In My Mailbox #625

This have been a pretty busy week for me. I somehow managed to read two books in three days :D Eee! And they were both five star reads for me. Sigh. I am so happy about that, haha :) Then I wrote two long reviews as well, which made me too exhausted, haha. But I survived :) Hoping to read a new book next week too. <3 Though first there is a hospital visit on Monday. Ugh. It will be hard. But hopefully surviving that long day too, ha :) I got a bunch of gorgeous mail this week, ack. Less next week, though, finally. Ha. I have bought too much. Ugh. But I needed it all. Oops. I shall do better though. I hope. Some new blog posts. I shared my review of Strike the Zither :D This week I'm waiting on Return of the Vengeful Queen :) And I shared my review of Sound the Gong. <3 Hope you are all doing well. Happy almost Halloween :D

Lore + Silver in the Bone. Precious :D New exclusive French editions. I had to have. Love the edges. <3
The Unmaking of June Farrow. So so behind on books by Adrienne. Aaack. But I own them all, at least :)
Midnight Showing. Book two in this new adult series by Megan :) Hoping to read the first one soon, ack.
The Night Hunt. US hardcover has arrived :D And I think it looks gorgeous. Reading this onesoon, I hope.
A Study in Drowning. Owlcrate version :D Eee! I got to buy this brand new from Norway, cheap. Love :)
A Study in Drowning Swag. Ahh! Thank you so much Ava for this gorgeous pre-order swag :D I love it so.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Been waiting ages for this game :D It's a bit hard, ack. But I'm loving it still :)
Taylor Swift The Eras Tour T-Shirt. EEE! Finally got this one :D To be worn in August in London. <3 Yess.
Taylor Swift The Eras Tour. Popcorn tin + cup :D Thank you so much Kerri for helping me get these. <3

Funko Europe. Oops. A new order, of course. Finally got Jasmine :D Now only missing Tiana. Hoping she will be back in stock soon. I love that D&D white bear thing. It's stunning. I had to have it, ha :) Love. <3
Funko Nordic. Eee! Four stunning pop figures for my latest ambassador gift :D Thank you very much. <3
Miraculous Ladybug. I'm still buying these stunning dolls, haha :D Missing just a few now. Love this one.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: Sound the Gong by Joan He

How am I supposed to write about this book without sharing all that happens? It is still six months until it's out. I feel the luckiest to have been able to read it early. But oh, how I hurt. Back when I first peeked at this one, I knew it would hurt me. But I did not truly realize how much it would destroy my heart. This book ruined me.

And yet I loved every moment of it. I suppose, haha. I am a little bitter about the ending. Even though it was so good. But yeah. It hurts. But more than the hurt, is the love I have for this story. This sequel was just as good as the first. Five stars for me. I read all of it in one sitting, mostly. It's been ages since I have last done that.

Now comes the hard part. Writing about this second book without sharing everything that happens in it, ha. I want to share so very much. And I will share a little, but nothing that actually spoils the book. Well, it will spoil the first one. So I will try my hardest not to share all the secrets of this sequel. But ohh, yess. I must share a few things that I loved. A few details. A little bit about what I wish had been. Sigh. My poor heart. But first I shall start by saying that the writing was perfect, as always. I loved getting to know more of this world and these characters. I love how Joan wrote about this world and the time it was set in. It is a duology based on a different tale, which I know nothing about, ha. But from the notes, Joan has made changes. All amazing, from what I can tell.

There is so much to say about the plot of this second book. I'm going to try not to say too much. But oh, there was something happening at all times. This begins pretty much right after Strike the Zither ends. A few weeks later. Zephyr is still by Ren's side in the war, while they figure out what to do next. Well. Except Zephyr is not actually her anymore. She is in the body of Lotus. And oh my gods. The twist of all that from book one ruined me. Who Zephyr actually is. Her entire past, how long it goes back. But it was very good.

And that is all I will say about that. I was a little upset for some time, that she lost her body, the body of Zephyr. As I loved her frail and small body. Sobs. So it took me a little while to get past that. But I did. And I loved her as Lotus as well. And later as someone else. Gosh. Though that hurt more than anything else. I wish to share. I shall not. But that new body of hers was the worst one. The pain it gave me. Sigh. But it was also done perfectly. Such a huge new plot twist, haha. Also, I loved seeing more of her actual sisters.

There is so much going on in the beginning of this book. It is about Zephyr learning more about living as Lotus, with her body and how others see her. Making Ren see her as Lotus, still believing that Zephyr is dead. I also loved getting to know more about everyone around her as well. Ren and Cloud and everyone else. I adored them all. I'm not the biggest fan of reading about war tactics and such, but in this book I did not mind it. And found all of it to be pretty interesting. And really wanted to know how it would all end, ack.

Something more I will say about the plot. It is about defeating the bad one in charge; Miasma. Free the empress from her. And also figure out what to do about the South, with Cicada, who actually betrayed them. It is a whole mess. And I loved it. Zephyr has to work her brain so hard to figure out how to solve everything. Many things go wrong, though. Which hurt. But it was written so well too. Hmph. There are more deaths in this one. A little more torture and hurt. Also a little less romance, which hurt me most, ha.

Because I had been expecting there to be more in this second book. As Zephyr and Crow are perfect together. I wanted to see more of them so badly. I know, she doesn't have her actual body anymore, but still. And Crow didn't know this. Yet I wanted them to have more so much. Gah. And they do spend much more time together. But most of it as mostly enemies, as there were many changes happening. Betrayals. Truths revealed. Loved their banter, though. And just loved them together. But yes. I missed my romance.

Yet I still loved this book very much. Because it was not all about Zephyr and Crow. It was about Zephyr wanting to help Ren and change her fate. Change the fate of everyone she cared about. What she was willing to do to make that happen. Which, well, was everything. Still. I did not actually blame her. Except for that one part, which involved steaming. That she did not have to do. And that still hurts so very badly. Oh. It was the actual worst. But so good. But goddamn. It hurt my heart. She should not have done this.

So anyway. There is so much going on in this book. I think I have already shared too much, yet also not enough at all. I was disappointed about the romance. As I wanted much more. And yet. It was still great, because it was almost there. It was so very obvious how much they cared for each other. I just so wish it could have been acted upon. Hmph. Yet I get why it was not, ha. Which you will understand, when you read it. Such a rude plot twist. Yet so good too. Much of this book made me smile as well. I so loved that.

Sound the Gong was a most incredible ending to a fantastic duology. This story truly ruined my heart. Yet I loved every moment of it. The story of Zephyr was so epic. Her adventure was big and hurtful yet full of great moments as well. I so loved her relationship with the other girls. I loved her and Crow the very most. But that ending. I am not over it. It was amazing, of course, but I am a little bitter, haha. It hurt. Very badly. But I shall forgive this. One day. Probably. Huge thank you to Joan for the chance to read the eARC early.

Oh. My review needed to be edited to add this. It turns out Joan has written an epilogue of sorts, a bonus short story to be read after Sound the Gong. I just read it. And it murdered me with happiness. Ha. I take back what I said about the ending. This made my heart so happy and I just. I loved it more than anything. So. Yes. If you read this book, look up In Another Life. It is a must read. But of course, the book is great without it too. But this bonus gave my heart life again. It was perfection and I am so happy Joan wrote it.

 

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Waiting on Wednesday #627

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

RETURN OF THE VENGEFUL QUEEN
(Rise of the Vicious Princess #2) BY C. J. REDWINE

Goodreads Description:

From C. J. Redwine, the author the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series, comes the stunning conclusion to the fantasy duology that began with Rise of the Vicious Princess. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, And I Darken, and Ash Princess!

Charis Willowthorn is a queen without a throne. A Rakuuna invader holds Charis's kingdom of Calera captive, leaving her desperate—and ruthlessly committed to vengeance. But with her allies reluctant to intervene and her enemies hunting her across the open sea, Charis is left with only one forge a temporary alliance with Tal Penbyrn, the boy who betrayed her—and, at all costs, keep him out of her heart.

Tal is imprisoned, both by the Rakuuna's isolated castle and the weight of his guilt. Though he once betrayed his love, he knows that he can help turn the tide in Charis’s favor, if only he can regain her trust. But the Rakuuna have an ally of their own—one who knows Charis’s every move and will stop at nothing to see her destroyed.

With threats closing in and every allegiance in doubt, Charis must be stronger, faster, and more vicious than her enemies to reclaim her kingdom—and her future.

Format: 400 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: April 30, 2024 by Balzer + Bray
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Ohhh. I cannot wait for this second book :D Though, yes. I have not yet read book one. Ahh! Despite very much loving C. J. and all of her previous books. <3 But I peeked at the ending for book one when it came out, haha. And figured I should wait for the sequel before reading it. And so I will. April cannot come fast enough. As I am so very excited to read both of these books at the same time. I know I will love these :)
What are you waiting for on this vengeful Wednesday?

Review: Strike the Zither by Joan He

This is a book I have been supposed to read for a long time now. But I had peeked at the ending, so I wanted to wait for book two. I now have that one as an eARC, so I at last made myself read this first book. And oh. It was all kinds of amazing. Different from what I thought too. Even more exciting than I had imagined it would be.

Of course, the ending I had peeked at wasn't even what I thought it was, ha. So I was actually worried for nothing. So, yeah. And I had not even noticed the huge plot twist. Which did put me out a little. But I have grown to love it. And so I'm giving this book five stars. I was interested from the beginning to the end of this story.

And I shall admit that I did not think I would be, considering what the book is about. It is a little slow. Yet I adored it. I loved getting to know Zephyr and her life. I loved the world this story was set in. It was fully exciting to read about. And so I didn't mind that it was slow. Because I fell in love with everything. The writing was perfect, of course, as with the other books I have read by Joan. This is so far my favorite of her books. It's a five star for me, but there were a few small things that bothered me. I wanted more of Crow and the very, very small growing romance they had. Sigh. But I loved just reading about Zephyr too. But yes. I wanted more of Crow. And that twist. I did not see it coming at all. And it hurt me. So very much. Sobs. But it was written really well.

And so I think the twist will be okay. Perhaps. I may have also peeked a little more on my early copy of book two. And that hurt me even worse, haha. I'm unsure how this story will end. And yet. I am dying to read it. Because I really truly fell in love with this world and these characters. I want more of them all. I want to know how it will all end, even if it breaks me. Though I hope it will not, not too badly, at least, ha. Shall not write too much about the plot in this review of mine. Will not mention the twist at all; best not to.

But how do I even write about this book? I'm not sure. It tells the story of eighteen-year-old Zephyr. She spends her time as a strategist for Xin Ren. This world was a world of war. Who should rule the empire and who should not. Zephyr tries her best to make Ren into the best option, working on taking out their enemies. Okay. I have no idea how to describe this plot at all. Haha. It made sense when I read the book. So I will not write too much about it, as that will not make any sense at all. But it do in the book, promise.

I loved how this story begins, right in the middle of the action. With Zephyr and Ren with their soldiers on the run from a more terrible woman in charge of others and more soldiers. Zephyr has to make a choice to save them all from being killed. It is not easy. But oh, she was such a smart person. At least I think so, haha. She did make a few bad choices in this book. But for the most part she was extraordinary. I loved that. I loved how smart she was and how she saved everyone, or tried to at least. Her mind was the best.

I simply adored her. I loved how she was not a warrior, like everyone around her. I loved how she played the zither so well. I very much loved how she gave herself up to the enemy, pretending to switch sides. It was pretty exciting to read about. And oh, how much she learned while at their place. Most of all I loved when she met their strategist, Crow. He was the best. Probably dying. But I loved him most and hope he makes it. Ha. Sobs. They were not friends. And I so loved them together. As they slowly got a little closer.

But then she left. Back to Ren and her actual people. And ahh. I can't deal with everything that happened. How the war went. How many people died. We do not see much of it, but a few deaths. And they were a bit awful and I just loved it. This whole book was just written so well. I loved the war parts of it. All of the scheming too. So much happens in this story, despite it being kind of short. I can't wait to read all of what happens next, though I'm way too nervous. I have shared way too little about what happens in this book.

Of course. I suddenly remembered something important that I should mention. I did not love only Zephyr and Crow in this story. But all the others too. Ren was pretty great, I think. And I loved Lotus and Cloud as well, her swornsisters. I loved that part of it. I loved how close they all were. Though Zephyr was not really a part of all of that. Which did change a little towards the end, which I liked. This book had a little drama. I loved it, haha. It was full of heartbreaking parts too, which I loved a little less, to be honest, ha.

I should write more about this book. But I'm unable to describe the plot. That twist ruined me. Yet it was written really well too, I suppose, haha. And I'm growing to like it. I just hope it ends well. Oh. Strike the Zither was such an excellent story. I loved the history and the world. I adored Zephyr and Crow. Now I will be reading book two. And hopefully I will survive it. This review feels a little messy. But that's okay. I feel a little messy too, after having read this story. It was so good, though. And I think you should all read it too.

 

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

In My Mailbox #624

New week, new mail to share about, haha :D I got waaay too many pop figures this week. Oops. But I had to have them all, ack. <3 I also read a new book this week too :) Sadly just a two star. Sigh. But at least I read it, ha. And I have my next two reads ready as well. Hopefully starting a new book tomorrow :) I have been a little better this week. First a whole lot of pain in my joints. But it's getting better. Hopefully. So I'm trying to take it easy. But I'm still going on daily walks, which is good :) Probably, ha. But yeah. I'm better. But not good. Also, it's getting darker and darker outside and inside. Hmph. I'm not looking forward to the weeks of no sun. Sigh. Though Christmas is around that time too, and I cannot wait for that. <3 But yeah. I don't like the dark. It ruins my photos, ha :D We also got a little snow back. Now gone again. Ugh. Hoping it will be back soon, ha. Anyway. This week I'm waiting on Not Quite a Ghost :D And I shared my review of Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters :) Hope you are all well. <3 Have a great weekend :D

Sword Catcher. US hardcover and UK Waterstones special :D They both look gorgeous. Excited for this.
The Hurricane Wars. Waterstones exclusive :D It just looks stunning and I'm hoping this will be great :)
The Fragile Threads of Power. My Waterstones exclusive signed edition arrived :) And it looks stunning.
Mister Magic. I wasn't sure about getting this, as I didn't like her other adult horror. But giving it a try :D
Divine Rivals. I know. I already have this UK hardcover. But mine is read, so wanted one un-read, ha :)
Silver in the Bone. Same with this. Though I have the UK signed copy, and this is not signed. Needed it.
A Fire Endless. Now I got both books in this series. Though I prefer hardcovers, oops. Reading one day.
Movies. I still love buying blu-rays, eee :D I so cannot wait to watch Cocaine Bear soon, finally, haha. <3
Funko Europe. They finally sent me the correct Pluto :) I think I will sell Freddy; not for me. He was a free gift, haha :D And ohhh. I was able to get that Luffy One Piece poster. And I'm keeping it. Looks awesome.

Funko Europe. Yeah. This was two big orders. Sobs. Cost me so much. Sigh. But I love them, ahh :D I'm so thrilled about all the new Stranger Things pop figures, eee. And I got them all. Sigh. Love. Still tried to get the mystery mini Max, still failed. Got two sodas; Stitch is so adorable. And I got Sandy Claws chase, where the regular one looks better. Uuugh. So I have ordered a new one, hahaha :) I always get all the "uglier" chase figures. How rude. Never the pretty ones that I actually want, ha :) All the other pops are adorable too. I just love them all. Had to get the Looney Tunes HP houses; so cute. Love my Garfield :D

More Instagram photos here. <3