Review #126 - I Hate Fairyland vol 4 by Skottie Young

Details:

Title: I Hate Fairyland vol 4

Author: Skottie Young

Publisher: Image Comics

ISBN 13: 978-1534306806

Synopsis:

What started as a normal, everyday, child-sucked-into-a-magical-land-to-fulfill-an-inane-quest has changed Fairyland forever. In the continuation of SKOTTIE YOUNG’S saccharine fantasy-satire, Gertrude hands over the spotlight to Larry, Duncan Dragon, and some of Fairyland’s other supporting cast, misfits, and forgotten threats.

Review #125- Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James

Details:

Title: Tilly and the Bookwanderers (Pages & Co #1)

Author: Anna James

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books

ISBN 13: 978-0008229863

Synopsis:

Since her mother’s disappearance, eleven-year-old Tilly has found comfort in stories at Pages & Co., her grandparents’ bookshop. But when her favourite characters, Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Wonderland, appear in the shop, Tilly’s adventures become very real. Not only can she follow Anne and Alice into their thrilling worlds, she discovers she can bookwander into any story she chooses.

Tilly’s new ability could even help her solve the mystery of what happened to her mother all those years ago. But danger may be lurking on the very next page…

Review #124 - The Other Side of Lost by Jessi Kirby

Details:

Title: The Other Side of Lost

Author: Jessi Kirby

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN 13: 978-0062424242

Synopsis:

Mari Turner’s life is perfect. That is, at least, to her thousands of followers who have helped her become an internet starlet.

But when she breaks down and posts a video confessing she’s been living a lie—that she isn’t the happy, in love, inspirational online personality she’s been trying so hard to portray—it goes viral and she receives a major backlash.

To get away from it all, she makes an impulsive decision: to hike the entire John Muir Trail. Mari and her late cousin Bri were supposed to do it together, to celebrate their shared eighteenth birthday. But that was before Mari got so wrapped up in her online world that she shut anyone out who questioned its worth—like Bri.

With Bri’s boots and trail diary, a heart full of regret, and a group of strangers that she meets along the way, Mari tries to navigate the difficult terrain of the hike. But the true challenge lies within, as she searches for the way back from to the girl she fears may be too lost to find: herself.

Review #123 - The Storm Keeper's Island by Catherine Doyle

Details:

Title: The Storm Keeper's Island

Author: Catherine Doyle

Publisher: Bloomsbury

ISBN 13: 978-1408896884

Synopsis:

When Fionn Boyle sets foot on Arranmore Island, it begins to stir beneath his feet ...

Once in a generation, Arranmore Island chooses a new Storm Keeper to wield its power and keep its magic safe from enemies. The time has come for Fionn's grandfather, a secretive and eccentric old man, to step down. Soon, a new Keeper will rise.

But, deep underground, someone has been waiting for Fionn. As the battle to become the island's next champion rages, a more sinister magic is waking up, intent on rekindling an ancient war.

Review #122 - The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Details:

Title: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy

Author: Mackenzi Lee

Publisher: HarperCollins

ISBN 13: 978-0062795328

Synopsis:

A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.

But then a window of opportunity opens—a doctor she idolizes is marrying an old friend of hers in Germany. Felicity believes if she could meet this man he could change her future, but she has no money of her own to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid.

In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.

Review #121 - Saga Vol 9 by Brian K Vaughan

Details:

Title: Saga vol 9

Author: Brian K Vaughan

Publisher: Image Comics

ISBN 13: 978-1534308374

Synopsis:

The multiple Eisner Award-winning series returns with a spacefaring adventure about fake news and genuine terror. Get ready for the most shocking, most impactful SAGA storyline yet.

Review #120 - Otherearth by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Details:

Title: Otherearth

Author: Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Publisher: Rock the Boat

ISBN 13: 978-1786074522

Synopsis:

Simon saved his best friend, Kat, from the clutches of the Company and their high-tech VR gaming experience, Otherworld. But it was at a steep price. Now he, Kat, and their friend Busara are on the run. They know too much. About the Company’s dark secrets. About the real-life consequences of playing Otherworld. And about Kat’s stepfather’s involvement in everything. The group is headed to New Mexico to find Simon’s old roommate, who is a tech genius and possibly the only person who can help them reveal the truth about the Company before it’s too late and the line between what’s real and what’s fantasy is erased…forever.

Review #119 - Mirage by Somaiya Daud

Details:

Title: Mirage

Author: Somaiya Daud

Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

ISBN 13: 978-1473672628

Synopsis:

In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation and receiving a sign that one day, she, too, will have adventures, and travel beyond her isolated moon.

But when adventure comes for Amani, it is not what she expects. She is kidnapped by the government and taken in secret to the royal palace. There, she discovers that she is nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek Princess Maram. The princess is so hated by her conquered people that she requires a body double to appear in public, ready to die in her place.

As Amani is forced into her new role, she can't help but enjoy the palace's beauty - and her time with the princess' fiancé, Idris. But the glitter of the royal court belies a world of violence and fear, and she soon realises that one wrong move could lead to her death...

Top Ten Tuesday - 9th October 2018

Top Ten Tuesday is a prompt list originally hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and now currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This weeks theme is...Longest books I've ever read.

I have used goodreads for this as I don't tend to notice the length of books much when reading - unless it's a seriously long book or I find it drags.

George RR Martin is responsible for the top 4 books on my list:

 1125 pages 911 pages

 819 pages 784 pages

Then JK Rowling and Stephanie Meyer each have one book on my list:

 766 pages 756 pages

The next three belong to Cassandra Clare:

 725 pages 720 pages

 720 pages

and the final spot is taken by Sarah J Maas

 699 pages

Review #118 - The Magic Misfits: The Second Story by Neil Patrick Harris

Details:

Title: The Magic Misfits: The Second Story

Author: Neil Patrick Harris

Publisher: Little Brown Books

ISBN 13: 978-0316391856

Synopsis:

Leila didn't have the easiest start, growing up in an orphanage and getting bullied for being different. But she has a super-cool secret skill... Leila is an escape artist! And it comes in pretty handy when belonging to a group of magical best friends.

When a famous psychic comes to town Leila and her pals realise they won't be able to escape the big mystery coming their way. They soon find themselves chasing mad monkeys and banishing ghosts from haunted hotels... the Magic Misfits will do everything they can to save the town, will their magical skills be enough?

Review:
This book picks up after the previous book and this time we follow Leila as we discover more about her past and her adoptive dads. I do like the mystery weaved into these books and I especially like the magic tricks the books teaches you, I think for kids that kind of interactiveness helps keep them engaged. Another great book in an entertaining and easy to read middle grade series.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Review #117 - Saint's Blood by Sebastien de Castell

Details:

Title: Saint's Blood

Author: Sebastien de Castell

Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books

ISBN 13: 978-1782066811

Synopsis:

The Greatcoats are back - and this time it's personal.

How do you kill a Saint? Falcio, Brasti and Kest are about to find out, as someone is doing just that, and they've started with a friend.

The Dukes were already looking for ways to weasel out of their promise to put Aline on her father's throne - but with Saints turning up dead, and Church Inquistitors pushing for control - rumours are spreading that the Gods themselves oppose her ascension.

The only way Falcio can stop the country turning into a vicious theocracy is to find and stop the Saint-killer - but his only clue is the iron mask encasing the head of the Saint of Mercy, which prevents her from speaking. And even if he can find the murderer, he will still have to face them in battle - and this may be a duel that no swordsman, no matter how skilled, can win.

Review:
The third book in the Greatcoats quartet really upped the stakes. The political situation gets even more complicated as Saint's are killed and an unknown person is pulling all the strings - strings even Falcio and the greatcoats can't see. There are some really chilling moments in this book but also some really tender ones. I loved the introduction of more greatcoats and getting to see how they all work together. I also love some of the names given to them - but I won't spoil it by saying anymore. I have come to realise over the course of these books that I really won't be able to handle anything happening to Falcio - more than already has I mean. I really hope he gets to rest and relax at the end of this series - as unlikely as it is.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Illumicrate Magic and Mayhem VE Schwab Unboxing

In this post I am going to be unboxing the Illumicrate VE Schwab Magic and Mayhem special edition box. (What follows will contain spoilers so please do not read if you don't want to know what is in the box)

Spoiler filled post under the cut

WWW Wednesday - 3rd October 2018

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Taking on a World of Words - every Wednesday you answer the three questions and then go and leave a link to your post in her comments so people can see what you've put. Don't worry if you don't have a blog you can still leave a comment with the answers to the questions. 

So without further ado here are the questions and my answers...

Top Ten Tuesday - Authors I'd love to meet

Top Ten Tuesday is a prompt list originally hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and now currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This weeks theme is...Authors I'd love to meet.

I have been blessed by being able to meet a lot of my favourite authors but there are still a few out there I would love to meet.

September Wrap Up and October TBR

So in September 2018 I managed to read a total of 6 books, this was not as many as I hoped to read and is my lowest month of the year. But I was on holiday for a week and had lots of appointments and events.

In order of reading I completed Magisterium: The Golden Tower by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare, Jinxed by Amy McCulloch, Knight's Shadow by Sebastien de Castell, These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch, Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor and Soulbinder by Sebastien de Castell.

Stats -  

Hardback = 1

Paperback = 3

Graphic Novel/Manga = 0

Audiobook = 1

Ebook = 1

 My 5 star reads were Knight's Shadow, Muse of Nightmares and Soulbinder. Knight's Shadow was a brilliant second book and I loved following the adventures of Falcio, Kest and Brasti once more. Muse of Nightmares was the perfect second book in Laini Taylor's duology and gave me exactly what I needed. Soulbinder was yet another wonderful instalment in the Spellslinger series. This month none of the books I read were disappointing which was very nice.

So in October I am hoping to read the following and to take part in the Magical Readathon extra credit readathon week - the TBR for that will be posted separately.

 

Review #116 - Soulbinder by Sebastien de Castell

Details:

Title: Soulbinder

Author: Sebastien de Castell

Publisher: Hot Key Books

ISBN 13: 978-1471406737

Synopsis:

Kellen and his murderous squirrel cat, Reichis, are on their own. They've heard rumour of a mythical monastery, known as the Ebony Abbey. It's a place that outsiders can never find - but Kellen is getting desperate. He's been told that the monks inside the Ebony Abbey know more about the Shadowblack than anyone else - and that they even know how to cure it.

Then Kellen and Reichis are separated and for the first time, Kellen must face the world alone - and venture deeper into shadow magic than he ever knew he could.

Review: