Author: piperreads

Medusa

| piperreads

People think your beauty is their possession. As if it’s there for their pleasure, as if they’ve got something invested in it. They think you owe them for their admiration.

This was such a beautiful retelling of Medusa that not only gives her a voice but really makes you feel for her. Medusa has been exiled with her two sisters, Stheno and Euyale to a remote island where the only company they have is each other and their dog. They have been on the island for four years and Medusa is feeling lonely and trapped but things change when a Perseus, arrives on the island and she believes he might be able to alleviate her problems but this will lead her on a journey of love, trust and betrayal.

While this is a beautifully written retelling of Medusa giving her a voice and sending her on a journey on self-acceptance with owning and acceptance the good and bad and being able to find peace with your past. I think this is something that many people need to see as we all have very different set of unique experiences that led us to where we are and that finding peace with your past is so essential for growth and acceptance of who you are. It’s a message that I myself crave and love and think many others feel the same.

It does delve into sexual harassment, in particular with rape culture, victim blaming and slut-shaming even by other women. Which I know that can be uncomfortable to read about especially as a woman myself, but it is very important to understand even though it hard seeing it come from other women. But, that is something that can and will happen even now in our current culture. The story along with the illustrations, which were absolutely stunning rewrote the narrative for Medusa and gave her a story that she could embrace and own. Highly recommend it!

Once upon A Broken Heart

| piperreads

“Heroes don’t get happy endings. They give them to other people.”

Finding solace in her beloved father’s novelty shop, Evegeline Fox grew up on the legends of immortals such as the tragic Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and that bargains with him never end well. But, when Evegeline learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, she is desperate to stop the wedding before it’s too late. She begs the Prince of Hearts to help and at first it seems like things are going her way but after their first kiss, she learns that the Prince has other plans for her and it will either end up with a happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy.

This book is pure magic from beginning to end. I knew I was going to be in for a real treat as I have enjoyed Stephanie Garber’s previous books. Caraval was one of my favorite series to read, it was such a treat so I was hoping this book would be just as good and thankfully it was. What I loved about this book is that none of it felt predictable or cliche, there were so many twists and turns and just when you thought you had things figured out, it turned in another direction. But, she really knows how to spin retelligns of fairy tales, I would love to read more books if she did retellings. But like Garber’s other books, the way she develops her characters is what really stands out as they are always unique, interesting, and incredibly flawed. If you like retellings and lush worldbuilding, then this book is just for you!

November TBR

| piperreads

Wow! I can’t believe November is here! I have so many great books planned for this month that I can’t wait to share!

Burnout by Sarah Hall
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Sci-Fi

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Mystery

Calypso by David Sedaris
Genre: Non-fiction, Humor, Memoir

Extraordinary by V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy, Graphics Novels, Adult

How Do The Work by Dr. Nicole Lepera
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Psychology

Gilded by Marrisa Meyer
Genre: Fantasy, Retellings, YA

Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery

The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker
Genre: Fantasy, Historical-Fiction, YA

The Last Goodnight by Kat Martin
Genre: Fiction, Suspense &Thriller

Medusa by Jessie Burton
Genre: Fantasy, Retellings, Mythology

No One Will Miss Her by Kat Rosenfield
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, YA

We Can Be Heroes by Kyrie McCauley
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, YA

The Woman In The Window by AJ Finn
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Retellings

OCtober WRap up

| piperreads

Wow! I can’t believe October is almost over!! I had a lot of fun this month and was able to get in more reading than I anticipated. Can’t wait for y’all to see what I read this for month!

Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and The Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen
Genre: Non-Fiction, LGBT, Sexuality
Review: Here

Rating: 5/5

Dead Voices by Katherine Arden
Genre: Middle Grade, Fiction, Horror
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Dagger Hill by Devon Taylor
Genre: Horror, Mystery, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5/5

Haunted Castles by Ray Russel
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Halloween Fiend by C.V. Hunt
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Novellas
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5/5

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Hollow Heathens: Tales of Weeping Willow by Nicole Fiorina
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Goosebumps: One Day In Horrorland by R.L. Stine
Gerne: Horror, Fiction, Middle Grade
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Nightbooks by J.A. White
Genre: Middle School, Horror, Fiction
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
Genre: LGBT, Romance, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street by Lindsey Currie
Genre: Middle Grade, Fiction, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Fantasy
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Scritch Scratch by Lindsey Currie
Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Middle Grade
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
Genre: Middle Grade, Fiction, Horror
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Steelstriker by Marie Lu
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

The Witch of Halloween House by Jeff Degordick
Genre: Fiction, Horror, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5

ACE

| piperreads

“The label of asexual should be value neutral. It should indicate little more than sexual orientation. Instead, asexual implies a slew of other, negative associations: passionless, uptight, boring, robotic, cold, prude, frigid, lacking, broken. These, especially broken, are the words aces use again and again to describe how we are perceived and made to feel.”

This book was not only en-lighting but made me feel seen, heard, and validated in ways that I can’t even begin to explain. I had herd about this book from other people who had found touching and informative. I went into this book not expecting much but just wanting to learn more about asexuality and I ended up leaving with not only being more informed but being more empowered. From the time that I entered high school to a few years ago, I felt confused with my sexuality as I wasn’t sure if I liked both sexes or just one, or if I wasn’t interested in sex at all. I can always remember my friends talking about relationships and sex and it made me a bit uncomfortable because I just didn’t feel very interested in it. Because of that, I always felt misunderstood and bullied and it wasn’t until a few years ago when I started finding out more about asexuality that I finally felt like I found what I was looking for as a teenager.

This book really made me feel understood and I can only hope the same for others who are dealing with similar feelings like I had and not being sure if they are asexual. I think asexuality is very misunderstood and even though more information is being introduced, there is still a very long way to go. But, I felt the way it was written in the book was well done and not over the top in anyway. In addition to how it was written, I did enjoy the feminism aspect of it because as someone who is white, I’ve never considered or even thought about the unique struggles if you’re a POC or trans. I think that’s very important to include when talking about issues like sexuality as you can lack privilege in one area and make up for it another. It’s important to know and understand the issues that others face as it helps bring more awareness to certain issues. Overall, this was a very informative, empowering, validating, and excellent book so I highly recommend checking it out.

Enchantment of Ravens

| piperreads

“Why do we desire, above all other things, that which has the greatest power to destroy us?”

An Enchantment of Ravens tells us the story of a young woman by the name of Isobel who is able to craft stunning portraits of her dangerous set of clients, the fair folk who are immortal who crave a terrible thirst for human craft. The fair folk trade valuable enchantments for Isobel’s paintings. But, what happens when Isobel makes a terrible mistake with her first royal client and paints mortal sorrow into his eyes, which expose something that he can’t be: weak. Livid with Isobel, he takes her to his kingdom for her to stand trial for her transgressions. But, all is not as it seems and soon Rook and Isobel find themselves on a journey that thrusts their relationship into a powerful alliance, one that could come at a cost as love is a forbidden emotion and violates the fair folk ruthless laws, thus rendering their lives forfeit. Isobel and Rook know the only way that could help is Isobel’s paintings, but can she conjure a painting powerful enough to defy the ancient magic of the fairy courts.

This was a reread for a readathon I’m doing and I feel like I was a bit disappointed in the reread. I read this a year ago and loved it and really bought into the hype of it and while it’s still very good, I do feel like the romance was a bit rushed. The plot was super interesting and found myself invested in the characters especially Rook and Isobel as they did have chemistry. Even though it was corny at times, I did enjoy how the story developed and Robinson has a way with words that really made me invested. I’m a sucker for good worldbuilding so that really helped with being invested throughout the book even with things that were miss for me. Overall, it was a good book but just wish the romance wasn’t as rushed as I felt it was. Go check it out if you think it’s up your alley!

Dagger Hill

| piperreads

Dagger Hill tells the story fro four POV’s: Gabe, Kimberly, Sonya, and Charlie, the four friends are getting ready for their senior year and plan to spend their summers like they usually do at Dagger Hill. While, their parents don’t like the idea of Dagger Hill, the four best friends don’t see the problem s teenagers often feel like their parents worry too much. But, what starts out as relaxing and unwinding as they usually do, ends up throwing the four friends into an adventure that none of the expected to happen. It all started when a plane crashed landed at Dagger Hill with the four friends running into the woods as quickly as they can. When the dust finally clears up, the kids are taken to the hospital, well everyone except Kimberly and no one knows where she is. Can they find her before it’s too late?

What a spooky, entertaining, and thrilling read that tied Stranger Things into the story and it did that very well. I love the 80’s and Stranger Things is one of my favorite shows so this was super fun. The plot was very intriguing and wasn’t predictable so that’s always good cause it’s the worst when the plot sounds good from the outside but you get into it and it doesn’t live up the way you expected it to do. While I loved the writing and plot, I really enjoyed the characters and the dynamics between them as it felt real and relatable, they all had unique personalities which really helped drive the story! Overall, I enjoyed the book and if the plot sounds interesting to you, I highly recommend checking it out.

Middle Grade Halloween Round Up

| piperreads

Here is the next middle grade round up!

Having survived sinister scarecrows and malevolent smiling man in small spaces, newly minted best friends, Ollie, Brian, & Coco are looking forward to a relaxing winter break skiing together with their parents at Mount Hemlock Ski Resort. But when a snowstorm hits the resort and strange things begin to happen, the three best friends soon find themselves thrust into a terrifying new adventure. The three along with Mr. Voland, a ghost hunter who arrived at the resort to investigate the haunting. The four of them must reach out to the dead voices and discover that not all dead voices can or should be trusted.

If Katherine Arden wrote a phone book, I would buy it. Her writing is truly magnificent and feels so real. What I love about this particular series is that it’s season themed. Small Spaces had autumn vibes where this book has winter vibes and she does a fantastic job adding that touch to it. You can feel the wintery vibe and I loved every minute of it. I love seeing Ollie and her friends on a new journey and I’ll be reading the third installment for this coming month. A truly great and fun series!!!

Tessa Woodward isn’t thrilled about moving to her new home in Chicago. She already knows she’s not going to like the rainy days and gloomy skies especially compared to her home in Florida. But soon a longing for home turns into fear and anxiety as mysterious events start happening in the house. Tessa’s not sure what is going on but when her brother’s doll starts crying real tears, she’s determined to find out what is really going on. With the help of her new friends, Tessa begins to uncover that not only is something or someone trying to speak to her but what it has to do with her.

What a spooky, creepy, and entertaining read! This is the second book that I’ve read by Currie and I really enjoy her writing as it really sets up the atmosphere and makes you hooked from the beginning.I really enjoyed Tessa as I thought she was a likable character and I loved the relationship she had with her parents and brother. It was very heartwarming and you could tell how much they love each other. This book was a lot of spooky fun that all ages will love!

Halloween ROund Up Part 1

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Here is another week of spooky and fun halloween reads! Hope you enjoy!

A collection of spooky, gothic, and terrifying short stories that will make you sleep with the lights on. This is a new series of short stories curated by filmmaker and horror fanatic Guillermo del Toro.

I’m a sucker for short stories as I have been getting into them more and more and I was glad to find this series as I loved it. I hadn’t heard of some of these stories before so I went in not knowing what to expect. I enjoyed all of the short stories but I think my favorite out of them would be Comet Wine which was shorter than the other stories in the book but really stood out to me. If you’re a fan of horror stories and you want to read more gothic horror, then this is right up your alley. It was delightful and spooky all at the same time.

A truly frightening and supernatural thriller that helped define the genre. It tells the story of four seekers who notoriously arrive at the unfriendly pile that is called Hill House. The occult and mysterious scholar, Dr. Montague who is looking to find evidence of a serious haunting; his lighthearted assistant Theodora; Eleanor, a friendless and fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke Sanderson, the future heir to Hill House. At first, the four companions are enjoying their stay but then strange things begin to happen that cannot be explained and they soon discover that Hill House seeks to take one of them to make it’s own.

Truly one of my favorite books and I love the new spin on it done by Del Toro. The first time I read this book, it seriously scared me but I’m a lot older now and it was a fun and spooky tale this time. I love everything about this book especially the plot, characters, and how it developed until the end. It was a delightful reread so if you should check this out if you’re a horror fan looking for a scare!

There’s an old house on a hill in the woods that all the kids call Halloween House. They say a witch lives there, a witch has come back to haunt the children and others. The kids had accused her of being a witch and when word got to the townspeople, they came together and burned the house down and before she died she put a curse on them. A curse that no one believed until three years later, strange things begin to happen and children are vanishing one by one. That’s when the townspeople realize the terrifying truth: the curse was real and witch might not be dead after all.

I really wanted to like this story but it fell flat for many reasons. It was a very predictable plot but I had hoped from the reviews that it would be a unique spin but it didn’t turn out that way. I felt like the ending was rushed and there were a few parts that made no sense to what was happening. Lastly, I wished the characters were more developed than they were, they felt one-dimensional so it was hard to invest in them. It was a bummer but maybe other people will like this story so that’s fine!

Locke and Key tells the story of Keyguard, a mysterious mansion located in New England. It is an unlikely home with fantastic doors that will transform to all those who enter them. It is home to all the hate-filled and relentless creatures that will not rest until it opens the most terrible door of them all.

Not my usual read but for a halloween readathon I’m doing and it was quite good.I don’t normally read graphic novels as they’re hit and miss with at times but this was pretty entertaining and very spooky. I like how the story was told because it wasn’t done in a way that was unpredictable and definitely gave a eerie vibe. There were a few times that I didn’t something to happen and it scared me so give this a shot if you think you’d like it!

Journey into the night realm where vampires, werewolves, shifters and other nightly creatures looking for human prowl in the streets while also attending school. Ailis & Naya are pretty average young students who are the first to notice strange things happening when a shadow starts looming and a fellow classmate disappears. But things get even more personal when Naya’s little brother, Desh disappears. That’s when both girls decide it’s time to take matters into their own hands and confront the secrets of the forbidden mansion located in the silent woods.

What a cute little novel! I really enjoyed this, it was fun, spooky, and well written. I found the plot incredibly enjoyable in addition to the characters, writing, and how the story developed. Ailis and Naya were unique, fun, and quirky characters and I enjoyed the dynamics between the two. It felt like a very real friendship and I thought they were both great on their own. The plot and writing was also very good so I highly recommend this book!