tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60487909667209698712024-03-29T07:17:51.749-04:00Books and LaddersBooks and Ladders is a website specializing in reviews, discussion, and features surrounding science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary books.Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.comBlogger1203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-57553961347757341282024-03-01T09:00:00.008-05:002024-03-01T09:00:00.125-05:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: ISLAND WITCH by Amanda Jayatissa (Review + Excerpt)<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">NIGHT FOR DAY</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Amanda Jayatissa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7xRpCJ4A3J1mwOPrp-PYp15tgW2DEuAbHcWEAiTF4nUMskCssnX_1JgBgSMhEIjgXbNzdVK1lVz2rKl6Sz__HxAru4w8WKkPO1n0QhOgJVX6iciq19uaXihyphenhyphenbuXmQtUPnr65skscUUY-wijP7ILbzrzhQY1JyDRKleDw2c1P4CJIpPfUAZWlDTNPQnY/s559/image001%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="370" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7xRpCJ4A3J1mwOPrp-PYp15tgW2DEuAbHcWEAiTF4nUMskCssnX_1JgBgSMhEIjgXbNzdVK1lVz2rKl6Sz__HxAru4w8WKkPO1n0QhOgJVX6iciq19uaXihyphenhyphenbuXmQtUPnr65skscUUY-wijP7ILbzrzhQY1JyDRKleDw2c1P4CJIpPfUAZWlDTNPQnY/w265-h400/image001%20(1).jpg" width="265" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via publisher</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Ace</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: February 20, 2024</span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: Sri Lankan main character</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div>Set in 19th century Sri Lanka and inspired by local folklore, the daughter of a traditional demon-priest—relentlessly bullied by peers and accused of witchcraft herself—tries to solve the mysterious attacks that have been terrorizing her coastal village.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being the daughter of the village Capuwa, or demon-priest, Amara is used to keeping mostly to herself. Influenced by the new religious practices brought in by the British Colonizers, the villagers who once respected her father’s craft have turned on the family. Yet, they all still seem to call on him whenever supernatural disturbances arise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now someone—or something—is viciously seizing upon men in the jungle. But instead of enlisting Amara’s father’s help, the villages have accused him of carrying out the attacks himself.</div><div><br /></div><div>As she tries to clear her father’s name, Amara finds herself haunted by dreams that eerily predict the dark forces on her island. And she can’t shake the feeling that it’s all connected to the night she was recovering from a strange illness, and woke up, scared and confused, to hear her mother’s frantic cries: No one can find out what happened. </div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/34828191-6af7-46a9-aa9d-f3da492cdca5" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQMaSHvXKvr5jYiGPZOxV9DUXsAtPFmWpo5Lqwq-hfCiv1H6HTztYzKeOajX6GAZiJoL1GHdhzDmiZFSCv5_2ZBgyQZszipdGywwZcHqawRL2DnVqLOKjg-kLUpj4PzUe3U_y7hyphenhyphen3as/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase*</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9780593549261">Bookshop.org</a> | <a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm258221">Libro.fm</a><br /></span></div><div>(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIzpKeqbMX474teKq7hCz5QfAQ9fH_tFqfPqwYZcRwBn9u5tGgYU3fXKBixS9nNr3eCkpGgFoE2XOLwlHK4yONvYTNKQomEyTtF0_ASbxAkO7smQlm7EWTfpplaRW9sAIHr_I06zQxMpUH9docy9982Mybw0fmqkwIBXuOu5FfiBcab7wKKmv5RQ6/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIzpKeqbMX474teKq7hCz5QfAQ9fH_tFqfPqwYZcRwBn9u5tGgYU3fXKBixS9nNr3eCkpGgFoE2XOLwlHK4yONvYTNKQomEyTtF0_ASbxAkO7smQlm7EWTfpplaRW9sAIHr_I06zQxMpUH9docy9982Mybw0fmqkwIBXuOu5FfiBcab7wKKmv5RQ6/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(2).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: large;">The demon-drums started and the little girl's face contorted like a blood-soaked rag being twisted dry. Her tongue hung out, purple and almost to her chest, a dribble of spit leaving a dark, wet mark on the loose nightdress she wore. The thick smoke from the perfumed incense made everything look like it was enveloped inside a dark cloud. I craned my neck out further from behind the curtain that separated the main room from the rest of the house, where I was hiding, hoping that no one would notice me.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My father sat in front of the girl. I knew she was ten years old, but she looked much younger as she thrashed around on the mat that had been laid on the floor. Almost like an animal about to be taken to the slaughter. I noticed that her white cotton nightdress was embroidered with little yellow ducks. I'd had a similar nightgown when I was that age.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The light of the small clay lamp that my father held in his palms cast strange shadows on his face as he chanted pirith. He was blessing her, and most importantly, blessing what was about to happen next. They had passed around pirith nool to everyone who was in attendance a while back-the protective thread that was meant to be tied around our wrists-so that meant things were about to begin.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">May the blessings of the triple gem be with you, I silently mouthed, my own prayer for my father. Words I had uttered countless times, but still, today, they wilted on my tongue like sleeping grass when you touched it. Exorcisms were never cheerful events, but there was a certain hardness clinging to the air this evening, leaving everyone clenching their fists and shortening their breath, rigid and strained.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Three young men lined up, waiting for my father to say the word. They had on colourfully painted wooden devil masks. The same kind that hung in our hut-bad spirits to scare away worse spirits. I was thankful that these men hadn't abandoned him. Most people in the village had, though my father, Thaththa to me, would never blame them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"People have a right to believe in what they choose to," he'd said, the finality in his voice conjuring rocks in my chest. There was a time we'd talk about anything and everything, but not anymore.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A tiny voice cut through my thoughts. "Aren't you scared, Amara Akki?" Siyath Malli asked me. Our parents were friends, and I'd been there the day Siyath was born. That was six years ago, and I was eighteen now. His eyes were wider than the possessed girl's and his lips quivered. Even though he threatened my hiding spot, I couldn't help but laugh at his expression. I put a finger to my mouth and ushered him to join me behind the curtain.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"Why?" I whispered. "Are you afraid of men in masks?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We had a funny relationship with spirits on this island. We respected them, but we didn't fear them in the same way the British did, or the Dutch before them, or the nuns who taught me back when I used to attend school. We used them to help us, often against other spirits. I suppose you could say it was fighting fire with fire-although the only real fire here was from the torches my father had ordered lit around the property.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"No matter what, don't ever let the torches die out," he had said to his assistants. The same men who wore the wooden devil masks and had tied gejji-bells-around their ankles, waiting to dance a tovil on my father's orders. The devil dance was meant to draw out the evil spirit that had wedged itself inside the poor girl.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The De Silva family had come to see my father five days before. Clifford De Silva had brought home some beef, freshly slaughtered at the market, but when his wife had opened the parcel to make a curry for dinner, the meat had been rotten. Crawling with maggots, he'd said, and the stench had caused his daughter to vomit. It was definitely a hooniyama, Clifford had cried, a curse, cast by his neighbours, who had recently argued with him about a fence put up at the edge of his property. The neighbours claimed it was on five yards of their own land, but Clifford said they'd have to take it up with the British, who had gifted the property to his family for their support.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My father had narrowed his eyes at that, but had not said anything. Support for the British meant that the De Silva family would have joined the Christian church. Or perhaps they had already converted many years ago-their new name certainly suggested so, as did eating beef, which Buddhists never did. And my father made it very clear to me and my mother how he felt about that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But most importantly, my father didn't like to deal with demons-yakku, as we called them here. My father was a Capuwa, he liked to clarify, and this profession required him to appeal to deviyo-the gods. He was mostly called upon to bless houses, cut limes to ward off the evil eye, administer tonics. Not to be confused with a Cattadiya, who used the dark powers of yakku.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">He had given Clifford De Silva some blessed talismans-prayers inscribed and rolled into small clay pots-to hang in the four corners of his house for protection, and suggested he speak to the priest at the Christian church if his troubles continued.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But he didn't have the heart to refuse Clifford when he visited our home for the second time two days later, at the very crack of dawn, hair dishevelled and eyes bloodshot, trembling like a leaf. His daughter, Lalitha, had started speaking in a different tongue, he sobbed. What little they could understand was all profanity. Curse words that the girl had never once uttered in her life-words that she had not even heard before, he claimed. She would lie on her mat, her body bending and contorting while she hissed and spit and snarled. She had tried to bite the Christian priest who came to bless her. She'd been possessed by a yaka, Clifford cried.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">His face grim, my father simply nodded and started to make preparations. This was no job for a foreign god. We had to deal with our demons the traditional way.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"It's not the masks I'm afraid of," Siyath Malli said, curling his small body into mine. "It's the yaka."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My father preferred not to deal with yakku, but I had grown up watching him perform these rituals when it was absolutely necessary. I'd usually help him-gathering the objects he needed, making sure everything was ready, though he never let me participate in the exorcism itself. I was still too young, he said, until a few weeks ago when he appeared to have changed his mind completely and declared I wasn't allowed to be involved at all.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I'll claw out your tongue if you tell. No one can find out what happened.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A chill ran through me, but not because of the scene in front of us. Since the last full moon, I'd been having dreams. They started in the same place every time. In a small hut, at the very edge of the world. It was made of mud, like most huts, but it had no sleeping mat, no shelves or baskets to store things in. All it had were old, tattered curtains in a surprising, startling red.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And every time I stepped out of the hut, my surroundings would be different. Sometimes I would be deep in the heart of the jungle. Sometimes on the ocean shore. But each time, without fail, one thing was constant.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't know her name. I didn't know what she wanted. She was a monster. Demoness. A yakshaniya. Every time I dreamt of her, her image would get clearer in my mind.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Excerpted from Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa Copyright © 2024 by Amanda Jayatissa. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i><b>Disclaimer </b>: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><b>Content Warning</b>: death, grief, nosebleeds, blood, discussions of war</i></div><div><br /></div><div>I really liked this one but felt like there were some key missing pieces to make it a perfect read. I thought the premise was interesting with good execution but some of it ended up falling flat and feeling repetitive as time went on. I wanted to know more about the war, what the factions wanted, and the roles that everyone played in it rather than focusing so heavily on Ward and Camille.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think it also would have been interesting to give us more time in the world rather than cramming it all into a couple weeks. We weren’t given enough time to explore, learn about the consequences, or to understand what has been happening. Because of that, the story felt really rushed. I thought there would be more of an emphasis on not caring how much time was spent during this because of the immortal aspects, which when juxtaposed with the mortal side just didn’t quite hit for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I did really like Camille and Ward’s relationship. The coming together and realizing what it meant to trust and love one another was the best part of this novel. I liked the way their relationship was described and learning about their past as they moved forward into the future. I liked their complimentary aspects and how they learned to work together to overcome their differences.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is different than Roselle Lim’s typical novels, but it was a good departure! I’d be so interested in reading more of this style of work in the future.</div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?</span></h3></div></div></div></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-55727413549239671262024-02-27T09:00:00.011-05:002024-02-27T09:00:00.135-05:00Review: DAUGHTER OF THE BONE FOREST by Jasmine Skye<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/reviews-from-to-z.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1DuI-3G3e-eR4CPTdiVkZeimAoemzCQ563wAU1ROMON83Nz-Hx4wdeRzDiNDnNOMqnpGpzBUM5xCTPy9Km_1vA7YR-f_mWFUn_kC640yXq5SxBul9X33M3pBlXrq42n8qS1AkS4ZVUAx0IGOTEwCKkZIdj2cZzPeB_PstfqPHi7qqueZ7N2rJAZQ/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">DAUGHTER OF THE BONE FOREST</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Jasmine Skye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8RpQ0A2xeuJhPVYnsMzVv5I9AIf4nNU92ggg3rY2-BHk1mW8uV2VMHG8dWpTckNJ8vN7mzdU0L4Bx7J-K5rOr7eQ7Bp6xAvaclbD1ydLeXDbbnlF-l6zPXI_fGH5PydZ_v8AjCd-cQ4t87OGYIOFSgxEQHLfoUJHD6Ogzuh6-hOxPrjoTFQvXv6EvkQ/s1398/111673263.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8RpQ0A2xeuJhPVYnsMzVv5I9AIf4nNU92ggg3rY2-BHk1mW8uV2VMHG8dWpTckNJ8vN7mzdU0L4Bx7J-K5rOr7eQ7Bp6xAvaclbD1ydLeXDbbnlF-l6zPXI_fGH5PydZ_v8AjCd-cQ4t87OGYIOFSgxEQHLfoUJHD6Ogzuh6-hOxPrjoTFQvXv6EvkQ/w258-h400/111673263.jpg" width="258" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: Witch Hall #1</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via Publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Feiwel & Friends</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: February 27, 2024</span><br /><head><br />
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>:<i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: queer main characters, sapphic relationships</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div><div><b>Two girls reluctantly bound by fate must weather a dangerous courtship as a prophesied war grows ever closer in Jasmine Skye's high-stakes, queernormative dark fantasy debut, Daughter of the Bone Forest.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Rosy is a bone familiar, gifted with the power to shift into animals marked with exposed bone. She spends most of her days in the magical Bone Forest, caring for her feral grandmother and hiding her powers to avoid conscription by the Witch King’s army. Until the day that Princess Shaw, a witch known as Death’s Heir, visits the Forest. When Rosy saves Shaw’s life, the princess offers her the chance to attend the prestigious school, Witch Hall, as payment. Though Rosy is wary of Shaw’s intentions, she cannot pass up the opportunity to find the cure for her grandmother’s affliction.</div><div><br /></div><div>But at Witch Hall, Rosy finds herself embroiled in political games she doesn't understand. Shaw wants Rosy for her entourage, a partner to help lead the coming war. All Rosy wants is to stay out of trouble until she can graduate and save her grandmother, but she can't deny her attraction to Shaw or the comfort Shaw’s magic gives her. Will Rosy give in to her destiny, or will the Bone Forest call her home once and for all?</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/fce18c06-40e1-4533-9440-8ba044418c27" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatYeqLzxOjnjOp406TZhYJVrL6yTQQy8WNsYog0fkb6BU7wssoJxUUIoJ0aI57KOPmhpjT5DGnRlhwW01qdNsU6MPSnK83ywGMAZ1chwHtiOgO059deQYQu4mAoFC3dqykkSGVs7djVNZ07u896UUihCnlvzgvOErKFkrHyEn9KOHD1GEEpczB_P-rFE/s320/Books%20and%20Ladders%20Business%20Card%202021%20(1).png" width="320" /></a><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase*</b>:</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9781250872456">Bookshop.org</a> | <a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm258221">Libro.fm</a><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;">(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Disclaimer: </b>I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Content Warning:</b> death, war, violence, bleeding, grief</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is probably going to be my favourite fantasy release of the year. The built in diversity combined with the powerful magic system and immaculate world-building made this lose my breath with how much I enjoyed it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I loved the premise of this and thought it was well executed. It ended up being more than just an academic setting fantasy story and morphed into a conversation around power, privilege, and politics. The book shattered me a few times with the characters, conversations, and ways in which it explored topics and identities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What I loved most is that some scenes and conversations seemed trivial in the moment but ended up being significant later in the novel. I bet if I reread it, I would learn even more the second time because it has so much subtext written into it. This is especially true in the conversations around who has power and why it matters beyond just Shaw. I thought it was really neat to see how people tried to make their own power through the social norms and abilities they had.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rosy was a really interesting character and I appreciated her emotional growth throughout the novel. She was able to go beyond just caring about the needs of her family to understanding how that impacted the broader elements of the world. She may not have had the full knowledge of everything going on around her, but she played to her strengths and was able to make powerful allies. I loved that she wanted to carve her own path forward.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Because Shaw’s perspective was in third-person rather than first-person, I found it a bit more difficult to understand her thinking patterns. I felt a bit closed off from her and questioning her decisions like Rosy did. I thought it was interesting to see how her morals and ethics started to change in the novel, but it meant that there was a bit of a disconnect between where she started and ended. I also felt like while there was a possibility of change, Shaw didn’t always quite understand why that change was needed beyond “Rosy wants it.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The magic was the most intriguing part of this! I liked how bonding happened, the way that each pairing could be equally powerful or one more than the other. It made for an interesting way to view magic. I also liked the exploration of the bone familiar magic that we saw through Rosy. The calling to her animals, the way she paired with them, and how she was able to use them to her advantage was really cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even though we saw some of the overlaps, I hope we look at bone witch magic a bit more in the next novel to see how it all combines together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This ends on a HUGE cliffhanger but is so worth the (eventual) wait between books. There is still so much to explore in this world and for these characters. I can’t wait to see where this goes and how power will play a role in this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am so grateful I was able to read this one early and hope you all pick it up on release date! I preordered it and you should too!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RF6J9ZFJeeI?si=FuGr3iFlnpe2GPSo" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are you going to pick this up?</span></h4></div></div></span></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-3132089171471514562024-02-23T09:00:00.029-05:002024-02-23T09:00:00.131-05:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: NIGHT FOR DAY by Roselle Lim (Review + Excerpt)<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">NIGHT FOR DAY</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Roselle Lim<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRAlIgmHCppRWAszGEIw6jGWWkYXPgh40vzQJz7lVztAOZUQTakbhoR37GPAtBfO1_9G7ZIyBQT8OJaIJRf5KGlGHrXr3TqOTUn8u8qik7ZJPrL4GZcDjPsbaT9BlOTOx6r2LT4LHBzXFmt0orPNsIu9mbIjwmtvFMJJs1psSHTb78eT-dJmiH8NZ3aM/s1548/157979409.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRAlIgmHCppRWAszGEIw6jGWWkYXPgh40vzQJz7lVztAOZUQTakbhoR37GPAtBfO1_9G7ZIyBQT8OJaIJRf5KGlGHrXr3TqOTUn8u8qik7ZJPrL4GZcDjPsbaT9BlOTOx6r2LT4LHBzXFmt0orPNsIu9mbIjwmtvFMJJs1psSHTb78eT-dJmiH8NZ3aM/w259-h400/157979409.jpg" width="259" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via publisher</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Ace</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: February 20, 2024</span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: Asian-American</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div>Two people destined to be together, but to never see each other again, fight against the greatest odds in this powerful and moving fantasy novel by critically acclaimed author Roselle Lim.</div><div><br /></div><div>Exes Ward Dunbar and Camille Buhay thought they would never see each other again. They had broken up to pursue their dream jobs on opposite sides of the country—her to New York City, and him to Los Angeles. But years later, they unexpectedly reconnect in London, where they are interviewing for similar jobs. The spark they feel when they meet again—the attraction comes back like muscle memory, and they are reminded of what they had lost. When Ward and Camille discover they both got the job working opposing shifts, they vow to give their relationship another try.