en-US Mon, 24 Mar 2025 12:55:17 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 53800702
Open your sketch book and begin to doodle and create in your favorite anime styles with this step-by-step drawing instructional handbook for kawaii (cute) and chibi (small) people, animals, mystical creatures, food,��and more.��

Just starting with illustrating? Drawing Chibi is the perfect guide for beginners and budding artists alike.��Start��with simple illustrations like an usagi (bunny), same (shark), and aisukurimu (ice cream) before moving on to fun, multi-step illustrations like the yosei (fairy), ninja, and (uber-popular) animal onesies.��

Each instructional series shows how to lay out the illustration, correctly size��each element,��then��carefully draw each feature. Workbook-style pages adjoining each illustration provide a space for readers to try their hand at practicing each drawing multiple times.]]> 192 Kikai Anime 1646040945 Seni 0 currently-reading 4.14
author: Kikai Anime
name: Seni
average rating: 4.14
book published:
rating: 0
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date added: 2025/03/24
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 204600719 Two rivals torn apart by a dark memory reunite on a deadly hunt—and in an irresistibly twisted fairy tale—in the next steamy standalone fantasy romance from New York Times bestselling sensation Kerri Maniscalco.

A wicked prince determined to save his kingdom.

Gabriel Axton—infamous as the Prince of Gluttony, the self-proclaimed rake of rakes—has always lived for in delicious food, in tantalizing women, and most of all, in the thrill of the hunt, where his love of danger can take over. But when his favorite adventure takes a deadly turn, he realizes something is very wrong in his demon court. With the clock ticking, he must turn to the only one who might uncover the a journalist he has spent a decade avoiding��

A reporter hell-bent on finding the truth.

Adriana Saint Lucent has been on the hunt for years—if she could just report something damning enough about that no-good scoundrel Gabriel Axton, she knows others would finally see the demon as she does. But she never expected to turn up a rumor too terrifying to be could the ice dragons to the north be growing restless? Drawn into the secrets of the Underworld, Adriana’s investigation leads her into the place she dreads most…Axton’s infamous court.��

A dangerous rivalry—and deliciously twisted fairy tale.

To stop darkness from falling over their kingdom, Axton and Adriana will have to unite against an escalating danger. But with each holding tight to their own secrets, can they find the truth before it’s too late? And what will they do with an equally troubling that they might not actually hate one another, after all?]]> 505 Kerri Maniscalco 0316557811 Seni 0 currently-reading 3.98 2024
author: Kerri Maniscalco
name: Seni
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/26
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 123027751
Lilith has been dying since the day she was born. But while she long ago came to terms with her own imminent death, the deaths of everyone she loves is an entirely different matter. As her town slowly withers in the clutches of a mysterious god-cursed illness, she takes matters into her own hands.

Desperate to find a cure, Lilith strikes a bargain with the only thing the gods hate even more than her village: a vampire, Vale. She offers him six roses in exchange for six vials of vampire blood–the one hope for her town’s salvation.

But when what begins as a simple transaction gradually becomes something more, Lilith is faced with a terrifying realization: It’s dangerous to wander into the clutches of a vampire�� and in a place already suffering a god’s wrath, more dangerous still to fall in love with one.

Six Scorched Roses is a standalone fantasy romance novella set in the world of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, perfect for those who love dark, romantic tales with bite and fans of Sarah J. Maas or Jennifer L. Armentrout.]]> 187 Carissa Broadbent Seni 0 currently-reading 4.25 2023
author: Carissa Broadbent
name: Seni
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/22
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 218458278 Blurb coming soon

Angel of Darkness is the first book in a duet , written in dual POV with open door steamy scenes. The completed duet can be read as an interconnected stand-alone romance novel that ends with a guaranteed HEA.

For the complete experience please be sure to read the second book of the duet Angel of Light.

This is the forth book in the Lords Of The Commission �� New York series and it’s a lighter shade of Mafia romance, featuring arranged marriage and friends to enemies to forbidden lovers tropes amongst others. There are dark subjects throughout, but it can’t be considered an overly dark story. Content warnings do still apply.]]> 370 Stephanie Amaral Seni 0 currently-reading 4.37
author: Stephanie Amaral
name: Seni
average rating: 4.37
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/30
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 56269205 From holy cup comes holy light;
The faithful hand sets world aright.
And in the Seven Martyrs�� sight,
Mere man shall end this endless night.

It has been twenty-seven long years since the last sunrise. For nearly three decades, vampires have waged war against humanity; building their eternal empire even as they tear down our own. Now, only a few tiny sparks of light endure in a sea of darkness.

Gabriel de León is a silversaint: a member of a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending realm and church from the creatures of the night. But even the Silver Order could not stem the tide once daylight failed us, and now, only Gabriel remains.

Imprisoned by the very monsters he vowed to destroy, the last silversaint is forced to tell his story. A story of legendary battles and forbidden love, of faith lost and friendships won, of the Wars of the Blood and the Forever King and the quest for humanity’s last remaining hope:

The Holy Grail.

From author Jay Kristoff comes Empire of the Vampire, the first illustrated volume of an astonishing new dark fantasy saga.]]> 739 Jay Kristoff 1250245281 Seni 5
Kristoff, a master at toying with emotions, gleefully manipulates the reader's heartstrings. Just when you think you've hit the lowest point, he deftly proves you wrong, plunging you further into the abyss. This book isn't for the faint of heart—it mercilessly rips you apart, hurling you from one emotional extreme to the next until you're left drained and breathless.

This isn't your run-of-the-mill vampire story. Kristoff's genius lies in constructing a world as grim as it is mesmerizing. The vampire mythology is brilliantly reimagined, Expertly threaded into a vibrant and immersive world that keeps unravelling with each turn of the page.

The characters, from the resilient Gabriel de León to the array of complex figures populating this blood-soaked saga, are crafted with depth and nuance. They tug at your emotions, making you feel their losses, their struggles, and their unwavering determination.

"Empire of the Vampire" isn't merely a story; it's an emotional rollercoaster. Just when you're certain you can't endure any more heartache, there's a welcome respite �� the banter between Gabriel and Jean-François. This delightful interlude of humour and levity offers a temporary escape, a much-needed breather before the next emotional onslaught.

For avid fans of dark fantasy laced with heart-wrenching twists, this book is an emotional whirlwind. Jay Kristoff's narrative both tugs at your emotions and offers brief, much-needed moments of humour. As I await the next instalment in the series, I find myself both genuinely fearful of what lies ahead and yet unable to resist.]]> 4.29 2021
author: Jay Kristoff
name: Seni
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/12/15
shelves:
review:
"Empire of the Vampire" by Jay Kristoff is a ferocious and gut-wrenching journey into the heart of darkness, plunging readers into a world where vampires reign and humanity hangs on by a thread.

Kristoff, a master at toying with emotions, gleefully manipulates the reader's heartstrings. Just when you think you've hit the lowest point, he deftly proves you wrong, plunging you further into the abyss. This book isn't for the faint of heart—it mercilessly rips you apart, hurling you from one emotional extreme to the next until you're left drained and breathless.

This isn't your run-of-the-mill vampire story. Kristoff's genius lies in constructing a world as grim as it is mesmerizing. The vampire mythology is brilliantly reimagined, Expertly threaded into a vibrant and immersive world that keeps unravelling with each turn of the page.

The characters, from the resilient Gabriel de León to the array of complex figures populating this blood-soaked saga, are crafted with depth and nuance. They tug at your emotions, making you feel their losses, their struggles, and their unwavering determination.

"Empire of the Vampire" isn't merely a story; it's an emotional rollercoaster. Just when you're certain you can't endure any more heartache, there's a welcome respite �� the banter between Gabriel and Jean-François. This delightful interlude of humour and levity offers a temporary escape, a much-needed breather before the next emotional onslaught.

For avid fans of dark fantasy laced with heart-wrenching twists, this book is an emotional whirlwind. Jay Kristoff's narrative both tugs at your emotions and offers brief, much-needed moments of humour. As I await the next instalment in the series, I find myself both genuinely fearful of what lies ahead and yet unable to resist.
]]> 58650445
In a world where no entities exist but the Stars, cruel and merciless gods that watch over the world, Elara has been cursed by fate. A prophecy that promises she will fall for a Star, and it will kill them both.

But when one descends to wreak havoc on Elara's Kingdom, she is forced to flee into the arms of her enemy in the neighbouring country.

As she learns more about her own magic, and the depth of the Stars' deceit, she also finds herself learning more about the country she is forced to take refuge in, and the enemy prince forced to train her into a weapon.

Something dark brews within her, a power made of night and shadows that begs to be broken free.]]> 619 Imani Erriu Seni 0 to-read 3.97 2022
author: Imani Erriu
name: Seni
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 51966347 They tried to break us.
They almost did.
But we're not going anywhere.


The Celestial Heirs think the stars are on their side. But they don't know what's coming.��Fighting them one on one isn't an option so we have to be stealthy. Remaining under the radar won't be easy, but if we pull it off, they'll never suspect our involvement when their lives start falling apart.

Besides, they've already taken us to the brink of hell, what more can they really do?]]> 475 Caroline Peckham Seni 0 4.20 2019
author: Caroline Peckham
name: Seni
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at: 2024/11/14
date added: 2024/11/14
shelves:
review:

]]> 61244268
Joined by a disillusioned knight on a secret quest, they must travel to the ruined city of Blenraden, where the last of the wild gods reside, to each beg a favour.

Pursued by demons, and in the midst of burgeoning civil war, they will all face a reckoning �� something is rotting at the heart of their world, and only they can be the ones to stop it.]]> 304 Hannah Kaner 0008521468 Seni 0 to-read 3.85 2023
author: Hannah Kaner
name: Seni
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 62335396 Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power.

In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn.

The House of Night, too, is surrounded by enemies. Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside.

When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets.

But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power �� and the devastating love that could be her downfall.]]> 626 Carissa Broadbent Seni 0 4.10 2023
author: Carissa Broadbent
name: Seni
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at: 2024/11/08
date added: 2024/11/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 200982373 Once upon a time, Andrew had cut out his heart and given it to this boy, and he was very sure Thomas had no idea that Andrew would do anything for him. Protect him. Lie for him.

Kill for him.

High school senior Andrew Perrault finds refuge in the twisted fairytales that he writes for the only person who can ground him to reality―Thomas Rye, the boy with perpetually ink-stained hands and hair like autumn leaves. And with his twin sister, Dove, inexplicably keeping him at a cold distance upon their return to Wickwood Academy, Andrew finds himself leaning on his friend even more.

But something strange is going on with Thomas. His abusive parents have mysteriously vanished, and he arrives at school with blood on his sleeve. Thomas won't say a word about it, and shuts down whenever Andrew tries to ask him questions. Stranger still, Thomas is haunted by something, and he seems to have lost interest in his artwork―whimsically macabre sketches of the monsters from Andrew's wicked stories.

Desperate to figure out what's wrong with his friend, Andrew follows Thomas into the off-limits forest one night and catches him fighting a nightmarish monster―Thomas's drawings have come to life and are killing anyone close to him. To make sure no one else dies, the boys battle the monsters every night. But as their obsession with each other grows stronger, so do the monsters, and Andrew begins to fear that the only way to stop the creatures might be to destroy their creator...]]> 336 C.G. Drews 1250895669 Seni 0 to-read 4.11 2024
author: C.G. Drews
name: Seni
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/24
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 61755703 The Fury of the Gods is the earth-shattering final book in John Gwynne's bestselling Norse-inspired epic fantasy series, packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance

THE FINAL BATTLE FOR THE FATE OF VIGRIÐ APPROACHES

Varg has overcome the trials of his past and become an accepted member of the Bloodsworn, but now he and his newfound comrades face their biggest challenge yet: slaying a dragon.

Elvar is struggling to consolidate her power in Snakavik, where she faces threats from within and without. As she fights to assert her authority in readiness for the coming conflict, she faces a surely insurmountable task: reining in the ferocity of a wolf god.

As Biorr and his warband make their way north, eager for blood, Gudvarr pursues a mission of his own, hoping to win Lik-Rifa's favour and further his own ambitions.

All paths lead to Snakavik, where the lines are being drawn for the final battle - a titanic clash that will shake the foundations of the world, and bear witness to the true fury of the gods.]]> 528 John Gwynne 0356514293 Seni 0 to-paint, to-read 4.46 2024
author: John Gwynne
name: Seni
average rating: 4.46
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/21
shelves: to-paint, to-read
review:

]]> 216595852
I'm just a girl. And it turns out, I'm Hercules.

I'm struggling to survive in a Titan infested world where Spartans, immortals from twelve royal families who have god-like powers and obscene wealth, rule over all. A shy-stammering foster child with nothing, I keep my head down, cover my scars, and focus on excelling in school. At least, I try to. Then it happens.

My blood test reveals I'm part of the powerful elite. I'm one of them. A Spartan.

Forced to attend the Spartan War Academy, I undergo the most harrowing test of all time to see if I have what it takes to be an immortal. There's just a few problems. Achilles and Patro are my scary mentors. Kharon, the ferryman of death, and Augustus, the son of war, are my terrifying professors. Also, I'm pretty sure either someone's stalking me everywhere I go, or my sanity's slipping––I have a bad feeling both are true.

I'm surrounded by Villains and they're smothering me with their hate, obsession, and dark possessiveness. Too bad for them, they have no clue just who they're messing with.




]]> 496 Jasmine Mas Seni 0 to-paint, to-read 3.84 2024
author: Jasmine Mas
name: Seni
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/21
shelves: to-paint, to-read
review:

]]> 215020997 ALL first edition copies will be signed by the author! Signed copies available while supplies last.

From V. E. Schwab, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: a new genre-defying novel about immortality and hunger.

This is a story about hunger.
1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
A young girl grows up wild and wily—her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But María knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, María makes a desperate choice. She vows to have no regrets.

This is a story about love.
1827. London.
A young woman lives an idyllic but cloistered life on her family’s estate, until a moment of forbidden intimacy sees her shipped off to London. Charlotte’s tender heart and seemingly impossible wishes are swept away by an invitation from a beautiful widow—but the price of freedom is higher than she could have imagined.

This is a story about rage.
2019. Boston.
College was supposed to be her chance to be someone new. That’s why Alice moved halfway across the world, leaving her old life behind. But after an out-of-character one-night stand leaves her questioning her past, her present, and her future, Alice throws herself into the hunt for answers . . . and revenge.

This is a story about life��
how it ends, and how it starts.

USA Today, 15 Most Anticipated of 2025
BookBub, Most Anticipated of 2025 (and Reader’s Pick)
Readers Digest, 20 Most Anticipated Books This Year
Paste Magazine, Most Anticipated Fantasy Books of 2025
BookRiot, Most Anticipated Books of 2025
Men's Health, 25 Best & Most Anticipated Books of 2025
The Nerd Daily, SFF to Devour in 2025
ŷ������, Readers' Most Anticipated Books of 2025]]> 560 Victoria E. Schwab 1035064642 Seni 0 to-paint, to-read 4.39 2025
author: Victoria E. Schwab
name: Seni
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/21
shelves: to-paint, to-read
review:

]]> 210134467 New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Carissa Broadbent returns with a brand new novel in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, Songbird and the Heart of Stone, where A Court of Thorns and Roses meets Dante's Inferno, in an epic fantasy romance of love and treachery between mortals and gods. Features beautiful case art and a detailed map.

In the descent to the underworld, a bride of the sun must choose between the light of her redemption�� or a dark love that defies the gods themselves

Mische lost everything when she was forcibly Turned into a vampire �� her home, her humanity, and most devastating of all, the love of the sun god to whom she had devoted her life. Now, sentenced to death for murdering the vampire prince who Turned her, redemption feels impossible.

But when Mische is saved by Asar, the bastard prince of the House of Shadow with a past as brutal as his scars, she’s forced into a mission worse than execution: a journey to the underworld to resurrect the god of death himself.

Yet, Mische’s punishment may be the key to her salvation. In a secret meeting, her sun god commands her to help Asar in his mission, only to betray him�� by killing the very death god she’ll help resurrect.

Mische and Asar must travel the treacherous path to the underworld, facing trials, beasts, and the vengeful ghosts of their pasts. Yet, most dangerous of all is the alluring call of the darkness �� and her forbidden attraction to Asar, a burgeoning bond that risks invoking the wrath of gods.

As her betrayal looms, the underworld closes in and angry gods are growing restless. Mische will be forced to choose between the redemption of the sun or the damnation of the darkness.]]> 498 Carissa Broadbent Seni 0 to-paint, to-read 4.02 2024
author: Carissa Broadbent
name: Seni
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/21
shelves: to-paint, to-read
review:

]]> 38203743 432 Jill Mansell 1472248449 Seni 4 3.86 2019
author: Jill Mansell
name: Seni
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/07/29
shelves:
review:

]]> 123471760 When old secrets catch fire, everything will burn.

In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by the Descended, their cruel offspring, Diem Bellator yearns to escape the insular life of her poor village.

Her mother’s sudden disappearance—and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past—offer Diem an unexpected opportunity to enter the dark world of Descended royalty and unlock the web of mysteries her mother left behind.

With the dying King’s handsome, mysterious heir watching her every move, and a ruthless mortal alliance recruiting her to join the growing civil war, Diem will have to navigate the unwritten rules of love, power, and politics in order to save her family—and all of mortalkind.

Spark of the Everflame is the first book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book fantasy romance series. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers epic is perfect for lovers of magic, dragons, angst, and banter and will appeal to fans of books like A Court of Thorns and Roses, From Blood and Ash, Gild, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.]]> 438 Penn Cole Seni 0 to-read 4.20 2023
author: Penn Cole
name: Seni
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/07/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 123200829
After turning his back on his silversaint brothers once and for all, Gabriel and the Grail set out to learn the truth of how Daysdeath might finally be undone.

But the last silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by children of the Forever King, drawn into wars and webs centuries in the weaving, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the truth of the Grail revealed.

A truth that may be too awful for any to imagine.]]> 654 Jay Kristoff 0008350515 Seni 5 favourites 4.62 2024
author: Jay Kristoff
name: Seni
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/07/23
shelves: favourites
review:

]]> 157031755 We fight for the people we love. We fight for the ideas we want to be true.

Evar and Livira stand side by side and yet far beyond each other's reach. Evar is forced to flee the library, driven before an implacable foe. Livira, trapped in a ghost world, has to recover her book if she's to return to her life. While Evar's journey leads him outside into the vastness of a world he's never seen, Livira's destination lies deep inside her own writing, where she must wrestle with her stories in order to reclaim the volume in which they were written.

And all the while, the library quietly weaves thread to thread, bringing the scattered elements of Livira's old life �� friends and foe alike �� back together beneath new skies.

Long ago, a lie was told, and with the passing years it has grown and spread, a small push leading to a chain of desperate consequences. Now, as one edifice topples into the next with ever-growing violence, it threatens to break the world. The secret war that defines the library has chosen its champions and set them on the board. The time has come when they must fight for what they believe, or lose everything.

The Library Trilogy is about many things: adventure, discovery, and romance, but it's also a love letter to books and the places where they live. The focus is on one vast and timeless library, but the love expands to encompass smaller more personal collections, and bookshops of all shades too.]]> 384 Mark Lawrence 0008456763 Seni 0 to-read 3.99 2024
author: Mark Lawrence
name: Seni
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/07/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 150247395
Called in to investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities.

At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior’s eyes and ears--quite literally, in this case, as among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home.

Din is most perplexed by Ana’s ravenous appetite for information and her mind’s frenzied leaps—not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.

As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.

Featuring an unforgettable Holmes-and-Watson style pairing, a gloriously labyrinthine plot, and a haunting and wholly original fantasy world, The Tainted Cup brilliantly reinvents the classic mystery tale.]]> 410 Robert Jackson Bennett 1984820702 Seni 0 to-read 4.28 2024
author: Robert Jackson Bennett
name: Seni
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/07/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 31076583 229 Sarah J. Maas 168119631X Seni 4 3.77 2019
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Seni
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2021/01/01
date added: 2024/07/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 55424891
Sixteen-year-old dock boy Will is on the run, pursued by the men who killed his mother. When an old servant tells him of his destiny to fight beside the Stewards, Will is ushered into a world of magic, where he must train to play a vital role in the oncoming battle against the Dark.

As London is threatened by the Dark King’s return, the reborn heroes and villains of a long-forgotten war begin to draw battle lines. But as the young descendants of Light and Dark step into their destined roles, old allegiances, old enmities and old flames are awakened. Will must stand with the last heroes of the Light to prevent the fate that destroyed their world from returning to destroy his own.]]> 464 C.S. Pacat 0062946161 Seni 0 to-read 4.15 2021
author: C.S. Pacat
name: Seni
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/05/28
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 13013277
A young woman’s struggle to save her family and her soul during the extraordinary year of 1666, when plague suddenly struck a small Derbyshire village.

In 1666, plague swept through London, driving the King and his court to Oxford, and Samuel Pepys to Greenwich, in an attempt to escape contagion. The north of England remained untouched until, in a small community of leadminers and hill farmers, a bolt of cloth arrived from the capital. The tailor who cut the cloth had no way of knowing that the damp fabric carried with it bubonic infection.

So begins the Year of Wonders, in which a Pennine village of 350 souls confronts a scourge beyond remedy or understanding. Desperate, the villagers turn to sorcery, herb lore, and murderous witch-hunting. Then, led by a young and charismatic preacher, they elect to isolate themselves in a fatal quarantine. The story is told through the eyes of Anna Frith who, at only 18, must contend with the death of her family, the disintegration of her society, and the lure of a dangerous and illicit attraction.

Geraldine Brooks’s novel explores love and learning, fear and fanaticism, and the struggle of 17th century science and religion to deal with a seemingly diabolical pestilence. ‘Year of Wonders�� is also an eloquent memorial to the real-life Derbyshire villagers who chose to suffer alone during England’s last great plague.]]> 323 Geraldine Brooks Seni 0 4.31 2001
author: Geraldine Brooks
name: Seni
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2001
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/05/07
shelves:
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]]> 63104676 Only the extraordinary are chosen. Only the cunning survive.

An explosive return to the library leaves the six Alexandrians vulnerable to the lethal terms of their recruitment.

Old alliances quickly fracture as the initiates take opposing strategies as to how to deal with the deadly bargain they have so far failed to uphold. Those who remain with the archives wrestle with the ethics of their astronomical abilities, while elsewhere, an unlikely pair from the Society cohort partner to influence politics on a global stage.

And still the outside world mobilizes to destroy them, while the Caretaker himself, Atlas Blakely, may yet succeed with a plan foreseen to have world-ending stakes. It’s a race to survive as the six Society recruits are faced with the question of what they're willing to betray for limitless power―and who will be destroyed along the way.]]> 496 Olivie Blake 1529095352 Seni 5 2.82 2024
author: Olivie Blake
name: Seni
average rating: 2.82
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/02/11
date added: 2024/02/11
shelves:
review:
Still processing, will write a proper review when I can piece together the fragments of my thoughts
]]> 127823371 The highly anticipated third novel in the This Woven Kingdom series, full of explosive magic, searing romance, and heartbreaking betrayal, from the award-winning and bestselling author of the Shatter Me series. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Sabaa Tahir, and Tomi Adeyemi.

As the long-lost heir to the Jinn throne, Alizeh has finally found her people—and she might’ve found her crown. Cyrus, the mercurial ruler of Tulan, has offered her his kingdom in a twisted exchange: one that would begin with their marriage and end with his murder.

Cyrus’s dark reputation precedes him; all the world knows of his blood-soaked past. Killing him should be easy—and accepting his offer might be the only way to fulfill her destiny and save her people. But the more Alizeh learns of him, the more she questions whether the terrible stories about him are true.

Ensnared by secrets, Cyrus has ached for Alizeh since she first appeared in his dreams many months ago. Now that he knows those visions were planted by the devil, he can hardly bear to look at her—much less endure her company. But despite their best efforts to despise each other, Alizeh and Cyrus are drawn together over and over with an all-consuming thirst that threatens to destroy them both.

Meanwhile, Prince Kamran has arrived in Tulan, ready to exact revenge. . . .

Layered with exquisite tension and heart-stopping romance, All This Twisted Glory is the explosive third book in the captivating, bestselling Woven Kingdom series.]]> 397 Tahereh Mafi 0062972502 Seni 0 to-read 4.07 2024
author: Tahereh Mafi
name: Seni
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/02/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 57912066 Five are now members of the Society.
Two paths lie before them.

All must pick a side.

Alliances will be tested, hearts will be broken, and The Society of Alexandrians will be revealed for what it is: a secret society with raw, world-changing power, headed by a man whose plans to change life as we know it are already under way.]]> 560 Olivie Blake 1250855128 Seni 5
Physically, there's a tangible tension in the air, a heaviness that seems to weigh down upon the landscape. The sky undergoes a remarkable transformation, shifting from its usual hues to ominous shades of gray, tinged with hints of blue or purple. Clouds gather on the horizon, billowing and churning as if engaged in some ancient dance of primordial forces. The wind picks up, a gentle whisper at first, gradually rising to a crescendo that ripples through the trees and brushes against our skin with an electric charge.

But it's not just the external environment that undergoes a metamorphosis; there's a profound internal shift as well. Emotions swirl like the winds that precede the storm, a whirlwind of excitement, nervousness, and perhaps a touch of fear. There's a sense of anticipation, of waiting on the cusp of something momentous, as if the very fabric of reality is about to be rewritten in the thunderous roar of the approaching tempest.

Yet, amidst the uncertainty and trepidation, there's also a strange kind of beauty in the air. The world takes on a surreal quality, bathed in the eerie half-light that filters through the gathering storm clouds. Colors seem more vivid, sounds more acute, as if every sensation is heightened in the anticipation of what is to come.

And then, in the midst of this charged atmosphere, there's a sudden stillness, a pregnant pause that seems to hold the entire world in suspended animation. It's as if time itself has stopped, caught in the delicate balance between before and after, between anticipation and realization.

In that fleeting moment, as the world holds its breath, there's a sense of awe, of reverence for the raw power and majesty of nature. It's a reminder of our own smallness in the face of forces beyond our control, and yet also a testament to our resilience, our ability to weather the storms that life throws our way.]]> 3.51 2022
author: Olivie Blake
name: Seni
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2023/10/11
date added: 2024/02/03
shelves:
review:
The Atlas Paradox is a delicate interplay of anticipation, apprehension, and awe, characterized by a unique blend of sensory cues and emotional nuances. It's a palpable shift in the atmosphere, a subtle but unmistakable alteration in the rhythm of the world around us.

Physically, there's a tangible tension in the air, a heaviness that seems to weigh down upon the landscape. The sky undergoes a remarkable transformation, shifting from its usual hues to ominous shades of gray, tinged with hints of blue or purple. Clouds gather on the horizon, billowing and churning as if engaged in some ancient dance of primordial forces. The wind picks up, a gentle whisper at first, gradually rising to a crescendo that ripples through the trees and brushes against our skin with an electric charge.

But it's not just the external environment that undergoes a metamorphosis; there's a profound internal shift as well. Emotions swirl like the winds that precede the storm, a whirlwind of excitement, nervousness, and perhaps a touch of fear. There's a sense of anticipation, of waiting on the cusp of something momentous, as if the very fabric of reality is about to be rewritten in the thunderous roar of the approaching tempest.

Yet, amidst the uncertainty and trepidation, there's also a strange kind of beauty in the air. The world takes on a surreal quality, bathed in the eerie half-light that filters through the gathering storm clouds. Colors seem more vivid, sounds more acute, as if every sensation is heightened in the anticipation of what is to come.

And then, in the midst of this charged atmosphere, there's a sudden stillness, a pregnant pause that seems to hold the entire world in suspended animation. It's as if time itself has stopped, caught in the delicate balance between before and after, between anticipation and realization.

In that fleeting moment, as the world holds its breath, there's a sense of awe, of reverence for the raw power and majesty of nature. It's a reminder of our own smallness in the face of forces beyond our control, and yet also a testament to our resilience, our ability to weather the storms that life throws our way.
]]> 58104066 2nd place Finalist in BBNYA 2022, this queer dark fantasy Norse myth retelling is perfect for fans of Circe, The Witch's Heart, and The Silence of the Girls.

Perhaps you know the myths.

Furious, benevolent Gods.
A tree that binds nine realms.
A hammer stronger than any weapon.
And someday, the end of everything.

But few have heard of me.

Looking back, it’s easy to know what choices I might have made differently. At least it feels that way. I might have given up on my title. Told my father he was useless, king of Gods or no, and left Asgard. Made a life somewhere else.

Maybe I would never have let Loki cross my path. Never have fallen in love.

But there’s no going back.

We were happy once.

And the price for that happiness was the end of everything.]]> 430 Cat Rector 1988931088 Seni 0 to-read 4.10 2021
author: Cat Rector
name: Seni
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/01/16
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 145624782
For centuries, generations of Everlys have seen their brightest and best disappear, taken as punishment for a crime no one remembers, for a purpose no one understands. Their tormentor, a woman named Penelope, never ages, never grows sick �� and never forgives a debt.

Violet Everly was a child when her mother left on a stormy night, determined to break the curse. When Marianne never returns, Penelope issues an ultimatum: Violet has ten years to find her mother, or she will take her place. Violet is the last of the Everly line, the last to suffer. Unless she can break it first.

To do so, she must descend into a seductive magical underworld of power-hungry scholars, fickle gods and monsters bent on revenge. She must also contend with Penelope’s quiet assistant, Aleksander, who she knows cannot be trusted �� and yet whose knowledge of a world beyond her own is too valuable to avoid.

Tied to a very literal deadline, Violet will travel the edges of the world to find Marianne and the key to the city of stardust, where the Everly story began.]]> 352 Georgia Summers 0316561487 Seni 4
The plot of the book stands out for its originality, offering readers a refreshing take on the blending of magic, romance, and the resonance of ancient Greek narrative that carries a distinct Greek tragedy vibe, evoking a sense of inevitability and emotional resonance. The author's ability to create a world that feels both fantastical and rooted in a certain classical charm is commendable.

One of the strengths of "The City of Stardust" lies in the author's skilful storytelling. The narrative is structured in a way that keeps readers consistently engaged, unveiling layers of the plot that are both surprising and thought-provoking. The careful balance of mystery, fantasy, and emotional exploration contributes to a story that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

In addition to the compelling plot, the characters play a pivotal role in making this book a standout. The side characters, in particular, are finely crafted with attention to detail, each contributing a unique thread to the tapestry of the story. Their individual stories and connections add depth and dimension, creating a world that feels alive and interconnected.

"The City of Stardust" is a testament to the author's ability to create a narrative that is both fantastical and deeply rooted in human experience. It successfully combines elements of magic, romance, and Greek tragedy, making it a must-read for those who appreciate a well-crafted and immersive story. Overall, the author's adept storytelling and the novel's unique blend of genres make it a memorable and enchanting literary journey.]]> 3.27 2024
author: Georgia Summers
name: Seni
average rating: 3.27
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/01/15
date added: 2024/01/16
shelves:
review:
"The City of Stardust" - A Mesmerizing Blend of Greek Tragedy and Magical Realism

The plot of the book stands out for its originality, offering readers a refreshing take on the blending of magic, romance, and the resonance of ancient Greek narrative that carries a distinct Greek tragedy vibe, evoking a sense of inevitability and emotional resonance. The author's ability to create a world that feels both fantastical and rooted in a certain classical charm is commendable.

One of the strengths of "The City of Stardust" lies in the author's skilful storytelling. The narrative is structured in a way that keeps readers consistently engaged, unveiling layers of the plot that are both surprising and thought-provoking. The careful balance of mystery, fantasy, and emotional exploration contributes to a story that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

In addition to the compelling plot, the characters play a pivotal role in making this book a standout. The side characters, in particular, are finely crafted with attention to detail, each contributing a unique thread to the tapestry of the story. Their individual stories and connections add depth and dimension, creating a world that feels alive and interconnected.

"The City of Stardust" is a testament to the author's ability to create a narrative that is both fantastical and deeply rooted in human experience. It successfully combines elements of magic, romance, and Greek tragedy, making it a must-read for those who appreciate a well-crafted and immersive story. Overall, the author's adept storytelling and the novel's unique blend of genres make it a memorable and enchanting literary journey.
]]> 90202302 “The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.�� —Xaden Riorson

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders�� capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.]]> 623 Rebecca Yarros 1649374178 Seni 5 4.33 2023
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Seni
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2023/12/24
date added: 2023/12/24
shelves:
review:

]]> 62229748 A brilliantly original high concept murder mystery from a fantastic new talent: Gosford Park meets Inception, by way of Agatha Christie and Black Mirror.

'Somebody's going to be murdered at the ball tonight. It won't appear to be a murder and so the murderer won't be caught. Rectify that injustice and I'll show you the way out.'

It is meant to be a celebration but it ends in tragedy. As fireworks explode overhead, Evelyn Hardcastle, the young and beautiful daughter of the house, is killed.

But Evelyn will not die just once. Until Aiden �� one of the guests summoned to Blackheath for the party �� can solve her murder, the day will repeat itself, over and over again. Every time ending with the fateful pistol shot.

The only way to break this cycle is to identify the killer. But each time the day begins again, Aiden wakes in the body of a different guest. And someone is determined to prevent him ever escaping Blackheath...

Also titled as The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.]]> 525 Stuart Turton 1408889560 Seni 5
The brilliance of this novel lies in its meticulously structured puzzle, providing readers with a gripping experience that constantly defies expectations. Just when you believe you've deciphered the intricate plot, the mirrors shift, resetting your journey and intensifying the enigma.

The story, dark and twisted, possesses an undeniable allure, making it nearly impossible to set aside. Stuart Turton's literary prowess is evident in the captivating complexity of this masterpiece. It engages the reader's mind at its core, creating an immersive experience that leaves you both intellectually stimulated and emotionally disoriented.

Turton, unquestionably a literary genius, goes beyond mere entertainment. The novel poses profound and thought-provoking questions, inviting readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values. Long after the final page, the narrative's impact lingers, sparking internal debates that may continue for weeks, challenging the reader's honesty even in solitude.

Navigating through riddles , puzzles and unexpected twists, 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' keeps you on the edge of your seat, ensuring that surprises await at every narrative turn. It's a wild ride, an intricately woven tapestry of mystery and intrigue that beckons readers to savor every unexpected revelation. Embrace the journey; I can attest that the experience is nothing short of enthralling."]]> 3.79 2018
author: Stuart Turton
name: Seni
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2023/12/24
shelves:
review:
"Nothing like a mask to reveal somebody's true nature"

The brilliance of this novel lies in its meticulously structured puzzle, providing readers with a gripping experience that constantly defies expectations. Just when you believe you've deciphered the intricate plot, the mirrors shift, resetting your journey and intensifying the enigma.

The story, dark and twisted, possesses an undeniable allure, making it nearly impossible to set aside. Stuart Turton's literary prowess is evident in the captivating complexity of this masterpiece. It engages the reader's mind at its core, creating an immersive experience that leaves you both intellectually stimulated and emotionally disoriented.

Turton, unquestionably a literary genius, goes beyond mere entertainment. The novel poses profound and thought-provoking questions, inviting readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values. Long after the final page, the narrative's impact lingers, sparking internal debates that may continue for weeks, challenging the reader's honesty even in solitude.

Navigating through riddles , puzzles and unexpected twists, 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' keeps you on the edge of your seat, ensuring that surprises await at every narrative turn. It's a wild ride, an intricately woven tapestry of mystery and intrigue that beckons readers to savor every unexpected revelation. Embrace the journey; I can attest that the experience is nothing short of enthralling."
]]> 50520939
Enter the latest round of six: Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona, unwilling halves of an unfathomable whole, who exert uncanny control over every element of physicality. Reina Mori, a naturalist, who can intuit the language of life itself. Parisa Kamali, a telepath who can traverse the depths of the subconscious, navigating worlds inside the human mind. Callum Nova, an empath easily mistaken for a manipulative illusionist, who can influence the intimate workings of a person’s inner self. Finally, there is Tristan Caine, who can see through illusions to a new structure of reality—an ability so rare that neither he nor his peers can fully grasp its implications.

When the candidates are recruited by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they are told they will have one year to qualify for initiation, during which time they will be permitted preliminary access to the Society’s archives and judged based on their contributions to various subjects of impossibility: time and space, luck and thought, life and death. Five, they are told, will be initiated. One will be eliminated. The six potential initiates will fight to survive the next year of their lives, and if they can prove themselves to be the best among their rivals, most of them will.

Most of them.]]> 376 Olivie Blake Seni 0
The narrative is a symphony of intricate plots, richly developed characters, and a world teeming with magical layers. Olivie Blake weaves a tapestry of ambition, rivalry, and a quest for ultimate power, creating an enthralling atmosphere where the lines between right and wrong blur, and every character possesses shades of light and dark.

The characters are the heart and soul of this novel—each complex, flawed, and irresistibly magnetic. Their ambitions, secrets, and interwoven pasts add depth to the story, making readers both intrigued and emotionally invested in their fates.

Blake's writing style is as enchanting as the magic within the book, beautifully crafting scenes that range from intensely gripping to emotionally resonant. The world-building is vivid and immersive, painting a landscape where power struggles and the quest for knowledge are central themes.

"The Atlas Six" is a spellbinding journey that intricately explores the depths of power and the human psyche, making it a must-read for fans of intricate, character-driven fantasy narratives. Olivie Blake's debut is a triumph, leaving readers eager for more and solidifying its place among the greats in the fantasy genre.]]> 3.55 2020
author: Olivie Blake
name: Seni
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/12/24
shelves:
review:
"The Atlas Six" by Olivie Blake is an exhilarating blend of magic, ambition, and intrigue that will ensnare readers within its compelling web from the first page to the last. Set in a world where magic and power collide, this book follows six extraordinarily gifted individuals vying for coveted positions within an elite society.

The narrative is a symphony of intricate plots, richly developed characters, and a world teeming with magical layers. Olivie Blake weaves a tapestry of ambition, rivalry, and a quest for ultimate power, creating an enthralling atmosphere where the lines between right and wrong blur, and every character possesses shades of light and dark.

The characters are the heart and soul of this novel—each complex, flawed, and irresistibly magnetic. Their ambitions, secrets, and interwoven pasts add depth to the story, making readers both intrigued and emotionally invested in their fates.

Blake's writing style is as enchanting as the magic within the book, beautifully crafting scenes that range from intensely gripping to emotionally resonant. The world-building is vivid and immersive, painting a landscape where power struggles and the quest for knowledge are central themes.

"The Atlas Six" is a spellbinding journey that intricately explores the depths of power and the human psyche, making it a must-read for fans of intricate, character-driven fantasy narratives. Olivie Blake's debut is a triumph, leaving readers eager for more and solidifying its place among the greats in the fantasy genre.
]]> 58340706
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.

Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.]]> 399 Rachel Gillig 0316312487 Seni 0 to-read 4.25 2022
author: Rachel Gillig
name: Seni
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 127280062 Torn apart by war. Reunited by love?

Two weeks have passed since Iris returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over.

Roman is missing, lost behind enemy lines, with no memory of his past, or Iris. Hoping his memories return, he begins to write again �� but this time for the enemy.

When a strange letter arrives through his wardrobe door, he strikes up a correspondence with a penpal who seems at once mysterious�� and strangely familiar.

As their connection deepens, the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.]]> 420 Rebecca Ross 1250857457 Seni 0 to-read 3.99 2023
author: Rebecca Ross
name: Seni
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 57210864 362 Eva Chase 1989096832 Seni 3
On the plus side, the writing is okay, even if it follows a familiar pattern. Surprisingly, the main character didn't annoy me as much as I thought she would, which was a nice surprise in a genre where that often happens. So, I gave it three stars.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book in exchange for giving my honest thoughts.]]> 3.76 2020
author: Eva Chase
name: Seni
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2023/11/30
shelves:
review:
This book tried really hard, but it's missing some important story bits. The main issue is, well, there's not much of a plot. Also, it's not very original—there's a human girl held captive by fae guys, and they're all supposed to be super attractive. It's a bit cliche. Another thing that bugged me (and maybe I should've seen it coming) is that the romance part feels a bit off since the girl is kind of stuck with these fae males..

On the plus side, the writing is okay, even if it follows a familiar pattern. Surprisingly, the main character didn't annoy me as much as I thought she would, which was a nice surprise in a genre where that often happens. So, I gave it three stars.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book in exchange for giving my honest thoughts.
]]> 62796217
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish—into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

Shadow and Bone meets Lore in Rebecca Ross's Divine Rivals, an epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.]]> 368 Rebecca Ross 0008588155 Seni 0 to-read 4.34 2023
author: Rebecca Ross
name: Seni
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 6853
She’s a product of the “burg,�� a blue-collar pocket of Trenton where houses are attached and narrow, cars are American, windows are clean, and (God forbid you should be late) dinner is served at six.

Out of work and out of money, Stephanie blackmails her bail-bondsman cousin Vinnie into giving her a try as an apprehension agent. Stephanie knows zilch about the job requirements, but she figures her new pal, el-primo bounty hunter Ranger, can teach her what it takes to catch a crook. Her first nail Joe Morelli, a former vice cop on the run from a charge of murder one. Morelli’s the inamorato who charmed Stephanie out of her virginity at age sixteen. There’s still powerful chemistry between them, so the chase should be interesting…and could also be extremely dangerous.]]> 320 Janet Evanovich 0312362080 Seni 0 read-later 4.05 1994
author: Janet Evanovich
name: Seni
average rating: 4.05
book published: 1994
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves: read-later
review:

]]> 2586724
When she moved to Stoneham, city slicker Tricia Miles met nothing but friendly faces. And when she opened her mystery bookstore, she met friendly competition. But when she finds Doris Gleason dead in her own cookbook store, killed by a carving knife, the atmosphere seems more cutthroat than cordial. Someone wanted to get their hands on the rare cookbook that Doris had recently purchased-and the locals think that someone is Tricia. To clear her name, Tricia will have to take a page out of one of her own mysteries-and hunt down someone who isn't killing by the book.]]> 281 Lorna Barrett 0425219585 Seni 0 read-later 3.67 2008
author: Lorna Barrett
name: Seni
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2008
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves: read-later
review:

]]> 363082 224 Jeanne M. Dams 0061011339 Seni 0 read-later 3.70 1995
author: Jeanne M. Dams
name: Seni
average rating: 3.70
book published: 1995
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves: read-later
review:

]]> 16331 288 Agatha Christie 1579126251 Seni 0 read-later 4.07 1930
author: Agatha Christie
name: Seni
average rating: 4.07
book published: 1930
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves: read-later
review:

]]> 39325105 Harrow the Ninth, the sequel to Gideon the Ninth, turns a galaxy inside out as one necromancer struggles to survive the wreckage of herself aboard the Emperor's haunted space station.

She answered the Emperor's call.

She arrived with her arts, her wits, and her only friend.

In victory, her world has turned to ash.

After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman's shoulders.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, last necromancer of the Ninth House, has been drafted by her Emperor to fight an unwinnable war. Side-by-side with a detested rival, Harrow must perfect her skills and become an angel of undeath �� but her health is failing, her sword makes her nauseous, and even her mind is threatening to betray her.

Sealed in the gothic gloom of the Emperor's Mithraeum with three unfriendly teachers, hunted by the mad ghost of a murdered planet, Harrow must confront two unwelcome questions: is somebody trying to kill her? And if they succeeded, would the universe be better off?]]> 512 Tamsyn Muir 1250313228 Seni 4 4.30 2020
author: Tamsyn Muir
name: Seni
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves:
review:

]]> 55240343 She's been the victim and the survivor��

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior��

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms�� dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate��

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen.]]> 645 Jennifer L. Armentrout 1952457254 Seni 3 4.11 2021
author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
name: Seni
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves:
review:

]]> 40727470
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 debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.]]> 337 Kerri Maniscalco 0316273503 Seni 0 read-later 3.93 2016
author: Kerri Maniscalco
name: Seni
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves: read-later
review:

]]> 51888648
THEIR BATTLES ENDED IN VICTORY

Lydia returns to Mudaire to enter training at the healing temple. But instead of fighting to save lives, she’s convinced she is doing more harm than good. She delves into the history of the gods only to discover a truth that will change her life forever.

His birthright as commander of the Royal Army is finally in his grasp, but Killian feels anything but victorious. Burdened by his past, he embraces the darker side of his mark—and in doing so, risks starting a war.

BUT THE WAR HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN

Having defeated the tyrant Urcon, Marcus struggles to form a lasting alliance with the Arinoquians. But he is plagued by the knowledge that there is a traitor among his friends, and it could cost him everything that he’s fought for.

Torn between her growing allegiance to the Thirty-Seventh legion and her need to liberate her people, Teriana finds herself mired in a web of secrets. She embarks upon a path that will either save everyone she loves—or put them all in their graves.

Readers may read either Dark Shores or Dark Skies first!
Suggested series reading order:

1. Dark Skies or Dark Shores
2. Dark Shores or Dark Skies
3. Gilded Serpent (coming spring 2021)]]> 576 Danielle L. Jensen 1250317789 Seni 0 read-later 4.47 2021
author: Danielle L. Jensen
name: Seni
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves: read-later
review:

]]> 50231193
I thought he was crazy from hypothermia. Turns out, he wasn’t, and for some reason he keeps coming back. But a day in my world is a year in his. Every time I see him, he’s older. Wiser. Hotter.

Over the past six years, I’ve tried not to fall in love with him because the terms of the curse are clear: If he doesn’t wait for his fated mate in all ways, including an innocent (or not-so-innocent) kiss, he’ll be blind forever.

So when Kirian kisses me and pulls me through the portal to his realm, I make it my mission to do some damage control. It’d be a whole lot easier if he wasn’t determined to marry me... And if someone wasn’t trying to murder me every step of the way.]]> 334 Jamie Schlosser Seni 0 read-later 3.87 2020
author: Jamie Schlosser
name: Seni
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
shelves: read-later
review:

]]> 48580273
Everyone has their own robot, and magical worlds are just behind the next door��

Steve Haven always thought he was just another ordinary twelve-year-old boy. Well, as ordinary as he can be given he’s the nephew of Rex Haven, founder of the Haven Robotics Corporation.

But when Rex dies in mysterious circumstances and Steve is given a strange artefact known only as the Reactor, he finds out that the world he thought he knew is a lot stranger and more threatening than he ever imagined.

On the run from a group of dangerous villains, Steve finds himself plunged into a hidden and dangerous magical world. With his parents missing and no one in the normal world he can trust, Steve must join with his new-found magical friends to discover the truth about the Reactor and his uncle’s death.

Haven Wakes is the debut novel by Fi Phillips and the first in The Haven Chronicles, an exciting and enthralling journey through new worlds, both futuristic and magical.

If you enjoy fantastic settings, magical powers and futuristic devices, then you’ll love Haven Wakes.]]> 310 Fi Phillips 1912946076 Seni 0 read-later 4.33
author: Fi Phillips
name: Seni
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/11/29
shelves: read-later
review:

]]> 52772417
She vows to do whatever it takes to avenge her beloved sister, Vittoria... even if that means accepting the hand of the Prince of Pride, the king of demons.

The first rule in the court of the Wicked? Trust no one. With back-stabbing princes, luxurious palaces, mysterious party invitations, and conflicting clues about who really killed her twin, Emilia finds herself more alone than ever before. Can she even trust Wrath, her one-time ally in the mortal world... or is he keeping dangerous secrets about his true nature?

Emilia will be tested in every way as she seeks a series of magical objects that will unlock the clues of her past and the answers she craves...

One sister.
Two sinful princes.
Infinite deception with a side of revenge�� Welcome to Hell.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author of Stalking Jack the Ripper Kerri Maniscalco comes the sizzling, sweepingly romantic sequel to Kingdom of the Wicked!]]> 437 Kerri Maniscalco 1529350506 Seni 0 4.09 2021
author: Kerri Maniscalco
name: Seni
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/29
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review:

]]> 73071451 Sinner. Villain. Wicked.

The Prince of Envy has never claimed to be a saint. But when a cryptic note arrives, signaling the beginning of a deadly game, he knows it will take more than a hint of sin to win and save his falling demon court. Riddles, hexed objects, anonymous players, nothing will stand in his way, though none of his meticulous plans prepare him for her, the frustrating artist who ignites his sin like no other��

Virtuous. Darling. Liar.

The trouble with scoundrels and blackguards is that they haven’t a modicum of honor, a fact Miss Camilla Antonius learns after one desperate mistake allows Waverly Green’s most notorious rake to blackmail her. To avoid a ruinous scandal, Camilla is forced to enter a devil’s bargain with Envy, little expecting his game will awaken her true nature...

Together, Envy and Camilla must embark on a perilous journey through the Underworld—from glittering demon courts to the sultry vampire realm and beyond—while trying to avoid the most dangerous trap of all: falling in love.]]> 612 Kerri Maniscalco 031655751X Seni 0 to-read 4.00 2023
author: Kerri Maniscalco
name: Seni
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/11/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 61431922 Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders...

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile�� humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die]]> 528 Rebecca Yarros 1649374046 Seni 4 favourites
So, here’s the deal: Violet was all set for a cozy life with books, but guess what? Her mom—yep, the big boss lady—throws her into the dragon rider academy. Trouble is, Violet’s pint-sized in a place where toughness rules, and these dragons? Well, they’re not exactly keen on bonding with someone fragile. Talk about a rough start!

The academy is a brutal battleground, and everyone's either eyeing their ticket to ride a dragon or eyeing each other suspiciously. Enter Xaden, the top dog wingleader who’s got a major bone to pick with our girl.

But Violet? She’s not your typical damsel in distress. She’s all cool and witty, handling this madness without the drama. Her cleverness and quick wit make her the star of this show. With dragons, backstabbing cadets, and some shady secrets, this story keeps you hooked.

The mix of danger and humour in Fourth Wing is delightful. The story keeps the adrenaline pumping while Violet’s sass and no-nonsense attitude make it a light and enjoyable read. It’s the perfect combo for those who dig danger and laughs in their books.]]> 4.56 2023
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Seni
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2023/11/02
shelves: favourites
review:
Fourth Wing is a wild ride, folks! This book drops you right into a world of dragons, danger, and one seriously tough heroine—Violet Sorrengail.

So, here’s the deal: Violet was all set for a cozy life with books, but guess what? Her mom—yep, the big boss lady—throws her into the dragon rider academy. Trouble is, Violet’s pint-sized in a place where toughness rules, and these dragons? Well, they’re not exactly keen on bonding with someone fragile. Talk about a rough start!

The academy is a brutal battleground, and everyone's either eyeing their ticket to ride a dragon or eyeing each other suspiciously. Enter Xaden, the top dog wingleader who’s got a major bone to pick with our girl.

But Violet? She’s not your typical damsel in distress. She’s all cool and witty, handling this madness without the drama. Her cleverness and quick wit make her the star of this show. With dragons, backstabbing cadets, and some shady secrets, this story keeps you hooked.

The mix of danger and humour in Fourth Wing is delightful. The story keeps the adrenaline pumping while Violet’s sass and no-nonsense attitude make it a light and enjoyable read. It’s the perfect combo for those who dig danger and laughs in their books.
]]> 58470171
When a high-ranking member of House Greed is assassinated, Emilia and Wrath are drawn to the rival demon court. Damning evidence points to Vittoria as the murderer and she’s quickly declared an enemy of the Seven Circles. Despite her betrayal, Emilia will do anything to solve this new mystery and find out who her sister really is.

Together Emilia and Wrath play a sin-fueled game of deception as they work to stop the unrest that’s brewing between witches, demons, shape-shifters and the most treacherous foes of all: the Feared.

Emilia was warned that when it came to the Wicked nothing was as it seemed. But, have the true villains been much closer all along? When the truth is finally revealed, it just might end up costing Emilia her heart.

Two curses.
One prophecy.
A reckoning all have feared.

And a love more powerful than fate. All hail the king and queen of Hell.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stalking the Jack the Ripper series comes the steamy conclusion to Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy.]]> 417 Kerri Maniscalco 0316342084 Seni 4 3.85 2022
author: Kerri Maniscalco
name: Seni
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2023/10/11
shelves:
review:

]]> 43263680
Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs�� are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.]]> 461 Leigh Bardugo 1250313074 Seni 4 4.00 2019
author: Leigh Bardugo
name: Seni
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2023/10/11
date added: 2023/10/11
shelves:
review:

]]> 42036538
The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won't set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon's sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.]]> 448 Tamsyn Muir 1250313198 Seni 4 4.19 2019
author: Tamsyn Muir
name: Seni
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2023/10/11
date added: 2023/10/11
shelves:
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]]> 61612864
A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and no one goes.

The world has never even noticed them. That's about to change.

Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another. A journey on which knowledge erodes certainty, and on which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned.]]> 559 Mark Lawrence 0593437918 Seni 0 to-read 3.93 2023
author: Mark Lawrence
name: Seni
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/10/02
shelves: to-read
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]]> 66087062 A woman risks everything to end her family’s centuries-old curse, solve her mother’s disappearance, and find love in this mesmerizing novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Spells for Forgetting.

In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line. The whole town remembers the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving June to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors.

It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own.

After her grandmother’s death, June discovers a series of cryptic clues regarding her mother’s decades-old disappearance, except they only lead to more questions. But could the door she once assumed was a hallucination be the answer she’s been searching for? The next time it appears, June realizes she can touch it and walk past the threshold. And when she does, she embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but also uncover the lingering mysteries of her small town and entangle her heart in an epic star-crossed love.

With The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young delivers a brilliant novel of romance, mystery, and a touch of the impossible—a story you will never forget.]]> 320 Adrienne Young 0593598679 Seni 0 to-read 4.13 2023
author: Adrienne Young
name: Seni
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/10/02
shelves: to-read
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]]> 35967101 A brilliantly original high concept murder mystery from a fantastic new talent: Gosford Park meets Inception, by way of Agatha Christie and Black Mirror.

'Somebody's going to be murdered at the ball tonight. It won't appear to be a murder and so the murderer won't be caught. Rectify that injustice and I'll show you the way out.'

It is meant to be a celebration but it ends in tragedy. As fireworks explode overhead, Evelyn Hardcastle, the young and beautiful daughter of the house, is killed.

But Evelyn will not die just once. Until Aiden �� one of the guests summoned to Blackheath for the party �� can solve her murder, the day will repeat itself, over and over again. Every time ending with the fateful pistol shot.

The only way to break this cycle is to identify the killer. But each time the day begins again, Aiden wakes in the body of a different guest. And someone is determined to prevent him ever escaping Blackheath...

Also titled as The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.]]> 505 Stuart Turton Seni 5 3.87 2018
author: Stuart Turton
name: Seni
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2023/04/21
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review:

]]> 61126612
Two people meet in the Art Institute by chance. Prior to their encounter, he is a doctoral student who manages his destructive thoughts with compulsive calculations about time travel; she is a bipolar counterfeit artist, undergoing court-ordered psychotherapy. By the end of the story, these things will still be true. But this is not a story about endings.

For Regan, people are predictable and tedious, including and perhaps especially herself. She copes with the dreariness of existence by living impulsively, imagining a new, alternate timeline being created in the wake of every rash decision.

To Aldo, the world feels disturbingly chaotic. He gets through his days by erecting a wall of routine: a backbeat of rules and formulas that keep him going. Without them, the entire framework of his existence would collapse.

For Regan and Aldo, life has been a matter of resigning themselves to the blueprints of inevitability—until the two meet. Could six conversations with a stranger be the variable that shakes up the entire simulation?

From Olivie Blake, the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six, comes an intimate and contemporary study of time, space, and the nature of love. Alone with You in the Ether explores what it means to be unwell, and how to face the fractures of yourself and still love as if you're not broken.]]> 288 Olivie Blake 1250888166 Seni 0 to-read 3.69 2020
author: Olivie Blake
name: Seni
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/02/09
shelves: to-read
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]]> 38311338 From Olivie Blake, the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six comes Masters of Death, a story about vampires, ghosts, and death itself!

Viola Marek is a struggling real estate agent, and a vampire. But her biggest problem currently is that the house she needs to sell is haunted. The ghost haunting the house has been murdered, and until he can solve the mystery of how he died, he refuses to move on.

Fox D’Mora is a medium, and though is also most-definitely a shameless fraud, he isn’t entirely without his uses—seeing as he’s actually the godson of Death.

When Viola seeks out Fox to help her with her ghost-infested mansion, he becomes inextricably involved in a quest that neither he nor Vi expects (or wants). But with the help of an unruly poltergeist, a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel, a love-stricken reaper, and a few high-functioning creatures, Vi and Fox soon discover the difference between a mysterious lost love and an annoying dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as they thought.]]> 349 Olivie Blake Seni 0 to-read 3.64 2018
author: Olivie Blake
name: Seni
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/02/09
shelves: to-read
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]]> 43795562
After twelve years of tenuous coexistence, a change in one family’s interests causes a rift in the existing stalemate. When bad blood brings both families to the precipice of disaster, fate intervenes with a chance encounter, and in the aftershocks of a resurrected conflict, everyone must choose a side. As each of the siblings struggles to stake their claim, fraying loyalties threaten to rot each side from the inside out.

If, that is, the enmity between empires doesn’t destroy them first.]]> 427 Olivie Blake Seni 0 currently-reading 3.69 2019
author: Olivie Blake
name: Seni
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/02/09
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 32689321 The one woman he will never forget��
Malcolm Bevingstoke, Duke of Haven, has lived the last three years in self-imposed solitude, paying the price for a mistake he can never reverse and a love he lost forever. The dukedom does not wait, however, and Haven requires an heir, which means he must find himself a wife by summer’s end. There is only one problem—he already has one.

The one man she will never forgive��
After years in exile, Seraphina, Duchess of Haven, returns to London with a single goal—to reclaim the life she left and find happiness, unencumbered by the man who broke her heart. Haven offers her a deal; Sera can have her freedom, just as soon as she finds her replacement…which requires her to spend the summer in close quarters with the husband she does not want, but somehow cannot resist.

A love that neither can deny��
The duke has a single summer to woo his wife and convince her that, despite their broken past, he can give her forever, making every day The Day of the Duchess.]]> 405 Sarah MacLean 0349409773 Seni 0 4.14 2017
author: Sarah MacLean
name: Seni
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2017
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/01/18
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]]> 59227936
Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each one more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation, and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.
��
However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.]]> 409 Adalyn Grace 0316158232 Seni 0 to-read 3.96 2022
author: Adalyn Grace
name: Seni
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/12/13
shelves: to-read
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]]> 57198961
Her quest is Steal a stone from Islor’s sacred garden without anyone discovering her true identity, which would earn her certain death. But the identity she has inexplicably assumed is that of the captured Ybarisan princess—an enemy to Islor after she poisoned their beloved king and queen on the day she was to marry the prince.

Her betrothed, the newly crowned King Zander, detests her with every grain of his handsome being. Fortunately for Romeria, she is more valuable to him alive than dead. Zander gives her a life in a cell, or an acquittal of all charges in exchange for her help in exposing the growing plot against him.

Romeria sees no other option and embraces the tricky role of smitten queen-to-be until she can escape, a ruse that brings her far closer to the king than she anticipated and threatens more than her safety. As she digs deeper into this sacred garden and the ancient feud between Ybaris and Islor, she discovers monstrous truths that could spell ruin for all.

She would know the world of vengeful gods and monsters, and the lengths one would go for love. And nothing would ever be the same for her again.]]> 547 K.A. Tucker 1990105149 Seni 0 to-read 4.09 2021
author: K.A. Tucker
name: Seni
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/12/09
shelves: to-read
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]]> 55127740 From the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series comes a new blockbuster series...

Two sisters.
One brutal murder.
A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself...
And an intoxicating romance.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe - witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family's renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin...desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister's killer and to seek vengeance at any cost—even if it means using dark magic that's been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked—princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia's side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women's murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems...]]> 360 Kerri Maniscalco 1529350468 Seni 5 3.90 2020
author: Kerri Maniscalco
name: Seni
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/11/29
shelves:
review:

]]> 3 309 J.K. Rowling 0439554934 Seni 5 4.47 1997
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Seni
average rating: 4.47
book published: 1997
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/11/23
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]]> 50623864
Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.]]> 448 Victoria E. Schwab 0765387565 Seni 4 4.16 2020
author: Victoria E. Schwab
name: Seni
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/11/23
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]]> 51854625 A murder on the high seas. A detective duo. A demon who may or may not exist.

It's 1634 and Samuel Pipps, the world's greatest detective, is being transported to Amsterdam to be executed for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. Traveling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent.

But no sooner are they out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage. A twice-dead leper stalks the decks. Strange symbols appear on the sails. Livestock is slaughtered.

And then three passengers are marked for death, including Samuel.

Could a demon be responsible for their misfortunes?

With Pipps imprisoned, only Arent can solve a mystery that connects every passenger onboard. A mystery that stretches back into their past and now threatens to sink the ship, killing everybody on board.

The breathtaking new novel from Stuart Turton, author of the The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, winner of the Costa Best First Novel Award.]]> 463 Stuart Turton Seni 0 to-read 3.82 2020
author: Stuart Turton
name: Seni
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/23
shelves: to-read
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]]> 58939928
When she meets Vanya, a charming commoner branded as a witch by his own neighbors, and the dethroned Tsar Mikhail himself, the unlikely trio bonds over trying to restore Mikhail’s magic and protect the empire from the revolutionary leader, Koschei, whose forces have stolen the castle. Vanya has his magic, and Mikhail has his title, but if Toma can’t dig deep and find her power in time, all of their lives will be at Koschei’s mercy.

A haunting fantasy following Toma, adopted daughter of the benevolent undead, making her way across a civil war-torn continent to save her younger sister as she discovers she might possess magical powers herself.]]> 448 Aden Polydoros 1335915826 Seni 0 to-read 3.71 2022
author: Aden Polydoros
name: Seni
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/23
shelves: to-read
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]]> 56578056
Which raises the ultimate question: with infinite choices, what is the best way to live?]]> 288 Matt Haig 1786892731 Seni 0 to-read 3.88 2020
author: Matt Haig
name: Seni
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/23
shelves: to-read
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]]> 29588376 ASIN B000JMKNJ2 moved to the more recent edition

An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.]]> 752 Scott Lynch Seni 4 4.32 2006
author: Scott Lynch
name: Seni
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
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]]> 37856764
But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much aliveand that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

A powerful epic fantasy novel with roots in the 20th-century history of China.

A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.]]> 544 R.F. Kuang 0008239800 Seni 0 4.13 2018
author: R.F. Kuang
name: Seni
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
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review:

]]> 52381766 A SAILOR WITH A WILL OF IRON

Teriana is the second mate of the Quincense and heir to the Maarin Triumvirate. Her people are born of the seas and the keepers of its secrets, but when her closest friend is forced into an unwanted betrothal, Teriana breaks her people’s mandate so her friend might escape—a choice with devastating consequences.

A SOLDIER WITH A SECRET

Marcus is the commander of the Thirty-Seventh, the notorious legion that has led the Celendor Empire to conquer the entire East. The legion is his family, but even they don’t know the truth he’s been hiding since childhood. It’s a secret he’ll do anything to protect, no matter how much it costs him �� and the world.

A DANGEROUS QUEST

When an Empire senator discovers the existence of the Dark Shores, he captures Teriana’s crew and threatens to reveal Marcus’s secret unless they sail in pursuit of conquest, forcing the two into an unlikely—and unwilling—alliance. They unite for the sake of their families, but both must decide how far they are willing to go, and how much they are willing to sacrifice.

In a world divided by meddlesome gods and treacherous oceans, only the Maarin possess the knowledge to cross the Endless Seas. But they have one mandate: East must never meet West.

High seas adventure, blackmail, and meddling gods meet in Dark Shores, a thrilling first novel in a fast-paced new YA fantasy series by USA Today bestselling author Danielle L. Jensen.]]> 384 Danielle L. Jensen 1250317738 Seni 0 4.03 2019
author: Danielle L. Jensen
name: Seni
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves:
review:

]]> 22294935
A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as a Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they dont kill each other first.]]> 479 Leigh Bardugo Seni 0 4.37 2015
author: Leigh Bardugo
name: Seni
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2015
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves:
review:

]]> 20560137 This is a previously-published edition of ISBN 9781595148032.

Laia is a slave.��

Elias is a soldier.��

Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia 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. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.]]> 446 Sabaa Tahir Seni 0 4.28 2015
author: Sabaa Tahir
name: Seni
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2015
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves:
review:

]]> 49155525 The hotly anticipated sequel to the New York Times and IndieBound bestseller Serpent & Dove—packed with even steamier romance and darker magic—is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.

After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.

To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.]]> 538 Shelby Mahurin 0062878107 Seni 0 dnf 3.63 2020
author: Shelby Mahurin
name: Seni
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: dnf
review:

]]> 58132544
As Jack and Adaira reluctantly work together, they find they make better allies than rivals as their partnership turns into something more. But with each passing song, it becomes apparent the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than they first expected, and an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface, threatening to undo them all.]]> 480 Rebecca Ross 0063055988 Seni 0 to-read 4.06 2022
author: Rebecca Ross
name: Seni
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 58690308 One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming....

Nora Stephens�� life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters�� trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.]]> 377 Emily Henry 0593334833 Seni 0 to-read 4.09 2022
author: Emily Henry
name: Seni
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 52504680 Phoebe Atreus is a witch on the run, her carefully crafted rules have kept her alive for the last decade, each one a product of a hard learned lesson. Rule Number One? Trust No One. She’s been betrayed one time too many to put her faith in anyone else’s hands. Even if the legendary vampire king might be the one person who could protect her from the enemies always one step behind.

A Man Whose Abandonment Issues Span Thousands of Years��
Lucien Silvano has been king of the vampires for the last ten thousand years, he’s fought in wars that have been reduced to legend, rescued damsels in distress, seduced said damsels, and moved on. Immortal life has become a never-ending battle against boredom. Nothing has truly stirred his interest in years, except her. She’s the exception to every rule, his Queen, his mate, the one-person Fate declared to be his. The problem? She wants nothing to do with him.

What could possibly go wrong?
Phoebe refuses to share her past with Lucien, pushing him away at every opportunity, yet unable to resist the chemistry that explodes whenever they are together. Forced back to his castle in Romania to live as his Queen, she starts to forget the rules that have kept her safe�� until the secrets Lucien has been hiding remind her why she created them in the first place.]]> Jeanette Rose 0578522578 Seni 0 to-read 3.95
author: Jeanette Rose
name: Seni
average rating: 3.95
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 42899 The only purebred vampire left on the planet and the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who killed his parents centuries ago.

But when his most trusted fighter is killed -- orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate -- Wrath must put down his dagger and usher the beautiful female into another world.

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn’t there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of the Brotherhood and blood frighten her. Yet his touch ignites a dawning new hunger one that threatens to consume them both…]]> 393 J.R. Ward 0451216954 Seni 0 to-read 4.16 2005
author: J.R. Ward
name: Seni
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2005
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 58950705
With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan’s oldest son to find the artifact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen, and confront a malicious killer from Loulie’s past. And, in a world where story is reality and illusion is truth, Loulie will discover that everything—her enemy, her magic, even her own past—is not what it seems, and she must decide who she will become in this new reality.

Inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights,��The Stardust Thief weaves the gripping tale of a legendary smuggler, a cowardly prince, and a dangerous quest across the desert to find a legendary, magical lamp.]]> 468 Chelsea Abdullah 0316368768 Seni 0 to-read 3.98 2022
author: Chelsea Abdullah
name: Seni
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 56179377
Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.]]> 243 T. Kingfisher 1250244048 Seni 0 to-read 4.07 2022
author: T. Kingfisher
name: Seni
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 58725025
What follows is a story of wonder and betrayal, from the gaslit streets of London, and the wooden theaters of Meiji-era Tokyo, to an eerie estate outside Edinburgh where other children with gifts--like Komako, a witch-child and twister of dust, and Ribs, a girl who cloaks herself in invisibility--are forced to combat the forces that threaten their safety. There, the world of the dead and the world of the living threaten to collide. With this new found family, Komako, Marlowe, Charlie, Ribs, and the rest of the Talents discover the truth about their abilities. And as secrets within the Institute unfurl, a new question arises: What truly defines a monster?

Riveting in its scope, exquisitely written, Ordinary Monsters presents a catastrophic vision of the Victorian world--and of the gifted, broken children who must save it.]]> 672 J.M. Miro 1250833663 Seni 0 to-read 3.75 2022
author: J.M. Miro
name: Seni
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 57789637
“Epic, romantic, and enthralling from start to finish.”—Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series

“An all-consuming work of literary fantasy that is breathtaking both for its beauty and its suspense."—BookPage, starred review

A captivating and romantic debut epic fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.

Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.

Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.

To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic, of loss and sacrifice—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.]]> 503 Sue Lynn Tan 0063031302 Seni 0 to-read 4.08 2022
author: Sue Lynn Tan
name: Seni
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 57992931
The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.

Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.]]> 512 Tahereh Mafi 0062972448 Seni 0 to-read 3.96 2022
author: Tahereh Mafi
name: Seni
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 41428040
But when Azzy's brother, Armin, is infected and cast out into the Above, she sets out after him, determined to be there for him no matter what he becomes. The world Above is full of monsters, both wild and cunning, some more human than Azzy was led to believe.

Her search for Armin leads her to Avergard, a ruthless city of inhuman lords and twisted creatures. Azzy must find allies and forge new bonds in this broken world, brave the perils of the Above, and reach Armin before his new power is used to open the Gate once more.]]> 346 Kristin Jacques 1953539327 Seni 0 to-read 4.14 2019
author: Kristin Jacques
name: Seni
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 55987278 How far would you go for happily ever after?

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings... until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.

Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic but wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.

But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game—and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy...]]> 408 Stephanie Garber 1250268397 Seni 0 4.06 2021
author: Stephanie Garber
name: Seni
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves:
review:

]]> 58724599 The Goblin Emperor meets "Magnificent Century" in Alexandra Rowland's A Taste of Gold and Iron, where a queer central romance unfolds in a fantasy world reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire.

Kadou, the shy prince of Arasht, finds himself at odds with one of the most powerful ambassadors at court—the body-father of the queen's new child—in an altercation which results in his humiliation.

To prove his loyalty to the queen, his sister, Kadou takes responsibility for the investigation of a break-in at one of their guilds, with the help of his newly appointed bodyguard, the coldly handsome Evemer, who seems to tolerate him at best. In Arasht, where princes can touch-taste precious metals with their fingers and myth runs side by side with history, counterfeiting is heresy, and the conspiracy they discover could cripple the kingdom’s financial standing and bring about its ruin.]]> 512 Alexandra Rowland 1250800382 Seni 0 to-read 4.03 2022
author: Alexandra Rowland
name: Seni
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 57945316 From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel, a historical fantasy epic that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British Empire

Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.

1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. The tower and its students are the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver-working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as the arcane craft serves the Empire's quest for colonization.

For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide . . .

Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?]]> 544 R.F. Kuang 0063021420 Seni 3
R.F Kuang is one of my favourite authors, when I heard of Babel I was so so excited.

I kept reading even when it got hard, I kept reading even when it got repetitive. I really tried. However when I got to the last pages I found myself uninterested of how it is going to be resolved. I didn't have the feeling like I have to know what's going to happen and I most definitely could put the book down.

The idea of the book? Incredible!
The execution? Less so.

I have two main issues with the book:

1. Stupid choices made by characters all over the book just to move the plot in the right direction.

2. Hammering of one and only point every bloody page. It felt like those car sellers that caught you by your sleeve and wouldn't let go or stop selling until you bought a car.

There were plenty of good parts too but I had a headache from the hammering to notice them.]]> 4.17 2022
author: R.F. Kuang
name: Seni
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2022/11/22
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves:
review:
I expected more.

R.F Kuang is one of my favourite authors, when I heard of Babel I was so so excited.

I kept reading even when it got hard, I kept reading even when it got repetitive. I really tried. However when I got to the last pages I found myself uninterested of how it is going to be resolved. I didn't have the feeling like I have to know what's going to happen and I most definitely could put the book down.

The idea of the book? Incredible!
The execution? Less so.

I have two main issues with the book:

1. Stupid choices made by characters all over the book just to move the plot in the right direction.

2. Hammering of one and only point every bloody page. It felt like those car sellers that caught you by your sleeve and wouldn't let go or stop selling until you bought a car.

There were plenty of good parts too but I had a headache from the hammering to notice them.
]]> 2986865
Swordplay, dragon magic--and a hero with a desperate secret

Twelve-year-old Eon has been in training for years. His intensive study of Dragon Magic, based on East Asian astrology, involves two kinds of skills: sword-work and magical aptitude. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye--an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune.

But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a boy for the chance to become a Dragoneye. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured.

When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life.]]> 531 Alison Goodman 0670062278 Seni 4 3.96 2008
author: Alison Goodman
name: Seni
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2022/10/09
date added: 2022/10/09
shelves:
review:

]]> 36307634 Face your demons... or feed them.

The dashing young king, Nikolai Lantsov, has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country's bloody civil war--and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, Nikolai must find a way to refill Ravka's coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha general, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren't meant to stay buried--and some wounds aren't meant to heal.]]> 511 Leigh Bardugo 125014227X Seni 4 4.16 2019
author: Leigh Bardugo
name: Seni
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2022/10/09
date added: 2022/10/09
shelves:
review:

]]> 17342700
Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred - the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic...

�� THE KRAESHIANS join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.

�� THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia's overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

�� THE WATCHERS follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia's powers to unveil the Kindred.

The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved.]]> 416 Morgan Rhodes 1101623209 Seni 0 to-read 4.22 2014
author: Morgan Rhodes
name: Seni
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/10/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 58210340 With the sweeping romance of Passenger and the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song, this standout YA contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, is the first in a planned trilogy.

It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.

But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.

As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .

. . . she is not the hero.]]> 416 Vanessa Len Seni 4 3.85 2022
author: Vanessa Len
name: Seni
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/09/28
shelves:
review:

]]> 50999821
Perched in the Catskill mountains, the centuries-old, ivy-covered campus was home until the tragic death of her girlfriend. Now, after a year away, she’s returned to graduate. She even has her old room in Godwin House, the exclusive dormitory rumored to be haunted by the spirits of five Dalloway students—girls some say were witches. The Dalloway Five all died mysteriously, one after another, right on Godwin grounds.

Witchcraft is woven into Dalloway’s history. The school doesn’t talk about it, but the students do. In secret rooms and shadowy corners, girls convene. And before her girlfriend died, Felicity was drawn to the dark. She’s determined to leave that behind her now; all Felicity wants is to focus on her senior thesis and graduate. But it’s hard when Dalloway’s occult history is everywhere. And when the new girl won’t let her forget.

It’s Ellis Haley’s first year at Dalloway, and she’s already amassed a loyal following. A prodigy novelist at seventeen, Ellis is a so-called “method writer.�� She’s eccentric and brilliant, and Felicity can’t shake the pull she feels to her. So when Ellis asks Felicity for help researching the Dalloway Five for her second book, Felicity can’t say no. Given her history with the arcane, Felicity is the perfect resource.

And when history begins to repeat itself, Felicity will have to face the darkness in Dalloway–and in herself.]]> 369 Victoria Lee 0593305825 Seni 0 to-read 3.54 2021
author: Victoria Lee
name: Seni
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/09/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 50548197
A Deadly Education is set at Scholomance, a school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death (for real) �� until one girl, El, begins to unlock its many secrets.

There are no teachers, no holidays, and no friendships, save strategic ones. Survival is more important than any letter grade, for the school won’t allow its students to leave until they graduate�� or die! The rules are deceptively simple: Don’t walk the halls alone. And beware of the monsters who lurk everywhere.

El is uniquely prepared for the school’s dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out millions. It would be easy enough for El to defeat the monsters that prowl the school. The problem? Her powerful dark magic might also kill all the other students.]]> 320 Naomi Novik 0593128486 Seni 0 to-read 3.93 2020
author: Naomi Novik
name: Seni
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/09/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 29044 559 Donna Tartt 1400031702 Seni 0 to-read 4.17 1992
author: Donna Tartt
name: Seni
average rating: 4.17
book published: 1992
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/09/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 30319086
As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue, extra. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.]]> 354 M.L. Rio 125009528X Seni 0 to-read 4.11 2017
author: M.L. Rio
name: Seni
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2017
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/09/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 40874032 A masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, desire, and superpowers.

Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?

In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn't automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question.]]> 402 Victoria E. Schwab Seni 0 to-read 4.17 2013
author: Victoria E. Schwab
name: Seni
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/07/17
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 26856502 A super-powered collision of extraordinary minds and vengeful intentions��#1 New York Times bestselling author V. E. Schwab returns with the thrilling follow-up to Vicious.

Magneto and Professor X. Superman and Lex Luthor. Victor Vale and Eli Ever. Sydney and Serena Clarke. Great partnerships, now soured on the vine.

But Marcella Riggins needs no one. Flush from her brush with death, she’s finally gained the control she’s always sought—and will use her new-found power to bring the city of Merit to its knees. She’ll do whatever it takes, collecting her own sidekicks, and leveraging the two most infamous EOs, Victor Vale and Eli Ever, against each other.

With Marcella's rise, new enmities create opportunity--and the stage of Merit City will once again be set for a final, terrible reckoning.]]> 462 Victoria E. Schwab Seni 0 to-read 4.13 2018
author: Victoria E. Schwab
name: Seni
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2018
rating: 0
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date added: 2022/07/17
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 52535769 The spellbinding conclusion to the New York Times and IndieBound bestselling trilogy Serpent & Dove. This stunning fantasy take on French witches and forbidden love is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.

Evil always seeks a foothold. We must not give it one.

After a heartbreaking loss, Lou, Reid, Beau, and Coco are bent on vengeance more than ever before—and none more so than Lou.

But this is no longer the Lou they thought they knew. No longer the Lou that captured a chasseur’s heart. A darkness has settled over her, and this time it will take more than love to drive it out.]]> 624 Shelby Mahurin 0063038951 Seni 0 dnf 3.93 2021
author: Shelby Mahurin
name: Seni
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/07/17
shelves: dnf
review:

]]> 36307674
The wolves are circling and a young king will face his greatest challenge in the explosive finale of the instant #1 New York Times-bestselling King of Scars Duology.

The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.

The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.

The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.

King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.]]> 592 Leigh Bardugo 1510109188 Seni 4 4.34 2021
author: Leigh Bardugo
name: Seni
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/07/17
shelves:
review:

]]> 44414927 We were meant to be seductive. We were designed to lure humans in.

Fortuna Sworn is the last of her kind.

Her brother disappeared two years ago, leaving her with no family or species to speak of. She hides among humans, spending her days working at a bar and her nights searching for him. The bleak pattern goes on and on... until she catches the eye of a powerful faerie.

He makes no attempt to hide that he desires Fortuna. And in exchange for her, he offers something irresistible. So Fortuna reluctantly leaves her safe existence behind to step back into a world of creatures and power.��

It soon becomes clear that she may not have bargained with her heart, but her very life.

TRIGGER WARNING: This novel contains scenes or themes of sexual harassment, toxic relationships, and slavery.]]> 314 K.J. Sutton 0578489678 Seni 0 to-read 3.54 2019
author: K.J. Sutton
name: Seni
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2019
rating: 0
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date added: 2022/06/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 49491650 They came to earth--Pestilence, War, Famine, Death--four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity. They came to earth, and they came to end us all.

He’s known by many names: Thanatos. Horseman. God’s last angel. And then, of course, there's the one I’m all too familiar with��

Death.

The day Death comes to Lazarus Gaumond’s town and kills everyone in one fell swoop, the last thing he expects to see is a woman left alive and standing. But Lazarus has her own extraordinary gift: she cannot be killed—not by humans, not by the elements, not by Death himself.

She is the one soul Death doesn’t recognize. The one soul he cannot pry free from her flesh. Nor can he ignore the unsettling desire he has for her. Take her. He wants to, desperately. And the longer she tries to stop him from his killing spree, the stronger the desire becomes.

When Lazarus crosses paths with the three other horsemen, an unthinkable situation leads to a terrible deal: seduce Death, save the world. A hopeless task, made all the worse by the bad blood between her and Thanatos. But Death’s attraction to her is undeniable, and try though she might, Lazarus cannot stay away from that ancient, beautiful being and his dark embrace.

The end is here. Humankind is set to perish, and not even the horsemen can stop Death from fulfilling his final task.

Only Lazarus can.]]> 519 Laura Thalassa Seni 4 4.30 2021
author: Laura Thalassa
name: Seni
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/05/28
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review:

]]> 20589506 671 Lucinda Riley Seni 4 4.62 2013
author: Lucinda Riley
name: Seni
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/05/19
shelves:
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]]> 21569527
Desperate to save her life, Lia's erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komisar that she has a magical gift, and the Komisar's interest in Lia is greater than either Kaden or Lia foresaw.

Meanwhile, the foundations of Lia's deeply-held beliefs are crumbling beneath her. Nothing is straightforward: there's Rafe, who lied to her, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom she always believed to be barbarians but whom she now realizes are people who have been terribly brutalized by the kingdoms of Dalbreck and Morrighan. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her very sense of self, Lia will have to make powerful choices that affect her country, her people . . . and her own destiny.]]> 473 Mary E. Pearson 0805099247 Seni 0 to-read 4.17 2015
author: Mary E. Pearson
name: Seni
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2015
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/08/21
shelves: to-read
review:

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