Monday, May 31, 2021

Review: Sparrow Rising by Jessica Khoury

I could not have picked a better book to read after a month of not reading at all. This gorgeous thing was everything I wanted it to be. Every kind of perfect. Jessica is such an amazing author and I have adored all of her books. Her writing is incredible and I had no issues with connecting to this story and these characters.

There is so much going on in this book. I loved every moment of it. It was fully awesome. So much fantasy and epic and exciting. Also, evil and a little heartbreaking at times too. Which is just how I like it. The book is told from two point of views, Ellie and Nox. Mostly Ellie, though. And I loved them both beyond words.

This whole world created was beyond thrilling to read about. Oh. First, Jessica drew her own map for this one. Which is stunning. She is fully talented. And the map is awesome. And oh, I badly loved that everyone in this world is born with wings. It's the best. They are all divided into clans. Because they all have different wings. Our main girl, Ellie, is a Sparrow. And our main boy, Nox, is a Crow. And we get to see so many different ones. They all have different strengths and skills. I loved that so very much. Ellie is supposed to become a farmer, like the rest of her clan. Because she is very small, and her wings are shorter. Ever since her parents were killed by a gargol when she was six, leaving her an orphan, she has dreamed of becoming a Goldwing.

Which is sort of like the military of this book. They are what everyone looks up to. The strongest people that protects everyone. And Ellie is determined to be one of them. Even when everyone around her say that is impossible. That Sparrows are not meant to be more than what they are. But she does not listen. There is a race to become a Goldwing. The strongest flyers will win. Ellie has trained for years for it. And it was so amazing to read about her dreams, how she wanted more for herself. She was the best person.

Okay, sure, Ellie did believe a little too much in the goodness of people, but she was honest and true. Mostly. I adored every part of her. And getting to know her was the very best. I shall not write much more about the story. Only that she goes on a journey to get to enter the race, hoping to become what she has always dreamed of. She ends up travelling with three thieves. Nox and Gussie and Twig. They were fully awesome. Despite tricking her into helping them steal something special. I grew to love all three of them.

This book was very much an adventure. Ellie did so much she had never done before. She learned new things about herself and the world. I loved her growing friendship with all three of them. I loved reading about her trying to make her dreams come true. What happened with that was both amazing and fully heartbreaking. Hmph. But I loved it so. I just loved this book to pieces. This world was incredible. The characters were the very best. And I loved the story too. But oh, how I need more now, haha. So good.

I have so many questions after finishing this book. Are the stone gargols that hunt and kill people during cloudy weather and storms actually evil? I mean, sure, they kill. But there must be a reason for why. I blame the Eagle clan, ha. So curious, though. What more can the skystone do? I am so excited to find out. Why is the wingrot a thing, is someone causing it on purpose? Will Ellie manage to change things, to change who is in charge, which most definitely must be changed? I can't wait to know all of these things.

Sparrow Rising was everything I had hoped it would be. Full of adventure and fun and heartbreak. I have always dreamed of flying, so reading about this world where everyone has wings was the best. Though it did make me all kinds of jealous too, haha. There was not a single thing about this book that I didn't love. The characters were the very best. A litttle rude at times, but I loved them so. I only wish to know much more about this world and what will happen next. And so I am beyond thankful that this is a series. Eee.

Huge thank you to Jessica for sending me this ARC to read and love. So thankful to Alyssa for helping me get it to Norway. I shall treasure it always. And cannot wait to get the gorgeous hardcover edition of it in early August too. It will look fully beautiful. As that cover is the very best. Eee. I cannot wait to read this book again, before book two is out. Which I hope will be soon, as I badly need to know what will happen next. So very excited. You all need to read this amazing middle grade book. It is full of heart and courage.


Saturday, May 29, 2021

In My Mailbox #499

How has it already been another week? Gosh. Time is moving too fast lately. I still haven't read anything. Sigh. I'm just too busy, too exhausted. And still have no will to read at all. Which completely sucks. I really hope to read tomorrow, though. Fingers crossed for me, please. I do know I will love my next read. I know it very much. I just cannot make myself start. It sucks. I have read so little this year. What even. Hoping it will change, that I will read a lot soon. This week have been good and bad. I'm just busy with family and playing Animal Crossing and Pokemon GO and Wizards Unite, haha :) I did finish watching The Walking Dead. <3 Love it so. Cannot wait for the final season. Eee. Have somewhat started re-watching Fear The Walking Dead. And gosh, it's actually so bad, gaaah. But watching it with my mom even so :) This week I'm waiting on Once Upon a Broken Heart :D Did not get too much mail this week, but that's fully okay. It all looks awesome. <3 I haven't taken bookish photos in weeks now for instagram. Gosh. Sooooon. Hope you are all doing well and staying safe. <3 One day soon the world will be back to normal. Hopefully :)

Mister Impossible. Gorgeous UK paperback edition. <3 One day I'll re-read The Raven Boys to catch up.
Taylor Swift. Eee. Gorgeous cassette version of Evermore. <3 And lovely pop socket :D Needed these.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Waiting on Wednesday #502

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

ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART BY STEPHANIE GARBER

Goodreads Description:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval, the first book in a new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after.

Evangeline Fox was raised in her beloved father’s curiosity shop, where she grew up on legends about immortals, like the tragic Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and that bargains with him rarely end well.

But when Evangeline learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, she becomes desperate enough to offer the Prince of Hearts whatever he wants in exchange for his help to stop the wedding. The prince only asks for three kisses. But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’s pledged. And he has plans for Evangeline that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy…

Hardcover, 416 pages
Expected publication: September 28th 2021 by Flatiron Books
Pre-Order here and here #ad

I had not looked into this book until I saw the gorgeous pink cover on B&N. And then I simply had to pre-order it, haha :D And I think it sounds pretty awesome too. And I very much hope that I will love this one.
What are you waiting for on this broken Wednesday?

Saturday, May 22, 2021

In My Mailbox #498

Another week gone by :) I'm still just watching The Walking Dead. I had seen the first seven seasons. Now on season ten. Almost done. Gosh. But loving it so much, eee. And cannot wait for season eleven this fall. I'm excited. So yeah. I haven't read yet. But I'm waiting until I finish my show :) Which I will be done with this weekend, most likely. Then reading this coming week. I'm excited. Been so so long, again, without reading. The rudest. I got some stunning mail this week too. <3 Lots of awesome. Haven't had the best health, though. Small fever each day. And headaches too. Bad ones. And throat is bad too. Uuugh. Hoping to feel better soon. This week I'm waiting on Strange Creatures :) Hope it will be great. <3 I am feeling pretty weird this week. A little sick. Head is better, but I'm not. Rude. Hoping it will all pass soon. Hmph. Had two sunny days this week, eee :D I hope you are all doing okay and staying safe, though. <3


Realm Breaker. This book is huge. Oops. But it looks gorgeous and I am very much hoping to love it :)
Blade of Secrets. Excited to read this one sometime soonish. <3 Looks awesome and I think I will love it.
Mister Impossible. I know, I am behind on this series. Ahh. But love Maggie. So of course buying them :)
The Midnight Lie. Aaack. New paperback cover :D I don't love changes, but new cover is so pretty. <3
Blade of Secrets bookplate. Eee! Thank you so much Tricia. <3 You are amazing. I love this bookplate.
Pop Figures. Eee. So many new ones this week too. Gosh. Love Godzilla and Kong and my Raya movie ones too. Harley looks amazing. And Malfoy too. And the other four I got from Funko Nordic as a gift :D Eee! Thank you so so very much. <3 I love Squirtle the most. Wallace and Gromit too. Sigh. Goten's cute.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Waiting on Wednesday #501

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

STRANGE CREATURES BY PHOEBE NORTH

Goodreads Description:

A riveting, unexpected, and beautiful contemporary novel about a girl whose brother mysteriously disappears, the family and friends he leaves behind, and the stories—real and imagined—that they tell themselves to fill the empty space.

From the moment that Annie was born, she and her older brother, Jamie, were inseparable. Alike in almost every way, they promised to always take care of each other while facing the challenges of growing up different in suburban America. And when life became too much for them, they created their own space in the woods behind their house: a fantasy world of their own making, where no one else could find them. And it was enough, for a while. But then came middle school when Jamie grew dark and distant. He found new friends, a girlfriend, and a life away from Annie and their shared world. By the time Annie was in eighth grade, it was as if she hardly knew the brother who was her other half.

And then, one day, he disappears.

Annie, her family, and the entire community are devastated. And as the days turn into months turn into years, everyone begins to accept that Jamie is gone for good. Everyone, that is, except Annie, who believes that Jamie, somehow, has entered the world they created, and who believes that she's the only one who can bring him back. But as Annie searches for answers and finds a new relationship with a girl she did not expect, she makes startling discoveries about her brother's disappearance—and has to decide how much of herself she’s willing to give up in order to keep hope alive.

As they follow the lives of Annie, Jamie, and the friends and family around them, acclaimed author Phoebe North weaves an unflinching, unforgettable story of the empty spaces inside all of us, and the devastating sacrifices we make in order to become whole.

Hardcover, 544 pages
Expected publication: June 1st 2021 by Balzer + Bray
Pre-Order here and here #ad

I just got a gorgeous print ARC of this one. <3 And so I am pretty excited about it :) I'm not the biggest fan of contemporary books, but I'm still going to read this one, and very much hoping to love it :) As I do think it sounds pretty special and heartbreaking and hopeful too. So yeah. I'm excited about reading this one.
What are you waiting for on this unforgettable Wednesday?

Saturday, May 15, 2021

In My Mailbox #497

This week have gone by pretty fast. I have been busy re-watching The Walking Dead. Oops. Made it to season seven. Sobs. So rude. But so good too. I think I will finish watching it all, before I read anything new. Will see :) Not feeling like reading just yet. Sigh. I'm the worst. But yeah. Got some gorgeous mail this week. <3 And got more medicine yesterday. Feeling a little like shit, but hoping it will help soon. Sigh. Also, grandpa is back home and good, so I'm happy about that too. Only one new blog post. This week I'm waiting on Gilded :D I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. <3 I'm doing the best that I can :)



Thornlight. Sigh. I loved this book so very much. <3  And the hardcovers looks gorgeous. Eee. So pretty.
The Ones We're Meant to Find. This book was all kinds of amazing :D And I love that cover very much.
Willa of Dark Hollow. I.. have only read one book by this author. Oops. Yet I now own all the MG ones :)
The Forever Song. Been so long since I read and loved these books. Finally out in paperback. Yay. <3
Animal Crossing Amiibo. EEE! I love these albums SO :D Missing two. And cards via Megan :) Love.
Taylor Swift Coasters. Bought from the official store. <3 I could not resist them, haha. Looks gorgeous.
Pop Figures. EEE! Thank you Pernille at Funko Nordic for this most perfect birthday gift :D Gosh. Love.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Waiting on Wednesday #500

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

GILDED BY MARISSA MEYER

Goodreads Description:

Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author, returns to the fairytale world with this haunting retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.

Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantastical and spellbinding and entirely untrue.

Or so everyone believes.

When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her… for a price. Love isn't meant to be part of the bargain.

Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.

Hardcover, 496 pages
Expected publication: November 2nd 2021 by Feiwel Friends
Pre-Order here and here #ad

Is it November yet? Eee! I am so goddamn excited for this new Marissa Meyer book. <3 Gosh. It sounds beyond incredible. And I am finally sharing about it, haha :) Something special for WoW post #500. <3 And this book is going to be all kinds of special. I love the cover. I love the summary. I need this one now.
What are you waiting for on this cursed Wednesday?

Saturday, May 8, 2021

In My Mailbox #496

This week have gone by so fast. Gosh. And I have not been able to read at all. Oops. First there was my birthday this past Monday. <3 Which was all kinds of awesome, eee. I put on makeup, and took a new, better, profile picture, eee. I kind of like it too. And then I played New Pokemon Snap for daaays. Sigh. It's perfection. Game is completed, but still have tons of photos to take, so not anywhere close to done. And now I'm suddenly re-watching The Walking Dead. What even. I decided to begin yesterday. Now on final episode of season two. Sigh. I am loving it all over again. Been so long since I saw it, and I am seasons behind. So catching up now from the beginning. But I will take a break sometime soonish too, to read a book. So far behind. Sigh. But I'm doing good :) Exhausted, as always, but good. Only one new blog post. This week I'm waiting on Clarice the Brave. <3 I got a few lovely books this week too :) Hope you are all doing well and staying safe. <3 I'm just trying to take it easy these days, as my health fully sucks. Hmph.




Strange Creatures. Huge thank you to Harper360 for sending me this ARC :D Eee! It looks gorgeous.
Six of Crows. Oops. UK edition of the new cover too :D Love. But Shadow and Bone I could not find..
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All. I loved this book so much. Love this new paperback. <3
New Pokemon Snap. EEE! I knew I would love this. Have played it all week. And it's goddamn amazing.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Waiting on Wednesday #499

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

CLARICE THE BRAVE BY LISA MCMANN

Goodreads Description:

New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds brings us an epic animal adventure story perfect for fans of Pax and A Wolf Called Wander .

The only good cat is a fed cat. Clarice, a young ship mouse, knows this to be true.

She and her brother, Charles Sebastian, were taught to be careful--as all mice are--but caution is no match for the sea, which took their mother, and it is certainly no match for Special Lady, the horrid cat who ate their sister. Now the siblings hide in their pantry crate, knowing every move they make could be their last.

When a shocking mutiny forces Clarice onto a small, leaky boat with Special Lady and a dozen hungry sailors with deadly boots, Charles Sebastian is left on the ship to fend off mutineers, a flock of irate chickens, and an inquisitive human prisoner--a mouse's worst enemy.

Being careful may have saved them in the past, but now Clarice and Charles Sebastian will need to grow bold if they are to survive . . . and keep their promise to find one other again.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds comes an unforgettable adventure filled with perseverance, kindness, and hope.

Hardcover, 272 pages
Expected publication: October 12th 2021 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young
Pre-Order here and here #ad

Okay, this book sounds all kinds of adorable and epic. It looks so gorgeous too. Sigh. I cannot wait to read this one :D Eee. And mice! I am fully excited. I think I will love this middle grade the very most. <3
What are you waiting for on this brave Wednesday?

Saturday, May 1, 2021

In My Mailbox #495

Gosh. This week I got a whole bunch of mail. Help me. How will I make room for all of this? Sigh. But I love all of it. Oops. So so much awesome. <3 And a whole bunch of box of awesome from Alyssa :D Eee. I love it all. <3 This week I read one book. Though that was on Sunday, so almost a week ago. Oops. I know what I'm reading next, just need to start it :) I also took part in a blog tour this week, so three posts. I took part in The Ones We're Meant to Find blog tour :) I shared my review of All These Bodies. <3 This week I'm waiting on Miss Moriarty, I Presume? :) Also, gosh. I got the corona vaccine this week, first dose of pfizer :D Yay. No side effects so far, so that's good. It might work less on me, because of the medicine I take. Sigh. But still better than nothing, I hope :) I hope you are all doing okay. <3 And staying safe too :)

Rule of Wolves. + Winterkeep + The Project. B&N specials :D Eee. Thank you Alyssa for helping. <33
Graceling + Fire + Bitterblue. Gosh. Thank you Alyssa for helping me get these. <3 New pbacks! LOVE.
Rebel Spy. I am so happy to own this ARC at last. <3 Loved it. Thank you for the trade Alyssa :D Eee.
Skyborn. EEE! Thank you so much Jessica. <3 Can't wait to read. Thank you Alyssa for helping me :)
Graceling + Fire + Bitterblue + Winterkeep. Gosh. Signed FairyLoot editions :D They are gooorgeous. <3
Shadow and Bone + Six of Crows. The new gorgeous tv-show tie-in editions :D I love them so. Pretty.
Swag + Cards + Jaws. Newest Keeper of the Lost Cities pre-order swag. <3 Animal Crossing hello kitty cards :D Jaws shark pop and tee, eee. Love. Thank you Alyssa, so so much, for helping me get this. <3
Taylor Swift + Britney Spears. Newest Fearless CD, which is perfect. <3 And I adore this pop so much.
Animal Crossing Amiibo Cards. Oh, thank you so, so much Megan for helping me get these. <3 Perfect.

More Instagram photos here. <3