★★★✬☆ 3.5 stars This is an interesting book. On one hand, even the author doesn't deny it's for "when you're missing Harry Potter". On the other hand? ★★★✬☆ 3.5 stars This is an interesting book. On one hand, even the author doesn't deny it's for "when you're missing Harry Potter". On the other hand? It is... not really like Harry Potter. It's its own story.
Yes, it's true that it's a magical school, and yes, it's true that Ewan is an orphan, but that's pretty much it. Yeah, I guess there's also the looming threat of a madman that's said to be dead. But honestly, there are loads of fantasy books with similar premises, and Ewan Pendle is much different in many other regards.
So let's sum up the things that were unique that I loved about this book:
1. Ewan has two female friends and honestly, he struggles to keep up with them!
2. Not only that, but there are females very high in the hierarchy, both on the good side as well as the evil side! It was exciting to see so many capable and strong female characters in a book written by a man.
3. Reading this book pleasantly coincided with me actually visiting London as I was reading it - and it's mostly set it London. I loved how the magical world intertwined with the real one, to the point of tube stop names and all that. You want to imagine your world actually having magic in it, pretty much at arm's length!
I know I definitely want to keep following the adventures of Ewan and his friends, and find out what happens and why.
Then again, there were a few things that made me enjoy Ewan Pendle and the White Wraith less than I expected.
1. First of all, it's the fact that the book is... kind of a downer. For a book that middle graders could read, it's surprisingly dark. So much so that sometimes I had to stop reading it because it was seriously affecting my mood.
2. Ewan gets bullied a lot, and for no reason at all - by the teachers too. And people in authority do not defend him. Actually, he gets punished. Imagine it like this: it would be something like if every Harry Potter got in trouble with Snape, Dumbledore would ground him and punish him as well. As a bullied kid myself, I found it hard to take. While this is pretty realistic and believable, I did not want to be reading about this. It gets me down :(
3. It's truly a slow burn. The resolution takes a long time and basically manifests in the last pages! I usually enjoy slow burn, but coupled with the sad tone, it kind of got to me.
Despite that, I truly want to find out what happens next. You could say I got attached to the characters!
I thank Shaun Hume for giving me a copy of this book in exchange to my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book.
★★★✬☆ 3.5 stars This is an interesting book. On one hand, even the author doesn't deny it's for "when you're missing Harry Potter". On the other hand? It is... not really like Harry Potter. It's its own story.
Yes, it's true that it's a magical school, and yes, it's true that Ewan is an orphan, but that's pretty much it. Yeah, I guess there's also the looming threat of a madman that's said to be dead. But honestly, there are loads of fantasy books with similar premises, and Ewan Pendle is much different in many other regards.
So let's sum up the things that were unique that I loved about this book:
1. Ewan has two female friends and honestly, he struggles to keep up with them!
2. Not only that, but there are females very high in the hierarchy, both on the good side as well as the evil side! It was exciting to see so many capable and strong female characters in a book written by a man.
3. Reading this book pleasantly coincided with me actually visiting London as I was reading it - and it's mostly set it London. I loved how the magical world intertwined with the real one, to the point of tube stop names and all that. You want to imagine your world actually having magic in it, pretty much at arm's length!
I know I definitely want to keep following the adventures of Ewan and his friends, and find out what happens and why.
Then again, there were a few things that made me enjoy Ewan Pendle and the White Wraith less than I expected.
1. First of all, it's the fact that the book is... kind of a downer. For a book that middle graders could read, it's surprisingly dark. So much so that sometimes I had to stop reading it because it was seriously affecting my mood.
2. Ewan gets bullied a lot, and for no reason at all - by the teachers too. And people in authority do not defend him. Actually, he gets punished. Imagine it like this: it would be something like if every Harry Potter got in trouble with Snape, Dumbledore would ground him and punish him as well. As a bullied kid myself, I found it hard to take. While this is pretty realistic and believable, I did not want to be reading about this. It gets me down :(
3. It's truly a slow burn. The resolution takes a long time and basically manifests in the last pages! I usually enjoy slow burn, but coupled with the sad tone, it kind of got to me.
Despite that, I truly want to find out what happens next. You could say I got attached to the characters!
I thank Shaun Hume for giving me a copy of this book in exchange to my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book.
This was terrible. Third grader level plot, loopholes, flat characters - it had it all. The funniest thing is that romance is supposed to have feelingThis was terrible. Third grader level plot, loopholes, flat characters - it had it all. The funniest thing is that romance is supposed to have feeling, but this was as bland as you can imagine. They don't know each other, then we skip to "three weeks later" (I'm not kidding) and there's suddenly feelings? That I'm just not feeling at all..? This book had zero emotion. To think I'be been trying to read romance lately to stay more positive. This wasn't positive. This was just a boring waste of time. I guess I need to be more choosey if I'm going to try genres I've never read before....more
It's hard to sum this book up because in a way, it's good, in a way, it's terribly incomplete. It's like a jumble. If you're a complete COMPLETE beginIt's hard to sum this book up because in a way, it's good, in a way, it's terribly incomplete. It's like a jumble. If you're a complete COMPLETE beginner - then yeah, this will be useful. It explains a couple of things very well. But the problem is, it keeps jumping, changing tack or just telling stories that are a bit too random, in my opinion. Thoughts are not really finished up, conclusions aren't drawn. It's not that it's written badly - but it seems to lack a system. It's an inspirational tool at best. But it was enjoyable and easy to read.
Tansy's not having the best days of her life – she's running from a lost business and a broken heart, and a whole lot of guilt, shame and disappointmeTansy's not having the best days of her life – she's running from a lost business and a broken heart, and a whole lot of guilt, shame and disappointment, when she is 'found' by a scruffy dog and a couple of situations that lead one into the other. Tansy ends up working an odd job for a TV show filming crew she runs into, which essentially means babysitting a really cocky actor and a super patronizing co-star of his. Angry at her life, or rather, the lack of logic in the fact that this is now somehow her life, Tansy is not in the best place when the story starts out. Meanwhile, Davin is your traditional brooding hero: handsome, but utterly full of... 'stuff' on the outside. In the end, you'll probably find out he's not actually like that, but he'll do a great job of convincing you he's not worth the air he's breathing at first. It's not long before he opens up to Tansy, and through her – to us, and shows just exactly what he is protecting so much with such a harsh picture on the outside.
If you're expecting open romance, well, that's not how this book is. I would say, this is more of a slice of life story, where the characters are struggling with disappointment and their respective pasts, trying to make something of their lives, and as a result, something comes from it.It's a very unobtrusive, silent kind of story. At first I was going to give it 3 stars because I couldn't connect to the characters and what was going on, but then the real reasons behind their actions came out, and they were deep and troubled – I was mesmerized. If at first the book seems like just another story, by the end it will have you exploring the deep pains of the human condition, betrayal by the closest people you have and coming to terms with it all. It's done beautifully through dialogue between the two main characters and it had me glued to the pages past the halfway point. I really do recommend this book, but I have to warn about triggers as well. But the trigger is a spoiler, so if you want to risk it, please don't keep reading. Triggers include: (view spoiler)[miscarriage, guilt – especially over the miscarriage, losing a business and all your belongings, a cheating and manipulative spouse, growing up in a poor family with an alcoholic dad, being looked down on because of being dyslexic. (hide spoiler)]
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
I am so lucky to have been able to read The Winter of the Witchbefore its release! I have been following this series ever since I started blogging, aI am so lucky to have been able to read The Winter of the Witchbefore its release! I have been following this series ever since I started blogging, and I have to say, I think The Winter of the Witch is the best installment.This doesn't happen very often! We all know that it's usually the first book that's the best, and except for rare cases, it's at the least book two that suffers The Syndrome of the Middle Book. Fortunately, this didn't happen to the Winternight Trilogy! I don't think I can easily recall another series where the books just kept getting better and the third and final part ended up being my favorite!
The Destiny Of The Witch
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Vasya stands for all the women of the middle ages – women who were inconvenient, who could not subdue their spirit, who believed in the magic all around them. And perhaps, who were only in the wrong place at the wrong time.Called witches, threatened and persecuted, they still stayed strong and true to their nature. And for the men in power, "she deserved it" was made up of "she was beautiful" or even "she was ugly", or quite simply "because I couldn't have her". This has been an important topic from the very start of The Winternight Trilogy, but I did not expect a YA fantasy to portray the crusade against women so well. However, Katherine Arden excells at putting all the right words into all the right characters' mouths. What they say is incredibly archetypal and carry so much more than just the events in a fantasy story. They carry centuries of pain over the meaning encoded in the word "witch".
And Of Course It's So Dark
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Another thing I didn't expect was for The Winter of the Witch to be so dark.The first book was sad, but it was about what was to be expected of a YA fantasy. The second book got darker. But it seems the stories age along with their reader - so if you were, say, 14 when you started the series and waited for the sequels to be released, you would find that the topics and depth matches your new 16 year old self now (at least, it would have for the 16 year old me!) I could say, it's much like how the Harry Potter series gets progressively darker as the story goes on. The Winter of the Witch isn't JUST DARK – it's brutal and bloody, and even shocking.There are no easy endings, no fairytale saviours. There are only godless psychopaths and fanatics, dark and actually terrifying demons, and the cold, cold winter. And just like before, the princess has to save herself. Because princes do not come for witches.
