Fantasy

Daughter Of The Pirate King // Book Review

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About The Book
Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map – Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship. Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/472il5U

My Rating

This thrilling tale introduces you to a remarkable, strong female main character. Alosa, the protagonist, embodies resilience, intelligence, and a fiery spirit, making her the perfect lead in the novel. Her fierce determination and cunning tactics set the tone for a truly engaging story. The romance in this series is a good mixture of slow burn, witty banter, and instant chemistry. It is evident that there is a genuine connection between Alosa and her interest in love. Their interactions add depth to the narrative, making it more than a typical love story.

While Alosa was undoubtedly a compelling character, there were moments when her decisions frustrated me. However, this seemed to enhance my enjoyment of the book. She was ultimately smart and strong, but her setbacks, although they were nail biting, were fun to witness. I kept wanting to see how she would get out of each situation and what she was going to do next.

The fast-paced plot kept me on the edge of my seat, with unexpected twists and turns that made the book even more exciting. This is definitely a page-turner and perfect for readers who are looking for an interesting and adventurous story. The plot and characters kept me fully engaged with the story.

“I live on the cusp of two worlds, trying desperately to fit into one.”

The book offers an interesting blend of different fantasy elements that enhances the story without overwhelming it. The author came up with an original story that got better with every page. As someone who is not keen on pirate novels, this is excellent. So, try not to be put off by the plot if you do not typically gravitate toward pirate tales.

Overall, I highly recommend picking up the book and giving it a chance. Not only was the entire story incredible, the ending leaves you craving more, and has me eagerly wanting to pick up the sequel. I really felt immersed in the vivid world created by the author. However, it is important to note that this is a young adult book, which is evident in the writing and themes, although I still found it entertaining.

In the comments, let me know whether this book is on your TBR. It would be amazing if you could share this post with other readers. All your support means the world to me, so please feel free to hit the follow button before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Anticipated Releases // November 2023

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Hi Friends,
Let us talk about some November book releases! As a shameless book buyer, I wanted to share book releases that I am most excited about this month. Spoiler alert, I might have pre-ordered some of them. I do not know what has gotten into me, but I was a pre-ordering queen this year.

Iron Flame/Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (November 7th)
I put these two together because they are part of the same series. Also, one is just a rerelease, so I do not think it needs much explanation. If you are in the book community at all, then you know that ‘Fouth Wing’ became an overnight sensation. Well, even though I already owned a copy of the book, I pre-ordered the new edition, with spread edges, being released this month. Of course, I had to pre-order the sequel as well.

Vengeance of the Pirate Queen by Tricia Levenseller (November 7th)
This is the third and final book of this young adult female pirate series. I am loving these special editions, because they are stunning. So, to make sure that I got this book, I pre-ordered it too.

The Once and Future Fling by Leigh Heasley (November 7th)
I am not sure that I am entirely sold on the plot of this book, but the concept does intrigue me enough to anticipate its release. The book includes time travel, a matchamaking agency, and a love triangle. I know that all sounds a little crazy, but it will ultimately make for an interesting read.

Night Shift by Annie Crown (November 14th)
Technically, this book is already available for reading on Kindle Unlimited, but the paperback version is finally being released. This sounds like the cutest opposites attract romance. I hear that it is steamy, which I love, but I am not sure how spicy it is actually going to be. Either way, I am excited to read it.

Betting On You by Lynn Painter (November 28th)
This is an auto buy author for me, so I will 100% read this book when it comes out. That said, I know absolutely nothing about this book. However, based on the cover, I guess that it is a young adult romance, which I am always down to read.

There you have five, well six, of my most anticipated November book releases. I might not be able to read them all this month, but I can still share my excitement for them. Let me know in the comments what releases you are looking forward to. Do not forget to follow the blog, so that you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bloody Fool For Love // Book Review

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About The Book
New York Times best-selling author William Ritter marks the beginning of an all-new series that explores prequel stories about fan-favorite Buffy characters. A verified villain. A slayer killer. A god among vampires. And most of all? A hopeless romantic… This rompy, action-packed novel inspired by one of Buffy’s most infamous bad boys is part Bonnie and Clyde, part Sherlock and Watson, with just a bit more bloodsucking.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/455nU1s

My Rating

When I heard about a ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ reimagining based on the character of Spike, I immediately added this to my TBR. I was not exactly sure of the plot before going into the book, and probably could not give you a good description of it. Unfortunately, the story is quite forgettable.

The concept of a book that explored the backstory of Spike, a beloved character, had a great deal of promise. While I have always been a fan of Spike, I found that the execution of the story was somewhat lacking. The plot left much to be desired and was difficult to follow at times. There was too much going on for my liking.

One thing I enjoyed was the setting of the book. It took place in the UK, and we got to see the side of Spike, which was a slayer-killer. However, the author did not capture the essence of the characters. Spike is supposed to be this big bad vampire, but comes off too lighthearted. Personally, I think the book generally needed to be darker and more eerie.

“Eat your heart out, Count Dracula.”

However, I appreciate the addition of Drusilla and Darla to this story. This helped connect the story slightly more to the Buffy Universe. Also, I think the author did a wonderful job bringing both these lady vampires to life. Darla reminded me very much of the one from the show. Drusilla was similar to her series counterpart as well. But I admit that I  was never really a fan of these two.

Overall, it did not capture the iconic Buffy vibes that I was hoping for. That said, it was still a good read, and the writing, although not amazing, was decent. I particularly liked the audiobook format since it helped me have a better reading experience. While this prequel did not fully meet my expectations, I would be open to reading more reimaginings in the Buffyverse.

If you enjoy bookish content like this, do not forget to like and share this post. Make sure to follow as well, to get notifications whenever I have new content!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Foxglove | Book Review

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About The Book
In the sequel to ‘Belladonna’, a duke is murdered, and the lord of Thorn Grove is framed. Signa and her cousin Blythe believe Fate, Death’s vengeful brother, can save Elijah Hawthorne from wrongful imprisonment. However, as they spend time with Fate, Signa’s emerging powers reveal a dangerous connection to his past. Their reality grows increasingly terrifying as they navigate this dark mystery.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3sSCDQ2

My Rating

If you’re looking for a romantasy book series, this is a perfect read. Since this is the sequel to Belladonna, I’ll try not to spoil too much of the first book, though there may be a few spoilers. The sequel picks up right where the first book left off, with the duke murdered and Elijah Hawthorne accused of the crime.

We’re quickly introduced to Fate, Death’s brother, who’s been searching for the love of his life—Life herself. He believes Signa is the reincarnation of Life, but Signa is deeply in love and devoted to Death. So, along with trying to clear Elijah’s name, she has to deal with Fate’s attempts to win her heart and pull her away from Death.

This time, we also get Blythe’s POV, which I loved. She quickly became my favorite character. She’s determined to prove her father’s innocence and still curious about her brother’s disappearance. And let me just say, the enemies-to-potential-lovers vibe between her and Fate was amazing. I actually ship them more than I do Death and Signa, but what can I say—I’m all about enemies-to-lovers relationships.

The writing was great, and the story hooked me from the first chapter. I couldn’t put it down and had to know what would happen next. I love the magical elements, and we got to learn more about Signa’s parents. In the first book, she was just discovering her powers, but in this one, she really owns them.

“You may have reign over the dead and dying, but let’s not forget that it’s my hand that controls the fates of the living.”

As I mentioned earlier, Blythe was a force of nature in this book. She was smart and cunning, which is a side of her personality we hadn’t seen before. I was really happy the author chose to include her perspective, especially since she was important to the plot of the first book. It’s great to have a fantasy romance that follows two smart, strong, and magical female characters.

The ending was incredible and well done. It set up the third book perfectly, and now I can’t wait for it to be released. I did see where the plot was heading early on, but I wasn’t mad about it since I was hoping for that outcome, and I’m glad the author went that route.

Overall, this series has a chokehold ob me, and I think my love for it will keep growing. If you’re not into fantasy or romance, you probably won’t love the series. But I still think it’s a wonderful gothic fantasy with romance. It could’ve used a bit more spice, but that’s just my opinion.
In the comments, let me know which book you liked better ‘Belladonna‘ or ‘Foxglove.’ Do not forget to share and like this post. Before you leave, please feel free to support my blog by hitting the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue // Book Review

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About The Book
 A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget. France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever—and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue. But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3OdHNP2

My Rating

I had heard that this book was beautifully written with an addictive plot. Well, I do agree that that the writing was fantastic. V.E. Schwab is a wonderful author, but since I’ve read her Cassidy Blake trilogy, written as Victoria Schwab, I already knew that I loved her writing style. The writing might be one of the best things about this book.

Schwab has a way of pulling you into the story write from the first chapter. The book started off wonderful, and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. In the book, we follow a young girl named Addie LaRue, who in 1714 makes a deal with a demon. One that has lasting consequences. She shall live forever, but never be remembered by anyone.

Now tell me that plot doesn’t sound intriguing? Of course, Addie does end up meeting a boy who, by some miracle. remembers her. And, thus a romance develops. I didn’t mind the romance, but I’m not actually sure if I liked Addie or her love interest, Henry. However, I enjoyed watching the fall in love and understand each. One of my all time favorite quotes is “The greatest feeling in this world is knowing you actually mean something to someone.” And, I think that describes their relationship.

On the other hand, we have Luc who is the demon that made the deal with Addie. The book shows that they share somewhat of a bond, but their relationship is more of want vs need. Although, I will say I have a thing for a dark, mysterious bad boy so I was team Luc. And, I have no shame in saying that.

“If no one heard it, did it happen?
If a person cannot leave a mark, do they exist?”

The plot was actually pretty heartbreaking, yet I didn’t find myself crying. A big message with in the story is that sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Every choice has consequences and your life might be worse for it. That being said, love played a big part in the story mainly what you’d do for true love.

There was some LGBT representation in the book, but I would say mental health was very prevalent in the plot. Interestingly enough the mental health aspect worked well in this primarily magic realism story. Also, Addie had to do some questionable things throughout her life. Some of those things could be triggering to be. As I always say, please do your research, and look up trigger warnings before reading the book.

I think my major problems with this book, and the reason I didn’t rate it super high, is the pacing. The chapters were so long and the book it self felt very slow. As a reader, I am all about fast paced books especially when it comes to fantasies. And, this one just took me way too long to finish. Also, I’m normally fine with dual timelines but I found myself getting a bit confused with all the jumping around through time with in the story.

Overall, the book is a solid story, that I didn’t hate whatsoever. The plot was very interesting, and the writing was top notch. Not sure how I feel about the end, but I enjoyed my reading experience nonetheless. And, I will most certainly be reading more from this author.

In the comments, let me know if you think this book deserves all the hype behind it. Don’t forget to give this post a like, and share it with other book lovers. Support my little book blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Magician’s Elephant // Book Review

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About The Book
 What if? Why not? Could it be? When a fortuneteller’s tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller’s mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3NnQVyy

My Rating

This book follows a young boy on a mission to find his sister. Honestly, I had no idea this book existed until I saw the trailer for the Netflix animated film adaptation for the movie. Than I discovered that it was written by the author of ‘Because Of Winn-Dixie’ and ‘The Tale of Despereaux’.

I’ve actually seen both of those movie adaptations and I read ‘The Tale of Despereaux’ book. Yet, I didn’t particularly love either of the stories. And, truthfully, ‘The Tale of Despereaux’ creeped me out a little. So, I didn’t have high hopes for this book.

There are a lot of different characters within the story, and most of them have sad backstories. I did find that there was a found family component with the book, which I really enjoyed.

“Magic is always impossible…. It begins with the impossible and ends with the impossible and is impossible in between. That is why it’s magic.”

Although the story wasn’t as magical or fantastical as I would have liked, I did enjoy it. I was just hoping for more of this adventure filled journey about this boy and an elephant looking for his sister.

However, the book is a quick read, and a simple children’s novel. I would say this is perfect for kids between the ages of 9 and 13. For me wasn’t anything that particularly stood out about the plot.

Overall, it is a book that you could read in one sitting, and I’m looking forward to seeing the film. But, I wouldn’t say you necessarily have to read it before watch the movie.

In the comments, let me know if you will be reading the book or watch the Netflix adaptation. Don’t forget to support my blog by giving it a follow!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Finale // Book Review

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About The Book
Welcome, welcome to the Caraval’s Finale. All games must come to an end. With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she’s going to trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett will need to do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him. Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3MUxFdi

My Rating

This is the final book in the Caraval trilogy, so beware that this review will contain spoilers. The book starts right off from where the second book, ‘Legendary’, ended. The dates have been released, and now everyone’s lives are at risk.

Something that was weird to me is that the whole second book was about Donatella’s desire to bring back their mother. However, she played such a small roll in this book. We didn’t even get to know anything about her. However, she did have a role in the overall plot without actually being in the story if that makes any sense.
Related Post: Legendary // Book Review

In the book, Donatella, Scarlet, Jillian, and Legend are trying their hardest to defeat the fates. That plot sounds amazing! And, although the book is fantastic, it was kind of slow moving. Tella’s whole story arc became all about her romance with Legend and Jacks (King Of Hearts).

I wanted there to be more fantasy, and less pinning for Legend. And, don’t even get me started on the slow burn between Legend and her. There’s even a sort of love triangle between her, Legend, and Jacks.

“There is nothing quite so precious as the love of a sister.”

On the other hand, Scarlett’s story arc was amazing. We learn something about her that left me stunned. Also, her and Jillian’s romance is super cute. But, I’ve always found Scarlett to be very likable. Not to say I don’t like Tella, because out of the two I actually relate more to her than Scarlett.

Now I did feel like this book had a lot going on, maybe a little too much going on. It was very plot driven, which to be honest the trilogy as a whole is more focused on the plot than characters. And, although there was a lot of packed into the story, it all came together at the end.

However, Tella’s story didn’t go exactly how I wanted it too. Let’s just say I’m a ‘villain gets the girl’ kind of reader. But, I liked how everything was wrapped up, and the last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat!

Overall, the book was well written. The characters didn’t have much development this time around, but were still very likable, and the story was fantastic. Although, it didn’t give me that 5 star feel, I would still recommend it to any YA fantasy lover.

In the comments, let me know your thoughts on the Caraval trilogy. Don’t forget to follow the blog for more book reviews.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Belladonna | Book Review

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About The Book
A gothic romance following a girl with Death constantly hovering nearby, Belladonna is the gripping story full of wealth, desire, and betrayal that will sweep readers up in its haunting tale from the very beginning! New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/42R54ek

My Rating

The thing that appealed to me about this book was the title, because I happened to play the role of Belladonna in my college production of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. So, you could say the name holds a special place in my heart. But, other than the book title, and that it was a YA fantasy, I knew nothing about the book.

The main character is Signa, an orphan, who has spent her whole life being shipped off to relative after relative. She’s also sees death. Picture  along the lines of the Angel of Death. When she arrives at Throne Grove, she starts seeing spirits, and discovers hidden powers within her.

Signa was problem my least favorite thing about the book. I found her to be a little annoying at times. Early in her life, she learned that if she poisoned herself, the poison doesn’t affect her, but death will come to her. What was so annoying was her ability to blame death for all her problems. She accused him of always following her, when she was literally poisoning herself to see him.

Other than the main character being a 7 out of 10, I loved the book. The plot was fascinating and very gothic inspired. There were a few good twists, and even a love triangle, consisting of involving Signa, Death, and a stable boy. But let’s get real, this was more of a Bella, Edward and Jacob love triangle in which there’s not really any competition.

“Do not change the parts of yourself that you like to make others comfortable. Do not try to mold yourself to fit the standards someone else has set for us.”

Death was sexy as hell, no pun intended. He was dangerous, charming, smooth, and kind. Honestly, I’d poison myself if I knew I wouldn’t die to see him as well. The romance aspect was on point, and their relationship was awesome. Not too smutty, but hot. I was here for those little steamy moment’s between Signa and Death.

The ending of the book was incredible, and it will make you want to pick up the next book immediately. I loved how everything was wrapped up. The twist was great, and I can’t wait to continue on with the series. Adalyn Grace knows how to write a fantasy/romance for sure. However, despite my love for the book, the main character’s flaws kept it from being a 5 star.

Overall, I highly recommend this book – especially if you enjoyed the ‘Kingdom Of The Wicked’ series. I chose not to continue on with that series, but in my opinion this book has very similar vibes. One thing to note, there aren’t a lot of triggering topic but you should definitely check on them before jumping into the book.

In the comments, tell me if you’ve read this book, and what your thoughts were on it. Don’t forget to support my blog by giving it a follow!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Friday Reads #15

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Hello Friends,
It’s time for another Friday reads post! I am going to try and finish a few books this weekend, but as always this is a flexible weekend TBR. I might change things up depending on what my Libby app has available on Audiobook, but I like having options.

‘Furyborn‘ by Claire Legrand
I’ve been reading this book for months and still just at 30%. It’s a YA fantasy that is apart of my 12 Book Challenge.

‘A Magic Steeped in Poison‘ by Judy I. Lin
I’m like 4% into this young adult fantasy, but so far I am loving it! I’m really going to try and get this finished but the end of the weekend.

‘With and Without You‘ by Austin Siegemund-Broka and Emily Wibberley
I’ve read every YA contemporary released by this author duo. But, I have yet to get to their release from last year, which is about two teens trying to navigate a long distance relationship.

‘Icebreaker’ by Hannah Grace
I posted a poll on my Bookstagram account voting on what ‘smutty‘ book I should read and this was the winner. Guess, I’m going to be seeing what all the hype is about.

Those are the books that I’m planning on picking up, but I’ve been in the biggest reading mood lately. And, right now I want to read everything especially fantasy series. Before you go, hit the follow button to get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Legendary // Book Review

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About The Book
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3KroBvD

My Rating

This is the sequel to Caraval, which followed Scarlet as she joins the magical game, Caraval, in order to find her sister Tella. But this time, Tella is the leading lady – and boy did I love her.

I found myself a lot like Tella. Not only is she the younger sister, a bit immature, but she’s also stubborn and driven. The story takes place right after the first book, and the writing is just as phenomenal.

I love being in the magical world that is Caraval. However, this time we get to see a more darker side of Caraval, with higher stakes. Just like in the first book, Caraval is filled with lies, misdirection and it messes with your mind.

There were some new characters introduced, all of whom I enjoyed. And, as always, the sister relationship and family was at the forefront of the story. The major plot point of this book is Tella’s desire to find her mother, and we do get to know a lot about her.

“Every story has four parts – the beginning, the middle, the almost ending, and the true ending.”

There were a lot of twist and turns throughout the entire book, which made it go by so fast. However, the story had a lot of components to it, so it was definitely hard to keep track of where the plot was going.

Overall, I would completely recommend this book, and cannot wait to dive into Finale, the final book in this trilogy. Although, I would say that if you are looking to read these books, they are most likely ones you should binge read.

In the comments, let me know if you love the Caraval series! Don’t forget to share and like this post. And, all my bookish friends, give the blog a follow!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny