Monday, September 30, 2019

American Royals Spotlight

Today I am sharing a little about American Royals by Katharine McGee :D I was lucky enough to get a gorgeous promo box from Penguin Random House International filled with goodies about the book. And I love it all so very much. Eee. I shared on my instagram about each of the things, and will share a little bit below too. And sharing a little about the book and author as well :) This book came out this month. Have you read it yet? I'm pretty curious about it and hoping to have the time to read it soon. It looks gorgeous. Huge thank you to PRH International for sending me this book for free. I cannot wait to read it one day :D


In my stunning box I got an international paperback edition of American Royals. I got gorgeous buttons. I got cute sunglasses and a bath bomb. And some other gorgeous swag and paper straws too. I love it all.

What if America had a royal family?

When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne.

As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America's first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling. Nobody cares about the spare except when she's breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn't care much about anything, either . . . except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her. And then there's Samantha's twin, Prince Jefferson. If he'd been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince . . . but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart.






Katharine McGee is the New York Times bestselling author of the Thousandth Floor series. She studied English and French literature at Princeton and has an MBA from Stanford. She’s been speculating about American royalty since her undergraduate days, when she wrote a thesis on “castle envy”: the idea that the American psyche is missing out on something, because Americans don’t have a royal family of their own.

Katharine lives with her husband in her hometown of Houston, Texas.



Where to find Katharine McGee:

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Review: Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All by Laura Ruby

Reading this book was painful. Every part of it made my heart ache. But oh my god how badly I loved it. This entire book was perfection. It ruined me. And my heart is still racing after having finished reading it. It was simply every kind of good. Horrible but so amazing. I am giving five stars to this beyond incredible book.

Because there is so much I have to share about this story. The writing was all kinds of perfect. I loved being able to connect to the story and this world. And gosh, the setting. I just cannot. So good. It takes place in Chicago during WW2, from 1941 to 1946. Reading about this was so very painful. It was all written so well.

I must say that contemporary books are not really my thing, but I have to try a few at times. And I already adored Laura. I'm so so glad I gave this book a try. Because I loved every moment of it. It is contemporary but also historical and also full of ghosts. Which I loved too. There was not a single part of this book that I found boring. Not a single part I hated reading about. I mean, my heart was breaking most of the time, but I loved it even so. There was one death I wish had not been true. As it ruined me the most. Yet it was done so well too, and so I cannot complain too much. Sigh. I simply loved this book to pieces. All the different characters were so good to read about. Gosh. I loved all of them so much. Okay, I fully hated one of the nuns, but she so deserved it.

This book tells the story about Frankie. And is told through the eyes of a ghost named Pearl. Which was all kinds of different and exciting. Even though we do not read the book fully through the point of view of Frankie we still get every part of her thoughts on most things. Because of how the ghost is watching her, reading her thoughts and feelings. The book begins when Frankie is fourteen years old. It slowly goes on until she is nineteen. Which I liked a bunch, as we learn so much about her, and nothing felt rushed at all.

But where do I begin to describe Frankie? Hmm. She was the most adorable girl. I loved her to pieces. She has lived at an orphanage for years now with her younger sister and her older brother, though she almost never sees him. Because of the girls and boys being kept apart, since this orphanage is run by nuns. Which I would never have been able to survive. Gosh. The whole religion thing is not for me, but I did not mind reading about it at all. Everything was interesting and exciting and so I loved this orphanage.

We learn so much about Frankie in this book. Her mom died years before and her father left his children at this orphanage. He visits once every two weeks, always bringing food and gifts. But it is not the same as living with him. Then he marries someone else. And comes to visit with her, letting his girls know that they are moving away. And only taking their older brother with them. And all five children of his new wife, leaving behind Frankie and her sister. And gosh. This ruined my heart. It was fully cruel and evil. Hmph.

At first I had so much trouble with Toni, Frankie's sister. They argued so often. But near the end she did something else. And I started loving this girl something fierce. Which I'm so thrilled about. But ha. Their father. I never grew to care for him. I only began hating him more and more. Oops. The older brother was sweet, though, but almost never there. Frankie and Toni spend so many years at the orphanage. It could be horrible there, with the nuns being so strict, and the food being very terrible. But still. They were safe.

Safe from the war and safe from their father's evil new wife. Reading about life at the orphanage was all kinds of fun, to be honest. Frankie had some really sweet friends and I adored those girls beyond words. They were amazing. And she had a boy too. And it was beyond sweet reading about her first love. It hurt. But it was so good. Sam was the best. Some of the nuns were kind. But one of them was not. And I hated her with such passion. A punishment she made near the end of the book made me cry. It hurt soso badly.

This book was a little about the war too. Which was also heartbreaking to read about. It was also about how women were punished and treated. That hurt to read about too. But was so important as well. And everything was written so good. Sigh. But this story was also a ghost story. Being told from the point of view of Pearl. It is the story of Frankie, which was so good and heartbreaking, but it was also the story of Pearl. And oh my gosh how badly I loved Pearl. Getting to know this dead girl ruined me the very most.

So much of her life was a secret. So many things we did not learn until closer to the end of the book. And everything new learned ruined my heart even more. My gosh. This girl went through a lot. And it hurt so badly to read about. But so good. Yes. So good. This ghost do a lot of things as well. She visits a bunch of places, which I loved. She meets a ghost friend, whom I adored too. Getting to slowly learn her whole story, why she was dead, how she had lived, was beyond incredible. I very much loved reading about her.

I have already written so much about this book. Yet not nearly enough. Most of the story takes place at the orphanage. And not one single part of this story was boring. Frankie was a girl who followed the rules. Sometimes, haha. I adored her to pieces. Pearl was amazing too. Everything about this book made my heart race. In fear, in pain, in hope. The ending was a little bittersweet, but mostly sweet. This book was also filled with history. And most of the book was real too. And I loved all of that so much. Sigh. So good.

There are so many parts of this book I want to write about. I think I have gotten most of it down. Okay, I'm far from having written down all my thoughts about everything, but gosh. I have to stop sometime, haha. This book was just so good. And I cannot stop writing about it. Sigh. You all need this book in your life. I'm so glad that I decided to read it. It hurt me. So very much. Not always a good hurt. Yet I adored every part of it. Which is the very best feeling, to be honest. This book was fully rude. But fully perfect. I loved it tons.

Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All was everything I wanted it to be and so so much more. It ruined every part of my heart. And I loved it even more because of it. This is a book I know I would read again. It is a book I know I will think about for a long time. It is a book I will not forget. Everything about it was perfect. Heartbreaking, but so good. And beyond important. I need you all to read this book too. You will not regret it. Huge thank you to a special friend for trading me the ARC. I must get the hardcover too.

 

Saturday, September 28, 2019

In My Mailbox #412

I mean, honestly. Another week gone by. How is time moving so fast? Gosh. It's almost winter here, haha. So cold already and some snow coming soon. Ahh! I do not want to have to take down my spa bath next month. Sigh. Will be forever and ever until I can take it up next spring. Rude. Anyway. My health has also completely sucked this week. But I'm doing good despite that. Only read a graphic novel, but have started another book, and will be reading lots of it tomorrow, so that I can begin my re-read of His Dark Materials right after, eee :D And also. Oh my gosh. I GOT TICKETS TO SEE TAYLOR SWIFT!!! EEE! Next summer in Oslo. <3 I am SO EXCITED. Expensive, but so worth it. Already booked the hotel too. Just waiting for cheaper plane tickets :) I'm excited to go. Hoping I can go too. My health completely sucks, but I'm going anyway. So excited. Also got some gorgeous books this week, so yay for that. A big no for not having my laptop, though. It is sent in to service. Again. Fourth time in less than two years. This time, though, they MUST give me a new laptop or my money back after it has been to service. It is the law. Thank god. I'm goddamn tired of this very expensive laptop being shit. Ugh. Fingers crossed I will not have to wait too long. Anyway. A couple of new blog posts. This week I'm waiting on Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All :D Which is also the book I'm reading right now. <3 Then I shared my review of Stargazing :)



Darkdawn. Oops. Another copy. It's the gorgeous Goldsboro, though, haha :D I love the colored edges.
The Institute. I have not read a single book by Stephen King. I had to buy this when I read the summary.
Bid My Soul Farewell. Eee! This book was so very perfect :D I love my hardcover and intl paperback.
Five Dark Fates. Oops. Barnes and Noble special signed first edition :D I had to buy this one, haha. <3
The Trials of Apollo. I know, I know. SO FAR behind on these books. But I still have to have them all ;)
Wayward Son. Ahh! First copy, US hardcover. Gosh. So excited. But nervous to re-read Carry On, haha.
Pop Figures. Oops :D A few scary ones, haha. I loved The Nun. And Annabelle is awesome too. Love.




