2024 ARC August Sign Up

So ARC August is hosted by Read. Sleep. Repeat.! They haven't posted since 2021, so I think they're don blogging. But I still want to participate!

As always, my goal will still be 31 books, because a book a day is a good goal, even if it won't really put a dent in my ARC to be read, it's still something! I'm back posting this, because of how my mind works, but I'm signing up! 

Waiting on Wednesday #690, July 31st

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

Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B.B. Alston

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

The highly anticipated third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Supernatural Investigations series that began with Amari and the Night Brothers!

Perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Nevermoor.

War has come to the supernatural world, and Amari’s two worst enemies are leading the charge.

Elaine Harlowe has manipulated her way into becoming prime minister, using her mind control ability to force the Bureau to take up her vicious grudge against magiciankind. Meanwhile, Dylan Van Helsing, the newly crowned leader of the League of Magicians—and Amari’s former partner—is after a destructive new power that would not only ensure the magicians’ victory . . . it would make him invincible.

With neither the Bureau nor the League safe for Amari, and her newly returned brother, Quinton, determined to keep her out of the fray, she and her friends decide to find a way to end the war on their own.

So when they learn that the only way to stop Dylan is to find powerful magical inventions known as Wonders, they go after them. But wielding these items comes at a terrible cost, and Amari will have to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice . . . because the Despicable Wonders will demand everything.

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

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.

One House Left by Vincent Ralph
Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

R.L. Stine meets Urban Legend in the next twisty horror novel by New York Times bestselling author Vincent Ralph.

"Ready or not. Whatever you do. The Hiding Boy is coming for you."

Sixteen-year-old Nate Campbell grew up in the shadow of Murder Road – a street cursed by the vengeful spirit of the Hiding Boy.

Every few years, for nearly six decades, a different house on that street has been the scene of a tragedy.

Nate and his family move to a new town as they try to outrun the curse once and for all. But, when he is pulled into his new friends' urban legend club, new ghost stories merge with old until there is nowhere left to run.

Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

A spine-tingling LGBTQIA+ YA horror about queer teens who accidentally invoke a twisted spirit who promises help but delivers something sinister.

Perfect for fans of Kayla Cottingham, Andrew Joseph White, and Ryan LaSala.

"A searing and poignant portrait of queer identity wrapped in an unflinching tale of terror." —Kalynn Bayron, New York Times bestselling author of You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight

"Modern horror at its best." —Bram Stoker Award Nominee Sarah Henning

It's never been safe for Fern, Jaq, or Mallory to come out to their families. As kids their emerging identities drove them into friendship but also forced them into the woods to hide in an old, abandoned house when they needed safety. But one night when the girls sought refuge, Mallory never made it back home. Fern and Jaq did, but neither survivor remembered what happened or the secrets they were so desperate to keep. 

Five years later, Fern and Jaq are seniors on the verge of graduation, seemingly happy in their straight, cisgender lives—until a spirit who looks like Mallory begins to appear, seeking revenge for her death, and the part Fern and Jaq played in it. As they’re haunted, something begins to shift inside them. 

They remember who they are. 

Who they want to love. 

And the truth about the vicious secrets hiding in their woods.  

This delightfully dark and pointed novel calls out the systems that erase gay and queer and trans identity, giving space to embrace queerness and to unleash the power of friendship and found family against the real monsters in the world.

Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

A nobleman must work with a dashing soldier to save his sister from a mystical bargain gone wrong, diving into a world of malicious fey, enigmatic cults, and treacherous magic in this irresistible romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material.

The year is 1815, and Mr. John Caesar is determined to orchestrate a successful coming-out for his younger sister, Mary. Despite his best efforts, he is thwarted by the various interventions of a ragtag regiment of soldiers, a mysterious military cult, and a malicious fairy godmother.

When Mary is cursed by the fair folk, the dandyish Mr. Caesar is forced to work with the stolidly working-class—yet inescapably heroic—Captain James to rescue her. While Mr. Caesar is no stranger to dallying with soldiers, until now he's never expected one to stay. Or wanted one to. But even if the captain felt the same, there'd be no chance of anything lasting between them. After all, he and Mr. Caesar come from different worlds.

And lately, other worlds are the last thing either of them want to be dealing with . . .

Daydream by Hannah Grace

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

The third in the New York Times bestselling Maple Hills series follows fan-favorite Henry and a bookish fellow student who come up with a plan to help them both overcome their respective challenges in a difficult year.

When his procrastination lands him in a difficult class with his least favorite professor, Henry Turner knows he’s going to have to work extra hard to survive his junior year of college. And now with his new title of captain for the hockey team—which he didn’t even want—Henry absolutely cannot fail. Enter Halle Jacobs, a fellow junior who finds herself befriended by Henry when he accidentally crashes her book club.

Halle may not have the romantic pursuits of her favorite fictional leads, but she’s an academic superstar, and as soon as she hears about Henry’s problems with his class reading material, she offers to help. Too bad being a private tutor isn’t exactly ideal given her own studies, job, book club, and the novel she’s trying to write. But new experiences are the key to beating her writer’s block, and Henry’s promising to be the one to give them to her.

They just need to stick to their rule book.

Oh, and not fall in love.

The end of the month has some pretty wonderful books coming out that I'm so excited for! I need to read them! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

WWW Wednesday #694, July 31st

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• 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! 

I'm currently reading The Mirror of Beasts and I'm loving it! 

I read The Grandest Game, and it was so good, loved this half-new cast of characters and I can't wait for more! 

I'm going to be reading 49 Miles Alone, and I can't wait, it sounds fantastic! 

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Teaser Tuesday #694, July 30th

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• 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!

Today's teaser comes from The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, page 22.

"She'd faked it as long as she could. But even she wasn't a good enough actress to fake the kind of dancer shed been."

That doesn't sound good, that she has to fake something! Must read more now! What about you guys? Happy reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #686, July 29th

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 #685
Teaser Tuesday #693
WWW Wednesday #693
WOW #689
Will the Time Come #686
Third Sentence Thursday #676
Random Reads #662
First Lines Friday #689
Book Blogger Hop #355

Monthly ARC's Update 82
The Reward Challenge Update #671
Wheel of TBR #218
How Well I Stuck to It #523
Wrote that Review Update #520

Week 30 Reviews:
Apples Dipped in Gold

Flashback

Blood Orange

Black Rose

Bloody Rose

Dark Restraint

Fire and Bones

Here Lies A Vengeful Bitch

Renegades 

The Wilde Trials

Song of the Dead

This Fatal Kiss

Forestfall

The Alpha of Bleake Isle

One for All

A Power Unbound

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 41

Update 42

Phase Out Your TBR: 

Update 15

Update 16

Update 17

Update 18

Update 19

Update 20

Update 21

Update 22 and Wrap Up

OK, so I got 39 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty good week, though I did get a migraine on Sunday, so I pretty much lost that day. But this coming week has some really great releases that I need to read now! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read The Grandest Game, The Mirror of Beasts, and Sanctuary!

Get caught up in the puzzles, games, danger, romance, and riches of this lush new chapter in the #1 bestselling Inheritance Games saga.

Seven tickets. An island of dreams. The chance of a lifetime.

Welcome to the Grandest Game, an annual competition run by billionaire Avery Grambs and the four infamous Hawthorne brothers, whose family fortune she inherited. Designed to give anyone a shot at fame and fortune, this year's game requires one of seven golden tickets to enter. With millions on the line, those seven players will do whatever it takes to win.

Some of the players are in it for the money. Some for power. Some for reasons all their own. Every single one of them has secrets. Amidst it all is Grayson Hawthorne, tasked with a vital role in this year's game. But as tensions rise and the mind-bending challenges push the players to their limits—physically, mentally, and emotionally—it soon becomes clear that not everyone is playing by the rules.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Lynn Barnes delivers a brand-new series in the world of The Inheritance Games, where fan-favorite and new characters collide in a game you’ll never forget.

Do you have what it takes to play?

With the dream of Avalon in ruins, Tamsin and her friends are all that stands in the way of Lord Death's plans to unleash the horrors of Anwnn on the world of the living. As the Wild Hunt carves a bloody path across continents, Tamsin is mustering allies, tracking down powerful artifacts, and traversing into new otherlands in search of a way to stop him.

Legend tells of a "Mirror of Beasts," powerful enough to trap even Lord Death in its accursed glass, but the mirror is not all that it seems. Tamsin must confront her own darkest secrets if she hopes to tap the mirror's strength to defeat her enemies.

Arthurian legend bleeds into contemporary action, and scars of the past are torn open anew by a starcrossed love that refuses to go quietly. This riveting conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology will hold you in its thrall until the very last page.

It's not easy serving the Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death…especially during the holidays; and especially when you're out of eggnog and one of your pesky, freeloading mythic creatures has eaten your last cookie.

Roman would like nothing more than to be left alone, but when a wounded boy stumbles into his yard and begs for sanctuary, Roman takes him in. Now elite mercenaries are camped out on his property, combat mages are dousing the house with fire, and strange priests are unleashing arcane magic. They thought Roman was easy pickings, just a hermit in the woods, but they chose the wrong dark priest to annoy. For while Roman might be patient, he is the Black Volhv, filled with the love of his terrible god. For his adversaries, it's a fight to the death, but for him, it's just another day in the neighborhood.

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 42

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was The Outlier which was for the prompt Befriend and Tame a Messenger Crow and I'll be reading my August TBR next! 

My Reading Journey:

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Prompt Fulfilled: Rely on Your Wits

Started On: January 9th 

Finished On: January 9th, 10:45 AM

Pages Read: 512

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Prompt Fulfilled: Rely on Your Strength

Started On: January 13th

Finished On: January 13th, 7:31 PM

Pages Read: 693

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

Prompt Fulfilled: Rely on Your Strength

Started On: January 14th

Finished On: January 14th, 8:01 PM

Pages Read: 688

These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi

Prompt Fulfilled: Rely on Your Wits

Started On: January 21st

Finished On: January 21st, 2:31 PM

Pages Read: 416

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

Prompt Fulfilled: Turn Left: Manipulate a Boulder to Crash Through a Wall

Started On: February 5th

Finished On: February 5th, 10:20 PM

Pages Read: 816

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

Prompt Fulfilled: Go Towards and Fight an Animated Gargoyle
Started On: February 6th

Finished On: February 6th, 9:34 PM

Pages Read: 848

The Keeper of the Mist by Rachel Neumeier

Prompt Fulfilled: Turn Right: Embrace the Mist of Solitude Once More

Started On: February 7th

Finished On: February 7th, 2:12 PM

Pages Read: 400

I Only Read Murder by Ian Ferguson and Will Ferguson

Prompt Fulfilled: Go Towards the Maze
Started On: February 14th

Finished On: February 14th, 1:58 PM

Pages Read: 320

Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin

Prompt Fulfilled: Remove a Complex Lock Enchantment Cast on the Exit Door

Started On: March 1st

Finished On: March 1st, 1:58 PM

Pages Read: 348

Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

Prompt Fulfilled: Cut Your Way Through Wild Vines Blocking an Ancient Exit

Started On: March 3rd

Finished On: March 3rd, 9:06 PM

Pages Read: 430

Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop

Prompt Fulfilled: Cut Your Way Through Wild Vines Blocking an Ancient Exit

Started On: March 4th

Finished On: March 4th, 9:50 PM

Pages Read: 511

Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff

Prompt Fulfilled: Cut Your Way Through Wild Vines Blocking an Ancient Exit

Started On: March 23rd

Finished On: March 23rd, 11:44 PM

Pages Read: 756

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Prompt Fulfilled: Rely on Your Strength

Started On: January 11th 

Finished On: January 11th, 2:52 PM

Pages Read: 432

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

Prompt Fulfilled: Rely on Your Strength

Started On: January 11th 

Finished On: January 11th, 8:21 PM

Pages Read: 624

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Prompt Fulfilled: Rely on Your Wits

Started On: January 22nd 

Finished On: January 22nd, 2:36 PM

Pages Read: 496

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

Prompt Fulfilled: Go Towards and Fight an Animated Gargoyle

Started On: February 4th 

Finished On: February 4th, 6:51 PM

Pages Read: 823

Four-Alarm Homicide by Diane Kelly

Prompt Fulfilled: Go Towards the Maze

Started On: February 17th

Finished On: February 17th, 4:58 PM

Pages Read: 304

Visions of Flesh and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Prompt Fulfilled: Turn Left: Manipulate a Boulder to Crash Through a Wall

Started On: February 17th

Finished On: February 17th, 3:27 PM

Pages Read: 640

Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop

Prompt Fulfilled: Cut Your Way Through Wild Vines Blocking an Ancient Exit

Started On: March 5th

Finished On: March 5th, 11:02 PM

Pages Read: 528

Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop

Prompt Fulfilled: Cut Your Way Through Wild Vines Blocking an Ancient Exit

Started On: March 6th

Finished On: March 6th, 7:25 PM

Pages Read: 514

The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller

Prompt Fulfilled: Cut Your Way Through Wild Vines Blocking an Ancient Exit

Started On: March 18th

Finished On: March 18th, 10:57 AM

Pages Read: 366

My Salty Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

Prompt Fulfilled: Extra Credit in Alchemy

Started On: May 4th

Finished On: May 4th, 10:25 PM

Pages Read: 512

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen

Prompt Fulfilled: Extra Credit in Restoration

Started On: May 5th

Finished On: May 5th, 5:25 PM

Pages Read: 464

Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Prompt Fulfilled: Extra Credit in Lore

Started On: May 6th

Finished On: May 6th, 9:01 PM

Pages Read: 368

One Killer Problem by Justine Pucella Winans

Prompt Fulfilled: Extra Credit in Lore

Started On: May 7th

Finished On: May 7th, 4:31 PM

Pages Read: 336

The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

Prompt Fulfilled: Extra Credit in Alchemy

Started On: May 9th

Finished On: May 9th, 10:00 PM

Pages Read: 665

Lady of Steel and Straw by Erica Ivy Rodgers

Prompt Fulfilled: Extra Credit in Animal Studies

Started On: May 20th

Finished On: May 20th, 10:24 PM

Pages Read: 432

Girls Like Her by Melanie Sumrow

Prompt Fulfilled: Extra Credit in Restoration

Started On: May 23rd

Finished On: May 23rd, 9:55 PM

Pages Read: 368

A Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzie Lee

Prompt Fulfilled: Read About the First Recorded Companions

Started On: June 1st

Finished On: June 1st, 9:45 PM

Pages Read: 592

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Prompt Fulfilled: Work on Calculating Work Ratios

Started On: June 6th

Finished On: June 6th, 3:36 PM

Pages Read: 417

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Prompt Fulfilled: Work on Calculating Work Ratios

Started On: June 6th

Finished On: June 6th, 9:26 PM

Pages Read: 435

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Prompt Fulfilled: Care for the Curebloom in the Greenhouse

Started On: June 11th

Finished On: June 11th, 11:04 AM

Pages Read: 384

That Night by Cyn Balog

Prompt Fulfilled: Study the Cognition in Postal Birds

Started On: June 22nd

Finished On: June 22nd, 10:36 PM

Pages Read: 320

A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli

Prompt Fulfilled: Care for the Curebloom in the Greenhouse

Started On: June 24th

Finished On: June 24th, 1:10 PM

Pages Read: 346

Keep This to Yourself by Tom Ryan

Prompt Fulfilled: Read About the First Recorded Companions

Started On: June 24th

Finished On: June 24th, 4:36 PM

Pages Read: 320

The Savior's Champion by Jenna Moreci

Prompt Fulfilled: Befriend and Tame a Messenger Crow

Started On: July 6th

Finished On: July 6th, 7:38 PM

Pages Read: 496

Vault of Souls by Josephine Angelini

Prompt Fulfilled: Complete and Keep an Extra Strong Healing Potion

Started On: July 10th

Finished On: July 10th, 8:39 PM

Pages Read: 578

The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood

Prompt Fulfilled: Complete and Keep an Extra Strong Healing Potion

Started On: July 12th

Finished On: July 12th, 11:07 AM

Pages Read: 368

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness

Prompt Fulfilled: Complete and Keep an Extra Strong Healing Potion

Started On: July 16th

Finished On: July 16th, 7:39 PM 

Pages Read: 464

Betrayal Road by Christine Feehan

Prompt Fulfilled: Complete and Keep an Extra Strong Healing Potion

Started On: July 19th

Finished On: July 19th, 10:56 PM

Pages Read: 400

Supernova by Marissa Meyer

Prompt Fulfilled: Befriend and Tame a Messenger Crow

Started On: July 24th

Finished On: July 24th, 4:37 PM

Pages Read: 560

The Outlier by Elisabeth Eaves

Prompt Fulfilled: Befriend and Tame a Messenger Crow

Started On: July 28th

Finished On: July 28th, 9:09 PM

Pages Read: 344

Prompts Left: None Left! 

Read: 42

Pages Read: 24248

Phase Out Your TBR Update 22 and Wrap Up

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was Ami which is for the prompt Blue 11, and I read some really great books, and I'm happy with all the books that I read, and I can't wait for the next round! 

My Reading Journey:

How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7

Started On: July 1st

Finished On: July 1st, 3:37 PM

Pages Read: 192

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 10

Started On: July 3rd

Finished On: July 3rd, 11:25 AM

Pages Read: 400

Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 7

Started On: July 3rd

Finished On: July 3rd, 6:36 PM 

Pages Read: 368

A Tale Of Two Dragons by G.A. Aiken

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 6

Started On: July 4th

Finished On: July 4th, 12:55 PM

Pages Read: 174

Light My Fire by G.A. Aiken

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12

Started On: July 4th

Finished On: July 4th, 8:49 PM

Pages Read: 496

The Savior's Champion by Jenna Moreci

Prompt Fulfilled: Green Wild (Blue 7)

Started On: July 6th

Finished On: July 6th, 7:38 PM

Pages Read: 496

Powerful by Lauren Roberts

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 5

Started On: July 7th

Finished On: July 7th, 6:18 PM

Pages Read: 252

Reckless by Lauren Roberts 

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 9

Started On: July 8th

Finished On; July 8th, 11:04 PM

Pages Read: 512

A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow Wild (Green 5)

Started On: July 9th

Finished On: July 9th, 10:48 AM

Pages Read: 416

The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 9

Started On: July 9th

Finished On: July 9th, 7:30 PM

Pages Read: 432

Archenemies by Marissa Meyer

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 4

Started On: July 11th

Finished On: July 11th, 9:39 PM

Pages Read: 560

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 6

Started On: July 12th

Finished On: July 12th, 3:39 PM

Pages Read: 448

The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 3

Started On: July 13th

Finished On: July 13th, 9:46 PM

Pages Read: 400

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10

Started On: July 16th

Finished On: July 16th, 7:39 PM 

Pages Read: 464

Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch by Codie Crowley

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 11

Started On: July 23rd

Finished On: July 23rd, 8:39 PM

Pages Read: 304

Supernova by Marissa Meyer

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 4

Started On: July 24th

Finished On: July 24th, 4:37 PM

Pages Read: 560

Song of the Dead by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 1

Started On: July 25th

Finished On: July 25th, 11:38 AM

Pages Read: 416

Forestfall by Lyndall Clipstone

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 3

Started On: July 25th

Finished On: July 25th, 4:49 PM

Pages Read: 384

One for All by Lillie Lainoff

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 2

Started On: July 26th

Finished On July 26th, 3:26 PM

Pages Read: 389

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 8

Started On: July 26th

Finished On: July 26th, 8:30 PM

Pages Read: 422

The Phoenix Keeper by S. A. MacLean

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 8

Started On: July 27th

Finished On: July 27th, 4:38 PM

Pages Read: 496

Ami by S. Jae-Jones

Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 11

Started On: July 28th

Finished On: July 28th, 2:36 PM

Pages Read: 368

Prompts Left: None Left! 

Books Read: 22

Pages Read: 8037

Wrote that Review Update #520, July 28th

If you want to participate, set a certain amount of reviews to write, and once you make that goal, you can get a reward!

My reviews to reward is writing all of the reviews of the week, and I motivated myself to write my review for Apples Dipped in Gold, Flashback, Blood Orange and Black Rose, Bloody Rose, Dark Restraint, Fire and Bones, Here Lies A Vengeful Bitch, Renegades, The Wilde Trials, Song of the Dead, This Fatal Kiss, Forestfall, The Alpha of Bleake Isle, One for All, A Power Unbound, so I have 15 of 15 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 #523, July 28th

So I decided that I should have accountability on sticking to what should be in a week, so I'm doing How Well I Stuck to It every Sunday, because my schedule should be fixed in by now!

Week 31: 

The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, The Mirror of Beasts by Alexandra Bracken, Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews

NetGalley: NA.

Edelweiss: NA.

New Books: 3. Check.

3 new books, that I need to read, that I'm so excited to read them! 

Week 30:

Nothing Planned! 

vs.

Apples Dipped in Gold by Scarlett St. Clair, Flashback by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen, Blood Orange by Karina Halle, Black Rose by Karina Halle, Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames, Dark Restraint by Katee Robert, Fire and Bones by Kathy Reichs, Here Lies A Vengeful Bitch by Codie Crowley, Renegades by Marissa Meyer, The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed, Song of the Dead by Sarah Glenn Marsh, This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska, Forestfall by Lyndall Clipstone, The Alpha of Bleake Isle by Kathryn Moon, One for All by Lillie Lainoff, A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

A free week, and I read an good amount of books, and I'm happy with that! And I'm so excited for next week, there's so many new releases that I need to read! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Wheel of TBR #218, July 28th

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:

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 Black Rose by by Karina Halle, Fire and Bones by Kathy Reichs, The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed, Forestfall by Lyndall Clipstone, This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska, Lucero by Maya Motayne.

Binge Read Wheel:

For this month, the wheel picked Yearly TBR. I read Dark Restraint by Katee Robert, Renegades by Marissa Meyer, This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska, A Power Unbound by Freya Marske, so I've read 17/9+.

For this coming month, I chose ARC.

Prompts Used This Week:

Owned Pre-2020, Series Started and Unfinished/Current 2020, Mass Market Paperback.

Owned Pre-2020-Blue-Soulprint by Megan Miranda-I've not marked this book as having bought it in the years that I've been marking since 2020, so I've owned it longer than that!

Series Started and Unfinished/Current 2020-Chartreuse-The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes-I started this series in 2020 and was current, so that works! 

Mass Market Paperback-Azure-Tuluah's Back in Town by Brenda Novak-I have this book as a mass market paperback, so I'll read that! 

Colour Totals:
Red: 4
Orange: 0
Yellow: 3
Chartreuse: 5
Green: 1
Spring Green: 1
Cyan: 0
Azure: 2
Blue: 1
Violet: 0
Magenta: 1

Rose: 1

Prompts for Next Week:

PDF Book-Red
Series Continued and Unfinished/Current 2021-Orange

Favorite Author-Yellow
More Than 1000 Ratings-Chartreuse

Start the Series-Green
Series I Read in 2022 But Not in 2023-Spring Green
Series Continued and Unfinished/Current 2020-Cyan
Series Not Touched since before 2020-Azure
2nd Chance-Blue

Retelling-Violet

ARC-NetGalley-Magenta

Monthly ARC-Rose

So those are some of the books I'm going to try to read this week. What about you guys? Happy reading!

The Reward Challenge Update #671, July 28th

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 Apples Dipped in Gold which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book, Flashback which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book, Blood Orange which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, Black Rose which counts 3 times as a End of Series 2024 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, Bloody Rose which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, Dark Restraint which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book, Fire and Bones which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book, Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch which counts 4 times as a DAC Book, NetGalley Book and a SAC 2024 Book, Renegades which counts 3 times as a End of Series 2024 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, The Wilde Trials which counts 5 times as a Edelweiss Book, SAC 2024 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book, Song of the Dead which counts 3 times as a End of Series 2024 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, This Fatal Kiss which counts 4 times as a Edelweiss Book, SAC 2024 Book and a WoW Book, Forestfall which counts 3 times as a End of Series 2024 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, The Alpha of Bleake Isle which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, One for All which counts 4 times as a DAC Book, Historical Fiction 2024 Book and a WoW Book, A Power Unbound which counts 4 times as a End of Series 2024 Book, Historical Fiction 2024 Book and a Prequel Sequel Challenge 2024 Book.

So I have 53 counts which translates to $26.50 this week! I'll use it to buy books!

Phase Out Your TBR Update 21

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was The Phoenix Keeper which is for the prompt Red 8, and I'll be reading Ami next! 

My Reading Journey:

How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7

Started On: July 1st

Finished On: July 1st, 3:37 PM

Pages Read: 192

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 10

Started On: July 3rd

Finished On: July 3rd, 11:25 AM

Pages Read: 400

Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 7

Started On: July 3rd

Finished On: July 3rd, 6:36 PM 

Pages Read: 368

A Tale Of Two Dragons by G.A. Aiken

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 6

Started On: July 4th

Finished On: July 4th, 12:55 PM

Pages Read: 174

Light My Fire by G.A. Aiken

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12

Started On: July 4th

Finished On: July 4th, 8:49 PM

Pages Read: 496

The Savior's Champion by Jenna Moreci

Prompt Fulfilled: Green Wild (Blue 7)

Started On: July 6th

Finished On: July 6th, 7:38 PM

Pages Read: 496

Powerful by Lauren Roberts

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 5

Started On: July 7th

Finished On: July 7th, 6:18 PM

Pages Read: 252

Reckless by Lauren Roberts 

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 9

Started On: July 8th

Finished On; July 8th, 11:04 PM

Pages Read: 512

A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow Wild (Green 5)

Started On: July 9th

Finished On: July 9th, 10:48 AM

Pages Read: 416

The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 9

Started On: July 9th

Finished On: July 9th, 7:30 PM

Pages Read: 432

Archenemies by Marissa Meyer

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 4

Started On: July 11th

Finished On: July 11th, 9:39 PM

Pages Read: 560

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 6

Started On: July 12th

Finished On: July 12th, 3:39 PM

Pages Read: 448

The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 3

Started On: July 13th

Finished On: July 13th, 9:46 PM

Pages Read: 400

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10

Started On: July 16th

Finished On: July 16th, 7:39 PM 

Pages Read: 464

Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch by Codie Crowley

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 11

Started On: July 23rd

Finished On: July 23rd, 8:39 PM

Pages Read: 304

Supernova by Marissa Meyer

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 4

Started On: July 24th

Finished On: July 24th, 4:37 PM

Pages Read: 560

Song of the Dead by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 1

Started On: July 25th

Finished On: July 25th, 11:38 AM

Pages Read: 416

Forestfall by Lyndall Clipstone

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 3

Started On: July 25th

Finished On: July 25th, 4:49 PM

Pages Read: 384

One for All by Lillie Lainoff

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 2

Started On: July 26th

Finished On July 26th, 3:26 PM

Pages Read: 389

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 8

Started On: July 26th

Finished On: July 26th, 8:30 PM

Pages Read: 422

The Phoenix Keeper by S. A. MacLean

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 8

Started On: July 27th

Finished On: July 27th, 4:38 PM

Pages Read: 496

Ami by S. Jae-Jones

Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 11

Started On: July 28th

Currently On: Page 0 of 368

Prompts Left: None Left! 

Books Read: 21

Pages Read: 7669

Week 30 Review: A Power Unbound

From Goodreads:

Secrets! Magic! Enemies to . . . something more?

Jack Alston – Lord Hawthorn – would love a nice, safe, comfortable life. He renounced magic after the death of his twin sister. But with the threat of a dangerous ritual risking every magician in Britain, he's drawn reluctantly back into that world.

Now Jack is living in a bizarre puzzle-box of a magical London townhouse, helping its owner Violet track down the final piece of the Last Contract before their enemies can do the same. And to make matters worse, they need the help of writer and thief Alan Ross. Cagey and argumentative, Alan is only in this for the money. He's loud in his hatred of the aristocracy and their unearned power . . . and unfortunately, he happens to be everything that Jack wants in one gorgeous, infuriating package.

When a plot to seize unimaginable magic power comes to a head on Jack's own family estate, Jack, Alan and their allies will become entangled in a night of champagne, secrets and bloody sacrifice – and the foundations of magic in Britain might be torn up by the roots before the end.

A Power Unbound is the spellbinding conclusion to The Last Binding trilogy by Freya Marske

My Review:
I had such a fantastic time reading this book! I've really fallen in love with this series, and this was a perfect end to the series, I loved how the story came together and came to a close, that it's Jack and Alan's story, as well as the group as a whole with a final showdown!

We briefly met Jack in the first book, and Alan in the second, where they had a good deal of time together. Which was interesting, because Jack is a Lord, he's got a high position, whereas Alan is Italian, and poor, working really hard to take care of his family. And he has a strong hatred of the ruling class. They're antagonistic, but there's also tension. Really enjoyed their dynamic! 

The main plot is taking control of the Last Contract, so all the magic of Britain's magicians could be controlled by whoever had the contract. Which is such an awful idea, and precisely why they're fighting against it. That it's sanctioned by the government, even if they aren't aware of what is being done, makes things all the more complicated. That the bad guys were trying to blame the good guys for their own actions...hiss! 

