Saturday, November 28, 2020

In My Mailbox #473

Another week gone by. Another week closer to Christmas, eee. Though, gosh, I'm not at all ready to start doing all those advent calendar contests every day of December until Christmas. Ahh. It's always so fully exhausting. But kind of fun, and I have won something each year, I think. Always hoping to win something big, haha :) So yeah. Only a few days until that starts too. I just can't wait for Christmas. It's the best time. And loving all my Christmas decorations. So pretty. Eee. Also, I now have a small Christmas tree too. Ah. See instagram photo below :) I have read one Graphic Novel this week. Pleased about that, but yeah. No long books read. I won't make my goodreads goal of fifty this year. Sigh. But that's okay. I'm just not well enough to read as much these days. Trying my best, though. So yeah. A couple of new posts. A couple of new books too. I shared my review of Swamp Thing: Twin Branches. <3 And this week I'm waiting on Red Wolf :) I'm doing as good as possible. Got more medicine yesterday, and so far I am feeling pretty poorly. Ugh. Hope that changes fast. Hope you are all doing good and staying safe. <3 Christmas soon :)


Soulswift. Gosh. Peeking at that ending destroyed me. What even. Yet very excited to read this soon :D
The Mortal Instruments Volume Four. These graphic novels are all so gorgeous. Eee. Reading one day.

 More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Waiting on Wednesday #476

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

RED WOLF BY RACHEL VINCENT

Goodreads Description:

This high stakes, pacey reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood is perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber and Megan Spooner.

For as long as sixteen-year-old Adele can remember the village of Oakvale has been surrounding by the dark woods—a forest filled with terrible monsters that light cannot penetrate. Like every person who grows up in Oakvale she has been told to steer clear of the woods unless absolutely necessary.

But unlike her neighbors in Oakvale, Adele has a very good reason for going into the woods. Adele is one of a long line of guardians, women who are able to change into wolves and who are tasked with the job of protecting their village while never letting any of the villagers know of their existence.

But when following her calling means abandoning the person she loves, the future she imagined for herself, and her values she must decide how far she is willing to go to keep her neighbors safe.

Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication: July 20th 2021 by HarperCollins
Pre-Order here
and here #ad

Eee. I am pretty much all kinds of excited for this book. The cover is gorgeous. The story sound amazing. I have read a few books by Rachel, and I cannot wait to read more by her. I think this new book sounds so very good. Sigh. Hoping it is dark and delicious, haha. And hoping for some romance too, always :)
What are you waiting for on this dark Wednesday?

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Review: Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater & Morgan Beem

I have wanted to read this since it was announced. As I adore Maggie and her books. It seemed amazing. I, sadly, don't know anything about the original Swamp Thing, only heard the name and maybe seen a little bit of artwork. And I haven't read many graphic novels. Which I hope to change, as I did love this one.

Giving this gorgeous graphic novel four stars, as it was almost perfect to me. Very much enjoyed it. The writing was stunning, the artwork was beyond beautiful. Loved the coloring. Simply put, I very much liked this book. I only wish it had been longer. Or that there will be a sequel. That ending was depressing, ha.

I will not be writing much about this one, as there is not that much to say. It was fast and easy to read, which I loved. I very much enjoyed the characters, twin brothers Alec and Walker. This was most about Alec, but a little about Walker too. And though they were very different, I very much adored them both. They had always been close. Until now, when they are slowly falling apart. Which was sad to see a little about, but good too, because they somehow tried to work it out. At the very end. How rude. I very much adored these boys, though. They are spending their last summer before they start college with their cousins, as their parents have some huge issues to try to work through. If they can. Alec brings with him all his plants, all his work.

Which is then destroyed by dogs when they arrive. Which was heartbreaking to read about, for him to have all of his hard work destroyed. He tries to save it, which he is somewhat able to. Alec spends most of his time at a lab at the local school, working on his plants. I liked learning different things about plants. It was interesting. I also liked Alec. He was diabetic, which I thought was done really well. He was also fully shy and not good with people. He just found it hard. I so fully got that. I very much liked him, though.

He also meets a girl, Abby. And I very much liked her too. She was awesome. She was learning things about a big ancient tree that was in her town. I liked that too. They were getting to know each other. As this was a graphic novel, there is so much we do not get to know. Sigh. But I liked getting to know them even so. Walker was so different from his brother. He was the life of every party, always getting to know people, getting them to like him. The brothers loved each other, though. And I liked them both very much.

I just wish this graphic novel had been longer, haha. And it ended so rudely. But so good too. I just need more. And so much want to know what happens next. This book was about Alec and his plants, how he was working on some type of experiment. Which changes the dogs. And then changes Alec too. I wish there had been even more about it all. Was very interesting. Four stars, as I wanted more, and felt like scenes just suddenly ended, next page something new happened. It did this often. Still, I liked this a lot.

Swamp Thing was just as good as I had hoped it would be. The writing was stunning, the artwork was perfection. The characters were amazing. And I so badly wanted to know more. Sigh. Though I had a few issues, they were small, and I really did like this book. Now I am just hoping that there will be more of it. Though I guess I should try watching that Swamp Thing tv show, which I have been curious about. I think you should all read this awesome graphic novel. I found this to be well written and such a great story too.


Saturday, November 21, 2020

In My Mailbox #472

Not even sure where this week went. Gosh. Time is moving so fast. Plus side, it is closer to Christmas, eee. So excited :D Bad side, I haven't taken any new photos for daaays. No reading for days either. Or catching up. Oops. Soon, I hope. Just too tired and exhausted. Hmph. Too busy with my Animal Crossing New Horizons, still, haha :D It's still the best. <3 Got a few stunning books this week :) All gorgeous. This time I took weekly photo with my iPhone, and will continue to do so during these so dark months with no sun. Ack. A couple of new blog posts. I shared my review of The Scorpio Races. <3 11th read. Eee. This week I'm waiting on Payback :D Today has been the busiest for me. And so I'm behind on writing this and posting it. Oops. Rude. Hope you are all doing well. <3 I'm still just doing my best :) And staying safe too.

Northern Lights. Oops. A new gorgeous illustrated edition of the book :D I had to have it, of course. <3
Shadow and Bone. Eee. The US collectors edition, finally mine :D It looks so very stunning. Sigh. Love.
Dune. I got curious after the movie trailer, haha :D And so I am hoping to read this one day. Gosh, huge.
Courting Darkness. Finally got to re-order this one. Sigh. US paperback. Got lost this summer. Ahh. Love.
Ninth House. Oops. Now gotten to order it via Waterstones too, haha :D Exclusive UK paperback. Pretty.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Waiting on Wednesday #475

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

PAYBACK (Vale Hall #3) BY KRISTEN SIMMONS

Goodreads Description:

The unpredictable truth will be revealed in Payback, the stunning conclusion to Kristen Simmons’ Edgar-nominated thriller series that started with The Deceivers...

Brynn Hilder has conned a lot of people. From the spoiled rich kids of Sikawa City to her mom's loser ex-boyfriend, from a motorcycle gang to a senator's son. If there was money to be gained, or a secret to uncover, she figured out how to get it done. And thanks to Vale Hall and its director, Dr. David Odin, she's found a family of hustlers just like her.

Together, Brynn and her friends have overcome doubt, deceit, and betrayal to unearth the truth--a truth even a group of professional scammers couldn't have predicted.

And now they must tackle the biggest con artist of them all: the man who brought them all together.

Hardcover, 352 pages
Expected publication: February 2nd 2021 by Tor Teen
Pre-Order here
and here #ad

Cheating a little, since I haven't read book two just yet, oops. But I very much loved The Deceivers. Eee. And so I cannot wait for this third book to be out in a few months. Will then re-read book one, and finally read book two and three :D I cannot wait. I so adored the first one. And I'm so very excited for more. <3
What are you waiting for on this unpredictable Wednesday?