 
American Royals. I completely forgot to share about this last week, ack! I got this gorgeous promo package from Penguin Random House International about American Royals :D EEE! Thank you so so much. You guys are the best. And this box was all kinds of adorable. I love all the items. They are so great. And the book sounds good too :) Hoping to read it soonish.


More Instagram photos here. <3

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Review: Stargazing by Jen Wang

I knew I had to read this book when I saw that gorgeous cover. I had also read The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen before, which was all kinds of adorable. And I knew I would enjoy this one too. And I very much did so. Stargazing was pretty much perfect. Liked it so very much. Four stars for this stunning book.

The writing was beautiful. And the artwork was so perfect. I so loved all the drawings and the characters were beyond sweet. I loved all the diversity in this book. Reading about the different cultures and different food from where I live was so interesting and amazing. Christine and Moon were both so very awesome.

I will not be writing a very long review for this graphic novel, as it was pretty short. But I will be sharing why I adored it. Sharing that I think you should all read this book. It was such a precious story about important friendships. The only thing that I wish had been different was the length of the book. I wanted more. Much more. I wanted the ending to be longer and have more details. I wanted more scenes with Christine and Moon together, as they were the best of friends and so very cute together. But even though it was short, it was still enough. And it still told such a great story that I enjoyed the very most. I found the ending to be mostly perfect too, which made me very happy. There was an afterword that was both sad and sweet and very fitting with the book.

Stargazing tells the story of Christine and Moon. I do not know how old they were, but they seemed and looked pretty young. Either way, they were the perfect age to start a new friendship. The girls do not know each other, not until Christine's father has Moon and her mother move into their extra smaller house out back. Reading about Christine and Moon meeting and getting to know each other was all kinds of sweet. These two girls were so awesome. So different in many ways, but so much the same. I adored them both.

There truly is not much I can say about this book. It tells the story about these two young girls. How they become fast friends and listen to music together and spent so much time together too. They sign up for the school talent show together too, to dance. And seeing them practice was all kinds of fun. They were way too adorable. There is a little jealousy in this book. A little bad behavior from Christine, which was all kinds of sad, but she made up for it. I'm not very forgiving about what she didn't do near the ending, haha.

This book was not very long yet it was long enough to tell a great story about two new best friends. The summary mentions something bad happens. But it did not happen until almost the very end of the book. And it was not written about much at all. I wanted to know more, much more. But it was still so very good, though. Stargazing was every bit as adorable as I knew it would be. Getting to know Christine and Moon was the best thing. They were way too sweet. I think you should all read this stunning graphic novel too.


Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Waiting on Wednesday #415

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

THIRTEEN DOORWAYS, WOLVES BEHIND THEM ALL 
BY LAURA RUBY

Goodreads Description:

National Book Award 2019 Longlist Nominee!

From the author of Printz Medal winner Bone Gap comes the unforgettable story of two young women—one living, one dead—dealing with loss, desire, and the fragility of the American dream during WWII.

When Frankie’s mother died and her father left her and her siblings at an orphanage in Chicago, it was supposed to be only temporary—just long enough for him to get back on his feet and be able to provide for them once again. That’s why Frankie's not prepared for the day that he arrives for his weekend visit with a new woman on his arm and out-of-state train tickets in his pocket.

Now Frankie and her sister, Toni, are abandoned alongside so many other orphans—two young, unwanted women doing everything they can to survive.

And as the embers of the Great Depression are kindled into the fires of World War II, and the shadows of injustice, poverty, and death walk the streets in broad daylight, it will be up to Frankie to find something worth holding on to in the ruins of this shattered America—every minute of every day spent wondering if the life she's able to carve out will be enough.

I will admit I do not know the answer. But I will be watching, waiting to find out.
That’s what ghosts do.


Hardcover, 384 pages
Expected publication: October 1st 2019 by Balzer + Bray
Pre-Order here and here

This book is out next week already! Ahh! And I'm finally going to read the ARC that I traded for in a few days, haha. I adore this author. Have read and loved a few books by Laura and cannot wait to read this one too. It seems so good and looks stunning. I think I will end up loving it a whole lot. Fingers crossed.
What are you waiting for on this abandoned Wednesday?

Saturday, September 21, 2019

In My Mailbox #411

This week have been all kinds of hard. I have been so busy and so exhausting. My health completely sucks. I'm struggling with a cold on top of everything too. Ugh. Goddamn tired of it. I want days where I do not feel pain. Sigh. Anyway. I'm behind on reading again, as always. Behind on every single thing. And now I will be turning in my laptop again this Monday, so will be without a good one for ages. Ugh. But I'll survive, hopefully. I also bought Link's Awakening for my Switch yesterday, and I have played for hours, and I'm loving it so. But my eyes are killing me more than usual. Hmph. Oh, well. I got gorgeous books this week, though :D Love them all. <3 A couple of new blog posts. I shared my review of Bid My Soul Farewell :D This week I'm waiting on The Secret Commonwealth. <3 Eee. I have so much reading I have to do. But no time. But shall try my best this coming week to read a lot :) I'm just hoping so badly that my health will get better, not worse. Also, keep your fingers crossed for me this Wednesday, eee :D Nervous.



The Definite Guide to Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. Gosh. This is huge. I could not resist it, lol.
Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp. New edition of old Philip book :D I must read this one very soon. <3
Crooked Kingdom. Eee. The gorgeous UK collector edition :D And it is so very beautiful. Sigh. I love it.
Darkdawn. Oops. Another edition, this time the UK paperback version, haha. I just. It's beautiful. Sigh.
Furyborn. Second version of the Spanish edition, eee :D I couldn't help but buy these foreign editions.
Dæmon Voices. Paperback edition :D I have not read this one yet, but had to own all the copies of it.
Five Dark Fates. International paperback edition and the UK paperback :D Both are so very gorgeous.
When She Reigns. Trilogy is complete :D I have still only read book one, oops, so must read them soon.


More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Waiting on Wednesday #414

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

THE SECRET COMMONWEALTH (The Book of Dust #2) 
BY PHILIP PULLMAN

Goodreads Description:

It is twenty years since the events of La Belle Sauvage: The Book of Dust Volume One unfolded and saw the baby Lyra Belacqua begin her life-changing journey. 

It is almost ten years since readers left Lyra and the love of her young life, Will Parry, on a park bench in Oxford's Botanic Gardens at the end of the ground-breaking, bestselling His Dark Materials sequence. 

Now, in The Secret Commonwealth, we meet Lyra Silvertongue. And she is no longer a child . . .

The second volume of Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust sees Lyra, now twenty years old, and her daemon Pantalaimon, forced to navigate their relationship in a way they could never have imagined, and drawn into the complex and dangerous factions of a world that they had no idea existed. Pulled along on his own journey too is Malcolm; once a boy with a boat and a mission to save a baby from the flood, now a man with a strong sense of duty and a desire to do what is right.

Theirs is a world at once familiar and extraordinary, and they must travel far beyond the edges of Oxford, across Europe and into Asia, in search for what is lost - a city haunted by daemons, a secret at the heart of a desert, and the mystery of the elusive Dust.

Hardcover, 656 pages
Expected publication: October 3rd 2019 by Penguin and David Fickling Books
Pre-Order here and here

Wow. 15 days. I mean, wow. THIS BOOK IS ALMOST OUT! AHH! WHAT! I am SO VERY EXCITED :D EEE! It's going to be beyond perfect. Sigh. And I could not be more excited. Okay, beyond worried too, haha. But cannot wait. SO thrilled to be able to read more about Lyra, finally :D Cover reveal post here.
What are you waiting for on this secret Wednesday?

Monday, September 16, 2019

Review: Bid My Soul Farewell by Beth Revis

This final book fully messed with my mind. And it was every bit as good as I had hoped it would be. But it also ruined my heart, just as much as I had feared it would. I liked the ending a whole lot. Though I wish it had been a little longer, haha. I really would not have minded a third book. I always want more of what I love.

But this book did not need more. Because it was perfect just the way it was. Fully evil and rude. But so very amazing as well. I so loved every moment of this. Even the moments that made me all kinds of angry at the characters, haha. They were so flawed. But so perfect to me, because of this. I loved both of them to pieces.

There is so much I could share about this book. But I will try not to write too much about it.This book takes place moments after the ending of Give the Dark My Love. Meaning that there will be spoilers about book one. Which you all should have read by now anyway. If not, go read it. Right away. I very much loved that this book did not skip any time. I so liked that it started right after the first book ended. Nedra is alone at the quarantine hospital. With the dead she raised for company. Grey is with the Emperor, staying up at the castle, after his parents fled their home. They are apart, but not for long. Nedra and Grey end up going on a small journey together to the mainland. Which was all kinds of exciting but sad too. I loved it. It was a fun adventure to read about.

There is so much going on in this book. I shall not write too much about it. But gosh. There was so much to get to know. We learn more about the necromancer part of Nedra. About what happen to the dead she raises. About their souls and so much more. It was so sad to read about at times. But so very good too. A little creepy, a little scary. But fully exciting. Reading more about Nedra hurt my heart. But I loved this girl the very most. She has lost so much. Her family. Her home. But she is still alive, despite the pain. Fierce.

And she has her sister with her. Well, her dead body, with her soul trapped in her crucible. And Nedra would do anything to save her sister, to save her soul, to have more time with her. Because her body is there, but empty. Reading about all of the things Nedra did to figure out a way to save her sister was so good. All kinds of sad but good. Nedra was pretty dark. A whole lot of broken. Yet I adored every part of her. She was not truly that bad. She only wanted her sister back. So yeah. I adored every part of Nedra.

Then there was Grey. He was so complicated in this book too. Fully ignorant about how politics around him worked. How he was being used by others. He felt things so very much. He was wrong a lot of times, but I honestly did not think he was wrong about Nedra and her being a necromancer. Because that was all kinds of scary. They had such different opinions. And reading about them somewhat working through it all was so good. Grey was a little dumb at times but gosh how badly I adored him. Sigh. Could not help it.

This book is all about Nedra and Grey. About her dealing with the people she raised from the dead. About them dealing with their feelings for each other and how to live with each other while being so different. Yet they have the same type of heart. Sigh. It tells more about the Emperor and the place they live in. We get to read a little about places away from their island, which was also great. A few new characters too, which were interesting to read about. But this story was mostly about Nedra and Grey. Which I loved very much.

Grey and Nedra are so difficult in this book. I ship them so very much. As they are adorable together. But my gosh, they are such different people. They argue all the time. Grey is very much against Nedra being a necromancer. He does not think it is right. And she is very much for it. So they have some arguments about it. Some big ones, some small ones. But all of this simply made me love them together even more. Because despite their issues they still love each other very much. Sigh. And their love was the very best.

This book told an ending to the story of Nedra the necromancer. And it was an ending that fit this story very well. Nedra was such a complex person. I adored her to pieces. And reading about her was the very best. Her love for her dead sister pretty much ruined me, though. She would do anything to bring Nessie back to her. To bring her soul back to her dead body. We learn so much about everything with that. And it was so very exciting to read about. Nedra goes through so much. I loved her even more because of this.

Bid My Soul Farewell was just the kind of finale I wanted. It was full of danger and romance and a great story. I adored Nedra and Grey so much and I loved getting to know how their story ended. This whole necromancy thing was all kinds of creepy yet so very interesting. I enjoyed every part of this book. And I am so glad that Beth wrote these books. They are heartbreaking at times. But so worth it too. Though, to be honest, I wish this second book had been even longer. It feels like there was more I needed to know.

But I am also okay with not knowing everything. I think. Because this book was all kinds of beautiful and tragic too. It hurt my heart. It hurt my soul. But it healed it too, in a way. Because of how Nedra changed in this book. How she slowly healed herself. Was so good to read about. I was lucky enough to be able to trade for a gorgeous print ARC of this book to read a little early and to add to my most stunning collection of books by Beth. She is such an awesome author and person. You all must read these books right away.

 

Saturday, September 14, 2019

In My Mailbox #410

Another week gone by. Gosh. Time is moving way too fast. I got so so little done this week. I even spent seven days reading a book that I read in one day last year. Ugh. But so little time. And no energy at all. I thought last week was bad with my health. This week was so much worse. My eyelid got swollen. Badly. Went to two doctors, got antibiotics for it. It's better now, but gosh, it was painful. Then yesterday I noticed pain in my wrist. And bent it. Turns out I now have a ganglion bump too. Ha. Yeah. Not pleased. Another thing I had never heard about. Anyway. My health currently sucks. Doing okay despite that. Somewhat. I am so far behind. But I'm trying. Trying to feel up to doing more. I also got some gorgeous books in the mail this week, eee, which I'm super happy about :D It's all perfect. A few new blog posts. This week I'm waiting on Bid My Soul Farewell. <3 And shared my second review of Give the Dark My Love :) I'm trying to deal with my health and everything. It's hard, though. Hard to find time to do all the things I want. Sigh.



Darkdawn. Oops. Some pre-orders have arrived, haha :D And they just looks gorgeous. I love the covers.
The Girl the Sea Gave Back. Oops. Yeah. I did not love this book but had to own the gorgeous hardcover.
The Magnolia Sword. This book was SO GOOD. And I loved it so. Sigh. The finished copy is so precious.
Pumpkinheads. UK edition :D It looks all kinds of stunning. And this book was pretty much so adorable.
Tunnel of Bones. US and UK editions of this book :) Book one was a bit meh, hoping this one is better.
The End and Other Beginnings + The Grace Year. EEE! Thank you Rezanne for trading with me :D Love!
When She Reigns Swag. YAY! Thank you so much Jodi for this most precious pre-order swag :D Love it.
Pop Figures + Mirror. Captain Marvel and Lucas :D Both so awesome. And LotR mirror from a trade. <3




The Empire of Dreams. AHH! I could not stop myself from downloading this from Edelweiss the moment I saw it. Oops. So love being auto-approved by Harper so so very much. <3 Sigh. I adore Rae. And her books were so good. Her first trilogy was awesome and I can't wait to read this companion sequel :D


More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Review: Give the Dark My Love by Beth Revis

Reading this book again was a must. And I'm so thrilled I finally had the chance to re-read it. Because, gosh, this story is good. Beyond heartbreaking and kind of evil and fully sad but so good. So perfect. And such a thrilling story as well. Cannot wait to read the final book next. It will be amazing, I'm sure of it. Very excited.

Give the Dark My Love was every kind of perfect the first time I read it. And it was just as perfect this second time. The writing is gorgeous. The world building awesome. And all of the characters were the very best. Reading about Nedra and Grey was still the best thing. They are adorable. Although this book ruined me too.

Because this story is all kinds of heartbreaking. It is a story about grief and loss and pain. A story about the plague. A story about a girl doing her best to help find a cure for this plague. It is a story about a girl and boy falling in love, despite Nedra not having time for romance. Despite all their differences. The romance is not a huge part of this book, but it was there, and it was every kind of adorable. I shipped them so very much. Sigh. The book is mostly told from the point of view of Nedra. With a few chapters from Grey included too. And I loved reading from both of them. I fell in love with them both. Getting to know their story was the best thing. Grey is the rich boy having lived a privileged life. Nedra is a girl from a small village with the biggest heart and best family.

There is so much about this book that I could write about. But this time I will not share too much about everything. Well, I will try not to, haha. I am simply so happy that I read this book again. Because it was all kinds of good. Though my heart feels like it will always suffer. Sigh. Nedra goes through so much in this story. So much pain and suffering. But many happy things too. A lot of happy with Grey. And that made me the happiest. I loved how she was so excited about studying alchemy. She was so awesome.

This book takes place at a private school. And on a quarantine hospital just across the water from it. First we get to know Nedra and her family. And gosh, how I adored them all. Her parents were adorable and her twin sister was so cute. I loved that Nedra had a happy family. She got accepted to this private school on a scholarship for a year. And she is so excited about it. About learning alchemy, learning more about the plague that is happening in the world around her. I loved how very excited she was about everything.

But oh, things were not all perfect and fun and full of learning. Because what Nedra do most in this book is spend time around people that have the plague. She learns everything there is to know about it, without finding a cure or the reason for why it all happened. She learns how to take the pain away from the sick people. Though most of them died anyway. There was so much death. And it was heartbreaking to read about. Especially considering how much Nedra cared about it all, and how much the rich people did not.

This is a book about the plague. And it was so interesting and horrifying to read about. I loved everything that was learned about it. And all the secrets that came out too. Especially about necromancy, which was forbidden in this place. Learning about necromancy was all kinds of interesting. It was all about sacrifice and death. Which Nedra learns so much about in this story. Sigh. Which broke my heart so very badly. I will not say more about it, but gosh, my heart hurt for Nedra. She didn't deserve all that happened to her.

I shall not say much more about this book. Only that I still loved it so very much. The story about Nedra and how she ended up turning dark was the very best. I so loved her relationship with Grey and with her family too. There was simply so much about this book that I loved. The world was so good. The story was so sad and rude and evil. Yet I loved every moment of it. Give the Dark My Love was still everything that I wanted it to be. And I cannot wait to read Bit My Soul Farewell next. You all need these books in your life.


Waiting on Wednesday #413

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

BID MY SOUL FAREWELL (Give the Dark My Love #2) 
BY BETH REVIS

Goodreads Description:

The stunning finale of the epic fantasy duology from New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis.

Alchemy student turned necromancer Nedra Brysstain has made a life-changing decision to embrace the darkness--but can the boy who loves her bring her back to the light before she pays the ultimate price?

Lunar Island is trying to heal. The necromantic plague that ravaged the land has been eradicated, and Emperor Auguste, the young and charming leader of the Allyrian Empire, has a plan: rid the island of necromancy once and for all. Though Greggori "Grey" Astor wants what's best for his people, he knows that allying himself with Auguste threatens the one person he loves most: necromancer Nedra Brysstain. Feeling like he already failed to save Nedra once, Grey becomes determined to help the Emperor rebuild Lunar Island while still keeping Nedra safe from harm.

Back at the quarantine hospital, Nedra's army of revenants are growing increasingly inhuman by the day. Wracked with guilt for imprisoning their souls, Nedra vows to discover a way to free the dead while still keeping her sister by her side.

But, still reeling from the trauma of the plague, the people of Lunar Island are looking for someone to blame, and Grey can only protect Nedra for so long. And when Nedra and Grey are thrust into a battle with an even more terrifying adversary, Nedra will be pushed to the darkest depths of her necromantic powers. But can Grey let her go that far?


Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication: September 24th 2019 by Razorbill
Pre-Order here and here

Eee. This book is finally almost out :D I have waited so long for this second and final book, haha. I loved the first book so very much, and I'm re-reading it right now, as I have an ARC of this one that I will read right after, eee :D I'm the slowest reader right now, though. But oh my gosh, how I am excited about this book. It will be fully perfect. And probably all kinds of heartbreaking. And I cannot wait for all of it. Sigh.
What are you waiting for on this dark Wednesday?

Saturday, September 7, 2019

In My Mailbox #409

How has it already been another week? Gosh. Time is moving way too fast and I do not have time to get anything done. Ahh. I only read one book this week, and it was a short graphic novel, ack. I am currently reading a longer book, but it's taking forever. Sigh. But working on it. I'm so busy lately. Spending all day long with my sister and her kids. Oops. I love it, I do, but gosh, I'm exhausted. And no time for anything else. Ack. Because I'm also all kinds of sick. My health sucks so badly. It all got worse after getting my regular medicine. Feels like I have gotten all the sideeffects. Ugh. I'm not pleased. Trying to deal with it, though. Sigh. And I did get some gorgeous mail, so yay for that :) Will be seeing IT 2 this coming week, which I'm so excited about. Only two new blog posts. I shared my review of Pumpkinheads :D And this week I'm waiting on Rebel :) Hope you are all doing well. <3 I hope to finally start catching up very soon.





Kingdom of Souls. I'm both excited and nervous about this one, haha. It sounds pretty amazing, though.
Serpent & Dove. This book was all kinds of good and the finished copy looks so gorgeous :D I love it.
Five Dark Fates. Ahh. I'm beyond nervous about this final book. I have peeked, haha :D But SO excited.
The Girl the Sea Gave Back. Oops. I did not like this book much, but I need them all for my collection :)
The Crimson Skew. I was looking at my collection and realized I was missing this paperback version, ack.
What She Found in the Woods + Sky in the Deep Art Print. Eee! Thank you for trading with me Donna :D
Pop Figures. Ahh! I got so many pre-orders this week :D I love them all so much. Ahh. New Pennywise :D


More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Waiting on Wednesday #412

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

REBEL (Legend #4) BY MARIE LU

Goodreads Description:

Respect the Legend. Idolize the Prodigy. Celebrate the Champion. But never underestimate the Rebel.

