Oh wow.

I was putting this post together and realised just how many books that are releasing in November that I want.

6. I want need 6 books! 7 if you include my Fairyloot book (but I dont know what that is!)

What with October releases and my humongous (it’s a word!) TBR, I’m done for! Who needs to eat? Tinned goods are the way forward I feel!

Anyway, I digress…..

Firstly there is ITUE by LJ Shen.

No full title, cover or blurb yet. Shebis such a tease! This is coming on 8th November and the book releases on 19th November.

 

 

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White

 

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Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw

 

 

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The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

 

 

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Supernova by Marissa Meyer

 

 

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The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

I thought I would do a little update on one of my challenges for this year….Ultimate Reading Challenge! You can see my June update here (and it links to my original post).

The prompts for each month are:

I’m so happy to say that I AM UP TODATE WITH THIS CHALLENGE!!!! (lets not talk about my other challenges!!)

August – Tear Jerker

One Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole

Oh God. I hate a tear jerker. 1) because I am basically dead inside and not much makes me cry and 2) when I do cry I call myself a pussy!

This is a book I knew would make me blub, so I read again…..I couldn’t get my review link from Amazon (I wasn’t searching through all my reviews) so here it is:

This book made me have a tear and snot fest!!

I can’t string a sentence together at the mo and I don’t even want to try and write a review…so this will be it.

Beautiful. Heartbreaking. Cry fest. And now I have a headache.

September – book with a cover you like

Valiant by Holly Black

Not sure why but this cover calls to me!!! Plus it was my first audible listen!

See my review here.

 

October – recommendation from a friend

Now I had a list as long as my arm of books I could’ve used for this month!

Rage by Cora Carmack

So many people recommended this and who am I to say no?

See my review here. 

 

I am ready for November and December – bring it on!

As a proud Skyfire Stormheart owner, it was a no brainer to read this!

Title: Rage

Author: Cora Carmack

Princess or adventurer.

Duty or freedom.

Her Kingdom or the Stormhunter she loves.

If Aurora knows anything, it’s that choices have consequences. To set things right, she joins a growing revolution on the streets of Pavan.

In disguise as the rebel Roar, she puts her knowledge of the palace to use to aid the rebellion. But the Rage season is at its peak and not a day passes without the skies raining down destruction. Yet these storms are different—they churn with darkness, and attack with a will that’s desperate and violent.

This feels like more than rage.

It feels like war.

We return to Pavan…..and boy, it’s in a mess!
Aurora knows she needs to get back in that castle……and we know that will lead to more trouble!
I won’t say anything specific about the plot but I was so mad at Aurora for keeping her true identity from those who took her in, her friends, those that loved and trusted her. I wanted to shake her!
We saw a bit more of the secondary characters in this book, Nova being 1 and Jinx another. I love them and I want more from these guys in the next book.
I’m confused about what team I’m on! Am I team Cassius or team Kiran? IM SO CONFLICTED! I can’t take this, normally I pick a side and that’s it but I’m torn! So torn!
A great read, there wasn’t a dull moment and with that ending I need book 3 NOW!!!

You know when you have had a series on your tbr for some time and for some reason, or reasons, put off reading it?

That was me with this series.

And now I want to kick myself as it was utter brilliance. I’m so sad I’ve finished it. I’m really not ready to let the characters or the world go yet…….

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Title: A Conjuring of Light

Author: VE Schwab

Witness the fate of beloved heroes – and enemies.

THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS FINALLY TIPPED…
The precarious equilibrium among four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise.

WHO WILL CRUMBLE?
Kell – once assumed to be the last surviving Antari – begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?

WHO WILL RISE?
Lila Bard, once a commonplace – but never common – thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.

WHO WILL TAKE CONTROL?
And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.

That was fantastic!

The story picked up from book 2 and quickly grew to a crescendo of an utterly fabulous, marvellous tale! I couldnt have asked for more!

I fell in love with Kell, Lila and Rhy all over again.

‘Rhy watched his brother move toward her as naturally as if the world had simply tipped. For Kell, apparently, it had.’

Sigh.

I love this series and I am so sad to see it end here.

Anoshe.

Fairyloot Unboxing – September

Theme = Witches Be Crazy

 

 

 

Canvas Tote Bag by @bandofweirdos

Tote bags are always welcome in my house (but I do always seem to forget them when I go shopping!!!!)

Deck of cards with art from @obsidiayan and @crookedyew. Illustrations based on Charmed, Sabrina, Throne of Glass and the featured book.

So pretty but not sure I will use them!

Fluffy Witch Socks from Fairyloot

Fluffy socks are a fave of mine starting this time of year and these are perfect to get me in the mood for Halloween!

Not Your Basic Witch Enamel Pin designed by thatslovelydearshop

I love an enamel pin and this one looks like a Starbucks so a total hit with me!

Metal Straws (with magic and witch on them)

I take the cutlery we had in a previous box out with me so these will fit in too!

Sticky Notepad with the quote ‘Just as sane as I am’

Luna, I love her! And now I can write notes and remind me of her everyday!

Tarot cards from the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi with art by @loweana.art

I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with all these cards you know. At the moment they are all just in my drawer…….

Cauldron Bath Bomb by @littleheartgifts (melon scented)

This is probably the bestest ever thing I have ever received. LOOK AT IT! I am in total and utter love! And it smells divine! I’m never going to use it, just admire it, touch it, smell it and love it on the daily!

 

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Fairyloot Exclusive ✔

Shimmery sprayed edges ✔

Artwork on reverse of dust jacket ✔

Signed ✔

I heard that Purple Pretty Polka Dots had an Autumn book tag and as this is my favourite season I wanted to get involved!

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What is your favourite thing about Autumn?

The colour of the leaves, the weather is cooler, conkers (!), Halloween, firework night and just that Autumn smell, all woodsy!

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September brings back school memories. Which book reminds you of your school days? What were your favourite and least favourite subjects?

Well, and this is hard to admit…..but my favourite reading material in school were the Asterix and Obelix stories! I mean I still love a viking now but for much different reasons!

My favourite subject was history and my least was maths (and still is!!!)

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What cover reminds you of Autumn?

The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon

I have no idea why this reminds me of Autumn…..but it just does! 😂

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October brings Halloween. What is your favourite horror or Halloween book? What’s your fave horror/Halloween film?

I’m an actual scardey cat so no horror films for me but I do plan on doing some spooky reviews in Halloween week and the books I have lined up are:

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

 

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With November it’s time for bonfire night & firework displays. What’s the most exciting book you’ve read that really kept you gripped?

I read Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab last week and to say I was gripped was an understatement. I would totally recommend it to everyone!

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What book is your favourite cosy comfort read?

It has to be a reread so I’ll go with Kristen Ashley’s, The Three Series. Totally in love with these paranormal stories and have read them over and over!

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Curled up with a good book, what is your hot drink of choice?

Coffee coffee and more coffee!

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What plans are you looking forward to over the next few months?

Carving pumpkins 🎃
Decorating the house 👻
Getting the plans for Xmas started 🎅

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What Autumn book release are you most anticipating?

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

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What Autumn movie release are you most looking forward to?

Now dont throw stuff at me….but Frozen 2!!!!

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That’s a wrap! What would your answers be?

I want to start haul posts again as:

a) I miss them,

b) I think it makes me a bit more accountable for what I am buying

c) I love reading other people’s haul posts so hope you enjoy mine!

There were so many great books releasing in September and luckily I was given an Amazon giftcard at work so that softened the blow on my wallet (not on my tbr though!!!!)

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The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

It was Schwabtember and this has been on my wishlist for a while. I had an audible credit so I got this! Unforts it didn’t work for me at all so was a DNF……

 

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The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young

Viking history and lore just fascinates me so I needed this (yes there is that word, needed, again!!!)

 

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Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff

I haven’t even read Nevernight yet but all the hype surrounding this series made me cave and buy it. I got on e-book so I can always get a physical copy if I love it and of course it ‘felt’ free as I used my Amaon giftcard for it!

 

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Serpent and Dove

Fairyloot book of the month and I’m so glad! I was imming and amming whether to get it or not and now I have it. It’s a sign!!!!

 

 

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The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

Someone posted a review for this and as I was reading the post, my eyes caught the blurb and (inside my mind!) I shrieked ‘I must have this!!!’

 

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A Treason of Thorns by Laura Weymouth

I swore I wasn’t going to buy anymore books after my giftcard was done but I just couldn’t do it! It’s a sickness! I heard this book had a sentient house and that intrigued me!!!

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What books did you get in September?

Oh wow! I thought the 1st book was good but this was fabulous! I questioned myself why over taken so long to read this but I just hurriedly moved on to book 3!!!

You can see my review for A Darker Shade of Magic here

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Title: A Gathering of Shadows

Author: VE Schwab

It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift–back into Black London.

Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games–an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries–a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

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‘What do you see, when you look at me?’

Lila is basically on a quest to find out just who she is but now 4 months after she left, London is calling….and of course, she gets herself into more trouble!

I can’t tell you how much I love Kell and I also can’t even tell you how much I wanted Lila with Kell. It ate at me…actually ate at me, the angsty feeling I had, tight stomach, wishing the story along!

Another contender for my heart is Alucard…..I loved him!!!

I love Lila. She is brave, full of life and head strong. The latter made me want to strangle her sometimes!

I couldn’t help thinking about Holland, what was he thinking?

This book draws us further into the world the author created and I just love everything about it!

And oh my lord, that ending! I need the last book asap!!!!

 

Hi! Hope you had a good week?

I’ve changed to monthly updates for a few reasons, mainly due to the horrific slumps I keep going through and weekly updates just felt like too much. Maybe I’ll go back to them or maybe not, who knows!!!!

It’s really feeling like Autumn here and I couldn’t be happier. Cooler days make me happy (and cooler nights too!) Even the week long rain we have had hasn’t dampened my feelings!

September was Schwabtember! I have 5 books of hers that I hadn’t read so this gave me the perfect opportunity to read some!

Tunnel of Bones – review to come around Halloween!

A Darker Shade of Magic – see my review here.

A Gathering of Shadows – see my review here.

I’m currently reading A Conjuring of Light so I’ll post a review when I’m done!

I also tried to read (and listen) to The Near Witch but unforts is a DNF for me. I didn’t get on with the narrator at all in audio so tried to read the book but alas, also not for me!

 

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Closer by Kylie Scott

I’m on Kylie’s arc team so was given an early copy….and it was delish! See my review here.

Valiant by Holly Black

My first audible listen! I’ve started to listen at work in order to get my tbr actually read! But dang it’s expensive! See my review here.

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How was your reading week?

What books did you read?