December 2022 Wrap Up

On February 17, 2023February 7, 2023 By AllieS.In Wrap UpLeave a comment

In December I read five books most which were physical. I also work retail during the holidays so I’m surprised that I read that much.

Books:

The first book I read was Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir which was a reread for me and I have a full review posted. I liked this one much more on a second read as I understood so much more. Based on the format of this book it leans itself to multiple rereads as you will pick up on the hints that are sprinkled throughout the book. I plan to continue on with the series soon.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: Material Ultimania is a nonfiction book that contains art and other reference materials used during the devolvement of Final Fantasy VII Remake. I really like this book but its definitely a book for fans.

The Band that Played On: The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic by Steve Turner is a nonfiction book about the Titanic. This book focuses on the band and the story that they continued playing until the ship sank. Provides great detail on who the band members were, how they ended up on the Titanic, and the memory of how they are remembered.

The Mistletoe Paradox is a short story collections that each story takes ideas about mistletoe and the traditions around it to write stories. As with most short story collections I liked some of the stories more than others but I want to see where these authors go next and the types of stories they will tell in the future.

The last book I read in December was Tales from the Hinterland by Melissa Albert. This is the collection of dark fairytales that are referenced throughout the Hazel Wood series. While I didn’t love The Night Country which was the second book in the series I was still interested in reading the fairytales mention in the books. Overall, I think that these dark fairytales are one of the best things in this series and I loved seeing where Melissa Albert took these types of fairytales.

December 2022 Fairyloot

On February 13, 2023February 7, 2023 By AllieS.In FairylootLeave a comment

Fairyloot is a Young Adult book subscription box focusing on fantasy based out of the UK. Each month you receive a new Young Adult hardback book and 4-5 bookish goodies. Like most book boxes the hardback are special editions and the items are a combination of both practical things and more decorative items. December’s theme is Come One, Come All.

The bookish items included this month are a face towel, a set of Carousel bookends, the next mythology bookmarks, a Caraval book sleeve, and the monthly tarot cards featuring character art from Girls of Paper and Fire.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston which is a standalone fantasy with a magical secret society, a deadly competition and vampires. This edition also has digitally sprayed edges and foiling on the hardback.

January’s theme is Hidden Worlds.

November 2022 Illumicrate

On February 10, 2023February 6, 2023 By AllieS.In IllumicrateLeave a comment

Illumicrate is a UK based fantasy and science fiction book box that has monthly boxes or just a monthly book only subscription. Each box also includes a selection of bookish goodies some more practical, others more decorative set around a monthly theme. November’s theme is Some Kind of Monster.

The items included in this box are a sword replica from Priory of the Orange Tree, a scarf inspired by the Winternight trilogy, a tote bag, and a tea tin inspired by Only a Monster.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is The Luminaries by Susan Dennard. This is a contemporary fantasy that follows Winnie who wants to join the Luminaires, an ancient order that protects the town and humanity from the monsters and nightmares that reside in the forest. However, she and her ex-best friend jay discover danger that no-one is prepared for as not all monsters can be killed. This edition also has foil on the hardback, and digitally printed edges.

December’s theme is Better Together.

Book Review: Lirael (Abhorsen #2) by Garth Nix

On February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 By AllieS.In Book ReviewLeave a comment

Lirael is the second book in the Abhorsen series and the sequel to Sabriel. This book focuses on Lirael who is a daughter of the Clayr, who have the ability to see some aspects of the future however Lirael never gained the sight. She ends up taking up a mission to stop an ancient evil along with Sabriel’s son Sam.

This is a reread for me but I read it many years ago and don’t remember much about the story. Overall, I liked this book but enjoyed Sabriel more. The one thing that I didn’t enjoy was the switching of perspectives between Lirael and Sam as I just don’t like Sam’s perspective as much thought I get why it was needed for the plot. I do plan to continue reading this series.

November 2022 Fairyloot

On February 3, 2023February 2, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

The bookish items included this month are a Kingdom of the Wicked mug, a book review notebook, a letter opener inspired by Serpent and Dove, a spellbook enamel pin, and the monthly tarot cards.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix. This edition also has Ombre sprayed edges, art on the back of the dust jacket, adn foiling on the hardback.

December’s theme is Come One, Come All.

October and November 2022 Wrap Up

On January 27, 2023January 24, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Review, Wrap UpLeave a comment

Since I only read one book in October I decided to combine the October and November wrap ups. For both months I read five books. In terms of watching tv and movies the only thing I remember watching was some documentaries and YouTube videos.

Books:

In October I decided to start a reread of the Locked Tomb series so that I remember more when I got to Nona the Ninth which I still haven’t read but I did finish rereading Gideon the Ninth in October. Gideon is the first book in the Locked Tomb series that focuses on space necromancers who are trying to become more powerful to help the emperor. I still loved this book and I have a full review already posted.

The first book that I read in November was Lirael by Garth Nix. This is the squeal to Sabriel and technically a reread for me but the last time I read it was years ago. Lirael focuses on Lirael who is a daughter of the Clayr but she has never gained to sight which allows the Clayr to see some aspects of the future. She ends up taking up a mission to stop the return of an ancient evil along with Sabriel’s son Sam, who is believed to be the next Abhorsen. While I enjoyed the book overall I don’t love it in comparison to Sabriel and I would have preferred that the book didn’t switch perspectives between Lirael and Sam.

Campfire Stories: Tales from America’s National Parks by Dave and Ilyssa Kyu is what it say it is. This is a book that features short stories and experts of Tales from different National Parks that could be told around a campfire. I liked the concept of this book but was not a big fan of most of the stories.

Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss is a nonfiction book about the paperback teen and preteen books from the 80s and 90s. As someone who grew up on some of these books I liked reading about how these stories came to be and the history of the genre.

Queen’s Peril by EK Johnston is a Star Wars novel focuses on Padme as she becomes Queen of Naboo and the events of The Phantom Menace movie. I loved the introduction of the Handmaidens and how that system works but I wish we got more of Padme’s thoughts and emotions.

October 2022 Illumicrate

On January 25, 2023January 19, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a Strange the Dreamer inspired blanket, a Greek mythology teacup and saucer with Hades and Persephone, a Ninth House papercraft kit, and and set of cable ties.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew. This edition also comes with art of the reverse of the dust jacket and on the endpapers, stenciled sprayed edges, and foiling on the hardback.

November’s theme is Some Kind of Monster.

Book Review: Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire

On January 23, 2023January 19, 2023 By AllieS.In Book ReviewLeave a comment

Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire is a companion book to Middlegame and the second book in the Alchemical Journeys Series. We follow Melanie and Harry as they must become the holders of Winter and Summer if they want to stay alive and together. Melanie’s father at one point tried to gain control over winter but failed and end up causing Melanie to be chronically ill. While different from Middlegame this book works with the same concepts and is set in the same world. Roger and Doger from Middlegame make a brief appearance which shows us where they are now and their current plans.

While I enjoyed Seasonal Fears I didn’t love it like I did Middlegame. It took while for me to connect with Melanie and Harry unlike how quickly I liked Roger and Doger. I feel like this was because we see Roger and Doger throughout their childhood where as with Melaine and Harry we are not given as much before the plot kicks off. I also liked the villains and the conflict in Middlegame more as I felt like to had more at stake. The only thing I didn’t like at all in Seasonal Fears is the crazy sister that Melaine doesn’t know about but I overall liked this story.

October 2022 Fairyloot

On January 20, 2023January 14, 2023 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

Fairyloot is a Young Adult book subscription box focusing on fantasy based out of the UK. Each month you receive a new Young Adult hardback book and 5-6 bookish goodies. Like most book boxes the hardback are special editions and the items are a combination of both practical things and more decorative items. October’s theme is Sell Your Soul.

The bookish items included this month are a canvas basket, a pair of socks inspired by the Raven Cycle, a Howl’s Moving Castle foiled art pint, and the monthly tarot cards featuring character art from the Arc of the Scythe series.

This month also included an extra paperback book, Princess of Souls by Alexandra Christo which is a Rapunzel inspired romantic fantasy. This edition has a redesigned cover and sprayed edges.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, generally signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is One Dark Window by Rachel Gilling. This is a gothic fantasy with a tarot inspired magic system. This edition also has sprayed edges, art on the reverse of the dust jacket, and art on the hardback.

November’s theme is The Witching Hour.

Book Review: Turn Coat by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #11)

On January 18, 2023January 14, 2023 By AllieS.In Book BoxLeave a comment

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher is the eleventh book in the Dresden Files series. Since I read this a while ago I don’t a lot to say about it but I want to continue reviewing each book in the series and I hope to write the next review shortly after finishing the book.

In Turn Coat Morgan has been accused of treason and murder and come to Harry for help. We doe get a little more information on some of the darker forces that are in play when what really happened comes out at the end. I did enjoy Harry and Molly’s interaction with Morgan and all the information on how the White Council works. I can tell that this book is laying ground work for future books and I plan to continue with this series.