Book Review

Review: Our Dark Duet by V. E. Schwab

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Our Dark Duet by V. E. Schwab (UK edition)

Title: Our Dark Duet (A Monsters of Verity Novel, 2)
Author: V. E. Schwab
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Titan Books (13th June 2017)
Blurb:

Kate Harker is a girl who hunts monsters. And she’s good at it. August Flynn is a monster who can never be human. Nearly six months after Kate and August were first thrown together, the war between the monsters and the humans is a terrifying reality. In Verity, August has become the leader he never wished to be, and in Prosperity, Kate has become the ruthless hunter she knew she could be. When a new monster emerges from the shadows – one who feeds on chaos and brings out its victim’s inner demons – Kate must face a monster she thought she’d killed, a boy she thought she knew, and a demon all her own . . .

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Review:

OUR DARK DUET is the second and final book in V. E. Schwab’s Monsters of Verity series. It continues the stories of Kate Harker and August Flynn nearly six months after the events of THIS SAVAGE SONG, still very much apart. Kate has left Verity behind and become a ruthless hunter of monsters. August has become the leader he never wanted to be. There seems no chance that their paths will cross again. A new monster emerges from the shadows, one that is nothing like any monster seen before – it feeds on chaos, bringing people’s inner demons to the surface. All paths lead back to Verity.

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Review: Truth or Dare by Non Pratt

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Truth or Dare by Non Pratt (UK edition; front cover)

Title: Truth or Dare
Author: Non Pratt
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Publisher: Walker Books (1st June 2017)
Blurb:

How far is too far when it comes to the people you love?

Claire Casey hates being the centre of attention. But if it means getting Sef Malik to notice her, it’s a risk she’s happy to take. Sef is prepared to do anything to help his recently disabled brother. But this means putting Claire’s love – and life – on the line. Because when you’re willing to risk everything, what is there left to lose?

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Review:

TRUTH OR DARE by Non Pratt is a contemporary young adult book set in the UK. It tells the stories of Claire and Sef, who get together and create a YouTube channel designed to raise money for their friend who was very badly injured. They do this by creating alter egos who play a version of truth or dare. The story follows them as they become friends and try to help. The book itself is split into three sections. The first tells the story from Claire’s point of view; the second from Sef’s; and the third section is split between them.

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Review: The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman

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The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman (UK edition)

Title: The View from the Cheap Seats
Author: Neil Gaiman
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP (11th April 2017)
Blurb:

‘Literature does not occur in a vacuum.
It cannot be a monologue. It has to be a conversation’

This collection will draw you in to exchanges on making good art and Syrian refugees, the power of a single word and playing the kazoo with Stephen King, writing about books, comics and the imagination of friends, being sad at the Oscars and telling lies for a living. Here Neil Gaiman opens our minds to the people he admires and the things he believes might just mean something – and welcomes us to the conversation too.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Review:

In THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS Neil Gaiman dips his toe into the non-fiction genre with a series of essays on a variety of topics. It is hard to sum up this collection, as the topics covered are so varied and different; they have also been written at various stages of the author’s life. To try and create some form of cohesion within the book the eighty-seven (if I haven’t miscounted) articles are split into ten loosely themed sections, but even those are chaotic in nature. It is, despite being non-fiction, very “Gaiman-esq” in theme and style – by which I mean, a hodgepodge of non-connected ideas that somehow mesh and form a solid and entertaining whole.

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Review: The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

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The Names The Gave Us by Emery Lord (UK edition)

Title: The Names They Gave Us
Author: Emery Lord
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books (1st June 2017)
Blurb:

Lucy has her perfect summer planned out: perfect boyfriend, perfect job and quality time with her perfect parents.

Then her mom’s cancer comes back, and suddenly life makes no sense.

Before she knows it, Lucy finds herself agreeing to volunteer as a counselor at a camp for troubled kids, where lives are more different from her own than she could have imagined possible. Here Lucy meets the dashing but mysterious fellow counselor Jones, who will change the way she sees the world forever.

With tragedy hovering at the edges of Lucy’s life, this summer she must find out who she really is and what it means to love.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Review:

THE NAMES THEY GAVE US is the fourth book from Emery Lord. It’s a standalone young adult novel that tells the story of Lucy Hansson. The story takes place over several months – it starts in April and ends in August. When the book starts Lucy already has her summer planned out, but after she returns from prom she learns her mother’s cancer has come back and that changes everything. Her mom talks her into volunteering as a counsellor at a camp for troubled kids, that’s close enough for a weekly visits; hopefully allowing Lucy space to come to terms with everything. There, despite the tragedy hovering on the edges of her life, Lucy meets some great people and makes some wonderful friends.

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Review: Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

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Picture of the cover of the UK hardback edition of Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff.

Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff (UK edition)

Title: Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicles, 2)
Author: Jay Kristoff
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Voyager (7th September 2017)
Blurb:

From the bestselling author, Jay Kristoff, comes the second book in the Nevernight Chronicle.

Mia Corvere, destroyer of empires, has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry do not believe she has earned it.

Her position is precarious, and she’s still no closer to exacting revenge for the brutal death of her family. But after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself.

When it is announced the Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself into slavery for a chance to fulfill the promise she made on the day she lost everything.

Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold, secrets are revealed and the body count rises within the collegium walls, Mia will be forced to choose between her loyalties and her revenge.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Review:

GODSGRAVE is the second book in Jay Kristoff’s wonderful Nevernight Chronicles. It continues Mia Corvere’s story as she seeks revenge on those who slaughtered her family, when she was a child. After the events of the first book, NEVERNIGHT, Mia’s place within the Red Church is precarious; accepted not because of her skill, but because after the slaughter of their members they have need of her. After a confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to fear that there is more going on than she is aware of. After discovering an opportunity to gain her revenge on the men who killed her family, she decides to defy the Red Church.

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Illumicrate Unboxing 10 – Rise Up!

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This box arrived on last Friday (2nd March), and I couldn’t wait to open it and share my thoughts on this quarter’s box. I’m sure you all know the drill by now, but for those of you who don’t: Illumicrate is a quarterly UK based subscription box. I signed up for the first box, and I’ve never looked back! And finally before we go any further just to be clear, if you read this post any further there WILL BE SPOILERS for this box.

This quarter’s box is late and in different packaging to normal because there is just so much stuff!!! I think this is the first time the box has a name – Rise Up! Which I have to admit did leave me super intrigued.

The first item I picked up is the Fight The Darkness Cushion Cover which is designed by @stellabookishart, and it’s exclusive to this box. I really like the colour of it, and it feels super soft.

The next item I picked up is the Phoenix Magnet which is designed by @hannahhitchmanart, it’s also exclusive to this box. The writing ties it to the Harry Potter fandom, but I also think it’s a lovely depiction of a phoenix all on its own. It’ll defo be added to the fridge.

The next item I picked up is a pocket mirror for The Truth and Lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr a young adult contemporary action and adventure that’s out now. The blurb sounds very intriguing.

The next item I picked up is a little notebook with pen for The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert which is the first book in a young adult fantasy that’s out now. You can find the blurb here.

Then I picked up this gorgeous Stranger than the Dreamer by Laini Taylor postcard.

Then I picked up a sampler for Restore Me, which is the fourth book in Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series.

The next item I picked up was also a sampler, this time for Clean by Juno Dawson which is out on the 5th April 2018. You can find the blurb here.

The next item I picked up is a Daggermark designed by @rdashjackdotcom, an exclusive to this box. A really neat looking bookmark.

I then picked up another bookmark, this time for Witchsign by Den Patrick the first in a new young adult fantasy trilogy out May 22nd 2018. You can find the blurb here.

Next I picked up the Lunar Lip Balm designed by @lovely_lip_balm, an exclusive to this box. I think it smells nice, and I’m looking forward to trying it out.

Then I picked up the Inimitable Mug designed by @abbieimagine, an exclusive to this box. This is a lovely mug that survived the post super well – Illumicrate have definitely improved their packaging since the last time they included a mug which I’m very thankful for!

The next item I picked up is A Rebel’s Command List designed by @howstoreofficial, an exclusive to this box. I think it looks cute and it should be super practical.

Now let’s move onto the book section of this unboxing.

The first book I picked up is an exclusive advanced reader copy of The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green, the first book in her new young adult fantasy series. Although you can’t see them in this photo, this book comes with lovely purple edged pages. This book will be published on the 3rd May 2018, and you can read the blurb here.

The main book of this Illumicrate is Blood and Sand by C. V. Wyk, the first book in a young adult historical series. The book came with a bookmark, pin, temporary tattoo and a signed bookplate. It’s actually a US edition, which really surprised me. You can read the blurb here.

This was another fantastic box by Illumicrate. I’m really pleased with it. I hope you enjoyed this image heavy post. Thanks for sticking around until the end, and I’ll see you next time.

Review: Rituals by Kelley Armstrong

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Rituals by Kelley Armstrong (UK edition)

Title: Rituals (A Cainsville Novel, 5)
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Sphere (15th August 2017)
Blurb:

Olivia Jones must make a choice.

Caught between two rival supernatural forces, she hs been given a brief period in which to make her decision. Now that time has run out.

Whichever side she chooses, someone she loves will pay. Her lover, Ricky. Gabriel Walsh, the man she knows she cannot, must not love. Her parents, already trapped in prison.

And how there is a new, terrifying power rising – one that doesn’t distinguish between good and evil intentions. It feeds on chaos and  destroys without mercy. Unless Liv acts fast, no one will survive.

In this gripping supernatural thriller, international bestselling author Kelley Armstrong brings the Cainsville series to a powerful, richly rewarding finale.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
Review:

RITUALS by Kelley Armstrong is the fifth and final book in the Cainsville series. Over the previous four books Olivia Taylor-Jones has had her world turned upside down. She has discovered the truth about her past, and her link to the mysterious Cainsville. Along the way she has grown close to Gabriel Walsh and to Ricky Gallagher. They negotiated a truce, but now the time has come and she must finally make a choice between the Twyelth Teg and the Cwn Annwn. Whichever side she picks someone she loves will pay. All the while a new power rises; one that doesn’t distinguish between good or evil, and that destroys without mercy.

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Illumicrate Unboxing 9 – November 2017

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Sorry this post is late, but I am looking forward to talking about the ninth box from Illumicrate. Illumicrate, for those who don’t know, is a quarterly book subscription box that I signed up to a couple of years ago. And I’ve really enjoyed all boxes I’ve received to date.

I actually got this box late November/early December and I did an unboxing video, but I wasn’t happy with it. So instead (a lot late) I’ve decided to do this blog post, I hope you enjoy it.


So this is what’s in the box, and I have to say I’m very pleased with it. The presentation of the box was lovely, as always. There’s also a huge variety of items, which I really love. It’s actually on of the reasons I choose to subscribe to this box.

The fist item I’m going to talk about is the Reading in Bed Candle by merakicandles which I think looks lovely. It’s exclusive to Illumicrate, and it smells really chocolatey. The candle itself is a pale yellow, with a sprinkle of pink glitter.

The next item is the gorgeous Moon and Stars Necklace by ohpandaeyes. It too is exclusive to Illumicrate. I think it looks really lovely, and I really like the little bag it comes in – they both look soooo pretty.

So this is a first for me. I’ve never actually seen this item included in a book box before, but I really like it. The Bookish Tea Towel is by evannaveillustration and it feels really nice.

This is a really pretty book quote. I think I might frame it. It’s  “The Right Book” Print by nutmegandarlo, and is exclusive to this box. I think the quote is probably very true too.

This journal is really quite clever, and I liked the fact that it was included in the last Illumicrate of the year – brilliant timing. The Unicorn Journal is by prismofstarlings and is exclusive to Illumicrate.

I think all fans of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series would be pleased to get this in their box.

This sampler is great for a taste of This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada.

The penultimate item, this exclusive advanced reader copy of The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty, sounds like it is right up my alley. I’m really looking forward to diving into this.

Artemis by Andy Weir is the final item in this box. It’s an exclusive edition to this box with black sprayed edges, it also comes with a travel brochure and bookmark. Sci-fi is always pretty hit and miss with me, but I think this book sounds interesting.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post. It’s a little more image heavy than my usual Illumicrate posts, so I’d love to know what you think of this format. Thanks so much for reading.

Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (UK edition)

Title: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Genre: Historical Novel, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism
Publisher: Gollancz (24th May 2012)
Blurb:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love – a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

(Blurb via Goodreads)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
Review:

THE NIGHT CIRCUS is Erin Morgenstern’s debut novel. It is a story filled with magic, mystery and competition. The story is set in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, and revolves around a mysterious bet made between two gentlemen about whose student is better. Meanwhile, a circus called Le Cirque de Rêves is created by a group of dreamers in London that is designed to delight and amaze: it arrives without warning and is open from dusk to dawn. Its performers produce amazing feats and some of the tents themselves are magical, and soon it picks up quite a following as it travels around the world.

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Review: Archangel’s Viper by Nalini Singh

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Photo of the UK edition of Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Archangel’s Viper by Nalini Singh (UK ediiton)

Title: Archangel’s Viper (Guild Hunter, 10)
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Gollancz (28th September 2017)
Blurb:

Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s breathtaking passionate Guild Hunter world with the story of a woman who isn’t a vampire or an angel. . . or human . . .

Once a broken girl known as Sorrow, Holly Chang now prowls the shadowy grey underground of the city for the angels. But it’s not her winged allies who make her a wanted woman – it’s the unknown power coursing through her veins. Brutalised by an insane archangel, she was left with the bloodlust of a vampire, the ability to mesmerise her prety, and a poisonous bite.

Now, someone has put a bounty on her head . . .

Venom is one of the Seven, Archangel Raphael’s private guard, and he’s as infuriating as he is seductive. A centuries-old vampire, his fangs dispense a poison deadlier than Holly’s. But even if Venom can protect Holly from those hunting her, he might not be able to save himself – because the strange, violent power inside Holly is awakening . . .

No one is safe.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Review:

ARCHANGEL’S VIPER is the tenth addition to Nalini Singh’s brilliant Guild Hunter series. The story follows the story of Holly Chang, a woman who named herself Sorrow and who is neither vampire nor angel nor human but somehow all three thanks to an insane archangel – the combination leaving unknown power coursing through her. Someone places a large bounty on her head, enough to tempt anyone. Venom is assigned to protect her from those who would dare to face Raphael’s wrath, and to help her discover who is behind the ransom and why they want her. At the same time the strange power inside of her is starting to get stronger, and Holly fears what this will mean for her future.

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