Tag: Book pic

Meru by S.B. Divya 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This was so thought-provoking.  The story takes place far in the future after humans had our chance at taking care of our planet and, unfortunately,  (but not surprisingly) failed. Alloys are the main population now in different worlds, and it was them that basically rebuilt and recreated safe planets. 

The main character this story revolves around, however, is human.  I loved following her story because she’s incredibly kind and also a genius, so I loved learning all the small details of this scifi world through her.

This really made me think, and in good ways.  After reading this, I really sat and just pictured where earth really will be in 10 years, 20 years… much farther out, as well.  And, I think that’s a sign of a great book.  A book that has a lasting impact.  And, Meru certainly does.

🌟 Currently Reading 🌟

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Happy Pub day to S.B. Divya with Meru! This book is out today, so if you like amazing sci-fi, then try to check this out!

I really just started reading this today, but I’ll be back with a review as soon as possible.

Happy Reading!!! 💜

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!

I’m so obsessed!!! I want multiple copies of this book. Take all my money, idc! I need more… I just want more, more more!!!

Lore is the female main character and the narrator of this story. She lives in a country in which citizens use poison such as Belladonna and Foxglove as a drug and also as a way to increase the length of their life. Lore has a secret ability, a way to control and contort death, or mortem. She’s caught during a poison run and soon finds herself amidst a secret plot of the King in the citadel. She’s paired with a pious monk (a very good-looking monk) while they work together to spy on the (also, incredibly good-looking) prince.

This book broaches the topic of religion and politics, and if there should even be a relationship between the two while the main characters attempt to trust one another and face possible betrayals at every turn. This love triangle is also more than it seems, which is one of the myriad of reasons I’m looking forward to much more in a sequel.

There is so much to this book. I felt just riveted to this story and thought about it even when I wasn’t reading.

Out March 7, 2023!

Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!

When I saw Dolly Parton’s name on this book, I absolutely had to read it! I noticed much inside these pages that had to come from Dolly, so I was not disappointed.

This is a story about a young woman, Annielee Keyes, hitching her way to Nashville and quickly rising to fame as a country singer. There is a thriller aspect to this book, but I didn’t really feel that until much closer to the end.

Annielee Keyes is, by all means, just like her nickname, a firecracker. So, it was no surprise that her personality won her the respect of retired country superstar Ruthana. This begins her trip to fame after handsome Ethan Blake makes their introduction.

This story has romance, secrets that are revealed, and a whole lot of country music! This isn’t the style of book I usually read, but I was still able to enjoy it!

Out March 7, 2023!

Mothered by Zoje Stage 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Okay… prepare yourself! This is the post-pandemic book I’ve been waiting for. Thrilling. Covering many topics that I shared worry over, but making my trip through 2020 look like an all year spa vacation in comparison. But, importantly, highlighting where that year took many Americans and others mentally but with a horror/supernatural twist.

Grace has just bought a house when the pandemic begins. She is frustrated with work and even more so when her mom kind of forces her way into her home. Her mom seems to go between a manic overwhelming kindness, helping vibe, to being more sullen and hateful. Grace experiences some horrifying dreams during this time, all while once again facing her childhood past with her dead twin.

So, yeah, it’s a hard read but it also kept my eyes glued to the pages with this need to figure out the puzzle of what is happening. Grace seems to be an unreliable narrator leaving me confused at times but riveted to the story.

Definitely recommend this as a dark thriller/horror!

Out March 1, 2023!

Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

A perfect sequel! I love historical fiction/fantasy, and this was a great addition to the genre. A little slow at parts, but the writing had such a great flow that it was a pleasure to read from front to back.

Hazel is going through it! After the ending of book one, this sequel begins with hazel getting into a really tough spot. However, she finds herself rescued and set to serve as a physician for Princess Charlotte. Many things happen at Pall Mall, but of utmost importance is (finally) Jack’s return.

This was a great read, and I loved how nicely the strings were tied up at the end, leaving me feeling very fulfilled.

Out February 28, 2023!

The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!

I’m not crying! My eyes are just watering….

I knew what I was getting into with this novella because I’ve read different variations of the folktale The Crane Wife, and it always leaves me devastated.

This, though? This, in particular, really got inside and had my heart beating for this family. A 15 year old girl is narrating in first person through this story. I think the author’s choice to leave this character so open to interpretation made her more relatable, not just to me, but I imagine, to many other readers as well. This is a hard-hitting quick read.

This 15 year old girl lives on a farm with her younger brother and artist mother. Her mother is quite flighty and has different men over for sleep-overs frequently. But, when the Crane man comes, everything gets bad fast.

The narrator takes care of the household and her little brother, even her mom’s finances and artwork sales. When this giant Crane appears, her mother is infatuated with him, although he leaves her bruised and bloody. This story is about domestic violence and child negligence, and I’ll admit, it’s difficult to read at parts, but this story ends with a powerful message and strength.

I loved this so much and highly recommend it. There are content warnings for physical abuse and child negligence.

Out February 28, 2023!

The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!

There are always different perspectives to a story, different ways for it to be told. In some cases, Perseus is held up as a hero. However, this story of Perseus is told from different women’s points of view and is a different story altogether.

Danae’s father, a king of Argos, learned of a prophecy that his daughter’s son would be his death. So, of course, he locks his daughter away so she will never become pregnant. Yet there is a hole in the ceiling that is the perfect size for a handsome young man to climb through. Danae falls in love and a bit later, after many visits, she becomes pregnant. When her father finds out, he tosses her in a boat covered in boards nailed on like a lid and pushes her out to sea for the gods to decide her fate. (All of this is very normal in Greek mythology)

Fast forward, and Danae has her son on a distant island, doing everything she can to raise him with love and gentleness. Now, this story can be taken as Perseus was born evil, and that’s that. But by the end of the book, after hearing the tales and seeing through the eyes of Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda, I realized that it’s not so simple. Every aspect of Perseus’s life, including himself, created the man he became. It was no one’s fault at all. It’s just the story of how evil becomes so evil. And, the answer is usually by a thousand different things.

I really enjoyed this. I thought the story was told really well from the different perspectives. I think the author did a brilliant job sculpting Pereus’s character, and I definitely recommend this to fans of mythology.

Out February 21, 2023!

Content warnings for sexual assault, murder, and some gore.

Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!

This is a sweet, gruesome, disgusting, caring, horrific and brilliant book! And, that’s as much as a warning as a recommendation. This book may make your bile rise, but it will also become a welcomed obsession when your flying on the wings of a reader high! (Don’t ask, idk)

The characters in each section are all somehow connected which was a satisfying plus. This takes place years after covid with the beginning of a new pandemic. However, some lucky patients seem to turn into Vampire and zombie-esque types of new people, maybe even a new species.

This story and the author’s powerful, no spare on the gore style had me from the beginning to the end. It’s not a long book and it’s a very quick read.

Out February 21, 2023!