Majestic Monday #15

Oh my gosh. It’s been waaayy too long since I’ve done this post. Not to mention how MIA I ended up being last week, to boot. Ah well, it’s in the past now.

For anyone unfamiliar, Majestic Mondays are when I highlight an awesome looking book cover and talk about what I like about it.

This week, in honor of a spinoff and sequel releasing next week, I’m gonna gush about one of my favorite books. Again. That’s right – A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab!

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

SERIES: Shades of Magic (Book #1)

LENGTH: 400 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Tor Books

RELEASE DATE: 24 February 2015

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab

Kell is one of the last Antari–magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.Kell was raised in Arnes–Red London–and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.

Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. It’s a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.

After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.

Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.

Cover Rating: ❤️🩶🤍🖤❤️ • 5 colorful hearts

The Fragile Threads of Power is releasing next week, and the new covers for the first trilogy have already come out, so I thought it was past time to gush about the original ones. Especially since I much prefer them to the new ones, even if they now match the one for the new book.

This cover (and the covers for the rest of the Shades of Magic trilogy) incorporate the “colors” of the four Londons featured in the series. It’s also a unique art style, and it conveys the main mechanic of the novel.

I love the way the colors are used here – to Kell’s red coat, to differentiate the two Londons Kell is traveling between, and even in the letters of the title. I even like the way that the negative space looks, despite the emptiness. It makes the universe of A Darker Shade of Magic feel very vast.

Do you like the cover art of the Shades of Magic trilogy? What are your favorite book covers?

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

See ya ~Mar

Majestic Monday #15

Ugh, it’s been waaayy too long since I’ve last done this post. I’m sorry – things have just been kind of nuts over the past few weeks.

Anyway, for anyone who is not aware, Majestic Mondays are a (supposedly) weekly meme I created, wherein I highlight an awesome looking book cover and talk about what I like about it. And that’s pretty much it.

This week the novel art I’ll be gushing over is The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber. It’s the sequel to Once Upon a Broken Heart, another cover that I’ve admired in a prior Majestic Monday post.

The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

SERIES: Once Upon a Broken Heart #2

LENGTH: 416 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, YA, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Flatiron Books

RELEASE DATE: 13 September 2022

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.

But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.

Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can…

Book Cover Rating: 💔💔💔💔 • 4 broken hearts

Much like the first book in this series, I really love the cover here. However, I honestly think I prefer the lavender to the rose gold used on OUABH’s. It’s for no reason in particular, though – I simply like purple covers, as people who’ve seen this post before may be aware.

I love how the black background appears to be a starry night sky. It makes me think of constellations – even more so with the beautiful purple arrow that takes center stage on the cover. It makes me think of Sagittarius a little, especially when a mythical figure known as the Archer exists in this series’ universe, and has a significant part to play in this book especially.

But yeah, Stephanie Garber’s publisher has a knack for choosing some very gorgeous cover art. And I mean all the cover art. The bindings are also lovely pastel colors, and the back covers are both pretty starry skies, similar to their fronts.

So yeah, sorry again for not doing this post for over a month. I promise that it’s never intended – stuff always seems to happen, and weekly wrap-ups were beginning to take a toll on me, so (double) posting on Mondays was hard. I’ve missed doing this post, though, so since Weekly Wrap-Ups are currently on a hiatus of sorts, you’ll probably see more of these.

And as always, thank you all so much for reading, and I hope you have a stupendous day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 7/17 – 7/23

Yay! Last week was better for me! I got in four posts (aside from the weekly wrap-up of course). It was a huge improvement after the week preceding it.

I honestly don’t have much of an intro this time. ☹️ So without further ado, let’s jump right into the wrap-up.

Monday 7/17: Majestic Monday

Last Monday, I did the first Majestic Monday that I’ve done in a long time. It felt great, and I’m excited to post more of these in the future. For those who don’t know, Majestic Mondays are when I gush over covers that I like.

Majestic Monday #14

Wednesday 7/19: Shelf Control

On Wednesday, I finally posted another Shelf Control. Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books languishing on our bookshelves created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control #14

Friday 7/21: First Line Friday

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

First Line Friday 7/21

Sunday 7/23: Deltora Quest Review

Yesterday, I finally posted my review for the entire first series of Emily Rodda’s Deltora Quest. It’s a series of fantasy books geared towards children/middle grade. I rated the entire series as a whole ★★★★☆, but I also rated each of the eight books individually.

Deltora Quest Series Review

Books That I Read Last Week

Goals for 7/24 – 7/30

I want to do at least four or five blog posts, aside from this weekly wrap-up. I’ll be doing my usual weekly feature participating, of course, but I also definitely want to do one and hopefully two book reviews. I’m also considering doing a new post this week.

