Happy Guy Fawkes UK people……stay safe!

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Happy Firework Night UK!

We went to a public fireworks display on the weekend so tonight we will be having some sparklers in the garden with some hotdogs!

Stay safe!

Don’t know about Firework Night?

From Wikipedia: Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London; and months later, the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot’s failure.

Mini Review Monday!!!

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I read the below books in October but what with the flurry of spooky Halloween posts I had, I’ve held off posting until, well, now!

 

Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

Firstly cover = hawt!

Secondly, blurb: Being stuck in a lift with a tattooed hunk sounds a-ok to me! I’d probably get stuck with Mr Smelly aged 68 knowing my luck!

But 115 pages?? I was like where’s the rest?!!! (Yes I know this is a duet and the story carries on in the next book!)

But holy hotness this hit the spot I needed! It was hot, it was cute and I love the premise!

 

 

Infatuation by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Justin! Yes I couldn’t wait for this book!

A whirlwind romance and a little passenger made this novella a sweet, cute addition to the fabulous series.

‘You’re everything I didn’t expect to find.’

My October Haul!

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Here we are again with the game of chance, was she good, was she bad or was she in the middle?!

Well in the first week of October I bought nothing, zilch, zero, nada!

And then it obviously went downhill, or uphill, however you want to look at it!

 

Cruel Intentions by Siobhan Davis

Heard so many good things about this and it was on sale so grabbed it!

 

 

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

There was no way in the world I wasnt getting this beauty!

 

 

Ironside by Holly Black

It was on sale, what can I say?!

 

 

Penmort Castle by Kristen Ashley

Another book on sale. It seems I cant control myself in a sale!

 

 

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

Fairyloot book of the month!

 

 

 

 

Quite good for me! What did you buy in October?

Closing the Chapter: October

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Hi! Hope you had a good reading month?

I’ve pushed this back a few days due to Halloween and all the spooky posts I had going on!

We had a great Halloween, my son had a last minute costume change and went as Cousin It from The Addams Family instead of a Mummy! Trick or treating was a bit harder this year as it’s his first Halloween with celiac disease so we had to pick out some sweets and chocolate from his bucket that he couldn’t have but it was all good (for my parents who we gave the offending items to!)

This month has been a good reading month for me. I actually read more books than I bought! That feels so good to say after my months of slumping here, there and everywhere! Not having a reading list and not signing up for arcs has done the trick. Now I just need to stick to that for a bit!

 

A Conjuring of Light by VE Schwab

See my review here.

 

 

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Audible listen – See my review here.

 

 

 

Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

Audible listen – see my review here.

 

 

 

Rage by Cora Carmack

See my review here.

 

 

 

Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin

See my review here.

 

 

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig

See my review here.

 

 

Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

Look out for my mini review soon!

 

Void by CoraLee June

See my review here.

 

 

Infatuation by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Look out for my mini review soon!

 

 

That’s it from me!

What did you read in October?

Review: Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

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I didn’t think anything could top Nevernight……but this did! I think maybe I loved it for different reasons, like this was more savage, more clever and the narrator was oh so good!

Title: Godsgrave

Author: Jay Kristoff

Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church hierarchy think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending the men who destroyed her familia; in fact, she’s told directly that Consul Scaeva is off limits. But after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia’s suspicions about the Red Church’s true motives begin to grow.

Back in the world of Mia…..and now she is a Blade, an Assassin of the Red Church. Her next assignment brings her to the Gladiatorial games……..

This is another audible listen for me and the same, fabulous, great narrator is back….I was so happy!

It was darker, more violent, savage even, than Nevernight (I wasn’t sure that could happen!) But the story was fast paced with the secrets and twists that I have come to love from this author!

I was a bit disappointed though with a turn in the story. Ash is completely out of favour with me and nothing, nothing, redeems her after what she did in Nevernight. I was hoping for Jesamin! But hey ho, its not my story!!!

And….as in book 1, if I hear the word arkemical again I will scream! 45 times it was mentioned in Nevernight and 47 in Godsgrave (yes I counted!). I have no idea why this word stood out to me so much or why it annoyed me….but it did!!!!!

All my moaning aside, I was hooked and loved this next installment……bring on Darkdawn!

Spooky Mini Review: House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig

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I was looking for something a little bit spooky to read and this was it! Perfect spooky read!

Title: House of Salt and Sorrows

Author: Erin A Craig

In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.

‘We are born of the Salt, we live by the Salt, and to the Salt we return.’

The Thaumas sisters are dying off 1 by 1…..is it a curse, is it coincidental or is there something more sinister in play?

God I was spooked reading this. This is the perfect book to read around Halloween!

Secrets, a lovely slow burn romance and just a throughly good read.

🦇 Spooky Review 🦇 Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab

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This was certainly spooky! I was so invested that I swear I nearly wet myself in fright in a few places!

Anyway…..

Title: Tunnel of Bones

Series: Cassidy Blake #2

Author: Victoria Schwab

Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.

She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass’s parents are filming their TV show about the world’s most haunted cities. Sure, it’s fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there’s true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.

When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter — and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.

And if Cass fails, the force she’s unleashed could haunt the city forever.

THE INSPECTERS EPISODE TWO

LOCATION: Paris, France

And here we are again with Cassidy Blake, the girl who can cross into The Veil and help the dead move on.

Cassidy and her parents have travelled from Edinburgh to Paris with her trusty ghost best friend, Jacob and of course Grim the cat!

As in the first book I was hooked on the history and this one has a kid ghost! Does it get scarier than that? It does not. I was terrified…but still hooked!

I discovered my love for Jacob in this book. In book 1 I liked him but he really came into his own here and my heart went out to him. I love his friendship with Cassidy.

And……

Oh my giddy ant, that ending!

The Harry Potter Book Tag!

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🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇

I’ve seen this tag on a few blogs now and as it’s nearing Halloween I didn’t think there was a better tag than Harry Potter!

Note: There are spoilers below. If you haven’t read the series then do not read on!

 

Favourite Book

Goblet of Fire – I mean, come on! It features the Twiwizard Tournament, the Quidditch world cup, The Yule Bull, Viktor Krum and of course Cedric Diggory (I’m still not over it!)

Favourite Movie

Prisoner of Azkaban – the film I think the lead characters really came into their own in plus the fact that Sirius and Lupin stepped up into father figures to Harry, warmed my heart!

Least favourite book

Half Blood Prince – firstly I want to say that none of the books were ever bad but this book just didn’t have that ‘oomph’ for me. And I don’t even know why!

Part of the books/movies that made you cry

Losing Dumbledore and Sirius….don’t make me re-live it….waaaaaah 😭

Favourite character

Hagrid.

  • He would do anything for his friends.
  • He is so loyal.
  • A hopeless romantic
  • He is just genuine.
  • And he has the coolest pets ever!

 

What would your Patronus be?

A dragon and my son would agree! 😂

If you could have the Resurrection Stone, the Invisibility Cloak, or the Elder Wand, which one would you choose?

Invisibility Cloak, so I could sneak around and not have to make small talk with people! Just let me get my milk Brenda, we dont need to discuss the weather!

What house would you be in?

The test determines I am a …….Ravenclaw

If you could meet any member of the cast, who would it be?

Gary Oldman…swoon! ❤

If you were on the Quidditch team, what position would you play?

Oh god I’m not really that sporty. Is there a sitting and eating chocolate position? No? Ok then, goalie!!!

Were you happy with the ending?

Yes and no. I was disappointed that Hermione ended up with Ron, but otherwise I loved everything else about it.

How much does Harry Potter mean to you?

The series really got me back into reading. I was fascinated with it and it just warmed my heart that a boy with such a rubbish start in his life found his place, his home, his heart in the magical place of Hogworts. Of course it wasn’t all plain sailing but you know!!!