Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

This book was on my TBR for so long. I had heard so many good things about it from friends and others in the book community. I also was interested in it for the sole reason that the cover was ORANGE. I know it's a weird reason to like a book but I'm a weird person so *shrugs*

I posted a photo of it on my bookstagram and my friend and college roommate Lindsey messaged me saying that she also had the book in her collection gathering a bit of dust. So we decided to read it together. She was going to be home for spring break soon and I was just working and job hunting myself so we had some time on our hands. We planned a reading schedule and I made story templates to use and a post for us each to share on our accounts (and I only realized during the last week of the reading that I messed up the reading schedule on it).

Now granted before starting this book, I straight up had NO CLUE what it was about. I read the Goodreads summary and was like: sci-fi, killer AI, plague - cool. So neither her nor I really realized we would be reading a book with a killer plague/pathogen during a VIRAL QUARANTINE. But at least Phobos is nothing like Covid-19, so it makes it a little easier (in my opinion) to get through those parts. It's more like a zombie plague tbh.

One thing I did know about the book before starting this was that the format of the story was nothing like I had ever read/seen before. Files, text chats, and AI comms instead of regular prose and chapters. I didn't know how I would like it at all, or if it would be confusing to read for my brain. Luckily, that's not what happened. The format was so unique and gripping. It was easy for me to picture in my head what was going on, just as easy as with other books and maybe easier because there was less description so my mind could be a little creative.

I found myself flying through the pages and engrossed in the story. I stopped myself from reading ahead of what my friend and I were doing. I wanted to give myself time to process it as well. And give me time to read my other book.

And like I said before I really did like the format of the story as AI files and text exchanges, as well as AIDAN's own internal dialogue (which sometimes REALLY freaked me out). I also really liked the characters.

With Kady I loved her bravery and stubbornness with everything that she did while on the ship and how she would literally break into any system or room and it was nothing to her. Ezra, on the other hand, was like a chaotic mess who was given A SHIP WITH GUNS ON IT. But I really liked his love for Kady and his dedication to her first and foremost. He was also brave and stuff, but his main thing was his love and feelings for Kady and how much her being safe and sound was important to him.

Think it's also important to talk about what is probably the third main character of this book: AIDAN, the AI on the Alexander. Now, I've had AI's that I really liked - Jarvis from Marvel as an example and then Friday - but AIDAN began as the type of AI that makes me want to throw most of my technology into the damn sea! But then at the end, he acted a little like Jarvis/Vision by caring more about humans and not just being a machine.

While reading this book I jumped through like, every emotion I've ever known and then some, and I'm pretty sure I went through the five stages of grief at one point. At first it was interesting and I was really intrigued with the story and where it was going to go, then I started to get scared with the Phobos (the fear might have also been helped with my own anxiety from Covid-19), and then sadness when things started happening to everyone as well as people Kady and Ezra cared about.

End of the story, BLEW MY MIND. I was shocked and even went back a few pages and tried to figure out how I had missed the twist and all the clues that pointed to it. I knew they were there, and my brain was so engrossed in the saving of the day that I didn't see it at all!. But that's good story-writing to me, to write something so great and put those little breadcrumbs in, yet still shock the reader at the end and make the ending as dynamic as the climax of the story.

I give Illuminae 5 stars.

All in all, I really loved this book. I had a great time reading it, and now I'm trying to figure how to add Gemina & Obsidio to my purchase list for this year with my limited budget for it. I thought the concept and format was unique and the characters were wonderfully written. I can't wait to see what happens next.

What are your thoughts on Illuminae? Did you like it or not? How did AIDAN make you feel?

If you need me I'll be zooming away to read more!

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: my photo of the book (edited for vibrance), millenium falcon, joey tribbiani, 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

This book was a interesting pick for me. I don't normally shop in this section of the bookstore (maybe I should though) and I was only there because I had asked for some good LGBTQIA+ rep (mainly wlw and bi rep but any will do). I had made a post on instagram where I asked anyone for some recommendations on books that had amazing rep like the kind I had read in Reign of the Fallen, and the author of ROTF, Sarah Glenn Marsh, mentioned this book along with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.

Needless to say I went to the bookstore a day or two later with my gift cards to search for those and other books on my list. Sadly I only left with Gideon the Ninth because ALL THE OTHER BOOKS WERE OUT OF STOCK OR ONLINE ONLY...which I took as a personal attack, as any sane person would do as well.

Upon seeing the cover art for this book I knew I would like it. The art and the blurb hooked me and I placed it into my basket with my Etta Candy funko pop. The way Gideon is positioned, as if coming through a battle she single-handedly won, and looking like a badass skeleton won me over.

I also liked how Gideon's attraction to women wasn't a discovery during the book or hinted at to the reader. It was obvious that she was attracted to the other women around her, and to me that was a wonderful thing. To make it just...there and not something that people comment on or question was nice and almost soothing.

Throughout the whole book, I moved back and forth from loving certain characters, so being weary of them, to hating them, and hoping right back to loving them, and I credit that to Tamsyn's wonderful writing. She was able to weave characters that had flaws and hidden motives. Crafting twists and show, after the dust cleared, that those you thought were evil may not have been all along (I mean...they were a little bit but that's how they stayed human).

I gave Gideon the Ninth 4.75 stars out of 5.

I have taken off the .25 due to the fact that at the beginning of the book it was jarring to read and I was confused on how the planet of the Ninth was set up. Certain questions about the world of the Locked Tomb trilogy were coming to mind, but I'm sure with how the next book is set up those will be answered for me.

(Now this next reason might just be me) While reading, I would forget that it was a sci-fi story and that they were on a planet and not just...another country. The shuttles and space travel happened little in the book, but granted it wasn't NEEDED so I understand (yea it's just me being a weirdo).

Now I will read the other books on my 2020 TBR and add Harrow the Ninth (which has an equally beautiful cover BTW, just look at it) and continue this journey and story. I just hope that Harrow pulls some great skeleton dance parties soon in the books. Just for the fun of it honestly. Just like this gif:

Have you read Gideon the Ninth yet? What did you think about it, and are you ready for Harrow the Ninth like me?

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: my photo of book, Harrow the Ninth cover, dancing skeletons,

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This book isn't one that I normally would have picked up. I remember getting it too. I was at a thrift store and saw the cover, it was pretty and looked almost like an old book, and from what I saw online as a summary, I thought it was more of a fiction story that had magic and journey in it.

However, when I looked up the book again right before starting it, I saw a lot of people talking about how it was a self-help book. I have read a few of them in the past, but none of them really did anything for me. I tried doing the tips each book told me would help me, but nothing came of it. Maybe it was me, or maybe the book just wasn't meant to help someone like me, but I'm sure they've helped others.

Just like how I feel with this book. I read it all, almost decided to DNF it, and honestly couldn't fully grasp what the self-help aspects of the book were. I know it talked a lot about following and listening to your heart, but I feel like there's something larger that I'm missing, and it took away from my enjoyment because I felt that I wasn't paying attention enough or just not understanding the material. I think one of the main reasons I didn't DNF was the illustrations in my edition of the text. They matched what was happening and helped me to visualize better at the story happening.

And I'm not going to blame the translation either, because I know that sometimes meaning can get lost in it, but I feel that the translation I have really kept the feel of the book the same for me. Or maybe that's because I've read stuff both in French and English to know the differences so having translated materials isn't hard for me. Who knows.

My copy of the book had a letter in the back from Paulo Coelho on 'Questions That Have No Answers' and talks about him in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, and how he met a colonel who had a list of questions that from children that have always remained unanswered. I thought the letter would help me understand anything from the book or the messages in it more...but I couldn't find the answers.

About the story though, I liked following the boy's (pretty sure his name is supposed to be Santiago but is called 'the boy' through like 97% of the book) journey through both him home in Spain and his travels through Africa. I know he was in the north of Africa and I can't help but think that the other strange language he didn't know (because he learns to speak Arabic while there) was French since there are French colonies in the North of France, but I'm sure it's just a different Arabic dialect or a local African dialect that their speaking.

I thought Santiago's journey was interesting, and the fact that he would just get up and do something or go somewhere is strangely something I've thought of doing before, but I guess I just don't know what my Personal Legend is, at least not yet. Have you found your Personal Legend yet? I guess I'll have to start listening to my heart more often.

I gave The Alchemist 3 stars. It was almost 2 and a half stars but I decided that it was well written, and while thinking about it, the story was good, but the messages inside of it just didn't speak to me the way it speaks to others, and it's not my fault that that happens to someone.

Yeah understanding it took away a little at my enjoyment, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. 3 stars to me is more like...neutral ground for a book. I didn't love or like it, but I didn't hate it either. I could have a discussion about the book, but I won't be adding it to my personal bookshelf.

What did you think of this book if you've read it before? What was the self-help message you found in the pages of Santiago's journey? I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on the topic.

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: cover from Goodreads, heart gif, question book,

Soldier (Talon #3) by Julie Kagawa

WOW...

That was a lot of emotions I went through.

And I know I will put myself through it again by picking up the fourth book RIGHT after I post this.

Julie knows how to pull me in and stab me right when it gets intense. WHY JULIE? WHY?

This book was action and drama from the first page to the last, and with each on the danger grew and grew and I was on the edge of my seat, itching to grab the book each minute I was at work. All I wanted to do was read it at the break table or right at the register (maybe if I ask my manager nicely he'll let me do that in the future...he does like me).

I found myself bouncing back and forth between Riley and Garret just like Ember was doing (sorry spoiler on the romance), and I couldn't pick one of them. At some times I felt Riley was getting a little too like...controlling, but by the end it seemed like he learned that he wasn't the only one and became a big boy.

But now I don't know where the story is gonna go, and I only have the fourth book in my possession because the store didn't have the fifth one available when I went the other day!!!! So now I'm debating picking up the fourth book until I have Inferno and start with other ones that I have waiting in my TBR pile for the next year.

Mean...I'm going to do it. But it's going to hurt me I just know it.

This review is also so short and quick because it's late, the year is almost over, I want to start the next book to POSSIBLY complete my reading challenge (if not it's only one book what's the big deal), and I have to get ready to work a closing shift at a party store on New Year's Eve. Wish me and my co workers luck.

I gave Soldier 5 stars because it was an amazing read. I love Julie Kagawa's writing and all the stories that I've read from her. There's only one series I haven't read yet but I have the first book so that's a start!

Please tell me if you've read any of these books so we can talk about all of these emotions I'm feeling, because I need someone to talk with me about the Talon series.

Get ready for me to try and post more in 2020!

À bientôt!

The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell - A Book Review

I got this book as a Goodreads giveaway (my first win!) and I put off reading it for a while because I had so many other books in my TBR that I wanted to read, and I think that I wanted to wait for the right time to read it. And the beginning of my last semester of undergrad felt like the time.

Now, due to it being my last semester, I only read the book when my homework was done (or done enough that I didn't have to stress the rest of the night or into the morning). I really needed them good grades. When I was able to read I was able to get at least five chapters done at a time, so I was able to read through it decently quickly. Still, it took me SEVEN MONTHS TO READ IT IN TOTAL.

Reading speeds do vary from person to person, and even from book to book, but I get so ashamed in myself when I take this long to read a book. My reading challenge isn't happy with me either, but I'm still happy that I was able to finish it!

I was so enamored by the characters and the storyline. I found myself wanted to dress up like Esta or Viola while I was reading it because the description of their outfits was something I was into. So was Harte but I digress. ANYWAY, the twists and turns in this book threw me, even if I sort of saw them coming, because of how the reader was introduced to them. It was through another character's eyes and it was their shock that became my shock.


When I first got this book (or first entered the giveaway) I wasn't 100% sold on it, but thank goodness that I won it or I would probably never read this book as soon as I did! When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about it, wondering who the Magician was, what they wanted, and eating up every intense moment between Esta and Harte.

I really liked the mix of present day and past New York in the story too. The differences, while not the main focus of the book, were nice and perfect enough to transport me there. The inclusion of the Brink that surrounded the city I liked as well because it added danger to the characters, and brought even more intrigue to the plot.

My favorite in the story was Esta. Her love for everyone and the internal fight she had when just trying to go about her mission was something that I related to (not that I've ever traveled time) and I found myself rooting for her at every turn. I also really liked Dolph. He, in my mind, was like a cool mix of a father and uncle figure with the way he cared for those in his crew and those under his protection.

My rating: 5 stars

I recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and strong female characters too. I think, besides the villains who we all love to hate, there wasn't ONE character that I disliked, they were all well-rounded individuals with their own lives and helped move the story along.

Let me know if you feel the same way if you've read this book. I need to find more people who have read it to talk about it more now that I've finished!

À bientôt!

Photo/GIF creds: my photo of book and stones, Sam from iCarly,

Birthday Book Tag

So I saw this tag on Amber's blog The Literary Phoenix in October but I wanted to wait for my actual birthday to do it...so it's taken me a very long time to get this post out in a sense. My birthday is in May and this has been sitting in here for like half a year. But I'm finally ready to do this tag!  (I even asked my twin, Eryn, to answer some of these to see the difference of our answers, she doesn't read as much as I do so this will be fun!)

Count your birthday along your bookshelf shelf and then subtract the month.

I was born on the 26th of the month of May (5) so I (and Eryn) got: The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa

If you could spend your birthday with any fictional character, who would it be and why?

Me: I just finished Vampire Diaries and about to start The Originals and I just love Klaus...so him. I feel like he'd spoil me and just treat me right. Also...vampires am I right!?

Eryn: Meredith Grey - because she's perfect and beautiful, and lovely, and wonderful. (I have to let you all know her eyes went like...glazed over with admiration for Grey I only caught part of what she said at first)

Find a book that takes place in the season you were born in.

We were both born in May, springtime, but let's see if she finds a different book then me.
Me: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - I know it takes place over a whole year-ish but there is spring
Eryn: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks

Find a book that is the color of your birthstone.

I LOVE MY BIRTHSTONE! Emeralds so are pretty to me.
Me: Legion by Julie Kagawa - wanted to do a book I've already ready but...haven't read many books with an emerald cover
Eryn: The Choice by Nicholas Sparks - she has a theme also it had grass so close enough

Pick a book set in a time period, world, or country you would like to have been born in.

Me: Reign of the Fallen - to live in that world would be interesting me, I am still enamored by this book.
Eryn: The Help - the 1960's, because of the fashion

Do you have any of the same answers as my sister or I? You can see a very distinct difference between our reading and television choices, which of us are you more like? Also, if you happen to read this and find that you have the same birthday as us...PLEASE LET US KNOW WE LOVE MEETING BIRTHDAY BUDDIES!

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: Iron Warrior, The Hobbit, The Guardian, Legion, The Choice, Reign of the Fallen, The Help, Meredith Grey, Klaus Mikkelson

Bookish M.A.S.H. 2019

So I saw that Nose Stuck in a Book did this tag again, and is planning to do it every year...and I've needed more content lately, and since I loved the tag before when I did it first, I'm going to do it again too! So this begins my yearly game of Bookish M.A.S.H.!

The rules of M.A.S.H. are somewhat simple...you have multiple categories and four choices in each. Then you choose a number (spiral, number generator, etc.) and count down all the choices until there is only one left in each. That's your answer! If that's still too confusing to understand look at both of the posts linked here or look up the game online, better rules are put there than here.

For this of course I'm going to take all my answers and morph them into a story summary. I think it might be fun to also have some of the crossed out options from my last game as well and only come up with one or two new items for those categories (also at the time of writing this I don't have much brain power to think of other things haha). Next time I'll go completely new without looking back.

My last story summary of Steel-Forged Stars was really interesting and I'm still going to actually write it, just have to change some of the names! Let's see what this year's M.A.S.H. will have in store for me!


M.A.S.H.

Genre
Historical Fiction
Paranormal
Fantasy
Soft Crime

Love Interest
Meredy Crowther
Dakari
Minho
Kili (because the movie version tbh)

Setting
Medieval times
SPACE
Modern day city
Middle Earth

Best Friend
Arya Stark
Uriah
Bella Swan
Robin Goodfellow/Puck

Villian
A demon
Sauron/The Ring
(prince) Hadrien
Government leader(s)

Pet
Cat
Hellhound
Snake
Dragon

Job
Necromancer
Librarian
Hunter
Runner

Transportation
Train
Wings
Giant bird
Water travel

Power
Healing
Object manipulation/Telekinesis
Weather power
Mind control

Trope or Plot Twist
Forbidden love
Deathly Plague
Government experimentation
Secret power(s)

oh boy this is going to be fun to mix all together

The Newest story from Monica Laurette: Hidden in the Sky

Monica stays hidden in the city, not because of her job as a necromancer, but because of her wings and her powers. If anyone but her best friend, Uriah, knew how she could get around the underworld to destroy souls, she would be sent away to a prison island where her magic would not work.

Working with a cat, who also helps out in her work, and sharing a small house in the village closest to the castle, Monica is surprised when the niece of the King, Meredy, comes stumbling through her door during a storm, telling Monica that a demon who had escaped the underworld was now holding her family hostage.

Monica, Meredy, Uriah, and Bello the cat must now travel the lands of the kingdom, and the underworld to stop this demon who could also reveal the secrets Monica has tried so hard to keep in the dark.

Can Monica keep her powers a secret while also saving the royal family? What are these feelings she has towards Meredy? Just how will Monica, along with Bello, defeat this demon? And why does Bello's tail keep getting puffier with each passing day? Follow along the adventures in Hidden in the Sky, but beware your own secrets as well.


I hope you all liked this version of Bookish M.A.S.H.! What did your answers come out to be? Was there a choice you wish you hadn't crossed out (I know there were some for me! but the spiral must be obeyed!), let me know! Should I expand on this idea as well and make it a WIP (as if I need more of those)?

À bientôt!

The TMI Blogger Tag

So, I wasn't tagged by Katelyn to do this...but I love talking about myself so I'm going to try my hand at the TMI tag. So whether you are new to me and my blog, or you've been here a while, this is an updated 'About Me' post so to speak.

Let's get started!

How old are you?
21 (very close to 22)

How tall are you?
5' to 5'1" depending on the nurse

Which Hogwarts house are you in?
I took the quiz on Pottermore a while ago and was placed in Ravenclaw, and everything I've learned since then only confirms it more.

Any piercings/tattoos?
I have earrings, and two tattoos. Gemini symbol on the back of my left shoulder and the newest one is a black cat on the back my right calf (a sister tattoo with my twin who has a white one on her left calf). I want to get more tattoos though!

What place do you want to visit?
oh so many places. Let's do the top 5: France, Greece, Morocco, Korea, and Japan. I'm going to be visiting Canada very soon which is why that is not in this list.

Who are you favorite bands/groups?
*I'm going to include singular artists here* Pentatonix, Paramore, Halsey, Christina Perri, Evanescence, Rita Ora, and Little Mix.

What was the last song you listened to?
RBB (Really Bad Boy) by Red Velvet (my favorite K-pop group also)

What is your favorite TV show?
Sleepy Hollow, The Librarians, Law & Order S.V.U., Forensic Files, and The Curse of Oak Island. I know three of these were cancelled/ended but I still love them.

What is your favorite movie? 
How can I pick just one!? Here are some of them: The Last Unicorn, Beauty and the Beast, The Longest Yard (newest one), Thor: Ragnarok, and Anastasia. There are so many more but I'll just stop here.

Who is your favorite actor?
Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, James Spader (because of his voice), and Mark Hamill.

Who is your favorite actress?
Brie Larson, Carrie Fisher (love you space mom), Daisy Ridley, Elizabeth Olsen, Kiera Knightly, and Kristen Stewart.

Favorite author?
Julie Kagawa, J.R.R. Tolkien, Edgar Allan Poe, and Sarah Glenn Marsh.

Ebooks--yes or no?
Yes, as long as I can read it I like it.

What was the last book you read? 
Maria Chapdelaine by Louis Hémon.

What book are you currently reading?
The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

What is the book you're going to read next?
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

What is the number one book on your wish list?
Song of the Dead by Sarah Glenn Marsh

What is your favorite book?
Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, and The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

Which is your favorite book-to-film adaptation?
Catching Fire. I felt that (after the Hunger Games movie) it was so well done. Following what Gary Ross did with the first movie and going off what happened in the book Francis Lawrence did such a wonderful job catching emotion and the drama of it all.

Who is your all-time favorite book character?
Katniss Everdeen and Meredy Crowther.

Who is your book boyfriend/girlfriend/fictional crush?
Meredy Crowther, Rowan (Iron Fey), Peeta Mellark, Rey (Star Wars), and Carol Danvers.

Do you prefer books with female or male protagonist?
I don't really mind either, but I am usually drawn towards female or split POV books.

If you hated reading, what would you be doing instead?
Probably singing, or constantly doing colorguard because that's my favorite physical activity.

What do you do when someone tells you reading is boring?
My go to phrase whenever someone has an opinion that they give (and a lot of people say a differing one to try and get a rise out of someone) is "It's not for everyone."

Going outside being active or staying in and reading a book?
Staying in. I'm not that active so I like to stay inside as much as I can.

Where do you prefer to read?
If I'm home I like to read in my room or on the couch. At school I like to read in my room because it brings a sense of comfort.

Which do you enjoy reading more--negative reviews or positive reviews?
I like to read both of them. I read the positive reviews to get a sense of what others like about the book and what's good, and the negative ones to see if there's anything in the books that I might not like personally to see if I should read the book.

What is your favorite book quote?
I don't honestly keep track of a lot of these. I do have saved quotes on my Goodreads profile, but for some reason I don't remember or write down many quotes from books that I read.

This was fun to do (while ignoring my homework at the same time, oh no). Do we have any of the same opinions or favorites? Let me know! I'd love to chat with you all.

À bientôt!

Goodreads Book Tag

I am stealing this tag from Amber at The Literary Phoenix because I really liked it and I thought it would be fun to look more towards my Goodreads besides the system I put books into.

Now, some of these answers may be different from when you read this to when I have written this, but that's because I go one a lot and update everything at least once a week.

What was the last book you marked as read?

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

What are you currently reading?

I have four books in my currently reading at the moment haha, but three of them are school related. I am reading:

1. Maria Chapdelaine by Louis Hémon
2. A Distinct Alien Race by David Vermette
3. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
4. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.

What was the last book you marked as TBR?

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

What book do you plan to read next?

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa. I plan what books I read next with the whiteboard in my room back home and write down like ten books I plan to read and in what order I plan to read them.

Do you use the star rating system?

Yes I do! And like many of us, I wish there was the option to use half stars, or even more stars than five, but I work with what I have!

Are you doing a 2019 reading challenge?

Yes I am. I normally don't set too high a goal for myself because I'm not that fast of a reader like I used to be. My goal this year is 15 books, I have only read 1 so far, and Goodreads is telling me I am 2 books behind schedule. But I currently two of my school books have to be done soon so that will change within the month.

Do you have a Wishlist?

I loved Amber's idea of having a 'To Buy' shelf on her Goodreads (and then added said shelf to my account after). I do have a wishlist on Amazon of the books that I want, but it's also a list mixed with movies and TV show seasons that I would like to own as well.

What book do you plan to buy next?

Song of the Dead by Sarah Glenn Marsh. Other than that I never know what books I plan to buy next. There are always so many choices and I'm bad at making those choices haha. I usually pick what book is next while standing in the bookstore or staring at my wishlist.

Favorite quotes?

This is one of the functions that I don't use that often on Goodreads, but I do have a few here, and you can see that there are a lot of Edgar Allan Poe ones.

Favorite authors?

My favorite authors are Edgar Allan Poe, J.R.R. Tolkien, Julie Kagawa (who is the only one featured on my profile), and I think the last time I checked, my most read author was Cassandra Clare (because I do each novella individually) so I guess I should include her here as well. Also, I can't find where that list is again to double check who is second but oh well!

Have you joined any groups?

I am currently in one group, which I joined like...actual years ago. I think I was a sophomore in high school so about seven years ago, and the group hasn't been active in five. It's a Witch and Wizard group called "Witches and Wizards" and it was a roleplaying group. I might look for different groups in the future, any suggestions?

Do you use Goodreads? Have any tips or anything that you think I'd like for it? Just want to be friends? I love friends!

À bientôt!

Photo/GIF creds: my photo of Shadow of the Fox, covers from Goodreads, writing,

10 Characters I’d Switch Places With (Just For A Day)

I saw Amber from The Literary Pheonix do this post, and I thought it would be fun to try myself! (Also check out Amber's posts she posts so many fun things and great reviews)

As a reader, I find myself connecting to characters all the time. But would I ever want to trade places with them for a day? Well, some of them I would, and I'll tell you why!

Odessa

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

One of the first characters I really fell in love with as a person, because she was so close to me. I just want to live in her world and experience the other side once.

Meredy

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

I love the magic of being able to control an animal and work with them, I want the BEAR! I can't wait to see more of them both in Song of the Dead!

Meghan Chase

Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

I think the fact that she has a mix of Iron and Summer glamour is really cool and interesting, but I wouldn't want to get mixed up in all the danger, just a day in the life of the child of Oberon, please.

Gandalf

The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

He doesn't come into contact with the spiders in the books...also I want to do magic.

Wanda/Melanie

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The concept and the underground world always intrigued me. I think it'd be fun to talk to a voice in my head that wasn't just my thoughts too.

Esme Cullen

Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

Her motherly instinct and family are amazing, also the chance to be a vampire...YES PLEASE!

Clary Fray

Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

I want her ability to make runes that aren't in the book, and I've also always wanted to be a red-head as well.

Effie Trinket

Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Just think of the OUTFITS that I could wear. Also, I definitely like the movie version of Effie slightly more than the book one (because she didn't just vanish) so I want to be both.

Wisteria "Wisty" Allgood

Witch and Wizard series by James Patterson (and others)

As the series that got me into reading, of course, I would pick someone as amazing as Wisty. She can burst into FLAMES and uses a drumstick as a wand. Sooooo, I like her.

Ember Hill

Talon series by Julie Kagawa

One, she is a twin (I forget if she is the younger one or not). Two, I want to shapeshift into a dragon and travel all over the world with Riley.

There are other characters that I'd want to switch places with, but these are the current top ten in my mind. What are yours?

À bientôt!

Photo/GIF creds: all book covers from Goodreads (my canva edit to connect them),

Wonder Woman Book Tag

If you know me, you know that I love superheroes, especially the women ones (because who doesn't????). And I love Wonder Woman. The Wonder Woman movie by Patty Jenkins was AMAZING and I even wrote a paper on it with a research partner on how the movie changed the film industry view on women, and we won an award...so I'm passionate about all of this.

So when I saw Kathryn at Nose Stuck in a Book doing this tag, I had to do it too! Also I fell in LOVE with the photo she had at the top of her blog so I'm going to put it on mine so more people can see her work. Here's her post on it. Now let's get into this!

Wonder Woman: Your favorite badass female book character =

For me, it's always been Katniss Everdeen. To me, she's such a dynamic character who went through some terrible events in her life, and her reactions to it all and what was going on around her was so real and I felt that I could connect with her in her struggles. I'll always love her.

Fantasy Island: A book setting you want to escape to =

Am I allowed to choose the secret island full of strong women? Comics count as books right?

A book setting that I have always loved is the Nevernever from the Iron Fey books. While I'd probably DIE within a week of getting there because I am not aware of my surroundings, I've always found it really pretty there.

Panem is next of course, because I want to live in the world after the games and explore all the old arenas and stuff like that. Imagine the finds you'd get...and the ghosts!

London: A hyped book that let you down =

I tend not to read many hyped books that I didn't like. I do research on the books and look at other reviews from people I trust to figure out if the book is something I would want to read. For me, the hype that let's me down comes from movies and TV shows.

Steve Trevor: A book that has a beautiful cover and a great story (i.e. good personality) =

Reign of the Fallen. The cover was so pretty and the story behind it was full of mystery and just all around a great story with a deep plot and realistic characters. While the cover wasn't all of the place with decoration and designs, the lone diamond-esque skull with the crown was beautiful and didn't take away from the book.

Lasso of Truth: A book you hated =

For Whom the Bell Tolls will always hold this spot for me. I've never read a book as terrible as this one. I get that Hemingway is supposed to be one of the greats in the 'forgotten children' generation or whatnot...but I hate his writing and how he wrote on the female characters and constantly comparing them to rabbits...no...never again.

Wonder Woman's Shield: A book so sad that you need a shield =

Honestly, the strength in this scene still gets me.

For me there are two books that work with this.

First: The Host, when I got to that last chapter where they were taking out Wanda I almost sobbed, I was ready to be so upset, but then everything was okay.

Second: Witch and Wizard: The Lost, it was the end of the series for one (last I knew) and what happened to one of the characters was so shocking and rocked me to my core because those books got me back into reading so it was like losing a friend.

Ares: A villain that is scary, but you can't seem to hate them =

My Iron Fey friends know that I love Rowan even though he's a terrible person...but it's also not the canon Rowan I love as much as the Rowan we have within our fandom. I also agree with Kathryn that Sebastian Morgenstern is a character that I love to hate.

The Amazons: A book that you wish had more/better LGBT+ representation =

Speaking as a member of the LGBT+ community...a lot of them. If you don't even have at least two LGBT+ characters in your book...it's a little unrealistic to me. I mean, it's hard to live in the real world and not know at least three people who are LGBT+, why make your book not reflect that?

Justice League: What superhero friends do you tag =

I don't really have many friends I interact with on here at the moment (I am going to change that by being more active here once I graduate and have more time for this stuff), so I tag anyone who reads this post and wants to also do the tag! Whether just in the comments or on your own blog, I love seeing other people's answers.

What are your answers to these questions? Do you love Wonder Woman as much as I do? Let me know in the comments below!

Photo/GIF creds: Kathryn's art board of WW, glowing bracelets, Themyscira, Steve Trevor, lasso toss, shield, ares (its a YouTube thumbnail), amazons, justice league promo, WW logo

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh - A Book Review

WOW!  I really liked this book. It was great and had so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The way you felt about a lot of characters changes throughout the book, either subtlely during a chapter or in one short sentence.

There are some spoilers, but I'll put major ones in RED TEXT so you can skip them if you haven't read it. If you don't care about spoilers then go ahead and read it all!

I got this book from Page Habit in a sale box, and I chose this book because the story sounded great, and I wanted to read a book with a character closer to me than some of the other books that I have read, in the sense of romance.

It was important to me to read this book because Odessa was bisexual. I haven't read a lot of books that even touch on my sexuality and having the main character being bi? YES PLEASE. And I also liked how, I guess, normal it was to just be who you were and love who you loved.

With that being said, I liked how Odessa started with her and Evander, but part of their dynamic just didn't work for me. Maybe it was because they had that fight about change and exploring the world. But I did think that they worked for each other. Damn did it hurt when he died like I didn't think that's how it would go, and seeing what it did to her was rough to read. I know heartache like that, that burns inside you.

I LOVE KASMIRA! From the first meeting on the boat, I wanted more of her in the books. I wanted her and Odessa to kiss. I would have wanted to kiss Kasmira too, and I would have. Where is my beautiful weather mage-boat captain? I only wish for the simple things in life.

I hope I have friends like Valoria and Meredy who would sit by me in my greatest downfall and help pull me back up as hard as they could. Valoria was such a strong character too, and interesting too with her knowledge and powers. And with Meredy, I really liked her, and with her description and clothing, I got MAJOR Sansa Stark vibes. Just as tough, maybe even more, and with a bear to back it up.

The fighting and the conflict in the story, as well as the world-building, were so thought-out and different. During the book, I was always trying to figure out who it could have been, but everyone had seemed so nice and worried about the conflict themselves, that I never saw it coming.

Symbolism in the book

Flowers - I loved how flowers popping up on graves being something dangerous and wrong. A message sent from the dead, that's cool! I don't care what anyone says. I think taking what a lot of people think about flowers, that they are a symbol of love and purity, and using it the way Marsh has, is an incredibly creative thought.

Eye Color & Magic - I thought that having a certain eye color being an indication of certain jobs that you can have was also very creative. But I also feel like I need to know more about the different colored eyes and what they can do, and if there are more types of colors somewhere.

I give RotF: 5 Stars!

I can't wait for the second book. It seems even more action-packed and I can't wait to read more about Odessa and Meredy (and hopefully Kasmira). And connect even more with the characters and story like I did with this book. The ending had such large amounts of hope and happiness, that I want to see it all happen again, even if it will bring heartache to the characters (and me) while reading.

Have you read this book? Are you planning on reading it? I want to talk about it as much as I can! Comment down below. I want to know your favorite parts!

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: my photo of the book, flowers gif, guy reading,

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare - A Book Review

I finished this book when I should have gone to bed, and I'm writing this review when instead I should sleep on it. You know what, I'm going to go to sleep. And when I wake up, I'll finish this review. I'm just full of emotions right now and I want to SCREAM TO THE HEAVENS because wow...

Okay, I napped for a long while, let's start.

Now, as you saw from my review of the Shadowhunter Academy stories, I love this world, but this book might just be my least favorite, for a few reasons. As I write this, I am still trying to decide on three or four stars (you'll find that out at the end...as will I).

Because I did like a lot of it, but there are just so many things within the narrative of this one book that I didn't like, and a lot of them were at the very end. Which tends to happen with a lot of CC books. She shoves a blade through your heart just when you think the damage couldn't get any greater. You'd think by now I would have learned, but alas, I have not.

So I want to start with the things that I did like because I feel that will be nicer and easier for me at the moment. I'll try to be as spoiler-free as I can be, but honestly, it's not easy for me and I don't read books when they first come out so most people interested in the book have probably read it. But I'll keep the big stuff hidden. It's the smaller things I normally have a harder time keeping secret.

Likes

I have always loved Diana, and this book just made that fact more solid for me. She is a dynamic character and now I ship her and Gwyn, thanks for THAT. Gwyn saying to Diana that she's been in his dreams swept me off my feet, and I was laying down when I was reading it. Need me someone like that.

Also, I do love how CC likes to bring in so many different types of characters, just to show that they are the same as humans, how we are all unique and it's just so fake and weird that everyone would be straight/cisgender all the time soooo. That's always a plus in my book. Mark, Alec, Magnus, *name struck out due to spoiler*, Helen and Aline (always a fan of them).

I want my own Clary Fray to comfort me on a rooftop and tell me everything might be okay. Because I need reality at some points in my life and I don't like being lied to. I wish she was more in the series, but at the same time it makes sense since this isn't her series anymore...but I still miss her.

The mention of Marisol and Jon in this book made my heart so happy and light, my small children! Happy together! Great, so happy.

Diana SHUTTING DOWN Zara like a damn Queen will forever live on my memories. How sweet it is to read a bigot get yelled at and put in their place.

The relationship between the twins and Kit was a great friendship and I felt beautifully written.

I also loved reading as Kit learned more about Ty and why he does what he does, and how Livvy works with him. And how Kit learned his own ways to work with Ty. It made me smile to see things like that, making anxiety attacks, and being different or even autistic (I don't think they said it outright that Ty's autistic and I could be wrong, maybe it's just close to that but not labeled that) is just something that is. And you have to just accept someone for who they are as a person and be there for them.

While I didn't like that he left so soon because I liked his character, Arthur's sacrifice (sorry small spoiler) for his family was so caring and an amazing final moment in his life. Something they can all think of, it was for them, because he loved his family.

Dislikes

*this section has slight spoilers because of my FEELINGS, please enter at own risk*

HOW DARE YOU TAKE AWAY JON! His character grew so much in the Academy and I thought he could be more in this book and work with the Blackthorns but NO!, just rip my heart right out again. I just want happiness at some point within these books. please cassie

Zara reminds me of so many people. I hate extremists and just the type of people like her. It's so fitting to read of someone like her, who hates anyone who is different or not 'normal' in her eyes. While it's fitting to reality, doesn't mean I LIKED IT BECAUSE SHE WAS MEAN. Also while I disliked her character, I liked her addition to the plot because of the different Downworlders that have always helped the Blackthorns and other shadowhunters since...a long time ago.

As much as I love a forbidden romance, the whole 'parabatai curse/against the law' plot with Emma and Julian, wasn't a fan. I felt it was almost unneeded with the rest of the story going. I see where certain plot points would not be able to be there without the forbidden love, but so much of the rest of the plot would remain the same if taken out, in my opinion. I just...it was something I felt didn't need to be in the book.

However, I am one person and most likely not in that majority and I'm fine with that. I'll still read the rest of the series.

I think that it's mainly because it's more of a law and a curse and not like...two families who said: "no don't do that". I like things like that where it's more of a principle that they can't be together, and not a curse.

Also, something I find that happens a lot with CC books: a large majority of bad stuff happens to multiple people at the same time during a mass chaos situation at the end so you can't SLEEP afterward. Like what happened here in Lord of Shadows. Like, please Cassie, STOP HURTING THEM! They've all been through so much already.

Now one final note,

To the piskie with its whole head in a bowl of milk: 

I just want you to know, from the bottom of my heart and soul; BIG MOOD.

Stars given: 3.75 (4 on Goodreads). This is because of the things that I did not like.

I love the world, I love the characters, but so many other things I just...I can't fully put my heart into it. So much loss, and so much destruction and death, the curse. Sometimes I just can't get past it if so much blood has already previously been spilled as well. However, perhaps in time, I won't think this and I'll have a different opinion. This is just my current one.

*Michael Cera voice* well, that's my review, let's talk about it.

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: shadowhunters, michael cera,

Disney Princess Book Tag

So, of course I got an idea from Nose Stuck In A Book, and you should all go and read her post on this tag, but I also wanted to try this due to my love of books and my love of Disney. If only that was my college major. Books and Disney. Imagine the homework!

The Rules (copied right from Kathryn's blog)

• Mention where you saw the tag/thank whoever tagged you because that's always good fun
• Tag Book Princess Reviews and Zuky with your posts so we can check out the wonderful Princess fun throughout the blog world (BPR is this link and Zuky’s is here) (I can't do ping backs off here so I can't do this, sadness)
• Play a game of tag at the end!

Now the ladies:

Snow White: This Book (like the Movie) Started it All

Favorite debut book from an author

I guess I can say that my favorite debut book is either The Iron King or the Hunger Games. I loved those books so much, they helped really fuel my reading life and the kinds of books that I read (and I know Suzanne Collins wrote other books before THG but they weren't in the same genre/age-range so I don't count it personally).

Cinderella: A Diamond in the Rough

Just like Cinderella, you either didn't expect much out of this character in the beginning but turned out be a total JEM

I guess this comes with most books, there's a character that I just don't like, but I end up being okay with them by the end of the day. I honestly can't think of a specific person at the moment.

Aurora: Sleeping Beauty

A book that makes you sleepy or just could not hold your attention 

I read at night so many books make me feel sleepy, but books that don't hold my attention don't stay in my mind or my Goodreads. Also, reading the Lord of the Rings books always makes me sleepy but I'm interested in the story.

Ariel: Under the Sea

A book with a water/ocean setting

I mean, I haven't read it yet, but the Seafarer's Kiss has an ocean setting with a female Viking and a mermaid. I just have to get my hands on a copy of it. Only thinking of the books I have read, no ocean settings.

Belle: Beauty and the Books

Name a book with the best bookworm/book lover 

I mean, I have read one of the original Beauty and the Beast novellas so I guess that one. Also, Tessa Grey and Will Herondale from the Infernal Devices books really liked to read, so I'll include them in here as well. As I was typing this I remembered them haha.

Jasmine: The Thief and the Princess

Name a book with an unlikely love story (either in terms of romance or a book you didn't expect to love so much)

Most of the time I only read books that I know I'll like, but I guess I can say that it's Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. I've talked about this story a lot but basically I was told to read this book for a homework assignment and fell in love with books again. So thanks Wisty and Whit.

Pocahontas: The Real Life Princess

Name a book that is based on a real-life person you want to read/have read 

So I while ago I got a book called 'Suite Française' by Irène Némirovsky. While it's not exactly about her life, it's two parts of a five-part story that took her years to write, and then she got arrested during the process, and her daughters hid the book, only to bring it out years later when it was safe and have it published (and translated). She was killed in WW2 before she could complete it, and I think that's just the saddest thing to me right now, and also a fear of mine.

Mulan: The Princess that Saved Her Country

Name the fiercest heroine you know 

One heroine in any book series that I loved is Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games. I will defend those books and Katniss with my life and a new fire has been lit of my love due to the 10th-anniversary editions of the books came out. I have such a large need to reread them, but I no longer own the books (long story).

Tiana: The Princess With the Coolest and Most Diverse Crew

Name a diverse book whether it is a diverse set of characters (like Tiana's group of Naveen, Louis, Ray, and more) or just divers in general 

The first two books in the Galahad series, Comet's Curse and Web of Titan. I feel they're two of the most diverse books I've read in a while because all the characters are under the age of 16/17 (could be younger) and they come from all ends of the earth. I think it had said in the book it wanted to save all cultures or languages or something of that nature, or that was my own thought process. The premise of the world ending from a curse and the only ones saved were these kids in a large ship...was also pretty cool to read.

Rapunzel: Let Your Longggggg Hair Down

Name the LONGEST book you've ever read 

Under The Dome is the longest book I've read if I combine both parts that I read because I had them separate and not in the same book, it's around 1,070 pages.

Merida: I Determine My Own Fate

A book where there is no love story/interest or isn't needed

Out of all the books that I have read, The Hobbit is the one that I pick for this. There was no romance within the story (at least none that I can remember). I know there is another book on my shelf that is like that but I can't picture it/remember it at the moment.

Anna/Elsa: Frozen Hearts

A book in a winter/cold setting 

A book that I read three years ago (I've been meaning to get to the other two but I'll probably have to reread the first one again for refreshing) is Greta and the Goblin King. I got it on my Kindle for free and one day decided to try it out and see what it was all about. It had intrigued me enough to download. In the end, I found the book was very good and unique from other books in the same genre.

Moana: How Far I'll Go

A character that goes on a journey

Basically, every book that I have read a character has gone on a journey, whether it be a physical one or an emotional/mental/educational one. There's always a journey to a story.


Those are my princess books! I had a lot of fun doing this (even though it's taken me so long to actually get this out because school is kicking my butt). Let me know what your answers for each princess was, I'm always curious for other people's answers.

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: snow white, cinderella, aurora, ariel, belle, jasmine, pocahontas, mulan, tiana, rapunzel, merida, anna/elsa, moana,