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!

For Better and Worse by Margot Hunt

Title: For Better and Worse
Author: Margot Hunt
Page Count: 330
Rating: C+
Format: Book of the Month Hardcover
Genre: Adult Mystery/Thriller
Keywords: Lawyers, Marriage, Murder
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

On their first date back in law school, Natalie and Will Clarke bonded over drinks, dinner and whether they could get away with murder. Now married, they’ll put the latter to the test when an unchecked danger in their community places their son in jeopardy. Working as a criminal defense attorney, Nat refuses to rely on the broken legal system to keep her family safe. She knows that if you want justice…you have to get it yourself.

Shocked to discover Nat’s taken matters into her own hands, Will has no choice but to dirty his, also. His family is in way too deep to back down now. He’s just not sure he recognizes the woman he married. Nat’s always been fiercely protective, but never this ruthless or calculating. With the police poking holes in their airtight plan, what will be the first to fall apart: their scandalous secret—or their marriage?

My Review:

Overall, this was a quick read that was easy to fall into. At only 330 pages this book is certainly not a chore to get through. I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a vacation book that doesn't require too much focus but is still enjoyable. The legal and ethical concerns that arise in this book would also make it a great one for a book club or buddy read looking to have an interesting conversation.

Natalie and Will are definitely not a poster couple for marital happiness but their story is undoubtedly addicting in only the way that Lifetime movies can be. Beautiful and successful, they seem to have the perfect life...until suddenly everything unfolds in a dramatic and dark manner. Adultery, murder, and ethical low points make up this tale and draw in the reader with an addictive edge.

This book's flaws actually aid in making it so addictive. The characters can be a bit two dimensional at times as we are never bogged down with too much detail about their backstories or their emotions. Ultimately that means the book flies by quickly. Every action taken by law enforcement in this one and the explanations of the legality of certain things was a bit flawed. But, if you're just looking for entertainment this isn't an issue.

Go into this one expecting little more than entertainment and you'll for sure enjoy it. Go in expecting the next great American novel and you'll be sorely disappointed.

Check out my video review here.

Friday Reads December 7, 2018

Hello! It is somehow already Friday once again! I managed to finish three books since I last checked in, bringing my yearly total to 103. Two more and I will reach my new goal of 105. I already have a review up for Girls of Paper and Fire and you can see that here. Check back tomorrow for a full review of For Better and Worse both on the blog and on my BookTube channel.

Speaking of BookTube, I managed to upload three videos this week and have two more planned for this weekend! Tuesday ended up being a bit busy so I didn't have time to do Tag Tuesday but I did manage to get up a reading vlog from November where I gush over some fantasy favorites such as Malice. You can watch that here. My tag video went up on Thursday and was a fun Grinch themed tag that is as grumpy as its namesake. I got to wear a super green sweater and somehow managed not to completely ruin my red lipstick for ten minutes. You can watch that one here. Then today I put up my normal Friday Reads video but with the addition of my dog and my parent's dog guest starring in the bloopers at the end. Check out those cuties here. And finally I've already mentioned a new book review will be up tomorrow while my November reading wrap up will be live both here and on the channel on Sunday!

A cool video I plan on filming really soon is book buying on a budget tips. This was actually requested by one of my friends after a discussion we had since I tend to acquire quite a few books and am forever hunting for bargains. I may not be an expert on buying books but I will definitely
share the tips I've picked up over the years both as a teen and young adult on a budget. I thought around the New Year would be a good time since improving your fiscal health is always a great resolution!

Aside from finally getting ahead on my filming schedule I've been really busy with work lately so my reading pace has slowed down just a bit. Despite that I have two books I am currently reading and two that I plan on picking up in the next week while I oh so impatiently wait for my Book Outlet order and my Book of the Month box to arrive! I have twelve books arriving next week and am incredibly excited.

Keep reading below for my thoughts on my new reads as well as books that have been catching my eye lately.

Happy reading!

Title: The Winter Road
Author: Adrian Selby
Page Count: 450
Progress: 21
Format Read: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: War, Mercenaries, Travel
Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A gritty and epic adventure to appeal to fans of Mark Lawrence, Andrzej Sapkowski and Joe Abercrombie – The Winter Road is a fantasy novel which remembers that battles leave all kinds of scars.

The greatest empire of them all began with a road.

The Circle – a thousand miles of perilous forests and warring clans. No one has ever tamed such treacherous territory before, but ex-soldier Teyr Amondsen, veteran of a hundred battles, is determined to try.

With a merchant caravan protected by a crew of skilled mercenaries, Amondsen embarks on a dangerous mission to forge a road across the untamed wilderness that was once her home. But a warlord rises in the wilds of the Circle, uniting its clans and terrorizing its people. Teyr’s battles may not be over yet . . .

All roads lead back to war.

Thoughts so far:

First, the writing style is reminding me quite a bit of The Tiger's Daughter which is giving me both positive and negative vibes. This is largely because of how disappointed I was with its sequel, The Phoenix Empress. Another oddity in the writing is that some of the chapters are written in present tense. It had never occurred to me just how disorienting this could be. Aside from the writing style, there has already been a dog killed so I am not thrilled. Hopefully things turn around. I'm not completely against the book by any means...just a bit leery of how it'll progress.

Title: Nine Perfect Strangers

Author: Liane Moriarty

Page Count: 450

Progress: 5

Format Read: BOTM Hardcover

Genre: Literary Fiction

Keywords: Strangers, Chaos, Health Resort

Kid Appropriate: Probably not

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.

Thoughts so far:

I absolutely love this author's name and Big Little Lies was amazing, hence why I picked this one up for my November Book of the Month. Since I am not very far in I don't have too many impressions yet other than it is easy to fall into right from the start. I can't wait to see the mayhem I've been hearing about in other reviews.

Title: Furyborn

Author: Claire Legrand

Page Count: 512

Format Read: Hardcover

Genre: YA Fantasy

Keywords: Queens, Assassin, Magic

Kid Appropriate: Teens

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The stunningly original, must-read fantasy of 2018 follows two fiercely independent young women, centuries apart, who hold the power to save their world...or doom it.

When assassins ambush her best friend, Rielle Dardenne risks everything to save him, exposing herself as one of a pair of prophesied queens: a queen of light, and a queen of blood. To prove she is the Sun Queen, Rielle must endure seven elemental magic trials. If she fails, she will be executed...unless the trials kill her first.

One thousand years later, the legend of Queen Rielle is a fairy tale to Eliana Ferracora. A bounty hunter for the Undying Empire, Eliana believes herself untouchable--until her mother vanishes. To find her, Eliana joins a rebel captain and discovers that the evil at the empire's heart is more terrible than she ever imagined.

As Rielle and Eliana fight in a cosmic war that spans millennia, their stories intersect, and the shocking connections between them ultimately determine the fate of their world--and of each other.

Title: Strange the Dreamer

Author: Laini Taylor

Page Count: 536

Format Read: Hardcover

Genre: YA Fantasy

Keywords: Librarian, Secret City, Gods

Kid Appropriate: Teens

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

Welcome to Weep.

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

Title: Girls of Paper and Fire
Author: Natasha Ngan
Page Count: 380
Rating: D
Format: B&N Exclusive Signed Hardcover
Genre: YA Fantasy
Keywords: LGBTQ+, Concubines, Magic
Kid Appropriate: Teens, but trigger warning for sexual assault

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It's the highest honor they could hope for...and the most cruel.

But this year, there's a ninth girl. And instead of paper, she's made of fire.

In this lush fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most oppressed class in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards still haunts her. Now, the guards are back, and this time it's Lei they're after--the girl whose golden eyes have piqued the king's interest.

Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king's consort. But Lei isn't content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable--she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.

TW: violence and sexual abuse.

My Review:

***Please note that this book is getting much higher ratings from the majority of other readers. My low rating is definitely in the minority. If you're curious I recommend reading other reviews along with  mine to see if it is something you are still interested in checking it out***

First, this book is physically gorgeous. The dust jacket is beautifully colored and the foil detail catches the light nicely. Under the dust jacket is a beautiful red cover with gold detailing. Bonus, my copy happened to be one of the signed editions available at Barnes & Noble around the holidays. Because of the book's aesthetics I am pleased to have it in my book collection. Unfortunately, that's where the positivity ends.

I picked this up for three reasons. First, the cover is beautiful as I have discussed above. Second, it was the book club pick for the Australian based book club Name of the Book. Third, it was 50% off over the Thanksgiving weekend for Black Friday sales.

Overall, this book felt like an example of what not to do for the old adage every creative writing professor in the history of time has screamed at their students: "Show don't tell". The setting was often times vague and seemed to rely too heavily on the reader's ability to fill in the blanks. Apart from some descriptions on the color of their hair and eyes I can't even begin to guess what the eight Paper Girls looked like. Also, the absence of a map in most editions was definitely a hindrance.

There are three castes of people in this fictional world. The paper caste are the completely human individuals and the lowest in terms of standing. The steel caste are the middle with a mix of human and animal traits. Then there is the caste I had the biggest issues with, the moon caste. These are the fully demon individuals with a full animal form but are still somehow humanoid. A lot of people in the live show mentioned having difficulty picturing these individuals (which I believe has a lot to do with the lack of 'showing' on the part of the writing) but all I could see the entire time were Zootopia characters. Yep, that's where my mind went. It really makes picturing the 'evil' characters as evil difficult.

Aside from this, we started this book immediately off with abuse towards animals. That was strike one because I hate when writers rely on killing the dog in an attempt to draw emotion from their audience but then the dog's owner barely dwells on it. That is unrealistic and feels like a cheap shot at trying to create emotion without effort.

Then there is the issue of committing to emotions and actions with the age bracket of this book. It follows the life of eight girls that are forced into being concubines for a cruel king. There were plenty of times I wasn't sure if it was the writer holding back just because that is her writing style or if she was holding back due to the usually younger audience of Young Adult novels. Either way, the feeling of restraint was a bit too strong in this novel and left me feeling that both the plot and characters were incredibly underdeveloped. The pacing was also incredibly slow for a YA fantasy. By the half way point I did not care what happened any more and largely skimmed the remainder of the book, bored and uninterested.

Action was absent, politics barely mentioned, magic hardly explained, the world was bland, and the romance was lackluster. This book was a let down and I have no intentions to continue on in the series, nor can I really recommend it.

Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko

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!