Good and Evil, and then Religious Fanaticism
A man who has lost his faith is a dangerous man. Especially if that man is seen as a man of god. Father Konstantin has played an important role in the books ever since the first pages, but his role culminates in The Winter of the Witch.Katherine Arden does a wonderful job portraying religious fanaticism- in a man alone, as well as in the people as a mob. The middle ages especially are the perfect place to display how these structures affect society. But it's not to say religious fanaticism is not relevant or dangerous today. It will always be relevant, because it lies in the core of humanity to project one's fears, losses and broken beliefs on whatever seems convenient at the time or what fits the skewed belief system of the accuser.
Father Konstantin is every bit as hurt and lost as he is dangerous, and the reader, as well as hating him, can't help pitying him at least a little bit- because he was taught to only see black and white, to repress his natural urges and to look for the miracle of creation without - and not within. Ultimately, it is the Fathers' undoing, and you know from the start that it is not just a path of destruction to punish Vasya - it's also a mission of destruction aimed at his own self, because he uses Vasya as the mirror in which he sees all the "evil" he has been repressing in his own self.He thinks destroying the mirror will cleanse him, but that is not how these things work. Father Konstantin is the perfect example of what happens to a man when he is raised on lies, restrictions and dogma alone - not compassion, understanding and kindness. Father Konstantin is what is wrong with religion today - he is what has been wrong with many religions since the dawn of time.
This Book Is A Journey
What I liked best about The Winter of the Witch was that where the previous two books were more about a place, this entire story is more of a journey.Vasya gets to go to some strange and interesting lands! And I was so interested to see Slavic mythology be interpreted in that way. The previous books were definitely fairytale enough, but they do not compare to this last one. It was THE ULTIMATE fairytale for me.
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Triggers include (view spoiler)[mutilation, attempted and discussed rape, war and killing, lynching and witch hunts, death of loved ones. (hide spoiler)]
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange to my honest opinion. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion.
This one wasn't as good as the first book, but I still bought the whole box series because I want to find out how the story ends. And don't get me wroThis one wasn't as good as the first book, but I still bought the whole box series because I want to find out how the story ends. And don't get me wrong - the book was still incredibly fun and completely impossible. This time, I guessed the story part-way, but that made it all the more fun to assemble the puzzle pieces and keep confirming them. Chanel is a completely clueless narrator, and that's what makes it part of the fun! (Essentially, what I'm saying is you get to be smarter than the protagonist :D)
Anyway, this is definitely worth the read, if you've started the series already. Loads of fun and laughs. And some angry farting orangutans. (I'm not even kidding. It's the second book in the series and someone's been farting in every. single. one. I swear xD) (okay okay, I do read smart books too. But this is FUNNY.)
This is a delicious cross between Legally Blonde (Reese Witherspoon, down to the gay dog!) and Private Benjamin (if you remember that, with Goldie HawThis is a delicious cross between Legally Blonde (Reese Witherspoon, down to the gay dog!) and Private Benjamin (if you remember that, with Goldie Hawn). It was incredibly enjoyable and made me laugh so much. I'll definitely be following up with the series!
But let's get one thing straight. I've looked at the reviews, and they are either five stars, or one. The one star people seem a little lost as to what they've picked to read... They complain of Chanel being a little too 'blonde', a little too swoony around guys. Not deep enough. The culprit too predictable. People, this is chick lit. Adjust your expectations! It's meant to make you laugh! It's meant to feel good and be fun. If you want character development, go read literary - but don't complain at the chick lit. This chick lit in particular did what it was supposed to do PERFECTLY. It was incredibly amusing and even heart warming. And please don't be snobby with me - I'm currently also reading Dune by Frank Herbert and enjoying it immensely - and no, giving this book 4 stars will not detract from my ability to appreciate complicated or serious literature when it is due to be appreciated. But don't diss the fun in life!
Anyway, TL:DR; Cocoa and Chanel was a SUPER FUN read, and if you like Legally Blonde, you will adore this book as well! And also, if you want more reviews from me, chick lit or scifi, visit my blog here. Oh, and I read this as a freebie.
It was amazing! Loved both the stories and the art. Can't believe that cliffhanger and I need to know more.It was amazing! Loved both the stories and the art. Can't believe that cliffhanger and I need to know more....more
Despite the cheesy sounding self-help title, this is a wonderful resource - and it doesn't matter if you're into Zen Buddhism or not. The author makesDespite the cheesy sounding self-help title, this is a wonderful resource - and it doesn't matter if you're into Zen Buddhism or not. The author makes this book an accessible resource to anyone who is willing to do some work on themselves to feel better about life or where they are, or more like steps to take in order to stop hating themselves, cause it's a problem it seems most adults struggle with to some extent. Everything is written very accessibly and in an easy to understand way, nothing is sugar coated and there are no New Agey truths or slogans, no woo-woo either, if you want to call it that. It's spirituality through psychology, so nobody will be selling you a new religion. Can definitely recommend.
Thanks to Jane for the loaned book and rec!...more
It was a nice story arc about Gabby catching up on her friend that she left behind in New York. Also left on a cliffhanger! Loved the art style as welIt was a nice story arc about Gabby catching up on her friend that she left behind in New York. Also left on a cliffhanger! Loved the art style as well....more
This is a really quick read (I just finished it over dinner - ironically, there was one panel about that). It involves a lot of the stuff book lovers This is a really quick read (I just finished it over dinner - ironically, there was one panel about that). It involves a lot of the stuff book lovers often do or think about - and considering that, I should have been able to relate to it very much. But for some reason, it didn't move me too much. Perhaps because some of it was purely for print book lovers, and a lot of the problems could be solved by just picking an ereader - so a lot of the problems weren't 'problems' for me at all (like not having another book when you're done). Then there were also all these things that make sense when you're a regular reader, but not when you're a book blogger, because your connection to reading changes.
But anyway, I think most people will enjoy this collection. It is adorable and in centers around love of reading.
I thank the publisher for providing a free copy on NetGalley in exchange to an honest review....more
I LOVED it! This is a wonderful book to read after you've read Spinning Silk - although I wouldn't recommend it as a standalone, because you might miss some important details.
I really loved how Shin complements Furi's story from Spinning Silk - it opens up extra dimensions, and you feel like you're rereading the book, without having to reread it. Another thing I loved was how Spinning Silk focused on the women's side, and Shin - on the man's side of the narrative even symbolically. Spinning Silk accentuates Furi's creativity, as well as her ability to create life, and Shin's story is more about preserving that life, defending it. The love story still remains poignant, but I feel like it was much better explained in this book. If you had questions unanswered after Spinning Silk (like I did), you'll love how Shin fills these blanks it. Especially the ending! The ending builds up what the first book was missing - and it's also exciting for a whole 'nother reason I won't spoil for you.
Bottom line: Shin is definitely worth a read. But if you're thinking of picking it up as a standalone, I still advise to read Spinning Silk first. They are both wonderful novels! You can find my review of Spinning Silk here.
I thank the author for giving me a free copy for review, this does not affect my opinion.
My heart is so full right now. I've just closed the book, and my heart is both crying and singing in joy. It has been a while that a book has moveMy heart is so full right now. I've just closed the book, and my heart is both crying and singing in joy. It has been a while that a book has moved me so much. But The Eleventh Trade is one of a kind and I know it will remain in my heart forever. It's one of those books you want to shout from the rooftops about, and especially thank the author sincerely for writing it and making the world a better place.
So where do I start? And how do I do this book justice? The Eleventh Trade is both simple and at the same time it contains SO much - in a way, like a child's heart and mind does, so clean and simple, not yet complex and full of labirynths and riddles, but just as full of life and feeling, experience and eagerness
The Eleventh Tradeis for you whether you're an adult who is looking for a nice evening read for their child (possibly to read with them!), or if you're just like me and happen to find happiness in reading middle grade books yourself. It's a book about kindness and community, and most importantly, it teaches respect for a culture we are often used to seeing through the skewed lens of the "far away news".
If you want to read all of my reasons of why I adored The Eleventh Trade, please visit the full review on my blog.
Triggers include: (view spoiler)[losing one's family, enduring attacks and bombing, being bullied and humiliated, being hated for one's race and descent. (hide spoiler)]
I thank the author, Piccadilly Press and Bonnier Zaffre for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Absolutely loved it. The artstyle is amazing, and I'm completely in love with Gabby, the new Latina companion. She's just so wonderful and I wish she Absolutely loved it. The artstyle is amazing, and I'm completely in love with Gabby, the new Latina companion. She's just so wonderful and I wish she was in the TV series! I can already feel she'll be one of my favorite companions ever. The dynamic of the tenth Doctor is done very well, and the adventures are also in the right vibe. I loved absolutely everything about this issue!...more
I really enjoyed this middle-grade-going-on-young-adult read. While it concerns itself with mostly the problems of having something to wear and being I really enjoyed this middle-grade-going-on-young-adult read. While it concerns itself with mostly the problems of having something to wear and being accepted by the cool gang, which might seem a little insignificant to an adult considering the big picture, these are very important topics to see a broader view on if you're a preteen yourself. Cotton Candy Wishes teaches to know your real worth and follow your heart without being preachy or stereotypical. I know I would have found it encouraging if I read it back when I was struggling with being the uncool kid at school.
When nobody comes to Taylor's big birthday party, she is distraught - she didn't think she had nobody in her entire school she could call a friend - except for her three best friends, that is. So when her dad has to move to another place, she jumps at the opportunity to start over and become popular. And like a true nerd, she does her research first.
As it turns out, being popular is fun, and it can come very easily - at least, when you lie. And Taylor kind of has to lie a lot. That also includes lying to herself - about who she is and what she actually wants to do. But the worst lie is what she thinks about how her new friends treat other 'uncool' people in the school. It makes Taylor feel completely awful to have to say nothing in order to protect her reputation, when she sees the popular girls openly abuse some of the other kids, especially because they're kids she likes.
Slowly, but surely Taylor makes her choice, and her reasons are well explained and grounded. The book enforces the right kind of values for a preteen. And all of that is told in a relatable, easily readable way. Great book!
I thank Sky Pony Press for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. This has not affected my review....more
This has probably been one of my top 5 books all year! And you know I know what I'm saying, because I've read 142 books so far, in 2018. I can'This has probably been one of my top 5 books all year! And you know I know what I'm saying, because I've read 142 books so far, in 2018. I can't believe I almost said no to this gem, when the author sent me a review request - I was overloaded on review copies at the time. Little did I know that as soon as I was going to start List of 13, I would try to read in portions, only so as to make the time I spend with this book become longer. Because I loved being in the experience so much!
I also feel like we have to address the elephant in the room. We often look at a cover like this and think, oh, this is going to be cheap. This isn't going to be interesting. Well, guess that? Judging by the cover does make sense sometimes, because it tells you how much the publisher invested into the title, how much they're with the times and how much they know about marketing the book. But honestly, judging by the cover is a saying for good reason.I was offered the book before it had a cover on Goodreads at all, and perhaps that's the stroke of luck for me - because I probably wouldn't have chosen to read it if it had been there. Serves me right! (Don't judge me - we reviewers get A LOT of review requests, and wading through them is hard. There are no reviews yet, so there is little to go by when you make the decision of whether to give his book 6 hours of your life or not. There are only so many hours to give.) Anyway, I'm getting long winded, but basically! DON'T. JUDGE. BY THE COVER!!! You'll be missing out. This book should have a video cover with fireworks, for all I know. It was so perfect. READ IT.
And now come read the 5 reasons to read this book here on my blog.
I thank the author for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange to my honest opinion. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion.
The illustrations are simply unbelievable! I would have loved to have something like this when I was a child. Tales of cozy adventures while you dreamThe illustrations are simply unbelievable! I would have loved to have something like this when I was a child. Tales of cozy adventures while you dream will definitely motivate your kid to go to sleep and have fun like that - ride on the backs of dragons and go to fun fairs or candy lands. It also takes the chance to explain how nightmares aren't all they seem to be - maybe they're not actually as scary. It's a great bedtime read if you have a little one!
I thank the publisher for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion....more
This was such a funny book! My mind keeps trying to go to similar books, and I know I've read some, but I can't remember any for the life of me right This was such a funny book! My mind keeps trying to go to similar books, and I know I've read some, but I can't remember any for the life of me right now. But once you start reading it, you'll know the kind I mean. It's fast, it's hilarious, it's got a ridiculously incompetent main character who is still quite likeable, despite being either a major dick, or just a big doofus - interchangeably (think of a main character from an urban fantasy, for example.) It's good evening entertainment, nothing short of watching a spy or con men movie, and it will deliver.
One more thing - little mathematical details are sprinkled all over the plot - but they're not as difficult as to go over your head, they are explained and they certainly set a nice tone to the story. If you've ever been a maths dork (like me!), this will be an added bonus.
Despite the mystery the main character is chasing in this book, there's still a hanging thread that remains after everything seems to be solved - which makes me happy because that means there's will be a part two. Can't wait to read it!
I thank Farrago and Prelude for the review copy in exchange to my honest opinion. This has not affected my review....more
Evelina | AvalinahsBooks
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