Book Battle October 2023 TBR

Well it's time to choose my October TBR for Book Battle. So here are the books that I've picked this month: 

5pts-Book with a death in it-The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes

5pts-"Game" in the title-The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

5pts-Book that surprised you-Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

5pts-Story with a dinner party in it-The Mane Squeeze by Shelley Laurenston

5pts-About secrets-Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 

5pts-Book that makes you second guess yourself-Deadly Little Scandals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

5pts-CRITERIA CHOICE 1-House on the cover-The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

5pts-CRITERIA CHOICE 2-Weapon on the cover-Stings and Stones by Jennifer Estep

10pts-CLUB READ 1-Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

10pts-CLUB READ 2-Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q Sutanto

10pts-Set in an old house-The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger

10pts-"Clue" in the title-The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison

10pts-Small cast of characters (less than 10 named)-John Doe Cold Case by Amanda Stevens

15pts-Clue weapon as murder weapon-Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Muñoz

20pts-Book with your team on the cover* (or in title)-Red/Scarlet-Under This Red Rock by Mindy McGinnis

So here's a list of books that meet the theme that I might read throughout the month: 

-The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

-Watch Me Disappear by Ross Armstrong

-Copper Moon by Rachel Caine

-Good Girls Don't Die by Christina Henry

-Karin Slaughter

-Killing November by Adriana Mather

-Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco?

-Campus Murder Club by Kristi Rose

-That's Not My Name by Megan Lally

-Looks That Kill by Amanda Stevens

-In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce

-The New Girl by Jesse Q. Sutanto

-Heather Graham

-Maegan Beaumont

-The Undoing by Averil Dean

-Hannah Jayne

-Waterman and Stark Series by Gregg Olsen

-Sanctuary Bay by Laura J. Burns and  Melinda Metz

-Tragedy Girl by Christine Hurley Deriso

-Vicarious by Paula Stokes

-The Assassin Game by Kirsty McKay

-The Agency Series by Alexandra Ivy

-Your Life Is Mine by Nathan Ripley

-That Night by Cyn Balog

-Tear Me Apart by J.T. Ellison

-Surface Tension by Mike Mullin?

-Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

-The Lives of Desperate Girls by MacKenzie Common?

How did I do last month?

5pts-Book that makes you feel powerful-Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah-Read!

5pts-Set in a fictional place-Dawnbreaker by Jodi Meadow-Read!

5pts-Book with a demon in it-Demons of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison-Read!

5pts-"Dark" in the title-The Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter-Read!

5pts-CRITERIA CHOICE 1-Black Cover-A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik-Read!

5pts-CRITERIA CHOICE 2-Book with a rated R scene-Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter-Read!

10pts-CLUB READ 1-The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik-Read!

10pts-CLUB READ 2-The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik-Read!

10pts-Book about a curse-The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling-Read! 

15pts-Evil main character-Mr. Monster by Dan Wells-Read!

20pts-Book with a team in it*-Poison-Foxglove by Adalyn Grace-Read!

I did pretty great with this month, I did have one or two left near the end of the month, but I have a bunch of books, 

Week 39 Reviews: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Hollow City, Library of Souls

From Goodreads:
A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

From Goodreads:
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children was the surprise best seller of 2011—an unprecedented mix of YA fantasy and vintage photography that enthralled readers and critics alike. Publishers Weekly called it "an enjoyable, eccentric read, distinguished by well-developed characters, a believable Welsh setting, and some very creepy monsters."

This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine's island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.

Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerizing) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.

From Goodreads:
The adventures that began with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and continued with Hollow City comes to a thrilling conclusion with Library of Souls.

As the story opens, sixteen-year-old Jacob discovers a powerful new ability, and soon he's diving through history to rescue his peculiar companions from a heavily guarded fortress. Accompanying Jacob on his journey are Emma Bloom, a girl with fire at her fingertips, and Addison MacHenry, a dog with a nose for sniffing out lost children.

They'll travel from modern-day London to the labyrinthine alleys of Devil's Acre, the most wretched slum in all of Victorian England. It's a place where the fate of peculiar children everywhere will be decided once and for all. 

Like its predecessors, Library of Souls blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography.

My first review of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Hollow City, Library of Souls

My second review of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

My Review:
It was really great to read this series again! I've only read the first book more than once, and that was a while ago. Now that the second story arc seems to be finished, it seemed like a great time to read through the whole series! I had such a great time reading this half again!

These were such great reads, and I can't wait to continue on and finish this series! 

Author: Ransom Riggs
Series: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children #1, 2, 3
First Read: May 9th, 2012, October 22nd, 23rd, 2015
Second Read: October 18th, 2015

Read: September 29th, 29th, 29th, 2023
Source: Own
Reason Why: Rereading! And they're Historical Fiction 2023 Books and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Books!
Publisher: Quirk Books
Published: June 7th 2011, February 14th 2014, September 22nd 2015

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Hollow City:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Library of Souls:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: Silence and Shadow

From Goodreads:

The sequel to Erin Beaty's buzzworthy YA medieval fantasy-thriller Blood and Moonlight, Silence and Shadow is full of swoony romance, dangerous magick, and murder—perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Mary E. Pearson.

After confronting a killer and fleeing her home to be with each other, Cat and Simon arrive in the sprawling city of Londunium pretending to be a newly married couple, but don't expect to keep up the ruse for long. Cat looks forward to honing her healing magick at the local Selanae university, but instead finds a council of ruthless leaders threatening to erase her non-Selanae "husband's" memories to protect their secrets.

Terrified to lose him, Cat takes desperate steps to keep him safe. But when a string of mutilated bodies turns up in the woods outside the city, and Simon is recruited to profile the killer, Cat is pulled back into a world of murder, mayhem, and magick—one that threatens to swallow her, and everything she loves, whole.

My Review:
This was such a fantastic read! I loved the first one, and I loved watching things go down in this one, as they deal with another serial killer, as she learns more about her magic, and has to deal with them trying to erase Simon's memories.

I absolutely loved reading this book, it was utterly fantastic! 

Author: Erin Beaty
Series: Blood and Moonlight #2
Read: September 29th, 2023
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Expected Publication: October 3rd 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: Witness to Death

From Goodreads:
Lorna Doria hadn't committed a murder. She'd seen one. Yet somehow she'd become the prisoner, while the killer was out on bail. As state's witness, she'd thought the shelter of her quiet New England life would be enough to keep her safe. Law enforcement disagreed—and it was New York City undercover cop Andrew Trudeau's job to protect her. But their strong attraction had already made it too late for that . . .

Now, with Andrew as her bodyguard, Lorna has no choice but to accept his constant presence. She assures herself she can handle it, she's mature, not easily rattled—except by Andrew. They're as different as can be, yet something bonds them, something beyond the danger they face. But as a cop, Andrew's life will always be on the line, and Lorna must decide whether she can live with that—if a killer lets them have any future at all . . .

My Review:
This was a fantastic read! That it's a republished version of a book that came out around the time that I was born was pretty wild! I loved the mystery, and watching them deal with the threat on her life while feelings were growing, yeah, it was so entertaining to read!



Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Heather Graham! 

Author: Heather Graham
Read: September 28th, 2023
Source: NetGalley/Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded good! And it's a RR Book, SAC 2023 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Zebra
Published: April 28th 2020

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: The Boy You Always Wanted

From Goodreads:

Francine always has a plan. Ollie wants no part of it.

Francine loves her grandfather, but their time together is running out. He has one final wish: to see a male heir carry on the family traditions. Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him. Her solution? Ask Ollie Tran, a family friend (and former crush, not that it matters), to pretend to be ceremonially adopted and act like the grandson A Gūng never had.

Ollie generally avoids the odd, too blunt (and fine, sort of cute) Francine, whose intensity makes him uncomfortable. So when she asks him to help deceive her dying grandpa, Ollie's not down. He doesn't get why anyone would go to such lengths, even for family. Especially with a backwards (and sexist, Ollie keeps stressing) scheme like this.

Francine, however, is determined to make it happen, and soon Ollie finds himself more invested in her plan—and in her—than he ever thought possible. But as the tangled lies and feelings pile up, Francine must discover what exactly she needs for herself—and from Ollie. Because sometimes the boy you always wanted isn't what you expected.

My Review:
This was such a great read! To be dealing with losing a loved one, and trying to grant them what they want, when what they want is a outdated and a bit hurtful, I had to read Francie and Ollie's story! It was such a great read!

I loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Michelle Quach! 

Author: Michelle Quach 
Read: September 28th, 2023
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Really enjoyed her other book, and it's a SAC 2023 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books 
Published: August 1st 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

From Goodreads:

Mariel Spark knows not to trust a demon, especially one that wants her soul, but what's a witch to do when he won't leave her side—and she kind of doesn't want him to?

Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain.

Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can't leave Mariel's side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls).

But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she's dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she'll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both.

My Review:
Oh, I had a really great time reading this book! That these two are put in a situation where he's after a soul bargain from her and she had a spell go wrong, so they're spending all this time together? Of course a romance was going to happen! It was so cute!

This world of magic, of witches and demons, where they're common place and known to the general populace was so entertaining to read! That the demons aren't from hell, but from their own plane, and they bargain for souls to light their realm, that was so interesting!

Mariel was such a great character, she was happy and fun, even as she deals with her family thinking her a failure. Ozroth has been raised by another bargainer, but he wasn't the kindest person. I had such a great time watching them fall in love! 

I hope that they find a different way to light up and power the demon realm, something that doesn't take away souls from people through bargains. And the way that they got around the bargains, that was so entertaining, and I wonder if they could use that to help the demon realm?

I had such a great time reading this book and I can't wait for whatever comes next! 

Author: Sarah Hawley 
Series: Glimmer Falls #1
Read:  September 28th, 2023
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Sounded really fun, and it's a DAC Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book! 
Publisher: Berkley 
Published: March 7th 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: One Of Us is Lying

From Goodreads:
The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide. 

Pay close attention and you might solve this.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. 
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. 
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app. 

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose? 

Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.

My first review of One of Us is Lying
My Review:
I really enjoyed reading this book again! I loved it the first time, and reading it again, knowing who had set this is all up, it was so great to watch those pieces come together again! And to get this information so it's fresh in my head for when I read book 3, hopefully soon!

Loved reading this book again and I can't wait to continue on! 

Author: Karen M. McManus
First Read: December 9th, 2019

Read: September 28th, 2023
Source: Own
Reason Why: Rereading, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book!
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Published: May 30th 2017

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: Black Sunshine

From Goodreads:

All Lenore Warwick wants for her 21st birthday is to hang out with her friends, finish her second year at Berkeley with flying colors, and maybe catch the eye of a hot musician playing a show at a club that she can now (legally) get into.

Unfortunately, fate has other plans for her.

A week before her birthday, she's kidnapped by the brooding and dangerous stranger with cold eyes and a lethal touch, who has been stalking her on San Francisco's fog-shrouded streets. Absolon "Solon" Stavig isn’t your average criminal though. He's a centuries-old vampire who's caught between wanting to kill Lenore and wanting to save her.

You see Lenore, too, is a vampire.

She just doesn't know it yet.

Taken by a pair of vampire slayers when she was just an infant, Lenore was raised never knowing her true nature. All Lenore knows is that she has (normal) parents who love her, that she's exceptionally smart, and she's squeamish around blood. But once she turns twenty-one, she’ll fully turn into a vampire, and Solon hopes he'll be there to guide her, opening her eyes to her deepest hunger...both sexual and otherwise.

But this turning can't be kept a secret. Soon both slayers and vampires are hunting Lenore, with only Solon and his unpredictable motley crew of vampires to save her.

If they don't kill her first.

Black Sunshine is a dark adult standalone romance with a paranormal twist, about sex, love, secrets, and revenge, set in contemporary San Francisco.

My Review:
This was a really enjoyable read! I loved this world of vampires and witches, of Lenore and Solon! It was dark and bloodthirsty and romantic, and I had such a great time reading it! I loved watching Lenore learn about this world, watching them fall in love!

We start right off with Lenore's adoptive parents, as they kill her mom, and her mom's mate (because her bio father was an evil scumbag) so we know a bit about magic and vampires-and Lenore doesn't. Until it's coming up on her birthday, and all these things are happening.

Lenore really doesn't know anything about this world, and Solon is the one that introduces it to her. Not always an easy experience, and there are some really big stumbling blocks, but I loved watching them get to know each other, start to fall in love while dealing with all these things like blood and lust! 

That ending, along with what was introduced about both of their fathers, has been really interested in the sequel, of how they're going to deal with things! Since both of their fathers are bad guys, and the pain aren't. So excited to continue on! 

This was a great read and I can't wait to read more! 

Author: Karina Halle
Series: Dark Eyes #1
Read: September 28th, 2023
Source: Audible
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book!
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Published: March 25th 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: Heartless Hunter

From Goodreads:

On the night Rune's life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.

Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe - a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution - who she can't help but find herself falling for.

Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune's merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she's the very villain he's been hunting?

Kristen Ciccarelli's Heartless Hunter is the thrilling start to a romantic fantasy duology where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch...is falling in love.

My Review:
I loved reading this book! I've really enjoyed her other books, and the set up for this one sounded so great! I had to read it and get to know Run and Gideon, witch and witch hunter, pretending to count one another to get information from the other! It was so delicious and amazing to read!

Absolutely loved reading this book, and I can't wait for the sequel! 

Author: Kristen Ciccareli
Series: The Crimson Moth #1
Read: September 27th, 2023
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Wednesday Books 
Expected Publication: February 20th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: Fake Famous

From Goodreads:

In this breezy novel from the author of Somebody That I Used to Know, one Iowa farm girl—a dead ringer for a global pop star—gets an unlikely shot at stardom. Will she choose fame…or the family farm? Red Morgan is fresh out of high school. With signature red curls and a remarkable singing voice, the bubbly teenager is a devoted daughter and big sister. The world should be her oyster. But Red already knows exactly where her future the family farm in Orange City, Iowa. 

Zay-Zay Waters is at the top of her game. The Brooklyn-born singer has it all—talent, fame, even a smokin' hot boyfriend. But life in the limelight isn't all it's cracked up to be. And when a video of Red singing in the mud—looking and sounding exactly like Zay-Zay herself—goes viral, the pop star begins to hatch a plan. Red is the key to Zay-Zay's scheme. With much-needed money on the line, Red agrees to step into Zay-Zay's famous shoes for one week. But when planned appearances start to go off script, Red may be in over her head. Can she really pull it off?

My Review:
I loved reading this book! I've really enjoyed reading her books, and this latest one sounded like a lot of fun, I love music, and switching identities was a lot of fun! Adding in the fame element, and this book was very much a dream fantasy, at least when things were going well! Of course they wouldn't stay that way! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Dana L. Davis! 

Author: Dana L. Davis 
Read: September 27th, 2023
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing, and it's a SAC 2023 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Skyscape
Expected Publication: November 7th 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: Tell the Wind and Fire

From Goodreads:
In a city divided between opulent luxury in the Light and fierce privations in the Dark, a determined young woman survives by guarding her secrets. 

Lucie Manette was born in the Dark half of the city, but careful manipulations won her a home in the Light, celebrity status, and a rich, loving boyfriend. Now she just wants to keep her head down, but her boyfriend has a dark secret of his own—one involving an apparent stranger who is destitute and despised.

Lucie alone knows of the deadly connection the young men share, and even as the knowledge leads her to make a grave mistake, she can trust no one with the truth.

Blood and secrets alike spill out when revolution erupts. With both halves of the city burning, and mercy nowhere to be found, can Lucie save either boy—or herself?

Celebrated author Sarah Rees Brennan tells a magical tale of romance and revolution, love and loss.

My Review:
This book was so amazing! I love her writing so much, and this book scared me a little bit, because I'd read the ending, and knew that there were some really sad parts, not to mention that the synopsis mentions loss. But oh, it was such a fantastic read! 

There was the the whole dark and light separation in this city, I knew that it wasn't a good system, and people were being horribly treated by it.

I'm so glad that I read this book, it was difficult at times, but such an incredible book! 

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Read: September 27th, 2023
Source: Own
Reason Why: Love her books! And it's a SAC 2023 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Clarion Books
Published: April 5th 2016

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors

From Goodreads:

My name is Kit Morris, and welcome to my warped life.

Picture the Me, an average guy with psychic powers—not that my abilities are in any way average—just trying to scrape by in a harsh world. So maybe I've conned a few people, but did I really deserve to be thrown in MPD jail alongside magic-wielding serial killers?

According to Agent Lienna Shen, one-hundred-percent yes.

But her hardass attitude and "Arcana prodigy" status aren't enough to bring down my former best friend, who slipped through the MPD’s fingers and is days away from unleashing untold horrors upon the city. Or he's going to steal something. I don't really know.

Whatever he's up to, that's why I’m sitting in an interrogation room with Lienna. And that's why I just offered myself as her temporary new partner for the purposes of thwarting my ex-accomplice.

And that's how I’m going to escape. I might even help with the case before I cut and run.

--

Meet MagiPol's most unlikely duo in a hilarious new series set in The Guild Codex world. It can be read as a standalone series or as part of the larger Guild Codex saga.

My Review:
I had a fantastic time reading this book! I love the first book in this world, and I had to continue on, and this was the next book listed in the world reading order. I had such a great time reading it, getting to know these characters and this section of the world!



This was a really wonderful read, and I can't wait to read more from this series and this world! 

Authors: Annette Marie and Rob Jacobsen
Series: The Guild Codex: Warped #1, Guild Codex Universe #2
Read: September 27th, 2023
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Loved the first book in the series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book! 
Publisher: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.
Published: August 7th 2020

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars