Sunday, January 26, 2025

Wrote that Review Update #546, January 26th

Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!
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 Death at a Highland Wedding, The Stepsister's Tale, Sofi and the Bone Song, Of Mountains and Seas, I Am Not Jessica Chen, Onyx Storm, Memories of Ash, Voice of the Ocean, The Secret War, Don't Let Me Go, so I have 10 of 10 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 #549, January 26th

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 5:
The Dryad Storm by Laurie Forest

NetGalley: NA.

Edelweiss: NBA.

New Books: 1. Check.

One new book that I need to read, I thought it was coming out in March, but it's out, and I need to read it! 

Week 4:
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

vs.

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong, The Stepsister's Tale by Tracy Barrett, Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley, Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne, I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang, Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani, Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche, The Secret War by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma and Madaug Hishinuma, Don't Let Me Go by Kevin Christopher Snipes

I read what I wanted, and more, so I'm happy with this week, and I can't wait for next week! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Wheel of TBR #244, January 26th

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 Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou, The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter, and I started A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson.

Binge Read Wheel:
For this month, the wheel chose Dying to Read. I read I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang, Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani, The Secret War by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma and Madaug Hishinuma, so I've read 12/9+.

Prompts Used This Week:
Reading Challenge, 2023 Purchase, Month.

Reading Challenge-Rose-Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer-This book could definitely fill a reading challenge of big book, and probably has a map, so I'll read that! 

2023 Purchase-Cyan-Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim-I bought this book in 2023, so that works! 

Month-Violet-December-The Party by Natasha Preston-This book came out December 3rd, 2024, so that works! 

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

Prompts for Next Week:
ARC Book to Read in 2024-Red
Series Started and Unfinished/Current 2021-Orange
Booktuber Read-Yellow
Spine-Chartreuse
Steal a Book-Green
Book Battle-Spring Green
Review Post-Cyan
Genre As Last Read-Azure
NetGalley Book to Read in 2021-Blue
Most Anticipated-Violet
Catch Up With Author-Magenta
ARC Book to Read in 2025-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 #697, January 26th

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 Death at a Highland Wedding which counts 4 times as a Historical Fiction 2025 Book, NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book, The Stepsister's Tale which counts 5 times as a 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, Edelweiss Book, SAC 2025 Book and a WTC Book, Sofi and the Bone Song which counts 3 times as a SAC 2025 Book and a WoW Book, Of Mountains and Seas which counts 5 times as a DAC Book, Historical Fiction 2025 Book, NetGalley Book and a SAC 2025 Book, I Am Not Jessica Chen which counts 4 times as a Edelweiss Book, SAC 2025 Book and a WoW Book, Onyx Storm which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book, Memories of Ash which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Voice of the Ocean which counts 5 times as a DAC Book, NetGalley Book, SAC 2025 Book and WoW Book, The Secret War which counts 4 times as a Historical Fiction 2025 Book, NetGalley Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Don't Let Me Go which counts 5 times as a Edelweiss Book, SAC 2025 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book.

So I have 40 counts which translates to $20 this week! I'll use it to buy books!

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Phase Out Your TBR Update 15

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was The Bullet That Missed which is for the prompt Green 2 and I'll be reading The Dryad Storm next! 

My Reading Journey:

Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 12
Started On: January 14th, 
Finished On: January 14th, 7:28 PM 
Pages Read: 416

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 7
Started On: January 15th
Finished On: January 15th, 11:38 AM
Pages Read: 496

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 4
Started On: January 16th
Finished On: January 16th, 8:41 PM
Pages Read: 368

The Warrior God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 6
Started On: January 17th
Finished On: January 17th, 2:51 PM
Pages Read: 306

The Golden God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 8
Started On: January 17th
Finished On: January 17th, 9:18 PM
Pages Read: 270

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10
Started On: January 18th
Finished On: January 18th, 2:28 PM
Pages Read: 441