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ward starts the day shift and finds the immortal clientele unusual and dazzling. When he clocks out at the end of the day, he finds the door locked and himself trapped in the building. After a horrific first night shift contending with restless spirits and ghosts, Camille is also unable to escape. In their respective prisons, they discover that they’re able to talk to each other a few minutes before dawn. This fleeting encounter incites longing for each other, but their promise to be together feels impossible. Because they are caught in the middle of a war of the gods—and their choices will determine the outcome.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157979409-night-for-day" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQMaSHvXKvr5jYiGPZOxV9DUXsAtPFmWpo5Lqwq-hfCiv1H6HTztYzKeOajX6GAZiJoL1GHdhzDmiZFSCv5_2ZBgyQZszipdGywwZcHqawRL2DnVqLOKjg-kLUpj4PzUe3U_y7hyphenhyphen3as/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase*</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9780593335642">Bookshop.org</a> | <a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm258221">Libro.fm</a><br /></span></div><div>(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIzpKeqbMX474teKq7hCz5QfAQ9fH_tFqfPqwYZcRwBn9u5tGgYU3fXKBixS9nNr3eCkpGgFoE2XOLwlHK4yONvYTNKQomEyTtF0_ASbxAkO7smQlm7EWTfpplaRW9sAIHr_I06zQxMpUH9docy9982Mybw0fmqkwIBXuOu5FfiBcab7wKKmv5RQ6/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIzpKeqbMX474teKq7hCz5QfAQ9fH_tFqfPqwYZcRwBn9u5tGgYU3fXKBixS9nNr3eCkpGgFoE2XOLwlHK4yONvYTNKQomEyTtF0_ASbxAkO7smQlm7EWTfpplaRW9sAIHr_I06zQxMpUH9docy9982Mybw0fmqkwIBXuOu5FfiBcab7wKKmv5RQ6/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(2).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: large;">Mistakes were meant to be in the rearview mirror-not walking, breathing, and able to cup your cheek to stoke every single smoldering memory long buried for self-preservation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">He shouldn't whisper my name as if he never stopped doing so for the past two years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Even now, my fingers itched to reacquaint myself with the beauty of his face, then to trace the slight cleft in his chin down his smooth throat, and ever farther down, to where our once shared intimacy implied permission and invitation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"Camille, I never thought I'd see you again, let alone in London." The way my name rolled off his tongue and slid through his lips always elicited the same response-it felt like a hot kiss at the nape of my neck.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Ward Dunbar. The mistake I'd commit again and again even knowing that the result would always be heartbreak.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"Job interview. If I get it, I'll be moving here." I adjusted the neckline of my buttoned dress shirt, expanding the view of bronzed skin below my collarbones. My traitorous body always reacted to him when he was in physical proximity. Easier to shut down my hormones through the sterility of a black glass screen.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">He brushed an errant dark blond strand off his forehead. "I'm here for the same. Though I've passed the interview part."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The skies overhead darkened-clusters of gray clouds huddling together in conference. It had been sunny five minutes ago. Late spring weather in London changed on a whim with wicked fickleness, and we were sliding into the heat of summer. I packed an umbrella and a cardigan in my lavender vegan leather tote, but I didn't account for him. My purse didn't contain what I'd need to cope with the nuclear fallout of a failed relationship.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Avoidance therapy was the only method that worked. Putting thousands of miles between us and preventing myself from checking his social media accounts fueled a comfortable sense of forgetfulness-the kind that allowed me to function on a daily basis, but didn't prevent an occasional damaging slipup. It didn't hurt that he hadn't had any long-term relationships since then. Moving to Manhattan helped, and London should have cured me completely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I was wrong.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Two days ago, I slipped and checked his Instagram. The selfie at an outdoor bookstall on the South Bank caused me to stop breathing for a few seconds. He was here and in the same city. I wasn't thinking when I sent him a direct message asking to meet at this bookshop. It was pure instinct-I turned off my brain and my heart took over, grabbing the wheel and changing the direction of my life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"I never thought you'd leave LA." I resisted the urge to straighten the bent corner of his collar. No tie. I'd been the one responsible for those. His long, elegant fingers had other talents.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"I needed a change. This opportunity was as good a time as any." He tipped his head toward the bookshop. "It's going to rain. Can we duck in and chat?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I followed him into one of the most beautiful little shops in Westminster. These buildings reminded me of an eclectic bookshelf-the windows and architectural details were charming, decorated spines of antique leather. Weathered stone, traditional painted wooden signs mixed with flashy modern ones and clean-line aesthetics. The mix of old and new fitting together in seamless coexistence.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">To me, the past and present were constantly at war when I thought about Ward.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As if on cue, the curtain of rain began as he stepped into the shop. I caught a bit of it at the ends of my long hair and the back of my shirt. Again, I was reminded of what I'd be getting into if I decided to have another round in his bed-because that was where it always began.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">He headed for the science fiction and fantasy section. He plucked the newest N. K. Jemisin novel from the shelf, tucked it under his arm, and continued to browse the titles, tracing his finger downward on the ones that perked his interest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"So how does this affect your job in LA?" I took a step forward but maintained a safe distance. The scent of his subtle cologne along with the aroma of Irish cream coffee would undo my crumbling defenses. "Are you on sabbatical?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Ward's cushy position at a very exclusive and trendy art gallery in LA was everything he ever wished for-flexible hours, the heavy array of movie stars and wealthy client meetings, and the perfect conduit to maximize his appeal. No one was impervious. He disarmed you with his good looks and gentle tone, then went in for the kill with the way he could make you feel. Empathy combined with charm was lethal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"I quit."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I almost fell against a nearby bookcase. "You did what?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"It's . . . I needed a change." He reached for my elbow to help me regain my balance. The heat of his touch distracted me. "I accepted a job yesterday and I start tomorrow. Now knowing that you're here, I'd say it's a great move."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Ward didn't let go yet. The worst part was that I didn't want him to.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Excerpted from Night for Day by Roselle Lim Copyright © 2024 by Roselle Lim. Excerpted by permission of Ace. All rights reserved</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i><b>Disclaimer </b>: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><b>Content Warning</b>: death, grief, nosebleeds, blood, discussions of war</i></div><div><br /></div><div>I really liked this one but felt like there were some key missing pieces to make it a perfect read. I thought the premise was interesting with good execution but some of it ended up falling flat and feeling repetitive as time went on. I wanted to know more about the war, what the factions wanted, and the roles that everyone played in it rather than focusing so heavily on Ward and Camille.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think it also would have been interesting to give us more time in the world rather than cramming it all into a couple weeks. We weren’t given enough time to explore, learn about the consequences, or to understand what has been happening. Because of that, the story felt really rushed. I thought there would be more of an emphasis on not caring how much time was spent during this because of the immortal aspects, which when juxtaposed with the mortal side just didn’t quite hit for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I did really like Camille and Ward’s relationship. The coming together and realizing what it meant to trust and love one another was the best part of this novel. I liked the way their relationship was described and learning about their past as they moved forward into the future. I liked their complimentary aspects and how they learned to work together to overcome their differences.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is different than Roselle Lim’s typical novels, but it was a good departure! I’d be so interested in reading more of this style of work in the future.</div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?</span></h3></div></div></div></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-15617585162706321362024-02-20T09:00:00.031-05:002024-02-20T09:00:00.137-05:00Blog Tour: LEOPARD'S HUNT by Christine Feehan (Spotlight + Excerpt)<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzzdk1BXXqnQXfiFGbqdLIFOVlNi1DjhXP88F-qK9VdqwB4NEzNbwgigIEWOSo1gZRUsihIxEDkxx3BZ-0rB9_H0pRWPATKb1wfb7rXWYRovvyMb-UB2Y0AtRZhn7oezJOCUSh67oyE0eLhLWphJDaPy519PmS6PdPI40n-TEoyTewjR2kWBVv9aZ9dg/s3000/Review%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzzdk1BXXqnQXfiFGbqdLIFOVlNi1DjhXP88F-qK9VdqwB4NEzNbwgigIEWOSo1gZRUsihIxEDkxx3BZ-0rB9_H0pRWPATKb1wfb7rXWYRovvyMb-UB2Y0AtRZhn7oezJOCUSh67oyE0eLhLWphJDaPy519PmS6PdPI40n-TEoyTewjR2kWBVv9aZ9dg/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I'm spotlighting a release for the day:<br /></span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">LEOPARD'S HUNT</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;">This novel is by Christine Feehan and is the 14th installment in the Leopard's People series! Learn more below.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" style="font-size: x-large;" width="320" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">LEOPARD'S PEOPLE</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Author</b>: Christine Feehan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKciLBE2FeuBSOweWNwUN3aNTADwfZgOGHOThpJE-3-ZphVMVi6dqs80gT2geRqCrFEFHuXu3y0C9p3_aVSCwWyxH1HiarygbMzhQPrE-WSQTjG6o_CEN39CVWSH7TnECkzDf9sdij_TN-koGwrvorVUTdiz3W7xnRioEovJqlTr42CZM6m4eUfSTMWFk/s1500/157979452.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="917" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKciLBE2FeuBSOweWNwUN3aNTADwfZgOGHOThpJE-3-ZphVMVi6dqs80gT2geRqCrFEFHuXu3y0C9p3_aVSCwWyxH1HiarygbMzhQPrE-WSQTjG6o_CEN39CVWSH7TnECkzDf9sdij_TN-koGwrvorVUTdiz3W7xnRioEovJqlTr42CZM6m4eUfSTMWFk/w245-h400/157979452.jpg" width="245" /></a></div></span><span><b>Series</b>: Leopard's People #14</span><br /><span><b>Source</b>: eARC via publisher</span><br /><span><b>Publisher</b>: Koehler Books</span><br /><span><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: September 5, 2023</span><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /></span><div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Maya Averina has spent years hunting the criminals who destroyed her life, and she always takes down her prey. She keeps to herself, stays under the radar, and never loses focus. But with her body burning up and her mind distracted by her first heat, an ambush takes her by surprise. Now she's trapped, an unmated female shifter about to be sold off to the highest bidder. Maya is ready to fight her way out—until the most dangerous, powerful man she's ever encountered arrives to set her free....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Gorya Amurov might be known as his family's peacekeeper, but the leopard inside him wants nothing more than to claw to the surface and unleash hell. A harsh life has shaped him into a vicious fighter with a calm exterior, but Gorya knows it's only a matter of time until he loses all control. Deep down, he truly believes he'd be better off dead, and that no woman will ever accept him as a mate....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">In this pulse-pounding novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Leopard series, animal instinct unites two elite shifters whose heads are at war with their hearts.</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/88ef96b8-f3bb-4eff-b6c7-012cfdfaabe3" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGV_tOtkrTgswPTHPad9a9warobE1qg1LLo98HvgPaEtBx_UcvJ9CLbpT9nUx_QoXaGLCoPKmNq3Xxh61bC9DlEXcM9DaYnaJopEADaMoztqzDW-hJ7E1qYueLp01H_AVGk0t2xPLLeQ/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase*</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9780593638767" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a> | <a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm258221" target="_blank">Libro.fm</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)</span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahedRLopAnjP3fjzmYeVL1OttqsQiBvrOEtZ6BQJbpq7EC0M7f4G2aCYzPw2M3gU1Ae2KOgr3GI8AIYSvIoEz4SylMSCk-7RuCp1NRcWNsd-KUzDSH9SH5jhyphenhyphen839ETatI7VUSgCe2Tjwfz20YkWu-QfDtVA_ZjR_EJA-Es9OGSTL7KIwzAYoUnuyQpTY/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(2).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahedRLopAnjP3fjzmYeVL1OttqsQiBvrOEtZ6BQJbpq7EC0M7f4G2aCYzPw2M3gU1Ae2KOgr3GI8AIYSvIoEz4SylMSCk-7RuCp1NRcWNsd-KUzDSH9SH5jhyphenhyphen839ETatI7VUSgCe2Tjwfz20YkWu-QfDtVA_ZjR_EJA-Es9OGSTL7KIwzAYoUnuyQpTY/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(2).png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gorya was back to using his hand like a seductive weapon, his palm stealing around to the nape of her neck, where his fingers settled in her thick hair. It was impossible not to be aware of the way he gathered the mass into his fist, and she slowly tilted her head up toward his.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Kissing. I’m going to kiss you.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thunder roared in her ears, nearly drowning out his soft murmur. She was sure she hadn’t heard him correctly. “Kiss me?” she echoed faintly. She should have expected it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah, baby, I’m going to kiss you. If I don’t, you’re going to start thinking about it and you’re going to panic again.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">He was right, but she might panic now. “I don’t know how to kiss.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That’s fine. We’ll learn together. We’ll just practice until we get it right.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">His head had come closer to hers. Much closer. She could see the fine lines etched into his skin. Those lines represented the trauma he’d suffered as a child. Just seeing those creases settled her. She identified with him. She wasn’t threatened by him. She was needed by him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">His lips curved as if he knew what she was thinking. His warm breath reached the left corner of her mouth. Her entire body went taut in anticipation. Every nerve ending came alive. Little goose bumps rose on her skin. His lips brushed hers lightly—a delicate touch, but she felt it like a brand. Her stomach fluttered. A thousand butterflies lifted in flight.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kissing was so intimate. She should close her eyes, but she was mesmerized by the way his eyes continued to change color, darkening with desire to a deeper blue, the silver ring around the blue thicker. This time she could read the stark passion mixed with growing affection for her. Growing need. Not just the need of a lover. There was that, but it was so much more. Like her, he wanted a much deeper relationship. He wanted something real with her.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her hands came up of their own volition. She wasn’t going to be passive and put this all on him. He didn’t kiss women. Like her, he found kissing others much too familiar. If they were in this together, she was participating fully. She was terrified that she wouldn’t be able to be sexually intimate with him. She was the one afraid her past experiences would prohibit her from having a normal relationship. He was being gentle. Taking care to intro- duce her to their world of shared intimacy and vulnerability slowly and carefully.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">His lips merely feathered along hers. Teased and coaxed. Always gentle. Little flashes of flickering flames seemed to touch her and were gone, leaving her wanting more. He didn’t try to rush into kissing her. He took his time, savoring the taste of her. The feel of her. Outlining the curves of her lips with his tongue. Memorizing her. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">She caught the images in his mind. All the while, he never closed his eyes, staring into hers as if he could see right into her soul.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maya had never been so aware of another human being. He was everywhere. Surrounding her with his strength. His heart. Letting her into his mind. Pouring into hers slowly. Carefully. It wasn’t an invasion or a takeover. It was a joining. A promise. He deliberately shared himself with her. Opened himself up to her. Made himself vulnerable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maya did the same, staring into his eyes. Giving herself to him the same way. A vow to him that he would be her only. She would give him everything she was. There was no expectation of perfection. Both accepted the other for the broken, damaged person they were. They were going into the relationship with their eyes wide open.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">He slanted his head, and his mouth settled on hers. Her lashes fluttered down as he rubbed his lips over hers and then traced the seam with his tongue. The floor tilted and rocked. She gripped his shoulders, needing an anchor so she wouldn’t go spinning off into space.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Excerpted from Leopard's Hunt by Christine Feehan Copyright © 2024 by Christine Feehan. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.</span></i></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><span style="font-size: large;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><span style="font-size: large;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><span style="font-size: large;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><span style="font-size: large;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><span style="font-size: large;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfygQn1xCpv5fWes9dORgxTknIgvj6ZaFRtJRv4V7lnIcR9KB8rzK_NTDqQydZCQRHJO5atUoFd5KsmFFqKPp7YwX88fmd2aP6Q8FCaJULAuRtNJilDSzK_P8HQ5Gi2vhB0hhmYn_LZx-z93MIiCJj943IL6M5F5Tj6-u6XzWU2JG0zrnPIX2yunCIwio/s2712/Christine%20Feehan%20closeup%20c%20Michael%20Greene%20(5).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2712" data-original-width="2178" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfygQn1xCpv5fWes9dORgxTknIgvj6ZaFRtJRv4V7lnIcR9KB8rzK_NTDqQydZCQRHJO5atUoFd5KsmFFqKPp7YwX88fmd2aP6Q8FCaJULAuRtNJilDSzK_P8HQ5Gi2vhB0hhmYn_LZx-z93MIiCJj943IL6M5F5Tj6-u6XzWU2JG0zrnPIX2yunCIwio/w161-h200/Christine%20Feehan%20closeup%20c%20Michael%20Greene%20(5).jpeg" title="Photo credit: Michael Greene" width="161" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Christine Feehan is the New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the Carpathian series, the GhostWalker series, the Leopard series, the Shadow Riders series, the Torpedo Ink series, and standalone romantic suspense novels. Learn more online at <a href="http://www.christinefeehan.com">www.christinefeehan.com</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo credit: Michael Greene</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div></div></div><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pick this up today!</span></h4></div></div></span></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-89246166411659322552024-02-09T09:00:00.019-05:002024-02-09T10:48:16.157-05:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: TO BE TAUGHT, IF FORTUNATE by Becky Chambers (Review)<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">TO BE TAUGHT, IF FORTUNATE</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Becky Chambers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaITG5o_C3cb39UPqud-CxutXnGbwT-EDeUXP5x4hh9F0_cbAYohVofQwhW-HoEOQYH1wsphSgQ_Yn5AYdgz24salfGxF3BHADu2tHXqR5TVmTuKZvwD_zo_hW3q5sVXh2P5ELd3lANeqGfLFBk6raWAdXIfku7wZH59cpQsrno8PAzfHGIkejqzVl4MY/s1000/43190272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaITG5o_C3cb39UPqud-CxutXnGbwT-EDeUXP5x4hh9F0_cbAYohVofQwhW-HoEOQYH1wsphSgQ_Yn5AYdgz24salfGxF3BHADu2tHXqR5TVmTuKZvwD_zo_hW3q5sVXh2P5ELd3lANeqGfLFBk6raWAdXIfku7wZH59cpQsrno8PAzfHGIkejqzVl4MY/w265-h400/43190272.jpg" width="265" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: Gifted at Christmas</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Harper Voyager</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: September 3, 2019</span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: queer characters</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div>At the turn of the twenty-second century, scientists make a breakthrough in human spaceflight. Through a revolutionary method known as somaforming, astronauts can survive in hostile environments off Earth using synthetic biological supplementations. They can produce antifreeze in subzero temperatures, absorb radiation and convert it for food, and conveniently adjust to the pull of different gravitational forces. With the fragility of the body no longer a limiting factor, human beings are at last able to journey to neighboring exoplanets long known to harbor life.</div><div><br /></div><div>A team of these explorers, Ariadne O’Neill and her three crewmates, are hard at work in a planetary system fifteen light-years from Sol, on a mission to ecologically survey four habitable worlds. But as Ariadne shifts through both form and time, the culture back on Earth has also been transformed. Faced with the possibility of returning to a planet that has forgotten those who have left, Ariadne begins to chronicle the story of the wonders and dangers of her mission, in the hope that someone back home might still be listening.