Once upon A Broken Heart

“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

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

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

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

“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!

Halloween ROund Up Part 1

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!

The Ex Hex

I like how my job is the only one with any real threat of danger,” Gwyn said, but off Vivi’s look, she lifted her hands in defeat. “Okay, okay, Operation Soothe the Muggles, I’m on it.”

Nine years ago, Vivi Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would do. Bubble baths, crying, vodka, weepy music, and a curse on the terrible boyfriend and while Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way but with only an orchard hayride scented candle on hand, she isn’t too worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day. That is until Rhys Pennhallow, descendant of the town’s ancestors breaker of hearts, and just annoyingly gorgeous as he was always was returns to Groves Glen, Georgia. But when strange things begin happening whenever Rhys is around, Vivi realizes that her ex-hex may not have been so harmless at all.

This book was so much fun!!! I absolutely loved every minute of it. I had originally picked this for a readathon I’m in and wasn’t going to read until closer to the end of the month but changed my mind when another friend started reading it. It really reminds me of Bewitched and I think that’s part of the reason why I loved it so much. Bewitched was one of my favorite shows when I was little. But, Rhys and Vivi were my favorite part of the book. I really enjoyed the dynamics within their relationship and growth throughout the book. The aftermath of the break up was handled well with exploring the different emotions that both Rhys and Vivi were experiencing especially with being reunited with each other after nine years. Vivi and Rhys were very fun and interesting characters and I like how different yet similar they were.

Overall, this was a super fun and entertaining read with a strong plot and interesting characters so check it out!

middle Grade ROund Up: Halloween

So, since I have read quite few middle grade Halloween books I’m reading this month I decided to group them together in one post cause the reviews won’t be that long. I’ll be doing three in a post each week and that should be good enough! They’re cute books and I do this every year cause it’s fun to go back to childhood with spooky reads and some of them have actually been quite good.

The story follows Luke and Lizzy Morris and their family as they arrive at Horrorland where terror becomes a reality at every turn. But, Luke and Lizzy don’t believe the rumors and think it’s just to entice people to visit the park. But when mysterious things began to happen, Luke and Lizzy find themselves coming face to face with the frightening realization that the rumors are true.

It’s been so long since I’ve read goosebumps so when I was planning my TBR for this month’s readathon, I wanted to see about revisiting these books. When I was young I was so into Goosebumps and Fear Street, I read them any chance I could so this was a fun trip down memory lane. It did make me laugh thinking about things that occurred in this book and how my younger self was so shocked with what I had read. But, it was still a fun read.

Claire has absolutely zero interest in the paranormal. She’s a scientist and she can’t think of anything worse than helping her dad on one of his Chicago themed ghost bus tours. She thinks she’s safe when she sees a young boy with sad face and dark eyes sitting in the back of the bus. But there’s something off with his presence and at the end of the bus tour, she can’t find him. She shrugs it off at first but when strange things start happening to her, she’s beginning to wonder if she’s being haunted. She needs to figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.

This is a fantastic middle grade story that blends Chicago history with spooky mystery and a fantastic friendship. Claire hasn’t had the best 7th grade as her dad’s ghost bus tour business has been embarrassing, the new girl is swooping in to steal her best friend, and she feels trapped. Even though I’m a lot older, I could feel Claire’s pain especially with losing a best friend to someone else. That’s never fun and I did find her a fun and unique character in addition the other characters and even with her dad. This is a really cute, spooky, and heartwarming tale that is bound to entertain readers of all ages.

This story follows, eleven year old Ollie who is trying to cope with a tragic loss and finds that books are her only solace. One of the books that Ollie finds is a mysterious and chilling tale that follows Beth and her two brothers who loved her and a peculiar deal they made with a sinister slender man who grants your timely wish for the ultimate price. Things get even more mysterious on a school trip where Ollie sees the graves of the very people she’s been reading about. On the way home, the bus breaks down and Ollie and two classmates heed the bus drivers warning to be careful and not venture into the woods.

This was actually a chilling and spooky tale which I give a lot of credit to Katherine Arden for. I would literally read anything she wrote cause her writing is so beautiful and captivating. This is debut middle grade novel and it was fantastic.This is a great introduction for middle grade readers who are looking for a spooky yet fun tale as it has everything you could want. Check it out if you want!

SteelStriker By Marie Lu

“You live life, certain it will always stay this way, until it doesn’t.”

As a striker, Talin was taught loyalty is life. Loyalty to the shield who watch your back and to the strikers that risk their lives on the battlefield, and most of all to Mara, which was once the last nation free from the Karensa Federation’s tyranny. But, Mara has fallen and it’s destruction has unleashed Talin’s worst nightmare as her friends scattered from combat and her mother has been taken hostage by the premier. Talin does the unthinkable in order to save her friends, family, and her adopted home as she betrays them to become the federation’s most deadly war machine as their newest Skyhunter. A stranger in enemy land, Talin finds herself becoming friends with Red, who knows the cruelty firsthand done by federation but he knows that this isn’t over for Mara or Talin. The link between them may be weak but it might be the only way for them to salvage their past and safeguard their future.

Well, Marie Lu did it again. I’ve been waiting for this book to come out ever since I read the first book with was a rollercoaster journey of emotions and she didn’t dissappoint with the follow up. As it was delightful, fun, emotional, and gripping until the end and I was hoping it would be because I loved the first book. There’s so much that I love about this one but what really stands out to me are the characters and the writing. The characters felt so real, raw, and alive with emotion that you could really feel what they were going through and they were all interesting and unique in their own way. I love how Marie crafts her characters and she spends a lot of time with developing them and it shows in the writing and how they are described. I really love seeing Talin and Red’s perspectives and I found their relationship interesting and real and the dynamics between them throughout the book was great.

Marie really knows how to write really great antagonists as Premier Constantine wasn’t all bad. He had a story and through Talin’s perspective it really shows that he’s human which I loved because it’s interesting to have characters like that. I like that she really does flesh them out and make them complicated because when it’s just one sided, it’s not that interesting. The side characters were just as interesting and complicated as the main characters and that’s always something that I’ve loved with her writing as she really spends time and effort making her characters complicated yet so real with emotion.

I think this was a fantastic conclusion to the series. As much as I’d love to see more, I would prefer if she didn’t write a follow up as I felt everything got wrapped up really well. So if you’re a sci-fi, adventure or fantasy fan, I think you would like this!