Monday, November 16, 2020

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

It is November and so, of course, I have read The Scorpio Races again. This time for the eleventh time. I will never tire of the story. It is still the very best book to me. The one that I have read most. The one I will read again and again. Haven't listened to the audio yet, though. Maybe next year, finally. This book is fully beautiful.

Considering I have already written about this book so much, ha, I will not be sharing much about it this time. Just how badly I love it. How special everything is to me. The writing is still so perfect. The setting is incredible. I love this little island of death horses. I love that the book feel both old and modern at times. Very good.

Mostly I very much love these characters. I so love how the book is told from two point of views. Puck and Sean. Puck is officially named Kate, but goes by both names. I love her to death. She is fierce and so brave. I love her love for her two brothers. Finn is amazing. I am still upset with Gabe, even after having read this book so often, ha. I still understand why he would want to leave. But I will never understand how long he waited to let his siblings know, how he did not tell them about the house. That was not okay. So yeah. Still very upset with Gabe. Hmph. But Finn is all kinds of amazing. So cute and sweet. And such a great brother. I just adore this boy way too much. They are the best siblings. Parents are dead, a year ago. They are just trying to survive.

There is so much I could write about this story. But I won't. I already have. It's a story about a girl entering into a deadly horse race, trying to save her home. Trying to win some money to save her and her younger brother, after the oldest one decides to move away after the races. But this is no normal race. It is a race between deadly water horses. Much bigger and much faster than regular horses. And much more deadly. They would rather eat you than cuddle you. Puck is entering into this race with her regular island horse.

And also as the first girl to ever do so. Which means the men of this island is not kind to her. Which was all kinds of rude. Hmph. But Puck was the bravest and I adored her the most. Then there was Sean. I loved seeing them meet. Getting to know each other better. Getting to see them fall in love. Sigh. It was the best. Sean has his own water horse. Corr. There is so much going on there. All perfect. I loved them both beyond words. All the side characters were amazing too, as always. I love this story beyond words.

The Scorpio Races is still the most perfect book. It took me some days to read this time, because of my health and me not being able to focus well, but that did not make me love this book any less. It is still the best thing. It still gives me so much hope and love and despair too, haha. It is such an evil book. And I so love every moment of it. The romance between Sean and Puck still makes me the happiest. So slow and beautiful and the most perfect. Reading about Sean and Corr together is the most precious thing there is.

What I want most of all, still, is a sequel to this one. Another story of Sean and Puck and Corr. Another story with more of Finn and Holly and everyone else. I do not want this story to end. But of course, the ending is beautiful, yet I still want more. And so another year of hoping that Maggie will finally announce that she is writing a sequel, haha. Fingers crossed. Next year is the tenth anniversary of this book being out. Hoping for something special then. So excited. You must all read this book, if you have not already.

 
It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.


Saturday, November 14, 2020

In My Mailbox #471

Another week gone by. Ack. It took me ages before I started reading again. But now finally re-reading The Scorpio Races, eee :) Hoping to maybe finish it tomorrow, but might not be until Monday. Reading so very slowly these days. Just no energy and no will to read. Ack. I love reading. Very much. And love this 11th read the most. But yeah. I have no energy for reading and it just feels so very exhausting. Sigh. This year have been a bad reading year. Hoping next year will be better. Fingers crossed. So yeah. Just one new blog post. This week I'm waiting on Thornwood. <3 So anyway. I'm distracted these days. Worried about Corona. Now spreading like crazy in my little town. Shudders. I do not want to die. I do not want my mom and grandpa to die. (We are most at risk if we get it.) So yeah. Trying to stay safe. Just worried. I'm busy playing Animal Crossing New Horizons. <3 And Pokemon GO. And Wizards Unite. And then Frozen Free Fall too. So yeah. I play too much. But need the distraction. So, yeah. I am doing okay. Just worried and exhausted and in pain. Rude. Oh. And I put up all my Christmas things days ago, eee. And I don't regret it one bit. Have listened to Christmas music on my radio for many weeks now. Oops. Christmas is simply the best. Also got some stunning books this week too. I hope that you are all great and staying safe. <3



