day Tilly realises that classic children’s characters are appearing in the shop through the magic of `book wandering’ – crossing over from the page into real life.

With the help of Anne of Green Gables and Alice in Wonderland. Tilly is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to her mother all those years ago, so she bravely steps into the unknown, unsure of what adventure lies ahead and what dangers she may face. Goodreads.

So there you have my wrap up for this month. I think it was success!

Lets Chat!

How many books have you got through this month? Did you enjoy the books you read? Is there any books you would recommend?

Happy Reading.

Thanks Bookworms.

Rhondda Book Fair

Today was a new experience for me. I have never been to a book fair before, and I have to say I absolutely enjoyed myself. I left with a bag of books, that actually killed me while trying to carry it, so many books were bought.

The Rhondda book fair has happened for the past 3 years, this one was the fourth. It was run and set up by Colin R Parsons, who is a childrens author. It’s so good to have something like this in our community, as a book lover who lives in a small town in Wales, there are not many things that happen to do with books. When I found out about this 4 days ago I was amazed that something like this was happening here, the chance to meet authors and get books is an amazing experience. It also brings the community of book lovers together.

It was so good to see and meet all the authors there, they were all lovely and I had some really interesting chats with some of them. As soon as you walk through the door there was a cake stand, and what more could you want, cake and books equals an awesome day to me.

Books

These are all the books I bought at the fair. Most of them are signed by the authors. The list of authors that turned up at the event were Graham Watkins – Daniel Parsons – Angela Fish – Christoph Fischer – Sally Spedding – Mark Dorey – Will Macmillan Jones – Tom Phelps – Dave Lewis – Julie McGowan – Julian Roderick – Nigel C Williams – Damian Harvey – Gail B Williams – Phil Carradice – Helen Forder – Darrell James – Ruth Morgan – Mike Thomas and Jan Newton.

Some of the best conversations I had were with Ruth Morgan, Colin Parsons and Sally Spedding. They were all genuinely, lovely people.

I honestly hope this happens again next year, I really enjoyed my time at the fair, if I could have bought more books I would have, I just couldn’t physically carry anymore.

Thanks Bookworms

Most Anticipated Book Releases For the Rest of the Year.

Today I want to share with you, the books I am looking forward to, coming out in the next few months. Oh my gosh there are a load of books I need in my life, I’m going to be broke by the end of the year, but its okay, I will get all the pretty books.

This list will go in order of release date.

4th September

Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer

Dexter meets This Savage Song in this dark fantasy about a girl who sells magical body parts on the black market — until she’s betrayed.

Nita doesn’t murder supernatural beings and sell their body parts on the internet—her mother does that. Nita just dissects the bodies after they’ve been “acquired.” But when her mom brings home a live specimen, Nita decides she wants out — dissecting living people is a step too far.

But when she tries to save her mother’s victim, she ends up sold on the black market in his place — because Nita herself is a supernatural being. Now Nita is on the other side of the bars, and there is no line she won’t cross to escape and make sure no one can ever capture her again.

Nita did a good deed, and it cost her everything. Now she’s going to do a lot of bad deeds to get it all back. (Goodreads)

I’m so excited for this book. If someone tells me there is a fantasy book coming out that is like Dexter, you can bet your ass I’m going to want to read it.

25th September

The Sisters of the Winter Woods by Rena Rossner

Raised in a small village surrounded by vast forests, Liba and Laya have lived a peaceful sheltered life – even if they’ve heard of troubling times for Jews elsewhere. When their parents travel to visit their dying grandfather, the sisters are left behind in their home in the woods.

But before they leave, Liba discovers the secret that their Tati can transform into a bear, and their Mami into a swan. Perhaps, Liba realizes, the old fairy tales are true. She must guard this secret carefully, even from her beloved sister.

Soon a troupe of mysterious men appear in town and Laya falls under their spell-despite their mother’s warning to be wary of strangers. And these are not the only dangers lurking in the woods…

The sisters will need each other if they are to become the women they need to be – and save their people from the dark forces that draw closer. (Goodreads)

This story just sounded intriguing. Also the cover is really pretty, I know you shouldn’t buy a book based on the cover, but what are you going to do, I like a pretty cover.

2nd October

There are a few books coming out on this date.

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Felicity Montague is through with pretending she prefers society parties to books about bone setting—or that she’s not smarter than most people she knows, or that she cares about anything more than her dream of becoming a doctor.

A year after an accidentally whirlwind tour of Europe, which she spent evading highwaymen and pirates with her brother Monty, Felicity has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of Callum Doyle, a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh; and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.

But then a small window of hope opens. Doctor Alexander Platt, an eccentric physician that Felicity idolizes, is looking for research assistants, and Felicity is sure that someone as forward thinking as her hero would be willing to take her on. However, Platt is in Germany, preparing to wed Felicity’s estranged childhood friend Johanna. Not only is Felicity reluctant to opening old wounds, she also has no money to make the trip.

Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid. In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that will lead her from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic. (Goodreads)

I read the first book by audio, and it was so funny, I can’t wait for this one to come out.

Muse Of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep.

Lazlo faces an unthinkable choice—save the woman he loves, or everyone else?—while Sarai feels more helpless than ever. But is she? Sometimes, only the direst need can teach us our own depths, and Sarai, the muse of nightmares, has not yet discovered what she’s capable of.

As humans and godspawn reel in the aftermath of the citadel’s near fall, a new foe shatters their fragile hopes, and the mysteries of the Mesarthim are resurrected: Where did the gods come from, and why? What was done with thousands of children born in the citadel nursery? And most important of all, as forgotten doors are opened and new worlds revealed: Must heroes always slay monsters, or is it possible to save them instead? (Goodreads)

AHHHHHHH!!! So Excited for this, I just can’t.

The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke

A dark and gorgeously drawn standalone YA fantasy about a band of mercenary girls in search of female glory. Won in a major six-house auction!

Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life.

When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies’ one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere. (Goodreads)

Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman

The drought—or the Tap-Out, as everyone calls it—has been going on for a while now. Everyone’s lives have become an endless list of don’ts: don’t water the lawn, don’t fill up your pool, don’t take long showers.

Until the taps run dry.

Suddenly, Alyssa’s quiet suburban street spirals into a warzone of desperation; neighbours and families turned against each other on the hunt for water. And when her parents don’t return and her life—and the life of her brother—is threatened, Alyssa has to make impossible choices if she’s going to survive

I love Neal Shusterman, Im so excited to read this.

Melmoth by Sarah Perry

For centuries, the mysterious dark-robed figure has roamed the globe, searching for those whose complicity and cowardice have fed into the rapids of history’s darkest waters—and now, in Sarah Perry’s breathtaking follow-up to The Essex Serpent, it is heading in our direction.

It has been years since Helen Franklin left England. In Prague, working as a translator, she has found a home of sorts—or, at least, refuge. That changes when her friend Karel discovers a mysterious letter in the library, a strange confession and a curious warning that speaks of Melmoth the Witness, a dark legend found in obscure fairy tales and antique village lore. As such superstition has it, Melmoth travels through the ages, dooming those she persuades to join her to a damnation of timeless, itinerant solitude. To Helen it all seems the stuff of unenlightened fantasy.

But, unaware, as she wanders the cobblestone streets Helen is being watched. And then Karel disappears. . . . (Goodreads)

9th October

What if It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.

Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.

But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?

Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.

Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.

But what if they can’t quite nail a first date . . . or a second first date . . . or a third?

What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?

What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play?

But what if it is? (Goodreads)

I feel like I have been waiting a million years for this book, I can not wait!!!

20th November

Fire and Blood by George RR Martin

With all the fire and fury fans have come to expect from internationally bestselling author George R. R. Martin, this is the first volume of the definitive two-part history of the Targaryens in Westeros.

Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen—the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria—took up residence on Dragonstone. Fire and Blood begins their tale with the legendary Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne, and goes on to recount the generations of Targaryens who fought to hold that iconic seat, all the way up to the civil war that nearly tore their dynasty apart.

What really happened during the Dance of the Dragons? Why did it become so deadly to visit Valyria after the Doom? What is the origin of Daenerys’s three dragon eggs? These are but a few of the questions answered in this essential chronicle, as related by a learned maester of the Citadel and featuring more than eighty all-new black-and-white illustrations by artist Doug Wheatley. Readers have glimpsed small parts of this narrative in such volumes as The World of Ice & Fire, but now, for the first time, the full tapestry of Targaryen history is revealed.

With all the scope and grandeur of Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Fire and Blood is the ultimate game of thrones, giving readers a whole new appreciation for the dynamic, often bloody, and always fascinating history of Westeros. (Goodreads)

It’s not the book I was hoping for, I mean is he ever going to release Winds of Winter. Anyway I’m always up for a new book set in Westeros .

So there you have it, these are all the books I am looking forward to for the rest of the year.

What are some of the books you can’t wait to get?

Thanks Bookworms

My Favourite Fantasy Authors

Fantasy books are one of my favourite genres to read. I love discovering new worlds, new magic systems, the characters and the wars/fights that happen in fantasy books are so compelling.

I’m going to talk about some of my favourite fantasy authors.

George RR Martin

Like most people, I’m not ashamed to admit that I didn’t get into the books of Game of Thrones, until I saw the TV series. A Song of Ice and Fire, is one of the more complicated stories to follow, if you are not used to adult fantasy then I wouldn’t recommend starting off with this. In the series you follow different character perspectives, and you follow so many, that sometimes it can get confusing.

George has created one of the most interesting worlds and history to that world, the story is epic and I love this series so much. If you have watched the series then I highly recommend that you read the books.

Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb is another favourite, her magic systems are always so unique. My favourite series by her is the Farseer series. The way she writes is so beautiful, and you really end up caring for the characters. She also wrote other series set within the same world as the Farseer trilogy. This is one of the best, and most inventive series I have ever read, and I have reread this series so many times, I cant even count how many.

I really recommend her books if you are looking to try adult fantasy for the first time, I honestly don’t know anyone who has read this series and didn’t like it.

Brandon Sanderson

One of my new favourites is Brandon Sanderson, boy can this guy write an epic fantasy. He writes in a way that doesn’t over complicate the story, and the magic systems that he invents are so unique, I just love his fantastic worlds.

I highly recommend his Mistborn series, the magic system involves metals, thats all I will say about that. His books are action packed and the characters are so interesting.

Sarah J. Maas

One of my YA fantasy authors is Sarah J. Maas, even thou I love her series A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne Of Glass is by far my favourite series by Sarah.

I love the characters, I love the magic, I love the fighting, I just love the whole series and I can not wait until the newest and last book comes out.

Laini Taylor

I love Laini Taylor so much I can’t even put it into words, her writing is almost lyrical, it is so beautiful. She creates fantastic worlds, Strange the Dreamer is in my top ten favourite books of all time. I can not wait until Muse of Nightmares comes out.

I highly recommend Laini, if you just want to read something beautiful, pick up this book.

So there you have my favourite fantasy authors. What are some of yours leave a comment and let me know.

Thanks Bookworms.

My Favourite YA Contemporary Authors.

YA Contemporary novels are like a warm cup of tea on dreary day. They can give you a warm, fuzzy feeling and make you happy.

Today I am going to talk about a few of my favourite YA contemporary authors. The authors that I am going to show, I will read and buy whatever books they come out with.

The first author I’m going to talk about is Rainbow Rowell.

Rainbow Rowell

I first heard about Rainbow Rowell when I was shopping in Waterstones one day. I asked a staff member who would they recommend to me, and she pointed me towards Rainbow Rowell, and I will be forever thankful that she did. So I picked up Eleanor & Park, I read this book in two days I just could not put it down. Eleanor & Park isn’t the most happiest of books, but the way that Rainbow wrote the characters, made me connect with them in a way that made me feel like I knew them personally.

Now my favourite book by Rainbow is FanGirl!!!! Fangirl has some of the best characters in a book that I have ever read. Not only did I connect with the main character Cath, but Levi is one of my top book boyfriends. I honestly can’t say how much this book means to me, and I encourage everyone to read it.

Becky Albertalli

Becky’s books are like a really good chocolate bar, they have to be devoured straight away. You will fall in love with her characters as soon as you open the book. My favourite book by her is Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Honestly if you haven’t read this book yet, what have you been doing with you life? also you will fall in love with Simon so much you will want to have this adorable, Oreo loving, awesome guy as your best friend.

Simon vs. was so good that they even turned it into a movie Love, Simon. Love, Simon is so good, and it also stays true to the book, please go and watch it. You can thank me later. My other favourite of Becky’s is Leah on the Offbeat, which is about Simons best friend Leah.

I highly recommend Becky Albertalli if you are looking for a quick, feel good book.

Morgan Matson

Morgan Matson is the author I go to, when I want a cute, funny, love story.

Her most recent book Save the Date, really helped me get out of feeling down, it was funny, and the cute romance in it was adorable. Save the Date is about a girl who’s older sister is getting married and she helps with the wedding planning, and then everything that can go wrong does, and it was so funny in some parts.

So I would go check out Morgan Matson if you fancy a fun read.

Jenny Han

Jenny Han is an author that I found recently. I have read both her series and the best by far is To all the boys I’ve Loved before. Lara Jean is the cutest main character ever. The 3 books in this series follows Lara Jean and her love life choices.

These books are liking wrapping yourself in a warm fuzzy blanket, they are cute and warm hearted. Also Netflix has just brought out a movie of the first book and I highly recommend this film. It has been perfectly adapted so, GO WATCH IT.

Angie Thomas

Angie Thomas’s first book The Hate You Give, or T.H.U.G is one of the best books I have read this year, It has been on the New York times bestseller list since it has come out.

Angie wrote this in regards to the Black Lives Matter Campaign, honestly this book is moving, beautifully written, and it will honestly stick with you long after you have finished it.

The book is about a girl named Starr, who wittinesses the death of her friend who is shot by a policeman, and then all the things she goes through after this tragic event.

I recommend this book and author because it will stick with you and it will make you think, also I am really looking forward to her next book which is On the Come Up, as soon as this is out, I will be dropping everything and I will be reading that book.

So there you have it, some of my favourite YA authors. What are some of your’s?

Thanks Bookworms.