With unmatched suspense and her signature cinematic storytelling, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Marie Lu plunges readers back into the unforgettable world of Legend for a truly grand finale.

Eden Wing has been living in his brother’s shadow for years. Even though he’s a top student at his academy in Ross City, Antarctica, and a brilliant inventor, most people know him only as Daniel Wing’s little brother.

A decade ago, Daniel was known as Day, the boy from the streets who led a revolution that saved the Republic of America. But Day is no longer the same young man who was once a national hero. These days he’d rather hide out from the world and leave his past behind. All that matters to him now is keeping Eden safe―even if that also means giving up June, the great love of Daniel’s life.

As the two brothers struggle to accept who they’ve each become since their time in the Republic, a new danger creeps into the distance that’s grown between them. Eden soon finds himself drawn so far into Ross City’s dark side, even his legendary brother can’t save him. At least not on his own . . .


Hardcover, 384 pages
Expected publication: October 1st 2019 by Roaring Brook Press
Pre-Order here and here

The Legend trilogy ruined my heart. I loved it, but gosh, I will never forgive the ending of book three, haha. And so I have hope that this fourth book will make my heart alright again. Hopefully. I'm also all kinds of nervous about this book. Gosh. I need my happy ending. Sigh. But so very excited for this one.
What are you waiting for on this rebel Wednesday?

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Review: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

This book was all kinds of adorable, which I knew it would be. Gave me the perfect feelings of autumn and friendship. I knew I had to read this graphic novel the moment I heard of it. As I adore Rainbow, but also because of how gorgeous this cover was. How fun the story sounded like it would be. Which it was.

I am giving this stunning thing four stars. It was pretty much perfect. Full of feelings and the most perfect friendship that I wanted to turn into more. All the artwork in this graphic novel was simply perfection. I loved all of the drawings. I loved the writing as well. This story was all kinds of adorable and sweet.

I only wish there had been even more of it, haha. I wanted it to be longer, with more of Deja and Josiah having fun together. As they were the cutest characters to read about. I loved how they were drawn. I loved their friendship. And I loved getting to know little things about them. But yes. This is the reason why I wanted this book to be more, as I really wanted to know much more about both of them. As I adored them so. Sigh. I will not be writing a very long review of it because of it not being that long. Pumpkinheads tells the story of Deja and Josiah. They have been autumn friends for years now, only spending time together for two months a year, in the pumpkin patch. They are the best of friends despite spending so little time together each year.

This book tells of their last night working at the pumpkin patch. Next year they will be in college. This is their last night working together, maybe even their last night as friends. Josiah is all kinds of sad about it. And so Deja decides that they will skip out on working and instead go on a mission. A mission to make Josiah talk to the girl he has had a crush on for the past three years. The girl he has not even talked to before. And so they go searching for her. But she is never where she is supposed to be, always moving.

Which means this book ended up being a big adventure of the pumpkin patch. With Deja searching for different snacks to taste. They are searching for the girl, to make Josiah talk to her, before it is too late. Josiah is kind of a shy boy. And he seemed all kinds of adorable. I adored reading about him and Deja spending time together. Talking about their friendship and things they had done before too. They were such cute friends and I shipped them beyond words. Oops. They were truly perfect for each other. Sigh.

There is not that much happening in this book. It is simply Deja and Josiah spending an evening going through the pumpkin patch. It felt a little magical. A lot like autumn. I have never visited a pumpkin patch before, as I'm not even sure they exists in Norway. But this book made me want to visit one so badly. I loved all the illustrations of the food and all the things to do. It seemed like so much fun. This book also features a kind of crazy animal, which was pretty awesome too. With some other cute characters as well.

Pumpkinheads was just as adorable as I thought it would be. Filled with gorgeous artwork and stunning writing. The story was so cute and sweet. The friendship between Deja and Josiah was the best thing. And I loved reading about their adventure through the pumpkin patch. It was all kinds of fun. I would so recommend everyone to read this graphic novel. It made me feel so very happy and good. I have not read anything else by Faith yet, but I will one day. Her artwork was just all kinds of perfection. Loved it.