Instant Karma. Eee. I am so excited for this new Marissa book :D Hoping to read it very very soon. <3
The Camelot Betrayal. Oops. I must read book one sometime soonish, haha :D Excited for them both.
The Secret Commonwealth. Sigh. Still did not like this book. Yet still need to own all the editions. Oops.
Two Dark Reigns + Five Dark Fates + Anna Dressed in Blood + Girl of Nightmares. Eee. I could not stop myself from ordering these gorgeous Taiwan editions. Own two from before. So so so very stunning. <3

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Waiting on Wednesday #474

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

THORNWOOD BY LEAH CYPESS

Goodreads Description:

This middle grade debut is Sleeping Beauty like you've never seen it before, about a girl who lives in the shadow of her older sister and the curse that has haunted her from birth.

For years, Briony has lived in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Rosalin, and the curse that has haunted her from birth--that on the day of her sixteenth birthday she would prick her finger on a spindle and cause everyone in the castle to fall into a 100-year sleep. When the day the curse is set to fall over the kingdom finally arrives, nothing--not even Briony--can stop its evil magic.

You know the story.

But here's something you don't know. When Briony finally wakes up, it's up to her to find out what's really going on, and to save her family and friends from the murderous Thornwood. But who is going to listen to her? This is a story of sisterhood, of friendship, and of the ability of even little sisters to forge their own destiny. The first in a three-book series of fairy tale retellings, these are the stories of the siblings who never made it into the storybook.

Hardcover, 272 pages
Expected publication: April 6th 2021 by Delacorte Press
Pre-Order here
and here #ad

This middle grade book looks all kinds of adorable. And sounds so good too. And I just cannot wait to read it :D Hoping I will end up loving it lots. <3 Maleficent is my favorite movie. Sort of same tale, haha :)
What are you waiting for on this thorny Wednesday?

Saturday, November 7, 2020

In My Mailbox #470

This week have been all kinds of long and exhausting. Gosh. Have been following the election, which never ended, until now, finally :D So happy that Biden & Kamala won. <3 Hoping things will finally go better for America. Ha. Doubt it will be easy, considering so very many of them actually voted for Trump. Again. What the hell. Sigh. Anyway. I'm doing okay. Still exhausted, but here. And still safe. I spent all week long reading the same book. Loved it very much, but too tired to read. But finally finished today, so I'm happy :) But now I have a long list of other books to read, must get started shortly. Gah. Hoping it will be easier. Got a little bit of mail this week, including the most perfect and most wanted ARC. Sobs. I am SO HAPPY, eee. <3 A couple of new blog posts too. This week I'm waiting on Blade of Secrets :) And shared my review of Murder on Cold Street. <3 I hope you are all doing okay and staying safe too. <3

Lightbringer. Oh my gods. AHH! I am dying. Thank you so, so much Sourcebooks for this most perfect ARC. I am still dying. So thankful. So happy. My most wanted ARC. Sigh. Collection complete. Love. <3
The Grace Year. Gorgeous US paperback edition :D Eee. I adored this book. And.. must have them all.
Grimm Tales. Okay, I may have bought this edition just because it says Philip. Oops. Reading one day.
Funko Pop. My most recently ordered pop figures. New Harry Potter ones. Cute. Most adorable Barbie.

 More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas

My love for this Lady Sherlock series will never end. I love that Sherry is writing so many more. As I very much don't want these books to end. For this fifth book I did not re-read the others first. Will be doing that when they are all out. As I remembered pretty much all that happened, and how badly I loved all of the books.

I'm giving this one a four star. Not because I loved it less, as I still loved it. But for a few small reasons, sharing more below. I still very much loved all of these characters the most. And this mystery was all kinds of amazing. The whole series is incredible. The writing, of course, was fully stunning. No issues there at all.

Sherry is such an amazing author and person, and I adore her so. Will not be sharing too much about this precious book, only a bit about how I loved it. As always, this is a story about Charlotte Holmes. Pretending to be the sister of Sherlock Holmes, a great new detective in London. Except that there is no Sherlock, there is only Charlotte. And she is so very amazing. I just love this girl. So much. I fully love her love of food and cake. I so love her love for pretty and different dresses. I simply adore her so. In this fifth book, the story is focused more on Inspector Treadles. Still conflicted on him, both hate and love him, ha. He has been found with two dead men, holding the murder weapon. Charlotte has to work hard trying to find out if he killed them. We see much of his wife, Alice. I loved her so. And Mrs. Watson as well, always.

This was not an easy case, though. And pretty much all of the book is focused on this case. But there are also small parts of Charlotte and Ash, aka Lord Ingram. And their romance is changing in this book. And I loved it so very much. Sigh. There are more kisses. Eee. And it was so perfect. He is more relaxed and open in this book. And I loved that. I am still worried about her, though, because of her different views on love. But I have hope for these two precious characters. They are perfect together. And I love them both.

But back to the case. There is so much to go through. So many clues and sort-of witnesses. Many lies and surprises and twists. It was all kinds of interesting and exciting. I loved not knowing who did it, not for sure. And I very much enjoyed how they figured out what had actually happened. This story had some sad and evil parts. Which I very much liked. It had some villains I did not like. But everything was written so well. Mostly I loved reading about them all working together. Despite wishing for more, as always, ha.

There is still so much more I could write about this story. But I shall try not to write much more. It took me so many days to read this book. Not because I found it boring. Not because I did not love it. I just could not focus. But when I actually did get to read, it was the best thing. Because this book was so good and I just love these characters way too much. Sigh. I am so happy that Sherry began writing these books. And I cannot wait to read even more books by her. Right now just wishing this series will never end, ha. Sigh.

The reason for why I'm giving this one a four star is because I felt like it focused a little too much on the mystery. I wish there had been more scenes with the characters just being together, and enjoying parts of Christmas. I wish we had seen more of Olivia, that she had been with them all. But I also understood why she wasn't. And I did get why the mystery and murder of this book was such a huge focus of it. And the characters were still all together. Just, more during stress, haha. But yeah. Four stars, still a perfect book.

While Murder on Cold Street had a few small issues for me, it was still such a very perfect book. A most excellent fifth book into such a great series. Reading about Charlotte is still the very best. I adore her so. I love her friends. I love Lord Ingram. So much. And I always love reading about the different murders and mysteries included. I simply cannot wait to read the next book about Lady Sherlock and her friends. It will be all kinds of epic, I'm sure. If you still have not started this lovely series, then get moving. It is so good.


Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Waiting on Wednesday #473

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

BLADE OF SECRETS BY TRICIA LEVENSELLER

Goodreads Description:

A teenage blacksmith with social anxiety accepts a commission from the wrong person and is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she's ever made.

Eighteen-year-old Ziva prefers metal to people. She spends her days tucked away in her forge, safe from society and the anxiety it causes her, using her magical gift to craft unique weapons imbued with power.

Then Ziva receives a commission from a powerful warlord, and the result is a sword capable of stealing its victims' secrets. A sword that can cut far deeper than the length of its blade. A sword with the strength to topple kingdoms. When Ziva learns of the warlord’s intentions to use the weapon to enslave all the world under her rule, she takes her sister and flees.

Joined by a distractingly handsome mercenary and a young scholar with extensive knowledge of the world's known magics, Ziva and her sister set out on a quest to keep the sword safe until they can find a worthy wielder or a way to destroy it entirely.


Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication: May 4th 2021 by Feiwel & Friends
Pre-Order here
and here #ad

I am pretty excited about this book. Tricia is awesome and this one looks gorgeous. I love the cover. And sounds like such an exciting story too :D Hoping there might be some romance too, haha. Cannot wait :)
What are you waiting for on this secret Wednesday?