First Line Friday #16

Sooo… it’s been a couple of weeks… Not my fault! The power was out last Friday! But it’s been a few weeks nonetheless, since last I participated in a First Line Friday.

First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words, but I saw it over at One Book More.

What if instead of judging a book by the cover, author or most everything else, we judged it by its content? Its first lines?

If you want to join in, all you gotta do is:

šŸ“š Take a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open it to the first page
šŸ“ Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
šŸ“™ Finally… reveal the book!

Here are the first lines:

Even as the only home Charlie had ever known burned to the ground, he couldn’t bring himself to regret it. His plan had worked and that’s what mattered.

D’you know what book it’s from? Look at the pretty book pics while you think about it…

Annnd the book is šŸ„šŸ„ā€¦  The Never Heir by Courtney Millecam!!

(Didja guess it??)

The Never Heir by Courtney Millecam

The Never Heir by Courtney Millecam

SERIES:Ā The Otherworlds (Book #1)

LENGTH:Ā 350 pages

GENRES:Ā Fantasy, YA, Fiction

PUBLISHER:Ā Laurel Ink Press

RELEASE DATE:Ā 16 May 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Charlie ā€˜Tootles’ Tulane risked everything to break the spell binding the lost boys to Pan and escape Neverland. Now seventeen and living in 1923 London, Charlie’s freedom from the land of Faerie has never felt better. But even the noblest of actions have consequences. Neverland demands a leader, and without one, chaos spills into the mortal world.

Spending his nights as an amateur boxer, Charlie meets the ā€˜Bright Young Things’ of London’s upper class. Part of that group is Evie, a girl whose ravings about mermaids abducting her sister got her sent to an asylum. Now that she’s back among polite society, Evie’s under strict orders from her mother to avoid any further scandal and to attract a suitable match. But that proves difficult when Evie’s friend and confidant from Faerie turns demanding and sinister, forcing her into a deal she can’t refuse: In exchange for locating Pan’s lost relics of power, the Fae will return the one thing Evie wants most.

When Charlie learns his past betrayals set off a chain reaction resulting in the abduction of Evie’s sister, the two must return to the place of Charlie’s nightmares in an attempt to set things right. But this time, the price for rectitude might prove too steep for either one of them to pay.

As always, thank you so much for reading, and have an excellent day/night!

See ya ~Mar

First Line Friday #15

I’m early today! …Compared to the last couple of Fridays, at least. Anyway, onwards to the post!

First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words, but I saw it over at One Book More.

What if instead of judging a book by the cover, author or most everything else, we judged it by its content? Its first lines?

If you want to join in, all you gotta do is:

šŸ“š Take a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open it to the first page
šŸ“ Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
šŸ“™ Finally… reveal the book!

Here are the first lines:

If she moved her head all the way up against the wall and tilted it to the left she could just see the edge of the moon through the bars. Just a silver sliver, almost close enough to eat.

Do you know the book? Think about it for a bit…

Annnd the book is 🄁🄁… Alice by Christina Henry!!

Didja get it??

Alice by Christina Henry

Alice by Christina Henry

SERIES: The Chronicles of Alice (Book #1)

LENGTH: 291 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Horror, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Ace

RELEASE DATE: 4 August 2015

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

In a warren of crumbling buildings and desperate people called the Old City, there stands a hospital with cinderblock walls which echo the screams of the poor souls inside. 

In the hospital, there is a woman. Her hair, once blond, hangs in tangles down her back. She doesn’t remember why she’s in such a terrible place. Just a tea party long ago, and long ears, and blood… 

Then, one night, a fire at the hospital gives the woman a chance to escape, tumbling out of the hole that imprisoned her, leaving her free to uncover the truth about what happened to her all those years ago. 

Only something else has escaped with her. Something dark. Something powerful. And to find the truth, she will have to track this beast to the very heart of the Old City, where the rabbit waits for his Alice.

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 5/8 – 5/14

I had so much going on this weekend (sort of), so I didn’t have the time to post another time. Which kinda sucks, but that’s life.

I did completely reorganize my bookshelves though, so that’s definitely something. Now all the new books I’ve gotten this year have a home!

Anyway, here’s another weekly wrap-up for everyone. Let’s wrap-up last week!

Tuesday 5/9: The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook Review

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

Last Tuesday, I reviewed Brandon Sanderson’s new standalone science fantasy novel, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England. It’s quite the band for such a fun book. I gave it ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜†.