The way that things came together for that finale was really well done. All the surviving players have a role, and each second was so very tense, wondering what was going to happen next. How it worked out in the end was satisfying, and I'm glad that it worked out ath way. 

This was an amazing read and I can't wait to read more by Freya Marske! 

Author: Freya Marske
Series: The Last Binding #3
Read: July 26th, 2024 
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a End of Series 2024 Book, Historical Fiction 2024 Book and a Prequel Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Tor
Published: November 9th 2023 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 30 Review: One for All

From Goodreads:

An OwnVoices, gender-bent retelling of The Three Musketeers, in which a girl with a chronic illness trains as a Musketeer and uncovers secrets, sisterhood, and self-love.

Tania de Batz is most herself with a sword in her hand. Everyone in town thinks her near-constant dizziness makes her weak, nothing but "a sick girl"; even her mother is desperate to marry her off for security. But Tania wants to be strong, independent, a fencer like her father—a former Musketeer and her greatest champion.

Then Papa is brutally, mysteriously murdered. His dying wish? For Tania to attend finishing school. But L'Académie des Mariées, Tania realizes, is no finishing school. It's a secret training ground for a new kind of Musketeer: women who are socialites on the surface, but strap daggers under their skirts, seduce men into giving up dangerous secrets, and protect France from downfall. And they don't shy away from a swordfight.

With her newfound sisters at her side, Tania feels for the first time like she has a purpose, like she belongs. But then she meets Étienne, her first target in uncovering a potential assassination plot. He's kind, charming, and breathlessly attractive—and he might have information about what really happened to her father. Torn between duty and dizzying emotion, Tania will have to lean on her friends, listen to her own body, and decide where her loyalties lie…or risk losing everything she's ever wanted.

This debut novel is a fierce, whirlwind adventure about the depth of found family, the strength that goes beyond the body, and the determination it takes to fight for what you love.

My Review:


Author: Lillie Lainoff
Read: July 26th, 2024 
Source: Bought
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book, Historical Fiction 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Published: March 8th 2022

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 30 Review: The Alpha of Bleake Isle

From Goodreads:

He's waited half a century to choose an omega.

Lord Ronson Cadogan can stall no longer. He needs an omega and he needs an heir.

Settled on the obvious perfect choice, and determined to see his fate through, Ronson can't afford to wait for the next ceremony to claim what he is owed. If only he was more excited about the match.

They call her the mouse.

Mairwen Posy knows precisely who the Alpha of Bleake Isle will choose, and it certainly isn't her. In fact, it's so predictable it's almost boring.

Resigned to her fate of disappearing into the background, Mairwen takes the role of observer, distracting the ache of being left out with the entertainment of dragonkin society's unfolding stories.

All is as expected, until the sudden twist in a familiar plot sends Mairwen in the least likely direction, right into the arms of the alpha. The Alpha of Bleake Isle is book one in a new dragon shifter fantasy romance series, inspired by the historical and omegaverse genres. Each book in the series will focus on a different couple, and will include their in-book HEA.

My Review:


Author: Kathryn Moon
Series: Dragonkin #1
Read: July 25th, 2024 
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Sounded really good and I really enjoy his writing, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Kathryn Moon
Published: March 26th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 30 Review: Forestfall

From Goodreads:

Some oaths can never be broken...

The curse that haunted Lakesedge Estate has been broken, but at great cost. Violeta Graceling has sacrificed herself to end the Corruption. To escape death, Leta makes a desperate bargain with the Lord Under, one that sees her living at his side in the land of the dead.

But this world of souls and mist hides many secrets. And when Leta realizes she is still connected to Rowan by a tethering spell, she will risk everything— even her soul— to try and reach him.

Torn between power and love, life and death, Leta struggles to keep hold of her humanity as she falls further and further under the spell of the world Below… and the Lord Under.

My Review:
Yeah, I loved reading this book! The first book was fantastic, and I needed to know what was going to happen next! After the ending with Leta taking in the corruption, and then not being able to purge it, to have to stay in the world Below...I'm glad that I picked this book up pretty soon after reading the first book!

We did get both Leta and Rowan's perspective, which was really interesting, to see how they were both doing, with both of them trying to get her back, and the different difficulties that they were facing. Because of course it wasn't easy! 

We got to explore more of this world, and the powers, and the world Below, and quite a number of events happened, and the status quo was changed. I wasn't sure how they were going to solve things, so she could come back, given that she's inadvertently tied herself closer to the realm below. 

The ending was so satisfying to read. After all that they'd been through, all that was sacrificed, I'm so pleased with how things worked out for them. This story took them places, and it was so great to see, and I loved where it left them! 

This was a fantastic read and I can't wait to read more by Lyndall Clipstone! 

Author: Lyndall Clipstone 
Series: World at the Lake's Edge #2
Read: July 25th, 2024 
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing and the first book, and it's a End of Series 2024 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Published: September 27th 2022

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 30 Review: This Fatal Kiss

From Goodreads:

Spirit away with a whimsical fantasy filled with dark magic and flirty, polyamorous romance.

Cursed to haunt the river running through the magical spa town where she drowned, Gisela is a water nymph who dreams of returning to the living world and the family she left behind. All it takes to regain her humanity is a kiss from a mortal...but everyone sees her as a monster.

And then there's Kazik, the brooding, interfering, spirit-hunting grandson of a local witch. He's determined to rid the world of unholy creatures like Gisela. After Kazik botches Gisela's exorcism, she strikes up a deal. She won't tell the other spirits that he's losing his magic, if he agrees to play matchmaker and helps her get a kiss. But Gisela's plan goes awry when Kazik also falls for the devilishly handsome young man that she sets her heart on—someone who could be linked to Gisela's troubled past.

Finely crafted with a magical setting, this delectable quest through the spirit world is an enchanting read for fairy tale enthusiasts and YA fans of queer romantasy.

My Review:


Author: Alicia Jasinska
Read: July 25th, 2024 
Source: Edelweiss 
Reason Why: Really enjoyed her other books, and it's a SAC 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Peachtree Teen
Expected Publication: September 24th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 30 Review: Song of the Dead

From Goodreads:

The Dead must stay buried.

Karthia is nothing like it used to be. The kingdom's borders are open for the first time in nearly three hundred years, and raising the dead has been outlawed. Odessa is determined to explore the world beyond Karthia's waters, hoping to heal a heart broken in more ways than she can count. But with Meredy joining the ocean voyage, vanquishing her sorrow will be a difficult task.

Despite the daily reminder of the history they share, Odessa and Meredy are fascinated when their journey takes them to a land where the Dead rule the night and dragons roam the streets. Odessa can't help being mesmerized by the new magic--and by the girl at her side. But just as she and Meredy are beginning to explore the new world, a terrifying development in Karthia summons them home at once.

Growing political unrest on top of threats from foreign invaders means Odessa and Meredy are thrust back into the lives they tried to leave behind while specters from their past haunt their tenuous relationship. Gathering a force big enough to ward off enemies seems impossible, until one of Queen Valoria's mages creates a weapon that could make them invincible. As danger continues to mount inside the palace, Odessa fears that without the Dead, even the greatest invention won't be enough to save their fates.

My Review:
I had a really great time reading this book! It did few a bit young at times from the ways that the characters were speaking and acting, but it was a really great story and I had a really good time listening to it! 

The first book could've been a standalone, the story ended in a good place. But I'm glad that we got this sequel, to see more of the world, as well as explore what happens when a big change happens. Especially in this case of a country which had so long adamantly opposed to change. 

Odessa and Meredy weren't a couple at the end of the previous book. The feeling were there, but they both were still dealing with the loss of both their previous romantic relationships. I'm glad that they got some time to heal together. Of course something happened, that led to Odessa having to help Meredy out of something addictive, and realize just how hard it was to do what Meredy did for Odessa. Though I am still a bit confused as to the origins of the stone, and what its purpose was.

The growing threat that they were facing, I loved having all the clues being introduced here and there, so when it came to the reveal, it was really dramatic and almost out of left field, but those clues had been planted. Loved how it all resolved, that was a satisfying ending for the bad guy! 

I enjoyed reading this book and I can’t wait to read my by Sarah Glenn Marsh! 

Author: Sarah Glenn Marsh
Series: Reign of the Fallen #2
Read: July 25th, 2024
Source: Library
Reason Why: Really enjoyed the first book and it's a End of Series 2024 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Listening Library
Published: January 29th 2019

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 30 Review: The Wilde Trials

From Goodreads:

From the acclaimed author of The Rosewood Hunt comes a thrilling new mystery about a high-stakes competition packed with shocking twists, second chances, and deadly deceit, where allies—and enemies—are the people you'd least expect.

Chloe Gatti will do whatever it takes to win her elite boarding school's annual competition, the Wilde Trials. In the two weeks leading up to graduation from Wilde Academy, a dozen seniors are chosen to compete in a series of seven ultimate physical and mental tests, and the winner will take home over half a million dollars—money that Chloe needs to help her sick sister.

But the competition is fierce, and includes her brooding ex-boyfriend, Hayes Stratford, whose brother was the only student to die during the Trials a few years ago. When someone starts blackmailing Chloe during the competition, she's forced to strike a deal with Hayes—if he helps her discover who is sabotaging her, she'll help him solve the mystery his brother left behind.

Following clues from Hayes's brother, the unlikely allies discover that something isn't right about the Wilde Trials. With a lifechanging prize looming over her head and her buried feelings for Hayes rising to the surface, Chloe will have to decide what's really worth fighting for, and if the cost of competing outweighs the potential consequences, even if that includes ending up like Hayes's brother—dead.

Fans of Jessica Goodman and Maureen Johnson will love this dark academia thriller with a romantic twist!

My Review:


Author: Mackenzie Reed 
Read: July 24th, 2024
Source: Edelweiss 
Reason Why: Loved her first book, and it's a SAC 2024 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Harper Collins 
Expected Publication: January 21st 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars