Waiting on Wednesday #641

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

LET IT GLOW BY MARISSA MEYER & JOANNE LEVY

Goodreads Description:

When Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at the holiday pageant tryouts for their local senior’s center, they think they must be seeing double. While they both knew they were adopted, they had no idea they had a biological sibling, let alone an identical twin! The similarities are only skin deep, though, because while Aviva has a big personality and even bigger Broadway plans, Holly is more the quiet dreamer type who longs to become a famous author like her grandfather.

One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families at the pageant. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditions–what could possibly go wrong?

Format: 256 pages, Paperback
Expected Publication: October 29, 2024 by Feiwel & Friends
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Eeee! I am so excited for this one :D A middle grade by Marissa Meyer. <3 Beyond excited. It looks so so cute. I love it. And I think it sounds all kinds of adorable. I'm certain that I will love this one :) Cannot wait.
What are you waiting for on this curious Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #638

Ohh. Suddenly Saturday again. This week have been tough for me. I had my surgery this Wednesday. First I spent ages dreading it. Then it was finally hospital time. And I had to wait for hours before it was my turn, as always. Ugh. Which just made me more nervous. But I made it. Surgery wasn't too bad and wasn't too bad after either. But been some days now. And the pain is slowly coming. Been bleeding a lot. And will take at least four weeks to heal. Thinking longer. Because this open wound is huuuge. Shudders. And does not look good, haha. But yeah. I'm hoping it heals well. And fast. And that I won't get more pain. My body isn't feeling too good. So I am just trying to take it easy. Still, I started a short middle grade book yesterday that I finished today :) But now taking a little reading break, ha. I know what I'm reading next. A re-read. And I cannot wait. But another hospital trip next Monday, so I will not start reading until after that. Anyway. Been exhausted this week. But I'm okay. I hope, haha :) I got some gorgeous mail, eee. And I'm waiting on the very best mail. Ahh. Still a couple of weeks until it arrives, though. But I am so very excited. But yes. Please give me some positive healing thoughts, ack. This week I'm waiting on Red in Tooth and Claw :D And I shared my review of Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy :) Hope that you are all doing well. <3

Divine Rivals + Ruthless Vows. Eee! My personalized copies are here :D I love them so. <3 Artwork too!
A Fragile Enchantment. Fairyloot January book. I'm curious about this one :D The artwork looks stunning.
The Foxglove King. Oops. Paperback edition :) Though I have yet to read this. Ahh. But hope to love it :)
Funko Europe. Oh no. I placed a new order for pop figures. Sigh. But I love them, eee :D New pokemon figures. Too cute. New Coraline pins. Bought 12, so got a whole box, and so I got all seven different ones, eee :D Love them. Still no Max from Stranger Things, though. Ugh. I'm still not giving up, though, haha :)

More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee

This is a book I have owned for almost ten years. Which I finally decided to read. I had hoped I would adore this one. It seemed like such a cute middle grade story. But I ended up disappointed. So I am giving this one two stars. I just did not like it much at all. Plus side, it was really short and fast to read. Just not very good.

I'm not going to write a long review for this one. Since it was truly that short. And I do not have that much to say either. I wish I had liked this book. As the story was interesting and could have been so exciting. If it had been longer. If it had been written better. But it was not. I very much disliked the writing. Every part of it. Sigh.

Which is what disappointed me the most. It was written horribly. I know, it could just be my opinion. But I am very obsessed about good writing. And this was very much not it. This book was about an eleven-year-old girl, Ophelia. And the writing made it feel like she was eight or younger. Her older sister, Alice, was fifteen. She felt more like she could have been eleven. And their dad was just there and did not feel like he was any help. And their mother had died three months earlier. This main girl, Ophelia, keeps hearing her whisper in her ear. Yeah. It was a little weird, to be honest. I guess she just missed her, but the way it was written was odd. The grief was almost good, but I just did not care at all. I wanted to like this family of three. But they didn't seem connected. Which was disappointing. I wanted more family feelings and such.

I'm unsure what to write about this book. It takes place in less than a week. I suppose it takes place in a museum, of sorts. It is also mentioned as a palace. And the book keeps going a bit back and forth. I just honestly feel like this could have been a great story. If it had been written better and had been longer with more details. Instead it just felt rushed and weird. I wanted to adore Ophelia. I did not. All she did was run around in the museum, all day, and taking her asthma medicine. I don't think it should be taken that often.

Anyway. This book was not only about Ophelia. It was also the story about the Marvelous Boy. And I did not like this part. I tried to like him. He was a boy, trapped in a room for about three hundred years. And he needs Ophelia to save him, before he dies in three days. Yeah. We get to see where he came from, a different place, I guess. With wizards and magic. A snow queen, who followed him into our world, three hundred years ago. He is chosen to get rid of her. This did not go as planned, and he was taken captive.

I wish I could have liked this story. But it was a bit all over the place. Too much in too little time. I felt for the boy with no name. But I did not care at all. The magic was weird. How he spent years with a king that kept him as a toy. Well. It was so weird. And then he was kept in a room for that long. Yeah. This woman was supposed to be so evil. Having killed many young girls. With this museum having ghosts and such. It felt a bit too much, with how short the book was and how few details there were. Should have been more.

I wanted this book to be more. So yes. I was disappointed. I did like parts of it. I liked learning more about the boy, though I did not care much for him. Ophelia tried to save him, and they became friends. In a few days. Without actually spending time together, her on the outside of his door. I did not feel this supposed friendship at all, sadly. And her relationship with her sister was very bad. Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy was not what I had hoped for, sadly. A little good, but mostly bad. But I have finally read it, at least, haha.

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Waiting on Wednesday #640

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

RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW BY LISH MCBRIDE

Goodreads Description:

This edge-of-your-seat YA horror flips Western archetypes for a gritty, edgy, and wholly original read.

For fans of Dread Nation and Westworld!

Faolan Kelly’s grandfather is dead. She’s alone in the world and suddenly homeless, all because the local powers that be don’t think a young man of sixteen is mature enough to take over his grandfather’s homestead…and that’s with them thinking Faolan is a young man. If she revealed that her grandfather had been disguising her for years, they would marry her off at the first opportunity.

The mayor finds a solution that serves everyone but Faolan: He hires a gunslinger to ship her off to the Settlement, a remote fort where social outcasts live under the leadership of His Benevolence Gideon Dillard. It's a place rife with mystery, kept afloat by suspicious wealth. Dillard's absolute command over his staff just doesn't seem right. And neither do the strange noises that keep Faolan up at night.

When Faolan finds the body of a Settlement boarder, mangled by something that can’t possibly be human, it’s clear something vicious is stalking the palisades. And as Settlement boarders continue to drop like flies, Faolan knows she must escape to evade the creature’s wrath.

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: October 8, 2024 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Eeee! I am all kinds of excited about this book :D It sounds so awesome. I think I will love this a whole lot. I have been a fan of Lish for years now. And I can't wait to read this new book of hers. Love the cover :)
What are you waiting for on this mysterious Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #637

Ahh. Where did the past week go? Gosh. Time has moved so fast :) I even read another book last night. What even. Now made it to four books read so far this year :) I'm very happy with this, haha. May take it a little slower from now on, though. As I have a surgery next week that will take some time to heal. Oh. I am hoping it won't be too bad. Ahh. But I'm so nervous. And this week have been so stressful. They suddenly cancelled my surgery on Thursday. Which made me very upset and stressed. Sigh. Then suddenly it was back on again on Friday. How rude. But I'm glad it is happening, haha. Anyway. Got a little bit of stunning mail this week. <3 I love it. And waiting on something amazing. Sobs. But may take a while to arrive :) I'm just so excited and so thankful. Sigh. New posts. I shared my review of Ruthless Vows. <3 This week I'm waiting on Lady Macbeth :) And shared my review of Daughter of Mine :D Hope you are all doing well. <3

Ruthless Vows. Finally got my two hardcovers from Blackwells :D That took forever, haha. So gorgeous.
Movies. Eee. Steelbooks; had to get them :D Both gorgeous. Loved The Little Mermaid and The Meg 2.
Funko Europe. Oops. At last made another order, ha :) Still no Max Stranger Things mystery mini. Sigh. It's too depressing. Two new Harry Potter ones, though. And I adore everything else. Stinky Pete :D Eee!

More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda

This might be my favorite book by Megan Miranda. I have read them all, except for just one of her older ones. I am still shaking a little from finishing this one. It was such a great mystery. And I liked the characters. It simply kept me interested from beginning to end. Loved that so much. This was a five star for me. Loved it.

I don't know where to begin. The writing was stunning, as always with books by Megan. The main girl was twenty-seven years old, which is around the same age as all her adult books. Which I am liking a whole lot. This book was a little bit slow. And yet I adored every part of it. I so liked how all of it fit together in the end. Sigh.

Finding the words for this book will be difficult. As I want to share all the spoilers from the ending, haha. But will share nothing of it. Only my thoughts about this book, which are many. Enjoyed it so very much. And I'm so happy about it. It even had a small part of a romance. Which was also the best in a while, I think. Though it had way too little heat, ha. And I wish there had been something of it, at least. Aw. But the small romance was there. And I guess it was enough. As the focus on the book was on the mystery. Well, mysteries. This had a whole bunch of them. People going missing. In the past and in the present. Unsolved mysteries, now coming to light. And I so very much liked reading about them all and finding out all of the secrets, haha. It was simply exciting.

This book tells the story of Hazel. She moved away from her family ten years ago, at seventeen. Only two hours away, but she needed a break from the town. Though she did visit at important times. Her father is now dead. And he left the house to her. So she had to return. Her brothers are not happy about it. As they do not understand why she was left the house and they got nothing. And so this was every kind of tough for her. Hazel came back to deal with the house and also her brothers. Trying to figure out why she got it.

Their family was so complicated. Going to share a little about it, as I very much liked getting to know all of it, ha. Hazel and her mom moved into this town when she was around eight years old. They met the Holt family and her mom got together with their dad. He had two sons around her age, Caden and Gage. They grew up together. But then her mom left when Hazel was fourteen. Just suddenly gone. Money and other things taken. Looking like she left them. And left Hazel behind. But Hazel did have the best dad after that.

Which I liked a whole lot. But her relationship with the brothers. Sigh. Gage seemed kind and loving with her. Caden seemed to always hate Hazel, for stealing his dad and brother. And so they did not have the best relationship at all. But oh, how I liked reading about it all. I liked getting to know a little more at each chapter. About Caden and his family, his wife and daughter. His child was the cutest. His wife had history with Hazel. And I do wish we had gotten to know a little more about them. I liked what was there, though.

Then there was the next door neighbor, Nico. Hazel grew up crushing on him. Who grew into something more over the years. Yet never something more than a small flirt, taking place often. It got more serious when she came back this time. And I liked that. I think they were great together. And I just adored Nico and getting to know him. Sigh. Though, oh. He had some secrets kept as well. That hurt. But I think it is possible to get past it. I hope. As I think they were great for each other. I loved their friendship so much.

There is so much going on in this book. I'm not going to share much more about it all. Just. There were so many mysteries. Gosh. Two cars turned up from the lake, because it had not rained for weeks. Zero bodies. But empty and mysterious cars. I liked figuring out who they belonged to. I loved reading about Hazel doing a little bit of investigating. There were someone going missing. Was a bit heartbreaking. But so exciting and thrilling. I loved how much Hazel were able to uncover and find out. I liked all of it, haha.

I must mention the ending too, just because. As I thought it was amazing. So many secrets came to life. Some I had guessed, some I had not. All of it thrilling. I will say, though, that I do wish there had been a chapter more after the ending. I wanted to know a little bit more. Sigh. But it was excellent. I think I have written enough about the plot of this book. Yet I'm not sure if I have written much at all, haha. So I will just say that I very much enjoyed reading this book. I read it all in one evening. It murdered me. Was worth it.

The biggest thank you to the publisher, Marysue Rucci Books at Simon & Schuster for the approval to read this book early as an eARC via Edelweiss. I had to read it right away. And I do not regret it one bit. Daughter of Mine was every bit as amazing as I had hoped it would be. And more so. Considering this was my favorite of her books so far. It was filled with mystery and excitement. I adored these characters. Always wanted to know what happened next. I liked the surprises and secrets. You all need to read this.

 

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Waiting on Wednesday #639

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

LADY MACBETH BY AVA REID

Goodreads Description:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ava Reid comes a reimagining of Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare’s most famous villainess, giving her a voice, a past, and a power that transforms the story men have written for her.

The Lady knows the stories: how her eyes induce madness in men. 

The Lady knows she will be wed to the Scottish brute, who does not leave his warrior ways behind when he comes to the marriage bed.  

The Lady knows his hostile, suspicious court will be a game of strategy, requiring all of her wiles and hidden witchcraft to survive. 

But the Lady does not know her husband has occult secrets of his own. She does not know that prophecy girds him like armor. She does not know that her magic is greater and more dangerous, and that it will threaten the order of the world. 

She does not know this yet. But she will.

Format: 320 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: August 6, 2024 by Del Rey
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

I'm all kinds of curious about this book. I know nothing about the original story, not one bit. But I think this one sounds pretty awesome. I loved Ava's latest book, A Study in Drowning, so so very much. I found her first book to be a bit meh. And I'm wondering if I would hate her second book. Oops. But I do not know for sure. So my feelings for her books are mixed, haha :) But yes. I am hoping that I will end up loving this :)
What are you waiting for on this dangerous Wednesday?

Review: Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

This is a book I have been so excited for yet also dreading a little. I loved Divine Rivals so much. And I had such high hopes for this second and final book. I feared that so much could go wrong. Yet I had a hope as well. And oh. I am so happy to say that this book was perfection. I loved every moment of it. It was the best ending.

There is so much that I wish to share about this book. I am going to do my best not to share too many spoilers. There will be some, though not actually about the plot. I have so many thoughts about this book. Oh. But yes. Five stars. All the stars. As I loved this the most. Maybe more than the first. Maybe less. Unsure. I adored it.

As with the first book, the writing was all kinds of good. I truly felt connected with all of it, which I loved. The story was the best. We still get to read from Iris and Roman, a little from each of them. I love these two characters the very most. Eee. And so I will begin by saying that their romance is actually the very best thing. There is no drama. It is only love. Sure, a little enemies to lovers at first, in book one. Then a bit of memory loss in this one. But their love for each other is true. And their scenes together are the very best thing. Sigh. Just love them so. The very most. So yes. I think that is my main reason for loving this duology to pieces. Because the romance is so very good. It made me so happy. And sad. But it was the best thing. Of course, the story is amazing too.

There is so much happening in this one. I'm going to share some of it, but mostly sharing all my thoughts about everything, haha. And I do have a whole lot of thoughts. Oops. This begins two weeks after the first ended. After Iris was dragged away from Roman by her brother, after she left him behind in the war zone. But she had no choice. She came back, but he was gone then. Taken by Dacre. Her brother knows what have happened to him. He does share a little of it with her. So she knows what is happening with Roman.

Which is not anything good, ha. Roman was killed by the gas. Then taken below by Dacre and saved by the god. Which made him lose all of his memories. I love that we get his point of view. It breaks my heart. And I loved it so. It's so interesting, to see what he is going through. How he slowly begins to remember things about his life. I loved how Iris was able to write to him again, in their magical way. But with him not knowing her. But still writing to her. Sigh. And then slowly he begins to dream of Iris, remembering pieces.

I was worried about this book. That we would not get to see them together again before the very end. And that would have ruined me. Hmph. But I was wrong, thankfully. They do have some reunions. Before they have to part ways again. But the moments they spend together. Sigh. They are the best parts. I wish they had been more together, but it made sense that they had to be on different sides of this war. Their scenes together were the best. I'm not sharing much more about the plot, just that it was truly exciting and great.

This one was filled with great characters. We get to see a little more of Marisol, whom I still adore. We get to see a whole lot more of Attie, whom is still the very best girl. We meet a new character, Tobias. And his small beginning romance with Attie was the cutest thing. He was their driver. Their scenes together were so much fun. We also see more of Forest, Iris's brother. I was still a little bit mad at him. But I grew to like him more as well. They were the best of siblings. We see more of Roman's father. Whom I will never like.

And then there was Dacre and Enva. The gods. We see very little of Enva, until we finally get to know her a little bit. And I was curious about her. Yet also a little disappointed in her, ha. But her story was a good one. Then there was Dacre. The man who started this war, after being asleep for hundreds of years. He has had so many people killed. This war was not a gentle one. And we get very close to him. I didn't like him. Yet he was fully interesting to read about and get to know more. But yes. He was a horrible person.

What I liked a lot was getting to read more about his realm below, under the earth. It was creepy. Yet it seemed like it could have been beautiful too, one time. I liked learning more about it all. The place where the monsters were. We do not see much of them in this book, though. But a little. And I liked that. There are a few scenes set in this place. One of them broke me a little. Someone was trapped there. The other did not know. And that hurt me. That the trapped one was not saved by the other. It was very rude, haha.

There were a few small things I wish had been included. But nothing that made me dislike it, haha. I just wish it had been there. There is a scene where Roman is ashamed of his scars. I was certain this would lead to Iris making him feel better, healing him with her touch, in that way which is the best to read about. But it didn't happen. It was just suddenly forgotten. And I feel a little sad about it. Aw. I also wish the more intimate scenes had more details. The kissing scenes were great. But I wanted a little bit more too, haha.

This book also made me cry. There was one scene near the end of the book, when bombs were falling. We got to see a little point of view from different characters. And it was heartbreaking. And I loved every moment of it. There were also so many other sad parts. Most of them with Roman. He went through so much in this book. And my heart is just aching for him. Sigh. But his scenes were also my very favorite ones. Oh. Just had a thought. We did not once get to see Iris and his nan meeting. I feel sad about this.

Ruthless Vows was truly the very best final book. I loved it beyond words. Most stunning romance. Best friendships. Such a great story about the war between gods. It had everything I want in a book. And none of the things that I dislike, haha. Which made me very happy. There was no hint of a love triangle. There was no stupid drama between the couple. There was no actual hurt that could come between them. Yes, a whole lot of heartbreak, but in a good way. If that makes any sense. I loved it so. Do not miss this finale.

 

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

In My Mailbox #636

Another week gone by :) And I have read a book this week too, eee. <3 A re-read of Divine Rivals. Sigh. And I'm almost done reading Ruthless Vows as well; will finish it tonight :) I'm so excited. It's so, so good. Sigh. I have been a bit exhausted, though. Medicine day was this week. And many other things I needed to do. My body feels weird. But doing my best and just trying to not focus on it too much, ha :) Still doing my small daily walks, which I'm hoping is helping. At least a little, haha. Got just a little mail this week, but loving it all. <3 So happy with how my reading is going so far :D Hope I can keep it up, haha :) This week I'm waiting on Fate Breaker :) I shared my second review of Divine Rivals. <3 Hope you are doing well :D

Ruthless Vows. Eee! First of my copies have arrived. UK hardcover. The best cover. <3 I love it so much.
Rabbids Party of Legends. This game looks all kinds of fun and I'm hoping that it will be pretty great, ha :)
Funko Pop. As I got Mary Poppins as a gift, I had to buy this Bert version too, haha :) As they are so cute.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Reading this book again was very much worth it. And so needed, before I start book two. I loved it so much when I read it last. And I loved it just as much this second time. Sigh. I'm always worried when re-reading a favorite book; that I won't like it the same. But that wasn't the case with this one. As I think I loved it even more.

The writing was still stunning. I'm also completely in love with the cover for this and for book two. Beyond gorgeous. And the story is just magical. Fully heartbreaking. But so hopeful and romantic. I just love every part of it. Though the ending hurt more this time. How rude. At least now I can read what happens next right away.

I'm going to try to write a shorter review this time. Just to share a little of my thoughts about this book. Though I am not reading my previous review first, ha. I love how popular this book has gotten. Because it is totally deserving of it as well. As it is a most perfect story. I'm so very nervous about the final book. I so want to love it even more than this one. But I'm so worried. Yet beyond excited. I must know more about Iris and Roman. More about her brother too, whom I'm currently not happy with. I want to know more about the gods and the war. And I want my happy ending. Sigh. But I want it to be happy way before it ends. There are many books that end happy, but never show the couple happy. Rude. But in this first book, we do see them happy. Somewhat. Sobs.

Going to talk a little about the story. Iris and Roman start as rivals in the paper. Kind of hating each other. Yet slowly beginning to like each other a little more. Until Iris's mother dies suddenly. And she is broken. And leaves for the war, to write stories about what is actually happening. And to look for her older brother, who left for the war half a year ago and has not written since. There is very much I should probably say about the plot of this book. But I'm not going to, haha. Only mentioning a little bit. You must read this too.

Before she leaves, though, she has been writing magical letters with a boy. First she spent some months writing letters to her brother, having them disappear from her wardrobe. Not getting any reply. Until one day she did. And she has been talking to this boy for some days. It was the best thing. Especially since we get Roman's point of view, and know that she is talking to him. He knows it. She does not. He wants to tell her, but is afraid. And oh, how I loved how they got to know each other in this way. Sharing stories.

It was the best thing. Though I do wish she had known all along too, because it did give me some extra heartbreak, that she did not know for so long. How rude. Anyway. This book is so special. Feels like it is set in the past, but more modern too. A magical place, where gods walked the earth not long ago. They have been sleeping. And are now awake, making war. I loved the small hints at magic in this book. How the houses could be magical. It was the best. I liked reading about this different war; was so interesting.

And of course, fully heartbreaking. Because Iris do get to the war front. She learns so much. And it was so sad and so real and I very much loved it. Roman missed her too much when she just suddenly left. He had his whole life planned from his father. He did not want it. And so he left to join her. And oh. I so loved this. The love story of Roman Kitt and Iris Winnow. I loved how they called each other by their last names most of the time. I loved how they argued. Then became more. I loved their romance more than anything.

Especially loved all the garden scenes. Sigh. And the trenches scenes too, though those were pretty sad. So much happened in this book. And yet too little as well. As it ended too fast, haha. I wanted more. Sigh. Cannot wait for book two next. I know, this review ended up being a bit rambling. But I do not mind. I just loved this story so very much. I loved Iris and Roman to pieces. I loved the setting. I so loved the friends, Attie and Marisol. I loved his nan. Especially loved Roman's past. It broke me. And it was the best, haha.

I could probably write about this book for ages and ages. But I'm trying not to, ha. Just know that I loved every moment of it. Even though it hurt me so very much when Iris finally learned the truth about Roman and the letters. How she left him for a bit. How hurt he was. It ruined me. Yes, it made sense. But it still hurt to see him hurt. Sniffs. And I loved it to pieces too. Especially how close they got after that. I loved how he was hurt in a different way; how she cared for him. Hoping for more of that, to be honest, haha.

Divine Rivals is still such a precious book to me. I love it with all my heart. Even the now broken pieces, haha. If you still have not read this book, then you are truly missing out. It is such a good story and you need it in your life too. Gosh, I'm so excited to start Ruthless Vows next. It is going to be amazing. Sigh. What I loved most about this one was the romance. Okay, it did annoy me a little how long it took before she finally learned who Carver actually was. But once she did, oh. It was perfection. The best romance.

 

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Waiting on Wednesday #638

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

FATE BREAKER (Realm Breaker #3) BY VICTORIA AVEYARD

Goodreads Description:

Change your fate—or kneel to it.

The Companions are scattered and hopeless, torn from each other. After Corayne barely escapes with her life, she must forge on alone, leaving her blade broken and her allies behind her. Her only consolation—Corayne now has Taristan's sword, the only Spindleblade left in existence. Without it, he can’t rip open any more Spindles. Without it, he can’t end the world.

But Taristan and Queen Erida will not be defeated so easily. Both will burn the world to bring down Corayne—and bring forth their demon god, What Waits, ready to claim the realm of Allward for his own.

In a final clash between kingdoms and gods, all must rise to fight—or be destroyed.

Everything has come to this. Prepare for a larger-than-life, unforgettable finale to the Realm Breaker series, where a shattered alliance must rise from the ashes to make their final stand against a ruthless enemy… and the demon god who looks to shroud the entire world in darkness.

Format: 576 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: February 27, 2024 by HarperTeen
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Ohh. I have not yet read book one. Oops. But I own the waterstones editions of book one and two and have this third one pre-ordered, ha :D So I will be reading this series one day. I think these books sounds pretty amazing and I think that I will end up loving them when I do read them. Will do so one day, haha :)
What are you waiting for on this breaking Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #635

Happy New Year :D I have been having a pretty busy week. But a good one too. It has been fully freezing outside, though. Brrr. But now suddenly warm out. Huh. So yeah. The weather is weird, haha :) And I had to go outside in the freezing cold to take a whole bunch of new photos for instagram. Ack. But was worth it. Love the photos I took :) This week I only got one package in the mail. But it was a very big one. Oops :D Ahh! It's most perfect. <3 I am waiting on a few books, but unsure when they will make it. I also read a book this week, whoo :) And planning on starting a re-read next week. A little sad that all of my Christmas decorations have been taken down. Aw. But it was about time too, haha. Now waiting for April to arrive so I can get my spa bath up again. <3 Sigh. I cannot wait. Hope the time goes fast. I have a surgery in a few weeks. Which will take even more weeks to heal. And I'm so worried about it. But it needs to be done. So I am hoping I will heal fast. Fingers crossed for me, please :) A whole bunch of new blog posts this week, haha :) I shared my Best Books of 2023. <3 This week I'm waiting on Royal Scandal :D And I shared my review of The Only Survivors :) I hope you are all having the most amazing first week of the new year. <3

America Package from Becky. <3 AHH! This package was the absolute best to get in the mail this week. Sigh. Thank you so, so much to Becky for helping me get all of this to Norway. <3 You are the actual best. Sniffs. I am so so so so happy and thankful, eee :D (I paid for all items and for shipping.) Such expensive shipping. Gosh. But fully worth it :) Okay. Time to say a little about all that I got, eee. Owlcrate version of Lore bought from a US seller on facebook; was missing this edition. Champion of Fate + Anna Dressed in Blood, personalized copies ordered from Invitation Bookshop :D Perfection. I will share all personalized copies on instagram in the next two weeks. Champion of Fate ARC, gotten from a trade on facebook :D Prosper Redding ARC gotten from a person on Depop. The School for Good and Evil collector's edition, personalized copy bought from Books of Wonder, ahh :D I love it. Silver in the Bone Fairyloot + A Crown of Ivy and Glass BookishBox. Bought these a little cheaper from a facebook seller; perfect condition. <3 Night of the Witch pre-order swag :D The Night Hunt pre-order swag :D Got Kendare Blake swag from the personalized books. <3 Owlcrate pin from Becky, eee :D I love it. Taylor Swift CDs, ahh :D So happy to have all of these, omg. I got double of all the 1989 editions, ha, so I can have both sides of the cards. So precious. Love all the blue stars that were everywhere in the package, haha :D And then there was a bunch of new EOS lipbalms, oops. Already opened them all, haha, so just added three in the middle so you can see what they look like :) I love them the very most. Best smells and just so good. My gosh. This ended up being waaay too long, haha. But managed to write about everything that arrived :) And oh. I am so happy about it all, ahh. <3 These items were not possible for me to order to Norway. Becky was able to help me, with me ordering it all to her instead. Then her shipping it all in one big box to me, eee. Very thankful. <3 And so happy. Sigh. So much perfect :) Was one very huge box, haha :) Love it so much. <3

More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

Another adult mystery book by Megan Miranda. Of course I was going to read this one as well. I love the cover and all the colors. And it sounded pretty creepy too. I ended up enjoying this book a lot. But I also did not love it, so I'm a little bit conflicted. I'm going with three stars for this one. I liked it, but had some small issues.

It was a fast read, though. Which I liked. I could not stop reading until the end, as I had to know what happened next. Yet not that much happened, to be honest. It was a lot of suspense, leading up to nothing. Ha. The writing was good, but I had small issues with it. But I was curious about it all and I wished to know more.

There is a whole lot that I want to share about this book. Mostly just want to spoil what happens at the end, haha. But I shall not. So instead I am going to share a little about the plot of this book. Not too much, though. The book is told from the point of view of twenty eight year old Cassidy. She survived a tragic car accident ten years past. She and eight others. The nine survivors, while twelve others died. One of them killed herself one year after the accident. After that they decided to meet up for a week every year around that time. To spend some time together, to keep each other safe. Or something like that. None of them were actual friends. At least it did not seem that way. They knew each other and spent one week together. But that was it, for most of them.

And so Cassidy have decided that this is enough now, she does not want to meet up anymore. But then another of their group has killed themselves. Now they are only seven of the survivors left. And so she goes for the week after all, to be with the others. I did like all of this, to be honest. Getting to know more about the crash back then was the best part. How they were stuck next to the river for hours in the dark, unable to get help. Many dead. I wish it had been more about that, honestly. It was all kinds of interesting.

But no. This book was mostly about the present. And that was filled with secrets. Most we got to know, slowly. We got to know the other survivors too, somewhat. I honestly didn't care much about any of them. Hollis was the only one I liked reading about. I kind of liked Grace and Amaya, but not much. Did not like Brody or Oliver. I thought Joshua would end up being a new love interest. He did not. I somewhat liked him, though. And I did like Cassidy, for the most part. I just did not love her, like I had wanted to. Hmph.

I did like the setting, though. They are staying at a beach house for that one week a year. And they spend time on the beach, which I liked. We get to know a little about the place around too, one of the neighbors. I liked getting to know Will. But then we never saw him again, so yeah. And I feel a little bit tricked by the summary. Sounded like there would be storm danger. There was not. They weren't even a full day without power. No danger at all. So I was a little disappointed, as the only action seemed to be in the past, haha.

And even then it was too little of it. Which is why I did not love this book. I wanted more. More from the past, but also way more from the future. I did like getting to know the characters. But it felt like I did not know them enough. And they barely did anything. Ack. But there was a little mystery too. What they all kept secret from the accident in the past. If the two suicides actually were that. But the hidden bad guy? That was badly written, to be honest. I did not care at all. And just thought it was weird. A little interesting.

What I liked most about this book was everything about the accident ten years past. I liked the smaller chapters from each of the seven survivors, set during seven hours in the past. I wanted to know more of what happened back then. I was way more invested in the past than the present, ha. My favorite part was the secret revealed at the very end. Why the crash happened in the first place. I had not guessed it and I liked it a whole lot, ha. It was a bit brutal. And I wanted it to be shared with the others. It was not. So rude.

The Only Survivors was a pretty exciting story. But mostly the story about the past. As the present was very slow and not that much happened. But I so liked getting to know the characters a little more. I very much liked getting to know the past more. And so I did like this book. But I did not love it, as I did feel like something was missing. Romance, for one. It was mentioned a little. But it was so bad. So yes. I missed that. And I wish I had felt more connected to the main girl, cared a little more. Still. It was a good mystery.

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Waiting on Wednesday #637

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

ROYAL SCANDAL (Royal Blood #2) BY AIMEE CARTER

Goodreads Description:

The second book in the Royal Blood series about an American girl who threatens the royal family by exposing their darkest scandals—even as they get more sinister.

American girl turned monarchy nightmare, Evan Bright, has gotten used to the press about her but the media attention has only seemed to get worse. 

From desperate clickbait articles about her and the President's son to Royal Record headlines pitting her against Princess Maisie, it seems everyone is dying for Evan to return back to America for good. Meanwhile Evan is receiving mysterious threats about her real story being reveiled in a tell-all biography. 

When more information is leaked about Evan, she fears she will always be Britain's media villain. But the threats escalate when there is an attempted assassination with no suspects...and Evan believes the person is in the palace's walls. 

They say what doesn't kill you will make you stronger...but what if it's the royal family who wants you dead?

Format: 416 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: March 26, 2024 by Delacorte Press
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Okay, I haven't had time to read book one yet. Ack! But I will be reading this second book too :) I'm a little bit unsure about these books, but I am willing to give them a try because it's Aimee :) And so I am pretty certain that because of that, I will end up liking this series a bunch. <3 They do sound pretty interesting :D
What are you waiting for on this sinister Wednesday?