Mixed reviews, but I thoroughly enjoyed this magical, wintry tale.
I’m not overly familiar with the original story of the Nutcracker so I was able to Mixed reviews, but I thoroughly enjoyed this magical, wintry tale.
I’m not overly familiar with the original story of the Nutcracker so I was able to take everything in my stride.
Marietta is from a noble family, but she dreams of being a ballerina. Her father has told her this years Christmas performance will be her last. She receives advances from a mysterious neighbour who has just arrived in the town.
When she rejects his advances she flees and finds herself transported to another world. This world is run by a tyrant king who seeks only his own pleasures and cares nothing for his people.
He quickly spots Marietta and forces her to dance for him every night. She must find a way to escape and return home.
A quick and easy read, the descriptions were wonderful and I enjoyed all the different characters. A nice Christmassy story.
**************************** So the question is. Do I read a Christmas book in June? Or do I send it back to the library and reorder nearer Christmas?...more
Sia lives in a city that floats. It has no connection to any otherKnew this would be great! 4 stars ⭐️
“Even demons can smile and act like angels.”
Sia lives in a city that floats. It has no connection to any other place, there is no sky - just light grey for day and dark grey for night. No one is able to leave and no one can come in. They’ve been cursed by Baba Yaga, but no one really knows why. All they know is there are three map pieces, and once found and reconnected the city will be rejoined with the world.
Sia is the only member of her family without magical powers. She works in the Guild as an admin clerk, while all the map makers with their magic get on with the important jobs.
While exploring she finds a secret area, and one piece of the map. But why would be guild have a piece of the map and hide it? And where are the other two pieces?
Wonderful world building, with lots of secrets and gripping surprises. I’m a big fan of Lisa Ludekke and I will continue to read her books!
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If the Skane duology was anything to go by. This book is gonna be flipping amazing!!!...more
“But she was dead in all the ways that mattered. As good as.”
What a RIDE!!!!!
This trilogy has been a sensation! Book three definitely takes us in a “But she was dead in all the ways that mattered. As good as.”
What a RIDE!!!!!
This trilogy has been a sensation! Book three definitely takes us in a different direction than the first two but I loved it!
After the events of Good Girl Bad Blood, Pip is struggling with PTSD and has even developed a pill habit. When she discovers some strange occurrences that lead her to believe someone is stalking her, the police don’t believe her. They think it is just relayed to her trauma.
Looks like Pip is going to have to handle this herself, and when she notices similarities with a closed case of a serial killer, things go from bad to worse.
(view spoiler)[ I know a few reviewers have questioned whether it is right that Pip frames Max Hastings for the murder of Jason Bell who is actually the DT killer. I for one think it is more than valid. Max Hastings is a serial rapist - responsible for destroying numerous lives. He only goes down for destroying one life. So honestly? Fuck that guy he deserves everything he gets. (hide spoiler)]
I loved the fast pace, as always and the wonderful characters both to love and to hate. Pip’s relationship with Ravi is absolute goals. (view spoiler)[ though I don’t see why she felt the need to cut everyone off until Max had been found guilty. However - it just made that little message from Ravi at the end even cuter (hide spoiler)]...more
Nick and Charlie want to take things to the next level. But have no idea what they are doing. Meanwhile Nick is lookinMy favourite instalment so far!
Nick and Charlie want to take things to the next level. But have no idea what they are doing. Meanwhile Nick is looking at university options which might take him away from Charlie.
I liked the really honest look at sexual relationships in here, and relationships in general. Really interested in Tori so I definitely need to read Solitaire now! ...more
An ok read, the world has one month remaining before an asteroid is due to hit earth and destroy everything.
17 year old Mae, discovers her ex best frAn ok read, the world has one month remaining before an asteroid is due to hit earth and destroy everything.
17 year old Mae, discovers her ex best friend dead on the beach. Supposedly the third suicide so far, but is it really suicide?
A lot of different characters, I kept losing track of who was speaking and when. Pretty much everyone was unlikeable. But then I guess thats the point when everyone has stopped caring about anything.
The author does a good job of portraying the characters and their many flaws. There were just a bit too many, and near the end when the reveals were shown it went so quickly I still wasn’t 100% sure which man is was that (view spoiler)[ Mae’s friend was sleeping with. I think it was the head teacher? But then there was a red herring with some other guys dad. (hide spoiler)]
I guess it was just a lot, but still a good enough read ...more
Another action packed instalment of this series! Mark is in his final year at school, trying to juggle upcoming exams, his relationship with Damien andAnother action packed instalment of this series! Mark is in his final year at school, trying to juggle upcoming exams, his relationship with Damien and ongoing dark magic and dark witches.
Damien is still harbouring a demon and a separate demon is not far away. But is there such a thing as a trustworthy demon?
Overall, a gripping story with lots of wonderful characters and supernatural drama. ...more
I enjoyed being back with Mark and his grand high witch nana. Mark’s ex-boyfriend Damien is now firmly livin thank you to the author for my free copy
I enjoyed being back with Mark and his grand high witch nana. Mark’s ex-boyfriend Damien is now firmly living with a demon inside him, and when he goes missing Mark is frightened.
He goes on the hunt with his two best friends in tow, but when they end up in a situation in London full of dark magic and demons, Mark realises he is in over his head.
I liked being back in this world, it’s funny, the characters are relatable and there is plenty of drama and supernatural elements thrown in for good measure. Onto book 4! ...more
An interesting idea, and a real page turner. A good debut but I was ultimately left feeling a bit disappointed.
“It takes a good deal of magic to graAn interesting idea, and a real page turner. A good debut but I was ultimately left feeling a bit disappointed.
“It takes a good deal of magic to grant a wish, and magic has its price. All things do.”
Without realising it. This book had a lot of similarities to The Corset, which I read recently and really enjoyed. I feel this may have coloured my reading experience because I was expecting something different.
Eleanor (Ella) has been working as a maid in the house of her legal guardian. She was adopted as a child by the late Mrs Pembrokeshire but after her death Mr Pembrokeshire believed she should earn her keep.
Struggling to adapt, constantly under the watchful eye of the house keeper or the leering gaze of Mr Pembrokeshire, Ella long for escape. She frequently goes into the library at night to escape.
When one night a strange woman emerges from one of the books offering Ella 7 wishes in exchange for her soul. Ella soon accepts, but she doesn’t realise how much these wishes truly cost her.
Like I said, a great concept. I liked seeing Ella fight with her conscience over whether to make another wish or not.
My main gripe was the ending. (view spoiler)[ we are left wondering did Ella actually commit these crimes herself or was it actually magic? What is the point in this magical being anyway? It was never really cleared up. And Ella still ends up punished in the end. (hide spoiler)]
A good debut, I would still read more by this author.
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Hi my name is Charlotte and I am a retelling addict....more
“Letting go isn’t about forgetting. It’s balancing moving forward with life, and looking back from time to time, remembering the people in it.3.5 ⭐️
“Letting go isn’t about forgetting. It’s balancing moving forward with life, and looking back from time to time, remembering the people in it.”
A heartfelt YA read. At times maybe leaning toward the younger YA age range, which is entirely fine - but I do think it missed out on some depth because of this.
Sam and Julie have been dating for 3 years when he dies suddenly. This book deals with the aftermath of the grief and finding a way forward.
The relationship sometimes seemed a bit too good to be true and granted, we only see Sam through Julie’s memories so he doesn’t really get fleshed out as a full character.
But the themes were so important and I loved the different characters. Unsure why Julie gets so much hate in reviews? She just seemed like a young girl struggling to deal with her emotions.
Overall, a good read and I would be interested to see what the author does next.
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Library copy available for pick up
I don’t think I’m emotionally ready for this....more
As always for me, I didn’t like the romance. Very instalove. But I enjoyed the world building and all the little stories of lore and mythology t3.5 ⭐️
As always for me, I didn’t like the romance. Very instalove. But I enjoyed the world building and all the little stories of lore and mythology that were thrown in.
Evike lives in her small Pagan village, as the only girl born without magic. She is picked on and bullied by the other girls. Once a year the Woodsmen come and kidnap one girl to take to the king.
To avoid their only Seer being taken, the head of the village dresses Evike up and allows her to be taken.
Thus follows a journey that begins with hatred and develops over the course of the book.
(view spoiler)[ Evike and Gaspar reminded me a bit of Nina and Matthias from SoC. I don’t like the idea that Evike taunts Gaspar for his choice of celibacy when he became a Woodsman. And that she finds any chance to try and make him uncomfortable to the point where he ends up sleeping with her anyway. Not my cup of tea. (hide spoiler)]
Like I say though, the world building was good so I would be interested to try something else by this author. ...more
Sorrow is now the Chancellor of Rhanna, with all the pressures and responsibilities that come with it. Not too far away is Count VesLove this duology!
Sorrow is now the Chancellor of Rhanna, with all the pressures and responsibilities that come with it. Not too far away is Count Vespus who will blackmail and exploit Sorrow at every opportunity.
I love all the different characters, still loved the world and the politics. This book was slightly more romance focussed which isn’t my bag but I still thoroughly enjoyed it and liked how everything was solved and wrapped up.
Will definitely look out for more by this author!
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My argument when buying books is it is acceptable if it’s part of a series I’ve already started. And book 1 was freaking amazing so I need this!...more
Set over the course of only a few hours, Nora and her two best friends enter a bank and find themselves caught up inA super quick and addicting read.
Set over the course of only a few hours, Nora and her two best friends enter a bank and find themselves caught up in a heist.
Held at gunpoint, secrets are spilled and Nora finally finds herself having to share her past with her new girlfriend.
Nora’s mother was a con artist, constantly shifting identity and taking Nora along with her. She would do anything for the mark, even at Nora’s expense.
She has many previous names and personalities. She must admit what this means for her and how she can move forward.
A wonderful combination of nail biting thrills and heart warming moments. ...more
“Angrboda sighed the long-suffering sigh of someone who had been burned, stabbed, killed, betrayed, hassled for information, woken up and otherwise c “Angrboda sighed the long-suffering sigh of someone who had been burned, stabbed, killed, betrayed, hassled for information, woken up and otherwise continuously bothered…Will they never leave me alone?”
I wanted to give this a try because i know very little about Norse Mythology. A witch who has lived 1000 years meets the trickster god Loki and they fall in love.
I got a bit lost later on though. She has a vision that their children will have a part to play in Ragnarok - the end times.
I’m not sure if, me being a Norse mythology novice meant I couldn’t entirely understand what was happening or whether that was actually the book itself.
But once I found myself getting lost, I found myself caring less and less and just pushing through to finish.
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Ok I’ve got this back from the library so I’m ready to dive back in ...more
I was gripped in the beginning but started losing interest by the end.
There was a lot to love in h “You won’t be the one to make me nothing.”
3.5 ⭐️
I was gripped in the beginning but started losing interest by the end.
There was a lot to love in here. Zhu begins her life in severe poverty, with her father and brother in a world where girls are worth absolutely nothing. When her father and brother die Zhu chooses to take on her brothers identity and in turn his fate, rather than face her own fate of becoming nothing.
I loved Zhu’s determination, her absolute refusal to give up, whatever it takes. She manages to get into a monastery and become a monk. (view spoiler)[ I would have liked to know how she covered up her periods. It talks about how she avoids bathing in front of the others, but I would have liked that aspect too. (hide spoiler)]
I was pretty enthralled, but about half way (ish) when she joins the war and becomes a commander I starting fading out. There is a lot of talk of war strategy, and a lot of names.
I loved the focus on gender, and how Zhu sees herself, it was a really interesting perspective.
I did like it, hence the 3 stars. Just not enough to push it to 4.
““I might not know your name…but I know who you are.”
***************************** I wanted to be petty and not read this book. I was offered an ARC by the publisher and was then promptly ghosted. I wanted to sulk and think “screw you then.”
However: 1. Much as I like to kick off in my head. I’m not really a petty or grudgy person irl. 2. Not the authors fault their publishers are out of order. 3. This book does sound flipping great. 4. My library has a copy available so why the heck not?!...more
“I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings.”
Loved this whims “I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings.”
Loved this whimsical and delectable tale! Stephanie Garber’s world building is top notch. I didn’t want to leave this magical land of mysteries and mayhem.
When Evangeline approaches the Prince of Hearts in a moment of heartbreak and desperation she gets a lot more than she bargained for.
Invited to the glamorous land in the Magnificent North, where the current royal prince is throwing an extravagant party to find his true love.
But when she arrives, with her stepsister Marisol, nothing is as it seems, and when she bumps into the Prince of hearts she realises he is not finished with her yet.
I loved all the different characters and the secrets. That no one can be trusted and everyone has a secret agenda. I fell into this world and did not want to resurface. Roll on book 2!!!
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