Not *quite* as charming as Dungeons and Drama, but completely adorable nonetheless.
This was a bit heavier on the D&D, which made it harder to follow aNot *quite* as charming as Dungeons and Drama, but completely adorable nonetheless.
This was a bit heavier on the D&D, which made it harder to follow as one virtually ignorant of the game.
But I'm here for a sweet romance, involved parents, solid friendships, and an over the top grandmother that really reminded me of my own.
"All ww can do is live it." She looks straight in my eyes, her expression almost stern. "Live your life, Quinn. Every minute of it. Don't drift through it--live it."...more
This Christmas novella was adorable! I'm ready for a full-length novel in this magical world.This Christmas novella was adorable! I'm ready for a full-length novel in this magical world....more
A most excellent teen fantasy adventure! . I loved everything about this book. Part love letter to reading, part Once Upon a Time, this story was compleA most excellent teen fantasy adventure! . I loved everything about this book. Part love letter to reading, part Once Upon a Time, this story was completely unique and kept me guessing the whole time. It was so fun to try and anticipate what book character would show up next. . I really hope I can convince one of my children to read it because I know each of them will love it. . "I'd say he isn't liking this dance much either, " Theo nodded toward the unpleasant-looking fellow.
"That's Mr. Darcy," Leyna explained.
"So, he's the one all the girls are swooning over. I don't see why." Theo shrugged.
"He gets better with time," Leyna grinned. . Don't miss this one. You won't regret it. . Huge thanks to J.A. Hemingway for sending me this beautiful book in a completely charming package!...more
I'm not typically a fan of annotated editions of books, mostly because I find the plentiful notes and explanations to be distracting. But this annotatI'm not typically a fan of annotated editions of books, mostly because I find the plentiful notes and explanations to be distracting. But this annotated Anne of Green Gables? This one is gold. I had the best time reading this forever favorite, and I gained some new insights into this beloved story. . Since my cousin's sudden death last January, I've been much more sensitive to the themes of grief in the books I read, even having to avoid some books because it's just too heavy for now. Since his loss, there is a sense of grief and sadness that just sort of pervades everything. I was worried about how I would handle the final chapers of Green Gables, and it turns out I sobbed my way through them, and for several minutes after. . "When Matthew was here, he liked to hear you laugh and he liked to know that you found pleasure in the pleasant things around you, " said Mrs Allan gently. "He us just away now; and he likes to know it just the same. I am sure we should not shut our hearts against the healing influences that nature offers us. But I can understand your feeling. I think we all experience the same thing. We resent the thought that anything can please us when someone we love is no longer here to share the pleasure with us, and we almost feel as if we were unfaithful to our sorrow when we find our interest in life returning to us." . The first half of Anne's story is so fun and whimsical, but the second half is where Anne of Green Gables really shines. Life is bittersweet, and growing up is coming to appreciate the bends in the road. . Blessedly, "God's in his heaven, all's right with the world." . I always love Anne of Green Gables, but this most definitely was the most poignant reading experience yet....more
I'm completely in love with this book. It's easily one of the best books I've read this year. . I'd never heard of The Story of Pretty Gildilocks beforeI'm completely in love with this book. It's easily one of the best books I've read this year. . I'd never heard of The Story of Pretty Gildilocks before this; I assumed Goldilocks also meant the three bears, so I was really confused when the Bears still hadn't shown up by halfway through. Silly me. . This is, ultimately, a story about love and sacrifice, with a healthy amount of forgiving yourself and not letting your past define you. . The romance in this was epic, a love story for the ages. I kept waiting for Ewan McGregor to bust out a moving rendition of "Come What May" at any moment! . "It wasn't honor to some oath that held him to her side; that was just the explanation he offered to people who would never understand his devotion to her. It was that he considered her more valuable than himself." . Parts of this story were brutal and evoked a lot of emotion. I'd recommend waiting until 16+ for teens due to some pretty dark and heavy elements. . HUGE thanks to Owl's Nest Publishers for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I can't wait for everyone else to have a chance to experience this story! And I really can't wait to read it again....more
"I have all of this because of you," Merritt murmured, sober. "Do you realize that? We're afraid because we have so much to lose. And we have so much "I have all of this because of you," Merritt murmured, sober. "Do you realize that? We're afraid because we have so much to lose. And we have so much to lose because of you."
Started off a bit slow, and I was confused by some of the magical system, but I settled in nicely as the story found its rhythm.
Found family is one of my favorite story tropes, and what a family we've found.
The last few chapters made me sob like I was watching the end of RoTK. Just waves and waves of emotions.
Despite the title, this is an absolutely beautiful story of love.
I snagged an advanced copy from the author herself at an event I went to. Lucky day!...more
This is one of the best book series I've read in a long time. . I really loved seeing the backstory of things from The Breeder Cycle books. So much greaThis is one of the best book series I've read in a long time. . I really loved seeing the backstory of things from The Breeder Cycle books. So much great character development and tension made my heart race during the majority of this story. . If you're looking for an excellent dystopian series, don't sleep on this one!...more
I didn't intend to read this in less than 24 hours, but here we are. . I don't know that I've ever been so satisfied with the ending to a series. . I loveI didn't intend to read this in less than 24 hours, but here we are. . I don't know that I've ever been so satisfied with the ending to a series. . I loved the whole thing. The characters are amazing, and the story kept me guessing right up to the end, . I loved the insights into what makes us human. For a book so full of disturbing events, it was also so full of hope and light. . I'm sad that it's over, but I'm happy about the reading experience. It'll be interesting to read it again with what I know now....more
Whew! All I can say is that I'm so glad I can read book 3 right away! . This most definitely did not suffer from "middle book syndrome." . So much great pWhew! All I can say is that I'm so glad I can read book 3 right away! . This most definitely did not suffer from "middle book syndrome." . So much great plot and character development; I can't wait to find out how it all ends....more
This was the most adorable story! . A fake dating high school romance, with A game store setting, a highly entertaining game of Dungeons and Dragons, muThis was the most adorable story! . A fake dating high school romance, with A game store setting, a highly entertaining game of Dungeons and Dragons, musical theater references, and the sweetest gang of friends.
I loved everything about this one. . 11/5/24: If I read a book twice in the year, it's a good book! If I own the book in multiple formats (Kindle and paperback), it's an even better sign....more
I was skeptical about a graphic novel that weaves folklore and fantasy in with the horrors of the Holocaust, but this was really well done. . I had the I was skeptical about a graphic novel that weaves folklore and fantasy in with the horrors of the Holocaust, but this was really well done. . I had the opportunity to hear Neal Shusterman talk about the process of writing these stories when he came to my daughters school in late 2023. I loved listening to him speak; he has such a unique perspective. . The illustrations in this graphic novel are stunning....more
So much has happened since we last visited Panem. Parts of the Hunger Games no longer feel all that far-fe"The snow may fall, but the sun also rises."
So much has happened since we last visited Panem. Parts of the Hunger Games no longer feel all that far-fetched.
I loved the messages of humanity that are subtle yet powerful throughout this book. Terrible things happen when we stop seeing people as people, when we call them monsters and animals and strip them of their humanity.
This book is tough to read despite knowing how it ends. Watching Haymitch become Haymitch is devastating. Watching Haymitch refuse to let the Capitol win, though? A solid reminder that rebellion and revolution are a long game, a continuous fight to keep the darkness from victory.
There are so many cameos and Easter eggs throughout this book, and it was nice to see some familiar faces.
I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.
"I didn't want to let them in, her and Peeta, but the walls of a person's heart are not impregnable, not if they have ever known love."...more
4.5 stars. . This is one of my most-anticipated new releases for 2024, and it delivered in every single way! . ✔️Sleeping Beauty meets Dracula, with a tou4.5 stars. . This is one of my most-anticipated new releases for 2024, and it delivered in every single way! . ✔️Sleeping Beauty meets Dracula, with a touch of Twilight, in a steampunk setting. . ✔️Prince Albert, a wood nymph, before he married Queen Victoria features prominently. . ✔️Magical twin bond . ✔️True love's sacrifice . I was hooked after page one. Like, "I'm going to be late for this meeting if I don't stop reading but I don't care" HOOKED....more
I didn't know what to expect from this novella, but I know it delivered on all fronts. . Basically a "what happens after happily ever after" tale, with I didn't know what to expect from this novella, but I know it delivered on all fronts. . Basically a "what happens after happily ever after" tale, with magic and cats....more
Sweet novella retelling the story of The Princess and the Frog. . We get a glimpse of characters from the other stories in the series, but you can read Sweet novella retelling the story of The Princess and the Frog. . We get a glimpse of characters from the other stories in the series, but you can read this as a standalone. . I just love this fantasy world!...more
This was A LOT of work for a 3 star book! . I fell prey to the constant Instagram ads that promoted this book as Anastasia meets Rogue One. Spoiler: thiThis was A LOT of work for a 3 star book! . I fell prey to the constant Instagram ads that promoted this book as Anastasia meets Rogue One. Spoiler: this book in no way resembles those two movies! . I kept reading because I needed to know what happened, but now that it's over, I don't even fully comprehend what happened. . That said, I might read book 2 just to see if I can understand the magical system in this world. . Warning: the main male character has curly hair, which is pointed out no less than 70 times throughout the book. He is constantly running his hand through his hair, which everyone with curly hair knows isn't something you do. Also, having curly hair was basically his entire personality. I almost quit this book after one chapter mentioned his curly hair 3 times in 4 paragraphs. Curly hair isn't a personality trait....more
Mansfield Park is a tricky Jane Austen novel to adapt, but this one was really well done. . I really enjoyed watching Finley figure out what she wanted Mansfield Park is a tricky Jane Austen novel to adapt, but this one was really well done. . I really enjoyed watching Finley figure out what she wanted in life and to find her voice. . This Edmund (Oliver) wasn't quite as grating as the original. . I've said it before and I'll say it again: Henry Crawford is Tad Hamilton. This Henry Crawford interpretation really solidified my opinion on that. ...more
This is everything I look and hope for in a fairytale retelling!. . Snow White + Irish Mythology = perfection. . I loved everything about this story. It'sThis is everything I look and hope for in a fairytale retelling!. . Snow White + Irish Mythology = perfection. . I loved everything about this story. It's true to the original fairytale, but expands on the basics to create an entirely unique tale of grief, loss, redemption and love. . I'm ready to read it all over again. . 9/7/24: This book still gave me that "soul mate" book feeling when I read it, and I love that. I can't wait to get my kickstarter paperback edition!...more
This book was a treat from page 1! . This teen fantasy with steampunk aspects, a wonderfully clever magical system, and characters you can't help but roThis book was a treat from page 1! . This teen fantasy with steampunk aspects, a wonderfully clever magical system, and characters you can't help but root for was a complete delight. . I tried to pace myself because I wanted to stay in this world for a bit longer, but I was also dying to know what happened, so I flew through the last half. . If you love fantasy mystery (is that a genre) and unique stories, A Trick of Spades might be for you. . A Trick of Spades publishes 5/6/24. . Thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC to read! All thoughts and opinions are mine. I would have purchased this book for myself had I not received a free copy. This is a book I've been looking forward since it was announced!...more
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