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/68ab6936-20e3-4ffe-81c1-0eb67ae603f5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxKOT4qf9e7wkKM7Fcnz8Zt86cIaqyV7SBEpSTLZeYlaoYEWhA5uKc7THjDn36PONd756m8i3waEKxGUIyWe1tuKBk4lrTYE7Le-mJ5vMiaTb7XM9MZvjdCLE1AXDRA0IOajaTxBOxDrt-v7kOboO1heUKxHCsv6JZncs4SAIUQJw0H94Iez6jRFlhNI/s320/Books%20and%20Ladders%20Business%20Card%202021%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase*</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9780062936011">Bookshop.org</a> | <a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm258221">Libro.fm</a><br /></span></div><div>(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i><b>Content Warning</b>: animal death, confinement, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, grief, sexual content, depression</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This was such an interesting and thought-provoking read about decisions we make and the impact we have on others. Like a lot of other Becky Chambers novels, this one is encouched in "science" that really just explores the idea of how we can associate ourselves to others through atypical means.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really like books with queer characters, found family, and overall queer themes, so <i>To Be Taught, If Fortunate </i>appealed to all these elements for me. It has a strong focus on the relationship between the characters and their journey of self-discovery, which is a typical aspect of Becky Chambers books.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a pretty short novel but it packs a lot of information and themes into it. I thought it was so interesting to see the idea of how different worlds create different feelings in people, the need to take as little as possible while still enough to gain knowledge, and the leaving with no trace behind. It felt like a camping trip in space, which made it pretty interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think the ending was really well crafted. I wish the conversation had been a little longer to get a bit more perspective on how they wanted to continue onwards, especially because it ended pretty shortly thereafter. I would have liked a bit more discussion about the importance of how you make decisions that affective a collective rather than being "selfish."</div><div><br /></div><div>To Be Taught, If Fortunate is a great read if you're interested in a thought-provoking and emotional journey that explores the wonders of space and the transformative power of human connection. Do be cautioned that the animal death scene is very traumatizing and leads the characters into a pretty heavy state of depression.</div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are you going to pick this one up?</span></h3></div></div></div></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-54927370204735698082024-02-06T09:00:00.000-05:002024-02-06T09:00:00.235-05:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: FATHOMFOLK by Eliza Chan (Review)<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">FATHOMFOLK</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Eliza Chan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6hDCNGSvvlNnovntjGBCDyVqYvC0BSILQDeV7wRFlViFkcMxNEIB1C8hFDXAWeNhnxESLay_5TXmWiLRKwmlAPV5VD9jjfF0XfdFcoqycbSrn62ZJmwbLa6Th_SVxrb4ENw-ZdPWrd6zm-Uh6p5rcEUlvh1EfVcjTeKmauIF-pGfYTYFKX7riPBZPzI/s473/9gzoyw48uw5l8gn8jjob9op7s73i.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6hDCNGSvvlNnovntjGBCDyVqYvC0BSILQDeV7wRFlViFkcMxNEIB1C8hFDXAWeNhnxESLay_5TXmWiLRKwmlAPV5VD9jjfF0XfdFcoqycbSrn62ZJmwbLa6Th_SVxrb4ENw-ZdPWrd6zm-Uh6p5rcEUlvh1EfVcjTeKmauIF-pGfYTYFKX7riPBZPzI/w254-h400/9gzoyw48uw5l8gn8jjob9op7s73i.jpeg" width="254" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: Drowned World #1</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: ARC via publisher</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Orbit Books</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: February 27, 2024</span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: Pan-Asian, queer side characters</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div>Welcome to Tiankawi – shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Or at least, that's how it first appears. But in the semi-flooded city, humans are, quite literally, on top: peering down from shining towers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk – sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas – who live in the polluted waters below.</div><div><br /></div><div>For half-siren Mira, promotion to captain of the border guard means an opportunity to help her downtrodden people. But if earning the trust and respect of her human colleagues wasn't hard enough, everything Mira has worked towards is put in jeopardy when Nami, a know-it-all water dragon and fathomfolk princess – is exiled to the city, under Mira’s watch. When extremists sabotage a city festival, violence erupts, as does the clampdown on fathomfolk rights. Both Nami and Mira must decide if the cost of change is worth paying, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/562424ce-b007-43b8-b709-bb1664ab8ff2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxKOT4qf9e7wkKM7Fcnz8Zt86cIaqyV7SBEpSTLZeYlaoYEWhA5uKc7THjDn36PONd756m8i3waEKxGUIyWe1tuKBk4lrTYE7Le-mJ5vMiaTb7XM9MZvjdCLE1AXDRA0IOajaTxBOxDrt-v7kOboO1heUKxHCsv6JZncs4SAIUQJw0H94Iez6jRFlhNI/s320/Books%20and%20Ladders%20Business%20Card%202021%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase*</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9780316564922">Bookshop.org</a> | <a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm258221">Libro.fm</a><br /></span></div><div>(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><b>Content Warning</b>: death, grief, xenophobia, racism, knives, kidnapping, torture, fighting, police brutality, discussions of war, parental neglect</i></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOAH9_qvKU8c9Fqc7o6_yxHSaJfb0Ev-k" target="_blank">This review is part of an ongoing series of highlighting Orbit's 2024 New Voices!</a></b></h3><div>I really wanted to like this one, but something just felt like it was missing for me. First and foremost, this was a mix of a variety of Asian cultures, which didn't quite hit the mark for me. It felt like it was all over the place instead of immersed in one specific folklore or mythology. Other reviewers, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6034251838" target="_blank">such as Mai</a>, have outlined the lack of clarity and focus on mythology in a way that makes sense.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for the rest... I wanted this to have a bit more substance. I felt like we were meandering along through different plot points instead of things being more action packed and thoughtful. I think part of the issue with this was the choice in perspectives.</div><div><br /></div><div>With three point of views (POVs) to follow, it made it really difficult for me to understand who knew what and how they would have figured it out. It also felt like sometimes we were getting information or seeing a scene from the wrong perspective. I didn't really like any of the perspectives, but Mira's felt the most grounded in the story and narrative as opposed to Serena and Nami.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Mira </b>(half-siren) was the first fathomfolk in the military and the first to reach captaincy. <b>Kai </b>(dragon) (not a perspective, but shown in both Mira's and Nami's POVs) is the ambassador for fathomfolk trying to work towards a better future for his people. <b>Nami </b>(dragon) is Kai’s opinionated and stubborn younger sister who is exiled to the above-water city by their mother and is determined for drastic change and falls in with an anti-human rebellious extremist group. <b>Cordelia</b> (sea witch) is the ambitious, selfish wife of one of the most powerful councillors who manipulates from behind the scenes, striking deals to better her position.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now if you aren't confused, there's also a "twist" that the one perspective, labelled "Serena" is actually Cordelia. This happens like 5 minutes into the book, so it's not a "twist" in my opinion. But it was such a silly plot point except to show us the duality of how people are treated - which we were ALREADY seeing with the other perspectives.</div><div><br /></div><div>If we were going to get a "human" perspective, that would have been much more interesting and enlightening to the way that the world and politics work. Serena/Cordelia was not a great character, her flaws heavily outweighed any aspect of her good elements. And instead of actually breaking the "sea witch" trope (like she hoped to do), she fell right into it instead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which is another aspect I didn't enjoy - the politics. I took Political Science for my degrees and this book was just a mess. It was all over the place with the trope of ambassadors trying to solve problems from within, young political extremism, and generally taking advantage of the system.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was no nuance to any of this, it was so blatantly obvious that it felt a bit like the author thought if she wasn't putting it into every scene, dialogue, and thought from <b>every</b> perspective. It cheapened any of the scenes that looked at things like the xenophobic-adjacent issues and behaviours and looks at how a society can come together, or fall apart, when forced to integrate, work together, and confront long-held prejudices.</div><div><br /></div><div>The romances felt quite juvenile and very insta-love like, especially Nami's. Everything felt fairly predictable especially with Nami's perspective in general. Mira and Kai coming from such different backgrounds to fall in love was fine <i>except</i> that we didn't really see any of it. Mira also feels at one point like she's falling out of love with Kai only for them to get back together with little to no fanfare. I just wanted someone's relationship to not feel so forced and out of place.</div><div><br /></div><div>The familial relationships in this were really great, though! I loved watching Mira and her mom together and the sacrifices they both made for one another. I also thought Kai and Nami had a good sibling relationship that made it quite intriguing to read about. The idea of found family even was a good concept in this book where you had a lot of people struggling to find their identities and look to others for that.</div><div><br /></div><div>The pacing of this book was so slow and boring at some points. Then at the end, I felt like it could have ended about six different times but then it kept going. I don't understand why each chapter and scene near the end felt like an epilogue (and there WAS an epilogue) rather than the next logical sequence in the book. It just felt like it was all too much rather than a solid and well thought out book. And with this being the first in a series, I'm concerned about where this is going to go next, especially with the ending.</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like the more of this review I write, the less I like the book. I was so happy to receive it early and have the chance to review it. The cover is gorgeous and in theory this should have checked off all my boxes. It's compared to <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/video/5wf6g5ZFs3o/edit" target="_blank"><i>The Bone Shard Daughter </i>by Andrea Stewart</a>, but it does not compare at all to it in my opinion.</div><div><br /></div><div>This one might be a pass!</div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y0Jhb70BshU?si=1rJd9JCCByvjrG9q" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></center></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are you going to pick this one up?</span></h3></div></div></div></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-86633667146076399462024-01-29T09:00:00.008-05:002024-01-29T09:00:00.164-05:00Review: LIGHTLARK by Alex Aster<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/reviews-from-to-z.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1DuI-3G3e-eR4CPTdiVkZeimAoemzCQ563wAU1ROMON83Nz-Hx4wdeRzDiNDnNOMqnpGpzBUM5xCTPy9Km_1vA7YR-f_mWFUn_kC640yXq5SxBul9X33M3pBlXrq42n8qS1AkS4ZVUAx0IGOTEwCKkZIdj2cZzPeB_PstfqPHi7qqueZ7N2rJAZQ/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">LIGHTLARK</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Alex Aster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS76cuQStDz2IC37Z6OhgtD6OVLzm4s10P6XPXgW57uijD7MeH0801cPJA7IzD_cewcILFlCXxojcTIlREeSpiA1o9dtCNgAVPnrHZmYG_kMRuE_5lNeHdetMU47GnUOQc8X4UrwgvZQZ5n0K_-ZyoXJ3oUYHNfOJlOB8tBVNZhgyoY_bwocdrKTO2Gz8/s1380/9781419760860_s3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS76cuQStDz2IC37Z6OhgtD6OVLzm4s10P6XPXgW57uijD7MeH0801cPJA7IzD_cewcILFlCXxojcTIlREeSpiA1o9dtCNgAVPnrHZmYG_kMRuE_5lNeHdetMU47GnUOQc8X4UrwgvZQZ5n0K_-ZyoXJ3oUYHNfOJlOB8tBVNZhgyoY_bwocdrKTO2Gz8/w266-h400/9781419760860_s3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: Lightlark #1</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: Kobo Plus</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Amulet</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: August 23, 2022</span><br /><head><br />
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>:<i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: queer relationships mentioned</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div><div><b><i>Welcome to the Centennial.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die. Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with.</div><div><br /></div><div>They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial. To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray . . . Even as love complicates everything. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/11185343-c0a5-4748-ab2f-c87d6e30e8a1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1050" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatYeqLzxOjnjOp406TZhYJVrL6yTQQy8WNsYog0fkb6BU7wssoJxUUIoJ0aI57KOPmhpjT5DGnRlhwW01qdNsU6MPSnK83ywGMAZ1chwHtiOgO059deQYQu4mAoFC3dqykkSGVs7djVNZ07u896UUihCnlvzgvOErKFkrHyEn9KOHD1GEEpczB_P-rFE/s320/Books%20and%20Ladders%20Business%20Card%202021%20(1).png" width="320" /></a><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase*</b>:</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9781419760860">Bookshop.org</a> | <a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm258221">Libro.fm</a><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;">(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Content Warning:</b> drug use (non consensual), on page sex scene, alcohol consumption, poisoning, drowning, falling from heights, blood, vomit</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I waited what I felt like was enough time to read this without the hype or the controversy to be prevalent in my mind, but honestly this was just a bad book. None of the premise made any sense and it was trying to be too many things instead of focusing on what could have been the good part of this: breaking the curses and learning about magic. But with how many times I rolled my eyes, hated Isla, or thought that there were stupid decisions all around being made, I just can't give this more than one star.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There weren't "trials," there was barely any fear of being assassinated, and the fact that they get paired together was just convenient rather than being part of what made sense in the story. The ebook is 384 pages and I thought it was close to being done at the like 40% mark because of how fast the book was pacing through the Centennial.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have so many thoughts about how stupid the characters were in general, but they really don't matter because the worldbuilding, or lack thereof, was so poorly done that I couldn't even focus on how much I hated the characters. The magic system could have been the redeeming part of this story, but instead it was poorly explained, important pieces of information were sprinkled throughout, and for how much they trained Isla to be a warrior, they didn't give her ANY information on the other magical elements or rulers. Beyond that, Isla had apparently been visiting the other magical areas (which is like page 1 of the story so not spoilers) but had so little knowledge of any of the history of the island or how the magic works together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It just felt like so much of this was multiple ideas sewed together to make a semblance of a story rather than a thoughtful exploration of what it means to learn about yourself, your abilities, and the way you can work together to overcome obstacles. I wanted the negative reviews to just be because of the "controversy" of the novel but instead they were just right about how poorly this book was written and how well it was marketed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am going to read book 2, which I have heard basically nothing about. In fact, I didn't even know it was released. This is called a "saga" but I only see two books on Goodreads, so I'm interested to see if it ends up being a duology because of everything that happened.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can't recommend this one at all. If you are looking for something similar, I would recommend <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9780307744432" target="_blank">The Night Circus</a></i> or <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9780062422590" target="_blank">The Crown's Game</a></i>. I can't believe I let this be the last book I read in 2023.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this or are you going to?</span></h4></div></div></span></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-32719195575778707852024-01-17T09:00:00.007-05:002024-01-17T09:00:00.138-05:00REVIEW: LOST KINGDOM by Laurel Black<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/reviews-from-to-z.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1DuI-3G3e-eR4CPTdiVkZeimAoemzCQ563wAU1ROMON83Nz-Hx4wdeRzDiNDnNOMqnpGpzBUM5xCTPy9Km_1vA7YR-f_mWFUn_kC640yXq5SxBul9X33M3pBlXrq42n8qS1AkS4ZVUAx0IGOTEwCKkZIdj2cZzPeB_PstfqPHi7qqueZ7N2rJAZQ/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">LOST KINGDOM</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Laurel Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tGR7xZGlObfnRQB7Gd-GJxGTQDD1arhmePjZhp50oMjRdaLXWTVbIlJJdR3JXBG5uZ_Y9BeTxeJoXCOH237LqZ-5uZq09oTx2-A25Ogh61_coI8JSH5S8iyLxfAoy_BJUSVsXZGAdDzpn_1GEHuhCLglrE6tul-thnBOisMRDGY9OKeDQakSFZXJbyc/s1500/186002971.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tGR7xZGlObfnRQB7Gd-GJxGTQDD1arhmePjZhp50oMjRdaLXWTVbIlJJdR3JXBG5uZ_Y9BeTxeJoXCOH237LqZ-5uZq09oTx2-A25Ogh61_coI8JSH5S8iyLxfAoy_BJUSVsXZGAdDzpn_1GEHuhCLglrE6tul-thnBOisMRDGY9OKeDQakSFZXJbyc/w266-h400/186002971.jpg" width="266" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: Lost Kingdom #1 (Assumed)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via Author</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Stormeer</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: January 17, 2024</span><br /><head><br />
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>:<i class="far fa-thumbs-down"></i></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: N/A</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div><div>Trusting him is the only way to save the kingdom.</div><div>Betraying her is the only way to keep them both alive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stripped of her memories and her magic, Raven has been left for dead.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a prisoner in the enemy’s mineral mines, her only clue to who she is and where she came from is the mysterious map tattooed on her hand—a map containing hidden secrets that some people would kill for.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jeddak is one of those people.</div><div><br /></div><div>A warrior from the Kovak tribe, he’s hunting for the powerful Zavien stone to pay the corrupt king’s ransom. If he doesn’t return home with it by the new moon, his betrothed will be executed.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Jeddak discovers that a prisoner named Raven has the only map that leads to the artifact, he allies with her as they navigate treacherous lands and battle against ancient magical forces to unravel the map’s secrets. But can Raven trust this stranger who’s helping her? If the map gets into the wrong hands, thousands of people will die.</div><div><br /></div><div>As their feelings for each other grow, their tenuous alliance begins to fray. Until Jeddak is forced to make a decision—betray Raven or forsake his kingdom.</div><div><br /></div><div>Choose wrong, and he’ll lose everything.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186002971-lost-kingdom" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGV_tOtkrTgswPTHPad9a9warobE1qg1LLo98HvgPaEtBx_UcvJ9CLbpT9nUx_QoXaGLCoPKmNq3Xxh61bC9DlEXcM9DaYnaJopEADaMoztqzDW-hJ7E1qYueLp01H_AVGk0t2xPLLeQ/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Lost-Kingdom-Laurel-Black-ebook/dp/B0CBG5G5BN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S87V6WAG3FSS&keywords=lost+kingdom+laurel+black&qid=1702648323&sprefix=lost+kingdom+laurel+blac%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Content Warning: </b>Hallucinations, manipulation, talks of cannibalism, rape, death, imprisonment, slavery, sexual harassment, trauma, nightmares, physical injury, grief, poisoning, torture, whipping, blood, war and colonialism themes, animal is injured (but lives)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm a clown for not realizing this was the start to a series and now going to have to wait for the sequel because omg that ending??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was a really strong opening to a new fantasy series and world. I really liked the way that everything was introduced - slowly but giving us enough details that we didn't have to fill in too many gaps on our own. The worldbuilding seemed to be of real importance to the author and it really showed in the way that she wrote it out. I appreciate a good worldbuilding, especially since that can be pretty rare in YA fantasy novels as it's usually just assumed you know the world because it's a vague fantasy realm but this had amazing details!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I loved Raven and how she learned to be herself even without any knowledge of who she was or her family. I thought there could have been a bit more time spent on her state of mind and grief throughout since it seemed to be "done" within the first quarter of the book and brought up only sporadically or when it needed to further the plot. I thought the idea of her having lost her magic was really neat and done in a good way combined with the amnesia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I really liked Jeddak and Kah though! Their relationship was my favourite in the story and the trust and openess between them was so nice. I thought it was a really good display of friendship (even though Kah is a bear). The magic system for each of the tribes was really well done and explained so it was nice to see how it actually played out when they encountered others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My only real complaint with this one is that it felt like we were going from one place to another too often and too quickly. We would have big action sequences, which were really well done!, but then we would find out that the way the characters wanted to travel was blocked so now we had to detour. And that was done very often which took away from the suspense of what was going to happen next or if they would escape this encounter. It's a 500 page book and while most times it didn't feel that way because the pacing was really well done, there were times when I felt like everything was just a little too close together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I liked the inclusion of the other characters to bring some of the history of Raven into the story. I thought the breadcrumb approach was really well thought out to further the story without providing everything to the reader at once. The ending left so many questions for what will happen next and what threads of the story there still are to encounter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was a great debut fantasy novel and I HIGHLY recommend you pick it up when it releases in January! I already preordered a Kindle copy because it's just THAT good that I want to own a finished version as well!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? Are you going to pick this up?</span></h4></div></div></span></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-60928650660898556392024-01-12T09:00:00.007-05:002024-01-12T09:00:00.135-05:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: THE SERPENT AND THE WINGS OF NIGHT by Carissa Broadbent (Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE SERPENT AND THE WINGS OF NIGHT</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Carissa Broadbent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbn2ogUe2wiDPUj8zNZ7iTo_a1HGtnDbWUg8uvDX3uxGGeMlC0tv6FLq7WVEiJeuCbanI1NO8hx5YALg2IxBhmOzKefRDVEsKocI5dtTDZY-Bov7D-LKfCtXjjjg3U6xWlaU_VzaHfASHlPUC1kzrVWSwLAp2S5NfZtJ6oe3F8li6o3ffqGLNP2eL2U4/s2550/180724703.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbn2ogUe2wiDPUj8zNZ7iTo_a1HGtnDbWUg8uvDX3uxGGeMlC0tv6FLq7WVEiJeuCbanI1NO8hx5YALg2IxBhmOzKefRDVEsKocI5dtTDZY-Bov7D-LKfCtXjjjg3U6xWlaU_VzaHfASHlPUC1kzrVWSwLAp2S5NfZtJ6oe3F8li6o3ffqGLNP2eL2U4/w259-h400/180724703.jpg" width="259" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: A Crowns of Nyaxia #1</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: Purchased</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Bramble</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: December 5, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>: <i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Representation</b>: Queer side characters</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div>The first book in the Wall Street Journal bestselling Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent. Filled with heart-wrenching romance, dark magic, and bloodthirsty intrigue—perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Thorns and Roses.</div><div><br /></div><div>For humans and vampires, the rules of survival are the never trust, never yield, and always—always—guard your heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.</div><div><br /></div><div>But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.</div><div><br /></div><div>But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/28cf6b13-1ec5-46bf-958e-62e77e020601" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQMaSHvXKvr5jYiGPZOxV9DUXsAtPFmWpo5Lqwq-hfCiv1H6HTztYzKeOajX6GAZiJoL1GHdhzDmiZFSCv5_2ZBgyQZszipdGywwZcHqawRL2DnVqLOKjg-kLUpj4PzUe3U_y7hyphenhyphen3as/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase*</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9781250343178">Bookshop.org</a> | <a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm258221">Libro.fm</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Content Warning</b>: blood, explicit sex scene, death of a parent, death of a loved one, violence, gore, fire, wounds, pain, mentions of rape and sexual assault</span></i></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I really enjoyed this! I like when there's more than just your typical urban fantasy when it comes to the supernatural and this exceeded my expectations. I was enthralled with the trials and shocked with the twists. I really appreciated the worldbuilding and the way that it was laid out slowly as we learned more throughout the novel. Oraya is a great main character and I loved the transformation of her throughout the book.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The tempo of the book was great - it kept you intrigued and gave enough information and scenes of the trials without overwhelming you. Considering this was a long trial period with lengthy time in between, I appreciated the bouts of preparation and the way we went through the story without it being bogged down with montages.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I thought the trials were super interesting and a good showcase of what Oraya's skills already were and how she could think on her feet to adapt to her surroundings. The trials also gave us more information about the world and expanded our knowledge of what vampires were and who we could and couldn't trust. I really enjoyed seeing how Oraya was so focused on keeping her humanity while knowing she had to be a monster as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Oraya is definitely the star of this show, even with Raihn being the broody hot guy in it. I did like the evolution of their relationship from adversaries to more. It isn't quite enemies to lovers because until the Kejari started, they didn't really know one another and they started working together pretty quickly. Really, all of the people in the book were Oraya's enemies considering she was 1. in a trial for her life and 2. a human amongst vampires.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Raihn was a really interesting character and I enjoyed seeing him open up throughout the novel. I liked how he tried to keep his humanity and bring some of that out in Oraya. I appreciated the way he viewed the world and how he made Oraya (and us as the reader) question what is happening in her life. I did also enjoy their romance and thought it was a good slow burn for them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The ending was really well done but it leaves you on a pretty big cliffhanger! I still think the experience of reading this one and then having to wait until June (to get it from the Tor published version) makes it an even better experience. My brain can now think of theories and ways to fill in some of the gaps and think about what may or may not happen next.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This is such a good story and I wanted to be able to read more immediately. I can't wait to get my hands on book two! <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9781250343154" target="_blank">Pre-order yours using my affiliate link to Bookshop.org</a>.</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C04XvnWLHMR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C04XvnWLHMR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Jamie @ Books and Ladders (@booksandladders)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?</span></h3></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-30282408650340873082024-01-05T09:00:00.030-05:002024-01-05T09:00:00.245-05:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: THAT TIME I GOT DRUNK AND SAVED A DEMON by Kimberly Lemming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THAT TIME I GOT DRUNK AND SAVED A DEMON</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Kimberly Lemming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFumZ0mDBq8OfLNRw3CQE_AUEn-QQigecBoo7qkPBGCm4AKV7EqajYegW8ZIfOG2Bp4cKUGbU4qgm5hlC_IEUKnpVQujZkbtvY6g5y6t2IS7d-ymAvOEHE3jtWsI6TfMdQNv2kJ6zNna0jJHY-jcPV8axtaL3kWEz0hAJemPfx4M724jadZp0yQui-pY/s898/85158509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="596" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFumZ0mDBq8OfLNRw3CQE_AUEn-QQigecBoo7qkPBGCm4AKV7EqajYegW8ZIfOG2Bp4cKUGbU4qgm5hlC_IEUKnpVQujZkbtvY6g5y6t2IS7d-ymAvOEHE3jtWsI6TfMdQNv2kJ6zNna0jJHY-jcPV8axtaL3kWEz0hAJemPfx4M724jadZp0yQui-pY/w265-h400/85158509.jpg" width="265" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: Mead Mishaps #1</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via publisher</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Orbit</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: January 2, 2024</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>: <i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Representation</b>: Black main character, Black side character, Queer side characters</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div>Spice trader Cinnamon's quiet life is turned upside down when she ends up on a quest with a fiery demon in this irreverently quirky rom-com fantasy that is sweet, steamy, and funny as hell—perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and The Dragon's Bride. </div><div><br /></div><div>All she wanted to do was live her life in peace—maybe get a cat, expand the family spice farm. Really, anything that didn't involve going on an adventure where an orc might rip her face off. But they say the Goddess has favorite, and if so, Cin is clearly not one of them... </div><div><br /></div><div>After saving the demon Fallon in a wine-drunk stupor, all Fallon wants to do is kill an evil witch enslaving his people. And, who can blame him? But he's dragging Cinnamon along for the ride. On the bright side, at least he keeps burning off his shirt.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75583461-the-endless-war" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQMaSHvXKvr5jYiGPZOxV9DUXsAtPFmWpo5Lqwq-hfCiv1H6HTztYzKeOajX6GAZiJoL1GHdhzDmiZFSCv5_2ZBgyQZszipdGywwZcHqawRL2DnVqLOKjg-kLUpj4PzUe3U_y7hyphenhyphen3as/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase*</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/100345/9780316570275">Bookshop.org</a> | <a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm258221">Libro.fm</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Content Warning</b>: on-screen sex scene, possessive, aggressive behaviour, grief, rage, deception, death</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Wow. I wasn't expecting this to be spicy but hot damn. I liked the mixture of fantasy and romance in this - the stakes were high enough for me to enjoy the fantasy element and the descriptions of sex were good enough for me not to care. It literally had it all and I absolutely loved every world and couldn't put it down.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">For a 182 page book, this really packs a punch in terms of storyline, worldbuilding, characters, romance, smut, both real and found family vibes and incredible humour!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The title makes it seem like it will be lighthearted, which it is as times, but this definitely deals with a lot of topics all at once that are really important and can make people think about their lives.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It did read a little fan fiction at times and using lingo from the present was a bit of a juxtaposition but overall I did really enjoy this!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Coming out in January 2024 from Orbit, who so graciously let me read this early!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?</span></h3></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-72381457921795708592023-09-15T09:00:00.022-04:002023-09-15T15:21:17.862-04:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: THIS SPELLS DISASTER by Tori Anne Martin (Spotlight)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THIS SPELLS DISASTER</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Tori Anne Martin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74cJ-ee1Z3WGiv9ALV2PXejCS_wggbRff5hK48GSM7rHLm4xuarV2qsuePZ-GYJdQxOAzOa1uqC4GT4YPIOxnwbGo6HfZLrrhXm6ArwZPH1ccJ_8nOvCLUiQz7gnrXrOc4XM97sPjOyVg_s5Blwq3-17y998a3B1XaWHlnU2xy87olYLgRNpWHeN6L4Y/s400/71872919.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="258" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74cJ-ee1Z3WGiv9ALV2PXejCS_wggbRff5hK48GSM7rHLm4xuarV2qsuePZ-GYJdQxOAzOa1uqC4GT4YPIOxnwbGo6HfZLrrhXm6ArwZPH1ccJ_8nOvCLUiQz7gnrXrOc4XM97sPjOyVg_s5Blwq3-17y998a3B1XaWHlnU2xy87olYLgRNpWHeN6L4Y/w258-h400/71872919.jpg" width="258" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via publisher</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Berkley Romance</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: September 12, 2023</span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Representation</b>: lesbian</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div><b>Fake dating gets a magical twist in this enchanting queer romantic comedy where a witch worries that the real feelings brewing between her and her crush were sparked by an accidental love potion, and the only way out of the disastrous spell is a healthy dose of the truth--drink up, witches.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Potion maker and self-proclaimed "messy witch" Morgan Greenwood is sure she was hexed at birth. Not only did she drunkenly offer to fake date the woman of her dreams during the biennial New England Witches' festival, but Rory Sandler, spellcasting champion and brilliant elemental witch--for reasons known only to the Goddess--accepted. It's like every good luck spell Morgan ever cast came through at once, and it doesn't take a crystal ball to predict this charade will end with a broken heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or is the magic between them real? As Morgan and Rory prepare to fool everyone at the festival, their relationship starts to feel a whole lot less fake--right until Morgan realizes she might have screwed up the common relaxation potion she made for Rory and given her a love potion instead, breaking one of the most sacred Witch Council Laws.</div><div><br /></div><div>To fulfill her promise to Rory, Morgan must somehow keep playing pretend while under the watchful eyes of Rory's family and legion of fans. But to break the love potion, she'll also have to prove how incompatible she and Rory really are. For a screwup like her, ruining their relationship should be easy--except every day, Morgan is becoming more bewitched by Rory herself.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71872919-this-spells-disaster" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQMaSHvXKvr5jYiGPZOxV9DUXsAtPFmWpo5Lqwq-hfCiv1H6HTztYzKeOajX6GAZiJoL1GHdhzDmiZFSCv5_2ZBgyQZszipdGywwZcHqawRL2DnVqLOKjg-kLUpj4PzUe3U_y7hyphenhyphen3as/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="https://amzn.to/43HM6qb" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/this-spells-disaster/9780593548486-item.html?ikwid=this+spells+disaster&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=7c8d8a440db18750a531e386b79f7b27">Chapters</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this series? What was your favourite part?</span></h3></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-80499687084448236262023-09-05T09:00:00.031-04:002023-09-05T09:00:00.127-04:00Spotlight: RUFF RIDERS: RESCUE UR FUREVER FRIEND by Karen Ruben (Guest Post)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzzdk1BXXqnQXfiFGbqdLIFOVlNi1DjhXP88F-qK9VdqwB4NEzNbwgigIEWOSo1gZRUsihIxEDkxx3BZ-0rB9_H0pRWPATKb1wfb7rXWYRovvyMb-UB2Y0AtRZhn7oezJOCUSh67oyE0eLhLWphJDaPy519PmS6PdPI40n-TEoyTewjR2kWBVv9aZ9dg/s3000/Review%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzzdk1BXXqnQXfiFGbqdLIFOVlNi1DjhXP88F-qK9VdqwB4NEzNbwgigIEWOSo1gZRUsihIxEDkxx3BZ-0rB9_H0pRWPATKb1wfb7rXWYRovvyMb-UB2Y0AtRZhn7oezJOCUSh67oyE0eLhLWphJDaPy519PmS6PdPI40n-TEoyTewjR2kWBVv9aZ9dg/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I'm spotlighting a release for the day:<br /></span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><h2><span style="font-size: x-large;">RUFF RIDERS: RESCUE UR FUREVER FRIEND</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;">This novel is by Karen Ruben and is based on a true rescue story of her dog Ruby! Learn more about this middle grade, heartwarming story below.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" style="font-size: x-large;" width="320" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">RUFF RIDERS: RESCUE UR FUREVER FRIEND</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Karen Ruben<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38DlO2ZllUxsK3yi13G_4ULfpxySz1DOP-piz01n6ugv3fLWZmuHqyOxaqaGGcpFGzdFsZWv8Oxf7p8VrmAsO82Mz1bbISqqAtaasK45ANtClhTq52Viy43bhAAEHGIo1JqTAoLYO8n42F0KFbC_CKbFvSmgrr2nz8175uthpTkY4PG2FwvEeGjdigRE/s500/182094157.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38DlO2ZllUxsK3yi13G_4ULfpxySz1DOP-piz01n6ugv3fLWZmuHqyOxaqaGGcpFGzdFsZWv8Oxf7p8VrmAsO82Mz1bbISqqAtaasK45ANtClhTq52Viy43bhAAEHGIo1JqTAoLYO8n42F0KFbC_CKbFvSmgrr2nz8175uthpTkY4PG2FwvEeGjdigRE/w266-h400/182094157.jpg" width="266" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via Author</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Koehler Books</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: September 5, 2023</span><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div>Eleven-year-old Olivia Thomas longs for a dog of her own, but her reluctant parents don't think that she is responsible enough. When she hears about an abandoned dog with a litter of puppies in the forest, she and her friend April, along with their new tech-savvy friend, Quinn, leap into action.</div><div><br /></div><div>Teaming up with local volunteer animal rescue Rescue Ur Furever Friend, they work on a plan. Olivia is determined to see the project through, but she'll have to focus and rally lots of people to help. And they may not succeed. Is she prepared to fail? And if she's successful, will her parents see that she is ready to take care of a puppy? Through teamwork, family, and community, Olivia learns that anything important is worth the effort.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182094157-ruff-riders" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGV_tOtkrTgswPTHPad9a9warobE1qg1LLo98HvgPaEtBx_UcvJ9CLbpT9nUx_QoXaGLCoPKmNq3Xxh61bC9DlEXcM9DaYnaJopEADaMoztqzDW-hJ7E1qYueLp01H_AVGk0t2xPLLeQ/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/450Jip1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/all-too-familiar/9781081001841-item.html?ikwid=all+too+familiar&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=1#algoliaQueryId=9140f3144e4ac31b5247b4caa676ea6d" target="_blank">Chapters</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAU3CJTjQk6jZLMcPxh4P28SCbwGXA4C4UBd-tso0btAf7zbmcIQfItTVVtHruSjCVuykZjbaWpPXaN4nXhm-klAk5szErMRuCvs3mgM6EiQhjHlBP6tr7PKoUnrJ9a2wagcY6jpltKSDogJKXuePBRKfOrl-UgcMsLfQdKhjYPEvSQM7ryvedJbn54E/s3000/Review%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAU3CJTjQk6jZLMcPxh4P28SCbwGXA4C4UBd-tso0btAf7zbmcIQfItTVVtHruSjCVuykZjbaWpPXaN4nXhm-klAk5szErMRuCvs3mgM6EiQhjHlBP6tr7PKoUnrJ9a2wagcY6jpltKSDogJKXuePBRKfOrl-UgcMsLfQdKhjYPEvSQM7ryvedJbn54E/s16000/Review%20(2).png" /></a></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Importance of Rescuing</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bond I formed with my own rescue dog, Ruby, inspired me to write RUFF Riders and share the incredible journey she took from being born to an uncertain future, to her furever home, with my family. Through this book, I hope to raise awareness for the urgent need for fostering, adopting a rescue and community support in the world of animal rescue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The heartwarming tale of RUFF Riders is inspired by Ruby, my beloved dog, whose true rescue story touched her deeply. Ruby was born in a shed hidden within the woods of Angier, North Carolina, and was subsequently adopted through Rescue Ur Furever Friend, an animal rescue organization. Throughout the adoption process, I encountered startling facts about the plight of shelter animals, leading her to embark on a mission to raise awareness and rally support for the desperate need for responsible adoptions, donations, and most importantly, fostering of rescued puppies and dogs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Statistics reveal the urgent nature of this cause: every year, six million dogs and cats enter animal shelters or rescues, with at least one million euthanized due to insufficient funding and space in under-resourced shelters. I believe that educating the public about the distinction between animal shelters and rescues, as well as inspiring individuals to volunteer as foster caretakers, can significantly transform the lives of these innocent animals. Fostering not only provides temporary homes but also offers families the opportunity to assess their readiness for permanent pet ownership.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RUFF Riders delivers a powerful message, encouraging readers to FOSTER, ADOPT A RESCUE, AND/OR DONATE to their local animal rescues. The novel follows eleven-year-old Olivia Thomas, who dreams of having a dog but faces hesitant parents who question her level of responsibility. When she learns about an abandoned dog and her puppies delivered in a nearby forest, Olivia, along with her friend April and tech-savvy companion, Quinn, initiates a rescue operation that ultimately involves the press and her community. Teaming up with Rescue Ur Furever Friend, a local volunteer animal rescue group, they embark on a challenging journey that requires unwavering determination and community support. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Accompanied by a menu of community service options that appear as plot points in the story, and detailed on my website, book club questions printed at the back of the book are designed to get families to think about what strengths they can use to engage in meaningful activities related to animal rescue. I aim to inspire multi-generation book clubs for parents, grandparents and kids 8+. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Through empathy, teamwork, and responsibility, RUFF Riders encourages readers to recognize that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to the greater cause of saving animal’s lives. A portion of the proceeds from RUFF Riders will be donated to Rescue Ur Forever Friend (NC RUFF) in Garner, North Carolina, a remarkable organization dedicated to rescuing and finding forever homes for countless animals in need.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I invite readers to join me in supporting NC RUFF by visiting their website, <a href="http://www.ncruff.org">www.ncruff.org</a> and exploring avenues of contribution, including fostering, adopting a rescue, and making monetary or in-kind donations.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pick this up today!</span></h4></div></div></span></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-1900874278234849032023-09-04T08:00:00.057-04:002023-09-04T08:10:00.467-04:00Blog Tour: PRIDE & PREJUDICE & PITTSBURGH by Rachael Lippincott<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbubzYImU1RxX2dtby7d2byAIC9ZJvK8wbJ7rkbcHevzde0PbWCSLG4XV-_xKuBAoJF3K-TuGsHYErG2XC09iCwnjHdmEoYmDbKWtIurA1l6YaSx5CBoBkMV8KCkaQhtaW2je9fGMTkQOMuo3Ug2tu88W73fKElUJIh6bdBJOwo3UCac6vvfnGSM8_/s3000/Review.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbubzYImU1RxX2dtby7d2byAIC9ZJvK8wbJ7rkbcHevzde0PbWCSLG4XV-_xKuBAoJF3K-TuGsHYErG2XC09iCwnjHdmEoYmDbKWtIurA1l6YaSx5CBoBkMV8KCkaQhtaW2je9fGMTkQOMuo3Ug2tu88W73fKElUJIh6bdBJOwo3UCac6vvfnGSM8_/s16000/Review.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on <b>PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND PITTSBURGH by Rachel Lippincott </b>Blog Tour hosted by </span><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!</span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJztSQkeOs-HH_7SMgenWGLxBwDIhmALXHLH_H_Ib2VfIeyM-aw6yhOfLZDVCtTf2ok7SstpqPfwy6YOi7p3hcmOd2udSuCprFCLWdj2mNIXbXBOQOhmYkoDFxPtGJvLWAVDsKUWHXV7a2IOF-Hi2MrHjXcs2qD1NaJubBTwwk-nzcuvKqQu0ua559wQ/s615/PRIDE%20AND%20PREJUDICE%20AND%20PITTSBURGH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJztSQkeOs-HH_7SMgenWGLxBwDIhmALXHLH_H_Ib2VfIeyM-aw6yhOfLZDVCtTf2ok7SstpqPfwy6YOi7p3hcmOd2udSuCprFCLWdj2mNIXbXBOQOhmYkoDFxPtGJvLWAVDsKUWHXV7a2IOF-Hi2MrHjXcs2qD1NaJubBTwwk-nzcuvKqQu0ua559wQ/s16000/PRIDE%20AND%20PREJUDICE%20AND%20PITTSBURGH.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND PITTSBURGH</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Rachael Lippincott<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjir3op9jJPuPApB2Wc55WlOCI_XtjByCWTIAsXCITScgwAKFM68el-stJRysqG9SzdS56mx4UHScLkiEai_z_Dyv-ebVKONfvgmaMLkL0BOv7cNSAlM3_HoHhOB4qIwkn1-OEdeGFPAppnSXMZCuH2aiEVYlB-yfptHIAWAubNi3YcXJLYkeDxtlF7no4/s2123/119066296.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2123" data-original-width="1400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjir3op9jJPuPApB2Wc55WlOCI_XtjByCWTIAsXCITScgwAKFM68el-stJRysqG9SzdS56mx4UHScLkiEai_z_Dyv-ebVKONfvgmaMLkL0BOv7cNSAlM3_HoHhOB4qIwkn1-OEdeGFPAppnSXMZCuH2aiEVYlB-yfptHIAWAubNi3YcXJLYkeDxtlF7no4/w264-h400/119066296.jpg" width="264" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via Publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: August 29, 2023</span><br /><head><br />
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>:<i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: lesbian main character, bisexual main character</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div><div>From the New York Times bestselling coauthor of Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl comes a fresh and inventive sapphic romantic comedy that’s What If It’s Us meets Bridgerton.</div><div><br /></div><div>What if you found a once-in-a-lifetime love…just not in your lifetime?</div><div><br /></div><div>Audrey Cameron has lost her spark. But after getting dumped by her first love and waitlisted at her dream art school all in one week, she has no intention of putting her heart on the line again to get it back. So when local curmudgeon Mr. Montgomery walks into her family’s Pittsburgh convenience store saying he can help her, Audrey doesn’t know what she’s expecting…but it’s definitely not that she’ll be transported back to 1812 to become a Regency romance heroine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lucy Sinclair isn’t expecting to find an oddly dressed girl claiming to be from two hundred years in the future on her family’s estate. But she has to admit it’s a welcome distraction from being courted by a man her father expects her to marry—who offers a future she couldn’t be less interested in. Not that anyone has cared about what or who she’s interested in since her mother died, taking Lucy’s spark with her.</div><div><br /></div><div>While the two girls try to understand what’s happening and how to send Audrey home, their sparks make a comeback in a most unexpected way. Because as they both try over and over to fall for their suitors and the happily-ever-afters everyone expects of them, they find instead they don’t have to try at all to fall for each other.</div><div><br /></div><div>But can a most unexpected love story survive even more impossible circumstances?</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/119066296-pride-and-prejudice-and-pittsburgh" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGV_tOtkrTgswPTHPad9a9warobE1qg1LLo98HvgPaEtBx_UcvJ9CLbpT9nUx_QoXaGLCoPKmNq3Xxh61bC9DlEXcM9DaYnaJopEADaMoztqzDW-hJ7E1qYueLp01H_AVGk0t2xPLLeQ/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3L9YM2v" target="_blank">Amazon</a> (affiliate)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoFSWY-NZoiNYmjokBp2z88OXDM7tDm2bChsA-2YSk961LTkuai2kM_-lurCO_2aS_1sTwYLpUKzj6HYBAcmUCu1elN6T2kkCq4Hf3sC5-SbxMOwjkRjn5-MvfSaPUhNsliFpJJw_lh8eGb5FVHQ7uW0y0q0VifIoIkceKoIswzV-s4xv5umZNs2w/s3000/Review%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoFSWY-NZoiNYmjokBp2z88OXDM7tDm2bChsA-2YSk961LTkuai2kM_-lurCO_2aS_1sTwYLpUKzj6HYBAcmUCu1elN6T2kkCq4Hf3sC5-SbxMOwjkRjn5-MvfSaPUhNsliFpJJw_lh8eGb5FVHQ7uW0y0q0VifIoIkceKoIswzV-s4xv5umZNs2w/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></div></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Content Warnings</b>: death of a parent, parental abuse, parental neglect, homophobia (ish), alcohol consumption, abusive relationships, toxic relationships</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I will say that I did think a LOT about how I hoped everyone didn't get sick during their time travelling because of germs, but this was DELIGHTFUL.</span></div></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This time travel book was really well done and I enjoyed seeing how the two characters came to understand one another and grow together. I appreciated Audrey's growth into understanding just how different things were but also how people didn't <i>quite</i> see her how she was in the past and present.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The romance was well developed, and while there was some "insta-love," it had time to come to fruition. I thought there was a good sense of what love meant and how to find it. I thought having <i>three </i>"suitors" was a bit much but it still made for an interesting read.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">All the side characters had good depth, but not as much nuance as I would have liked. But this was definitely made up for by Lucy and Audrey! I really liked seeing them develop, learn about themselves, and each other. They brought out the best in one another and I really enjoyed it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The references might eventually date this book, but it was so cute and I just squealed the whole time! Definitely a pick up if you like time travel and Jane Austen.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s500/Flower-Divider-5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9239df5e-7fff-69d7-b2c2-2cae90122d89"><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDOK3wURuqFbNKaWckXdW9RWgHLLGzSp0dRKmJ5vk3UKnX3BHSgNcvaHQmVcT6ou10hTae_yA78i_Pl6FDZbMrObA4R4l2QUpZHHZL4i6f8bQKn8VkDrpYZOvNt2Ow5VSH2xIHj3nrHP8iAW4la_pg-j8_LTC1kZrd6e7BwVvJALvDThZcWOCtMQo/s2990/14.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDOK3wURuqFbNKaWckXdW9RWgHLLGzSp0dRKmJ5vk3UKnX3BHSgNcvaHQmVcT6ou10hTae_yA78i_Pl6FDZbMrObA4R4l2QUpZHHZL4i6f8bQKn8VkDrpYZOvNt2Ow5VSH2xIHj3nrHP8iAW4la_pg-j8_LTC1kZrd6e7BwVvJALvDThZcWOCtMQo/s16000/14.png" /></a></div><div><div>Rachael Lippincott is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb1gyF6XGUq_j1znxG-9MxLmE2cQOTIWw8poTdWgTPzW7RgpcGsMNQcJno8bQxhMFIAGwOneEwKVCBzBlbf_2tZzK-vclW5Gx4HxFCeMeUxj_txBs2iJ6RaP8of9Tw8sNDNnFYh2Bm2eSOgjuPbBMX6wc0MaxSnNFPCbAkgff_OIt4SHGp4Mksavki50/s1800/Rachael%20Lippincott_%20Photograph%20by%20Alyson%20Derrick.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb1gyF6XGUq_j1znxG-9MxLmE2cQOTIWw8poTdWgTPzW7RgpcGsMNQcJno8bQxhMFIAGwOneEwKVCBzBlbf_2tZzK-vclW5Gx4HxFCeMeUxj_txBs2iJ6RaP8of9Tw8sNDNnFYh2Bm2eSOgjuPbBMX6wc0MaxSnNFPCbAkgff_OIt4SHGp4Mksavki50/w133-h200/Rachael%20Lippincott_%20Photograph%20by%20Alyson%20Derrick.jpg" width="133" /></a></div> Five Feet Apart. She holds a BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, she currently resides in Pittsburgh with her wife and their dog, Hank.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>Connect with the Author</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><u>Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon</u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s500/Flower-Divider-5.png" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciRhrDcueh29FbrAtNYHMS_3i_V1xF_YLjcP0DV9RdDyh1TAB_iHy0LOeCiZxUqlyjaEDS4fsiaa4nYDL9VnX--OFkiGFjGxkhhzIp3K7G_3m8oGwWSbg1xg8C0MAEWuHBZ8_UZ0AWftcYjDhR0vk73Kyo6n0ZJA7ReibpPj7VjuHcb4MGozbF2MC/s3000/Review%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciRhrDcueh29FbrAtNYHMS_3i_V1xF_YLjcP0DV9RdDyh1TAB_iHy0LOeCiZxUqlyjaEDS4fsiaa4nYDL9VnX--OFkiGFjGxkhhzIp3K7G_3m8oGwWSbg1xg8C0MAEWuHBZ8_UZ0AWftcYjDhR0vk73Kyo6n0ZJA7ReibpPj7VjuHcb4MGozbF2MC/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;">1 lucky winner will win a finished copy of PRIDE & PREJUDICE & PITTSBURGH, US Only.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Ends September 12 th , midnight EST.</div></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21736/" target="_blank">A rafflecopter giveaway</a></div></div></span></div><br /><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s500/Flower-Divider-5.png" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;">Are you going to pick this one up?</h3>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-69586802603498263572023-08-30T08:00:00.001-04:002023-09-01T08:51:19.679-04:00Blog Tour: THE SHAPE OF TIME by Ryan Calejo (Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbubzYImU1RxX2dtby7d2byAIC9ZJvK8wbJ7rkbcHevzde0PbWCSLG4XV-_xKuBAoJF3K-TuGsHYErG2XC09iCwnjHdmEoYmDbKWtIurA1l6YaSx5CBoBkMV8KCkaQhtaW2je9fGMTkQOMuo3Ug2tu88W73fKElUJIh6bdBJOwo3UCac6vvfnGSM8_/s3000/Review.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbubzYImU1RxX2dtby7d2byAIC9ZJvK8wbJ7rkbcHevzde0PbWCSLG4XV-_xKuBAoJF3K-TuGsHYErG2XC09iCwnjHdmEoYmDbKWtIurA1l6YaSx5CBoBkMV8KCkaQhtaW2je9fGMTkQOMuo3Ug2tu88W73fKElUJIh6bdBJOwo3UCac6vvfnGSM8_/s16000/Review.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on <b>THE SHAPE OF TIME by Ryan Calejo </b>Blog Tour hosted by </span><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!</span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXN6qr0Xcyi7BlNR_hIRzpWFJI1zFEvIugDkf69yTbicDlM9Y8iFSEBF5UzBMJL2vUd1FCx1IeZEyUBxf-SEk72fVDMvgSBi3Bp7lH9h2J9q_yfBe_jY0Ci9jVJ1ZMtcEPVRfx2UhajBgdkvFpwPAM-7wGwA0NEHDjNnzGIcdidU2KpNlcAdEKmiWfBw/s615/THE%20SHAPE%20OF%20TIME.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXN6qr0Xcyi7BlNR_hIRzpWFJI1zFEvIugDkf69yTbicDlM9Y8iFSEBF5UzBMJL2vUd1FCx1IeZEyUBxf-SEk72fVDMvgSBi3Bp7lH9h2J9q_yfBe_jY0Ci9jVJ1ZMtcEPVRfx2UhajBgdkvFpwPAM-7wGwA0NEHDjNnzGIcdidU2KpNlcAdEKmiWfBw/s16000/THE%20SHAPE%20OF%20TIME.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE SHAPE OF TIME</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Ryan Calejo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2oNG3HuV15DuMNvaZNjgpid12jfDDGMyB_6ZWaSrGhuKkqh_-JjJaEjOz25nwPuPVOcqvGt9F8poe0f-cac-Hk7iuSZa0G5KRnmhKumRKm7kGIvqzQBMsGAboUXZzEtVZQuonv2SV6YfhmfGOZe1W4H6YMaZVBNv6XCp81_HPY4A75ict1u0K7TE_3E/s1455/THE%20SHAPE%20OF%20TIME%20(RYMWORLD%20ARCANA%20BOOK%20ONE).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2oNG3HuV15DuMNvaZNjgpid12jfDDGMyB_6ZWaSrGhuKkqh_-JjJaEjOz25nwPuPVOcqvGt9F8poe0f-cac-Hk7iuSZa0G5KRnmhKumRKm7kGIvqzQBMsGAboUXZzEtVZQuonv2SV6YfhmfGOZe1W4H6YMaZVBNv6XCp81_HPY4A75ict1u0K7TE_3E/w275-h400/THE%20SHAPE%20OF%20TIME%20(RYMWORLD%20ARCANA%20BOOK%20ONE).jpeg" width="275" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: Rymworld Arcana #1</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: ARC via Publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Amulet Books</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: September 12, 2023</span><br /><head><br />
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>:<i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: Black main character, Black side characters</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div><div>First in the middle-grade mind-bending Rymworld Arcana adventure series from award-winning author Ryan Calejo, The Shape of Time is destined to be an instant classic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fourteen-year-old Antares De La Vega is a natural born adventurer. He dreams of journeying across burning deserts, trekking through wild and uncharted jungles, sailing the farthest reaches of the seas—and yet, he’s never even stepped foot outside of South Florida. But that all changes when strange creatures come leaping out of lightning bolts to kidnap him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Locked away in a secret prison in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle, Antares meets fourteen-year-old Magdavellía, a mysterious and iron-willed girl who opens his eyes to a shocking that this world is a far different place than he’s been led to believe. He learns of the existence of the Flat Earth Society, an ancient secret order, whose main function is to keep the world beyond the great Ice Wall a mystery—a land known as Rymworld. But Rymworld is in trouble. Led by a nameless evil, a sinister group of mystics seek to seize control over its only true time itself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Antares and Magdavellía must set out beyond the edges of any map to discover the a lost and forgotten island where there is rumored to exist a legendary artifact—a mythical compass that just might hold the key to foiling the mystics’ plans. Following a series of intricately concealed clues left behind by Magdavellía’s parents (clues Antares seems to be the key to unlocking), they must wield both geometry and alchemy, outsmart molemen and mermaids, and outrun fiendish outer space aliens––all while attempting to solve a riddle as old and mystifying as the sun.</div><div><br /></div><div>Includes Black-and-White Illustrations</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/98652026-the-shape-of-time" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGV_tOtkrTgswPTHPad9a9warobE1qg1LLo98HvgPaEtBx_UcvJ9CLbpT9nUx_QoXaGLCoPKmNq3Xxh61bC9DlEXcM9DaYnaJopEADaMoztqzDW-hJ7E1qYueLp01H_AVGk0t2xPLLeQ/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3EjoqOL" target="_blank">Amazon</a> (affiliate)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoFSWY-NZoiNYmjokBp2z88OXDM7tDm2bChsA-2YSk961LTkuai2kM_-lurCO_2aS_1sTwYLpUKzj6HYBAcmUCu1elN6T2kkCq4Hf3sC5-SbxMOwjkRjn5-MvfSaPUhNsliFpJJw_lh8eGb5FVHQ7uW0y0q0VifIoIkceKoIswzV-s4xv5umZNs2w/s3000/Review%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoFSWY-NZoiNYmjokBp2z88OXDM7tDm2bChsA-2YSk961LTkuai2kM_-lurCO_2aS_1sTwYLpUKzj6HYBAcmUCu1elN6T2kkCq4Hf3sC5-SbxMOwjkRjn5-MvfSaPUhNsliFpJJw_lh8eGb5FVHQ7uW0y0q0VifIoIkceKoIswzV-s4xv5umZNs2w/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></div></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This was a wonderful middle grade read! It definitely has the ability to become an instant classic and it showcases a great Black main character.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The story immediately had my attention and I was constantly wondering what would happen next. I loved how the different time characters were introduced and then used throughout the story. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It follows some typical tropes while adding some unique world building and a nice range of characters. I thought it had some elements of <i>A Wrinkle In Time</i> (one of my favourite books growing up) and that made me enjoy it even more. I felt nostalgic for this book while reading it and can't wait to pass it along to my niece!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Overall this was a great, engaging read, perfect for middle graders who love science fiction or you want to break them into the genre!</span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s500/Flower-Divider-5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9239df5e-7fff-69d7-b2c2-2cae90122d89"><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDOK3wURuqFbNKaWckXdW9RWgHLLGzSp0dRKmJ5vk3UKnX3BHSgNcvaHQmVcT6ou10hTae_yA78i_Pl6FDZbMrObA4R4l2QUpZHHZL4i6f8bQKn8VkDrpYZOvNt2Ow5VSH2xIHj3nrHP8iAW4la_pg-j8_LTC1kZrd6e7BwVvJALvDThZcWOCtMQo/s2990/14.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDOK3wURuqFbNKaWckXdW9RWgHLLGzSp0dRKmJ5vk3UKnX3BHSgNcvaHQmVcT6ou10hTae_yA78i_Pl6FDZbMrObA4R4l2QUpZHHZL4i6f8bQKn8VkDrpYZOvNt2Ow5VSH2xIHj3nrHP8iAW4la_pg-j8_LTC1kZrd6e7BwVvJALvDThZcWOCtMQo/s16000/14.png" /></a></div><div>Ryan Calejo is an award-winning author born and raised in sunny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIWD31fP1RrfXrSu1j-nTwkriVAcTp7dRrnw5ocBARFD2bddTmylHv_RVwaHyHDjikwFJXE8i8LkLpt3aLKh8NEs9UNjb0CvVSoTOT7nAgxOprgCF1kd1ZIK2k_LeWKHWVz40rZl3m2OyMjK7yx3m-BZ24Hr3utXucVDxeZWfMapLtSCyE1c5_Y1qlDQ/s250/ryan-calejo-130172738.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="226" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIWD31fP1RrfXrSu1j-nTwkriVAcTp7dRrnw5ocBARFD2bddTmylHv_RVwaHyHDjikwFJXE8i8LkLpt3aLKh8NEs9UNjb0CvVSoTOT7nAgxOprgCF1kd1ZIK2k_LeWKHWVz40rZl3m2OyMjK7yx3m-BZ24Hr3utXucVDxeZWfMapLtSCyE1c5_Y1qlDQ/w289-h320/ryan-calejo-130172738.jpg" width="289" /></a></div> south Florida. His critically acclaimed Charlie Hernández series has been featured in half a dozen state reading lists and has earned starred reviews from Booklist and Kirkus, was a Texas Bluebonnet Master List Selection, and won an International Latino Book Award, a Sunshine State Young Readers Award, and a Florida Book Award (Gold Medal). He lives in Miami.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>Connect with the Author</b></div><div style="text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://mgdarwish.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"></a><span id="docs-internal-guid-4038d26b-7fff-af89-384b-8f24245baa8e"><a href="https://twitter.com/RyanCalejo" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Twitter</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ryancalejo/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Instagram</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17203058.Ryan_Calejo" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3TnxNDc" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s500/Flower-Divider-5.png" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciRhrDcueh29FbrAtNYHMS_3i_V1xF_YLjcP0DV9RdDyh1TAB_iHy0LOeCiZxUqlyjaEDS4fsiaa4nYDL9VnX--OFkiGFjGxkhhzIp3K7G_3m8oGwWSbg1xg8C0MAEWuHBZ8_UZ0AWftcYjDhR0vk73Kyo6n0ZJA7ReibpPj7VjuHcb4MGozbF2MC/s3000/Review%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciRhrDcueh29FbrAtNYHMS_3i_V1xF_YLjcP0DV9RdDyh1TAB_iHy0LOeCiZxUqlyjaEDS4fsiaa4nYDL9VnX--OFkiGFjGxkhhzIp3K7G_3m8oGwWSbg1xg8C0MAEWuHBZ8_UZ0AWftcYjDhR0vk73Kyo6n0ZJA7ReibpPj7VjuHcb4MGozbF2MC/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: inherit;">2 winners will receive a finished copy of THE SHAPE OF TIME, US Only.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Ends October 3rd, midnight EST.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><center><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba21730" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21730/" id="rcwidget_it8tm5sq" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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</center></div><br /><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s500/Flower-Divider-5.png" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAQd3KOK-XnFvZ5Tk1DKQ7le4o06fYA9DgZA9PkmJ1ayjWTH0ywiv7YViYmKBuzwcVE82m4jaYtq22vedkG3UycF0doD-KWRu2M56ImCptXEpUtWiXp5w6b5LS1U9WcIK3yfDnEXiyHZM264UFrVGcTonHGbvg_yAfxg1PIyTpS_HlfXWAkcz2wGx/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;">Are you going to pick this one up?</h3></span></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-8287915023450094382023-08-25T09:00:00.001-04:002023-08-25T09:00:00.145-04:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: IN CHARM'S WAY by Lana Harper (Excerpt)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kH8LAdGwIPQQcA6DqzGu_oi5GAdBoZ-x6LssZsSXgRYBPJzox3H9Mak9kJF0amI0aiKDYnOOHH43Mn6q4exCgqEuE9OZukGzUMaX80hwk_Y5RY461B8ZnxA-kX8G0vDRmE5hCw7nAyLfM5omDS_EueNDM6kjzQ_9ZDuN8CUobvCXeXpw3uAF3uCR/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">IN CHARM'S WAY</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Lana Harper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x9ma5FfMxh_tYySSVWYPTTDmqlNbW-irNFmlZJXjdHtHDPMuqGp7F0t7eWfOpYBaAlnqdE_2jIejEm4B-PCZ9Mq9xhG4YaD9xYWqFvoNoge4QkQ3djp08vctXvK3cRIoPKC0SgNH1Q3PHuuS275enfxEZI8S-bFV-SKsD1K_ZTUuyJLq1_jUOrVqfZI/s450/63876586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x9ma5FfMxh_tYySSVWYPTTDmqlNbW-irNFmlZJXjdHtHDPMuqGp7F0t7eWfOpYBaAlnqdE_2jIejEm4B-PCZ9Mq9xhG4YaD9xYWqFvoNoge4QkQ3djp08vctXvK3cRIoPKC0SgNH1Q3PHuuS275enfxEZI8S-bFV-SKsD1K_ZTUuyJLq1_jUOrVqfZI/w266-h400/63876586.jpg" width="266" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: The Witches of Thistle Grove #4</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via Publisher</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Berkley Books</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: August 22, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div><b>A witch struggling to regain what she has lost casts a forbidden spell—only to discover much more than she expected, in this enchanting new rom-com by New York Times bestselling author Lana Harper.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Six months after having been hit by a power surge that nearly obliterated her memory, Delilah Harlow is still picking up the pieces. Her once diamond-sharp mind has become shaky and unreliable, and bristly, self-sufficient Delilah is forced to rely on friends, family, and her raven familiar for help. In an effort to reclaim her wits and former independence, she casts a dangerous blood spell meant to harness power with healing capacities.</div><div><br /></div><div>While the spell does restore clarity, it also unexpectedly turns Delilah into an irresistible beacon for the kind of malevolent supernatural creatures that have never before ventured into Thistle Grove. One night—just as things are about to go terribly sideways with a rogue succubus—a mysterious stranger appears in the nick of time to save Delilah's soul.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gorgeous, sultry, and as dangerous as the knives she carries, Catriona Quinn is a hunter of monsters—and half-human, half-fae herself, she is the kind of sly and morally gray creature Delilah would normally find horrifying. Though Delilah balks at the idea of a partnership, she has no choice but to roll the dice on their collaboration. As the two delve deeper into the power that underlies Thistle Grove, they uncover not only the town's hidden history but also a risky attraction that could upend Delilah's entire life.</div></span></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63876586-in-charm-s-way" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQMaSHvXKvr5jYiGPZOxV9DUXsAtPFmWpo5Lqwq-hfCiv1H6HTztYzKeOajX6GAZiJoL1GHdhzDmiZFSCv5_2ZBgyQZszipdGywwZcHqawRL2DnVqLOKjg-kLUpj4PzUe3U_y7hyphenhyphen3as/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="https://amzn.to/47gNAun" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/in-charms-way/9780593637968-item.html?ikwid=in+charm%27s+way&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=bd42a8022516b87788be952ccae0db0e">Chapters</a></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIzpKeqbMX474teKq7hCz5QfAQ9fH_tFqfPqwYZcRwBn9u5tGgYU3fXKBixS9nNr3eCkpGgFoE2XOLwlHK4yONvYTNKQomEyTtF0_ASbxAkO7smQlm7EWTfpplaRW9sAIHr_I06zQxMpUH9docy9982Mybw0fmqkwIBXuOu5FfiBcab7wKKmv5RQ6/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIzpKeqbMX474teKq7hCz5QfAQ9fH_tFqfPqwYZcRwBn9u5tGgYU3fXKBixS9nNr3eCkpGgFoE2XOLwlHK4yONvYTNKQomEyTtF0_ASbxAkO7smQlm7EWTfpplaRW9sAIHr_I06zQxMpUH9docy9982Mybw0fmqkwIBXuOu5FfiBcab7wKKmv5RQ6/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(2).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Flames and stars, living in this town could be exhausting.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I sank down by the tree's base, pebbles and blades of grass pressing imprints into my bare knees. Then I closed my eyes and reached for the flower, cupping my hands around it without grazing the petals.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sensing the flow of magic, Montalban brought her focus to bear on the spell, too, facilitating my work with it. She couldn't make me stronger than I was; that wasn't how familiars helped. But her added attention was like a lens held to the sun-anything I cast, she rendered finer and more precise.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Like most magically imbued flora, viridians couldn't just be plucked by mundane means. They needed to be harvested with the use of a particular preservation spell, to keep their potency intact. Magical botany was like that; infinitely fascinating and challenging, and also finicky as fuck. Hence, why I loved it. It demanded expertise and finesse, a deep understanding of theories and disciplines that the other Thistle Grove families largely cast aside in favor of relying on their natural talents. Even the Thorns didn't bother with it much, given their affinity for magically coaxing plants into simply doing whatever it was they wanted them to do.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But arcane knowledge, and its practical applications . . . that was where Harlows shone.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Especially this Harlow.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I took a slow breath, twitching my fingers into the delicate position called for by the spell, lips parting to speak the incantation. The words floated into my mind's eye in swooping antique copperplate; I could even picture the yellowed page upon which the rhyming couplets had been inked.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Then the entirety of the charm sluiced out of my head like water sliding through a sieve.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">All of it, vanished in an instant. The words themselves, the lovely script, the aged grain of the paper. Where the memory had lived, there was now nothing. A cold and empty darkness, a void like a miniature black hole whorling in my head.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The panic that gushed through me was instantaneous, a prickling flood that engulfed me from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes, a flurry of icy pins sinking into my skin. And even worse was the terrible sense of dislocation that accompanied it, as if the entire world had spun wildly on its axis around me before falling back into place subtly misaligned. I'd known that spell, only moments ago. Now, I didn't. It was simply gone, lost, as if it had been plucked directly out of my head by some merciless, meticulous set of tweezers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"Crawwww!" Montalban croaked into my ear, shifting fretfully from foot to foot as my distress seeped into her.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"I'm okay," I managed, through the terrible tightening in my throat. "It's okay."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But it wasn't. It felt nauseatingly like existing in two realities at once. One in which I was the old Delilah, a living library, a vast and unimpeachable repository of arcane information. And another in which I was a tabula rasa, almost no one at all. Just a facsimile of a person rather than anybody real and whole.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The dissonance of it was horrifying, a primal terror unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. The way, I imagined, some people might fear death, that ultimate disintegration of self if you truly believed nothing else came after.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Though to me, the idea of living with a mind that couldn't be trusted felt worse than even the possibility of a truly final oblivion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I sank back onto my haunches, wrapping my arms around my chest. Goose bumps had erupted along the expanse of my skin, and I broke into a clammy sweat despite the buzzy warmth of the air, the humid heat that permeated the forest from the lake. "It's okay," I whispered to myself under my breath, rocking back and forth, feeling abysmally pathetic and weak even as Montalban nuzzled my cheek, desperate to provide some comfort. "You're alright. Try to relax and let it pass over you. Like a reed in the river, remember? Don't fight against the current, because the current always wins."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, the simple relaxation mantra Ivy had improvised for me from her meditation practice worked, bleeding off some of the panic. Other times, it did absolute fuck all.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The worst part was that no one understood why this was still happening to me. As a Harlow recordkeeper, I should have been shielded from a conventional oblivion glamour in the first place. Given our role as the memory keepers of our community, Thistle Grove's formal occult historians, we were all bespelled to be immune to such attacks. But Nina's form of the spell had been superpowered, whipped to unfathomable heights by the kernel of divinity that had been lodged inside her, the deity's favor she'd been granted by Belisama.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Why that entitled Blackmoore bitch had been deemed deserving of a goddess's favor in the first place was still beyond me.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In any case, even after the mega-glamour dissolved-helped along by my cousin Emmy's and my uncle James's efforts-I wasn't rid of it entirely. Six months later, I still sometimes lost memories like this, little aftershocks of oblivion riving through me even after all this time. Other times, I reached for knowledge that I should have had-that I knew I'd once possessed-only to discover an utter, sucking absence in its place. As if some vestigial remnant of the spell lurked inside me like a malevolent parasite, a magical malaria that only occasionally reared up.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The lost memories did return sometimes, if I relaxed enough in the moment, or if I was able to revisit their original source-reread the page that held the charm, pore over the missing diagram. But sometimes they simply didn't, as if my brain had been rewired and was now inured to retaining that piece of information. And it was all horribly unpredictable. Just when I'd begun to tentatively hope that I might be on the upswing, I'd tumble into yet another mental vortex, a churning quagmire where I'd once reliably found the diamond edges of my mind.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But the self-soothing methods Ivy had taught me were always worth at least a try. I repeated the sappy "reed in a river" mantra to myself several more times-trying my damnedest not to feel like someone who'd ever wear Spiritual Gangster apparel in earnest-all the while inhaling deliberately through my nose and exhaling out of my mouth. The familiar smell of Lady's Lake calmed me, too, the distinctive scent of the magic that rolled off the water and through the woods, coursing down the mountainside to wash over the town. It was the strongest up here, an intoxicating smell like some layered incense. Earthy and musky and sweet, redolent of frankincense and myrrh laced with amber and oakmoss.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As a Harlow, my sense of the lake's magic was both more intimate and more acute than that of members of the other families-and the flow of it up here, so close to its wellspring, reassured me. Left me safe in the knowledge that I was still Delilah of Thistle Grove, on her knees on Hallows Hill with her beloved familiar on her shoulder. A Harlow witch exactly where she belonged.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Abruptly, the harvesting charm slid back into my mind. A little frayed around the edges, some of the words blurring in and out of sight, as if my memory were a dulled lens that had lost some of its focus. But it was back, restored, intact enough that I would be able to use it to collect the viridian.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"Oh, thank you," I breathed on a tremulous sigh, my limbs turning jellied with relief, unsure whom I was even thanking. Ivy's mantra, the goddess Belisama, the magic itself? When it came down to it, it didn't really matter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, you had to take the smallest of victories and run with them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, they were all you had to cling to.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Excerpted from In Charm's Way by Lana Harper Copyright © 2023 by Lana Harper. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this series? What was your favourite part?</span></h3></div></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-32648616241113402272023-08-21T09:00:00.004-04:002023-08-21T09:00:00.137-04:00Review: TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW by Gabrielle Zevin<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/reviews-from-to-z.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1DuI-3G3e-eR4CPTdiVkZeimAoemzCQ563wAU1ROMON83Nz-Hx4wdeRzDiNDnNOMqnpGpzBUM5xCTPy9Km_1vA7YR-f_mWFUn_kC640yXq5SxBul9X33M3pBlXrq42n8qS1AkS4ZVUAx0IGOTEwCKkZIdj2cZzPeB_PstfqPHi7qqueZ7N2rJAZQ/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Gabrielle Zevin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7cpTSR3COe-OG9rKPaUZwKHRzLRoo_GNX-Hm7kQ1WWboASBcqfOu_R6GSn0oYB6CLi6MiIBkeZEzQ5p3QNYkeZz--n-71K40EXG0PByNuEe2g1lbU0wsTNY-jOegAp8fvoOWy8Yww4onNkGJHws9fT8Bt6dPbC5g2xoVzjA2WfIwT1wcrPy3smpmZtk/s400/58784475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7cpTSR3COe-OG9rKPaUZwKHRzLRoo_GNX-Hm7kQ1WWboASBcqfOu_R6GSn0oYB6CLi6MiIBkeZEzQ5p3QNYkeZz--n-71K40EXG0PByNuEe2g1lbU0wsTNY-jOegAp8fvoOWy8Yww4onNkGJHws9fT8Bt6dPbC5g2xoVzjA2WfIwT1wcrPy3smpmZtk/w263-h400/58784475.jpg" width="263" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: Book of the Month</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Knopf</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: July 5, 2022</span><br /><head><br />
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>:<i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: Korean-American characters, gay side characters, Jewish characters</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div><div>In this exhilarating novel, two friends--often in love, but never lovers--come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a bitter-cold day, in the December of his junior year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn't heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. These friends, intimates since childhood, borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo. Overnight, the world is theirs. Not even twenty-five years old, Sam and Sadie are brilliant, successful, and rich, but these qualities won't protect them from their own creative ambitions or the betrayals of their hearts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Spanning thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a dazzling and intricately imagined novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. Yes, it is a love story, but it is not one you have read before.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58132544-a-river-enchanted" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGV_tOtkrTgswPTHPad9a9warobE1qg1LLo98HvgPaEtBx_UcvJ9CLbpT9nUx_QoXaGLCoPKmNq3Xxh61bC9DlEXcM9DaYnaJopEADaMoztqzDW-hJ7E1qYueLp01H_AVGk0t2xPLLeQ/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/43YKIj8" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/a-river-enchanted-a-novel/9780063055995-item.html?ikwid=a+river+enchanted&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=9c41bc4577c6426cf2f071e98799546c" target="_blank">Chapters</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Content Warning: </b>Teacher-student relationship, Suicide, Childhood cancer, Death of a parent, Workplace shooting, Car accident, Harry Potter reference (brief), Hospital settings, Chronic Pain, Health Neglect, Racism, Slurs, Homophobia, Amputation, Discussions around Appropriation, Abortion, Abuse, Dubious consent, Dissociating, Blood, Disordered Eating, Fatphobia, 911 mention, Captivity, Vomit, Gun Violence, Sexism, Sexual Assault</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I thought this was a time travel book so my bad for going into this with a completely different headspace than what it actually ended up being. I love video games and the details that went into this around development, design, and marketing were really interesting. But then... the relationship aspect was not what I wanted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In terms of the writing, I didn't enjoy the "flash forwards" and interview scripts. So much of the writing and narration of this book felt out of place because it jumped through storylines, through perspectives, and through time without much meaning behind it. There was also a lot of flowery writing when it could have easily been said in a much shorter and concise way. The interviews never actually made sense in the greater context either because when we got to that point in time, we never saw the interview happen or even the conversations of those interviews happen with the characters. Nothing to lead up to that or be a part of it in the storytelling, so it just felt weird to include it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But my biggest gripe is around how the book handled all of the content warnings I listed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The book tried to handle several topics around racism, homophobia, and the government in general, but it always felt like it missed. It seemingly was dealt with and downplayed in different ways. Sam could never quite understand why Sadie was upset about not being seen as the developer/programmer and the "well we'll fix legalizing same-sex marriage by having it in our video game" only to have that be the cause of the workplace shooting was.... an interesting way to frame it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also thought they rug swept the conversations around appropriation as a "well if we had made this in a different time maybe we wouldn't have done this." And the whole conversation about new generations being comfortable talking about their trauma and how their trauma is part of their creative outlet, which was made to seem like it was said sarcastically or with distaste, made me super uncomfortable. Why shouldn't people use their trauma to fuel them forward instead of being capsized by it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And to cap it all off, any time any of these things were mentioned (like Sam being overly possessive, the homophobia and shooter scenario, Dov literally sexually assaulting Sadie, etc.) were brushed off by the narrative. Yeah, they "acknowledged" it but then everyone just moved forward as if it didn't happen. Sadie and Dov remained FRIENDS because of how much the narration jumped through hoops to not acknowledge the sexual assault and downplay the abuse - physical, emotional, and position of power - that Dov had over Sadie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I feel like I read a completely different book from everyone else, if I'm being honest. There was nothing compelling in this story to me.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? Are you going to pick this up?</span></h4></div></div></span></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-19516375995123120612023-08-18T09:00:00.043-04:002023-08-18T09:00:00.129-04:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: THE ENDLESS WAR by Danielle L. Jensen (The Bridge Kingdom #4) (Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE ENDLESS WAR</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Danielle L. Jensen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PAHmmHjeGDSG6UqihfmHP3k2MiYKvy9CQ8bpmwIfN5n_vj9p_7K3y0F4YnCM8nTRGz2-qZUwnnODrtB_qdXW50iN80ZpXZzspquprsyofOC6p0sa2ucOoEHkutB8Z_N2NzR2M3Y8IbGN8J06BTocGiVtn2aaUpNsh7JZodMel5EHxUOdWwgGSVX-FKQ/s1360/75583461.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="930" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PAHmmHjeGDSG6UqihfmHP3k2MiYKvy9CQ8bpmwIfN5n_vj9p_7K3y0F4YnCM8nTRGz2-qZUwnnODrtB_qdXW50iN80ZpXZzspquprsyofOC6p0sa2ucOoEHkutB8Z_N2NzR2M3Y8IbGN8J06BTocGiVtn2aaUpNsh7JZodMel5EHxUOdWwgGSVX-FKQ/w274-h400/75583461.jpg" width="274" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: The Bridge Kingdom #4</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: Audible Plus</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Audible Originals</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: May 25, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>: <i class="far fa-thumbs-down"></i><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Representation</b>: N/A</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div>The electrifying fourth installment in the Bridge Kingdom series.</div><div><br /></div><div>Newly crowned as king, Keris has watched, powerless, as his forbidden relationship with Zarrah is revealed. But when Zarrah is imprisoned by the empress, Keris knows there is only one way to save her: to ally with the kingdom he nearly destroyed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Imprisoned on the dreaded Devil’s Island, Zarrah faces two choices: prove her loyalty to the empress who condemned her or die a traitor. Yet as she struggles to survive among violent prisoners, Zarrah uncovers a third path: a rebellion to overthrow tyranny entwined with a destiny she must fight to claim.</div><div><br /></div><div>While the empress plots a war with devastating consequences, Keris and Zarrah must find their way back to each other. Yet their greatest adversary is the fiery passion between them. Unless they overcome the bitterness of betrayal, their love will not be the bringer of peace but rather the fuel that turns the Endless War into an inferno.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75583461-the-endless-war" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQMaSHvXKvr5jYiGPZOxV9DUXsAtPFmWpo5Lqwq-hfCiv1H6HTztYzKeOajX6GAZiJoL1GHdhzDmiZFSCv5_2ZBgyQZszipdGywwZcHqawRL2DnVqLOKjg-kLUpj4PzUe3U_y7hyphenhyphen3as/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="https://amzn.to/454pktO" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-endless-war/9798986139357-item.html?ikwid=the+endless+war+danielle+jensen&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=606e9305eb1d40df9503eedc0a896976">Chapters</a></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i><b>Content Warnings</b>: </i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Profanity, violence, torture, cannibalism, explicit (consensual) sexual content, alcohol and drug consumption, character death, death of loved one, and references to past child abuse.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/2022/10/we-canada-read-the-bridge-kingdom-series-danielle-l-jensen.html" target="_blank">Read my review of the series so far!</a></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This was exactly what I wanted out of the end of Zarrah and Keris' story. A perfect ending for these two who are so in love with one another that nothing can stop them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This book picks up right where <b>The Inadequate Heir </b>ended, with Zarrah being condemned by her aunt to remain on Devil’s Island until she can see reason, and Keris being torn between saving her and being the king his country needs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The book's first part focuses on Keris’ plan to save Zarrah, and Zarrah’s effort to remain alive on Devil’s Island, among all the criminals sent there. The book's second part focuses more on politics as Zarrah and Keris must find a way to beat Petra before she catches them and kills them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I loved Keris and Zarrah's story, the way that Zarrah learned to love herself and see herself as more than just the shadow of what her aunt wanted and tried to shape her into. Zarrah remains strong and determined to do what’s right for her people, but while I enjoyed her conflicted feelings and self-doubt at first because it made her appear more human and relatable, it became a teeny tiny bit annoying near the end.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There are times when I just wanted to shake her and tell her to get a grip because the lives of thousands of people depended on her and her decisions. Still, I liked her very much in this book too, and she is an inspiring leader, as are all female characters in this series.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This duology overall was spicier than Lara and Aren’s duology, but this book was more focused on the politics and the feelings of the main characters than on smut. There are a few smutty moments, but not as many as in The Inadequate Heir.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">(Danielle, please give me a 4.5 story for Keris and Zarrah like the one we got for Aren and Lara!)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I don't even know what to say, I'm just so in love with this world and these characters. Please read this!!</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjiYQFTgoTF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjiYQFTgoTF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjiYQFTgoTF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Jamie @ Books and Ladders (@booksandladders)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><center> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?</span></h3></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-58090751442150691612023-08-14T09:00:00.012-04:002023-08-14T19:02:28.085-04:00Review: A RIVER ENCHANTED by Rebecca Ross (Elements of Cadence #1)<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/reviews-from-to-z.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1DuI-3G3e-eR4CPTdiVkZeimAoemzCQ563wAU1ROMON83Nz-Hx4wdeRzDiNDnNOMqnpGpzBUM5xCTPy9Km_1vA7YR-f_mWFUn_kC640yXq5SxBul9X33M3pBlXrq42n8qS1AkS4ZVUAx0IGOTEwCKkZIdj2cZzPeB_PstfqPHi7qqueZ7N2rJAZQ/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A RIVER ENCHANTED</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Rebecca Ross<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3yiNJS_av1BvYzCI4-xb082FhcZDMm1Mj3nAVyNazobcXELWssi9779ulJLzrZFTD2-OCZwFZyXCpttNnzSy2YykG9r19c-xYFc1bxgf-No9KqbDj5VkaAFjPYGVmrrQFiVHsRpiDILWjHcqYgP20PaPeh2Rf1oUd7VgXgZYcb07Mu9VuJOXpFr5q8k/s2775/58132544.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="1828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3yiNJS_av1BvYzCI4-xb082FhcZDMm1Mj3nAVyNazobcXELWssi9779ulJLzrZFTD2-OCZwFZyXCpttNnzSy2YykG9r19c-xYFc1bxgf-No9KqbDj5VkaAFjPYGVmrrQFiVHsRpiDILWjHcqYgP20PaPeh2Rf1oUd7VgXgZYcb07Mu9VuJOXpFr5q8k/w264-h400/58132544.jpg" width="264" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: Elements of Cadence #1</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: Audible</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Harper Voyager</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: February 15, 2022</span><br /><head><br />
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>:<i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: N/A</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div><div>Jack Tamerlaine hasn’t set foot on Cadence in ten long years, content to study music at the mainland university. But when young girls start disappearing from the isle, Jack is summoned home to help find them. Enchantments run deep on Cadence: gossip is carried by the wind; plaid shawls can be as strong as armor, and the smallest cut of a knife can instil fathomless fear. The capricious spirits that rule the isle by fire, water, earth, and wind find mirth in the lives of the humans who call the land home. Adaira, heiress of the east and Jack’s childhood enemy, knows the spirits only answer to a bard’s music, and she hopes Jack can draw them forth by song, enticing them to return the missing girls.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Jack and Adaira reluctantly work together, they find they make better allies than rivals as their partnership turns into something more. But with each passing song, it becomes apparent the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than they first expected, and an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface, threatening to undo them all.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58132544-a-river-enchanted" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGV_tOtkrTgswPTHPad9a9warobE1qg1LLo98HvgPaEtBx_UcvJ9CLbpT9nUx_QoXaGLCoPKmNq3Xxh61bC9DlEXcM9DaYnaJopEADaMoztqzDW-hJ7E1qYueLp01H_AVGk0t2xPLLeQ/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/43YKIj8" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/a-river-enchanted-a-novel/9780063055995-item.html?ikwid=a+river+enchanted&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=9c41bc4577c6426cf2f071e98799546c" target="_blank">Chapters</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Content Warning: </b>physical assault, kidnapping, raids, armed conflicts, loss of a parent.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A River Enchanted had some elements I really liked, and some that didn’t work for me at all, leaving me distinctly whelmed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was really slow to start and then picked up but it still felt off with the pacing. I think part of my lack of enjoyment stemmed from only one audiobook narrator for what felt like 100 different perspectives. It may have been more clear in the written text who we were following but it wasn't super clear in the audio which made me enjoy it less.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the positive side, the setting is excellent, and Ross writes really nicely. Her prose is relatively straightforward but there’s a really strong sense of place, inspired by Scotland, with plenty of quaint cottages and a wild, rugged coastline. I also really liked the spirit-based magic system and the way that enchanted songs, clothing and weapons were incorporated into the storyline; magic, in Cadence, has a very clear price that must be weighed up. Some of the most compelling scenes involve Jack making choices about using his bardic talents to control the spirits, even as it begins to physically weaken him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Additionally, the mystery of the missing children is well done. Some elements are rather predictable, but Ross slowly unravels the true extent of Jack and Adaira’s (the laird’s daughter) complicated family histories throughout the novel, and there is one twist I didn’t see coming that changes the whole dynamic in terms of the characters’ relationships. I’m on the fence about whether I’ll read the sequel, but the ending of this book does set up some rather interesting possibilities for what choices Jack and Adaira might make next in light of their newfound knowledge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Where this book really fell down for me, however, is the key relationships and the pacing. Somehow, A River Enchanted managed to be both too short and too long. The first chapter tells us that Jack has a complicated relationship with the island of Cadence and with his mother, having been away at university on the mainland for ten years until he is summoned back. Within a chapter or two more, he’s already reconciled his feelings about all of these issues… and we still have 400 pages to go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Similarly, this book has been pitched as an ‘enemies to lovers romance’, but… it’s not that. Based on how their relationship is laid out in the book, Jack and Adaira used to lightly tease each other as kids before being separated for ten years; any bickering now they have reunited could be described as friendly banter at best, which very quickly gives way to romance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is another romance between the older adults, Sidra (the local healer) and Torin (the chief warrior of the East), but it’s all very one-note. Sidra is the dutiful mother and healer, and Torin is a stock-standard emotionally stunted hero, and while they make efforts to overcome these tropes during the book, it wasn’t very compelling to me. The most interesting element that has the potential to change their relationship (a particular secret Sidra is hiding) isn’t even brought into play in the first half of this duology.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There’s plenty to like here, and those who like vibes over plot may well find some of the book’s weaknesses to be strengths instead. Unfortunately this one just didn’t quite live up to my hopes. But I look forward to the next book to see how things come together to conclude!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? Are you going to pick this up?</span></h4></div></div></span></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-63394557770223065742023-08-12T09:00:00.021-04:002023-08-12T09:00:00.144-04:00Stacking the Shelves (45): August 12, 2023<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/stacking-shelves.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4CjzA6T5X722TaKhiBALjKnM0C7nDIVdMDLVAVJjdGQorrxPprIz2NLEIupiNypmEmDVljHQlPGWyUjsbdLacB7Y99mJhpjnT_-QdWfdyZ_o-OUYDjQ-EdtyMCggo2Y0B4twuFR7t50bXsRP8FNmtSYycOq9Nu5Jwns-Nhh6Nm0gBaAvSKywCV9M/s16000/Review.png" /></a></p><span style="font-size: large;">Stacking The Shelves is hosted by <a href="https://www.readingreality.net/" target="_blank">Reading Reality</a> and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s200/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="200" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have officially moved over to Threads and deactivated my Twitter account. I'm going to miss the community I built there, but I'm hopeful to have the same interactions on Threads and Instagram!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">My mom and aunt are at the National Bank Open tennis today to watch the semi-finals! I bought them tickets for mother's day so I hope they are having fun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I'm going to try vlogging while reading so </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@booksandladders" target="_blank">maybe subscribe to my YouTube channel in the meantime</a><span>?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>In the meantime, tell me about the next event you're going to!</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo94Oub4_Ov4s9WA2uhFxbGkIkaWm1xhSsw09VmbtolnDYivz_RzOXmcWZW7wyMPM6bZFXwOB4Rm1g1jobmPOso9oFymBQ3aPfd8pNbvpHWLuFrHZggE50B1VUW6ihyphenhypheniMtitzDWW-u5Vg/s16000/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES+%25281%2529.png" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61884779-the-salt-grows-heavy" target="_blank">THE SALT GROWS HEAVY by Cassandra Khaw</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61148482-dungeons-dragons" target="_blank">DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES: THE DRUID'S CALL by E. K. Johnston</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59441651-the-carnivale-of-curiosities" target="_blank">THE CARNIVALE OF CURIOSITIES by Amiee Gibbs</a></span></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><center><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script></center></span></div><div><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGZAKsDR8b1Ld0rdiU6_BU7tOHtLJRw_-a-wcsU7PW2Szla4wNh4G-Ga0Jq_0tnJrzIUGUTzkROuDFK-3lr0_rFDWbhXPCIcHZxuKuqvxoEG-_tvummxuy-6bOVW_eBGV4rtdF164gGs/s16000/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES+%25283%2529.png" /></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/2023/08/review-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-suzanne-collins.html" target="_blank">Review: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/2023/08/review-she-drives-me-crazy-kely-quindlen.html" target="_blank">Review: SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY by Kelly Quindlen</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: MEDUSA'S SISTERS by Lauren J.A. Bear</span></li></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9deNOr4UvHCBKxuBgsS6EBzcujscFdMNJwY72wZqUvByNSqU92Sh9alhTdCJV8-bg-FZMth36d7PmwawX7403pMg0HiOu5Lofm0bkB5lCEfvTwLA3uTmWN_44u9AyEEq7W24yA_3cvMQ/s2990/Upcoming+Posts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9deNOr4UvHCBKxuBgsS6EBzcujscFdMNJwY72wZqUvByNSqU92Sh9alhTdCJV8-bg-FZMth36d7PmwawX7403pMg0HiOu5Lofm0bkB5lCEfvTwLA3uTmWN_44u9AyEEq7W24yA_3cvMQ/s16000/Upcoming+Posts.png" /></a></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">Review: A RIVER ENCHANTED by Rebecca Ross</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Review: eJUNKY by Nicholas Tana</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: THE ENDLESS WAR by Danielle L. Jensen</span></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFWfnZDVl-rVdqv1j9LVhBAGjugqfUGsbK-alNT6VUQ1djIhW5FSQgZCuZotwvfHg1S13lHHjl5fe0bcgT3WrtlBK766-VxiV4PfaIvinYGrXCglthA3rMA-4vyoDwchvis4QF0OXJio/s1600/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES+%25284%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFWfnZDVl-rVdqv1j9LVhBAGjugqfUGsbK-alNT6VUQ1djIhW5FSQgZCuZotwvfHg1S13lHHjl5fe0bcgT3WrtlBK766-VxiV4PfaIvinYGrXCglthA3rMA-4vyoDwchvis4QF0OXJio/s16000/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES+%25284%2529.png" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvfAMazsgYk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); 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margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-wrap: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnS64-tAX-M/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; line-height: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Jamie @ Books and Ladders (@booksandladders)</a></p></div></blockquote></center></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-19865128719584313932023-08-11T09:00:00.018-04:002023-08-11T09:00:00.123-04:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: MEDUSA'S SISTERS by Lauren J.A. Bear (Spotlight)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">MEDUSA'S SISTERS</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Lauren J.A. Bear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d8jaDpX6IEUL3MqAcEuQa1eKA_RELtYCvYMxIc9HOAifWtEQZCVTNl5FYAImCdXVxN69jWbTHEe1QLa_skVmR6jViKEnmKjiKKNIaoJx4U-895PxgirpiYb1gzeu688HObu5V3aC85KxKHj-p-B9fgEF21zislOKOLEPX_H_XNvwWWOHICFYZcPMbmM/s3238/63273108.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3238" data-original-width="2144" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d8jaDpX6IEUL3MqAcEuQa1eKA_RELtYCvYMxIc9HOAifWtEQZCVTNl5FYAImCdXVxN69jWbTHEe1QLa_skVmR6jViKEnmKjiKKNIaoJx4U-895PxgirpiYb1gzeu688HObu5V3aC85KxKHj-p-B9fgEF21zislOKOLEPX_H_XNvwWWOHICFYZcPMbmM/w265-h400/63273108.jpg" width="265" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: eARC via Publisher</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Ace</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: August 8, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div><b>A vivid and moving reimagining of the myth of Medusa and the sisters who loved her.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The end of the story is only the beginning…</div><div><br /></div><div>Even before they were transformed into Gorgons, Medusa and her sisters, Stheno and Euryale, were unique among immortals. Curious about mortals and their lives, Medusa and her sisters entered the human world in search of a place to belong, yet quickly found themselves at the perilous center of a dangerous Olympian rivalry and learned—too late—that a god's love is a violent one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Forgotten by history and diminished by poets, the other two Gorgons have never been more than horrifying hags, damned and doomed. But they were sisters first, and their journey from sea-born origins to the outskirts of the Parthenon is a journey that rests, hidden, underneath their scales.</div><div><br /></div><div>Monsters, but not monstrous, Stheno and Euryale will step into the light for the first time to tell the story of how all three sisters lived and were changed by each other, as they struggle against the inherent conflict between sisterhood and individuality, myth and truth, vengeance and peace.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63273108-medusa-s-sisters" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQMaSHvXKvr5jYiGPZOxV9DUXsAtPFmWpo5Lqwq-hfCiv1H6HTztYzKeOajX6GAZiJoL1GHdhzDmiZFSCv5_2ZBgyQZszipdGywwZcHqawRL2DnVqLOKjg-kLUpj4PzUe3U_y7hyphenhyphen3as/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="https://amzn.to/44IywnB" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/medusas-sisters/9780593547762-item.html?ikwid=medusa%27s+sisters&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=7402fc980711d97d2864fc6e6cee0a7e">Chapters</a></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvr3KFZMCG1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Jamie @ Books and Ladders (@booksandladders)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?</span></h3></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-74158299564886936262023-08-09T09:00:00.009-04:002023-08-09T09:00:00.160-04:00Review: SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY by Kelly Quindlen<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/reviews-from-to-z.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1DuI-3G3e-eR4CPTdiVkZeimAoemzCQ563wAU1ROMON83Nz-Hx4wdeRzDiNDnNOMqnpGpzBUM5xCTPy9Km_1vA7YR-f_mWFUn_kC640yXq5SxBul9X33M3pBlXrq42n8qS1AkS4ZVUAx0IGOTEwCKkZIdj2cZzPeB_PstfqPHi7qqueZ7N2rJAZQ/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Kelly Quindlen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYC7pi_pA1H_fJD1sOnIcGMUwW1UKzKwYJ1w4iAjbY1KZaJnb7bR9xj7wn2YECnZmXL_n-ebPDx9Vnwa3ueXCzSh4RrBarDf5GqcS28CySaAuybKtQ6Let-R-2WU83qYG15Cgn_dWwDgII9W1VbNPEB0zFFDTz1bjm7XzrdgdOP1rEW6I99fcQKchbPE/s2475/52516406.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1613" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYC7pi_pA1H_fJD1sOnIcGMUwW1UKzKwYJ1w4iAjbY1KZaJnb7bR9xj7wn2YECnZmXL_n-ebPDx9Vnwa3ueXCzSh4RrBarDf5GqcS28CySaAuybKtQ6Let-R-2WU83qYG15Cgn_dWwDgII9W1VbNPEB0zFFDTz1bjm7XzrdgdOP1rEW6I99fcQKchbPE/w261-h400/52516406.jpg" width="261" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: Audible Plus</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Roaring Brook Press</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: April 20, 2021</span><br /><head><br />
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>:<i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: lesbian main characters, Indian-American main character, Black side character</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div><div>A familiar is a life-long companion. Choose wisely.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's hard being the youngest in a family of witches known for their power. It's even harder when that magical power has all but passed you by.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still, I was doing okay for myself. I like to think I was proving to the rest of my family that magic wasn't a requirement to living.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then Aunt Opal was accused of murder. Wouldn't you know it would happen right when everyone else in the family but me was out of town.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now it's up to me to prove her innocence, and a little magic could go a long way in helping me do that. My aunt's been after me to get a familiar for quite a while now. They are known for helping a witch channel her power and even strengthen it.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, want to or not, allergies or not, I did it. I went to an animal shelter and found my familiar. A cute little black kitty. The allergy medicine companies were going to love me.</div><div><br /></div><div>But for some reason, this little guy didn't make me sneeze. Kind of weird, actually. Not that I was complaining.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just really wish I'd known more about him before I did the binding spell…</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52516406-she-drives-me-crazy" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGV_tOtkrTgswPTHPad9a9warobE1qg1LLo98HvgPaEtBx_UcvJ9CLbpT9nUx_QoXaGLCoPKmNq3Xxh61bC9DlEXcM9DaYnaJopEADaMoztqzDW-hJ7E1qYueLp01H_AVGk0t2xPLLeQ/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3rQKMnF" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/she-drives-me-crazy/9781250209153-item.html?ikwid=she+drives+me+crazy&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=019e04201c4fb53eb8b64892aaa20e33" target="_blank">Chapters</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Content Warning: </b>Alcohol use (underage), Bullying, Harry Potter references, Homophobia, Microaggression</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A super cute and charming lesbian sport romance! I thought the characters were well crafted and great with their inner conflicts. It was a cute ending, believable conflict, and had everything you'd want in a teen romance novel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I picked up the audiobook, flew through it and really freaking liked it. I went into it thinking it was a romcom but what I got was much deeper. Yes, there is a hate to love romance, but there's also the exploration of grief, specifically grieving a relation, ESPECIALLY when you know that relationship wasn't good for you, grieving not only the relationship but also the parts of yourself you lost in it. Becoming someone you don't like, lashing out, because you're hurting and you don't know how else to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another thing that I appreciated is the depiction of falling for someone while still healing from someone else and I LOVED the way the situation was handled. It surprised me in more ways than one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But beside all of that, the friendships were lovely, the romance very cute, and the book was a good balance of funny and emotional.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I highly recommend this!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvUtAajAV7R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Jamie @ Books and Ladders (@booksandladders)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? Are you going to pick this up?</span></h4></div></div></span></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-50547951854745815122023-08-07T09:00:00.008-04:002023-08-07T09:00:00.131-04:00Review: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/reviews-from-to-z.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1DuI-3G3e-eR4CPTdiVkZeimAoemzCQ563wAU1ROMON83Nz-Hx4wdeRzDiNDnNOMqnpGpzBUM5xCTPy9Km_1vA7YR-f_mWFUn_kC640yXq5SxBul9X33M3pBlXrq42n8qS1AkS4ZVUAx0IGOTEwCKkZIdj2cZzPeB_PstfqPHi7qqueZ7N2rJAZQ/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><h2 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Suzanne Collins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgaG4804x3fAyLurY9s-LKSoPPO2X6tfBCfPBPMfQy5acUzH7EHCD5TFx7nRf3--plswe0-hAUAfo3VD-C1xsHJcuzPb2LxpfPySqhY5fpMS0Oqx6cCalh4Fu-lHcnsP2wI8uW7NC2dYTtDNhOce9tWXiY2l8nBMfYgw3yvuUTcOaBbsQRGKOai6t8nA/s500/51901147%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgaG4804x3fAyLurY9s-LKSoPPO2X6tfBCfPBPMfQy5acUzH7EHCD5TFx7nRf3--plswe0-hAUAfo3VD-C1xsHJcuzPb2LxpfPySqhY5fpMS0Oqx6cCalh4Fu-lHcnsP2wI8uW7NC2dYTtDNhOce9tWXiY2l8nBMfYgw3yvuUTcOaBbsQRGKOai6t8nA/w265-h400/51901147%20(1).jpg" width="265" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: The Hunger Games #0</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: Audible</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Scholastic Press</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: May 19, 2020</span><br /><head><br />
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>:<i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Representation</b>: minor characters make reference to same sex partners</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></span><br /><div><div>It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.</div><div><br /></div><div>The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined -- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51901147-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGV_tOtkrTgswPTHPad9a9warobE1qg1LLo98HvgPaEtBx_UcvJ9CLbpT9nUx_QoXaGLCoPKmNq3Xxh61bC9DlEXcM9DaYnaJopEADaMoztqzDW-hJ7E1qYueLp01H_AVGk0t2xPLLeQ/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3rIyAFn" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-ballad-of-songbirds-and/9781339016573-item.html?ikwid=ballad+of+songbirds+and+snakes+book&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=1#algoliaQueryId=b33b205fb4f0af588612329499d355cb" target="_blank">Chapters</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Content Warning: </b></i><i>Alcohol, Animal abuse, Animal death, Body horror, Cannibalism, Childbirth (with complications), Death (including child and parental), Death by falling, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emesis, Eye removal, Gun violence, Hanging, Heart attack (mentioned), Loss of limbs, Poverty, Prostitution (mentioned), Rabies, Snakes, Starvation (mentioned), Suicide ideation, Torture, Violence.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was pretty excited for a prequel - I did write my MA thesis on The Hunger Games so I am heavily invested in this series. I wanted something that was a real exploration of what it means to be President Snow and how we got to where we were in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games. We got that, but it was dull and overdrawn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I really liked seeing where things were, the suggestions that led to the spectacle of the Games, and the initial aspects of Snow's character. I'm glad he wasn't a likeable protagonist or a likeable anti-hero, but just a self-serving asshole. I think there was some aspects of this that made it difficult to care about - we know that Snow becomes President and doesn't have to live with his "fate" of being on the cusp of losing his fortune. But it just didn't have high enough stakes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think if you really want to read this before the movie comes out, you should. But otherwise it's a miss.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">INSTAGRAM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s320/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="320" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? Are you going to pick this up?</span></h4></div></div></span></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-45375308241910953902023-08-05T14:05:00.006-04:002023-08-05T14:15:30.056-04:00Stacking the Shelves (44): August 5, 2023<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/stacking-shelves.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4CjzA6T5X722TaKhiBALjKnM0C7nDIVdMDLVAVJjdGQorrxPprIz2NLEIupiNypmEmDVljHQlPGWyUjsbdLacB7Y99mJhpjnT_-QdWfdyZ_o-OUYDjQ-EdtyMCggo2Y0B4twuFR7t50bXsRP8FNmtSYycOq9Nu5Jwns-Nhh6Nm0gBaAvSKywCV9M/s16000/Review.png" /></a></p><span style="font-size: large;">Stacking The Shelves is hosted by <a href="https://www.readingreality.net/" target="_blank">Reading Reality</a> and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="500" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KJWpGkGbugLxPkuFf0mCE_wt89Li-4Wn7Co3-hN-g-2NvAtT8buHnBu6N78wwnk_lUHvfi5HH8SECyMvpRVUwfgHCajeE9QRKz7alH2xchEXanu4RKT2EWlC6W2_-m5qIDPJd4GGIk/s200/Flower-Divider-5.png" width="200" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have officially moved over to Threads and deactivated my Twitter account. I'm going to miss the community I built there, but I'm hopeful to have the same interactions on Threads and Instagram!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am officially 100 books behind schedule and am admitting defeat. I'm going to change my reading challenge to 225 and then slowly increase if I hit that! Give me some good short reads.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I'm going to try vlogging while reading so </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@booksandladders" target="_blank">maybe subscribe to my YouTube channel in the meantime</a><span>?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>In the meantime, tell me about the next event you're going to!</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo94Oub4_Ov4s9WA2uhFxbGkIkaWm1xhSsw09VmbtolnDYivz_RzOXmcWZW7wyMPM6bZFXwOB4Rm1g1jobmPOso9oFymBQ3aPfd8pNbvpHWLuFrHZggE50B1VUW6ihyphenhypheniMtitzDWW-u5Vg/s16000/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES+%25281%2529.png" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSM2RObebf4" target="_blank">GUARDIANS OF DAWN: ZHARA by S. Jae-Jones</a></span></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><center><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script></center></span></div><div><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGZAKsDR8b1Ld0rdiU6_BU7tOHtLJRw_-a-wcsU7PW2Szla4wNh4G-Ga0Jq_0tnJrzIUGUTzkROuDFK-3lr0_rFDWbhXPCIcHZxuKuqvxoEG-_tvummxuy-6bOVW_eBGV4rtdF164gGs/s16000/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES+%25283%2529.png" /></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/2023/07/review-all-too-familiar-belinda-white-accidental-familiar.html" target="_blank">Review: ALL TOO FAMILIAR by Belinda White</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/2023/08/review-zhara-s-jae-jones-guardians-of-dawn.html" target="_blank">Review: GUARDIANS OF DAWN: ZHARA by S. Jae-Jones</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/2023/08/monthly-recap-july-2023.html" target="_blank">Monthly Review: July 2023</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/2023/08/we-canada-read-books-that-capture.html" target="_blank">We Can(ada) Read: Books That Capture The Essence of Canada</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/2023/08/sff-fridays-the-adventures-of-amina-al-sirafi-shannon-chakraborty-review.html" target="_blank">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: THE ADVENTURES OF ADMINA AL-SIRAFI by Shannon Chakraborty</a></span></li></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9deNOr4UvHCBKxuBgsS6EBzcujscFdMNJwY72wZqUvByNSqU92Sh9alhTdCJV8-bg-FZMth36d7PmwawX7403pMg0HiOu5Lofm0bkB5lCEfvTwLA3uTmWN_44u9AyEEq7W24yA_3cvMQ/s2990/Upcoming+Posts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9deNOr4UvHCBKxuBgsS6EBzcujscFdMNJwY72wZqUvByNSqU92Sh9alhTdCJV8-bg-FZMth36d7PmwawX7403pMg0HiOu5Lofm0bkB5lCEfvTwLA3uTmWN_44u9AyEEq7W24yA_3cvMQ/s16000/Upcoming+Posts.png" /></a></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">Review: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Review: SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY by Kelly Quindlen</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: MEDUSA'S SISTERS by Lauren J.A. Bear</span></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFWfnZDVl-rVdqv1j9LVhBAGjugqfUGsbK-alNT6VUQ1djIhW5FSQgZCuZotwvfHg1S13lHHjl5fe0bcgT3WrtlBK766-VxiV4PfaIvinYGrXCglthA3rMA-4vyoDwchvis4QF0OXJio/s1600/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES+%25284%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFWfnZDVl-rVdqv1j9LVhBAGjugqfUGsbK-alNT6VUQ1djIhW5FSQgZCuZotwvfHg1S13lHHjl5fe0bcgT3WrtlBK766-VxiV4PfaIvinYGrXCglthA3rMA-4vyoDwchvis4QF0OXJio/s16000/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES+%25284%2529.png" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvQslZZg-U8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; 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margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-wrap: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnS64-tAX-M/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; line-height: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Jamie @ Books and Ladders (@booksandladders)</a></p></div></blockquote></center></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-78785365865907512522023-08-04T09:00:00.008-04:002023-08-04T09:00:00.125-04:00Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: THE ADVENTURES OF AMINA AL-SIRAFI by Shannon Chakraborty (Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/science-fiction-and-fantasy-fridays.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27tpprYprvOAxXFaRAGiQRzZtScIflHAxSopx3i-91cCaftfXRkgXxDFQ3V6POBkwC9j4zb8_lIlReLLYfPOgqKOqrvb38g6dUqCRqHKq8mUOH7WHBZ1EcFfO9d8EuvE-uprC36OwvrGI1dqp9eAZAHw06GSEc8vusjjCSIJtVp1K-lmWJ_gQzHtm/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: inherit;">introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c3e50; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; outline: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sfffridays/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2c3e50;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE ADVENTURES OF AMINA AL-SIRAFI</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Shannon Chakraborty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa-bITgIwa7YmyvVvb0pM-FO6jMuwBAnlTV36fu36rcymdccn-ZrSrjBeG8DSRsBE9gDF3kClmnKq0DCuiAe2B4uxZX5BvDhukYJNxK9zC-2goXZ_FFIvMIrufXKkhIwdPeIzGJq9p72ZVVjYdccFAp0Ttc7OtOdWjI3h_FK0dXFcRjxQj832BrQ43Vk/s2700/61294937.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa-bITgIwa7YmyvVvb0pM-FO6jMuwBAnlTV36fu36rcymdccn-ZrSrjBeG8DSRsBE9gDF3kClmnKq0DCuiAe2B4uxZX5BvDhukYJNxK9zC-2goXZ_FFIvMIrufXKkhIwdPeIzGJq9p72ZVVjYdccFAp0Ttc7OtOdWjI3h_FK0dXFcRjxQj832BrQ43Vk/w266-h400/61294937.jpg" width="266" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: Aminda al-Sirafi #1</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Source</b>: Book of the Month Club</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Harper Voyager</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: February 28, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<b>Overall Rating</b>:
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</body><br /><b>Diversity Rating</b>: <i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><i class="far fa-thumbs-up"></i><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Representation</b>: gay side character, transgender side character</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summary</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div><b>Shannon Chakraborty, the bestselling author of The City of Brass, spins a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas in this tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, in one woman’s determined quest to seize a final chance at glory—and write her own legend.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, she’s survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of piety, motherhood, and absolutely nothing that hints of the supernatural.</div><div><br /></div><div>But when she’s tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman, she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family’s future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God’s will.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there’s more to this job, and the girl’s disappearance, than she was led to believe. For there’s always risk in wanting to become a legend, to seize one last chance at glory, to savor just a bit more power…and the price might be your very soul.</div></span></div><p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61294937-the-adventures-of-amina-al-sirafi" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRQMaSHvXKvr5jYiGPZOxV9DUXsAtPFmWpo5Lqwq-hfCiv1H6HTztYzKeOajX6GAZiJoL1GHdhzDmiZFSCv5_2ZBgyQZszipdGywwZcHqawRL2DnVqLOKjg-kLUpj4PzUe3U_y7hyphenhyphen3as/s320/Copy+of+Copy+of+Title+Cards+POST+TITLES.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Purchase</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="https://amzn.to/3Oy7EkQ" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-adventures-of-amina-al/9780062963505-item.html?ikwid=the+adventures+of+amina+al-sirafi+by+shannon+chakraborty&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=e5f7e9e953b375b36f2289049b1521bc">Chapters</a></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s3000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZ81l4ImJnikXqoQNzzK5jZjk1Nfr6Ob72e-9HsGUxtpmKp3vpWDlQNFyd8qNzHeL-ECAk5immKSNUGG2avB8MTtg4FsKn0Zxgr0OsbYIll6LgFfHS80rpkiWGCzJ4itb_loqtxBAYnbbXINJVlWDAsJDum1k1PrgN9jn1X_SV_7hV0Noba96CZL/s16000/SFF%20Fridays%20Title%20Cards%20(1).png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i><b>Content Warnings</b>: </i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Violence, death, Body horror, Transphobia, Threat of sexual assault, snakes.</i></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I really enjoyed reading this! I thought there was a lot of good action mixed in with interesting interpersonal elements. I loved that this was not only pirates, but found family and about a woman who was older than 20 years old. I am so glad that everyone in this was older than you typically see in fantasy novels.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">f you're in need of an escape, this fantasy about a legendary lady pirate who is pulled out of retirement when she’s made an offer she can’t refuse to find a kidnapped girl may be just what you need to make you feel like you've sailed a thousand miles into a fantastical ocean.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I don't even have children and felt the struggle of a mother who deeply loves and is separated from her child for the sake of building a better life and future for her. What kept me entertained and on this journey were the delightful characters, the action packed adventure, and the magical creatures.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The way this book treats gender identity and queer characters is exemplary in both its compassionate acceptance and care with characters identity.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I highly recommend this and am looking forward to the rest of this series!</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq4FY9TALyE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Jamie @ Books and Ladders (@booksandladders)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="66" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHRCGt6c9u_cPThmTPduhV6Jg2qADVQH5cUiEZqypoGkVJcQmLO6aduYwE1TTnldxhfDs2ckQCXYkAcoa3pOqyJ0lSdwnYyCTuSnuje3QIYJsnkklB4JIiuEkPjpHzMb_FjayoJ9NU0/s0/giphy.gif" /></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?</span></h3></div></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048790966720969871.post-47407874665271757812023-08-03T09:00:00.000-04:002023-08-03T09:00:00.134-04:00We Can(ada) Read: Books That Capture The Essence of Canada<p><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/we-canada-read.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvpVIwO2QKWcVnWn10_BA_JI2G5RoIongIsSfLhoa6WFc41OnAD1NQ2P1qIRclRFfuepXHwHXLDKEpXPmxWI7W4MX1Q-X8T43TRDkR0mXl2N759x8EVGNIUovVmWJMQZDaidZd7gnvfsbonvvDcRcXkIKKvCKX0hBNG7O0CNYJ7Uz0Q9trHtdPtKq/s16000/Review.png" /></a></p><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We Can(ada) Read is by Canadians for EVERYONE to learn more about some amazing Canadian authors!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.booksandladders.co.uk/p/we-canada-read.html" target="_blank">Learn more about We Can(ada) Read</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s383/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="383" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s320/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><h4 style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioA8iWQRkrvDhk2x8mtD7SwBZ0eDRfSyFaOkzUdwl4KxPE1npArv0Ji-J1Y6u40e_Z-rfAEprTJ2cnAt8zBtE-GtI63Hlx8F0vQyXy2d6aqqR5jBYPJYwL4YuusfYbOnduBiCaByp8-gmWwrn1ji1Vb8L9TPMazU5P6HhKWW8p8u8g2PmHIPn1HFNm9Y/s3000/Review%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioA8iWQRkrvDhk2x8mtD7SwBZ0eDRfSyFaOkzUdwl4KxPE1npArv0Ji-J1Y6u40e_Z-rfAEprTJ2cnAt8zBtE-GtI63Hlx8F0vQyXy2d6aqqR5jBYPJYwL4YuusfYbOnduBiCaByp8-gmWwrn1ji1Vb8L9TPMazU5P6HhKWW8p8u8g2PmHIPn1HFNm9Y/s16000/Review%20(1).png" /></a></div></h4><h4 style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Books That Capture The Essence of Canada</span></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 style="clear: both; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE BREAK</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Katherena Vermette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29220494-the-break" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnv5Kr16N-GfOQxNHp7rz_5Bmqp-suaeR7WNF-yZgI9kzckOeyfXx7OJuYwGU3Z6AvNWhw_7t13Rw7znVq4cJk1jOpzSyPYuS_8NyOKEavjxp8-9f0rXSks9LPkRdaaA6pxXhjtTRDypiKzQMKoPZRaMRo22yweFr7shpVrLwhkVWlMB3YJd-15GZj68/s320/29220494.jpg" width="210" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Anansi Press</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: September 17, 2016</span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Portrayal of Canada</b></div><div>A powerful intergenerational family saga, The Break showcases Vermette’s abundant writing talent and positions her as an exciting new voice in Canadian literature.</div><div><br /></div><div>Through the various perspectives of the characters is a larger, more comprehensive story about lives of the residents in Winnipeg’s North End is exposed.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was nominated for the CBC Canada Reads in 2017 and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize in 2016.</div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s383/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="383" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s320/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 style="clear: both; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE BIRTH HOUSE</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Ami McKay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40383157-the-birth-house" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03CeT5iPuAgbzMEkLBl62fn3qMfokUUp-VTu7H9-0c3UWhh6-7jteVkBsDWy8Bb2hEvu_QxmHf8XU2iyYZboTvJSatuV1sYWm1UDheP8b08Zv3Lfd08PAWClv43q6lKK20GcMeCaRn-8apiwKs9ymChiSQSpuGYTPcx0WnYztMYfqNg2sGaclK_73WnI/s320/40383157.jpg" width="212" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: HarperCollins</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: February 14, 2006</span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Portrayal of Canada</b></div><div>Spanning the 20th century Ami McKay takes a primitive and superstitious rural community in Nova Scotia and creates a rich tableau of characters to tell the story of childbirth from its most secretive early practices to modern maternity as we know it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hauntingly written and alive with historical detail, 'The Birth House' is an unforgettable, page-turning debut.</div><div style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></div><div>This won the Atlantic Independent Booksellers’ Choice Award (2007), Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Award for Fiction Book & Book Design (2007), OLA Evergreen Award (2007).</div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s383/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="383" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s320/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 style="clear: both; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">LATE NIGHTS ON AIR</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Elizabeth Hay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43877332-late-nights-on-air" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hSNloe7vcT8JuGM8jPXz-jl65AFp5kfNPdXT7PGONMSyJAx5pCTrSL4MO9uRgKOnM1tLl0_aSnybWl4ggHnoo1V4nyQpVtBvywyLOkJpg0NcWQvlZ4DHd6RxTcg4Nxiu4jNnJkIwR4G6XO-KYepPQAHw1lKxHQkzF3Um87tYRzVl-Jb6ognIOxqpakM/s320/43877332.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Emblem Editions</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: September 18, 2007</span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Portrayal of Canada</b></div><div>Harry Boyd, a hard-bitten refugee from failure in Toronto television, has returned to a small radio station in the Canadian North. There, in Yellowknife, in the summer of 1975, he falls in love with a voice on air, though the real woman, Dido Paris, is both a surprise and even more than he imagined.</div><div><br /></div><div>One summer, on a canoe trip four of them make into the Arctic wilderness (following in the steps of the legendary Englishman John Hornby, who, along with his small party, starved to death in the barrens in 1927), they find the balance of love shifting, much as the balance of power in the North is being changed by the proposed Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline, which threatens to displace Native people from their land.</div><div><br /></div><div>This won the Scotiabank Giller Prize (2007) and Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Award for Fiction Book (2008).</div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s383/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="383" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s320/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 style="clear: both; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Alice Munro<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ObighWqXFrvsk8D__2m_Z4CUhbNGr9NHObVfq3bFscz45TzjufSxfRD_WSqPe1hZQhezWj8VfPA7MIKLBVy_TYDgg-A2fC0qYybGViSvDT699Rqz9YABIefpMmNawfrJyJDjVmCkpD2SJQFqg83qSSi-cvMXp4o0cL9cXfwdkHj-zoWi0Il0Iguzs4Q/s2337/57188383.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ObighWqXFrvsk8D__2m_Z4CUhbNGr9NHObVfq3bFscz45TzjufSxfRD_WSqPe1hZQhezWj8VfPA7MIKLBVy_TYDgg-A2fC0qYybGViSvDT699Rqz9YABIefpMmNawfrJyJDjVmCkpD2SJQFqg83qSSi-cvMXp4o0cL9cXfwdkHj-zoWi0Il0Iguzs4Q/s320/57188383.jpg" width="209" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Vintage</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: January 1, 1977</span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Portrayal of Canada</b></div><div>Born into the back streets of a small Canadian town, Rose battled incessantly with her practical and shrewd stepmother, Flo, who cowed her with tales of her own past and warnings of the dangerous world outside. But Rose was ambitious - she won a scholarship and left for Toronto where she married Patrick. She was his Beggar Maid, 'meek and voluptuous, with her shy white feet', and he was her knight, content to sit and adore her.</div><div style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></div><div>This won the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Governor General's Literary Award in 1978.</div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s383/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="383" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s320/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 style="clear: both; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE SUMMER OF BITTER AND SWEET</span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author</b>: Jen Ferguson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58782872-the-summer-of-bitter-and-sweet" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Z24mQJ4TwCif_QDJrszJiN9xVwG4540L0EHPZyCpq2OLz1K-TavgmOOJNm4jBAbqAkW6OSlDjVr5meDDMSjXgGNXgTyfbGTGqsPMR06OE4-k6I9TYBMeLP50xim9ctdke6zsItD2kSf0Yw1Zv67WCEznBIDJFUpOLDqcqhwFCzSbcpFdq3PcJuKpqoY/s320/58782872.jpg" width="212" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Series</b>: N/A</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher</b>: Heartdrum</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Publication</b> <b>Date</b>: May 10, 2022</span><br /><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Portrayal of Canada</b></div><div>Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She’ll be working in her family’s ice cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend—whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort—and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word.</div><div><br /></div><div>In this complex and emotionally resonant novel, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person—and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth.</div><div style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></div><div>This was an Audie Award Nominee for Young Adult (2023), Lambda Literary Award Nominee for LGBTQ+ Young Adult (2023), and Governor General's Literary Awards / Prix littéraires du Gouverneur général for Young People's Literature- Text (English-language) (2022).</div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s383/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="383" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25mqomdGmZTFoGTgvuKbXEl8BDUqJ6V8dXSjBj4pGyge3R_Oh-F2DYdzXtTfNmxnGRgCdPRamRYNA4cshXv1O7qzDV53dS1__xC_MFENeXhfm9BiUCksY6jazLFcn125otvwbjS4S4TNQ_2juhiAzdo_uj9dpwrbf-EbGuk6m-BPUHax1LEVMXh-T/s320/DividerLine_MapleLeaf1.gif" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What's the last book by a Canadian you read?</span></h4></div></div></span></div></span></div>Jamie @ Books and Laddershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05219383237714268172noreply@blogger.com1