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7
Started On: January 19th
Finished On: January 19th, 4:29 PM
Pages Read: 416

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 12
Started On: January 21st 
Finished On: January 21st, 9:41 PM
Pages Read: 554

Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 3
Started On: January 23rd
Finished On: January 23rd, 7:37 PM
Pages Read: 432

The Secret War by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma and Madaug Hishinuma
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 6
Started On: January 24th
Finished On: January 24th, 2:48 PM
Pages Read: 208

Don't Let Me Go by Kevin Christopher Snipes
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 5
Started On: January 24th
Finished On: January 24th, 7:25 PM
Pages Read: 400

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: Green Wild (Green 4)
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM
Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 3:45 PM
Pages Read: 544

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 7:17 PM
Pages Read: 432

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Oseman
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 2
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 PM
Pages Read: 412

The Dryad Storm by Laurie Forest
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 9
Started On: January 
Currently On: Page 0 of 752

Prompts Left: Green 9, Yellow 3, Yellow 5, Blue 7, Green 7, Blue 11
Books Read: 15
Pages Read: 7471

Phase Out Your TBR Update 14

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was The Man Who Died Twice which is for the prompt Red 12 and I'll be reading The Bullet That Missed next! 

My Reading Journey:

Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 12
Started On: January 14th, 
Finished On: January 14th, 7:28 PM 
Pages Read: 416

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 7
Started On: January 15th
Finished On: January 15th, 11:38 AM
Pages Read: 496

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 4
Started On: January 16th
Finished On: January 16th, 8:41 PM
Pages Read: 368

The Warrior God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 6
Started On: January 17th
Finished On: January 17th, 2:51 PM
Pages Read: 306

The Golden God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 8
Started On: January 17th
Finished On: January 17th, 9:18 PM
Pages Read: 270

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10
Started On: January 18th
Finished On: January 18th, 2:28 PM
Pages Read: 441

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7
Started On: January 19th
Finished On: January 19th, 4:29 PM
Pages Read: 416

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 12
Started On: January 21st 
Finished On: January 21st, 9:41 PM
Pages Read: 554

Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 3
Started On: January 23rd
Finished On: January 23rd, 7:37 PM
Pages Read: 432

The Secret War by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma and Madaug Hishinuma
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 6
Started On: January 24th
Finished On: January 24th, 2:48 PM
Pages Read: 208

Don't Let Me Go by Kevin Christopher Snipes
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 5
Started On: January 24th
Finished On: January 24th, 7:25 PM
Pages Read: 400

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: Green Wild (Green 4)
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM
Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 3:45 PM
Pages Read: 544

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 7:17 PM
Pages Read: 432

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Oseman
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 2
Started On: January 25th
Currently On: Page 0 of 412

Prompts Left: Green 9, Yellow 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 9, Blue 7, Green 7, Blue 11
Books Read: 14
Pages Read: 7059

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 3

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was The Crimson Crown which was for the prompt ID, and I'll be reading The Party next! 

My Reading Journey:

Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani 
Prompt Fulfilled: 1C
Started On: January 22nd
Finished On: January 22nd, 4:28 PM
Pages Read: 355

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: 1B
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM
Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Prompt Fulfilled: 1D
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 3:45 PM
Pages Read: 544

The Party by Natasha Preston
Prompt Fulfilled: 1C
Started On: January 27
Currently On: Page 0 of 352

Prompts Left: 1E, 1B, 1A
Read: 3
Pages Read: 1235

Phase Out Your TBR Update 13

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was The Crimson Crown which is for the prompt Red 12 and I'll be reading The Man Who Died Twice next! 

My Reading Journey:

Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 12
Started On: January 14th, 
Finished On: January 14th, 7:28 PM 
Pages Read: 416

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 7
Started On: January 15th
Finished On: January 15th, 11:38 AM
Pages Read: 496

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 4
Started On: January 16th
Finished On: January 16th, 8:41 PM
Pages Read: 368

The Warrior God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 6
Started On: January 17th
Finished On: January 17th, 2:51 PM
Pages Read: 306

The Golden God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 8
Started On: January 17th
Finished On: January 17th, 9:18 PM
Pages Read: 270

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10
Started On: January 18th
Finished On: January 18th, 2:28 PM
Pages Read: 441

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7
Started On: January 19th
Finished On: January 19th, 4:29 PM
Pages Read: 416

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 12
Started On: January 21st 
Finished On: January 21st, 9:41 PM
Pages Read: 554

Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 3
Started On: January 23rd
Finished On: January 23rd, 7:37 PM
Pages Read: 432

The Secret War by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma and Madaug Hishinuma
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 6
Started On: January 24th
Finished On: January 24th, 2:48 PM
Pages Read: 208

Don't Let Me Go by Kevin Christopher Snipes
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 5
Started On: January 24th
Finished On: January 24th, 7:25 PM
Pages Read: 400

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: Green Wild (Green 4)
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM
Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 3:45 PM
Pages Read: 544

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12
Started On: January 25th
Currently On: Page 0 of 432

Prompts Left: Green 2, Green 9, Yellow 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 9, Blue 7, Green 7, Blue 11
Books Read: 13
Pages Read: 6627

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 2

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was Hearts that Cut which was for the prompt 1B, and I'll be reading The Crimson Crown next! 

My Reading Journey:

Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani 
Prompt Fulfilled: 1C
Started On: January 22nd
Finished On: January 22nd, 4:28 PM
Pages Read: 355

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: 1B
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM
Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Prompt Fulfilled: 1D
Started On: January 25th
Currently On: Page 0 of 544

Prompts Left: 1C, 1E, 1B, 1A
Read: 2
Pages Read: 691

Phase Out Your TBR Update 12

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was Hearts That Cut which is for the prompt Green Wild (Green 4) and I'll be reading The Crimson Crown next! 

My Reading Journey:

Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 12
Started On: January 14th, 
Finished On: January 14th, 7:28 PM 
Pages Read: 416

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 7
Started On: January 15th
Finished On: January 15th, 11:38 AM
Pages Read: 496

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 4
Started On: January 16th
Finished On: January 16th, 8:41 PM
Pages Read: 368

The Warrior God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 6
Started On: January 17th
Finished On: January 17th, 2:51 PM
Pages Read: 306

The Golden God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 8
Started On: January 17th
Finished On: January 17th, 9:18 PM
Pages Read: 270

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10
Started On: January 18th
Finished On: January 18th, 2:28 PM
Pages Read: 441

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7
Started On: January 19th
Finished On: January 19th, 4:29 PM
Pages Read: 416

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 12
Started On: January 21st 
Finished On: January 21st, 9:41 PM
Pages Read: 554

Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 3
Started On: January 23rd
Finished On: January 23rd, 7:37 PM
Pages Read: 432

The Secret War by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma and Madaug Hishinuma
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 6
Started On: January 24th
Finished On: January 24th, 2:48 PM
Pages Read: 208

Don't Let Me Go by Kevin Christopher Snipes
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 5
Started On: January 24th
Finished On: January 24th, 7:25 PM
Pages Read: 400

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: Green Wild (Green 4)
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM
Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12
Started On: January 25th
Currently On: Page 0 of 544

Prompts Left: Green 2, Green 9, Red 12, Yellow 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 9, Blue 7, Green 7, Blue 11
Books Read: 12
Pages Read: 6083

Week 4 Review: Don't Let Me Go

From Goodreads:
From acclaimed author Kevin Christopher Snipes comes a moving romance about two star-crossed boys trapped in a millennium-spanning cycle of reincarnation whose only hope of escape may be a price that neither is willing to pay. Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Eliot Shrefer!

Out and proud, Riley Iverson knows there's nothing more cringe than crushing on a straight boy. But from the moment that the handsome, sporty, and painfully heterosexual Jackson Haines walks into his life, Riley can't help but feel an instant and undeniable connection. Mainly because, as impossible as it seems, Jackson is the spitting image of the boy who's recently appeared in Riley's dreams—dreams set in another time and another place where he and Jackson were desperately in love.

At first Riley tries to dismiss the coincidence as a product of his hormone-fueled, overactive imagination, but as his friendship with Jackson deepens into something more, the dreams prove harder to ignore. Especially when Jackson begins having them too. Plunged into increasingly vivid visions of the past, the boys find themselves in various eras scattered throughout history. No matter where or when their dreams take them, though, two things remain Riley and Jackson are always together, and they always die at the end.

As it becomes increasingly difficult to view their dreams as anything but warnings, the boys are forced to consider the possibility that their burgeoning relationship might be propelling them headfirst into their own tragic ending. But is it worth staying apart to save their lives if the price is forsaking a love that has defied not only time and space but even death itself?

My Review:


Author: Kevin Christopher Snipes
Read: January 24th, 2025 
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a SAC 2025 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Harper Collins
Expected Publication: May 20th 2025
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 4 Review: The Secret War

From Goodreads:
From bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon and debut authors Hinako & Madaug Hishinuma comes a middle-grade fantasy adventure unlike any other, where demons rub shoulders with gods and one boy must learn to control his power before it's too late.

Banished, isolated, and hunted for a destiny he doesn't understand, Ryuichi must learn to master the powers he inherited from his mother in order to protect the sacred gates that separate the mortal world from the realm of demons. If he doesn't, kami, yôkai, and demons who are hellbent on making mankind suffer will flood the human realm.

No one can be trusted. Not even his own guardian … And here he thought puberty was the worst thing to threaten his sanity.

If he's going to survive, Ryuichi has to figure out who his real allies are—and who wants him dead. He'll learn that sometimes things have to go wrong in order to go right, and to overcome evil you might have to bend the rules—and believe in people others tell you not to trust.

My Review:


Authors: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma and Madaug Hishinuma
Series: Shadow Wars #1
Read: January 24th, 2025 
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing, and it's a Historical Fiction 2025 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book! 
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Expected Publication: May 27th 2025
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 4 Review: Voice of the Ocean

From Goodreads:
From popular content creator Kelsey Impicciche, Voice of the Ocean follows a daring young siren who defies her people to save a human prince, unearthing ancient magic and igniting a dangerous romance amid treacherous waters.

As the youngest daughter of the siren queen, Celeste's life is tightly controlled. Desperate to prove her worth and escape her destiny—trapped in the palace as a royal figurehead—she intends to join the Chorus, an elite group of siren warriors. With the final test on the horizon, Celeste feels the pressure to finally gain control over her temperamental Song—a magic gifted by the Goddess herself. But when Celeste encounters a seemingly harmless ship in Staria's waters, helmed by the intriguing Prince Raiden Sharp, her path veers toward forbidden waters.

Believing the handsome sailor to be innocent of any wrongdoing, Celeste defies siren law to save Raiden's life—despite knowing he is the son of a king who has murdered many of her kindred. The penalty for Celeste's betrayal should be death, but the queen offers her an right her wrong by assassinating the prince. Determined to first discover the truth behind the prince's clandestine mission, Celeste agrees to become human.

But the human world is nothing like she expected, nor is the prince the charming and noble man she assumed him to be. Disguised among Raiden's ragtag crew, she searches for the truth. But as Celeste finds her place aboard the ship, friendships—and attraction—begin to grow. Will Celeste be able to do what must be done? Or will her choices unravel a kingdom, devastating sirens and humans alike?

My Review:


Author: Kelsey Impicciche
Read: January 23rd, 2025 
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book, SAC 2025 Book  and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Expected Publication: April 22nd 2025
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 4 Review: Memories of Ash

From Goodreads:
An unjust imprisonment. A rogue apprentice. One epic jailbreak.

In the year since she cast her sunbolt, Hitomi has recovered only a handful of memories. But the truths of the past have a tendency to come calling, and an isolated mountain fastness can offer only so much shelter. When the High Council of Mages summons Brigit Stormwind to stand trial for treason, Hitomi knows her wrongfully accused mentor won't return—not with Arch Mage Blackflame behind the charges.

Armed only with her magic and her wits, Hitomi vows to free her mentor from captivity. She must traverse spell-cursed lands and barren deserts, facing powerful ancient enchantments and navigating bitter enmities, in order to reunite with old friends and plan a rescue equal parts magic and trickery.

Pick up Memories of Ash now and join Hitomi on a spellbinding adventure through the gorgeously diverse world of Intisar Khanani's Sunbolt Chronicles.

My Review:


Author: Intisar Khanani
Series: The Sunbolt Chronicles #2
Read: January 22nd, 2025
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book! 
Publisher: Snowy Wings Press
Published: March 26th 2024
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 4 Review: Onyx Storm

From Goodreads:
THE STORM IS COMING . . .

Get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.

After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there's no more time for lessons.
No more time for uncertainty.
Because the battle has truly begun; and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it's impossible to know who to trust.
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre.
The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves - her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.
They need an army.
They need power.
They need magic.
And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth.
But a storm is coming... and not everyone can survive its wrath.

My Review:
I loved reading this book! I love this world and characters so much, and this was worth the wait! While I personally didn't have any problem with Iron Flame, I know some people didn't like it as much, and I think wanted more time, to edit it and such. But either way, this book was so fantastic, and I loved it so much! 

What with Zaden starting the process to turn, yeah, that really complicates their relationship, because there's a chance that he could kill her, and he's well aware of the fact. So the banter, the rising tension, and the quest to try and reverse the process, my heart hurt for them, to have to go through that. Because if he hadn't, then they would've lost, they wouldn't have had the time to figure out how to get the circle going again. 

This is the book were we learn more about the world. That the leave the continent, looking for answers, and looking for help, meant that we saw a lot of different little islands and customs, which was so interesting to read. We also learned more about dragons, and the gods, and some secret history also got revealed, which also raised new questions. Not the part where Violet's ex is another one of the princes, that makes sense, also why he's an ex, but it was pretty shocking! Not as much as what her dad kept hidden though. 

That ending though! I mean, I'm glad that they fought off the bad guys, but at what cost? Zaden used more power, which wasn't good. And then that last chapter, where Violet showed up missing memories? I hope that's a good thing, but it could so easily be a bad thing, and we won't know which until the next book at the earliest. Though yeah, they're married! 

Reading this book was so fantastic, and I can't wait for book 4, though I do hope that Rebecca Yarros gets the rest that she mentioned in one interview! 

Author: Rebecca Yarros 
Series: The Empyrean #3
Read: January 21st, 2025 
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Published: January 21st 2025
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 4 Review: I Am Not Jessica Chen

From Goodreads:
From the bestselling, and award-winning author of If You Could See The Sun comes a new page-turning speculative YA about a girl who wishes she could be as perfect and successful as her cousin... then wakes up the next morning in her cousin's body.

After getting rejected by every single Ivy League she applied to and falling short of all her Asian immigrant parents' expectations, seventeen-year-old Jenna Chen makes a wish to become her smarter, infinitely more successful Harvard-bound cousin, Jessica Chen -- only for her wish to come true.

Literally.

Now trapped inside Jessica's body, with access to Jessica's most private journals and secrets, Jenna soon discovers that being the top student at the elite, highly competitive Havenwood Private Academy isn't quite what she imagined. Worse, as everyone -- including her own parents -- start having trouble remembering who Jenna Chen is, or if she ever even existed, Jenna must decide if playing the role of the perfect daughter and student is worth losing her true self forever.

My Review:


Author: Ann Liang 
Read: January 20th, 2025
Source: Edelweiss 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really good, and it's a SAC 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Expected Publication: January 28th 2025
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 4 Review: Of Mountains and Seas

From Goodreads:
For some, the only way to possess magic is to steal it from others.

Born without magic, Davis is an outcast in his own shapeshifter family. Yearning for his father's approval, he sets down a path that intertwines with Iris, a girl whose own ambitions are hindered by a mysterious illness.

Their quest leads to Yuras, one of California's smallest towns, unremarkable until they discover a cave of magic-transferring stones. Now they have a chance to change their fates. But they're not alone.

When locals stumble upon the cave, they unknowingly set into motion a series of events that threatens to expose Davis's past.

As dark truths surface, one question endures: How much are they willing to take in their quest for power?

My Review:
This was such a great read! I was quickly swept away by this story, of these different characters in different times as their stories came together, learning more about this world-and finding out just what the heck was going on!

I knew ahead of time, that the beginning of this book was chock full of time jumping around, but even knowing that, I was a bit confused at the beginning, but that's more of a me problem then a book problem, because while most of my thing about hearing someone speak who isn't in the room has gone away as I've increasingly gotten used to audiobooks, for some reason, I have a hard time remembering numbers, and the years were a big part of the story, in nailing down the timeline, which was a big reason why I was confused.

But oh, once I had things straightened out in my head, all these different characters and how their stories were coming together, it was so fantastic! There were 3 main threads, and it was pretty surprising how they all connected, and I loved seeing how they all intersected in the end! 

It doesn't have a series listed yet, so I'm putting it as a standalone, but the end of this book had a mention of a sequel, so I'm fairly certain one is coming. While the way things ended could have, and currently technically is, a stand alone, the little teaser about how not everyone is happy with the changes, is causing waves, and I'd love to read htat! 

Loved reading this book, and I do hope we really get the sequel that was mentioned! 

Author: Emily Renk Hawthorne 
Read: January 20th, 2025
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book, Historical Fiction 2025 Book and a SAC 2025 Book! 
Publisher: Hawk Ridge Press
Published: January 7th 2025
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 4 Review: Sofi and the Bone Song

From Goodreads:
In this gorgeous standalone fantasy with a “sweet sapphic romance” ( Booklist ), a young musician sets out to expose her rival for illegal use of magic only to discover the deception goes deeper than she could have imagined—perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens !

Music runs in Sofi's blood.

Her father is a Musik, one of only five musicians in the country licensed to compose and perform original songs. In the kingdom of Aell, where winter is endless and magic is accessible to all, there are strict anti-magic laws ensuring music remains the last untouched art.

Sofi has spent her entire life training to inherit her father's title. But on the day of the auditions, she is presented with unexpected competition in the form of Lara, a girl who has never before played the lute. Yet somehow, to Sofi's horror, Lara puts on a performance that thoroughly enchants the judges.

Almost like magic.

The same day Lara wins the title of Musik, Sofi's father dies, and a grieving Sofi sets out to prove Lara is using illegal magic in her performances. But the more time she spends with Lara, the more Sofi begins to doubt everything she knows about her family, her music, and the girl she thought was her enemy.

As Sofi works to reclaim her rightful place as a Musik, she is forced to face the dark secrets of her past and the magic she was trained to avoid—all while trying not to fall for the girl who stole her future.

My Review:


Author: Adrienne Tooley 
Read: January 19th, 2025 
Source: Ebook.bke 
Reason Why: Sounded good, and it's a SAC 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published: April 19th 2022
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 4 Review: The Stepsister's Tale

From Goodreads:
What really happened after the clock struck midnight?

Jane Montjoy is tired of being a lady. She's tired of pretending to live up to the standards of her mother's noble family-especially now that the family's wealth is gone and their stately mansion has fallen to ruin. It's hard enough that she must tend to the animals and find a way to feed her mother and her little sister each day. Jane's burden only gets worse after her mother returns from a trip to town with a new stepfather and stepsister in tow. Despite the family's struggle to prepare for the long winter ahead, Jane's stepfather remains determined to give his beautiful but spoiled child her every desire. 

When her stepfather suddenly dies, leaving nothing but debts and a bereaved daughter behind, it seems to Jane that her family is destined for eternal unhappiness. But a mysterious boy from the woods and an invitation to a royal ball are certain to change her fate...

From the handsome prince to the evil stepsister, nothing is quite as it seems in Tracy Barrett's stunning retelling of the classic Cinderella tale.

My Review:


Author: Tracy Barrett
Read: January 18th, 2025
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, SAC 2025 Book and a WTC Book!
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: June 24th 2014
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 4 Review: Death at a Highland Wedding

From Goodreads:
Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth installment in New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong's gripping Rip Through Time Novels.

After slipping 150 years into the past, modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson has embraced her new life in Victorian Scotland as housemaid Catriona Mitchel. Although it isnt what she expected, she's developed real, meaningful relationships with the people around her and has come to love her role as assistant to undertaker Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie.

Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie are on their way to the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie's younger sister's wedding. The McCreadies and the groom’s family, the Cranstons, have a complicated history which has made the weekend quite uncomfortable. But the Cranston estate is beautiful so Gray and Mallory decide to escape the stifling company and set off to explore the castle and surrounding wilderness. They discover that the groom, Archie Cranston, a slightly pompous and prickly man, has set up deadly traps in the woods for the endangered Scottish wildcats, and they soon come across a cat who's been caught and severely injured. Oddly, Mallory notices the cat's injuries don't match up with the intricacies of the trap. These strange irregularities, combined with the secretive and erratic behavior of the groom, put Mallory and Duncan on edge. And then when one of the guests is murdered, they must work fast to uncover the murderer before another life is lost.

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong's unique time travel mystery series continues to entertain as Mallory adjusts to life in the 1870s.

My Review:
Oh, this was an incredible read! I love this series so much, and I was excited for this latest mystery after the events of the previous book! Because now that she got to say goodbye to her family, and that she chose to be in the past, that means something. This was a fantastic addition to the series! 

That this is the marriage of McCreadie's sister, to the brother of the girl that he was supposed to marry, so the families are joining, just with different siblings making up the matrimonial pair, was so interesting! We finally got the whole story of what happened, why McCreadie got disinherited. So that brought up a lot of complicated feelings, and that was before the death occurred. 

Sometimes, I wonder just how much of humanity would have lived longer if certain things that modern society is used to, were introduced sooner. Because while they're slowly starting to implement our modern idea of a police force, of course it happens first in cities, then moves out to the rural areas, which is where this takes place. With a pretty incompetent investigator, which was both helpful and harmful to the investigation, because he had no idea what he was doing, and had the attitude that he wasn't going to take instruction from outsiders, even if they know better. Which sometimes really got my emotions going. 

Given that this is about a wedding, that brings up all sorts of relationships. Like between McCreadie and Isla, but also between Mallory and Gray. Some of it hurt, there were some misunderstandings that I hope can be cleared up, but some of it was positive, though it'll mean change, which I'm excited to see! 

Kelley Armstrong's mysteries are always so well done. The truth can always be figured out, but there's plenty that lead me astray, so that ending, what had happened, was pretty shocking. I didn't expect that it would go in that direction, and I really enjoyed how things shaped up. 

Loved reading this book so much, and I can't wait to read more by Kelley Armstrong! 

Author: Kelley Armstrong 
Series: A Rip Through Time #4
Read: January 18th, 2025 
Source: NetGalley  
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Historical Fiction 2025 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Expected Publication: May 20th 2025 
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars