book reviews
I’ve decided to set up a challenge on Instagram to have some fun.
It is set around the colours of the rainbow using the hashtag #rbowchallenge
Today’s Post can be found here.
Do you want to get involved? Leave your links to Instagram in the comments and I’ll check out your posts!
A massive thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this review copy!
*Publication Date: 22nd April 2022*
The blurb from the back of the book:
14-year-old Leah loves wilderness survival books. In fact, sometimes she wishes she could escape into the wild. Then she could get away from the body image obsession at school and the bullies who pick on her little brother, Aiden. As long as she could still braid her hair, she could definitely survive without home comforts… and she could explore her passion for stargazing. But alone in the woods one night, Leah’s life is transformed. She has the strangest sensation of gliding across the night sky, among millions of dazzling stars. This profound experience sparks a burning question in Leah that no one seems able to answer. Desperate to broaden her horizons, Leah challenges herself to attend an international summer camp. Will the people she meets there, from her first love Sean, to formidable climate activist Kayleigh, help Leah find the answer to her question: what is ‘Home’?
I went into this book not really knowing what it was about. It turns out that this book takes you on a journey to find yourself.
This is a good book to read when you are growing up. It makes you think about where you belong and what you want from life.
I loved going along on Leah’s journey. It was interesting to hear her ask those all important questions.
I do believe that everybody who reads this one will interpret it slightly differently. The true nature of a book that pulls at your heartstrings and makes you think about your own journey through life.
I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It is your LAST CHANCE to get Animo and Autem for FREE!
🔥 Animo 🔥
Animo is the first book in the Sationem Series. When Willow Awakens with elemental abilities that she shouldn’t have, she unwillingly releases a necromantic witch intent on harvesting souls of innocents. An elemental imbalance occurs, and Willow and Blue must work together to save Sationem before the human realm seeps through.
🌪 Autem 🌪
Autem is the second book in The Sationem Series. It begins where Animo left off. Join Willow and Blue as they fight against the odds to save their magical world from the necromancer, Hazel.
Click the links below to download!
UK: click here
US: click here
If you do download them, please consider leaving a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads 🙏
Happy New Year! Let’s hope 2022 is a good one!
In honour of the new year, I have made the ebook versions of my books, Animo and Autem, FREE until 5th January!
Click the links below to download!
UK: click here
US: click here
If you do download them, please consider leaving a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads 🙏
A massive thank you to the author for the advanced copy of this book!
The blurb from the back of the book:
Evie’s life seems better than it ever was before. She’s living in a tropical paradise with Lilith, far away from the small town she grew up in, and their bond is stronger than ever. She’s finally living life on her own terms as the person she’s always wanted to be. That is, until the beautiful Lorelei shows up with an agenda and a warning.
Now the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. Lilith begins to uncover memories that have long been hidden, and Evie learns she’s more powerful than anyone bargained for. Unfortunately, these aren’t the only things they’ll uncover.
Now everything is on the line, and Evie and Lilith don’t know if they can trust anyone except each other. They’re no strangers to secrets and mysteries, but this is something new. This is something dark.
Some secrets don’t stay buried, but as long as they stick together, everything will be fine…right?
After reading Night Monster (that ending!) I was super excited to read Serpents and Sirens. Then I got the opportunity to read an advanced copy (thank you!) and I was ecstatic!
It was everything I wanted! The story picked up right where it ended in the first book.
I loved catching back up with Evie and Lilith and their strong bond. It was nice to see their relationship get even stronger. It was also interesting to read about their interactions with the new characters introduced in this book too.
I don’t want to give too much away, but this book had everything I wanted, and more. It takes you on a journey where it feels as if you are right there with the characters.
I loved it!
If you haven’t read the first book in the series yet (Night Monster), then you can catch up on Kindle Unlimited.
I gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I haven’t been around for a while, and my November didn’t quite go to plan!
I didn’t finish NaNoWriMo (not even close), and I still haven’t finished my Winter’s Orbit Readalong!
But…
My baby boy is here!
Ashton arrived on the 19th November, and he is perfect!
So since then, my life has been pretty hectic as I’ve adjusted to looking after a little person, and I haven’t done much of anything!
Now Ashton is in a bit more of a routine, I am hoping to finish some books that I’ve left half-read. I don’t think I’m in the headspace to write at the moment, so my current WIP will have to go on the back burner for a little while.
I hope to do a couple blog posts a week, and contribute to my socials, so bear with me! I’ll try to catch up on all your posts too!
I’ve been continuing my participation in the readalong for Winter’s Orbit this week, and enjoying it.
Here are my thoughts for chapters six through fifteen. There are some SPOILERS so be aware if you continue reading!
Thank you to Imyril for this week’s questions!
Now we have a better grasp of the political and diplomatic context, where do your sympathies lie? Any thoughts on Gairad or the Thean ‘intervention’ at the embassy do?
I actually really like Gairad. I think she says it how it is, and I admire her for that. However, I’m unsure if she is involved in more sinister things.
Having got to know Jainan – and Taam – better, how successful do you think his first marriage was? What do you make of his chances at happiness with Kiem?
I don’t think Jainan’s first marriage was successful at all. From what I’ve read, I feel like Taam was the ‘leader’ and Jainan just went along with everything.
I think he has a better chance with Kiem. Kiem is considerate of Jainan’s feelings, and I can see Jainan coming out of his shell a bit more.
Any ideas why Jainan’s security access was flagged? What do you make of his response to it?
I think Taam did a lot that Jainan didn’t know, and I think that he screwed Jainan over. I feel like he was a pawn in Taam’s overall plans. His response shocked me. I think he should have been angrier.
Lunver is awfully keen not to share the textbook perfect crash data, and insists the issue with the Auditor is the speed of Kiem’s appointment. She wants him to step down and let someone else marry Jainan. Thoughts?
I think this is a bad idea. Kiem bends the rules. They need somebody who does that rather than go along with the government. There are lots of things wrong with the system, and I feel Kiem will change things for the better.
Who do you think is responsible for all these mysterious malfunctions? Who do you trust?
I don’t know yet, and I don’t know who to trust. Possibly Gairad…
Week two reading was great, can’t wait to start the next part of the book!
It is day twelve of NaNoWriMo 2021. I am soooo far behind!
If you don’t know, NaNoWriMo is a challenge to write 50000 words in the month of November. As of today, I am at 8968 words.
Dreadful.
However, all is not lost! I plan to make today a writing day. I am going to try and catch up.
It can be done, right???
Tune in tomorrow and I’ll let you know how I get on!
Do you look at the stars?
I love this time of year. The stars are so much brighter, the nights are darker, and my favourite constellation can be seen!
The constellation Orion is my absolute favourite cluster of stars, and it has many meanings in different cultures.
Some people call it the Christmas constellation, and it is even the main focal point of my favourite Christmas film: One Starry Christmas 🎄 (if you haven’t watched it, then you must!)
To me, Orion’s Belt represents the three wise men. It is said that if you make a wish upon the Christmas stars, then it will come true. 🌟 💫
Do you have a favourite constellation? I’d love to hear all about it.
I’ve been participating in the readalong for Winter’s Orbit this week, and enjoying it so far.
Here are my thoughts for the first six chapters. There are some SPOILERS so be aware if you continue reading!
Don’t forget to check out the hosts blog here for all updates!
First up, introductions! What are your first impressions of Kiem and Jainan (and any other character who’s caught your eye)?
I REALLY like Kiem. So far, I can see that although he can be a bit eccentric and not very responsible, he is very caring.
I feel that Jainan is very shy, but is also hiding some secrets. I’m not sure what to make of him yet.
I also love Bel! She says it how it is.
How’s the setting/the cultural detail so far working for you? Anything in particular that grabs your attention?
I like the setting, although I was a bit confused at first. The first couple of chapters were full of information that I couldn’t wrap my head around, but it’s getting better.
I also like how you can be whatever gender you like, and it isn’t a big deal.
Not much time is being wasted when it comes to romantic tropes. How do you feel about romance in your SF? Yay, nay or maybe? And specifically, how do you feel about the use of those tropes here?
I do like some romance, and I quite like how it’s portrayed in this book. I think it was a bit mean though to make Jainan and Kiem be married so soon after Taam’s death, but it’s all down to politics. We’ll see how it plays out.
Plot twist – and it comes on the heels of the Auditor interview… Are you intrigued by either of these developments? And what do you think of the Auditor? Impartial, or up to something?
I am intrigued of the events after the Auditor interview. It proves to me how Jainan is keeping secrets. I’m interested to see what will happen.
I’m not so sure about the Auditor yet. More thoughts soon..
I am really enjoying this book so far. Thank you to Lisa for the discussion questions!
Lisa's Books gems and tarot 