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Showing posts with the label Fantasy

The Thorn Queen by Elise Holland | Dull Middle-Grade Fantasy w/Life-Saving Lions

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Welcome to Glendoch! Hidden to most, this glacial world once crackled with alchemy. Now it waits for war—divided and bound by strict rules. So when twelve-year-old Meylyne falls from a tree onto Glendoch’s sickly prince, she must flee or face imprisonment in the Shadow-Cellars. The only way she may return home is with a cure for the prince’s peculiar disease. Convinced she will perish, Meylyne and her companions embark on their journey—and before they know it, they are knee-deep in a plot to sink Glendoch into shadow, like other worlds before it. Poisoned guardians, cursed wizards, and cunning witch-spirits bound into wands are just some of the dangers that dot the way of their travels. And behind it all is the Thorn Queen. Mysteriously magnetic (or murderously vengeful, depending on whose side you’re on), she is always one step ahead of them . . . Discussion: ⭐ DNF - 88% In short, The Thorn Queen  is a very slow book with not much action. Meylyne, the main character, is forced to trav

Book Review: The Plastic Magician (The Paper Magician Book #4) by Charlie N. Holmberg | A New Sequel to an Old Favorite to Ease My Ever Aching Heart

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Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking—the magical discipline of bespelling plastic. Polymaking is the newest form of magic, and in a field where there is so much left to learn, every Polymaker dreams of making the next big discovery. Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries—in as short a time frame—as she can. Luckily for her, she’s studying under the world-renowned magician Marion Praff, who is just as dedicated as Alvie is. Alvie’s enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor’s work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking—and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself. To thwart him, Alvie will need to think one step ahead. For in the high-stakes world of magical discovery, not everyone plays fair… Discussion:                                                

My Ambitious BookTube-A-Thon 2018 TBR

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For two years, I have unofficially been participating in BookTube-A-Thon. Throughout the seven days, I have always completed seven books. I have always been dedicated; plus, I have never been busy as summer vacation occurs during this time. Sadly, I decided to complete some summer classes since I want to graduate earlier. Therefore, there is less time to read sometimes and there are more responsibilities rather than getting up before noon. Usually, I have just read any unread books on my shelves; however, since I am traveling to Michigan while competing in  joining this readathon, I need to keep light. Sadly, this means I can't travel with the usual fifty books I stuff into my suitcase just the night before. Before I start packing my bookshelf, let's look at the challenges to see what I can accomplish during the week. 1. Let a coin toss decide your first read.   VS.                                                                                  (Heads)                 

Book Review: Fire by C. A. Harland | An Unexciting Adventure with Gangs and Demons Doing What They Do Best

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Tala Morgenstern lives for the hunt, embracing her heritage as a demon hunter. When her younger sister, Hartley, disappears while on the trail of her long-lost father, Tala must seek the help of her other sister Aiva, who has turned her back on the underworld of magic and hunting. Suspecting demonic involvement, Tala and Aiva race to find Hartley before she can be claimed by hell. Their search takes them deeper into the bowels of Dublin’s criminal underground, where the gangs are led by demons, and the currency is souls. With each Circle of hell bringing new dangers, and new revelations about their own place in the demon hunting world, Tala and Aiva have to rely on each other if they are to stand a chance of fighting their way to the Ninth Circle, and the demon lord who is waiting for them. Discussion: " But tell me something, Nighthunter, who are you to decide which has more right to live, the man or the monster?" ⭐⭐-DNF When I had read the summary of this b

15 Questions with Lil' Bro: The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

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Hi everyone! I am back from the dead. I dug myself out of my book-made grave and risen up with  Clockwork Princess  in one hand and my other hand at the ready to type my next post. I feel dead due to all the deadlines that have been punching me in the face; however, as no one probably wants to hear about my bruised yet beautiful face, I think it is time to move on to reviewing a book series. In January, I had my brother tell me his thoughts on the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series through a series of questions. As I like to follow a pattern in my life, except for when it comes down to solving a problem with trigonometry as it is a stinking pile of confusing "math," I chose to be like Vogue and ask my brother, a newfound celebrity, fifteen questions about his so called "favorite series from Riordan yet." - - - ⭐A key to understanding who is who:  Nicole is bold  and Nathan is normal, just as it is in real life. 1. What star ratings (out of 5 stars)

Book Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare | My Baby Has Sprout Wings Once Again

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When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a  smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know..

My Brother Chooses My March TBR (AKA Where I Curl into a Ball Due to My Fear of the Book God's Choices)

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First, this may be one of the hardest things I will ever do in my life. I do not even know if I can write this post because I am so scared. This is literally me right now! For the month of March, I have let my brother choose the books I am going to read. Ugh, I hate having someone in control of my reading choices; however, I thought this would be a fun thing to do. Also, it would get me out of my comfort zone. Also, just to ease my suffering, I am making my brother do this challenge too! Hehe! However, does this mean I will stop reading Shadowhunters? Nope. Never. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Another synonym for no. Let's just jump into this torturous fun March TBR! My March TBR 1. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver -First read was so magical so I need more. 2. Love and War by Melissa de la Cruz -I should be okay without reading the first book, right? 3. The Book of Pearl by Timoth ée de Fombelle -Magical Realism a.k.a. starry eyes 4. The Knight with Two Swords

Spell Your Name with Fictional Characters Book Tag | Days Full of Stress, Overachieving, and My New Identity

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Several times, I have worked all day long. Every time I go to an amusement park or any popular vacation spot, I have to wrestle my way into a place in line. Some days, I have been on my feet all day, moving from one area to the next without taking a break. And, even though I have done all that and more, I feel as if this tag was the hardest thing in the whole universe. First, if I may ask, why did I choose to do this? Also, why did I somewhat accept Lili from Lili's Blissful Pages 's challenge to do this?(Also, go check out and follow Lili because she is just super-duper awesome sauce. That is not a description big enough for Lili; however, if you start reading her blog, you will be as speechless as I am.) Just, why?! I really think that she and some other bloggers lured me out into the open with some cake. How did they even know I have an obsession with cake and other foods? It is not like I stuff my face everyday. Anyhow, I have a tag to start so if the internet will p

Book Review: Amber Sky by Claire Warner

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Beneath the Amber Sky, the nobility control the food, education, and the mysterious C.O.I.L.S of Copper and Brass. To Tay, struggling to keep her siblings alive, the ideas of rebellion and freedom are distant and unreachable.   But when her father is arrested, she begs Darius James, the son of the Overseer, to save his life. Darius agrees, but his help costs her a favour, one he can call in at any time.  Darius' favour will bring her to the Palace, and the perfect position to help the growing rebellion. But the court has games beyond anything she has seen before, and Darius' secrets will add to the danger. Tay is now able to make a difference, to join the rebellion, find the C.O.I.L.S and discover the secrets of the Amber Sky. All she has to do is survive.  Discussion: " The Coils of Copper and Brass were a fantasy, an old fairy tale told to children, and certainly nothing to pin dreams of freedom on. " 3.5/5 stars Over the course of Christmas Break, I thoug