My review of The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook

Wednesday 5/10: WWW Wednesday

On Wednesday, I participated in WWW Wednesday like I usually do. WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

WWW Wednesday 5/10

Thursday 5/11: Books I’ve Read With Zelda Vibes

Thursday was a day that I was excited about. I did a little something different then – I blogged about books I read that reminded me of The Legend of Zelda games (and exposed myself as a huge geek). What can I say, I was excited about May 12th.

Books I’ve Read with The Legend of Zelda Vibes

Friday 5/12: First Line Friday

On Friday, even though it was exceptionally late, I actually managed to participate in First Line Fridays. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday #14

Books I Read Last Week

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (The Manga) by Akira Himekawa
(rating is for the entire manga)
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

Goals for 5/15 – 5/21

So, I didn’t quite meet the goals I set for myself last week, but it was so worth it. (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is absolutely incredible, and so much fun, and super addicting.) But I’m determined to post two book reviews this week, and gosh darn it, I’m gonna do it! Also, I want to finish The Stardust Thief, and participate in the usual weekly posts I do.

Maybe I’ll do a couple of other posts too, but I’m not quite sure yet. We’ll see what happens.

Anyway, thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

First Line Friday #14

It’s getting very late, but I was, uh, busy. With stuff. I’m here now, though, and am participating in yet another First Line Friday.

First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words, but I saw it over at One Book More.

What if instead of judging a book by the cover, author or most everything else, we judged it by its content? Its first lines?

If you want to join in, all you gotta do is:

šŸ“š Take a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open it to the first page
šŸ“ Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
šŸ“™ Finally… reveal the book!

Here are the first lines:

Outside, wind rattled the wooden chimes in warning. In the distance, waves crashed against the shore; the frantic whispers of water growing louder as if the sea was a mage summoning vio- lence. On this date-for nearly a decade now-the storm followed the same pattern. Next, thunder would roll in quicker than the tide with lightning cracking electric whips across an unforgiving sky. The devil demanded retribution. A blood sacrifice for power stolen.

It wasn’t the first time he’d be cursed by witches, nor would it be the last.

Any guesses? Here’s some lovely photos of books for your viewing please while you ruminate…

Annnd the book is 🄁🄁… Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco!!

(Did you guess it right??)

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

SERIES: Kingdom of the Wicked (Book #1)

LENGTH: 384 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, YA, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Jimmy Patterson

RELEASE DATE: 27 October 2020

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Two sisters.
One brutal murder.
A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself…
And an intoxicating romance.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost—even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked—princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems…

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 5/1 – 5/7

As I never always say: another week, another wrap-up!

Haha. Just kidding. In all seriousness though, I’m pretty happy with my blogging last week. Sure, I didn’t read nearly as much as I wanted, but sometimes those things happen.

Anyway, I’ll stop talking now, so that we can wrap-up last week.

Monday 5/1: Majestic Monday

Last Monday, I finally posted another Majestic Monday. The first one in forever. Majestic Monday is when I look at awesome book covers and rate them.

Majestic Monday #12

Tuesday 5/2: Arch-Conspirator Review

Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth

Tuesday, I posted my review of Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth. It’s a dystopian, post apocalyptic, science fiction retelling of the Greek play Antigone. I gave it ā˜…ā˜…āœ¬ā˜†ā˜†.

My review of Arch-Conspirator

Wednesday 5/3: Can’t-Wait Wednesday / WWW Wednesday

On Wednesday, I double posted. First, I participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. Then, I participated in WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Never Heir

WWW Wednesday 5/3

Thursday 5/4: April Reading Wrap-Up

Thursday was when I finally got around to posting my reading wrap-up for April 2023. The most reading I’ve done (on a monthly basis) all year so far!

April 2023 Reading Wrap-Up

Friday 5/5: First Line Friday

On Friday, I participated in First Line Friday. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday #13

Sunday 5/7: I’m Glad My Mom Died Review

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

Yesterday, I reviewed I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy. It’s her memoir, and it’s about growing up as a child actor and her toxic relationship with her mother. There’s some sensitive themes here, so if you’re wary of TWs like: EDs, emotional abuse, and addiction, maybe stay clear for your health. I gave it ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜†.

My review of I’m Glad My Mom Died

Books I Read Last Week

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

Goals for 5/8 – 5/14

This week, I want to read at least two new books and review them. I also want to keep up with the weekly memes that I participate in. I’m also planning on something a little different for Thursday, or as an additional post on Friday. We’ll see which day I post it on.

I don’t know what else I’ll do for sure, though. I guess we’ll all find out together!

Anyway, thank you so much for reading, and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

First Line Friday #13

It’s getting late, but I had some odds and ends that really needed getting done today. But I’m here now, participating in yet another First Line Friday.

First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words, but I saw it over at One Book More.

What if instead of judging a book by the cover, author or most everything else, we judged it by its content? Its first lines?

If you want to join in, all you gotta do is:

šŸ“š Take a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open it to the first page
šŸ“ Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
šŸ“™ Finally… reveal the book!

Here are the first lines:

ā€œNico di Angelo, why don’t you tell me a story?ā€

Nico bristled at that. A story? Any old story? That seemed too easy after everything they’d been through.

Do you know what book it is? Stare at these lovely books while you give it some thought…

Annnd the book is 🄁🄁… The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan & Mark Oshiro!!

(Did you guess it??)

The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan & Mark Oshiro

The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan & Mark Oshiro

LENGTH: 480 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, YA/MG, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Disney-Hyperion

RELEASE DATE: 2 May 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life–literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that’s been the case so far . . .

Now Nico is being plagued by a voice calling out to him from Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. He thinks he knows who it is: a reformed Titan named Bob whom Percy and Annabeth had to leave behind when they escaped Hades’s realm. Nico’s dreams and Rachel Dare’s latest prophecy leave little doubt in Nico’s mind that Bob is in some kind of trouble. Nico has to go on this quest, whether Mr. D and Chiron like it or not. And of course Will insists on coming with. But can a being made of light survive in the darkest part of the world? and what does the prophecy mean that Nico will have to ā€œleave something of equal value behind?ā€

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 4/24 – 4/30

The Weekly Wrap-Up is back on schedule! Yay!

This last week was a bit less busy. Thank goodness. I was able to post quite a bit, and I even started a new post yesterday.

But that’s enough of a preamble. Let’s get into the wrap-up.

Tuesday 4/25: Chance Review

Chance by Matthew FitzSimmons

Last Tuesday, I finally posted my review of Chance by Matthew FitzSimmons. It’s a science fiction book that I was really on the fence about. I gave it ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜†ā˜†.

My review of Chance

Wednesday 4/26: WWW Wednesday

On Wednesday I participated in another WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

WWW Wednesday 4/26

Thursday 4/27: In the Lives of Puppets Review

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

Thursday was when I posted my review for the much anticipated, In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune. It’s a sci-fi inspired retelling of Pinocchio. I gave it ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜….

My review of In the Lives of Puppets

Friday 4/28: First Line Friday

On Friday, I participated in First Line Fridays. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday #12

Sunday 4/30: Popular Books That I’ve Read Never

Yesterday, I tried out a new thing I like to call Popular Books That I’ve Read Never. This is a post where I make a little list of popular books that I’ve never read. That’s it, that’s the post.

Popular Books That I’ve Read Never

Books I Read Last Week

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
Noragami: Stray God by Adachotoka
(Rating is for entire manga.)
Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth

Goals for 5/1 – 5/7

For the most part, I want to keep up the momentum of what I’m posting. I also want to do my monthly wrap-up for April, hopefully tomorrow. I’d also, if the day allows, really, really like to post another Majestic Monday, since it’s been so long, and I just like book covers so much.

Concerning my book consumption, I definitely want to read more than last week. I really feel like I could’ve read more, so I want to do so this week.

As always, thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

First Line Friday #12

First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words, but I saw it over at One Book More.

What if instead of judging a book by the cover, author or most everything else, we judged it by its content? Its first lines?

If you want to join in, all you gotta do is:

šŸ“š Take a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open it to the first page
šŸ“ Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
šŸ“™ Finally… reveal the book!

Here are the first lines:

Viv buried her greatsword in the scalvert’s skull with a meaty crunch. Blackblood thrummed in her hands, and her muscular arms strained as she tore it back and out in a spray of gore. The Scalvert Queen gave a long, vibrating moan … and then thundered to the stone in a heap.

Any guesses? Here’s some books to stare at while you ruminate on it…

Annnd the book is 🄁🄁… Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree!!

(Did you get it right??)

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

SERIES: Legends & Lattes (Book #1)

LENGTH: 305 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Cryptid Press

RELEASE DATE: 18 February 2022

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

High Fantasy with a double-shot of self-reinvention

Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.

However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve.

A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth. 

Thank you so much for reading, and have an amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 4/17 – 4/23

It’s later than I usually post it, and definitely later than I intended, but here’s the weekly wrap-up for last week. I was just so gosh darn busy yesterday, that I forgot to do my final once-over and post it. Whoops.

Anyway, it’s here now, and I’m happy with the stuff I posted last week, even if I’m not happy with how many days I posted last week. This week, even though I’m not off to the best start, I’m going to do better.

But that’s enough of a preamble. Let’s get into the wrap-up.

Wednesday 4/19: Can’t-Wait Wednesday / WWW Wednesday

Last Wednesday, I participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday for the first time. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. I also posted for (and also participated in) WWW Wednesday, which is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday #1

WWW Wednesday 4/19

Friday 4/21: Antimatter Blues Review / First Line Friday

On Friday, I posted my review of Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton, the sequel to Mickey7. I gave it ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜†. I also participated in First Line Fridays, a weekly feature (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

My review of Antimatter Blues

First Line Friday #11

Saturday 4/22: April 2023 Birthstone Book Covers

Saturday was when I finally posted my contribution to Birthstone Book Covers, a really fun monthly thing created and hosted by Leslie @ Books are the New Black. April was just really hard, okay? I needed to think about it a little more.

Birthstone Book Covers: April 2023

Books I Read Last Week

Heavenly Delusion: Tengoku Daimakyo by Masakazu Ishiguro

I binged the whole thing last week – this rating is for the entire manga. It’s very, very good.

Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton
Chance by Matthew Fitzsimmons

Goals for 4/24 – 4/30

I just want to keep doing what I’m doing, but this time, definitely up my game from last week. I’m gonna keep up my reading momentum though – last week I read a ton compared to the weeks before, and I want to continue that.

As for posts coming this week: my Chance review will be coming later today, I’ll probably be participating in WWW Wednesday tomorrow, I’ll do a review of In the Lives of Puppets tomorrow or the next day, First Line Friday for Friday, and something else probably. I don’t know that it’s gonna be yet, though.

As always, thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

First Line Friday #11

Yay! I’m back on my roll! Here’s another First Line Friday.

First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words, but I saw it over at One Book More.

What if instead of judging a book by the cover, author or most everything else, we judged it by its content? Its first lines?

If you want to join in, all you gotta do is:

šŸ“š Take a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open it to the first page
šŸ“ Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
šŸ“™ Finally… reveal the book!

Here are the first lines:

Kalak rounded a rocky stone ridge and stumbled to a stop before the body of a dying thunderclast. The enormous stone beast lay on its side, riblike protrusions from its chest broken and cracked. The monstrosity was vaguely skeletal in shape, with unnaturally long limbs that sprouted from granite shoulders. The eyes were deep red spots on the arrowhead face, as if created by a fire burning deep within the stone. They faded.

Even after all these centuries, seeing a thunderclast up close made Kalak shiver. The beast’s hand was as long as a man was tall. He’d been killed by hands like those before, and it hadn’t been pleasant.

Of course, dying rarely was.

You got any guesses? Look at these beautiful books while you think about it…

Annnd the book is 🄁🄁… The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson!!

(Did you guess it??)

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

SERIES: The Stormlight Archive (Book #1)

LENGTH: 1007 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Tor Books

RELEASE DATE: 31 August 2010

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter. 

It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Men trade kingdoms for Shardblades. Wars were fought for them, and won by them. 

One such war rages on a ruined landscape called the Shattered Plains. There, Kaladin, who traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear to protect his little brother, has been reduced to slavery. In a war that makes no sense, where ten armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable. 

Brightlord Dalinar Kholin commands one of those other armies. Like his brother, the late king, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled by over-powering visions of ancient times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to doubt his own sanity. 

Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinar’s niece, Jasnah. Though she genuinely loves learning, Shallan’s motives are less than pure. As she plans a daring theft, her research for Jasnah hints at secrets of the Knights Radiant and the true cause of the war. 

Thank you so much for reading, and have and amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar