Saturday, May 28, 2022

In My Mailbox #551

This week I have actually gotten a lot of things done, ha :) I'm feeling happy about that. <3 I read a short story. And I started reading Lightbringer, and have actually read over 200 pages already. Feeling proud, lol. My health still sucks the most. Even had intense neck and shoulder pain this week. It's finally feeling a little better. The bump under my arm is better too, after I stabbed it to death. But still painful. All of me is. But I managed to do things even so, and I'm happy with that. Glad I'm finally reading. And I'm watching Stranger Things season 4 as well. <3 With my mom, so going a little slow, but on episode 5 :) So much love. Aaand we have had summer weather a few days this week, what even! It was warm and sunny and I spent hours outside. Sigh. It was so perfect. I have taken a few photos too, of pop figures and books. So yeah. Was a good week. A couple of new posts. I shared my review of Queen of the Blazing Throne. <3 And this week I'm waiting on Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel :) Hope that you are all okay. <3

Hide. I am so very excited about this book :D It looks and sounds amazing. And I do adore Kiersten.
Animal Crossing. Second graphic novel version :) I haven't read the first, but had to own them, haha.
The Witcher. Bought from EMP. Love the notebook cover, eee. And the coasters are so very pretty. <3
Paper Mario. Another nintendo platinum points reward, ha :D These memo pads are just so cute. Love.
My Little Pony. This new nintendo switch game just looked so cute, haha. I had to buy it. Hope it's good.
Pop Figures. Gosh. I got aaaaall the pop figures this week, ahhh :D So many new Pokemon ones. <3 Love! The two that are flocked I got with the help of Casper :) Thank you so much. And oh. I just love all of these so much, eee. Some pre-orders that finally arrived, haha. But yeah. Fully excited about all my new pokemon pops. The most I have gotten in a week before, haha. Will be awhile until the next time :)


Turning Red + Moana. EEE! I have wanted that Disney Store panda plush for ages now. It is SO HUGE. And soft. And goooorgeous. And that figure set? Aaaadorable. But yeah. Disney do not ship to Norway. Haven't for ages. Ugh. So I ordered all of this from Double Boxed Toys. Expensive, but fully worth it too :)


More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Waiting on Wednesday #553

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

STAR WARS: THE PRINCESS AND THE SCOUNDREL
BY BETH REVIS


Goodreads Description:

The Death Star is destroyed. Darth Vader is dead. The Empire is desolated. But on the forest moon of Endor, amongst the chaos of a changing galaxy, time stands still for a princess and her scoundrel.

After being frozen in carbonite, then risking everything for the Rebellion, Han is eager to stop living his life for other people. He and Leia have earned their future together, a thousand times over. And when he proposes to Leia, it’s the first time in a long time he’s had a good feeling about this. For Leia, a lifetime of fighting doesn’t truly seem over. There is work still to do, penance to pay for the dark secret she now knows runs through her veins. Her brother, Luke, is offering her that chance—one that comes with family and the promise of the Force. But when Han asks her to marry him, Leia finds her answer immediately on her lips . . . Yes.

But happily ever after doesn’t come easily. As soon as Han and Leia depart their idyllic ceremony on Endor for their honeymoon, they find themselves on the grandest and most glamorous stage of all: the Halcyon, a luxury vessel on a very public journey to the most wondrous worlds in the galaxy. Their marriage, and the peace and prosperity it represents, is a lightning rod for everyone in the galaxy—including Imperial remnants still clinging to power.

Facing their most desperate hour, the soldiers of the Empire have dispersed across the galaxy, retrenching on isolated worlds vulnerable to their influence. As the Halcyon travels from world to world, one thing becomes abundantly clear: The war is not over. But as danger draws closer, Han and Leia find that they fight their best battles not alone but as husband and wife.

Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication: August 16th 2022 by Del Rey Books
Pre-Order: Book Depository
and Amazon #ad

I must confess that I have yet to watch a Star Wars movie. Oops. I know most things. Just have not seen them yet. Aaack. But have played a lot of the new lego game with my nephew lately, and now I know more, ha. Hoping to watch the movies soon. I'm excited about this Star Wars book because it is Beth Revis, eee. Whom I adore. <3 I won't read this until I have watched the movies. Hopefully soonish :)
What are you waiting for on this idyllic Wednesday?

Sunday, May 22, 2022

Review: Queen of the Blazing Throne by Claire Legrand

I have at last read this stunning short story set in the Furyborn world. Meant to be read after Kingsbane, before Lightbringer. Which I have just done. And it was so good. Sigh. Five stars, of course. Only wish it had been longer, to be honest. Will do my best to write a short review, as this was not long. But so good.

This short story tells the story of twelve year old Obritsa. The young new child queen of Kirvaya. We met her first a few times in Kingsbane. And I adored her so then. This time I very much loved her. Sigh. But I'm also so worried that her ending will be brutal. Gosh, I hope not. I'm so still not ready for Lightbringer.

In this story we get to know Obritsa more. And I loved that very much. She is so young. But so very much grown and incredible. She has not had an easy life. And reading about all of that just broke my heart. The way she was brought up from age two. It was not kind. And I hope the person who did all those things to such a young child will have a very painful death. But despite all the cruel things that happened to her, Obritsa was still such a sweet and kind person. Mostly. I truly loved her relationship with her guard, Artem. Nothing romantic, at least not yet. I'm not sure if I ship them or not. I'm thinking yes, though she's still too young. But oh, their love for each other was the best. They are each other's only family. And protect each other very fiercely.

A lot of what happened in this story we already know, from Kingsbane. It is a lot of the same scenes, only told from Obritsa's point of view. But I very much loved that. As this young girl was all kinds of amazing and I adored her so. And I so loved reading a story about her. Wish there had been more. But oh, how I hope her ending is good. Ack. But there were new scenes too. When she went to the north. And those scenes were pretty brutal. Those poor dragons and children. Shudders. I very much need to know more.

Queen of the Blazing Throne was a most excellent short story. And I am so happy that I got to read it at last. I feel like it is a must read in this most wonderful world created by Claire. But oh, now I need to finally start Lightbringer next. And I am not at all ready for it. All the pain and heartbreak to come. Yet all of the hope and love to come as well. I know I will love it the very most. But so nervous, haha. This world is truly the best. And I am certain I could read all the short stories from it. Hoping there might be more, someday.


Saturday, May 21, 2022

In My Mailbox #550

Gosh. At last, I finished re-reading Kingsbane :D It only took me.. 23 days. Ahhh! But I spent very, very many of those days not reading. Sigh. I'm sad it took me so long, but I still managed to stay connected to everything, despite how long it took me to read. Oops. I'm reading a short story set in the world first, then I start Lightbringer. I'm not ready. Sobs. But I shall do it, ha :D Reading the short story tomorrow. Needed a few days of rest first, as reading it still not coming easy to me. Sigh. So rude. I love my books. I just do not want to read much at all. Hmph. Anyway. This has been a hard week, healthwise. My health suuucks. Huge abscess underneath my arm. It started as a bump that was there for months. It's now grown much bigger and much more painful. I hate it. It makes me wake up in pain so many times each night. Sigh. I just want it to go back in. Hmph. So I have at last gotten antibiotic pills from my doctor, hoping it will help. Fingers crossed. So yeah. I'm not doing so good, but also just doing my best. <3 Got no new books this week, but still got some mail, ha :D This week I'm waiting on Saint :) And shared my second review of Kingsbane. <3 Hope you are all doing better than me :) I hope my antibiotics will work to kill my bump. <3

Pop Figures. Eee. Mickey and Disney castle. So awesome. And baby Pegasus. So cute. And finally got the one that I wanted from the mystery pixar figures, eee. The cat and dog, ha :D And I so love the bird.
Maggie Stiefvater bookplate. Thank you so much Maggie for this sweet note and bookplate. <3 Love.
Pokemon swag. Another nintendo platinum points reward, ha. <3 I had some points to spend :) It's cute.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Review: Kingsbane by Claire Legrand

Reading this book for the second time was all kinds of torture. It took me over three weeks to read, because of health issues. But gods, how I love this book. But even though I was slow to read it, I loved every moment of it. And oh. The pain. It was just as cruel this second time, haha. My heart is completely shattered. Sobs.

Yet I love these books the most. I have been meaning to re-read Furyborn and Kingsbane for so very long. As I have yet to read Lightbringer. But I have been too afraid to start. Because I know the final book will kill me. But I know I will love it too. I am just so very nervous. And now I'm finally ready for it. Well, I must be, ha.

There is so much that I love about these books and this world. I could probably write about them for ages. But I will not. Because my mind is ruined and my heart is once again shattered. I will try to write only a little in my review this time. I do not know where to begin. Furyborn was every kind of epic. And this sequel was just as much so. Though the pain was worse, ha. Much worse. And much worse to come and I am dreading it. Gosh. But the love I have for these books is too strong. Because I love them way too much, pain included. These characters are all precious to me. Very much. Even when they are all being horrible, haha. I just adore them. And it breaks my heart to read about how broken they all are and how much more broken they become. Shudders. This second book has the worst cliffhanger. Hmph. So rude.

Yet I still waited this long before I read these books again, so I can at last read the final one. Of course, I did peek a little when it came out, ha. And I know I will love it. But I know it will ruin me too. And I haven't felt ready for it. Well, I'm still not ready for it. Ha. But I'm doing it at last, even so. As this series means so much to me. Even with all the pain it gives my heart. These characters are all incredible. And this world that Claire has created is truly the best. Fully evil and heartbreaking and cruel. But truly perfect as well.

I do not know what to say about this second book. I do not feel like saying much at all right now. All my energy is gone. That ending killed me a second time. These books tells the stories of Rielle and Eliana. Mother and daughter. Set a thousand years apart. It is such a rich and complicated story. And it is so so amazing. It is full of twists and secrets and lies. There is romance. There is a little hope. Then it is fully crushed. Ha. Sobs. There is still so much to come. And I cannot wait to read it. Although still not ready.

Will first talk a little of Rielle. She has always been my favorite of them all. Though in this book she killed me again. Because she is so angry all the time, almost. So very destructive. It is heartbreaking to read about. And made me so angry with her too, ha. She lied to Audric way too much. And that came back to hurt her in the end. Though it hurt me even more. Hmph. And yet. Despite how angry Rielle made me, I still do love her the most. I still want the best ending for her. Sobs. She is so precious. So powerful too.

Okay, fine. Audric might have been my most favorite character, haha. He is the most precious of them all, to be honest. Always good and kind and full of light. He finally speaks up at the of this. And everything then goes wrong. But I am so proud of him even so, because it needed to be said, and it was not wrong either. But oh, the heartbreak. And I just want to protect this boy and keep him safe. He deserves all the love and all the best things. Him and Rielle together was perfection. So fierce and hot and steamy. Sigh.

I also still so love Ludivine too. Though she is such a mess at times, doing a little too much. And yet not enough either. Hmph. I do like her friendship with them all, though. And I very much liked Rielle's guard. She was awesome. And Atheria. So adorable. I still don't really like Tal, especially not after this book. And Corien. Uuuugh. He is the very worst angel. And he is creating every mess there is. And I am so nervous. I hate him and Rielle together. Yet it is there. And I fear what will happen in Lightbringer. Oh. Not ready.

Then there was Eliana. I still love her, though I did love her more in this second book, which is good, ha. And her little brother Remy is still so very adorable. Though I feel like he wasn't in this book all that much. Though it might just be because of how long it took me to read it. Harkan killed me in book one. And now he returned to kill me even more. Very rude. He did a bad thing. But not that bad. And what happened to him was so unfair and it is killing me. Sobs. Okay, it was written so very well, but my poor heart is broken.

I suppose I should talk about Simon too. I still don't know what to feel about him. I hate him and I sort of love him too. There were parts of him that were so precious. But also parts of him I did not like. And yet I do love reading about him and Eliana together. Sigh. And I can't really help but ship them too. Somewhat. Not really after that ending, ha. Though I feel like that ending is a trick, in a way. Though I still don't know for sure, as I did not peek at that, ha. Oh. And Navi. So precious. Then she was missing for ages. Rude.

What. I was not going to write much about Kingsbane this time at all. And I have already written way way too much. Oops. Turns out I could not stop once I started. And I still have more to say. But stopping now. So much happened in this book. So much is still to come. So many bad things happened. So much death and pain. And it all destroyed me. Kingsbane was still every kind of epic and incredible. It still ruined me forever. And I still love this series the most. Claire is truly the best author. You must read these already.


Waiting on Wednesday #552

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

SAINT BY ADRIENNE YOUNG

Goodreads Description:

New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns to the world of The Narrows with Saint, a captivating prequel to Fable and Namesake.

As a boy, Elias learned the hard way what happens when you don’t heed the old tales.

Nine years after his lack of superstition got his father killed, he’s grown into a young man of piety, with a deep reverence for the hallowed sea and her fickle favor. As stories of the fisherman’s son who has managed to escape the most deadly of storms spreads from port to port, his devotion to the myths and creeds has given him the reputation of the luckiest bastard to sail the Narrows.

Now, he’s mere days away from getting everything his father ever dreamed for him: a ship of his own, a crew, and a license that names him as one of the first Narrows-born traders. But when a young dredger from the Unnamed Sea with more than one secret crosses his path, Elias’ faith will be tested like never before. The greater the pull he feels toward her, the farther he drifts from the things he’s spent the last three years working for.

He is dangerously close to repeating his mistakes and he’s seen first hand how vicious the jealous sea can be. If he’s going to survive her retribution, he will have to decide which he wants more, the love of the girl who could change their shifting world, or the sacred beliefs that earned him the name that he’s known for―Saint.

Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: November 29th 2022 by Wednesday Books
Pre-Order: Book Depository
and Amazon #ad

I'm so behind on books by Adrienne. Oops. One day soon I shall have to catch up and read the three I have that are already out. <3 But yess. I am still excited about this and will be ordering it, even so :D Ha.
What are you waiting for on this saintly Wednesday?

Saturday, May 14, 2022

In My Mailbox #549

Am I the slowest reader in all the world right now? Yes, yes I am. Aaaack. I think I have read more of Kingsbane only one time this week. What even. And only about sixty pages then. Siiigh. I just have no energy and no time, it feels like. I have had a cold for ages now, it feels like, ha. I'm finally starting to get better. Had so many health issues this past week. Things are getting better. But yeah. Have not gotten much done at all. Rude. But I'm okay. And catching up and reading when I'm well enough :) Though it makes me sad that it has now taken me weeks to re-read Kingsbane. Oops. I'm not forgetting anything, though, so that's good. <3 And I'm loving it so very much. Just, yeah. Need more energy. Anyway. I got a bunch of lovely mail this week, eee. All the Animal Crossing cards, yesss. <3 And precious books too :) And my pop figures, ha :) I have had a good week, despite having such a shitty body. Hmph. Behind on taking photos too. Hopefully tomorrow :) This week I'm waiting on Hell Bent :D Hope you are all well. <3

Bravely. Eee. I am SO excited for this one. <3 Got my personalized copy and my regular copy, haha :)
Book of Night. I don't know much about this at all. Suddenly saw it, so ordered it. I'm hoping to love it.
Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl. So excited for a middle grade book by Julie :D Looks great.
The Mystwick School of Musicraft. Of course I needed the paperback version too. <3 So loved this one.
The Imagination Chamber. I got my signed W edition last week, and regular this week, for reading :) Ha.
Pop Figures. New EMP exclusives :D I had to buy all these, eee. Diamond Squirtle! LOVE! All amazing.
Animal Crossing amiibo cards. YESSS. Thank you so much Megan for helping me get them. <3 LOVE.
Pokemon items. Eee. Some new nintendo store platinum point rewards, ha. I love them both. So cute :)

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Waiting on Wednesday #551

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

HELL BENT (Alex Stern #2) BY LEIGH BARDUGO

Goodreads Description:

Alex Stern returns in another tale of murder and dark magic set among the Ivy League elite…

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is determined to break Darlington out of hell—even if it costs her a future at Lethe and at Yale. But Alex is playing with forces far beyond her control, and when faculty members begin to die off, she knows these aren’t just accidents. Something deadly is at work in New Haven, and if Alex is going to survive, she'll have to reckon with the monsters of her past and a darkness built into the university's very walls.

Hardcover, 448 pages
Expected publication: January 10th 2023 by Flatiron Books
Pre-Order: Book Depository
and Amazon #ad
 

I'm pretty excited about this one :D Despite not having read Ninth House yet. Oops. It sadly came out when I did not read at all, so yeah. I haven't made it yet. But I will read it right before this one comes out, and I cannot wait. I think I will love them both very much. <3 I very much love this disturbing cover, ack :)
What are you waiting for on this hellish Wednesday?

Saturday, May 7, 2022

In My Mailbox #548

This week have been exhausting. I turned 29 on Tuesday. <3 Which was awesome, ha :) Had a great time with my family, eating good food and cake and got some great presents too. <3 I'm still working on re-reading Kingsbane. I have not read much at all. Ahh! SO behind. Many days I haven't read at all. Sigh. It's so hard. I love the book, of course I do. But reading is so difficult for me these days. Trying my best, but yeah. It's going slow. Sigh. I'm also so goddamn exhausted and hurting and sick these days. It fucking sucks. Everything is trying to kill me lately. Ruuude. I even got a big bump on my goddamn eye this week. Driving me insane. Anyway. Got a bit of pretty mail. <3 Waiting on something amazing, eee. I will manage to finish re-reading Kingsbane this coming week. I have made it over halfway. Just need to make myself pick it up again. Oops. It's finally stopped snowing. Hope it will last. Today was sunny, full of wind, but the snow is melting at last. This week I'm waiting on Juniper & Thorn :) Hope that you are all doing well. <3

The Imagination Chamber. Of course I'm still buying anything from Philip, ha. Reading this one day. <3
Splatoon 2. Got as a birthday gift from my sister :D Eee. Playing it soon; I do think it looks pretty great.
Game & Watch Zelda. I have wanted to buy this for a while, finally did so :) I shall play it.. one day, ha :)
Pop Figures. More orders arrived. <3 Finally got Geralt; gift from my sister :D Love! And more Pokemon.
The Batman. I saw this smaller action figure and just had to get it too, haha :D He is just too cute. Love.


Funko Nordic Birthday Gift. EEE! Thank you so much to Emma at Funko Nordic for sending me this most amazing birthday gift. <3 I am beyond thrilled to me an ambassador for them on Instagram :) It's the best.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Waiting on Wednesday #550

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

JUNIPER & THORN BY AVA REID

Goodreads Description:

From highly acclaimed bestselling author Ava Reid comes a gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree, set in another time and place within the world of The Wolf and the Woodsman, where a young witch seeks to discover her identity and escape the domination of her wizard father, perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson and Catherynne M. Valente.

A gruesome curse. A city in upheaval. A monster with unquenchable appetites.

Marlinchen and her two sisters live with their wizard father in a city shifting from magic to industry. As Oblya’s last true witches, she and her sisters are little more than a tourist trap as they treat their clients with archaic remedies and beguile them with nostalgic charm. Marlinchen spends her days divining secrets in exchange for rubles and trying to placate her tyrannical, xenophobic father, who keeps his daughters sequestered from the outside world. But at night, Marlinchen and her sisters sneak out to enjoy the city’s amenities and revel in its thrills, particularly the recently established ballet theater, where Marlinchen meets a dancer who quickly captures her heart.

As Marlinchen’s late-night trysts grow more fervent and frequent, so does the threat of her father’s rage and magic. And while Oblya flourishes with culture and bustles with enterprise, a monster lurks in its midst, borne of intolerance and resentment and suffused with old-world power. Caught between history and progress and blood and desire, Marlinchen must draw upon her own magic to keep her city safe and find her place within it.

Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication: June 21st 2022 by Harper Voyager
Pre-Order: Book Depository
and Amazon #ad

I am pretty excited about this gorgeous looking book :D Eee. I do own the first book by this author. <3 Just haven't read it yet. Oops. So many loved it. I hope I will too. And really hope to love this as well :)
What are you waiting for on this thorny Wednesday?