City of Lies by Sam Hawke

Title: City of Lies
Author: Sam Hawke
Page Count: 560
Rating: B
Format Read: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: Poison, Family, War
Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

I was seven years old the first time my uncle poisoned me...

Outwardly, Jovan is the lifelong friend of the Chancellor’s charming, irresponsible Heir. Quiet. Forgettable. In secret, he's a master of poisons and chemicals, trained to protect the Chancellor’s family from treachery. When the Chancellor succumbs to an unknown poison and an army lays siege to the city, Jovan and his sister Kalina must protect the Heir and save their city-state.

But treachery lurks in every corner, and the ancient spirits of the land are rising...and angry.

My Review:

This book is Sam Hawke's debut novel and the beginning to her Poison War series. I was super excited to see this announced as the September pick for The Name of the Book. Poisoners are always fascinating and high fantasy is my favorite genre so I figured that I couldn't go wrong with this one.

Be warned if you do pick this one up that the first two chapters are long and very slow. They are necessary for setting up the rest of the book but they dragged for sure. Once you get to the end of the second chapter/the beginning of the third the tempo picks up a little bit with some more action and strategy to snag your attention. Unfortunately, this book never reached a point where I found myself flipping through as fast as I could. If anything I ended up skimming large sections of the book simply because they were so slow.

The events that occur early on in the book and certain scenes throughout do give me similar feelings to R.F Kuang's The Poppy War. Certainly don't go in expecting it to be the same but something about the writing style rings similar to me. And of course because of the theme of poison I am reminded in bits of Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder.

Each chapter switches perspectives between the brother, Jovan, and the sister, Kalina. While the two sound similar and are not easily distinguished from one another I do find myself preferring Kalina's chapters. What she experiences was just more interesting to me than Jovan's more political storyline.

Also, I was not a huge fan of the romance in this book. It felt a bit stiff and forced rather than like it was something I was hoping would happen.

Overall, I did like this book and remember my reading experience fondly. However, I do not know if I will continue on with the series as this one wrapped up nicely on its own.

If you enjoy slower reads that focus more on politics and scheming than any form of action or intense scenes of warfare, then this is actually a really good book. You will be disappointed if you go in expecting a high fantasy filled with intrigue and amazing fight scenes.

Friday Reads December 21, 2018

Happy Friday! It is officially the shortest day of the year (at least in the northern hemisphere) and I plan on doing as much reading as I can now that I have a four day weekend!

After last week's rapid reading of No Exit (full review here) I actually have not been able to finish another book. Holiday festivities and work have had a lot going on lately so not as much time or energy to put into reading. Hopefully that will change this weekend and I'll be able to break out of my mini slump.

Over on the channel I posted two videos since last week. The first was my November book haul full of the books I bought because of the crazy holiday deals going on around Thanksgiving. You can check that out here. I can already promise that my December book haul is going to be even bigger than that one. The next video I posted was my spoiler free review of Malice. You can see me gushing over that tome here. And then of course today my Friday Reads video will be going up in which I talk about the two books I am definitely going to be reading and the one that I am angrily rereading because I can't get my hands on the sequel for another month. Oh the woes of being an avid reader. You can watch that here. My dog is definitely present in this one. A bonus for you, if you skip ahead to 3:55 you can see her making filming a bit more difficult and cutting me annoyed looks. Dogs

are the absolute best.

This Sunday's video will be covering five books that I have been reading for an embarrassingly long time and should really probably finish soon. Tuesday's video is not quite done yet but I am thinking about doing an unhaul video. Don't worry. I'm not getting rid of any books just moving 20-30 of the ones I've read in the past couple of months to storage. Other than that I will be creating a most hated books of 2018 list and a favorites list as well as most anticipated releases of January 2019. I have not decided if those will strictly be on the blog or if I will also make videos. I also plan on doing my straight forward reading goals for 2019 (nothing elaborate).

A quick remark on a comment I recently saw on one of my videos that made me pause. I won't call out the person that wrote it, but I am happy when people are excited to read a book that I enjoyed. It's a great joy to spread the knowledge of these works as I come across them. What is not okay is someone asking for a free PDF of a novel or any other work. Authors and everyone else involved in the publishing industry work really hard on these things. I've worked for an indy publisher as an editor and formatted manuscripts for print. It isn't easy. Don't steal their hard work. I encourage browsing thrift stores and used book stores for less expensive copies or checking out material from the library or borrowing from a friend. Just don't illegally consume the material via pirated PDFs.

That's all I have for you guys right now. This weekend and next week I will have some older reviews that never got publish going live on the blog (all fantasy related). Check out the books I'll be diving into this weekend below and happy reading!

Title: Nos4a2
Author: Joe Hill
Page Count: 686
Progress: 259
Format Read: Paperback
Genre: Horror
Keywords: Christmas, Evil, Children
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

NOS4A2 is a spine-tingling novel of supernatural suspense from master of horror Joe Hill, the New York Times bestselling author of Heart-Shaped Box and Horns.

Victoria McQueen has a secret gift for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. On her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike, she makes her way to a rickety covered bridge that, within moments, takes her wherever she needs to go, whether it’s across Massachusetts or across the country.

Charles Talent Manx has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing – and terrifying – playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.”

Then, one day, Vic goes looking for trouble—and finds Manx. That was a lifetime ago. Now Vic, the only kid to ever escape Manx’s unmitigated evil, is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx never stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. He’s on the road again and he’s picked up a new passenger: Vic’s own son.

My thoughts so far:

Okay, I'll admit I was a little apprehensive going into this one. Excited, but nervous. I had heard that Joe Hill was Stephen King's son. Honestly, this could be really great or I could be horribly disappointed. The expectations are just too high.

Like I said last week, there are style similarities between the two. So similar if you covered up the

author's name and said I was reading King I might even have believed you.

Aside from that, I am having no issues getting into this book. Usually I take at least a hundred pages to warm up to a story and find the beginning slow. With this one I am flying through the pages, devouring every detail. If you are easily disturbed by criminal activity involving kidnappings and people being held against their will then maybe avoid this one.

In short: I like the cast of strange characters, the pacing is great, and the story is intriguing.

Title: City of Brass
Author: S.A. Chakraborty
Page Count: 533
Rating: A
Format Read: Kindle/Hardcover
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: Jin, Love, Magic
Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of 18th century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trade she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, healings—are all tricks, sleights of hand, learned skills; a means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles.

But when Nahri accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to accept that the magical world she thought only existed in childhood stories is real. For the warrior tells her a new tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire, and rivers where the mythical marid sleep; past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises, and mountains where the circling hawks are not what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass, a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound.

In that city, behind gilded brass walls laced with enchantments, behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments are simmering. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, she learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.

After all, there is a reason they say be careful what you wish for...

My thoughts:

So I read this back in July and if you want to read the review I wrote back then you can click here.

I don't plan on doing a full reread of this book right now but I am definitely planning on skimming some of my favorite moments. I actually decided to do this after about half way through this week I realized I was moody and could not figure what it was that I was wanting to read. Several hours later it dawned on me the reason I couldn't find the book I wanted to read was because it was Kingdom of Copper which comes out in a month. So I am doing the next best thing, rereading parts of City of Brass.

My reread is going to be from the hardcover edition because I recently bought it off Book Outlet. Yep...I loved it enough to buy it twice.

Title: One Day in December
Author: Josie Silver
Page Count: 393
Progress: 23
Format Read: BOTM Hardcover
Genre: Chick Lit
Keywords: Love at first sight, Friendship, Fate
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick

“Get ready to be swept up in a whirlwind romance. It absolutely charmed me.” —Reese Witherspoon

“Josie Silver writes with a warmth so palpable her characters sneak their way into your heart and stay for a long time.”—Jill Santopolo, New York Times-bestselling author of The Light We Lost

Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story.

Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away.

Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they "reunite" at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It's Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.

My thoughts so far:

Yep...I'm remembering why I generally don't like chick lit. This one is not the cute romance I was hoping for so far. The girl is too obsessed with this mystery guy. She has literally nothing else going on at this point. The guy is bland and in love with the best friend. I'm going to try to finish it but something tells me it's going to be a struggle.

Title: An Anonymous Girl
Author: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Page Count: 384
Progress: 2%
Format Read: Galley
Genre: Thriller
Keywords: Makeup artist, psych department, Paranoia
Kid Appropriate: No
Expected Release: January 8, 2019

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave. But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking…and what she’s hiding. As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

My thoughts so far:

I've barely started this so I don't have too many thoughts on it so far. Overall it seems like it'll be an easy read. Not sure if anyone else thinks this but I keep picturing Jessica as Olivia from Michelle Khare's recent YouTube video. If you're curious what I'm talking about you can watch it here.

City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

Title: The City of Brass

Author: S. A. Chakraborty
Page Count: 544
Rating: A
Format Read: Kindle  
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: Egypt, Jin, Magic
Kid Appropriate: Teen and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of 18th century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trade she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, healings—are all tricks, sleights of hand, learned skills; a means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles.

But when Nahri accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to accept that the magical world she thought only existed in childhood stories is real. For the warrior tells her a new tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire, and rivers where the mythical marid sleep; past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises, and mountains where the circling hawks are not what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass, a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound.

In that city, behind gilded brass walls laced with enchantments, behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments are simmering. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, she learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.

After all, there is a reason they say be careful what you wish for...

My Review:

I was lucky enough to get this for $1.99 during a Kindle Daily Deal this summer. My emotions in the beginning were always a bit mixed with this read. I never disliked it but I was constantly left craving more from the story, feeling as if everything was just barely scratching the surface. In the end this read blossomed with a roar of flames, promising an amazing sequel in store for this talented debut.

Character development was well done in this book, especially for the characters I considered secondary. I detested the idealistic Prince Ali for the first 60% of the story as his idealism and judgmental attitude alienated everyone around him. But as he grew closer to Nahri and saw the true potential ahead I loved the man and warrior he was growing into despite his continued naivete. I have high hopes for his continued growth and hopefully foiled assassinations in the future two books.

Nahri and Dara. Ugh I desperately wanted an affair worthy of being written in the stars for these two! I love them and the epilogue left me some hope for them but their path forward seemed underdeveloped and needlessly difficult throughout this book. There just was not enough of them together after the first part of this book.

Beautiful world and rich lore. I hope to see it expanded moving forward. Overall, a good debut, lovable characters, and an intense epilogue promising a rich future.

No Exit by Taylor Adams

Title: No Exit
Author: Taylor Adams
Page Count: 333
Rating: B+
Format Read: BOTM Hardcover
Genre: Thriller
Keywords: Kidnapping, Heroes, Blizzard
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A brilliant, edgy thriller about four strangers, a blizzard, a kidnapped child, and a determined young woman desperate to unmask and outwit a vicious psychopath.

A kidnapped little girl locked in a stranger’s van. No help for miles. What would you do?

On her way to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets caught in a fierce blizzard in the mountains of Colorado. With the roads impassable, she’s forced to wait out the storm at a remote highway rest stop. Inside, are some vending machines, a coffee maker, and four complete strangers.

Desperate to find a signal to call home, Darby goes back out into the storm . . . and makes a horrifying discovery. In the back of the van parked next to her car, a little girl is locked in an animal crate.

Who is the child? Why has she been taken? And how can Darby save her?

There is no cell phone reception, no telephone, and no way out. One of her fellow travelers is a kidnapper. But which one?

Trapped in an increasingly dangerous situation, with a child’s life and her own on the line, Darby must find a way to break the girl out of the van and escape.

But who can she trust?

With exquisitely controlled pacing, Taylor Adams diabolically ratchets up the tension with every page. Full of terrifying twists and hairpin turns, No Exit will have you on the edge of your seat and leave you breathless.

My Review:

Wow. Just wow.

I opened up my Book of the Month December box expecting a descent distraction of a book that I could read over the course of a couple of days. I READ THIS IN THREE HOURS.

Like with most Fridays I planned on curling up with my good book next to a cheery Christmas tree and my fluffy pup. A nice relaxing evening after a week of work. My expectations were terribly wrong. There was no relaxing, cozy Friday night reading for me. Nope. Instead I was perched on the very edge of the sofa, completely tense, and mumbling "nononononono" to the annoyance of my dog.

This book is nothing that I was expecting. Rather than a slower burn thriller that slowly creeps up on you this one takes off pretty quickly and throws twists at you left and right. While I am sure that some readers will complain of the predictability of some of the turns, there are enough that I found unexpected that I think a majority of readers will be pleased.

While I may have never experienced a Colorado winter, I could sympathize with the blizzard scene and felt it was well described based on my time in Montana and Washington. I actually lived in the part of eastern Washington that this author went to school in and the descriptions of the storm and roads that this novel is set in completely reminded me of driving between Pullman and Spokane during a blizzard. If you're looking for a book that will chill you to the bone (more from temperature than terror) then this is the one for you. As someone that has definitely been caught unexpectedly driving during a blizzard, Adams' descriptions of Darby trying to coax her Honda (named Blue) through the snow was done very well.

The scarier thriller elements weren't so over the top that I would only recommend this to fans of horror or overly intense novels. While the premise and overall plot did freak me out at times and keep me reading a top speed, it built at a gentle enough pace to ease unfamiliar readers into the genre but not bore others to tears.

One element I liked was the flipping back and forth between liking and hating our villain. I prefer morally grey characters with potentially questionable mental states when I am reading my thrillers. It makes the plot a touch more unpredictable. Taylor Adams definitely delivered on that front.

If you're looking for a fast paced thriller full of misdirection, then I definitely recommend picking up this novel. I'm so glad I read this during the colder months. Whether you're a thriller veteran or a newbie you'll love this book.

Friday Reads December 14, 2018

Soooooo I know it's not Friday anymore but I still want to do my weekly reading update! I have officially read six books this month bringing my total to 106 books for the year. I'm hoping to not put too much pressure on myself by upping my goal even more but it would be great if I could make it to 110 books before 2019 hits.

As far as BookTube goes I posted a bunch of new videos this week and have some planned for next For Better and Worse (watch that here), my November wrap up that was incredibly fantasy heavy (watch that one here), a negative spoiler free review for Girls of Paper and Fire (see it here), and finally my Friday Reads video which actually includes my Book of the Month unboxing for December (right here). Sunday my November book haul will be going up. I ended up acquiring eight books last month, a good mix of YA and fantasy. Then Tuesday my spoiler free video review for Malice will be going up. Further in

the future I have my favorite reads of 2018, most disappointing, and reading goals for 2019 videos planned as well as my tips on staying on budget when buying books. My favorite parts of this experience on BookTube have been that I am reflecting more on the books I am reading as I incorporate them into videos and of course being able to recommend them to other people.
week already. For a quick recap I put up a spoiler free review of

My BookTube watching habits have definitely been changing in the past couple of weeks. I first noticed that I wasn't keeping up with the channels I'm subscribed to as much as I had been for the past couple of months. I am even avoiding some of the creators that I used to watch more regularly. It occurred to me that this may be related to my reading habits moving away from a YA focus and more so towards adult fiction. Most of the channels I'm watching regularly have creators closer to my own age and reading high fantasy and adult fiction. I'm interested to see if this trend continues into 2019.

I've also been fairly active on here in the past week. First I put up a my review for For Better and Worse. Click here for that one. Then I went through my Goodreads account and put together my November wrap up, which you can see here. If you're looking for a holiday themed read that is kid friendly I definitely recommend check out my review for Letters from Father Christmas here. It is a great collection of letters that J. R. R. Tolkien wrote for his kids as Father Christmas. The letters and accompanying illustrations are gorgeous. Finally, I got a review up for Nine Perfect Strangers from last week's Friday Reads post. If you're looking for something quirky check out that review here.

Overall, it's been a great week for reading and sharing book reviews! I've already read two books this week and if you check out my Nine Perfect Strangers review you'll see that I had a bit of a hiccup midweek because of a book hangover. Below check out the books I'll be reading this weekend, including the one that completely destroyed my reading slump and one not included in my video!

Happy reading!

Title: No Exit
Author: Taylor Adams
Page Count: 333
Progress: Finished
Format Read: BOTM Hardcover
Genre: Thriller
Keywords: Kidnapping, Heroes, Blizzard
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A brilliant, edgy thriller about four strangers, a blizzard, a kidnapped child, and a determined young woman desperate to unmask and outwit a vicious psychopath.

A kidnapped little girl locked in a stranger’s van. No help for miles. What would you do?

On her way to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets caught in a fierce blizzard in the mountains of Colorado. With the roads impassable, she’s forced to wait out the storm at a remote highway rest stop. Inside, are some vending machines, a coffee maker, and four complete strangers.

Desperate to find a signal to call home, Darby goes back out into the storm . . . and makes a horrifying discovery. In the back of the van parked next to her car, a little girl is locked in an animal crate.

Who is the child? Why has she been taken? And how can Darby save her?

There is no cell phone reception, no telephone, and no way out. One of her fellow travelers is a kidnapper. But which one?

Trapped in an increasingly dangerous situation, with a child’s life and her own on the line, Darby must find a way to break the girl out of the van and escape.

But who can she trust?

With exquisitely controlled pacing, Taylor Adams diabolically ratchets up the tension with every page. Full of terrifying twists and hairpin turns, No Exit will have you on the edge of your seat and leave you breathless.

My thoughts so far:

So this was in my Friday Reads video and I had just barely started it...I finished reading this in 3 hours! I will be posting a review for it this weekend so look out for that, but for now this book doesn't seem like much on the surface but oh boy does it hook you in! Fast paced, twisty, and a bit gory! Great thriller if you're looking for a distraction.

Title: One Day in December
Author: Josie Silver
Page Count: 393
Progress: 12
Format Read: BOTM Hardcover
Genre: Chick Lit
Keywords: Love at first sight, Friendship, Fate
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick

“Get ready to be swept up in a whirlwind romance. It absolutely charmed me.” —Reese Witherspoon

“Josie Silver writes with a warmth so palpable her characters sneak their way into your heart and stay for a long time.”—Jill Santopolo, New York Times-bestselling author of The Light We Lost

Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story.

Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away.

Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they "reunite" at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It's Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.

My thoughts so far:

Just started this one and I was originally very excited to start it. I haven't read a good love story in a few months and was hopeful this would break that streak. It is definitely cute in the first few pages but I'm a bit apprehensive about how the triangle with the friend Sarah is going to work out and hope that I'm not left revolted by our main characters.

Title: Nos4a2
Author: Joe Hill
Page Count: 692
Progress: 22
Format Read: Paperback
Genre: Horror
Keywords: Christmas, Evil, Children
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

NOS4A2 is a spine-tingling novel of supernatural suspense from master of horror Joe Hill, the New York Times bestselling author of Heart-Shaped Box and Horns.

Victoria McQueen has a secret gift for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. On her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike, she makes her way to a rickety covered bridge that, within moments, takes her wherever she needs to go, whether it’s across Massachusetts or across the country.

Charles Talent Manx has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing – and terrifying – playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.”

Then, one day, Vic goes looking for trouble—and finds Manx. That was a lifetime ago. Now Vic, the only kid to ever escape Manx’s unmitigated evil, is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx never stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. He’s on the road again and he’s picked up a new passenger: Vic’s own son.

My thoughts so far:

I saw this originally on the BookTube channel myreadingisodd. I knew as soon as Natasha started talking about this Christmas themed horror novel that I had to give it a try.

If you didn't know, Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. I have been a King fan for years and I had remembered that his his sons were also writers but other than things they had cowrote with him I didn't think too much about it. I really should have paid more attention. There is definitely a similarity in their styles that I have picked up as I am making my way through Nos4a2 but it has its own addicting quality that I don't normally experience so early in a King novel.

I'm absolutely hopeful that this will become a horror favorite.

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Title: Nine Perfect Strangers
Author: Liane Moriarty
Page Count: 450
Rating: A
Format: BOTM Hardcover
Genre: Suspense
Keywords: Healing, Suicide, Chaos
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever? In Liane Moriarty’s latest page-turner, nine perfect strangers are about to find out...

Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can’t even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.

Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She’s immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don’t look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn’t even know she was seeking? Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything Tranquillum House has to offer – or should she run while she still can?

It’s not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.

Combining all of the hallmarks that have made her writing a go-to for anyone looking for wickedly smart, page-turning fiction that will make you laugh and gasp, Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers once again shows why she is a master of her craft.

My Review:

This is 100% one of the weirdest books I have ever read in my life. For the first half I was expecting to be mildly disappointed and that my final rating would be somewhere around a C. The book was a bit boring at times but supported by a diverse cast of intriguing individuals that I was kept curious by.

And then a certain event happens half way through that was...absolutely insane and this book goes completely off the rails in a way I did not see coming. With each chapter I found myself slowly increasing my rating until we ended up at a five star/A rating and I am now in a total book hangover.

I went into this book knowing pretty much nothing except what the title told me and the setting. Trust me and go in not knowing anything or expecting anything. If you like books that can somehow make you laugh, cry, and be completely weirded out then go for it.

Now, if you're still not trusting in my opinion of books then I will give you a bit more information. This book is certainly ludicrous. It is outlandish and unrealistic for sure. However, the examination of the characters and the realities of human life that are examined through this insane ordeal are incredibly realistic and I was brought to tears more than once. Each character is unique and

fascinating and we learn about them through their own thoughts, how they interact with the others, and how others see them. I loved the moral vagueness of each character and that it is difficult to hate any of them.

While I loved Big Little Lies by the same author, I do not recommend going into this expecting the same story or even a similar story. This is its own creature and you might feel after it is all said and done that there were similarities but they are incredibly different.

Overall, I loved this weird book so much more than I could have hoped possible. Be warned that suicide, mourning, drug use, family issues, violence, loss of a child/children, and murder are all discussed.

Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien

Title: Letters from Father Christmas
Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
Page Count: 113
Rating: B+
Format: Kindle
Genre: Letters/Holiday
Keywords: Adventure, Santa, Polar Bears
Kid Appropriate: Yes

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Every December an envelope bearing a stamp from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R. Tolkien’s children. Inside would be a letter in a strange, spidery handwriting and a beautiful colored drawing or painting. The letters were from Father Christmas.

They told wonderful tales of life at the North Pole: how the reindeer got loose and scattered presents all over the place; how the accident-prone North Polar Bear climbed the North Pole and fell through the roof of Father Christmas’s house into the dining room; how he broke the Moon into four pieces and made the Man in it fall into the back garden; how there were wars with the troublesome horde of goblins who lived in the caves beneath the house, and many more.

No reader, young or old, can fail to be charmed by Tolkien’s inventiveness in this classic holiday treat.

My Review:

I stumbled across this book when Amazon had a sale going on nearly all of their Tolkien Kindle books. While I had all of the LOTR books and some of his biographies I had never picked up this book. Based on the cover I was expecting maybe a children's story about Santa Claus. Instead I found a touching tradition carried out over decades by a devoted father.

Already a long time Tolkien fan, I was pleasantly surprised by this collection of letters that he wrote over the course of twenty years to his four children as Father Christmas. First, the letters and accompanying illustrations were absolutely gorgeous and I highly recommend either reading the physical book or the ebook on a tablet with color. I would have been incredibly disappointed to read this on my regular Kindle. The level of dedication and love put into this tradition is obvious and endearing.

Second, the antics that Father Christmas and his host of friends including North Polar Bear (PB) get up to was entertaining and absolutely adorable. Unlike The Hobbit (and most certainly the LOTR series), this book would not frighten little ones. Immediately the idea of reading a letter a night to a child leading up to Christmas popped into my mind.

If you're looking for a touch of Tolkien magic, a new family tradition, or just something to get you into the Christmas mood I definitely recommend picking this up.

The only downfall to this collection was that we only get to see the letters that Father Christmas wrote in response to the Tolkien children and the accompanying illustrations. Overall, it makes a fairly cohesive storyline but there were moments where I was a touch confused because I did not have the child's letter being referenced.

November 2018 Wrap Up!

Hello! October was a really slow reading month (only 4 books!) but I was able to redeem myself in November by reading 9! That bring my total books read for the year to 100...which I'm still in shock over honestly. Three of my books this month were YA Fantasy while six were adult fantasy for a total of 5,157 pages! It was a great reading month overall. Check out my reviews below or watch my wrap up video on the channel here.

Title: Kingdom of Ash
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Page Count: 980
Rating: A+++++
Format Read: Hardcover
Genre: YA Fantasy
Keywords: War, Fae, Gods
Kid Appropriate: Teen

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Years in the making, Sarah J. Maas’s #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series draws to an epic, unforgettable conclusion. Aelin Galathynius’s journey from slave to king’s assassin to the queen of a once-great kingdom reaches its heart-rending finale as war erupts across her world. . .

Aelin has risked everything to save her people―but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day…

With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction. Yet they soon realize that the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save them. Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation―and a better world.

And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen―before she is lost to him forever.

As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series.

My Review:

I have never been so satisfied with a book finale! Sarah J. Maas has written a masterpiece that hits every note absolutely perfectly ranging from the despair of war, hope of found love, and courage in the face of fear.

The first half of this book is incredibly tense, slowly building the anxiety of whether or not our favorite characters will survive what seems like certain doom. And the entire time I was terrified that this finale would end similarly to Breaking Dawn in which there is a great deal of build up for a lackluster ending. There is no need to worry in this regard. The war is grittier than I had expected and a great balance of fear and hope that does not lean too far in either direction. There is a level of reality often missing from other fantasy war scenes in YA.

This installment in the Throne of Glass series proved to me that this series is not simply what many book skeptics sneer at when they say something is only YA, meaning it is not as grand as the adult side of the bookstore's high fantasy section. As a fan of both genres, this is absolutely in my top three fantasy series of all times.

Some readers skipped Tower of Dawn, what was originally supposed to be a novella following Chaol, and intend to jump straight into Kingdom of Ash following Empire of Storms. I absolutely do not recommend this! Tower of Dawn happens concurrently with Empire of Storms and is basically book six in this series. If you skip it there will be an entire component of the army from the Southern Continent that joins the battle you will have no background on. Even the magic systems of that kingdom are different from what we are familiar with following Aelin's crew. And if neither of these aspects entice you, there are a many new characters that we see in Kingdom of Ash that you will only know if you read Tower of Dawn.

Overall, I cherish this book far more than I could have anticipated and cannot believe the growth of this series from book one to book seven.

I hope you give this one a chance and if you have already read this amazing book, check back in to see more of my spoiler filled discussions coming up in the coming weeks!

Click here for my expanded review on the romances filling the pages of the series! 

Title: The Burning Sky

Author: Sherry Thomas

Page Count: 449

Rating: B

Format Read: Audiobook

Genre: YA Fantasy

Keywords: Warlocks, Elemental Magic, Prophecy

Kid Appropriate: Teen and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.

Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life.

The Burning Sky—the first book in the Elemental Trilogy—is an electrifying and unforgettable novel of intrigue and adventure.

My Review:

This was honestly a book I wasn't expecting anything from. I got it for a couple of dollars during an Audible sale earlier this year. It ended up being a fun, witty adventure story with a bit of a romance thrown in. Check this out if you are looking for a unique YA fantasy mixed with mages and Victorian England.

Title: Empire of Sand

Author: Tasha Suri

Page Count:496

Rating: A

Format Read: Galley

Genre: Fantasy

Keywords: Daeva, Mughal Empire, Vows

Kid Appropriate: Teen and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A nobleman’s daughter with magic in her blood. An empire built on the dreams of enslaved gods. Empire of Sand is Tasha Suri’s captivating, Mughal India-inspired debut fantasy.

The Amrithi are outcasts; nomads descended of desert spirits, they are coveted and persecuted throughout the Empire for the power in their blood. Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an exiled Amrithi mother she can barely remember, but whose face and magic she has inherited.

When Mehr’s power comes to the attention of the Emperor’s most feared mystics, she must use every ounce of will, subtlety, and power she possesses to resist their cruel agenda.

Should she fail, the gods themselves may awaken seeking vengeance…

Empire of Sand is a lush, dazzling fantasy novel perfect for readers of City of Brass and The Wrath & the Dawn.

My Review:

I absolutely loved this lush Indian inspired fantasy! The influences from Indian culture and the history of the Mughal Empire made this a fascinating read while our main characters easily capture you heart.

Mehr is a prickly heroine that deals with the struggles of duty, identity, and place in a way that will resonate with a variety of readers. Anyone searching for a strong female character that is far from being a damsel in distress will grow to adore her. Her romance in this book is one of the least problematic I have seen in a long time as well. I loved rooting for them and that it wasn't the main point of the story, but rather a delightful addition.

I also enjoyed the motivations for our villains. No one was evil simply to be evil. Instead they were often people with their own motivations and insecurities, adding a depth of reality to them.

I completely agree with the statement that this is for fans of City of Brass and also YA readers who are looking for something similar to Rebel of the Sands. I really enjoyed that while this is an adult fantasy it would be incredibly easy for someone only familiar with YA fantasy to venture into the adult high fantasy world. This is also true for people who may not normally read fantasy. The elements of mystery and romance that wind through the tale can draw in a wide array of readers.

Video review here!

Title: The Phoenix Empress

Author: K Arsenault Rivera

Page Count:

Rating: D

Format Read: Galley

Genre: Fantasy

Keywords: LGBTQ+, Asian Inspired, Gods

Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The Phoenix Empress, the sequel to K Arsenault Rivera's wildly buzzed about The Tiger's Daughter, an epic historical fantasy in the vein of Patrick Rothfuss and Naomi Novik.

Since she was a child, the divine empress O Shizuka has believed she was an untouchable god. When her uncle, ruler of the Hokkaran Empire, sends her on a suicide mission as a leader of the Imperial Army, the horrors of war cause her to question everything she knows.

Thousands of miles away, the exiled and cursed warrior Barsalyya Shefali undergoes trials the most superstitious would not believe in order to return to Hokkaran court and claim her rightful place next to O Shizuka.

As the distance between disgraced empress and blighted warrior narrows, a familiar demonic force grows closer to the heart of the empire. Will the two fallen warriors be able to protect their home?

My Review:

See my review for The Tiger's Daughter here!

I genuinely loved The Tiger's Daughter, devouring it over the span of four days despite its large page count. When I received a galley copy of The Phoenix Empress I expected to love it just as much and be taken on a fresh adventure fueled by love and mythology. Instead, a month of reading has resulted in frustration and disappointment.

Writing a book is no easy feat and having to give negative reviews is not pleasant when I think about all of the work that goes into the writing and publishing of a book. However, I have to agree with many of the other negative reviews I read on Goodreads. At over 500 pages, 75% of this book could have been cut out. It served no purpose and for the first half of the book I felt as if literally nothing was happening. Reading pointless material is not encouraging and I can see many readers DNFing this book. If all of the more pointless material had been cut and the small amount of relevant material been added to the next book (which I genuinely hope to enjoy) I think the story would have flowed so much more smoothly.

Unlikable character development, a sluggish plot, and pointless flowery phrases made this book impossible for me to love.

Title: The Sisters of the Winter Wood

Author: Rena Rossner

Page Count: 464

Rating: C

Format Read: Hardcover

Genre: Fantasy

Keywords: Judaism, Fairytales, Eastern Europe

Kid Appropriate: Teens

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Raised in a small village surrounded by vast forests, Liba and Laya have lived a peaceful sheltered life - even if they've heard of troubling times for Jews elsewhere. When their parents travel to visit their dying grandfather, the sisters are left behind in their home in the woods.

But before they leave, Liba discovers the secret that their Tati can transform into a bear, and their Mami into a swan. Perhaps, Liba realizes, the old fairy tales are true. She must guard this secret carefully, even from her beloved sister.

Soon a troupe of mysterious men appear in town and Laya falls under their spell-despite their mother's warning to be wary of strangers. And these are not the only dangers lurking in the woods...

The sisters will need each other if they are to become the women they need to be - and save their people from the dark forces that draw closer.

My Review:

This book was certainly not what I was expecting. Rather than being an adult fantasy novel with some fairytale elements thrown in, it ended up being more of a dark fairytale following the sexual awakening of the teenage sisters living in a small village in the woods of Eastern Europe.

Overall, I ended up giving this one a three star rating because it had some high points as well as some extreme low points. There were many moments where I almost quit reading and others where I was beyond excited, thinking that finally the book was making a turn for the better. Below I'll cover this dichotomy. 

First, the high points. The bond between sisters was endearing to watch as it evolved throughout our brief tale. Even the isolated village that this tale takes place in was well developed and created a great atmosphere for a haunting tale. 

Second, the low points. This should not have been advertised as an adult novel. Everything that happens in this novel is due to the juvenile nature of our main characters. A mix of cluelessness and hormonal rampages result in disaster again and again. There was also the vagueness of the time period this is taking place in. Some of the references to antisemitism and the killings in neighboring villages makes it seem like it may have been in the 1930s but with the isolation and lack of technology it is difficult to tell.

This book is worth a go, just go in with lower expectations.

Title: Ash Princess

Author: Laura Sebastian

Page Count: 432

Rating: B

Format Read: Hardcover

Genre: YA Fantasy

Keywords: Assassination, Shame, Rebirth

Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.

For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.

Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.

For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.   

My Review:

I went in expecting a simple YA novel about some silly princess and probably a love triangle. In the end I was pleasantly surprised. While this is reminiscent of many previous YA novels in the past five years with a wronged princess rising from the ashes of her kingdom, especially reminded my of Sara Raasch's Snow Like Ashes, there was a great deal of political intrigue and scheming. The plans laid are beyond the rashness of many similar YA novels. Check this one out if you're in the market for a slower YA novel that focuses on the political structure of a kingdom after siege as well as the moving parts of warfare and rebellion...with a smidge or romance.

Title: The Name of the Wind

Author: Patrick Rothfuss

Page Count: 730

Rating: B

Format Read: 10th Anniversary Hardcover

Genre: Fantasy

Keywords: Magic, Words, Family

Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Told in Kvothe's own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen.

The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature.

A high-action story written with a poet's hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.

My Review:

I absolutely loved the first half of this novel. Thinking it was one of the most amazing fantasy novels I have ever read and devouring the pages with excitement. The storytelling tactic of one character telling the other a tale is one of my favorites so I expected to love this one. However, around 60% through this book it began to slow down considerably and I became disconnected from our cocky Kvothe as the originally of the tale began to fade and it felt like many other fantasy novels I have read over the years. Still worth the read but definitely did not make my favorites list like most other readers.

Title: Malice

Author: John Gwynne

Page Count: 628

Rating: A++++

Format Read: Paperback

Genre: Fantasy

Keywords: Giants, Greed, Murder

Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A black sun is rising …

Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors under King Brenin’s rule, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage.

The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed shields in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant-clans were broken in ages past, their ruined fortresses still scar the land. But now giants stir anew, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of giant wyrms. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. Sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield. Then there will be a war to end all wars.

High King Aquilus summons his fellow kings to council, seeking an alliance in this time of need. Some are skeptical, fighting their own border skirmishes against pirates and giants. But prophesy indicates darkness and light will demand two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. They would be wise to seek out both, for if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind’s hopes and dreams will fall to dust.

My Review:

When I first picked this book up at Barnes & Noble it was because I had seen Piera Forde raving about it and the rest of The Faithful and the Fallen series. Her excitement mixed when a pretty good rating on Goodreads led me to take the plunge. For the first 200 pages I enjoyed it but was not getting the hype. Then Storm came into the picture and the story became beyond addictive.

This book is an impressive debut and an amazing epic high fantasy novel. Everything is done in such a way that character development, pacing, and world building progress at natural rates rather than being forced or sluggish.

When I read Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings I remember expecting so much from the books and being let down. They were slow, plodding things that were saved from bad ratings by their epic conclusions. This book was everything that I wish George R. R. Martin's series had been. It was a fantastic mix of satisfying novel on its own and exciting beginning to a new series.

The characters are mostly younger at the beginning of the novel, either children growing into young adults or older teens growing into warriors/men. I really was stunned when I realized how much time had passed in the novel because it felt like nothing. Normally multiple perspective novels get bogged down because you're waiting to experience what every character is experiencing at the same time and it drags. Surprises aren't surprises because you already learned about them two chapters ago and you're bored. This one kept moving forward throughout, not stalling on any point in time. That made the story so much more enjoyable and feel like it was flying.

In short, this is a long book that will require a degree of dedication to get into. This is especially true if you are not already accustomed to the adult fantasy genre. However, if you are able to stick it out and allow yourself to fall into the story you will be met with well developed characters, a lush setting, a well paced story, and a great adventure that sets you up for a sure to be satisfying series.

Another point that made me fall in love with this story were the canine characters. I am frankly appalled by the unabashed dog abuse that I have seen in fantasy novels this year from The Assassin's Apprentice to Girls of Paper and Fire. As a dog lover I can't stomach this common trend in my favorite genre. John Gwynne has earned a loyal reader with his treatment of the canine companions in this book. They are not necessarily invincible creatures that have a shield constantly around them but any harm that may befall them makes sense and is natural. It is not gratuitous violence.

Title: Vita Nostra

Authors: Marina and Sergey Dyachenko

Translator: Julia Meitov Hersey

Page Count: 404

Rating: A

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Fantasy

Keywords: Magic, Science, Russia

Kid Appropriate: Probably not

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Our life is brief . . .

The definitive English language translation of the internationally best-selling Russian novel – a brilliant dark fantasy combining psychological suspense, enchantment, and terror that makes us consider human existence in a fresh and provocative way.

‘A book that has the potential to become a modern classic.’

Lev Grossman, best-selling author of The Magicians

Our life is brief . . .

While on holiday at the beach with her mother, Sasha Samokhina meets the mysterious Farit Kozhennikov under the most peculiar circumstances. The teenage girl is powerless to refuse when this strange and unusual man with a sinister air directs her to perform strange and uncomfortable tasks. He rewards her efforts with a strange golden coin.

As the days progress, Sasha carries out other acts for which she receives more coins from Kozhennikov. As summer ends, her new domineering mentor directs her to move to a remote village and use her gold to enter the Institute of Special Technologies. Though she does not want to go to this unknown town or university, she also feels that somehow it’s the only place she should be. Against her mother’s wishes, Sasha leaves behind all that is familiar and begins her education.

As she quickly discovers, the institute’s ‘special technologies’ are unlike anything she has ever encountered. The books are impossible to read, the lessons maddeningly obscure, and the work refuses memorization. Using terror and coercion to keep the students in line, the school does not punish them for their transgressions and failures; instead, their families pay a terrible price.

Yet despite her fear, Sasha undergoes changes that defy the dictates of matter and time; experiences which are nothing she has ever dreamed of… and suddenly all she could ever want.

A complex blend of adventure, magic, science, and philosophy, filtered through a distinct Russian sensibility, this astonishing work – brilliantly translated by Julia Meitov Hersey – is reminiscent of modern classics such as Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, Max Barry’s Lexicon, and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale, but will transport them to a place fantastical and new.

My Review:

Oh lordy I loved this book a million times more than I had expected!

For some background, this is not a new book but the English translation and American release of Vita Nostra is new as of November 2018. The authors are a couple originally from Ukraine and this book was published in Russian around 2013. From my understanding, this is a series...and I have high hopes that the other books will be translated as well if that is true!

First, I need to address that this is in no way like The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. If that is what you expect going into this one you will be incredibly disappointed. Arden writes a great fantasy novel that pulls more from the medieval culture of Russia and folklore prevalent in the countryside. You can read my full review for that book here. Marina and Sergey are not writing such a book. Sasha is a girl in modern Eastern Europe and you will experience glimpses of what life is like in post-Soviet culture. As long as you go in expecting that rather than the fairytale story of Arden's creation then you will be just fine.

The book begins in a slow and somewhat confusing way, mirroring the summer vacation mood that Sasha and her mother are experiencing as well as the fear that Sasha faces with this peculiar man following her about. This feeling of the story following the way that Sasha is feeling and morphing throughout the story is perhaps one of the strongest aspects of the writing.

I took the advice of one reviewer while I was reading and focused more on the concept of liminal spaces (a term anyone that has ever studied Russian culture is incredibly familiar with). For this book that is the space between being a child and an adult. That is what this story is about at it's very root, becoming who you are meant to be. Because the characters are college age and making this transition I would say that this book falls closer to being a New Adult fantasy rather than a YA or adult fantasy. Sex is a frequent conversation but I do not recall any detailed scenes of smut.

With the focus on Sasha's transformation and the writing following fairly closely with her emotions and stages of development in her studies, the book is incredibly addictive and you begin to feel as if the book has bewitched you! By the end of the book I felt like Sasha, fixated on the story and unable to look away.

If you are looking for a post-Soviet, addictive, dark twist on the typical magic school setting then I highly recommend giving this one a go!

Please note, if you are sensitive to content relating to sexual coercion or prostitution that it is a small part of this story.

If you want to see my spoiler free video review click here. Happy reading!