Tag: romance

Book Review: Daughter of the Moon Goddess – Sue Lynn Tan

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It’s been a little minute since I shared a book review with you guys. Or, rather, six weeks… It’s fair to say I’m long overdue sharing my opinion on a book! Today’s feature is Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan.

This Asian inspired fantasy was already on my radar. However, when a reader and reviewer I follow on instagram read this book with their Fable book club, I wanted to read along too!


Daughter of the Moon Goddess – Sue Lynn Tan

Genre: Asian Fantasy

Pages: 503

Audience: Young Adult

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Publication Date: 11 Jan 2022

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Goodreads – Daughter of the Moon Goddess

 

The bestselling debut fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess.

A young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm, setting her on a dangerous path where those she loves are not the only ones at risk…

THERE ARE MANY LEGENDS ABOUT MY MOTHER…

Raised far away on the moon, Xingyin was unaware she was being hidden from the Celestial Emperor – who exiled her mother for stealing the elixir of immortality. But when her magic flares and reveals her, Xingyin is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.

Alone, powerless, and afraid, Xingyin makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. In disguise, she trains alongside the Emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, despite the passion which flames between them.

Vowing to rescue her mother, Xingyin embarks on a quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies. But when forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, Xingyin must challenge the ruthless Emperor, leaving her torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos…

Inspired by the legend of Chang’e the Moon Goddess, this captivating debut weaves Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of love and family, immortals and magic.


My Thoughts


Plot

I love that the inspiration of the plot is based on Asian mythology. It’s not something I am familiar with, so it was nice to try it in a genre I already know and love – fantasy. As a result of reading both this book and its sequel, Heart of the Sun Warrior, I’d like to take a look at Asian mythology in future.

Because it’s based on mythology, the plot is fantastical in nature. However, I loved it! I love fantasy, so that’s hardly a stretch. It’s a well developed narrative and fits the ultimate page count the author developed for it. There is plenty of detail to dive into and immerse yourself into the world and the action taking place.


Characters

Firstly, I love that the main protagonist of the story is female. So often gender bias presents itself in western fantasy;  main characters are typically male. I don’t know if this is a thing in the same way with Asian mythology. Is there the same kind of gender bias? Or, maybe it’s the other way? I’m completely uninformed, so that’s something I would like to learn about.

In addition to Xingyin, we have a full cast of characters. Some help her train to become the powerful young woman she is, and others try to hold her back.

I think there is the perfect amount of side characters. Again, not being familiar with Asian mythology or even Asian literature, things like names and identities will be completely different for me to learn. They don’t fit typical norms I expect. Even still, I was able to follow exactly who is who, what their history was and what their relationship was to Xingyin.

If you love a love triangle, then Daughter of the Moon Goddess will appeal. Personally, this is not something I actively look for in my literature. I would’ve been just as happy with the book without it. However, although I’m not a fan generally, I didn’t hate it. It added tension to the narrative throughout, so even if I wasn’t rooting behind any of the individuals within the triangle, it added to the storyline well.


Setting

The various settings across this book were enchanting, and it’s inspired me to pick up more Asian fantasy in future.

The vivid descriptions made it really easy for me to imagine where we were and what was going on. Although the setting of the book is broadly unfamiliar, there was plenty enough description for me to be able to make my own interpretation. There isn’t any assumed knowledge that leaves holes in understanding.

Moving away from the physical and more towards the cultural differences portrayed this book, I enjoyed this aspect. It’s a completely different experience and perspective to read from somebody who has grown up in a different culture than I. I especially loved the emphasis and adoration of protecting one’s family. That’s something that’s important to me, so even though it doesn’t necessarily fit with my cultural norm in the same way, I found it very relatable.


Narrative Style

Daughter of the Moon Goddess was very easy to read. Although the book weighs in at over 500 pages, this narrative is accessible for teenage readers. The writing style flows nice and easily and the chapters are well broken down so that we’re not taking in too much at one time.

I read the whole of this book in just over a week, coincidentally finishing it nearly two years ago to the day of this review! Spooky…

What I really enjoyed about the narrative is that the way in which setting and plot are balanced well so that we get vivid descriptions of both without compromising on the other. Even though Asian literature and fantasy isn’t something I read a lot of, I had no trouble following where we were or what was going on.


Summary

Daughter of the Moon Goddess has inspired me to pick up more Asian literature in the future. If it’s fantasy, then even better!

Have you read any other Asian inspired fantasy that you would recommend to me based on my love of Daughter of the Moon Goddess?

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Monthly Wrap-Up – October 2024

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I’m back with my penultimate monthly wrap-up post to be published this side of the end of the year. It’s crazy how fast this year is flying by!

I’ve accepted that I’m not going to achieve all my reading goals this year, and that’s okay. I’m having fun with the books I have picked up and reading is still a habit I get to enjoy as part of daily life.

Shall we take a look at what books I picked up in October? If you want a reminder, here were the books on my TBR. 


Books Read


Defiant

Defiant is still an ongoing listen in this monthly wrap-up post. I featured it in last month’s post and shared that I was a third of the way through the audio.

Admittedly, I have only listened to an hour of the audio over the month of October. It’s pretty poor progress, but I’ve not really been in the mood for it. As well, I’ve been prioritising studying for an exam and so all my reading has suffered a little until that’s done.

Defiant is still very much on my current reads list and I hope to have more to share with you next month!


The Rosie Project

As of my last monthly wrap-up post, I had barely started The Rosie Project. I read that book for our book club meet in October. Naturally, I had to put my skates on to finish it!

Overall my experience of The Rosie Project was okay. It didn’t quite live up to expectations on the humour side of things. Equally though, for a book from a genre I don’t really pick up myself, it was perfectly readable.

In terms of rating, it got a straight down the middle assessment of three stars.


The Outsider

I wanted to lean into spooky season and pick up a couple of thrillers or horrors this month. The first I completed was The Outsider.

Whilst also perfectly readable, I did hope for a different conclusion to this book. Given it’s written by King I really shouldn’t have been surprised it ended the way it did. Even still, I enjoyed the read and taking the chance to pick up this kind of book when the nights are drawing in!


The Squiggly Career

Taking a completely different tack, I picked up a very non-seasonal non-fiction next. Having read You Coach You in the past, I knew I wanted to read The Squiggly Career pretty soon.

It came at a good time actually. Whilst I’m still not finished with the book as at the end of the month, I read it in good time for a conversation I had at work recently. It helped remind me of what my values are at a time when I could have been steered away from them.

I’ll have more to share on this book very soon, as I’m hoping to finish this by the end of this week.


Carrie

The last book I made any degree of progress on in October is Carrie by Stephen King. I wanted to pick up an iconic King novel around Halloween.

As of drafting this post I’m still progressing with the book. I’ve got just over half the book to read, but it’s only 240 odd pages. It won’t take me long!

I’m of two minds about the book so far and how it’s going to go. I’m not a fan of the descriptors used for Carrie, likening her to a cow. However, I’m not going to let it spoil my enjoyment of the storyline. We’ll see how it progresses.

 

Summary

Overall, I’ve not had a bad month of reading. Naturally the page count is a little down whilst I’m required to do some serious reading for my exam. However, I’m looking forward to that all being done with so I can get back to my blog and reading with enthusiasm soon!

What did you read last month?

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Sunday Summary – 13th October 2024

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Good evening friends! After a busy week at work, I officially put my out of office on and I’m ready for a week off work! It’s been a while since I last went on leave, and certainly for anything longer than a day. But now, I’m raring to go to share my latest Sunday Summary updates!

In between wrapping up everything for my break, I drafted and shared with you my review of Assassin’s Quest by Robin Hobb. That went out on Friday, a little later than planned. It was quite a long review though!


Books Read


The Rosie Project

Even though book club postponed the meet for The Rosie Project until this Tuesday, I would have *just* finished reading it in time.

As of last week’s Sunday Summary, I was only 31% in as of publishing my post. I read another third of the book before bed that Sunday night, and I finished it Monday.

It was a fun narrative for me and totally held up by Dom’s humorous lack of social skills. If it weren’t for book club I wouldn’t have picked it up myself. Still, it was an okay read and great to get out of my comfort zone for a little bit.


The Outsider

Taking a completely different tack, I picked up The Outsider after finishing The Rosie Project. It’s the first of two King books I’d like to read this month. As of this Sunday Summary, I’m about 100 pages into the book and intrigued as to where the story could go next.

At the point of the book I’m in, we’ve covered most of what the synopsis alludes to. So really, it could go anywhere from here. Knowing King, there’ll be something up his sleeve. I don’t know what to make of protagonist Terry Maitland yet. Did he commit the crime? I’m not sure. I definitely don’t like how the police are pinning it on him and trying to cut corners, but I’m not sure he’s entirely innocent either.

I can only read on and find out more!


Books Discovered

After last week’s book haul I’d be mortified if I had yet more to share. Thankfully, there are no new additions this week ☺️


Coming Up…

I’m sticking to my two post schedule even though I’m off. I have some plans for my week off, but around those I’ll be studying. I want to get a good block of that done this week.

With this in mind, my first post of the week will be a Top Ten Tuesday post. The topic this week is books I was assigned to read at school. I’ve got six listed already so I need to get my thinking cap on for the rest!

Lastly, I’ll be back with my next Sunday Summary update the same time next week. I’ll let you know how much reading I get done and catch up with you on all other bookish updates!

Until next time, have a great week and happy reading!

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Monthly TBR – October 2024

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Am I likely to finish this October monthly TBR? If the past few months are anything to go by, the answer is no. However, I’m still setting myself the line up regardless!

You may recognise some of the books on this list from my recent Top Ten Tuesday Autumn TBR. Those posts are great ways to look ahead at planned upcoming reads. And, by sharing them publicly I’m held accountable as well.

Let’s take a look at the books I’m picking up this month:-


Fixed Reads


The Rosie Project

I’m currently reading The Rosie Project for our work book club. Currently, that meet is scheduled for next week so I need to get a wriggle on. So far, I’m only 15% or so into the book.

I’m enjoying the perspective of the protagonist so far, but admittedly, this book isn’t what I’d normally pick up for myself. However, the point of book club is to challenge my reading and try something new. I’m going to stick with this book as long as I can, even if that means I don’t finish it ahead of our meet. I’m not too worried about being spoiled for it.


Defiant

Defiant is on my fixed reading list for October because it is currently read that I carried over from September.

I didn’t listen to too much of Defiant last month even though I’m really enjoying the story. I tend to wax and wane with the format. But, I think this is impacted most by the fact that I’m studying for an exam. That said, I’m still going to continue with this book as and where I can. Equally, I won’t put too much pressure on myself if that takes a little longer.


Carrie

I’m including Carrie on my fixed reading list for October because I always try to read a classic around Halloween. I am relatively unaware of the story of Carrie considering how popular it is. I haven’t read the book before and neither have I seen any films on it.

Stephen King is one of my go-tos in the horror genre. It’s not a genre I really love, but there is enough in his writing that has a psychological element rather than just a cheap jump scare. That’s what gets me interested as opposed to basic fear-mongering tactics.


Mood Reads


The Outsider

Another Stephen King book I want to pick up this month, but won’t kick myself if I don’t get to, is The Outsider. I love the premise and I think this will also make a great spooky reading in October.

There is something about crime committed against children that riles people up against the accused. I am sure there is going to be a big element of that in this book, and how much I’m influenced by that remains to be seen.

I’m looking forward to giving it a try!


The Squiggly Career

The last book on this monthly TBR is a non-fiction. In my Autumn TBR post, I shared some non-seasonal reads that I want to pick up in the next few months. One of those is The Squiggly Career by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis.

I enjoyed reading (listening) to You Coach You earlier this year. After listening to that book, I went on to purchase a physical copy of it so I can refer back to it again. At the same time, I bought The Squiggly Career. I have always believed there is always something new to learn and skills and ways in which I can develop into a better version of myself.


Summary

I have some great, interesting and seasonal spooky reads coming up in October’s monthly TBR. Have you read any of the books on this list? Are any of them on your list?

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Monthly Wrap-Up – September 2024

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In today’s monthly wrap-up post, I feature the books I read throughout the month of September. No surprises here that I didn’t get to everything on my September Monthly TBR. Given that I’ve got into the swing of studying for an upcoming exam, naturally reading progress is a little slower.

However, I have broadly enjoyed the books I picked up this month. That said, I didn’t complete  anything that knocked me out of the park in terms of enjoyment. Still, it was a steady month.

Shall we take a look at what they were?


Books Read


Eruption

Following on from last month’s Monthly Wrap-Up post, I had 35% of Eruption left to finish. Priority was given to finishing Eruption as I was lending my copy of it, once I’d finished with it, to another member of the club. Hats off to Helen for reading it as quick as she did; she was faster than I was!

I picked up this read for our second ever work book club. Overall the general feeling from the group was mixed. There were elements of the book we liked, others less so much.

Overall the book received a verdict of different, but average. I definitely agree with the group’s sentiment.


The Lost Apothecary

After finishing Eruption, I elected for some lighter reading. The Lost Apothecary wasn’t planned, but given that I am trying to allow myself the space for mood reading now and then, I made this choice as I wasn’t in the mood for anything on my reading list.

The Lost Apothecary was also a fairly decent read, but nothing outstanding either. It was a relatively fast paced and interesting historical fiction with the two timelines coming together nicely towards the end of the book. If you enjoy your historical fiction with a slant towards feminism and advocating for women, you’ll get on with this book! I really enjoyed this aspect of it.


Defiant

Audiobook progress over the course of September was a little slow. Although I’m listening to a great audiobook at the moment, I only progress through a third of defiant throughout September.

This is partly victim to the fact that I’m studying and using what was my listening time whilst driving to think about what I’m learning or just have a quiet moment to myself.

I’m loving the storyline so far so the amount of progress I’ve made is no reflection on the book at all! Rather, I’m looking forward to progressing with this one over the next month or so. Hopefully, I’ll have more progress to share…

 

The Kingdom

I just squeezed the last few pages of The Kingdom in at the end of September making 100% completion on the very last evening of the month.

I enjoyed the twists in the plot line for The Kingdom and it was a very fast paced read. If you enjoy a little bit mixed media in your books, there are court transcripts and small variations in the way in which the story is told making it more engaging than just standard pros.

I also found Ana‘s character very compelling and I sympathise with her. There was definitely far more going on than she was initially party too. It had me asking questions throughout and the ending was interesting.

of all the books featured in this monthly wrap-up, it’s the one I recommend the most to you. I loved it!


The Rosie Project

Finally, I made the briefest of starts to my next work book club read, The Rosie Project. We’re only talking 4% here, so I’m only just getting into the narrative and getting a feel for the style.

I was promised The Rosie Project is funny and so far that has already established itself. With the protagonist as he is, there is definitely going to be a lot of humour throughout. I also enjoy reading perspectives from neurodivergent individuals, and Don very clearly is.

We are reviewing this book together in just under a week’s time, so if you want to find out more about my thoughts of this book, check out my blog over the next week to find out more. I’ll be prioritising this book over the next few days so I’ll have something to say in my upcoming Sunday Summary.


Summary

I’m not made the most reading progress this month, but it’s been a good one nonetheless. Remember that I am having to prioritise studying for an exam. That is a short term commitment for long-term gain and that’s going to have a knock on effect on my reading for the next couple of months. Once that’s done, I’ll be back in full swing!


What did you read in September? Do you have any recommendations you would like to share?

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Blog Tour Review: At the Stroke of Midnight – Jenni Keer

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In today’s post I’m excited to share my views on a fun historical fiction novel. I found it very reminiscent of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. If you like cozy mysteries with a Groundhog Day theme, a rich array of characters and a touch of romance, please read on about At the Stroke of Midnight!

Before I share details of the book and then my review, firstly I’d like to thank Jenni, Boldwood Books and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources. It’s always a pleasure to be able to to read and participate in these blog tours. A lot of hard work goes into organising them! I appreciate the opportunity to read these books around release and feature them here. I genuinely enjoy them as much as I do the chance to share them with you!

So, I suppose that takes me on to my final note before getting into the book. The opinions expressed in this review are, and always will be, entirely my own.

Now, let’s dive in!

 

At the Stroke of Midnight – Jenni Keer

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 357

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 12 Mar 2024

Rating: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

 

Goodreads – At the Stroke of Midnight

 

It’s 1923 and in a decade that promises excitement and liberation, Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a mysterious country house party on the Dorset coast, by a total stranger.

Her father claims not to have any prior association with Highcliffe House, but upon arrival, it is apparent that he has a shared history with several of the guests, although he won’t admit it. Belatedly discovering that her father was blackmailed into attending, Pearl’s worries are compounded when their host fails to arrive…

Intimidated by everyone at the party, she escapes to the nearby cove and stumbles upon a mysterious mercury clock hidden in a cave. This strange encounter sets in motion a series of events that will culminate in an horrific house fire, claiming the lives of all the guests, including Pearl herself.

But then Pearl wakes up back in the cave, seemingly destined never to live past midnight. She can repeat the day. But can she change its outcome?

 

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/strokemidnightsocial

 

My Thoughts…

Plot

I am sure you are familiar with the concept of Groundhog Day. At the Stroke of Midnight unravels a mystery that results in just this occurrence. That is, until protagonist Pearl gets to the bottom of it!

What makes this an intriguing novel is that at the start of the book, we have no idea what historic events have brought these seemingly different and unrelated characters together. They all seem to have a past and secrets to hide. Pearl is seemingly the only guest with no agenda or understanding of what has happened before present day. She comes out of her shell as she finds the courage to start asking difficult questions, even of those she loves.

In At the Stroke of Midnight, we have a set of core events that take place once, some that occur if timeline isn’t altered too much, and then we have some variation where alterations do occur. If that sounds like a lot to take in, I promise you it’s not! We see enough loops in the timeline that we are able to identify what sits where and recognise patterns in actions versus consequences.

I really enjoyed the mystery element to this story, and the resolution of the same fitting nicely with expectation, even if I didn’t predict it. The revelations that occur in the story are intriguing once teased out. Nothing is quite as it seems and we readers are left guessing up until the end how everything ties together.

 

Characters

Pearl undergoes quite a bit of character development throughout the book. At the start of the story, she is a quiet, meek girl who has grown up running a household and taking care of her working father. Keeping house and waiting to be wed to a man so that she can run his household instead are her future prospects.

The events of this book change her life trajectory completely. Without the same constraints of modern day life, Pearl starts to reinvent herself. Free of the consequences of not being able to take back her actions, she becomes far bolder and explores what it is like to live in the shoes of others. The freedom this grants her gives a taste of what it is like to be more than a wallflower, and it suits her.

Whilst Pearl is the main character of this story, she cannot come to be without the supporting cast. The group also invited to the party come from a diverse background and they all have a unique flavour. Some personalities are stronger than others, but each are distinct and enjoyable in their own right!

If a touch of romance in your mysteries is something you enjoy, then the dynamic relationship that forms between Pearl and Ellery is one to look out for. Whilst I’m not especially one for romance, I found their relationship touching given Pearl’s background and encouragement he gives her to come out of her shell.

 

Setting

The vast majority of events in At the Stroke of Midnight take place in Highcliffe House. The books is set in an exclusive, well cared for location with elusive owners and a sketchy past. It definitely has us readers asking questions early on. What is this place, and who are the owners? What relationship do the characters of present day have to these people?

This setting and the tension created by the plot make for an intriguing setting. The Groundhog Day element of the story, coupled with this particular setting, cemented the comparison for me with The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. There are differences in these two books clearly, but it is reminiscent enough that fans of either book will enjoy the other.

There are some small deviations in setting which add some variety and opportunities for character development. However, I broadly enjoyed this exclusivity; I wanted to focus on the events taking place at this recurring party and the aftermath. This is the aspect of the book I enjoyed the most. In my opinion, the execution of this fit in perfectly with the period and setting set out at the beginning.

 

Narrative Style

The style of At the Stroke of Midnight is compulsively readable and easy to digest. I personally felt the chapter lengths were perfect to convey action without unnecessary detail. That said, there are hints of detail if you are keen enough to pick them up. Consequently, if you like to try and work out the mystery as you go along, then At the Stroke of Midnight will appeal.

I picked up this book in the evenings whilst sat cosy at home, and even in my lunch hour at work. As my experience shows, it is a perfect book to pick up and put down as and when time and opportunity suits.

 

Summary

If you enjoy cosy mysteries or books with a historical setting, At the Stroke of Midnight is a book I strongly recommend. With a compelling storyline and complex characters to unravel, together with a protagonist who finds in herself an inner strength she didn’t know she had, there was plenty here for readers to enjoy.

I thoroughly enjoyed picking up At the Stroke of Midnight. It is quite a quick read if you are invested in finding out what is going on in the storyline, as you’ll always be picking up just one more chapter.

I hope you have enjoyed today’s review, and if you go on to read and enjoy the book, I would love to hear your thoughts!

 

Author Bio

Jenni Keer is a history graduate who lives in the Suffolk countryside. Her lifelong passion for reading became a passion for writing and she had two contemporary romance novels published in 2019. She has now embraced her love of the past to write twisty, turny historicals, and The Legacy of Halesham Hall was shortlisted for the Romantic Historical Novel of the Year in 2023.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennikeerwriter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniKeer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennikeer/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JenniKeerNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenni-keer

First Lines Friday – 15/12/2023

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It’s the end of another working week, so congratulations… we made it! In today’s First Lines Friday post, I am excited to feature a young adult novel I discovered through the Currently Reading podcast.

For today’s First lines Friday post, I set myself the challenge of featuring a book I don’t yet own. When I prepare these posts, I typically gravitate towards books I already own, whether that’s physical or on kindle. It’s easier to sample those and find a great intro, as they are more readily to hand. However, I wanted to break that habit. With a wealth of information at our fingertips, that’s not the only way I can fulfil this post.

Today’s First Lines Friday introduction is short and snappy, but gets the point in an interesting way! Shall we take a look?

 

The room where they at last found him was so cold, they wondered at first if he had frozen to death. Face as white as snow, skin as cold as frost, lips as blue as ice. His expression seemed, to the police, perfectly peaceful. As if he had passed away in the middle of a very lovely dream.

Except for the blood.

Blood always tells its own story.

 

 

The Kingdom – Jess Rothenburg

 

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 352

Audience: Adult / Young Adult

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.

Publication Date: 28 May 2019

 

 

Goodreads – The Kingdom

Welcome to the Kingdom… where ‘Happily Ever After’ isn’t just a promise, but a rule.

Glimmering like a jewel behind its gateway, The Kingdom is an immersive fantasy theme park where guests soar on virtual dragons, castles loom like giants, and bioengineered species–formerly extinct–roam free.

Ana is one of seven Fantasists, beautiful “princesses” engineered to make dreams come true. When she meets park employee Owen, Ana begins to experience emotions beyond her programming including, for the first time… love.

But the fairytale becomes a nightmare when Ana is accused of murdering Owen, igniting the trial of the century. Through courtroom testimony, interviews, and Ana’s memories of Owen, emerges a tale of love, lies, and cruelty–and what it truly means to be human.

 

My Thoughts…

The Kingdom is unlike other books on my reading list, and I liked the sound of the premise. It’s for that reason that I added the book, and it is because of the introduction in today’s post that I am excited to be picking it up soon! If you read my Top Ten Tuesday – Winter TBR post earlier this week, you will know that I’m looking to pick up the book in the next three months.

Having looked back at the episode in which Meredith featured her experience of reading The Kingdom, I’ve reminded myself that this book has elements of mixed media. That’s something I have discovered and enjoyed reading in 2023, and I’m actively looking to include more books in this style in 2024. The story is told through a combination of courtroom testimony and the memories of the main character… an AI.

In the podcast, Meredith also shares that the book is a great insight into some of the backstage things that happen in theme parks. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to one, but I’m looking forward to the setting and exploring that in more detail.

Meredith loved this book, and it made for a quick read for her. I’m hopeful for the same myself, and it gives me the chance to pick up something unlike anything I have read before.

Have you read The Kingdom by Jess Rothenburg?

 

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First Lines Friday – 17/11/2023

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Happy reading friends! Welcome to my First Lines Friday post to wrap-up this working week. I hope it’s been a good one?

When I decided I was going to be sharing another First Lines Friday, I decided to keep my options open. The last few times I have published this feature, I have set myself a challenge. Not so this week. Honestly, I had no idea of what I wanted to feature in today’s post. In hindsight, I can see why I left my options open and today’s feature feels like a natural choice. All will make sense if you’ve been reading my blog in due course.

Shall we get to today’s opening lines so we can enjoy my featured First Lines Friday extract together?

 

Coriolanus released the fistful of cabbage into the pot of boiling water, and swore that one day it would never pass his lips again. But this was not that day. He needed to eat a large bowl of the anemic stuff, and drink every drop of broth, to prevent his stomach from growling during the reaping ceremony. It was one of a long list of precautions he took to mask the fact that his family, despite residing in the penthouse of the Capitol’s most opulent apartment building, was as poor as district scum. That at eighteen, the heir to the once-great house of Snow had nothing to live on but his wits.

 

 

 

 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Suzanne Collins

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 541

Audience: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Fiction

Publication Date: 19 May 2020

 

 

Goodreads – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

 

My Thoughts…

I first read The Hunger Games series in my later teenage years. I can’t pinpoint the exact date I read these books as it predates my Goodreads account. Looking back on my Amazon order history (as I read the books on my Kindle), we are looking at dates between 2012 and 2013 for me reading this series. At that time, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes had not been published. In fact, it is quite a recent addition to the series.

This may not come as a surprise feature. If you have been reading my blog in the last few weeks, I’ve mentioned that I have been watching The Hunger Games films on TV. I hadn’t really considered why they were airing them, until I found out that there is an upcoming film release for this prequel. Then it all made sense!

Those films have made me want to re-visit the series anyway. However, when I do so, I am also going to read this prequel novel. Initially I had reservations as the reviews weren’t great. However, as a fan of the universe, I am willing to give it a try!

Have you read The Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, or both? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

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Book Review: Cinderella’s Crimes – Kelsey Josund

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In today’s review post, I have the pleasure to share my thoughts on a unique fairytale retelling that held my attention throughout. Cinderella’s Crimes is loosely based on the classic fairytale, but quickly deviates and develops a world of its own.

What’s more exciting is that I have the privilege of sharing my thoughts on the book’s re-publication day; it was originally released under the title Pretty Deadly. I hope you are as excited for this book as I am to tell you about it. Let’s check out the details of the book and then dive into my review!

 

Cinderella’s Crimes – Kelsey Josund

Genre: Fairytale Retelling

Pages: 230

Audience: Young Adult

Publisher: Kelsey Josund

Publication Date: 31 Oct 2023

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Goodreads – Cinderella’s Crimes

 

Cinna would quite literally kill for the throne.

For years, Cinna has been forced to serve her wealthy cousins rather than attend society events alongside them. She has waited for the chance to prove herself and exact revenge. When a ball at the castle is announced, promising to bring many powerful people to town, she seizes the opportunity to strike.

She bets her best friend, Johann, a small-time thief and con-man, that she can land a greater score the night of the ball than he can, and they embark on parallel heists. But as their plots unfold, things begin to unravel: by the end of the night, the castle’s on lock down, a duchess is dead, a mansion has burnt to the ground—and Cinna hasn’t even stolen anything.

Or has she captured something far more valuable than gold and jewels?

 

My Thoughts

 

Plot

A complex heist is the feature of this retelling, and it far surpassed my expectation in details and intrigue. There is no way I had anticipated the events that unfold in the book; it is a real page-turner! If you are a follower of my blog and keep up with my weekly Sunday Summary updates, you will know that I read Cinderella’s Crimes in just a handful of days earlier this month. If that doesn’t prove my point, then I don’t know what does!

Regardless of the intricacies, the plot is easy to follow and engaging to the reader. The narrative is also full of plot twists, with us not knowing what will happen next at any given moment.

Who scores the greatest haul on the night? Well, I’m not going to tell you that! You’ll just have to read the book for yourself!

 

Characters

Cinna, unlike her fairytale counterpart, is a cold and calculating individual. Subjected to a fall of grace in her family as a result of mistreatment by her stepmother and step-siblings, she plots her revenge every day. In order to break out of her desperate circumstances, she plans the most daring of heists, and sets herself against her friend Johann in scoring the greatest haul on the night. Cinna is a complex character and a fun perspective to enjoy this story from.

Johann is also an interesting counterpart to Cinna. Like Cinna, he is far from altruistic, and this isn’t his first criminal venture. It’s by far the biggest yet, however, and he rises to the challenge! With little time to prepare, Johann is incredibly resourceful and determined to best Cinna, even though he suspects deep down she’ll trump him. He’s determined pull it off anyway.

The dynamic between the two adds intrigue to an already high stakes story. I enjoyed their complicated relationship at every stage of the book.

 

Narrative Style

The short and concise chapters make this already compulsively readable story even easier to read.

The chapters intertwine between Johann and Cinna’s perspective, combining two different angles of the heist into one comprehensive story. As these two seemingly separate parts come together into the full picture, we’re surprised by how their daring endeavours unravel in tandem.

 

Summary

Cinderella’s Crimes is a dark twist to a classic fairytale with high stakes, daring adventure, and a shot at revenge that is best served cold!

Are you intrigued by Cinderella’s Crimes? Would you like to read it for yourself?

 

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Book Review: The Duke and I – Julia Quinn

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In today’s book review post, I share my thoughts on a book that pushed me out of my comfort zone. The Duke and I isn’t the kind of book I pick up every week. I like my historical fiction, but I’m not usually inclined to pick up a romance.

I read The Duke and I as I enjoyed the Netflix series based on these books. By all accounts, I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Romance isn’t a genre that I indulge in very often in any medium. In fact, if I like a book or TV show/film with a heavy emphasis on romance, it is an exception rather than the room. Given that the TV series proved to be an exception, I deliberately chose to take a leap of faith and pick up the first book that inspired the whole thing!

I’m going to be upfront here. Did I love the book? No. Saying that, I didn’t expect to love every single thing about it. For the most part, it lives up to expectations – albeit that those were lower for this book than they are for the majority of other reads, I pick up.

 

The Duke & I – Julia Quinn

Genre: Romance

Pages:

Audience: Adult

Publisher:

Publication Date:

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

 

Goodreads – The Duke and I

The Duke and I is a romance set in the Regency era.

In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable… but not too amiable.

Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.

Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.

The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule…

 

My Thoughts

 

Plot

Daphne is out and looking for a husband. Whilst considered a friend to all elite gentlemen, she isn’t considered by any suitors as wife material. Simon Bassett is a very eligible duke, but cannot stand the attention his position garners from mothers and eligible daughters. They strike up a mutually beneficial pact – for all appearances, they court one another. Simon gets left alone and Daphne’s reputation and eligibility soars by association. What could possibly be a flaw in this plan?

As romance novels go, the plot is solid enough. The book is all about the relationship of these two individuals. Personally, it was a little shallow for my taste. As I’ve already established in this review, The Duke and I isn’t really my kind of book and so my enjoyment was going to be limited by that. I did enjoy how other characters create conflict outside of these pair in the novel. In particular, I like Lady Whistledown. She goes completely against the grain of society itself (being a vocal woman is a no-no), but manages to keep her identity secret.

 

Characters

Of all the characters in the book, I feel I am supposed to most like and relate to Daphne. However, I did neither. I don’t really like her character. Some of that is in part based on her upbringing and the environment she lives in. She is a very sheltered young woman who can be very ignorant most of the time, yet manipulative when she wants to be.

Simon has some small grace. I enjoyed his backstory and the conflict that manifests in the plot in terms of his attitude towards society and starting a family of his own. It’s the most depth this plot gets, which is fine. For an epic fantasy girl, though, it feels quite superficial compared to my general reading tastes. That’s not a criticism because what was done in the book with the space allowed worked, but I just prefer more.

Again, like Daphne, I’m not a fan of his character otherwise. If I had a pound for every time Simon was romanticised as a rake in this book… I’d certainly have enough money to buy the rest of the series if I was so interested, despite the rising costs of today! I’m sure this appeals to a lot of women, but I really don’t understand the attraction or romanticising of this regency era ‘bad boy’. Give me nice and dependable any day of the week!

 

Narrative Style

The opening chapter commentary from Lady Whistledown makes for a fun break from rest of the narrative. Not only do they offer a more objective perspective to the very personal story going on otherwise, but it also gives a wider view of society.

As the narrative goes, it’s easy to read and follow what’s happening. Chapters are a good length and are approachable for all readers.

I appreciate that it is in keeping with the time period and setting, but the inequality and misogyny throughout the book really got my goat. I’m sure you’ve already gotten that impression by now, but just in case there was any room for doubt, you now know my feelings! I can appreciate a thing for its accuracy, but I don’t have to enjoy reading it! That definitely affected my enjoyment of the book.

 

Summary

The Duke and I had elements that I enjoyed, and others I loved less. Overall, it was an average read. If I had to describe it in one word, it was fine.

After reading this one I decided to explore listening to the audiobook of the sequel, The Viscount Who Loved Me, to see if that made for a better experience for me (as an in-between considering I liked the Netflix series). Spoiler alert – it didn’t and I ultimately decided to DNF that book and the series!

Have you read The Duke and I or any other books by Julia Quinn?

 

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