• Book Reviews

    The Lost Orphan

    The Lost Orphan by Stacey Halls My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Lost Orphan in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Stacey Halls’ The Lost Orphan is a captivating journey through the gritty streets of 18th-century London, where a young woman’s search for her past unravels a tapestry of secrets and deceit. Halls transports readers to a vividly depicted historical setting, exploring the harsh realities of life in the Georgian era. The Details The protagonist is a compelling and tenacious character whose quest for truth takes readers on a…

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  • Book Reviews

    Net Force: Dark Web

    Net Force: Dark Web by Jerome Preisler My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Net Force: Dark Web in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Net Force: Dark Web steers through the intricate world of cyber threats with intensity. I have never read a Net Force story before this one, and I have never been very interested in it, but the synopsis caught my attention. The Details The novel presents a gripping narrative, filled with the expected technological intricacies and fast-paced action that, I assume, fans of the series would appreciate…

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  • Book Reviews

    Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak

    Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Adi Alsaid’s Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak is a competent entry into the realm of young adult contemporary fiction. The novel explores the familiar terrain of teenage love and heartbreak with a mix of humor and genuine emotion. The Details The protagonist is a relatable character with authentic struggles and growth throughout the story. Alsaid skillfully captures the rollercoaster of emotions that come with navigating relationships in adolescence. The writing is straightforward and engaging, making it…

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  • Book Reviews

    Blackberry & Wild Rose

    Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Blackberry & Wild Rose in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Blackberry & Wild Rose by Sonia Velton is a richly detailed journey into the heart of 18th-century Spitalfields, where silk weavers navigate a world of ambition, betrayal, and societal constraints. Velton’s prose brings the setting to life. It immerses readers in the intricacies of the silk trade and the lives of her compelling characters. The Details The strength of the novel lies in Velton’s meticulous research. It is evident in the vibrant descriptions of Spitalfields’ streets and the weaving…

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  • Book Reviews

    Artemis

    Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Artemis in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Artemis by Andy Weir, though brimming with scientific detail and a promising lunar setting, falls short of the high expectations set by the author’s previous work. While Weir’s attempt to blend science and storytelling is commendable, the execution leaves much to be desired. The Details One of the notable drawbacks is the protagonist. Instead of being a relatable and dynamic character, she comes across as forced and at times, clichéd. The humour often feels contrived and fails to land, disrupting the narrative…

  • Book Reviews

    Starborn – Worldmaker Trilogy #1

    Starborn – Worldmaker Trilogy by Lucy Hounsom My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Starborn in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Starborn by Lucy Hounsom is a gripping and imaginative fantasy novel that takes readers on a thrilling adventure through a beautifully crafted world of magic, mystery, and danger. The novel follows the journey of Kyndra, a young girl who discovers that she has the power to control the elements and that she is destined to play a crucial role in the fate of her world. The Details…

  • Book Reviews

    The Sacrifice

    The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Sacrifice in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist You know what? I’m kind of tired writing these negative, or shall we say unfavourable reviews. There have been a lot of them lately. So, here I am, excited to start Rin Chupeco’s newest story. I loved her Bone Witch trilogy and Never Tilting World duology, but there was something missing in The Sacrifice. The Details I loved the premise, the setting, the contradiction between such a beautiful…

  • Blog Tour,  Book Reviews

    The Thread Collectors

    The Thread Collectors by Shaunna J. Edwards & Alyson Richman My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Graydon House and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of The Thread Collectors in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This novel is a collaboration between award-winning Jewish author Alyson Richman, and black debut author Shaunna J. Edwards. The Gist It is written by a black and Jewish woman about a black and jewish woman during the Civil war. Gripping, captivating and it will not leave you for a long time. It is vivid and personal. There is no escape once you have started…

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  • Book Reviews

    Book Haul 2016

    I’m trying something new and giving this book haul trend a go not only on my YouTube channel, but also on my blog. I noticed that I have a lot of books that I read in the past few years that never made it on this blog or even Goodreads. So, in order to clean up this mess, I’m doing a sort of book haul by the year. Turns out I have to go back six years. That a long time ago and so much has changed since then. Each book gets a paragraph or two in which I talk a little bit about the impressions the story has made…

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  • Book Reviews

    Where Darkness Blooms

    Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hanna My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Where Darkness Blooms in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Trigger Warning: mention and referral to sexual assault/rape. The Gist I started reading Where Darkness Blooms at the beginning of my vacation and then wasn’t able to read anymore until I was on the plane back home. So, there was a good week and a half during which the book stayed unopened. I don’t like taking big breaks while reading a book. It takes me out of the…

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