Title: The Gilded Cage

Series: The Prison Healer #2

Author: Lynette Noni

Release date: 12 October 2021

Kiva trades one cage for another when she leaves behind a deadly prison for a deceptive palace in this dark and dangerous sequel to The Prison Healer, which Sarah J. Maas called “a must-read.”

Kiva Meridan is a survivor.

She survived not only Zalindov prison, but also the deadly Trial by Ordeal. Now Kiva’s purpose goes beyond survival to vengeance. For the past ten years, her only goal was to reunite with her family and destroy the people responsible for ruining their lives. But now that she has escaped Zalindov, her mission has become more complicated than ever.

As Kiva settles into her new life in the capital, she discovers she wasn’t the only one who suffered while she was in Zalindov—her siblings and their beliefs have changed too. Soon it’s not just her enemies she’s keeping secrets from, but her own family as well.

Outside the city walls, tensions are brewing from the rebels, along with whispers of a growing threat from the northern kingdoms. Kiva’s allegiances are more important than ever, but she’s beginning to question where they truly lie. To survive this time, she’ll have to navigate a complicated web of lies before both sides of the battle turn against her and she loses everything.

I opened this book with a sense of dread! Hear me out! I knew what was at stake here for Kiva and I really didn’t want her to go down the path she intended….but I knew this was going to get my stomach in a knot!

And it did. So badly! But I loved every minute of it!

We saw more of the world outside of the prison, in Evalon, where Kiva now lives in the palace with all the luxury and comforts she could want. We see the Royal family and we also are introduced to Kiva’s family and we hear about the politics of their world.

Jaren, Tipp and Naari are back and we also see more of Caldon and the Royal family dynamics which were actually very heartwarming for the most part. Talking of Jaren. I love him! I want him to be mine!

I really don’t want to say more about the plot but you can expect drama, family reunions, secrets that are revealed, twists and an ending that will make you want to scream!!!

‘Be the light in the dark, Kiva.’

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 = Favorite Places to Read

Bed – ultimate fave!

Garden (in the summer, in the shade!)

My sofa

Bus (audiobook)

Bed

At work (audiobook depending what work I’m doing!)

Park

Kitchen whilst I’m cooking

In my car if I’m early to pick up my son from places various!

Bed, did I mention my bed?!

Title: Dark Prince

Series: Blueblood Vampires #1

Author: Michelle Hercules

There are only two ways a human can cross the gates of Bloodstone Institute: as a familiar to one of the Blueblood vampires who attend the elite school or as a snack.

I’m neither, but I have to get in at all costs. My brother made a big mistake, and now I have to fix it by stealing from the most powerful and cruel vampire to ever come to Bloodstone, Lucca Della Morte. If that wasn’t almost suicidal, I need to get it done before the spell concealing my human nature wears off.

But I forget that I’m only pretending to be a vampire. I’m still human and susceptible to Lucca’s dangerous allure. His darkness calls to my soul. His savagery makes my blood sing. I’m falling for the dark prince, craving him in a visceral way that’s frightening and exciting at the same time.

If he discovers my secret, he’ll destroy me. And yet, I can’t help wanting to get closer. I never thought I had a death wish until I met him.

Witches, vamps, werewolves and…..something else, all centered round a school to train up vamps and their ‘community’!

I really liked this read! I haven’t read an adult pnr for a while so it made a nice change.

So Vivi has to nick something off a vamp Prince to save her brother but she gets more than she bargained for in Lucca Della Morte!

But really they both get more than they bargained for!

I did guess what would happen quite early on but I still have no idea why she needed to steal that certain item but maybe it’s explained in another book?

I’m now chomping at the bit to read about Aurora and Saxon after that ending!

July – TALES RETOLD!

‘There are some stories that can be retold time and time again without ever feeling like it’s the same story.’

Items inspired by Spin The Dawn, A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Star-Touched Queen, Cinderella is Dead and Heartless.

💜 Bookish umbrella – inspired by Heartless by Marissa Meyer

💜 Booksleeve with all new material – artwork from The Blood of Stars duology by @rosiethorns88

💜Tin – designed by @chattynora inspired by ACOTAR

💜Foiled print – artwork by @kavon_kayleigh of Maya from The Star-Touched Queen

💜Bookish socks – designed by @catarinabookdesigns based on Cinderella is Dead.

💜 Tarot Cards – inspired by Caraval

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

✔ Unique cover
✔ Stencil and sprayed edges
✔ Artwork on reverse dj by @sallteas
✔ Foil embossing on cover by @sallteas
✔ Signed

Title: Fire with Fire

Author: Destiny Soria

Buddy read with Sophie from Beware of the Reader! (Although I was naughty and read really fast as I couldn’t put it down!!!)

Dani and Eden Rivera were both born to kill dragons, but the sisters couldn’t be more different. For Dani, dragon slaying takes a back seat to normal high school life, while Eden prioritizes training above everything else. Yet they both agree on one thing: it’s kill or be killed where dragons are concerned.

Until Dani comes face-to-face with one and forges a rare and magical bond with him. As she gets to know Nox, she realizes that everything she thought she knew about dragons is wrong. With Dani lost to the dragons, Eden turns to the mysterious and alluring sorcerers to help save her sister. Now on opposite sides of the conflict, the sisters will do whatever it takes to save the other. But the two are playing with magic that is more dangerous than they know, and there is another, more powerful enemy waiting for them both in the shadows.

Dragons!

And dragon hunters <— I was less enthused about that but a dragon hunter and dragon forging a bond, sign me up!

Told in dual pov, we have sister dragon hunters in training, Dani and Eden, the latter now being bonded with a dragon who now find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict due to their own choices …

What follows is a journey of heartfelt moments, drama, jealousy and sadness.

I really liked Dani, hated Eden, loved Kieren but Nox was my utter fave and cemented the fact that I need a dragon bestie!

I loved this read, it was a tiny bit slow in the start for me but after a few chapters I was totally locked in and excited to see what was going to happen next! Now I need that second book and will be scouring SM now to see if there is any news!!!!

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

Theme – Secondary Characters Who Deserve More Love

Silas Sorcery of Thorns

Mr Kindly – Nevernight

Luna Lovegood

Jacks but now getting own book!

Lucien, contraversial for some I know but hope he gets his own book with hea

Arwen from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Brimstone – I haven’t read the last book so not sure if his situation changes but loved him!

George Lovelace from Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy I know what Simon did for him at the end but I was cheesed right off!

Delano – hope he gets his own book because I love him!

Title: Under the Whispering Door

Author: TJ Klune

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.

Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told with TJ Klune’s signature warmth, humor, and extraordinary empathy.

This book cements for me that this author is a genius. This book was beyond amazing.

Wallace, a workaholic with no life, no friends and no partner, dies, and gets taken to a place to cross over. But what a place! A cute little tea shop where Hugo basically lives a double life, a tea seller/mixologist and also a ferryman who helps to deliver people to the other side.

Along with Hugo there’s Mei, Nelson and happy, cute doggie called Apollo. Wallace has to find out the person he was and who really he should be.

The story is centered round the tea shop and it bought out a strange sensation for me. I don’t even like tea (how un-British of me) but this book makes me want to try again to savour all the flavours!!!

‘The first time you share tea, you are a stranger, The second time you share tea, you are an honored guest,
The third time you share tea, you become family.’

This story was so much. So, so much. It was whimsical, quaint, deep, powerful, heartwarming and heartbreaking and like HOTCS, teaches us the meaning of found family, all sprinkled with a dusting of happiness. 

I felt so connected to this story and these characters that me, dead inside woman, had a few tears at the epilogue!

This is my 2nd Illumicrate box and the theme for July is Never Enough!

This theme is dedicated to those characters who always want more. More power, more answers, more victories, more adventure. And they will do whatever it takes to achieve their goal.

Items inspired by The Poppy War, Red Rising, A Darker Shade of Magic, Descendant of the Crane and The Picture of Dorian Gray!

– Between Us Mug – inspired by The Poppy War designed by @RosieThorns88

– Lila Bard Bust – artwork by @avendellart

– Red Rising Acrylic Frame – artwork by @merwildandco and designed by @crownandfable

– Pocket Mirror – Dorian Gray artwork by @tiakinsmanart

– Perfect for Treason Fan – inspired by Descendant of the Crane with artwork by Feifei Ruan

– Monthly Collectors Pin – from the BOTM designed by @stacey.mcevoy.caunt

BOOK OF THE MONTH

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

~ Exclusive cover
~ Artwork on reverse of dustjacket by @glassbearer
~ Embossing on naked cover
~ Stencilled edges
~ Signed bookplate

I subscribed to Illumicrate as I get serious fomo from other people’s unboxings and this is my first box!

June theme is OUT OF THE WOODS!

Items inspired by Lord of the Rings, We Hunt the Flame, Among the Beasts and Briars, an officially licensed The Darkest Part of the Forest item and more!

Lord of the Rings Puzzle – artwork by @afterblossom_art and designed by @chattynora

The Darkest Part of the Forest Banner – officially licensed with artwork by @superstarfighter

The Woods Are Lovely Water Bottle – designed by @rosdottir

The Wood Makes Monsters Woodmark – designed by @no0nedesigns

The Huntress Wooden Pin – designed by @HannahHitchmanart

Monthly Pin of a coin from the BOTM designed by @stacey.mcevoy.caunt

BOOK OF THE MONTH

The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid

~ Exclusive cover
~ Artwork on reverse of dustjacket by @warickaart
~ Embossing on naked cover
~ Stencilled edges
~ Signed by the author