In My Mailbox #682

Been another long and exhausting week. Sigh. But I'm doing my best. We said the official goodbye to grandpa this week. Which was hard but also good. Miss him so much. The grief is so hard and happens so sudden. It's the worst. I just. I hope he is doing better now. Anyway. I'm exhausted. Have not started my last book of the year yet. But tomorrow for sure. Just need the time and energy. It's not easy. Was at the cinema this afternoon, watched Moana 2. Which I thought was awesome. <3 This week I'm waiting on A Monsoon Rising :) Hope you are all doing well. <3 SO very excited for December starting tomorrow :D

For She is Wrath. YA Fairyloot edition for November. <3 It's looking gorgeous :D I'm hoping to love this.
The Teller of Small Fortunes. Adult Fairyloot edition for November :) This looks pretty cute. I hope it is :D
The Whispering Night. US and UK editions. I shall read the whole trilogy next year some time. <3 Excited.
The Half King. New book by Melissa :D Been years since I read and loved her books. This looks great :)
A Darker Shade of Magic. Trilogy from Owlcarte. <3 I had to buy these special editions. Oops. They just look so very pretty, eee. I only ever read book one. Ahh. Must read them all sometime soon, hopefully. <3

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #684

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

A MONSOON RISING (The Hurricane Wars #2)
BY THEA GUANZON

Goodreads Description:

Two hearts circle each other in the eye of the storm in this highly-anticipated follow-up to The Hurricane Wars—prepare for more enemies-to-lovers romance, magical adventures, and political schemes in this Southeast Asian-inspired world.

After a lifetime of war, Alaric and Talasyn were thrust into an alliance between their homelands that was supposed to end the fighting; however, being married to their sworn foe feels far from peaceful. Now Talasyn must play the part of Alaric’s willing empress while her allies secretly plot to overthrow his reign. But the longer the couple are forced together, the harder it becomes to deny the feelings crackling like lightning between them. When the time comes to act, can she trust him, or must she ignore her heart for the sake of so many others?

As the master of the Shadowforged Legion, Alaric has trained for battle all his life, but marrying a Lightweaver might be his most dangerous challenge yet. With tensions between nations churning, he needs to focus on the greater threat—the Moonless Dark, a cataclysmic magical event that could devour everything. Only he and Talasyn can stop it, with a powerful merging of light and shadow that they alone can create together. But saving their world from this disaster is a mere preface to his father’s more sinister schemes, and his wife is a burning flame in the darkness, tempting both his loyalties and his desires.

The Hurricane Wars aren’t over. It’s time to choose what—and who—to fight for. The world holds its breath amidst a whirlwind of new magic and old secrets that could change everything.

Format: 400 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: December 5, 2024 by Harper Voyager
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

I know, I know. I have yet to read The Hurricane Wars. Oops. But I own it. And now I own two pre-orders of this book two. And I think both books sounds pretty awesome :D Really, really hope to love this series.
What are you waiting for on this magical Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #681

Hi. It's been another long and hard week. But I'm doing my best. I have had no effect yet from the new medicine. But trying to still be hopeful. But it is hard when my HS is worse than ever and it is so painful. Sigh. Plus side, finally finished re-reading The Scorpio Races. <3 And starting a new book this coming week already. Ack. Nervous about it. But might be my final book of the year :) It's just hard to read at the moment. Got some stunning new mail, though, ha. <3 I shared my review of The Scorpio Races. <3 My 14th time reading it. Eeee. My precious. This week I'm waiting on Fateless :) Hope you're doing well. <3

The Mirror of Beasts. German edition :) Waited since January for this one, ha. And it is fully gorgeous. <3
Warrior of Legend. Finally got my international paperback edition :) And it is so pretty. Loved this book so.
Funko Europe. I could not stop myself from placing a new order. Sigh. Got a second pack of the Stranger Things Soda cooler bag; got the regular Vecna and chase Steve :) Hoping to get the other doubles sold. Tried more mystery minis. Failed as usual. Hmph. Love the Baymax treat bag; but I'm not using it as that, ha :) And all the new pokemon. So precious. Had to get Dumbledore too. Love the gingerbread versions.
Lush Advent Calendar. Got a shower octopus, ha. And a 25 day bath calendar, eee. Just bathbombs and bubbles. No photo of it, as it was huge, and it kept getting bathbombs all over my floor. Yeah. But I love it.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #683

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

FATELESS BY JULIE KAGAWA

Goodreads Description:

Deep in the forgotten city of the Deathless Kings, an ancient relic of untold power waits—for one bold enough to steal it.

When seventeen-year-old Sparrow joined the Thieves Guild she made a vow of binding loyalty to their cause. So when a mission comes along from The Circle, a group of mysterious, dangerous beings who control the Thieves Guild from the shadows, Sparrow is determined to cement her place in the guild.

What ensues is a death-defying adventure that has Sparrow and her band of thieves venturing into the heart of the forgotten city of the Deathless King. The fate of Sparrow, her companions, and Raithe, the enigmatic yet alluring assassin Sparrow is forced to join forces with during their quest, all hang in the balance as they find themselves battling ancient forces within the tombs and facing the unwavering hold of fate.

Perfect for fans of Alexandra Bracken and Sabaa Tahir, this new fantasy trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa will sweep readers into a bold and exciting new world, where a twisted game of destiny has far-reaching consequences.

Format: 384 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: July 15, 2025 by HarperCollins
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Ohh, new Julie Kagawa book :D Of course I will be buying this one. <3 Though, ohh. I am a bit behind on reading books by Julie. Ack. Yet I'm still buying them all, of course ;) I think this new one sounds great. <3
What are you waiting for on this ancient Wednesday?

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Will there ever be a better book than The Scorpio Races? I think not. It is my favorite book. It is my comfort book. Which I needed this year more than ever. This made it so it took me much longer to re-read this precious story for the fourteenth time. But I do not mind. As I still loved it with all my heart. It means the most to me.

This time I am not going to write a long review. As I have already said all there is to say about this book and more. And yet I never tire of writing about this book. But making it short this time. You could always go back and check out all my previous reviews, as there are many of those. I always have so much to say about it.

But trying my best this time to write just a little bit. I do not think I will ever stop reading this book. Fourteen times now. I still love it like it was the first time I read it. It is my most favorite book of all time. It's the book that brings me the most joy while reading. The most heartbreak at times. And it makes me simply giddy over the cuteness. That ending is still the rudest. Yet also the most perfect ending there is. It ruins me every time. And makes my heart heal every time too. And I am still every kind of broken that there still isn't a second book. Hmph. Maggie really needs to start writing it already, ha. I want a sequel to this story more than anything. I still have so many questions that I want the answer to. And so many hopes for the future of these precious characters. And I want an official second story more than anything. Need it most.

There is much that I could say about this book. So much that I write every year. But I am keeping it short this year. My love for this book is never ending. I love reading about Puck and her brothers and her island horse so much. It breaks my heart that they have so little and risk loosing all. I love how brave and fierce and stubborn and loving Puck is. She is the best. I so adore her little brother Finn. I very much love their relationship together. They are the cutest. I am still mad at their older brother, Gabe. That never changes.

Then there is Sean and his water horse, Corr. And his love of this dangerous and deadly little island. Oh, how badly I loved this boy. He did not have it all that good. I just wanted the best for him. I wanted him to get to live at his fathers home. To get to own Corr. And for him and Puck to be together. They started off as not friends. Then grew into friends and something more. And this was the most precious thing to read about. I loved how he helped her. I loved how they both somewhat changed the other. So cute together.

I honestly just love this book with all my heart. I cannot describe how much it means to me. I still love it every time that I read it. I never get a feeling that there is something that I love less. Which is the best. I love reading about the races. How they don't want Puck to enter, as the first woman. How she is doing it anyway. I loved reading about this island and how everything worked. Most of all I loved reading about Puck and Sean together. Especially the scene where they are both riding Corr. It makes my heart ache.

The Scorpio Races is still my most favorite book. It is still the book that I would recommend that everyone reads. Simply because it is truly perfection. I honestly love every part of this story. I need you all to read it as well. So that maybe Maggie will start writing a sequel, to heal my soul. I need more of Puck and Sean. More than I can say. I want more of them together. I want more of George Holly. I need more November cakes. I want more of Corr and Dove. More of Finn. Gods. But even without a sequel, this book is perfect.

 

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

In My Mailbox #680

Oh. This have been another hard week. I started my re-read of The Scorpio Races a week ago. And I'm still reading it. As that same night my grandma got really sick and had to get picked up by an ambulance. She finally got better and got home again yesterday. <3 But yeah. It's been a stressful week for all of us, worrying about her and also visiting her in the same place that grandpa spent a lot of time. So it's been hard. I have not had time to read much at all, sadly. But I'm going to try to finish by tomorrow. Or maybe Monday. It's slow going. But I do love re-reading the book so much. <3 I just wish I had more time and energy. But not yet. Sigh. Anyway. Got a bunch of mail this week. Oops. But all so precious. This week I'm waiting on Among Ghosts :) Hope you are all doing well. <3 I'm just waiting for more snow to come :)

The Hurricane Wars. Finally got my Fairyloot edition. <3 I had to buy it. Gorgeous. Hope to read it soon.
For She is Wrath. I saw this exclusive on Waterstones. Couldn't resist buying it, ha. I hope it's awesome.
A Study in Drowning. New exclusive edition. <3 Of course I had to get it. Looks stunning. Loved this so.
Let it Glow. New Marissa Meyer book, eee :D Middle grade. It looks and sounds so adorable. I love. <3

Funko Europe. Whoops. They suddenly got in so much awesome. I could not stop myself. Oops. Love the new Stranger Things Sodas, eee. So cute. Have to get another set, though. Oops. Love the Angel one. Love all the new Disney Villains. Cute. Had to get Home Alone + Tom and Jerry. Oops. Love it all :D

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #682

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

AMONG GHOSTS BY RACHEL HARTMAN

Goodreads Description:

Set in the world of New York Times bestseller Seraphina, a boy on the run from a dragon — among other dangers — seeks refuge in a haunted abbey in this wholly original YA ghost story about what haunts us, and what connects us.

A few things to know about the town of St. Muckle' It's too out-of-the-way to interest greedy lords, and too damp and muddy for marauding dragons to burn. And anyone, from a humble serf to a runaway nun, may earn their freedom by living for a year and a day within the town walls. Seven years ago, Charl and his mother fled to St. Muckle's and made it their safe-haven, building a new life in this so-called Peasant's Paradise. But when Charl sees something impossible — a ghost — soon the embers of his past are threatening to engulf his world in flames. A tragic accident is quickly followed by murder, a deadly plague, and a mercenary dragon. 

Charl manages to escape to an abandoned abbey outside of town, but finds no safety within those ruined walls. A treacherous nun, a chorus of murdered girls, and the fearsome Battle Bishop await, ready to ensnare him in a complex web of history, magic, and fate. For some things should never be forgotten, however much they haunt us, and Charl will need all his wisdom and resiliency if he is to fight for the world he knows . . . and the people he calls home.

Discover more critically acclaimed fantasy from Rachel Hartman!

Seraphina
Shadow Scale
Tess of the Road
In the Serpent's Wake

Format: 400 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: June 24, 2025 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Yesss. I am so very excited for this book :D That cover is all kinds of gorgeous. Oh. I love it so. And eee. I so very much loved Seraphina. <3 And Shadow Scale. And Tess of the Road. I need to re-read them all before this book, so I can finally read In the Serpent's Wake too, before this beauty :) I am so excited. <3
What are you waiting for on this ghostly Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #679

Just. Yeah. I'm not in the mood. Almost two weeks now since he died. It is still breaking my heart at all times. And so I have not gotten much done this week. I just feel like doing nothing, so I am just getting nothing done. Though, well. I did get all my Christmas decorations up this week. And I do love that. It is so pretty. Christmas is the best time. But it will be so bittersweet this year. Oh. So yeah. It's been so hard these past two weeks. And I still do not understand it at all. But we are all trying our best. Thankfully our family is so small and so close and we live next door to grandma, which helps a bit. But goddamn it. Life is every kind of unfair. So yeah. I'm behind on everything but I'm doing my best. I started re-reading The Scorpio Races tonight. It will be slow going, but at least I'm trying to read. Got a little bit of mail this week. More next week. Oops. This week I'm waiting on We Could be Magic. <3 Hope that you are all doing well.

Heartless. Eeee. The stunning LitJoy edition is finally here :D Been waiting ages, haha. I love it so much.
Warrior of Legend. Hardcover edition has made it. <3 And this book is simply so gorgeous. I loved it lots.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Yay :D New Mario game. I think it looks fully adorable. Hope to play it soon :)

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #681

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

WE COULD BE MAGIC BY MARISSA MEYER

Goodreads Description:

A swoon-worthy young adult graphic novel about a girl's summer job at a theme park from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer.

When Tabitha Laurie was growing up, a visit to Sommerland saved her belief in true love, even as her parents’ marriage was falling apart. Now she’s landed her dream job at the theme park’s prestigious summer program, where she can make magical memories for other kids, guests, and superfans just like her. All she has to do is audition for one of the coveted princess roles, and soon her dreams will come true.

There’s just one problem. The heroes and heroines at Sommerland are all, well… thin. And no matter how much Tabi lives for the magic, she simply doesn't fit the park's idea of a princess.

Given a not-so-regal position at a nacho food stand instead, Tabi is going to need the support of new friends, a new crush, and a whole lot of magic if she’s going to devise her own happily ever after. . . without getting herself fired in the process.

With art by Joelle Murray, the wonder of Sommerland comes to life with charming characters and whimsical backdrops. We Could Be Magic is a perfect read for anyone looking to get swept away by a sparkly summer romance.

Format: 256 pages, Paperback
Expected Publication: June 3, 2025 by Feiwel & Friends
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Eeee. This book looks all kinds of adorable :D I love the cover. And oh, how badly I love Marissa Meyer and her books. Sigh. Already loving the artwork by Joelle Murray just from looking at the stunning cover :) And it sounds like such a good graphic novel, eee. I simply cannot wait for this precious book next year.
What are you waiting for on this magical Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #678

Small update this week. My grandpa died suddenly on Sunday. As you know, he's been sick for months now. But we all thought he would get better. So his death was sudden to us all. And my small family and I are heartbroken and grieving. Life is simply unfair. This week I'm waiting on The Gods Below :) Hope you are all doing well. <3 I'm trying my best to stay strong. But it is hard. So very hard. I miss him so much. <3

Heir. The Fairyloot Young Adult book for October, I think. Unsure when I will read this. But it's gorgeous.
Sorcery and Small Magics. The Fairyloot Adult book for October, probably. It looks like a stunning book.
Warrior of Legend. Got my stunning UK paperback edition. <3 Eee. I really really loved this precious one.
A Song of Ash and Moonlight. Finally got my replacement for the damaged copy; international paperback.
Miraculous: Paris Under Siege. I haven't yet played the previous game. Oops. But had to get this one too.
A Dark and Drowning Tide Swag. eee. Thank you so much Allison for this stunning pre-order pack. Love.
Funko Europe. Yeah. I had to get all of these. Oops. New Stranger Things + Harry Potter. New Baymax. Failed at mystery minis again, ha. And oh, that big cat Pokemon is my favorite. I had to get this version :D

More Instagram photos here. <3