Cursed Fates #5
Fated Throne #6

My reviews

Cursed Fates

I’m in love with Geraldine Grus and I don’t care who knows it!

This book pulled on every emotion I had!

As usual, the characters cannot catch a break! When all this is over they need a looooong holiday!

Although I dont want this series to be over, part of me wonders if this is now being strung out too far?

I don’t really have much to say apart from a few things:

I was so unhappy with Orion,
Max and Geraldine makes my heart sing
Gabriel – love him
Is this actually the start of everyone working together?
That ending. *Insert tears*

Fated Throne

So naughty Li Li has made his move!

One thing that shone out for me in this book was the friendship (but I guess friendship in wolves clothing maybe?)

I don’t know whether I’ve got ZA burnout for  reading these books in quick concession but this one dragged for me. Also not too sure that I’m that enamoured with the introduction of the Heir’s siblings but there was certainly loads of action!

* Geraldine is still my fave ever!
* I still love Darius,
* I still love Caleb,
* I love Gabriel,
* I loved the friendship bond that has formed between Tory and Orion (even the ball kicking!)
* Clara and Daddy make me want to vom.
* Darius and Darcy were so cute!

‘Don’t ever let her go again, Darius Acrux. Don’t you hurt her or let her down or make her cry. I don’t know how we’ll fix everything, but we will. And when we do and you two can love each other like you’re meant to.’

But I loved that ending. Not the final, but a battle. I was going to wait to read the next book but now I don’t know!

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hiya!

Well here we are in March and nearly Spring for us in the Northern hemisphere! Winter is my favourite season so I’m sorry to see it go!

I couldn’t let this moment pass without mentioning what is going on in Ukraine. I can’t even imagine what those poor people are going through on a day to day basis. Whilst I can’t do much, I have donated and even though I’m not a praying person, I pray for them and an end to this soon. It’s so wrong.

What I’ve Read

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len 🌟🌟🌟🌟
See my review here.

Crescent City 2: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
See my review soon!

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Bookish Arrivals

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

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In case you missed it…..

Review – Zodiac Academy books 2, 3 and 4 by Caroline Peckham
Feature – New-to-me authors: February 22
Mini Review – The Poppy War by RF Kuang
Review – Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
Review – Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
Unboxing – Fairyloot YA February 2022

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Coming up in the next 2 weeks…..

Review – Zodiac Academy books 5 and 6 by Caroline Peckham
Unboxing – Afterlight February 2022
Feature – April books I need!
Unboxing – Illumicrate February 2022
Review – House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas

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What have you read lately?

February – To the Moon and Back

The moon shadows all but the brightest stars, and we all know of characters who will light the darkness for the ones they love. This box is dedicated to enchanting celestial worlds and our favourite lush romances.

Iems inspired by Crescent City, The Starless Sea, Wicked Fox, our featured book of the month and a fandom neutral item!

🖤 Starless Sea Socks 🖤
Designed by @jezhawk inspired by The Starless Sea

🖤 Crescent City Necklace 🖤
Crescent Moon necklace by Fairyloot

🖤 Wicked Fox Art Print 🖤
Inspired by Wicked Fox, designed by @cyt_draws

🖤 Moon Goddess Tote Bag 🖤
Based on the book of the month with artwork by @rosiethorns88

🖤 Celestial Bookends 🖤
Bookends with the Moon, stars and sun designed by @jezhawk

🖤 Tarot Cards 🖤
Mustang and Darrow from Red Rising illustrated by @lizzart_zardonicz

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Exclusive cover ✔
Digitally sprayed edges ✔
Artwork on the end papers ✔
Foil embossing ✔
(Both designed by @gracezhuart )
Signed ✔

Title: Chain of Gold

Series: The Last Hours #1

Author: Cassandra Clare

Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.

But Cordelia’s new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London. These monsters are nothing like those Shadowhunters have fought before—these demons walk in daylight, strike down the unwary with incurable poison, and seem impossible to kill. London is immediately quarantined. Trapped in the city, Cordelia and her friends discover that their own connection to a dark legacy has gifted them with incredible powers—and forced a brutal choice that will reveal the true cruel price of being a hero.

‘Stories offer a thousand fresh starts.’

It’s been quiet in the Shadowhunter world but Cordelia Carstairs arrives and it all goes off!!!!

So it’s no secret I love Will Herondale more than any other Shadowhunter, but James and Matthew are really right up there with him now but still not beating him for my affections! Actually there were parts where I wanted to slap James but it wasn’t really his fault!

Also the ending made me very angry! I wanted to add a few spoilers here to explain my anger but I won’t! I’m actually heartbroken with the turn of events, it was painful, but I guess that’s the mark of a great read and also there wouldn’t be any further books with plain sailing so I’ll say no more!

So we have Cordelia, Lucie, The Merry Thieves and more demons, always a good mix for a Shadowhunter book!

I did feel a bit slow up until the middle part and then it got going but still a great read! Need more now!

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Theme: : Books With Your Favorite Trope/Theme

I do love an enemies to lovers so I am picking this trope (although the one bed trope is high up there for me!)

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
War by Laura Thalassa
Steelstriker by Marie Lu
Fear Me by BB Reid
Untouchable by Sam Mariano
Cruel Prince by Holly Black

What are your favourite enemies to lovers?

Title: The Poppy War

Series: The Poppy War #1

Author: RF Kuang

When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

I’ve had this book for quite a while and have heard rave reviews so thought it was time to dive in!

Rin aces the test to attend Sinegard Academy, the most elite military school in Nikan. It’s very hard for her, the people there are privileged and down right nasty and she is behind on certain training. She finds out whats she’s made of and who she is in more ways than one. Then war comes.

It was dark, brutal and so violent, readers aren’t protected from any detail. Some parts were horrifying! But with all that it was such a great read with great characters, loads of action and the world building was incredible.

I grabbed this idea from Lucy (with permission!) from Bookworm Blogger! Go check out her blog!

I always hope that I read new-to-me authors every month and getting book box subscriptions really helps with that so thought it would be nice to look back and see what new authors I’d read this month.

In February I read 3 new-to-me authors! It probably would have been more but I was on a total series binge of Zodiac Academy!

RF KUANG

MAKIIA LUCIER

CAROLINE PECKHAM

Have you read any new to you authors this month?

Title: Only a Monster

Series: Monsters #1

Author: Vanessa Len

It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.

But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.

As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .

. . . she is not the hero.

Joan goes on a first date, everything goes wrong and tragedy strikes.

So we have Joan, half monster, her cousin, Ruth, full monster. We also have Aaron Oliver – monster
and Nick – monster hunter. The monster families can time travel by using humans which obviously doesn’t go down well with the monster hunter!

I think my fave out of the cast of characters was Aaron!

‘We can see if someone is a monster or human just by looking at them. And you….you stink of new car smell.’

Aaah that new car smell. Like a new book smell. Books are better though and cost a lot less!

Anyway, I digress……

So all you need to know is that Joan has to save the day!

I loved the references to history, loved seeing the places and times and loved Holland House. Also the magic system so was unique, brilliant!

There was 1 thing that irked me (and it’s small in the scheme of things) but Joan says ‘no’ a lot! Like a lot! It did start to grate on me!

But this was a fantastic read and I can’t wait for more in this world!

Ruthless Fae #2
The Reckoning #3
Shadow Princess #4

RUTHLESS FAE

So obsessed part 2!

This book, even though some way dark stuff happens, was a hoot. Revenge is best served cold and those Vega twins can certainly dish it out!

We get different points of view in this book, not just the girls, and I actually quite liked seeing an insight to the boys.

I’m actually torn with the Heirs. Yes they are disgusting bullies but Caleb and Darius have wormed their way into my heart. I’ve been an Orion lover since book 1 and he’s still there ..right at the top of my list!

Another massive fave of mine is Geraldine!  ‘Geraldine – Smell that?
Tory –  Um…no?
Geraldine – It smells like the Heirs’ lives falling apart.’

Anyway no plot in here because you need to read but I’ll leave you with this…war has been declared on the fae.

The Reckoning

The Reckoning is here. Will we pass…I mean will the Vega’s pass?!!! Will their Order come out?

Firstly I just want to say that Geraldine wins this book for me…..look, look and tell me she is not the most fabulous creature on this planet! I swear if she ever dies in this series I will riot!!!

‘For the love of sanitary sausages, please tell me you aren’t bringing your depraved hobbies in here where we all eat our meals! It’s bad enough you paid a griffin to take a dump on your chest without bringing your randy rocket out with you for breakfast!’

So we have more in this book. More pranks, more laughs, more feelings, more lines that made my heart do back flips and just more of everything! OMG Darius, Caleb and Orion make my heart actually sing!

‘Because that’s what I do, I watch you and hunger for you and ache for you. It torments me like I torment you.’

I realise this isn’t much of a review but I’m in a rush to get to book 4!

Shadow Princess

Book 4, here we go!

Honestly at this point I want to make a book just of Geraldine and her comments!
‘I don’t keep a fil-o-fax of floppy fiddlesticks I’ve cadoodled with.’

I must admit Tory got right on my nerves for most of this book. I know she’s got a lot on her plate but she has lost that amusing snark and has gone into full treating people like crap mode constantly and I don’t like it. And honestly she is a fool.

Orion makes my life.
Darcy is the 2nd best character next to Geraldine!
Hated Seth a bit in this book.
Caleb and Darius still make my life
Washer still makes me gag
Diego is just creepy.

This book was hot. There was one point halfway through where I nearly imploded with the anticipation and heat!

That ending. OMG x 100. No way.
(I know I can’t even call this a review but I have zero f’s to give because I need to start that next book!)