Today we're getting the cover of The Stolen Bride by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe! And thanks to Naomi Lane for creating this cover!
Friday, January 17, 2025
Book Blogger Hop #380, January 17th
Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end on Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book related question. The hop's purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
The Question of the week is: Have you participated in Sheila's FIRST BOOK OF THE YEAR? (https://bookjourney.net/) (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Review)
Nope, I have no clue what that is. And I'm still not sure, but I think I have an idea, because of the name. What about you guys? Happy reading!
First Lines Friday #714, January 17th
First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. We encourage all of our fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
-Grab your current read(s)-Share the first line(s)
-Include the title and author so that other FLF participants can add the book to their TBR Lists!
Well, that sounds pretty intense! Must read more now! What about you guys? Happy reading!
Magical Readathon: Orilium - Year in Aeldia 2025 Sign Up
So I'm signing up for the Year in Aeldia round of Magical Readathon: Orilium! It's obviously hosted by G at Book Roast, and you can find the announcement video here! It takes place throughout the year, including the months of the main semesters this year, you make a choice, and get a prompt to fulfil!
Character 1:
Character 2:
Character 3:
Character 4:
Character 5:
Character 6:
Character 7:
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Random Reads #687, January 16th
Third Sentence Thursday #701, January 16th
Third Sentence Thursday is a weekly meme which likes to watch fireworks especially while eating a cookie!
1) Take the book you are currently reading and open it to a random page. Share the third full sentence on that page. (If there isn't a third one – like at the end of a chapter or a blank page – you can share the third sentence of the book or just choose another random page.) Feel free to share more than one sentence, if you feel the need to do so.
2) Review this sentence anyway you want (funny and silly reviews encouraged)
3) Post a link to your sentence at Words I Write Crazy (This Blog)
4) Visit one or two of the other blogs to check out their third sentences!
"But she, too, had a choice." -Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou, page 26.
Oh, hopefully that's good, choices are good, but the way it was phrased makes me think there might be some conflicting choices! Must read more nwo!
What are your guy's 3rd lines? Link up below!
"But she, too, had a choice." -Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou, page 26.
Oh, hopefully that's good, choices are good, but the way it was phrased makes me think there might be some conflicting choices! Must read more nwo!
What are your guy's 3rd lines? Link up below!
Will the Time Come #711, January 16th
Every Thursday I am going to list a book which I really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are mostly books which have been on my shelf for awhile now but don't have to be, maybe you got it two weeks ago and really want to read it! Thanks to Jodie from Books for Company for this meme!
Want to Join?
-Pick a book you have been meaning to read
-Do a post telling us about the book
-Link the post up in the linky
-Visit the other blogs
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the wickedest of them all? Snow White’s dark queen tells her side of the story in this queer, witchy reimagining of the classic fairy tale from the author of Malice.
Legends tell of a witch who became a queen—the heartless villain in the story of Snow White.
But now the wicked queen is stepping out of Snow White’s shadow to become the heroine of her own legend.
Her real “once upon a time” begins when she is just Ayleth, a young witch who lives in the forest with her coven. The witches practice their magic in secret, hiding from the White King and his brutal war against witchcraft.
Ayleth, however, faces a war of her own. Her magical gifts have yet to reveal themselves, and as the threat of the Royal Huntsmen intensifies, Ayleth fears she will never become the witch her coven needs.
To prove herself, Ayleth sets out on a perilous quest that sends her to the White Palace, a decadent world of drama and deceit. There, Ayleth encounters an unlikely figure from her Jacquetta, a witch who once held Ayleth’s heart—and betrayed her.
As events at the palace escalate, Ayleth finds herself caught in the web of the White King, whose dark charisma is as dangerous as the sinister force that seems to be haunting the palace—and perhaps even Ayleth herself. With the threat of discovery looming, Ayleth and Jacquetta must set aside the wounds of their past and work together to survive.
As she uncovers the secrets of the White Court—and those of her own heart—Ayleth must find the strength to transform into someone she never imagined she could be.
A powerful witch, the very wickedest of them all.
Why the time hasn't come yet...
This book came out a few months ago, but I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet, though I really want to! What about you guys? Happy reading!
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Waiting on Wednesday #714, January 15th
Expected Publication: February 4th, 2025
From Goodreads:
When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear―because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must―not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain―and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…
From Goodreads:
The #1 New York Times bestselling author spins an epic tale of loyalty, treachery, murder, and the long shadow of war…
His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…
Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset―fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets―may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.
Expected Publication: February 4th, 2025
From Goodreads:
So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water...
From Goodreads:
A competitive diver and an ace swimmer jump into forbidden waters in this steamy college romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis.
Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A Junior at Stanford and a student-athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships—at least, that’s what she tells herself.
Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus, with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes.
Expected Publication: February 4th, 2025
From Goodreads:
From Goodreads:
A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret—and that she’s been there before, by the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods.
A whirlwind romance.
When Theodora Scott met Connor—wealthy, charming, and a member of the powerful Dalton family—she fell in love in an instant. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives.
Stay away from Connor Dalton.
Theo has tried to ignore the threatening messages on her phone, but she can’t ignore the footprints in the snow outside the cabin window or the strange sense of familiarity she has about this place. Then, in a disused cabin, Theo finds something impossible: a photo of herself as a child. A photo taken at Idlewood.
I’ve been here before.
Theo has almost no recollection of her earliest years, but now she begins to piece together the fragments of her memories. Someone here has a shocking secret that they will do anything to keep hidden, and Theo is in terrible danger. Because the Daltons do not lose, and discovering what happened at Idlewood may cost Theo everything.
Expected Publication: February 4th, 2025
From Goodreads:
This heart-pounding conclusion to the Divine Traitors duology pushes these unforgettable heroines to their breaking point and beyond. Because when the lines between hero and villain are blurred, deadly sacrifices must be made.
From Goodreads:
Perfect for fans of Raybearer and Fourth Wing, this astonishing sequel to the bestselling novel So Let Them Burn doesn't hold back. After all, there are no easy endings in war—especially when sisters are forced to fight on opposite sides.
Faron Vincent was once the saint of San Irie. Now, she’s done the unthinkable: betrayed her country. Alone, disgraced, and kidnapped, Faron is forced to help Iya grow his bloody empire. With her soul bonded to a ruthless killer, Faron has become an enemy to her people… and she fears they might be right.
Elara Vincent—the new Empyrean—must undo the damage her sister has caused. San Irie has been brought back to the brink of war as Iya proclaims no nation will be safe from his brutal invasion. But how can Elara save her sister, her best friend, her country, and her world when she’s already cracking under the pressure?
Expected Publication: February 4th, 2025
From Goodreads:
Survival will require every ounce of their skill, every bond old and new, or else the future Ren and Theo have worked to build will burn down with the rest of the world.
From Goodreads:
Ren’s quest to dismantle Kathor’s corrupt system comes to a head as political machinations and a mysterious disease take hold of the city in this edge-of-your-seat conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Waxways series.
After taking control of House Brood, Ren and Theo dreamed of using their newfound influence to change the rest of Kathor, but now they find their efforts being countered by the other great houses, who have no interest in a world where they enjoy less power.
No one understands that better than the Tin’Vori siblings. The return of their ancestral home was a decade in the making, but they’re eager to keep rising from the ashes. Nevelyn begins researching House Brood—and ends up face-to-face with an enemy that’s already slouching toward the gates of the city. The one enemy no one can a plague.
The victims experience strange bruising, an unquenchable thirst, and a temporary disruption in magic. When doctors trace the illness to its source, they find another corpses placed in strategic locations around the city. As Ren leads the hunt for the culprits, she’ll find herself two steps behind a devious enemy whose sights are set on an unexpected the city’s magic.
Expected Publication: February 4th, 2025
From Goodreads:
As the deception and carnage mount, Mance must find a way to save her realm without becoming the ruthless monster she's been bred to be. And when Silver discovers that his actions are fueling the violence that Mance wants to prevent, he'll have to choose between his ambition and the girl he’s falling for.
From Goodreads:
Deceit and betrayal abound in this dark YA romantasy about an heir to the throne who can summon an army of animals and a thief who plans to manipulate her to pull off a once-in-a-lifetime heist.
Will he steal her heart... or her chance at the throne?
Daughter and heir to the throne, Mancella Cliff yearns for a life without bloodshed. But as a child, she emerged from the Broken Citadel with the power to summon animals—only after killing them with her bare hands. Her magic is a constant reminder of the horrors her father, the ruler of the realm, has forced upon her to strengthen their power.
Silver is a charming thief struggling to survive in a world torn apart by Mancella’s father’s reign. When a mysterious benefactor recruits him for the heist of a lifetime, a chance to rob the castle, Silver relishes the opportunity for a real future—and revenge. But he'll have to manipulate Mance and earn her trust to pull it off.
Expected Publication: February 4th, 2025
From Goodreads:
Sweepingly romantic and deceptively enchanting, this alternate history romantasy will enthrall readers of Holly Black, Stephanie Garber, and Adalyn Grace.
From Goodreads:
The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.
Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.
High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.
But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.
Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.
Expected Publication: February 4th, 2025
From Goodreads:
Not trusting the police and media to do enough on their own, Sariyah and her friends work together to figure out what led to Deja’s disappearance. But when Sariyah’s mother loses her job and her little brother faces complications with his sickle cell disease, managing her time, money, and emotions seems impossible. Desperate, Sariyah decides to hustle her need-sensing ability for cash—a choice that may not only lead her to Deja, but put her in the same danger Deja found herself in.
All Better Now by Neal Schusterman
From Goodreads:
In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend's disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger.
Sariyah Lee Bryant can hear what people need—tangible things, like a pencil, a hair tie, a phone charger—an ability only her family and her best friend, Malcolm, know the truth about. But when she fulfills a need for her friend Deja who vanishes shortly after, Sariyah is left wondering if her ability is more curse than gift. This isn’t the first time one of her friends has landed on the missing persons list, and she’s determined not to let her become yet another forgotten Black girl.
Expected Publication: February 4th, 2025
From Goodreads:
It’s nearly impossible to determine the truth when everyone with a platform is pushing their own agendas, and two teens from very different backgrounds who’ve had their lives upended in different ways by the virus find themselves enmeshed in the center of a dangerous power play. Can they reveal the truth?
From Goodreads:
From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes a young adult thriller about a world where happiness becomes contagious and the teens caught in the conspiracy by the powers that be to bring back discontent.
An unprecedented condition is on the rise. It behaves like a virus, with the first symptom being a fever, but those who contract it experience long-term effects no one has ever seen utter contentment. Soon after infection, people find the stress, depression, greed, and other negative feelings that used to weigh them down are gone.
Almost everyone revels in this mass unburdening. But people in power—who depend on malcontents tuning into their broadcasts, prey on the insecure to sell their products, and convince people they need more, new, faster, better everything—know this new state of being is bad for business. Soon, campaigns start up convincing people that being happy all the time is dangerous. There’s even a vaccine developed to rid people of their inner peace and get them back to normal because, surely, without anger or jealousy as motivators, productivity will grind to a halt and the world will be thrown into chaos.
There's a great collection of books kicking of the month of February, some I've read and loved, some that I can't wait to read! What about you guys? Happy reading!
WWW Wednesday #718, January 15th
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?
Thanks to MizB of Should Be Writing now A Daily Rhythm for starting this meme! And thanks now to Taking on a World of Words for reviving it!
What about you guys? Happy reading!
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Phase Out Your TBR Update 1
So I've read my first book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was Archangel's Ascension which is for the prompt Yellow 12, and I'll be reading The Last One next!
My Reading Journey:
Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 12
Started On: January 14th,
Finished On: January 14th, 8:28 PM
Pages Read: 416
The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 7
Started On: January 15th
Currently On: Page 0 of 296
Prompts Left: Green 2, Green 4, Green Wild (Green 4), Green 5, Green 6, Green 9, Green 12, Red 6, Red 7, Red 12, Red 12, Yellow 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 8, Yellow 9, Yellow 10, Blue 3, Blue 7, Green 7, Blue 11
Books Read: 1
Pages Read: 416
Teaser Tuesday #718, January 14th
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
"No. Cubs grow. You've grown strong and dangerous."
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
"No. Cubs grow. You've grown strong and dangerous."
Well, that sounds a good thing, to have grown and are strong! Must read more now! What about you guys? Happy reading!
Monday, January 13, 2025
Phase Out Your TBR Phase Eight January 2025 Sign Up
So I'm signing up for Phase Out Your TBR, for Phase Eight, hosted by Krys at Krys' Corner and you can find the announcement video here!
This round is taking place in the month of January!
I'm going to be playing this two ways, one to play the phase, and use what I got. The other is to make a phase out of the prompts I want to fill. But you start off with a hand of 10 cards and pick up one card, so I'm going to have 11, that I "discard" when I read, to complete the phase.
For the playing, I got Phase Eight with 7 Greens.
Green 2 - Animal on the Cover - The Bullet That Missed by Richard Oseman
Green 4 - Even Page Number - Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
Green Wild (Green 4) - Even Page Number -
Green 5 - LGBTIA+ Rep - Don't Let Me Go by Kevin Christopher Snipes
Green 6 - Start a Series - The Warrior God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Green 9 - Fire on the Cover - The Heart of the World by Amie Kaufman
Green 12 - Anticipated Read - Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Red 6 - Short Book - The Secret War by Sherrilyn Kenyon,
Red 7 - 5 or More Words in the Title - Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley
Red 12 - Adult -
Red 12 - Adult -
For the prompts, I chose to make the phase with 7 Yellows.
Yellow 3 - Image on the Spine - The Empress by Kristin Cast
Yellow 5 - One Word Title - Capitana by Cassandra James
Yellow 7 - No People on the Cover - The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
Yellow 8 - Finish a Series - The Golden God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Yellow 9 - Multiple POV's -
Yellow 10 - Author You Love - Lady's Knight by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Yellow 12 - Space on the Cover - Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh
Blue 3 - New to You Author - Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche
Blue 7 - Favourite Colour on the Cover - Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer
Green 7 - Hardcover - Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie
Blue 11 - Favourite Genre -
Phase Out Your Seriesathon 2025 Sign Up
So I'm signing up for Phase Out Your Seriesathon, hosted by Krys at Krys' Corner and you can find the announcement video here!
Easy Board:
Want To Visit
Single POV
Rep
Nature
Backlist
Animal
New
Random Number
In Progress
Adapted
Colour Cover
Complete
Free
Big Book
People
Trilogy
Building
5 Or More Books
Favorite Color
Multi POV
Small Book
Cozy
TBR Vet
Excited For
Finish
Hard Board:
LGBTQIA+ Rep
Exactly 2 POVS
6 Or More Colors
Title has J, Q, X, Z-J
Title has J, Q, X, Z-Q
Title has J, Q, X, Z-X
Title has J, Q, X, Z-Z
Starts & Ends With Same Letter
3 Or More POVS
Features Major Event
Translate
In Progress
Wheel Spin
All 5 Vowels In Title
Series You Avoid
Finish A Series-by J.R. Ward
BIPOC Rep
Last Letter First
Poll Pick
Disability Rep
Pub In Last 3 Months
TBR Vet By Pub Date
5 Or More Books
Trio Of Trilogies
75% Cover Must Be Fav Color
Birthday Month
No If, Of, And, An, But, Or, The
Black & White Cover
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #710, January 13th
It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!
What happened in the past week:Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #709
Teaser Tuesday #717
WWW Wednesday #717
WOW #713
Will the Time Come #710
Third Sentence Thursday #700
Random Reads #686
First Lines Friday #713
Book Blogger Hop #379
The Reward Challenge Update #695
Wheel of TBR #242
How Well I Stuck to It #547
Wrote that Review Update #544
Random:
So this week I want to read whatever I want!
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Wrote that Review Update #544, January 12th
My reviews to reward is writing all of the reviews of the week, and I motivated myself to write my review for The Blonde Identity, Foundryside, Shorefall, Locklands, Those We Drown, Bone Crier's Moon, The Power of Hades, The Passion of Hades, The Power of Hades, North is the Night, Four Ruined Realms,
The Thursday Murder Club, so I have 8 of 8 reviews written!
And as always, I want to review this week's reviews!
What about you guys? Happy reading!
How Well I Stuck to It #547, January 12th
Week 3:
Nothing Planned!
Week 2:
Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland
The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter, Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett, Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett, Locklands by Robert Jackson Bennett, Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith, Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie, The Power of Hades by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson, The Passion of Hades by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson, The Power of Hades by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson, North is the Night by Emily Rath, Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
I read what I wanted, and more, so I'm happy with that, and I can't for this coming week! What about you guys? Happy reading!
Wheel of TBR #242, January 12th
I saw Codie's Book Corner doing the Wheel of TBR, and I thought that sounded like a great way to pick what to read from your TBR. So thanks to her! I'll only do 3 spins, because I'm doing this every week, and so it won't make up my total TBR of the week, but it'll be a start!
Rules:
Of the books from the last week, I read Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith, Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie, Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart, The Wildest Things by Andrea Hanna.
So those are some of the books I'm going to try to read this week. What about you guys? Happy reading!
Rules:
1. For each week of the month, I'll do 3 spins each week to read each week though I do have the rest of the month to read them. Once a prompt is used, I'll randomly choose one from the list, keeping track of how often a colour comes up. If colour comes up 3 or more times in month, I'll do another spin once it comes up 3 times.
2. If I don't read a book that week or at least start it before the end of the month, then for my next week of spins, I have to add a punishment for each book unread. I'll roll for each unread book, and have to apply each and every punishment chosen to the week.
3. Each month I'll get a prompt from my Binge Read Wheel (either specifically picking the prompt, or spinning the wheel) and I have to read at least 9 books, though I can read more!
Of the books from the last week, I read Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith, Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie, Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart, The Wildest Things by Andrea Hanna.
Binge Read Wheel:
For this month, the wheel chose Dying to Read. I read Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett, Locklands by Robert Jackson Bennett, North is the Night by Emily Rath, Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, so I've read 6/9+.
Prompts Used This Week:
Audiobook, ARC Book to Read in 2023, YA Oldie, Been Putting Off.
Audiobook-Green-The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall-I'm going to be getting this book as an audiobook from the library, so I'll read that!
ARC Book to Read in 2023-Cyan-The Stepsister's Tale by Tracy Barrett-This is a NetGalley 2023 Book to Read!
YA Oldie-Orange-Life and Death by Stephenie Meyer-This book came out November 2016, so it is just over 8 years old, so I'll read that!
Bonus Spin for Green-Been Putting Off-Orange-Creeping Beauty by Andrea Portes-I got this book as an ARC, but then I heard some negative things about it, so I've been hesitant to pick it up, but I do want to read it!
Colour Totals:
Red: 0
Orange: 2
Yellow: 0
Chartreuse: 0
Green: 3
Spring Green: 3
Cyan: 1
Azure: 0
Blue: 0
Violet: 0
Magenta: 1
Rose: 1
Prompts for Next Week:
Red: 0
Orange: 2
Yellow: 0
Chartreuse: 0
Green: 3
Spring Green: 3
Cyan: 1
Azure: 0
Blue: 0
Violet: 0
Magenta: 1
Rose: 1
Prompts for Next Week:
ARC Book to Read in 2024-Red
Series Started and Unfinished/Current 2021-Orange
Series Started and Unfinished/Current 2021-Orange
Booktuber Read-Yellow
Travel-Chartreuse
Steal a Book-Green
RR Book-Spring Green
2023 Purchase-Cyan
Genre As Last Read-Azure
RR Book-Spring Green
2023 Purchase-Cyan
Genre As Last Read-Azure
NetGalley Book to Read in 2021-Blue
Month-Violet
Colour-Magenta
Reading Challenge-Rose
The Reward Challenge Update #695, January 12th
The Reward Challenge is almost the complete opposite to a book buying ban as you'll end up buying lots of new books throughout the challenge but only after you've completed a certain amount of reading. It was hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly, so thanks to her for starting it!
OK, so I read The Blonde Identity which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book, Foundryside which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Shorefall which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Locklands which counts 3 times as a End of Series 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Those We Drown which counts 3 times as a DAC Book and a SAC 2025 Book, Bone Crier's Moon which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, The Power of Hades which counts 3 times as a 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, The Passion of Hades which counts 3 times as a 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, The Power of Hades which counts 4 times as a 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge 2025 Book, End of Series 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, North is the Night which counts 4 times as a 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, NetGalley Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Four Ruined Realms which counts 4 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book, The Thursday Murder Club which counts 3 times as a DAC Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book.
So I have 36 counts which translates to $18 this week! I'll use it to buy books!
OK, so I read The Blonde Identity which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book, Foundryside which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Shorefall which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Locklands which counts 3 times as a End of Series 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Those We Drown which counts 3 times as a DAC Book and a SAC 2025 Book, Bone Crier's Moon which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, The Power of Hades which counts 3 times as a 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, The Passion of Hades which counts 3 times as a 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, The Power of Hades which counts 4 times as a 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge 2025 Book, End of Series 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, North is the Night which counts 4 times as a 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, NetGalley Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Four Ruined Realms which counts 4 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book, The Thursday Murder Club which counts 3 times as a DAC Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book.
So I have 36 counts which translates to $18 this week! I'll use it to buy books!
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Week 2 Review: The Thursday Murder Club
In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders.
But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it's too late?
My Review:
This book was such a blast to read! There's been so much hype about it, that when I had the chance, I picked it up, and I'm glad that I did! I really enjoy mysteries, and this set up with these retirees who enjoy mysteries being entangled with one themselves? I had to read it!
This book was such a blast to read! There's been so much hype about it, that when I had the chance, I picked it up, and I'm glad that I did! I really enjoy mysteries, and this set up with these retirees who enjoy mysteries being entangled with one themselves? I had to read it!
Loved reading this book and I can't wait to continue the series!
Author: Richard Osman
Series: Thursday Murder Club #1
Read: January 10th, 2025
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: It really good, and it's a DAC Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book!
Author: Richard Osman
Series: Thursday Murder Club #1
Read: January 10th, 2025
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: It really good, and it's a DAC Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book!
Publisher: Penguin
Published: September 3rd 2020
Published: September 3rd 2020
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 2 Review: Four Ruined Realms
The King of Yusan may be the greatest liar of them all.
His sister's ring is in his sights, and he will do anything to get what he wants. Even manipulating the five blades to steal it...
Bonded by a common enemy, then divided by deceit, the blades must rely on their skills to pull off King Joon's pursuit or risk his legendary wrath.
A foreign rule of law stands between them and Quilimar, the Queen of Khitan. Now they have one month to steal the powerful Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord. But that impossible task might be easier than trusting one another, even though their lives, their families, and the realms depend on it.
They can all agree on one thing: the king can't win. But can they beat him at his own game?
Because for the blades, this time it's not just personal, it's revenge. Lies may have torn them apart, but now vengeance will bring them together.
My Review:
This was such a great read!
One thing that I was a bit worried about, was that this book came out pretty quickly after the first book, which was reminding me a lot of the release schedule of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, which is a reason why people don't enjoy Iron Flame so much. I did, but I was worried that the quick turnaround time in publishing, which normally moves so slow, might've had a negative effect, especially since they're with the same publisher. But nope, I at least, had another great time reading this book!
Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to read more by Mai Corland!
Author: Mai Corland
Series: The Broken Blades #2
Read: January 10th, 2025
Source: Bought
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Published: January 7th 2025
Author: Mai Corland
Series: The Broken Blades #2
Read: January 10th, 2025
Source: Bought
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Published: January 7th 2025
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 2 Review: North is the Night
Two bold young women defy the gods and mortals, living and dead, in this darkly mythical, Finnish folklore-inspired fantasy duology for readers of T. Kingfisher's Nettle & Bone, Danielle L. Jensen, Thea Guanzon, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec.
In the Finnish wilderness, more than wolves roam the dark forests. For Siiri and Aina, summer's fading light is a harbinger of unwelcome change. Land-hungry Swedes venture north, threatening the peace; a zealous Christian priest denounces the old ways; and young women have begun to disappear.
Siiri vows to protect Aina from danger. But even Siiri cannot stop a death goddess from dragging her friend to Tuonela, the mythical underworld. Determined to save Aina, Siiri braves a dangerous journey north to seek the greatest shaman of legend, the only person to venture to the realm of death and return alive.
In Tuonela, the cruel Witch Queen turns Aina's every waking moment into a living nightmare. But armed with compassion and cleverness, Aina learns the truth of her capture: the king of the underworld himself has plans for her. To return home, Aina must bargain her heart—as Siiri plots a daring rescue of the woman she loves the most.
My Review:
Wow, this was such an incredible read! I did mainly listen to the audiobook, but I had purchased a copy of the hardcover just before I started reading it, so when I had an hour left, on a Friday afternoon when I don't typically pick up audiobooks, I tandem read physically while I had the audiobook playing, which was a great experience, since I didn't really know the spelling of all these characters names and places. Still don't, really, but I have a better understanding.
Honestly, if this series results in a threesome, or Aina going back and forth between Siiri and Tuoni. Like she said, he has her heart, but Sirri has her soul. If she isn't made to choose, that would probably be happiest for all involved once they settled into such a relaitonship with one another! I mean, why not, once the threat is passed, once Kal is old enough that she wouldn't be what they threaten him with to make him comply?
Loved reading this book, and I can't wait for the sequel!
Author: Emily Rath
Series: The Tuonela Duet #1
Read: January 10th, 2025
Source: Bought/NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book!
Publisher: Erewhon Books/Recorded Books
Published: December 17th 2024
Author: Emily Rath
Series: The Tuonela Duet #1
Read: January 10th, 2025
Source: Bought/NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book!
Publisher: Erewhon Books/Recorded Books
Published: December 17th 2024
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 2 Reviews: The Power of Hades, The Passion of Hades, The Promise of Hades
I've been kidnapped by Zeus. Plucked from the streets of Manhattan and frightened half to death by a freaking Olympian god.
And now I'm trapped in the Underworld, being forced to compete in a series of deadly trials for the position of Queen of the Underworld. Which would mean marrying Hades, the utterly terrifying Lord of the Dead. Who the hell wants a husband at all, let alone one made of smoke and riddled with death?
I have to get back home, to New York and my brother. But I can't leave without completing the trials and they've been designed for a godly Queen, not Persephone - barista and botanical garden enthusiast.
I'm surrounded by lethal, all-powerful maniacs. Sexy-as-hell maniacs, sure, but as dangerous as they come. And I'm going to have to prove to all of them that there's a goddess of hell inside me. It's the only way I'll survive the Hades Trials. But then what? And why, why, why am I so desperate to see under Hades smoky exterior and find out what he's hiding from me?
If I win the trials, I have to marry the devil himself. But losing might mean losing my life.
I'm trapped in actual hell. And just about everything here is trying to kill me. Even the god who claims he once loved me has come pretty close to ending my life.
But things are about to change. I'm fed up of being Persephone - human underdog in the Hades Trials. I've managed to awaken a little bit of goddess inside me, and now I have power, I'm not afraid to use it.
Although I don't actually have a clue how to. Nor do I know what I did to get cast out of Olympus twenty-six years ago, or why strangers are seeking to punish me for it. All I know for sure is that I survived the first round of the Hades Trials, and now I need to survive another. One step at a time I will get back to New York.
Because I can't stay here. Olympus is filled with monsters, and ruled by monsters, and I do not fit in.
The trouble is, the more I discover about the mysterious King of the Underworld, the less sure I am that he fits in either. My connection to him is undeniable, and its not escaped the other gods' notice. They don't want me to stay in Olympus, and now that I have my power back, they're going to make the next three Trials even more lethal.
If I can survive, I'm a step closer to getting home. But if I spend much more time with Hades, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to leave.
The Greek God of the Underworld has turned my life completely upside-down and made me question everything I thought I knew about my life.
And now I dont even know who I am anymore. An internal war rages inside me, as I try to balance my need for more magic with the knowledge of what power does to people in Olympus. What it may have done to me in the past.
The one thing I do know though, is that my feelings for Hades are real. The Lord of the Dead is so much more than I ever realized, and something inside me knows that I need him as much as he needs me. But between the Hades Trials, the other Olympians, and whoever it is that's trying to kill me, I may not survive long enough to find a way for us to be together.
Hades says a light so bright can't live in the dark. But I'm not sure a life without him is worth living.
My Review:
I'm so glad that I can finally read this whole series! I really enjoyed the first book, but I'm a completionist, and so I had to go back and read the other series in this world (I'm not going to pick up the one that's upper middle grade/younger YA) before I could come back to this series. And I'm glad that I did, because I had a deeper understanding of the world.
Of course I had to reread The Power of Hades once I got back to this series, it has been 4 years since I first read it!
Loved reading these books, and I can't wait to continue on with this world!
Authors: Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Series: The Hades Trials #1, 2, 3
First Read: January 30th, 2021
Authors: Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Series: The Hades Trials #1, 2, 3
First Read: January 30th, 2021
Read: January 9th, 9th, 9th, 2025
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and they're 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge 2025 Books and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books! And The Promise of Hades is a End of Series 2025 Book!
Publisher: Logic in Creativity
Published: May 1st 2020, June 15th 2020, September 18th 2020
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and they're 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge 2025 Books and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books! And The Promise of Hades is a End of Series 2025 Book!
Publisher: Logic in Creativity
Published: May 1st 2020, June 15th 2020, September 18th 2020
The Power of Hades:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
The Passion of Hades:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
The Promise of Hades:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 2 Review: Bone Crier's Moon
Bone Criers have a sacred duty. They alone can keep the dead from preying on the living. But their power to ferry the spirits of the dead into goddess Elara's Night Heavens or Tyrus's Underworld comes from sacrifice. The gods demand a promise of dedication. And that promise comes at the cost of the Bone Criers' one true love.
Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she's also destined to love.
Bastien's father was slain by a Bone Crier and he's been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse's ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.
Sabine has never had the stomach for the Bone Criers' work. But when her best friend Ailesse is taken captive, Sabine will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means defying their traditions—and their matriarch—to break the bond between Ailesse and Bastien. Before they all die.
My first review of Bone Crier's Moon
My Review:
I really enjoyed reading this book again! I loved it the first time, but it was so long since I first read it, that I couldn't go straight into book 2, I had to come back and reread it! It's such an entertaining story, and I had a blast reading it!
Going in, I did kinda remember the twist about the bone criers and which boy was the one attracted by which bone crier's song. I didn't quite remember how it all played out, but I knew things weren't what they seemed so I kept that in the back of my mind as events unfolded.
Loved reading this book and I can't wait to continue on and finish this series!
Author: Kathryn Purdie
Series: Bone Grace #1
First Read: April 23rd, 2020
Author: Kathryn Purdie
Series: Bone Grace #1
First Read: April 23rd, 2020
Read: January 9th, 2025
Source: Own
Reason Why: Rereading, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book!
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Published: March 5th 2020
Source: Own
Reason Why: Rereading, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book!
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Published: March 5th 2020
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
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