Title: In the Lives of Puppets

Author: TJ Klune

In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots–fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They’re a family, hidden and safe.

The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labelled “HAP,” he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio-a past spent hunting humans.

When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio’s former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic’s assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming.

Along the way to save Gio, amid conflicted feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic must decide for himself: Can he accept love with strings attached?

‘What do you do if you’ve forgotten all you know?’

So here we have what this author writes superbly….our found family: Gio (Dad), Nurse Ratched (hilarious), Rambo (the vacuum!!) Victor – human and Hap – warrior!

They all live in a house in the woods built high in the trees. All is well until one day bad guys turn up and take Gio away and the rest of the gang go off in search to find him.

They journey through the forest, to a curiosity shop, to the City of Electric Dreams, to the Blue Fairy and to the Benevolent Tower and what they find (and find out) blows their minds!

‘Stick together
Run if we have to
No dallying.
No drilling.
And above all else, be brave.’

This was so sweet! It was heart-achingly beautiful! There were so many quotes I highlighted and I found myself so immersed I could’ve lent in and hugged Victor on many occasions!

Nurse Ratched was my utter favourite though. She is sassy, rude, inappropriate and totally hilarious!

‘Though you seem to be suffering from an intense anxiety disorder . But that is fine. We are all unique. Victor is asexual. Giovanni is old. And I have sociopathic tendencies that manifest themselves in dangerous situations.’

Another hit from this author and I’m finding myself humming ‘heaven, I’m in heaven’ all the time!

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.

Topic: Bookish People I’d Like To Meet

~ Will Herondale (Shadowhunters) – just him.
~ Elspeth and the Nightmare – One Dark Window
~ Darlington (Ninth House) for his mind and face!
~ Nicky (The Extraordinaires) – he needs to be my bestie!
~ Andrew Minyard – I mean who doesn’t want a psycho in their life?!

~ Jay Kristoff – I need a release date for EotV 2!
~ Cassandra Clare to beg for more Shadowhunters!
~ Brandon Sanderson – he is a genius, would love to hear his story ideas.
~ TJ Klune – again to hear his story ideas and to arrange a deal for more Nicky!
~ Holly Black – more begging I’m afraid, more Jude and Cardan and maybe some baby Jardans!

Who would you have picked?

Title: Inside the World of Bridgerton

Author: Catherine Curzon

In Inside the World of Bridgerton, author and Regency period expert Catherine Curzon explores the historical inspirations behind the hit series, and illuminates the fascinating details of real life in Regency high society.

Examining a range of key topics, this revealing guide covers everything from the class structure of the era and the crucial role played by marriage to the stunning fashion, culture and social events of the time that have enchanted audiences and history fanatics for centuries. With further chapters dedicated to sex, race, the media and more, this is a window into the real history that has helped make Bridgerton into such a global phenomenon.

Offering insightful advice on what to – and what not to – wear, how to see and be seen, the reality of ‘coming out’ into the public arena, and decoding the real-life scandal sheets on which the beloved TV show is largely based, Inside the World of Bridgerton highlights how the real ladies and gentlemen of Regency England lived and loved.

Dearest Reader,

In this book you will find all you want to know about the Regency period from social occasions to fashion to absolute barmy medical practices and……gossip of the Ton!

I knew from Bridgerton that they loved their gossip but it’s fully laid out in here! I was mesmerised by their way of life!

I thought I would love to live in these times, I imagined sitting round reading but their days were actually packed, peacocking around and being a woman was perilous….not for an introvert like me it seems!

Anyway, I’m off to promenade and hopefully not get any miasmas!!! IYKYK! 

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.

Hi everyone, hope you’ve had a good week?

March has arrived! Our weather hasn’t changed much though and there are rumours of snow this coming week!

We’ve been an ill house this week, 2 migraines for me and my son had a reaction to a vaccine so was home for 2 days along with an extra day for the teachers strike!

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What I’ve Read

A Dowry Of Blood by ST Gibson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Inside The World of Bridgerton by Catherine Curzon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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New arrivals

None! How good am I!!!!

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You might have missed…..

Review – What Hunts Inside The Shadows by Harper L Woods
Feature – World Book Day!
Review – The Luminaries

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What have you read lately?

Title: The Luminaries

Series: The Luminaries #1

Author: Susan Dennard

Hemlock Falls isn’t like other towns. You won’t find it on a map, your phone won’t work here, and the forest outside town might just kill you.

Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more than to join the Luminaries, the ancient order that protects Winnie’s town—and the rest of humanity—from the monsters and nightmares that rise in the forest of Hemlock Falls every night.

Ever since her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor, Winnie and her family have been shunned. But on her sixteenth birthday, she can take the deadly Luminary hunter trials and prove herself true and loyal—and restore her family’s good name. Or die trying.

But in order to survive, Winnie enlists the help of the one person who can help her train: Jay Friday, resident bad boy and Winnie’s ex-best friend. While Jay might be the most promising new hunter in Hemlock Falls, he also seems to know more about the nightmares of the forest than he should. Together, he and Winnie will discover a danger lurking in the forest no one in Hemlock Falls is prepared for.

Not all monsters can be slain, and not all nightmares are confined to the dark.

Winnie Wednesday lives in Hemlock Falls but her and her family are disgraced as her father was found to be a Diana aka a witch, but all she wants is to be a Hunter so she tries out with the help from her ex-friend, Jay Friday.

There’s drama, action, vampires, werewolves, a heroine with strong determination, a creepy forest and the resident bad boy love interest!

There was an overused term in this book and I couldn’t unhear it. Winnies teeth ‘clicked’ a lot. Like too much. Please no more teeth clicking!

But I did enjoy this and defo want to read the next book! I’d love to know more about the Luminary Society and even the Dianas and, obvs, romance please!

WORLD BOOK DAY!

World Book Day is a charity event held annually in the United Kingdom and Ireland on the first Thursday in March.

Every child in full-time education in the UK is given a voucher to be spent on books. The best gift ever!

Here’s some middle grade books I loved. Maybe spend your voucher on these!

~ Luke Stevens and the Blood of St George by Ben Peyton
~ The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
~ The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries by JT Williams
~ Amari and the Great Game by BB Alston
~ City of Ghosts by VE Schwab

Hello March!!!

Hope March is great for you!

“Springtime is the land awakening.
The March winds are the morning yawn.”
― Lewis Grizzard

By March, the worst of the winter would be over. The snow would thaw, the rivers begin to run and the world would wake into itself again.” ―Neil Gaiman

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.

Topic: Genre Freebie

So I had no idea what to do for this, I feel like I’ve done a lot of stuff to do with genres, romance, YA etc etc so I’ve gone for….

Releases coming 2024 and 2025!

I know! Such a long way off!

Currently these are due to release then but obviously these could change! No covers here either as most didn’t have them!

📚 A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal 
📚 The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli 
📚 Just Max by Aiden Thomas 
📚 Scroll of Heaven by Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee 
📚 Fateless by Julie Kagawa 
📚 The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller 
📚 The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black 
📚 Stars and Smoke 2 by Marie Lu
📚 Monsters 3 by Vanessa Len
📚 Forging Silver into Stars 2 by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: What Hunts Inside The Shadows

Series: Of Flesh and Bone #2

Author: Harper L Woods

The Wild Hunt waits for none…
not even the secrets waiting at the gates of Alfheimr.

Estrella’s story continues.

(Yes that’s the whole blurb!!!!!!)

‘Until chaos reigns.’

I loved the first book but I will admit I didn’t have the same love for this book up until about half way through. Estrella was irritating and I think a lot of the stuff that happened…..didn’t really need to be in here.

However. The 2nd half of the book was so good!

Caldris was so utterly 100% sure of his love for Estrella, it was bone deep love. I wasn’t so convinced of her love for him though!!!!

These are the standout things for me:

~ Lunar witch – sounds so wonderful doesn’t it!
~ Holt is my utter fave male!
~ Fenrir – I need one!

I have my theories on what Estrella is, will see in the next book! But that Mab is a nasty piece of work!

‘You are the only star in my sky.
And you are the only light in my darkness.’