Firstly, huge thank you to Josie for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Publisher: Silver Sun Books Publication Date: 08/10/2020 Length: 268 pages Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult
CW: n/a
Some secrets are worth killing for…
The ancient city of Kepos sits in an isolated valley, cut off from the outside world by a towering wall. Behind it, the souls of the dead clamour for release. Or so the priesthood says.
Kala has never had any reason to doubt their word – until her father dies in suspicious circumstances that implicate the city’s high priest. She’s determined to investigate, but she has a more immediate problem: the laws of the city require her mother to remarry straight away.Kala’s new stepfather is a monster, but his son Leon is something altogether more dangerous: kind.
With her family fractured and the investigation putting her life in danger, the last thing Kala needs is romance. She would rather ignore Leon entirely, however difficult he makes it. But when she learns the truth of what really clamours behind the wall at the end of the valley, she faces a choice: share what she knows and jeopardise her escape, or abandon him to his fate along with the rest of the city.
If she doesn’t move fast, then no one will make it out of the valley alive.
Jessie Smith is living the high life in London, with a career that she loves, her own pad and the best friends a girl could ask for. But could one unbelievable night with an incredibly handsome stranger change everything?
Firstly, huge thank you to IBPA and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: IBPA Publication Date: 04/07/2020 Length: 327 pages Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult
CW: n/a
Heir to Hell and the Dark Forest of Malum, Klara has been called upon to take her place as High Queen of Malum. Though Klara has no intention of ruling, her guardians want her head on a spike. Klara’s only option – escape to Kalos, Fae ruled lands free from Dark Magic. To survive the perilous journey, she needs help…
A Leprechaun with a talent for smuggling. A mischievous Demon with swaying loyalties. The soul of a greying Warlock. Lycaon siblings with a talent for deception.
Destiny has an awful habit of catching up with those who run.
I can’t believe it’s time for another monthly wrap up already! This month I managed to complete my GoodReads goal of reading 70 books! This has been the most I have ever read in a single year, even before I had my book burnout, where I was just about managing to read one book a year, I never read more than 50 books. I’m not going to increase my goal as I’m just happy to see how the number ends up at the end of the year, but I’m still very pleased with how I’ve done!
As it was September, my Top Five Friday posts and my Thoughtful Thursday post was very much centred around university, regardless of whether you’re in your first year or last year. It was very nice to take a trip down memory lane, I hope the posts were useful to my student followers too!
This month I have read some amazing books, some of my favourites in the year so I feel very lucky with my book choices this month.
Books read this month
This month I read a total of 12 books (7 physical books and 5 ebooks)
The Lost Soul Atlas by Zana Fraillon This novel probably has one of my favourite friendships in a novel this year. I just completely adored Twig and Flea and could have read an entire series about their adventures. Additionally, this novel had so many unexpected twists and turns that it was a joy to read and I had no idea how it was going to end.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang You’ve probably seen a lot of people talk about The Poppy War by now and all I can say is that it deserves all of the praise that it has been getting. Kuang’s novel is such an amazing, albeit difficult at times, read and it has me excited to read the rest of the series.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong I’m a complete sucker for modern retellings of classic Shakespeare plays and this is easily one of my favourites that I’ve ever come across. Who knew that 1920s Shanghai would lend itself to be a perfect setting for such a classic tragic romance? Regardless of if you love or hate Romeo and Juliet, Gong’s These Violent Delights is definitely a novel you should look out for when it is released on 17 November 2020!
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller I thought that Hamnet would win the award for most heartbreaking novel of the month, but then along came The Song of Achilles. I already knew, for the most part, the story of Achilles and Patroclus, but nothing could prepare me for this novel. I loved Miller’s interpretation of one of the best Greek heroes in mythology and offered some brilliant insight into some of the actions of some of the Iliad’s major players.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi This book was such a delightful surprise, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a collection of stories set in a time travelling cafe. I knew I would enjoy it but within a few pages it became a favourite of the month. Each story was so touching for a variety of reasons and I felt myself tearing up multiple times. I’m very excited to read even more of the tales in the second book!
Lastly, on a different note, today is the last day of my current blog theme as over the weekend I will be taking the site offline whilst I update the theme and upgrade to a domain. I feel much more positive with this blog and blogging experience, than I ever did with my previous book blog. I’ve already been testing the changes (which will be fairly minor) on a test site and I’m very happy with the outcome and I’m excited to share the new look with you!
How has your month been? Are you sad Summer is over or excited Autumn is finally here? Let me know in the comments!
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books Publication Date: 28/05/2020 Length: 320 pages Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Mystery | Middle Grade
CW: n/a
A boy awakens in the Afterlife, with a pocketful of vague memories, a key, a raven, and a mysterious Atlas to guide him as he sets out to piece together the mystery of his final moments…
Back on Earth, Twiggy is a street kid with a missing dad. But when he meets Flea, a cheerful pickpocket, the pair become fast friends, better even than blood family itself. Together, Twig and Flea raise themselves on the crime-ridden streets, taking what they need and giving the rest to the even-poorer. Life is good, as long as they have each other. But the all-powerful Boss who rules the streets has other plans.
Loyalty will be tested, and a cruel twist of fate will lead to an act of ultimate betrayal that will tear the friends apart …forever?
Firstly, huge thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: Random House UK , Cornerstone Publication Date: 01/07/2020 Length: 384 pages Genre: Women’s Fiction | Romance
CW: n/a
When disaster strikes, adventure calls…
Charlotte had a plan. The perfect country wedding, followed by a month-long honeymoon in Japan – but when her fiancé starts having second thoughts, she knows there’s no choice but to call off the wedding.
Charlotte isn’t sure she knows how to be single, but she is going to try, starting with taking that trip of a lifetime – alone.
Will she find herself in the hills of Mount Fuji, or in the karaoke bars of Tokyo?
And will she be ready for romance by the time the cherry blossom flowers?
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