Showing posts with label acotar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acotar. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

February 2022 Wrap-Up


Another month of 2022 has gone by and I think it's safe to say it was another month of up and downs. There were some low points but I think, overall, that February was a good month. A lot of good things happened and I read some great books. There was not a single book this month that I didn't love, which is so rare! I only read six books, but half of those were over 700 pages long. So I'm pretty happy with that, even though I was hoping to get through a few more as well. I have high hopes for March's reading month, though we'll see how that goes with university ramping up quite a bit. Anyway, let's dive in!


1.
Title: A Court of Silver Flames
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
-reread-

2. 
Title: When the Dead Come a Knockin'
Author: B.L. Brunnemer
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Review
-reread-

3. 
Title: These Hollow Vows
Author: Lexi Ryan
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars

4. 
Title: House of Earth and Blood
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
-reread-

5. 
Title: House of Sky and Breath
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 5 // 5 stars

6. 
Title: Neon Gods
Author: Katee Robert
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars





Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



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Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Book Review: "A Court of Silver Flames" by Sarah J. Maas

Title: A Court of Silver Flames
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: "A Court of Thorns and Roses" #4
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Page Length: 757 pages
Publication Date: February 16, 2021
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Series Reviews: Book 1 / Book 2 / Book 3 / Book 3.5

*This review will be spoiler-free for this specific book but might contain spoilers for previous books in the series*

I'll be honest you guys, when it was first announced that this book was going to be following Nesta's perspective I was...not excited. I wanted more of Feysand and didn't really like Nesta at the time. However, between growing up a little bit and gaining way more life experiences as well as rereading the series multiples times, I ended up getting really excited for Nesta and Cassian's book. By the time the book finally arrived, I was incredibly hyped up. 

Overall, I would say this book did everything I wanted it to. What I wanted was angst and pettiness and arguing and scenes that would make my heart hurt. I wanted this book to be angry and explore the healing process from incredible trauma. And it did that, in more ways than I imagined. I wanted Nesta to be angry and lash out. I wanted to see her inner struggles. I wanted to see how her relationships with those around her evolved. And we got all that. 

Much of this need for angst came after A Court of Frost and Starlight released where we got to see a bit of Nesta's fate after the end of book three. Her relationships with pretty much everyone are fractured and she has a lot of trauma, both from before the war and during it. Yet where Feyre and Rhys and pretty much everyone else got help and space to heal, that wasn't really offered to Nesta. So to see her journey healing but also challenging those around her was very enjoyable to me. 

We met some new side characters in this book that I absolutely loved. I'm not going to name names but I sincerely hope that they get ample page time in future books because I want to know more about each of them and their adventures and backstories and thoughts. The addition of these characters was so great for other reasons than just plot bolstering. Without getting into spoilers, I'll just say that these characters made me feel warm and fuzzy about a certain situation. 

I will say that for all I loved, if I looked at this book objectively it likely wouldn't be rated as highly. There is a plot involved that deals with a thread leftover from the original books and, while a lot of the book did follow along that plot, I mostly felt like it fell to the side. Plus, the ending for that specific issue just seemed too easy compared to the rest of the series. 

Additionally, there were parts of this book I was indifferent about or parts that annoyed me. Cassian, even though I love him, did have some moments where I wanted to shake him for thinking that way. While everything turned out the way it did despite those thoughts, I still would like to shake him. However, I guess one could also argue that no person is perfect and characters aren't perfect either. There was also a pretty big thing regarding two other characters in the series that I just...didn't care about. I love the characters but this particular thing they were dealing with wasn't something I like to read about in books. 

I would say overall this book was amazing for me. I cared the most about Nesta and her journey, so the things I was indifferent about didn't bother me as much because Nesta still had her core journey and healing going on. I'm so excited to see where the next books go and I do have pretty high expectations for it after this one. 

Did you like A Court of Silver Flames? Let me know in the comments below! 



Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



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Wednesday, August 12, 2020

folklore book tag


If you're anything like me, you'll have spent the last couple weeks obsessing over the amazing new album, folklore, from Taylor Swift. I've always enjoyed Taylor's music but have never been in love with an entire album of hers before. Listening to folklore for the first time was such an amazing experience and I'm truly in love with everything on this album. I was so excited when I found this tag because it sounds like everything I need and more. This tag was created by Ilsa @ A Whisper of Ink and I tag anyone who wants to do it! 



Kingsbane (Empirium, #2)the 1 // a book with an ending that left you speechless

For this prompt, I had to go with Kingsbane by Claire Legrand. This trilogy is one of my absolute favorites and I'm so excited for the final book to release in a couple months. However, this ending had me absolutely shook. No spoilers, but I still think about that ending at least once a week. It was such a twist and pretty much destroyed me!



The Song of Achillescardigan // a book that makes you feel happy and sad all at once

For this one I went with The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. This was just one long emotional journey for me. The writing was so beautiful and the book was so wonderful, but of course if you know The Iliad, then you know what happens to Patroclus and Achilles. This was such a bittersweet book and one of my go-to books when I want to cry.



Renegades (Renegades, #1)the last great american dynasty // a book with a fascinating and well-told story

I chose Renegades by Marissa Meyer for this prompt. I had never really read any superhero stories before and this trilogy was such an adventure for me. I only read it last month but it's earned a spot as one of my favorite series of all time. I am absolutely obsessed with these books and am just so blown away by Marissa's craft.



Crave (Crave, #1)exile // a book you wish you hadn’t read

I'm going to have to go with Crave by Tracy Wolff for this one. This is hands down the worst book I've read this year. I have a whole rant review here where I got into all the reasons why. I know a lot of people love this book but I was just not one of them. I could go on and on about all the reasons why this book disappointed me but I'll just say that reading it was, quite honestly, a complete waste of my time.



my tears ricochet // a book that made you cry uncontrollably 

So I'm a big crier when it comes to books. I tend to cry a lot at sad things, happy things, cute things, etc. Pretty much anything emotional has the potential to make me cry. However, if we want to delve into sobs? Well, there are a few that come to mind.

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)Up first, Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas. Oh gosh this book made me sob. If you've read this book then you know exactly why. This book had one of the worst (aka best written) cliffhangers I've ever had to wait to know the resolution for. Every time I re-read this book or saw fanart or just talked about it with people, I was close to tears.

Only a Breath ApartThen we have Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry. I connected so hard with the main character and her struggles in this book that it was such an emotional journey. I tend to always connect to characters in books but in this book I felt as if I were reading about my own struggles. There was a lot of crying and even some sobbing.

Strange and Ever After (Something Strange and Deadly, #3)The last one I have to mention is Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard. This is the final book in her debut trilogy and the ending absolutely ripped me apart. The ending is probably one of the best  series endings I've ever read but I was so caught of guard. I'm pretty sure I still have a video of me somewhere crying to my friend while covered in tears because of this book. 



Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove, #1)mirrorball // a book that feels like it was written just for you

The closest book to this prompt is Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin. I feel as if this book combined so many of my favorite tropes, character types, writing styles, and storylines into an amazing book. I absolutely adored this book and it's still one of my favorites of all time. I'm very eager for the second book coming out in less than a month! 



seven // a childhood book that makes you feel nostalgic

I actually still have a lot of my books from when I was younger (even though they're in storage right now) but I'd have to list some classics such as Twilight, Percy Jackson, Warriors, Vampire Academy, etc. I read a lot of long series when I was younger and absolutely loved them. I can't really narrow it down since they all make me feel so nostalgic.



Wicked (A Wicked Trilogy, #1)august // a book that reminds you of summer

I think for this one I am going to go with Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I think the main reason for that is because I read it during the summer and this first book takes place in New Orleans where it's hot most of the year. Plus the covers are this underwater design and they just feel very summery to me.



Sadiethis is me trying // a book that deals with loneliness & sadness

For this prompt I'm going with Sadie by Courtney Summer. This is a thriller but it follows a girl who's trying to hunt down her sister's killer. She's very lonely throughout the book despite interacting with others and this is not a happy book by any means. I read this a couple years ago and it was honestly such an interesting and powerful book for me. It still stands as the best YA thriller I've ever read.



Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)illicit affairs // a book that gave you a book hangover

I get book hangovers quite often, though some are just normal book slumps not tied to a direct book. However, I know for a fact that Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas put me into a huge book hangover. It was such a long final book and I had so many feels with my favorite series ending that it did take me a bit to get into another book.



Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)invisible string // a book that came into your life at the exact right time

There are a few of these but I'm going to have to go with Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I was always a big reader when I was younger, but I fell off reading books in middle school in favor of Wattpad (where I read a lot of awesome stories). But I found Throne of Glass the summer before my junior year of high school and ended up wanting to talk about books and be a part of the book community. There were a few other series I read at that time that I loved and helped contribute to me joining the community, but Throne of Glass was the main one. If I hadn't read Throne of Glass, I probably wouldn't be blogging or bookstagram-ing and I also wouldn't have met some of my closest bookish friends. I owe a lot to this book.



Trickery (Curse of the Gods, #1)mad woman // a book with a female character you adore

There are a lot of these but one of my absolute favorites is Willa from Trickery by Jaymin Eve & Jane Washington. This is a fantasy reverse harem series and our main character is absolutely hilarious. She's clumsy, outspoken, and just full of humor. However, she's also passionate and a badass. She's one of the characters I identified most with when I read it a few years ago. In fact, I may need to do a reread of this series soon.



Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #4)epiphany// a book that was haunting

The book I've chosen for this is Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco. Honestly any book in this series could probably work for this prompt, but this book has to take the top spot. I don't read a lot of horror or haunting books since I don't like to be scared, but in Capturing the Devil I was absolutely terrified. It was such a good book for so many reasons and I honestly need to do a reread of this entire series because it's just such a good, spooky series overall.



A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)betty // a book couple that fills you with yearning

I'll go with Feyre and Rhys from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas for this one. I think that, despite their initial rough patches, they have an open, honest, and passionate relationship. I'm currently in a long-distance relationship and, honestly, rereading scenes with Feyre and Rhys just makes me miss my own partner that much more.



The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1)peace // a book character you’d die for because you love them so much

There are a lot of characters I would theoretically die for. A lot of them come from some of my favorite series but, in the interest of not reusing books for this tag, I'll go with Nahri from the Daevabad trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty. She's such an amazing character to read from and she remains my favorite character in this entire trilogy to this day. She's flawed but she's also so passionate and badass. I'm actually really sad to have this trilogy and her story over.



Wicked Saints (Something Dark and Holy, #1)hoax // a book that you thought you were going to love but didn’t

There are a ton of these but most of them are books that I expected to love but only enjoyed or liked. However, if we're going to talk about major disappointments, I'm going to have to go with Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan for this one. I just found this book to be super dragging, lacking critical information and developments, and just not what I was hoping for.



Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



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Friday, April 3, 2020

March 2020 Book Haul!


So...I got a lot of books in March. After not purchasing a single book in February (though I did get some for free) the number I bought this month is a bit much...though I do have my reasons. I got 17 books this month, though 8 were preorders or used gift cards, 3 were sent to me by publishers, 2 were for class, and the others were ones that I really wanted to treat myself to. Let's just go ahead and dive right in!



Chain of Gold (The Last Hours, #1)The first book I got this month was Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare. I had preordered this months ago with a gift card so I was eagerly anticipating the date that it would finally arrive. While I don't expect to read this soon, I am beginning my reread of the Infernal Devices so that I can dive into this new book with fresh eyes! Plus, the cover and book itself is just absolutely stunning.

House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1)Up next, I have two copies of House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas. One is the regular US hardcover that I picked up from Barnes & Noble on release day and the other was the Waterstones edition with red-stained edges that I picked up while I was in London. I am also getting the special tour edition and another copy with a bookplate, so look forward to those in April!

Ash PrincessThen I got the entire Ash Princess trilogy by Laura Sebastian. This was sent to me by the publisher for my participation in the Ember Queen blog tour that was hosted by FFBC (you can find my post here). I was really happy to get copies of this trilogy since I'd only had the ebooks of the first two! I also read this entire trilogy in March and it was quite a great ride!

A Court of Thorns and Roses - WikipediaUp next, while I was in London, I got the entire A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy (minus book 2 since I already had it) in the gorgeous UK paperbacks. This series is getting an entire new set of covers and I knew that I wanted these editions before they went out of print, so while I was visiting London I picked them up.

CursedI also picked up Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout while I was in London. Jennifer is one of my auto-buy authors and I'm slowly trying to collect all of her books. Since she has over 50 published, it's taken me a while to buy them (and I'm still only halfway). This is one of her young-adult standalones and I figured that it's cheaper to buy in the UK so I picked it up when I saw it in Waterstones.

When I got back, I had to buy a couple of books for my classes since I no longer have access to the campus library. These were The Escape by William Wells Brown and The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton. The first one is a play written about escaping slavery while the other is about African-American folktales. I'm taking an African-American Literature class and it's probably my favorite class this semester, so I'm really excited about both of these books.

Amazon.com: Kingsbane (The Empirium Trilogy) (0760789291593 ...Up next, I have five books from Barnes & Noble. One of my amazing friends gave me a gift card that she wasn't going to use and I went a little bit crazy? I actually didn't spend over the gift card amount but I did try to get as many books as I could.

First, I picked up the paperback edition of Kingsbane by Claire Legrand, which actually releases April 7. I thought I was preordering it but I guess they sent it early because it arrived with the rest of the books. Anyway, this was one of my favorite books of 2019 and I am so excited for the final book to be releasing later this year. This book absolutely wrecked me and I cannot wait to reread it. The paperback is also a lot simpler than the hardcover and it's just so pretty.

Review: A Court of Thorn and Roses Trilogy – Mrs K ReadsI also got the A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy in the US paperbacks (minus book 2 since I already had it). Again, as with the UK paperbacks, I picked these up because I wanted them for my collection. Since the series is getting new covers, I also knew I wanted to get them before the new covers released so that I wouldn't run into the challenge of trying to find out of print books (because I hate that).

She's With Me
The last book I got from Barnes & Noble was She's With Me by Jessica Cunsolo. This was originally published on Wattpad and was my favorite story on there, so when I found out that it was being traditionally published by Wattpad Books, I was so excited. I finally got my hands on a copy and I ended up reading it the same day that it got delivered! I also just want to reread it immediately!



So those are all of the books I got in March. I definitely didn't expect to get that many and I am setting a goal to myself of not purchasing a single book in April (though books that I previously purchased that are on their way don't count). It will be tough since I have more time to read and I find that my urge to buy books goes up whenever I'm reading more, but I am trying to be strong and not spend money because of this whole pandemic situation. Either way, I do know that I'll be getting some books from publishers this month, so I'll see you in the next haul!



Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



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Saturday, June 15, 2019

Most Anticipated Releases of 2019


Hello all! We're about halfway through the year and we've seen a lot of amazing new releases so far. However, some of my most anticipated releases are yet to come! The second half of 2019 looks amazing in terms of new releases and special editions that are coming out so I thought I'd compile a list of some of my most anticipated! These are going to be in order of release and contain books from many different genres and authors, so let's just dive in! 



July

Up first, there are a couple of releases I'm looking forward to in July. The first of these is Losers Reap Her by H.B. Stumbo. This is the long awaited final book in the Hide and Seek Her trilogy which is one of my favorite trilogies. Not only is this series a great read, but these books also hold a special place in my heart. I've been waiting a few years for the final book and I am so excited that it's finally coming sometime in July! Here is the synopsis for book 1:

Jackson Greene was the dark. If there was a place in the world where all of the light had been sucked out of, Jackson Greene would be what was left standing. Charlotte Lyons had let Jackson Greene take all of the light from her world and after his mysterious disappearance and her near death experience she worries that she will spend the rest of her life trying to find the light again. Enter Vance Wait, the mysterious yet intriguing man who pulls Charlotte from the darkness of the shadows of her past and out of the world she has spent years hiding in. As Charlotte attempts to rebuild her life and learns what it is like to let someone new in, she finds that the things she thought were gone are hiding just out of her line of sight. The lingering thought that she should always look over her shoulder is like a burn that will never fade. Where Jackson is the flame still inflicting the wounds, unbeknownst to Charlotte, Vance is the gasoline used to ignite those flames. Sometimes the things we think we see are mirages, hallucinations even. Our imagination is usually what haunts us more than the actual vision our eyes process. It's the things we don't see, the things that we feel but cannot ever point out that are the real threat in our lives. Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing and you wouldn't believe the things you miss seeing when you're searching for something else. 

~

The second release is Heartstopper, Volume 2 by Alice Oseman. I read the first volume back in May and absolutely fell in love with how cute it was. I am so excited to get my hands on a copy of volume 2 so that I can dive back into these characters and see how things continue on from where they were left at the end of volume 1. Here is the synopsis for volume 1:


Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn't been too great, but at least he's not being bullied anymore, and he's sort of got a boyfriend, even if he's kind of mean and only wants to meet up in secret. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He's heard a little about Charlie - the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months - but he's never had the opportunity to talk to him. That is, until the start of January, in which Nick and Charlie are placed in the same form group and made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner...



September 

Next we have a whole bunch of exciting releases for September. Why is it that all the amazing-sounding books release in 1 of 3 months: May, September, and October? Either way, there are some books that I'm very highly anticipating for the month of September and I can't wait to get my hands on copies of! 

The first of these is Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff. This is the third and final book in the Nevernight Chronicles and I'm pretty excited. I've only read the first book but I'm planning a binge of the first to books to prepare for this one's release. There's also a chance I might have the opportunity to meet Jay on tour when I'm studying abroad this fall and that would honestly just be so exciting if I can figure it out. Here's the synopsis for book 1, Nevernight:


In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family. Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined. Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. If she bests her fellow students in contests of steel, poison and the subtle arts, she’ll be inducted among the Blades of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the vengeance she desires. But a killer is loose within the Church’s halls, the bloody secrets of Mia’s past return to haunt her, and a plot to bring down the entire congregation is unfolding in the shadows she so loves. Will she even survive to initiation, let alone have her revenge? 

~

Up next is another September 3rd release: Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin. This is a book that I didn't even know anything about until a couple months ago and now I'm so excited about it. I've heard so many amazing things and it sounds wonderfully magical and dark. Additionally, I've been told that if you like ACOMAF, you'll like this book and that's just a big selling point for me. Here's the synopsis:


Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned. Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony. The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all. 

~

Then we have another book on September 3rd that I'm beyond excited for that I didn't know anything about until very recently: There Will Come A Darkness by Katy Rose Pool. After reading the synopsis for this book, I am so excited for its release. It sounds like everything I love about fantasy books all mashed into one. Plus, the cover is absolutely stunning and pre-release reviews have all been super positive! Here's the synopsis: 


The Age of Darkness approaches.
Five lives stand in its way.
Who will stop it... or unleash it? 

For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations―until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared. All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction. As chaos takes hold, five souls are set on a collision course:

A prince exiled from his kingdom.
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.
A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart. 
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.

One of them―or all of them―could break the world. Will they be savior or destroyer? Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Children of Blood and Bone, and An Ember in the Ashes

~

Another September 3rd release I'm looking forward to is The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young. This is the companion spin-off novel to Sky in the Deep which was one of my books of 2018. It was such an easy book to fall into with amazing characters and a compelling narrative. This companion spin-off follows one of the side-characters from Sky and I'm so excited to get to read their story! Here's the synopsis:


For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home.

~

Finally moving on to September 10th, there are a couple releases I'm super excited about. The first of these two is Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco. This is the fourth and final book in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series and I'm beyond excited to see how it will end. With the end of Escaping From Houdini, I have so many theories and anticipations for this final book. I'm eagerly looking forward to this book being my read on the plane over to London. I've put the synopsis for the first book, Stalking Jack the Ripper, down below.


Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world. The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

~

Next we have Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron. This is a book that wasn't even on my radar until a few weeks ago but I'm super excited for it nonetheless! I actually just received an advanced copy of this book from a trade so I may even be able to squeeze this in before it comes out! Anyway, this book is an African-inspired fantasy that I've been told you'll like if you enjoy Black Panther and witch doctors. I am so excited to dive into this story and this cover is a stunning addition to my shelf! Here's the synopsis:


Magic has a price—if you’re willing to pay.

Born into a family of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah yearns for magic of her own. But each year she fails to call forth her ancestral powers, while her ambitious mother watches with growing disapproval. There’s only one thing Arrah hasn’t tried, a deadly last resort: trading years of her own life for scraps of magic. Until the Kingdom’s children begin to disappear, and Arrah is desperate to find the culprit. She uncovers something worse. The long-imprisoned Demon King is stirring. And if he rises, his hunger for souls will bring the world to its knees… unless Arrah pays the price for the magic to stop him

~

The final release of September that I'm looking forward to is Steel Tide by Natalie C. Parker. This is the sequel to Seafire which was one of my favorite reads of 2018. I loved the characters and the world so much. I can't wait to see what happens next and I hope that I'll get my hands on a copy once I get back from studying abroad! Here's the synopsis for book 1, Seafire:


After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric and his men. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet.

But when Caledonia's best friend and second-in-command barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all . . . or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?



October

Moving into October, I have seven more books to talk about as well as a bookish related release. The first thing I'm looking forward to releases on October 1st and is Embers of Memory, a new card game that is themed around my favorite book series: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I've been so excited for this ever since it was released and I cannot wait to get my hands on it and start playing!


A lavishly illustrated card game set during the events of Kingdom of Ash, the epic climax to the best-selling Throne of Glass series from Sarah J. Maas, with two players working together over the course of multiple games to overcome the challenges faced by Aelin Galathynius.

[Redacted Spoilers]

Embers of Memory: A Throne of Glass Game is a two-player co-operative card game set during the events of Kingdom of Ash, the epic climax to Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series. Working together, you must delve into the memories of the young queen and help her face her inner demons before she is overwhelmed. Be warned--each challenge you face is more complex than the last, testing the bond between you and your partner to its limit.

~

Up next, also releasing October 1st, is Supernova by Kass Morgan. I read an arc of the first book last year and I really enjoyed it. It was a super quick read and the ending had me absolutely shook! I've been highly anticipating finding out what happens next and I'm super excited for this release. Like Steel Tide and many others on this list, I won't be getting a copy on release day as I'll be studying abroad but I'm beyond excited nonetheless for when I finally will. Here's the synopsis for book 1, Light Years:


With a galaxy on the brink of war and loyalties divided, the friendship of four Quatra Fleet cadets will be tested as their greatest enemy closes in.

Arrested for espionage, Orelia's future is looking bleak . . . until the Quatrans make her a surprising offer that could save her life -- and the lives of everyone in the galaxy. Reeling from a betrayal, Arran finds comfort in a sympathetic boy from Loos, someone who understands how hard it can be to fit in. But is it enough for Arran to forget his heartbreak? Meanwhile, Cormak's position at the Academy is in jeopardy when someone discovers his own treasonous secret, putting everything he's fought for in peril. And Vesper is on the brink of becoming the superstar officer she always dreamed she'd be . . . until she uncovers a conspiracy that shakes her faith in the Quatra Fleet to its core.

As secret machinations come to light, these cadets will be forced to overcome their differences and band together to restore peace to their worlds.

~

October 8th sees three more releases that I'm really excited about, the first being The Burning Shadow by Jennifer L. Armentrout. This is the second book in her Origin series--which is a spin-off series to the Lux series. I haven't yet read the first book but I am super excited to hopefully read it this summer so that I can continue onto this series! Here's the synopsis for book 1, The Darkest Star:


When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head...

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Up next is The Beautiful by Reneé Adieh. This has been pitched to me as a vampire murder mystery romance set in historical New Orleans. Everything about that appeals to me and I'm super lucky to have an advanced copy of this book that I'll actually be reading very soon! Here's the synopsis:


New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.

When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.

At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful.

~

The last October 8 release that I'm looking forward to is the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I absolutely love collecting these illustrated editions and this one looks absolutely beautiful. I can't wait for the day when I have a complete set sitting on my shelves to admire and read to my niece when she's older.


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On October 15th releases one of my most anticipated books and that is the collector's edition of An Ember in the Ashes. I'm so excited about this one simply because it's releasing in hardcover with the new covers that match the rest of the series! Not only that, but there will be bonus content, fan art, and they will be signed by Sabaa! I'm just so excited about this release that I can't even contain myself. Here's the description for the collector's edition:


A hardcover, must-have collector’s edition of the instant New York Times bestselling An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, signed and hand-stamped by the author and featuring exclusive content, fan art, and more!

This exclusive edition of book one of the Ember Quartet features never-before-seen content including:
-custom fan art drawn by an artist hand-picked by Sabaa Tahir
-redesigned case
-two chapters annotated by Sabaa Tahir
-a letter from Elias
-and more!

Laia is a slave.
Elias is a soldier.
Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Laia and her family do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do. But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, she is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy. There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

~

I also am super excited about Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and illustrated by Wendy Xu which is releasing on October 15 as well. This sounds like a super cute witchy graphic novel that I am beyond excited for. The cover is stunning and I've seen a few sneak peeks at the artwork inside and it has me really excited. Here's the synopsis:


A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft.

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town. One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery.

~

The last release of October that I'm looking forward to is The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons. This is the sequel to The Ruin of Kings which I read earlier this year and enjoyed. I am eager to do a reread of the book so that I can get a deeper understanding and see what I missed before diving into this sequel! Here's the synopsis for book 1, The Ruin of Kings:


There are the old stories. And then there’s what actually happens.

Kihrin is a bastard orphan who grew up on storybook tales of long-lost princes and grand quests. When he is claimed against his will as the long-lost son of a treasonous prince, Kihrin finds that being a long-lost prince isn't what the storybooks promised. Far from living the dream, Kihrin finds himself practically a prisoner, at the mercy of his new family's power plays and ambitions. He also discovers that the storybooks have lied about a lot of other things things, too: dragons, demons, gods, prophecies, true love, and how the hero always wins.

Then again, maybe he’s not the hero, for Kihrin isn’t destined to save the empire.

He’s destined to destroy it . . .



November

In November I have some Sarah J Maas-related releases that I am pumped for. Up first we have the collector's edition of A Court of Thorns and Roses. I'm beyond excited for this and I can't wait to see what the collector's edition covers will look like and what bonus content is going to be included! You know my SJM-loving heart is definitely going to be getting herself a copy of both the US and UK editions!


Experience Feyre Archeron's journey all over again with the beautiful collector's edition of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the seductive first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series by Sarah J. Maas, featuring a deluxe new package, an updated map, ribbon pull, and more!

When nineteen-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin-one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever.

All of the magic of Feyre's epic journey and romance is reflected in this enchanting, collectible edition of A Court of Thorns and Roses, which comes complete with a cloth slipcase featuring unique foil art on the case and book cover, ribbon pull, brand-new interior page designs, metallic endpapers, and a newly illustrated map.

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Additionally, on the same day, there is a set of mini editions for the Throne of Glass series coming out. All eight books are being published in a miniature book and each will have bonus content focused around a different character. For more information you can find the official release here. I am so excited to add these to my collection and I just can't wait to hold them in my hands.




Well, there you have it! I am so excited about so many releases during these upcoming months and I just know my collection is going to look even better with all of these beauties on my shelves! I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe even found some new books that you're looking forward too as well!



Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



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