The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

 A Clean Fantasy Young Adult Series

A new author and a new series for me, I was initially pulled in by the beautiful cover, and I'm always here for anything fantasy related.

Synopsis:

Tea can raise the dead, but resurrection comes at a price...

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother, Fox, from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she's a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.

In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha―one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles…and make a powerful choice.

Thoughts:

I recently finished up Bone Witch, and I have mixed feelings on this book, but I think I'm the problem, and not the book.

First of all, this book is a YA Fantasy Novel, but this is a *young* young adult possibly borders middle grade to me, and I didn't feel like there was any coming of age. Yet? Maybe that comes later in the series.

The book had two timelines but really only in the beginning. We meet an older Tea, an exiled Tea, and the what and why never was resolved. After meeting older Tea, we go back to when she is 15 and she first realizes she is a dark asha. Most of this book is about her finding out who she is, accidentally raising her brother from the dead (as you do), and going to school to be a dark asha, also known as a bone witch.

I'm not one to get caught up in school drama stuff, which is why YA books aren't always my thing. There's a bit of that in here, a bit of mean girl stuff, a bit of girl crush stuff, jealousy, etc. The book seemed to wander until suddenly it was a who dunnit, and then it was over. There are two more books in the series, and I do plan on at least reading the next one.

The Bone Witch was originally released February 1, 2018 and is available at Amazon or Bookshop.

Disclaimer: I purchased this book for my own reading enjoyment.  There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

 

Can we talk banned books for a minute?  

Reading banned books for me is my very quiet way of "sticking it to the man." Its a way of joining the table of discussion about banned books. 

Perks of Being a Wallflower has been banned from many public school curriculum since it was published in 1999. Most recently you can read about it being banned from this Florida school district for "extreme sexual content descriptions, bestiality and a language alert, using a “shock effect to engage teenage minds” 

I'm not going to lie, I completely forgot about the very brief mention of any bestiality in the book it was so inconsequential.  I digress! 

To see it's entire banning history check out this link here from Marshall University.

Synopsis:

Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

Thoughts:

I feel this book should absolutely be required reading for every young person or any adult who may have forgotten what it's like to be a young person.  Parents who are on the fence should co-read this so you can discuss any hot topics or subjects with your child as they read it. 

This story will benefit any reader because it will:

• Expose the reader to gay positive themes.
• Humanize our narrator as he navigates growing up in the 90's. 
• Expose the reader to difficult situations, such as bullying, rape, abortion, drug use, sexual abuse, suicide, physical abuse and the emotional roller coaster these themes can bring to people experiencing them.
• Discuss themes teenagers usually have to deal with, like first kisses, self-esteem, finding friends, and dealing with crushes.
• Remind us that when we are going through difficult things we aren't alone.
• Our past doesn't define us, and it's completely possible to thrive after a difficult period.

Charlie's letters in this story sometimes are absolutely heart breaking.  His letters are raw and dive into a very deep and private part of growing up in the 90's. We follow Charlie as he navigates that first year in high school, and all of the difficulties that comes with being a teenager. Charlie is encouraged by his teacher to "participate in life" and not just be a bystander or a "wallflower."

The post script is by far one of the most powerful parts of the book. Don't skip it. We learn after all he went through, Charlie is ok. He reflects back on his youth as a difficult time, but we also learn how his story has helped other young people feel less alone in their battles. 

Some of my favorite quotes from this book are when Charlie's English teacher tells him "We accept the love we think we deserve," and "Be a filter, not a sponge."

When we ban books like this we only stunt the growth of the young people this would benefit. We lose an opportunity to be kinder, more open, and loving as a community. This book isn't here to glorify these behaviors or circumstances...but to open our minds to the individuals who may be living lives we don't understand. We shouldn't shy away from the difficult conversations this book might encourage.

This is a coming of age story that should not be skipped. I think every young person (or even older people) should read this book to gain a deeper knowledge of themselves, and to grow as empathetic humans. We need more of those.

Perks of Being a Wallflower was published February 1, 1999 is available at most public libraries (if it hasn't been banned) and it's also available on  Amazon and Bookshop.

If you'd like to support this blog, please be sure to check out my Etsy Shop and my Read Banned Books Shirt, sticker, and coffee mug.

Disclaimer: I borrowed this book from my library. There are links to Amazon, Bookshop and Etsy, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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White as Witching by Katherine Buel

I picked up White as Witching by Katherine Buel on Netgalley, I still browse now and then looking for books that might grab my attention. I didn't realize when I grabbed it that it was a fairytale retelling, and it definitely snagged all the main points of Snow White's Story.

Synopsis:

The Selection is a lie. The five girls chosen each year do not vanish into a life of royal luxury, as most believe. Snow knows this because she knows her aunt Lyric—the Witch-Queen of Cresilea—murderess and usurper.

When the Selection comes to the remote village where Snow has hidden since her father’s murder, she puts herself forward, trusting in her scarred face to hide her identity, and enters the castle she fled seven years ago—a place now haunted by unnatural whispers and eerie shadows.

But more is at stake than Snow’s revenge, or even the fates of five girls, and she must learn all she can about Lyric’s magic—and her own—before it’s too late.

Rich and darkly enchanting, White as Witching takes you into a perilous world of fairy tale where you must break the first rule:

Do not go into the woods at night.

Do not follow the faerie lights.

Do not dance and do not sing—set no foot in the faerie ring.

Thoughts:

As in most fairytale retellings this book contained the structure of Snow White. We had Snow, the hunter, the evil queen and the dwarves. We also had the bonus of Rose Red who is left out of many Snow White retellings. There were some original twists to this retelling, like fairies, and fae..and fae kings.

The world building was gradual, the characters dynamic and I enjoyed watching them grow as they faced the queen. Be ready for the love conquers all feel...it is a fairytale after all. Generally I have to be in the mood for that kind of thing, which kept my goodreads rating from a five to a four.

This book is geared towards a YA audience, with sex being only implied. Triggers being parental death, death, gore and cannibalism.

White as Witching was published October 22, 2022, and is available on Amazon.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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Blog Tour: Secrets of Isoria by Cristina Macari

 

Ya'll, I'm excited to participate in my very first creative blog tour! This tour is for Secrets of Isoria by Cristina Macari, and is hosted by MTMC Tours. Set in an elite academy for sorcerers filled with magic, romance, betrayals and some serious twists and turns. Secrets of Isoria is the first installment in the YA Contemporary Fantasy series published on December 13th 2021.

About the book:

Title: Secrets of Isoria

Author: Cristina Macari
Series: Secrets of Isoria #1
Publication Date: December 13th, 2021
Genres: YA Contemporary Fantasy
Format: eBook, Paperback, Hardcover
Purchase a copy: Amazon | Book Depository |
Barnes &Noble | Indiebound | Blackwell's

Add on Goodreads!

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Orion Candor has always felt like an outsider. Concealing her weird, unexplained abilities hasn't been easy, and a near-death experience turns her world upside down. She learns she has elemental powers and must train at an elite academy in Isoria, a hidden country for sorcerers. But dark forces begin to test Orion in ways she couldn’t have imagined.

Fear and treachery haunt Isoria's streets as the country’s most malicious sorcerer, Cyril Obsidian, craves domination. But Orion discovers her late grandmother hid clues leading to a relic that can turn the tide of evil. Determined to solve the mysteries of her past, Orion finds herself on the run from Cyril and entangled in a spy ring with questionable motives—the same spy ring her grandmother once belonged to.

In a world that thrives on deception, Orion must choose her allies carefully. One wrong move and she could lose Isoria’s last chance at freedom—along with her life.

Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book you guys. If you enjoy fantasy, magic school type books definitely check this out. The world building was gradual, as the MC was basically as much in the dark as you are when we start this story. We learn as she does what Isoria is and her place in it. It's a little bit of who dunnit, a little bit of who's actually the bad guy, and the good guy that will just kind of keep you guessing. 

This definitely feels like a YA book, as Orion is just sixteen. She is coping with so much for being such a young main character. Her closest allies are Rae, Julian and Alec...along with Banden who took her in while her mother had to be away.  She deals with lots of trust issues as EVERYONE seems to know things she doesn't, and even her mother kept her in the dark about her having powers.

We have a spy ring, a heist, political intrigue, a mystery all wrapped up in one book. 

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For my part of this creative blog tour, I pushed my graphics skills a bit and worked on a book mark for you guys! It has one of my favorite quotes in this story. I had so much fun making it while learning a new thing. Click on the image to download the free PDF, be sure to print it out on cardstock paper! Let me know what you think! 

INTL Tour-wide Instagram Giveaway!

Head over to my Instagram account to enter the tour giveaway where three lucky readers will win a physical copy of Secrets of Isoria!

Ends on December 24th, 2022. Winner will be announced on @mtmctours’ Instagram account.

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Tour Schedule:

December 12

@paperfury - Bookstagram; Book Blog

@dreaminginpages - Bookstagram

December 13

@bookspired - Bookstagram; BookTok

@monikasbookblog - Bookstagram

December 14

@thereaderandthechef - Bookstagram; Book Blog

@itbeganwiththestars - Bookstagram; BookTok

December 15

@gwendalyn_books_ - Bookstagram; Book Blog

@bookishqueenreads - Bookstagram

December 16

@amordeluna0 - Bookstagram; BookTok

@over.on.my.bookshelf - Bookstagram

December 17

@afaerytalee - Bookstagram; BookTok

@myrelationshipwith - Bookstagram

December 18

@dovireads - Bookstagram; BookTok

@purely_bookish - Bookstagram

December 19

@pavlinamich - Bookstagram; Book Blog

@mels_booksandhooks - Bookstagram

December 20

@rozanne_visagie - Bookstagram; BookTok

@dbookishprincess - Bookstagram

December 21

@heathen_booker - Bookstagram; Book Blog

@mulberryreads - Bookstagram

About Cristina Macari:

Cristina Macari is the author of the young adult contemporary fantasy series, Secrets of Isoria. She grew up in New Jersey and is the proud child of Italian immigrants. She holds a B.S. in History and double minored in Creative Writing and INternational Business at the Ramapo College of New Jersey. She has always loved the idea of magic hiding in our modern world and gets lost in creating in-depth worlds filled with secrets and danger. She hopes that she can help readers escape the everyday with her writing while entertaining and finding themselves and those they care about in her books. Just like her character, she hopes readers will discover they too have a place in this world. When she’s not writing or reading, she can be found horseback riding, spending time in nature, gaming, weightlifting, doing yoga, or playing piano.

Website | Instagram | Twitter

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The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford

Outsiders are always given a choice: the Forest or the lake.

 Either way, they’re never heard from again.

Synopsis:

Leelo has spent her entire life on Endla, coexisting with the bloodthirsty Forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who seek to destroy it. But as much as Leelo cares for her community, she struggles to accept that her younger brother will be exiled by his next birthday, unless he gains the magic of enchanted song so vital to Endla.

When Leelo sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake, she knows exactly what she’s supposed to do. But in a moment that will change everything, Leelo betrays her family, her best friend, and Endla by making an unthinkable choice.

Discovery could lead to devastating consequences for both Leelo and the outsider, Jaren, but as they grow closer, Leelo realizes that not all danger comes from beyond the lake—and they can only survive if Leelo is willing to question the very fabric of her society, her people, and herself.

Rating:

Thoughts:

Things that grab my attention...when the antagonist is an ancient forest that requires blood to survive. This book was not what I expected.

The atmosphere of Endla is almost like religious zealotry when it comes to their thoughts and feelings of the Wandering Forest. Protect the forest, and the forest will protect them is what they believe. For some, the sacrifices they make to live the life they are used to becomes too much.  Leelo's emotional struggle was so raw when her brother is sent across the poisonous lake to the mainland because he doesn't have magic. Then followed by moral decision when she finds an outsider on the island shortly after.  Does she do what she's been taught to do, and kill him, or does she listen to her heart and help him survive? What I don't think she expects, is the very sweet, and slow way both her and Jaren fall for each other. 

If you're looking for a sweet, emotional fantasy read with a clean slow burn romance be sure to add this one to your list! 

The Poison Season is available on Amazon and Bookshop beginning December 6th!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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Beyond the Filigree Wall by Melissa Wright

 

A clean, slow burn, enemies to lovers YA Romantasy

Synopsis:

Antonetta Ostwind is about to get everything she’s ever wanted. If all goes to plan, she’ll end the fae, steal back what was stolen, and win the post she’s dreamed of since she was a girl.

There’s just one problem. His name is Gideon Alexander.

Gideon holds the key to her coveted post. He’s fantastic with a sword, looks amazing in uniform, and commands even the adoration of his great, beastly dog. He’s living the life Etta needs.

Gideon doesn’t believe Etta should have any of it. In fact, he’s planning to make sure she never does. And that’s a real problem, because if Etta can’t take her post as marshal, how can she have her vengeance and save the kingdom from the prince of the fae?

Slip into clean, slow-burn romance with a properly stabby heroine and the low commitment of a standalone series in this light regency fantasy romp for fans of Enchantment of Ravens and Little Thieves.

Thoughts:

So much I didn't see coming in this book.  Including how I was suddenly almost finished with it with out realizing it. It's not often I inhale a book in a day. The storytelling was immersive and vibrant, and I was able to picture what was going on easily. I really loved Etta, and felt like I could relate to her. She was independent, and rash, but she also grew in the story. Gideon I didn't like at the beginning.  He was stuffy, a stickler to rules, but as the story was laid out it made sense he was the way he was, and I loved how he softened towards Etta. Going to be honest, I'm not usually a fan of enemies to lovers, mostly because many are written in a toxic way...and this one refreshingly was done beautifully.

When Etta returned from being a way, I wondered if she was acting like the spoiled child of a monarch. Her father had sent her away for training to become marshal, learning sword fighting and other tools that would make her a good leader of the kingdom's law enforcement. There may have been a bit of spoiledness to her, dispite the hardships she had in life, but the fae prince's curse and having to learn how to overcome that pushed her to become even more resourceful.

If you're looking for a great coming of age fantasy story, with a very light side of clean romance be sure to add this to your shopping list.  

Beyond the Filigree Wall will be available on Amazon beginning December 6th.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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Lost Long by Rochelle Wilcox

 

Synopsis:

The Norse God of Love Freyr doesn't want to drag Lia into the strange world of Gods and giants hidden in humanity’s midst. But after Lia witnesses the impossible in the sky above her on a dark Los Angeles morning, he has no choice. Hoping to save her life from members of his family determined to end it, Freyr takes Lia to the other side of the world, into the realm of dragons and monsters far below, and finally to the mythical land of Asgard. Along the way, as Freyr discovers a love he couldn't have anticipated and didn't want, he must decide how far he will go to protect Lia from the fight that his brothers started, and he will end.

Thoughts:

Two things that really made me want to read this book.  First was that GORGEOUS cover, and secondly I'm such a geek for Norse mythology. I really enjoyed how the author tied in lots of details from these old stories, bringing in characters that many might not of heard of, like Hnossa, Magni, and many more.

The world building is gentle, and we slowly learn why Freyr and Freya have had a falling out with the Aesir. There is an exciting journey to get to Asgard to seek an audience with Odin.  This could have easily become a TV show, with all the trouble this group managed to get into. The book does leave you on a bit of a cliffhanger, but no worries..book two and three are already available.

If you're looking for an exciting, action packed read, with just a touch of romance you should get this book.

Lost Long is available on Amazon!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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The Dark of Letum by Julianne Kelsch

Book one of the Countess of Letum series.

 

Synopsis:

Her world has fallen to the Master of darkness, the souls of men consumed by death. Now, death wants her.

It began with rumors whispered in secret and carried on the wind. The whispers spread, gaining power, until they became desolate houses with dark, wide-eyed windows and doors hanging agape, bewildered at their sudden emptiness.

The rumors grew. The villages bled. The darkness spread.
Then, it was too late.

The night she realized her life was over was the night her mother died at the hands of a monster. One look at him and Kyra knew: this was the demon that fueled nightmares.

Years later she’s trained, she’s skilled, and she’s ready to fight.
She finds other refugees like herself. She forms partnerships and joins alliances. Some will betray her. Others, defend her. All of them have their own goal – to bring about the world they desire.

But the darkness has its own agenda, and humanity has already fallen.

Death secures the bait and sets the trap. When Kyra finds herself ensnared by its grasping claws, can she stand against the darkness that destroyed humanity or will she succumb to the destruction of her soul?

Rating:

Thoughts:

I thought there was a really good story to tell here, but the way the story was laid out for me made it very difficult to follow. The mulitude of short chapters that went back and forth in time were very jarring. I had a hard time settling into this story because the narrative felt like it was constantly getting interrupted.  This book wasn't very long but it felt like I took me forever to get through it because of these interruptions. 

I also felt like the characters were very superficial. I was never able to feel any connection with them, or their relationships to each other. This book felt like a list of events, instead of immersive story-telling. This is the first book in a series, so I'm hoping this book's purpose was to lay out a plot for further books ahead.  

If you're looking for a dark fantasy read, that keeps you on the edge you might enjoy this book!

The Dark of Letum is available on Amazon.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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Heart of the Valley by Shermon Kodi

 A creatively written, dual-timeline dark fantasy

Synopsis:

The Valley must feed, and Serena is next.

Raised to hold a lone vigil over a realm of spirits, Serena is the only one who can stop the ghostorms and maintain the barrier that keeps the demons at bay. Though she knows it’s her duty, she’s terrified to leave the safety of her temple and the priests who trained her. 

When her only friend is cut with a cursed blade, Serena has no choice but to face her fears. 

She must journey through the Valley of Souls and embrace her destiny before it’s too late. If she fails, the agents of evil will finally be freed from their prison, unleashing a new age of darkness upon the world.

Rating:

Trigger Warnings: Death, Violence, Parental Death, Abandonment

Thoughts:

I have a love hate relationship with dual timeline stories. On one hand, from a creative viewpoint I think they're brilliant. Weaving two stories in and out and then showing how these two vibrant stories were relevant to the other has got to be challenging. I fell in love with both MC's and chapters were usually left in cliffhanger style, and then we switch to the other story.  Ya'll...it was jarring, and often times I did NOT want to switch storylines, however...that should attest to the story being told. They were good, but I had a bit of whiplash.

Both MC's really grow in contrasting ways, which I also thought was very well done. Serena is a young student destined to be the Grace of the Valley, and she's not sure she wants the job. Instead she considers running off and not fulfilling her duties at all. We see her grow into her roll as she realizes how important she is to the world.

Dodson, our other MC a fierce ennusi warrior who is able to use "koho" or fire elements for both battle and healing. She is one of the most powerful warriors in the Rhor empire. The queen assigns her a new yatis, that's sort of like an apprentice/adoptive son, named Alesund.  She initially is dissapointed in him, but quickly realizes even despite his gentle nature he is extremely gifted. Together and Alesund travel to Aborynk, and along the way her entire situation changes. Dodson initially doesn't want anything to do with Alesund, but the boy grows on her.

Overall this was a well written, fast paced YA novel.  If you're looking for a unique dark fantasy novel be sure to grab this one.

Heart of the Valley was published October 25, 2022 and is available on Amazon.

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Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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