So yeah, I just want to keep on keeping on, basically. Wish me luck! 🤞

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

See ya ~Mar

Majestic Monday #14

Look! It’s back!! It’s been well over a month – which is far too long. But I’m finally, finally back with yet another Majestic Monday!

For anyone unfamiliar, Majestic Mondays are when I highlight an awesome looking book cover and talk about what I like about it.

This week the book I’m admiring is A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand.

A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand

SERIES: The Middlemist Trilogy (Book #1)

LENGTH: 560 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Casablanca

RELEASE DATE: 27 June 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Lady Gemma Ashbourne seemingly has it all. She’s young, gorgeous, and rich. Her family was Anointed by the gods, blessed with incredible abilities. But underneath her glittering façade, Gemma is deeply sad. Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against treacherous magic. Her mother abandoned the family. Her father and eldest sister, Farrin―embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the mysterious Bask family―often forget Gemma exists.

Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong.

Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d’Astier. His family destroyed themselves, seduced by a demon, and Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem their honor. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: She’ll help Talan navigate high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families’ blood feud―slay the demon, end the feud.

But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her―or show her the true strength of her power at last.

Book Cover Rating: 👑👑👑👑 • 4 / 5 crowns

Firstly, I adore the color. The background is cyan which is one of my absolute favorite colors ever. I also love the darker swirl designs in the background as well. The variegated sizes of words in the title are also also really nice, and it makes the words pop more.

I also really like the way the crown on the cover looks. It’s front and center, clearly meant to be the star of the book cover. Being covered in ivy makes it look really pretty, too. I also really like how the gems in the crown (or are they eyes?!?) look. But yeah, aside from the crown, the cover art on A Crown of Ivy and Glass isn’t too busy, and I can appreciate that.

So yeah, I know it’s been forever since I’ve done this post and I’m sorry about that. But thank you for reading, as always, and I really hope you have an awesome day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 5/29 – 6/4

This last week was so much more productive than the ridiculous week before, and I’m so happy. Now, I’m back in the groove! (Yes, I know this is technically a day late. Shut up.)

I haven’t had the best start so far this current week, but I’m hoping I can pick up the momentum a little bit nonetheless. And yeah, I’ll go into it a bit more closer to the end, but I’m not expecting to post like last week. I’m hoping to have almost as much proclivity as usual, but we’ll just have to find out how much together.

Anyway, on with the wrap-up!

Monday 5/29: Majestic Monday

Majestic Monday #13

Wednesday 5/31: WWW Wednesday

On Wednesday, I, as per usual, participated in another WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

WWW Wednesday 5/31

Thursday 6/1: The Stardust Thief Review

Thursday was when I finally posted my review for The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah. It’s an excellent Middle Eastern fantasy that I absolutely adored. I gave it ★★★★★.

The Stardust Thief Review

Friday 6/2: First Line Friday

Last Friday, I participated in First Line Fridays. It’d been a bit since the last time I was able to (courtesy of the power so generously deciding to go out the week before), but I managed to do it last week. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday #16

Sunday 6/4: May 2023 Reading Wrap-Up

On Sunday, I finally got around to posting my monthly reading wrap-up for May 2023. It’s no later than I usually get to it, but I usually take a bit to get to it sometimes. I didn’t read and post as much as I’d have liked last month, but what can you do? Sometimes life just gets in the way.

May 2023 Reading Wrap-Up

Books I Read Last Week

Goals for 6/5 – 6/11

This week I’m aiming to be almost as productive as last week. The key word here being almost. See, there’s sort of a vacation-y kind of thing going on at the moment, so my spouse and I are doing some stuff this week, which means I’m gonna be distracted. Like, a lot. So I’m hoping to post at least four times, but we’ll see.

But yeah, not a lot specifically planned this week. I just want to post a few things of anything really.

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

See ya ~Mar

Majestic Monday #13

It’s been a month – which is waaayy too long. But I’m finally back with yet another Majestic Monday!

For anyone unfamiliar, Majestic Mondays are when I highlight an awesome looking book cover and talk about what I like about it.

This week, I’m gonna gush about the cover of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

SERIES: The Empyrean (Book #1)

LENGTH: 662 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Entangled: Red Tower Books

RELEASE DATE: 2 May 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter―like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

Book Cover Rating: 🪽🪽🪽🪽 • 4 / 5 wings

To start off, this is a gorgeous cover. We all know by now how much I like contrasting complementary colors in my covers, and this one has it, classic black on gold style. It’s very pleasing to look at.

I also like how the cover looks both geometric and natural at the same time. I love both things in my cover art, so both of these things together is just *chef’s kiss.*

It’s also not pictured here – as well as technically not part of the book’s cover – but I also love the edge art on the pages. It’s just beautiful, as well as being a reverse of the cover: as it’s gold on black. The bird imagery all over everything is just stunning in general, and my favorite thing about the book cover art.

Anyway, thank you so much for reading, and have an absolutely amazing 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

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 ★★✬☆☆.

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

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 ★★★★☆.

My review of I’m Glad My Mom Died

Books I Read Last Week

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

Majestic Monday #12

It’s been several weeks – I think around six or so – which is waaayy too long. But I’m finally back with yet another Majestic Monday!

For anyone unfamiliar, Majestic Mondays are when I highlight an awesome looking book cover and talk about what I like about it.

The book that I’m highlighting this week is The Bone Ships by RJ Barker.

The Bone Ships by RJ Barker

SERIES: The Tide Child Trilogy (Book #1)

LENGTH: 513 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Orbit

RELEASE DATE: 24 September 2019

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Two nations at war. One prize beyond compare.

For generations, the Hundred Isles have built their ships from the bones of ancient dragons to fight an endless war. The dragons disappeared, but the battles for supremacy persisted.

Now, the first dragon in centuries has been spotted in far-off waters, and both sides see a chance to shift the balance of power in their favor. Because whoever catches it will win not only glory but the war.

Book Cover Rating: ⛵⛵⛵⛵ • 4 / 5 ships

I really, really like this cover. I like the minimalist style they went with for the colors, and I like how the cover itself resembles an old map.

The dragon taking up the top right corner looks great, too. It looks so fierce and angry and I love it. I also like how the dragon almost looks like a sketch that someone added to a map or something.

The calligraphy font of the title might be my favorite part of the cover, though. It’s what initially caught my eye, and it’s just so pretty. (I love calligraphy.) I also like how the B and the S (haha, did not intend to do that) have read shading. It really makes the title pop.

Anyway, as always, thank you so much for reading, and have a perfect day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 3/13 – 3/19

Sooo, I’m super satisfied with everything that I was able to post last week. It honestly felt a little exhilarating posting five different days again. I’m so happy with myself.

But enough of me gushing about my productivity. Let’s go over last week’s posts!

Monday 3/13: Majestic Monday #11

Last Monday, I finally got around to posting another Majestic Monday. I know that I said that I’d be posting it weekly a couple weeks before, but sometimes life happens.

My Majestic Monday post from 3/13.

Tuesday 3/14: Pi Day

I didn’t actually post anything on this day. I just like Pi Day, and believe that it deserves to be acknowledged. That is all.

Wednesday 3/15: March 2023 Birthstone Book Covers

On Wednesday, I decided to throw in my lot for Leslie from Books Are the New Black’s wonderful Birthstone Book Covers. This month is March (obviously) so the birthstone was aquamarine. So the book cover color to pick was… aquamarine. (Easy month, lol.)

My Birthstone Book Covers post from last Wednesday.

Thursday 3/16: A Thousand Steps into Night Review

Thursday is when I finally got around to posting my review for A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee. It was a perfectly fine book. I gave it ★★✫☆☆.

My full review of A Thousand Steps into Night.

Friday 3/17: First Line Friday #7 / St. Patrick’s Day

On Friday, I did another First Line Friday. First Line Fridays are a weekly feature formerly hosted by Wandering Words, but is something that I saw over at One Book More.

And it was also St. Patrick’s Day!! ☘️🇮🇪💚🍻

My First Line Friday post from a few days ago.

Sunday 3/19: Timekeeper Review

Yesterday, I posted another retrospective book review. (It’s a thing where I go over a book I read before I started this blog and see if I still like it. Or hate it.) This time it was on Timekeeper by Tara Sim. I gave it ★★★★☆.

My entire Timekeeper review.

Goals for 3/20 – 3/26

Once again, I don’t really have any other goal than to post at least as much as last week. So yeah, still nothing fancy, but it’s still what I’m able to do at the moment.

Annnd that should tie everything out in a nice little bow. As always, thank you so much to everyone for reading, and have a fantastic day/night

See ya ~Mar

Majestic Monday #11

It’s been a couple of weeks, and I’m feeling waaayy better, so I decided that it was more than time for another Majestic Monday!

For anyone unfamiliar, Majestic Mondays are when I highlight an awesome looking book cover and talk about what I like about it.

This week I’m talking about Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco.

Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco

Series: Kingdom of the Wicked (#3)

Length: 401 pages

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Release Date: September 27, 2022

Book Description:

Two curses.
One prophecy.
A reckoning all have feared.

And a love more powerful than fate. All hail the king and queen of Hell.

Emilia is reeling from the shocking discovery that her twin sister, Vittoria, is alive. But before she faces the demons of her past, Emilia yearns to claim her king, the seductive Prince of Wrath, in the flesh. Emilia doesn’t simply desire his body, she wants his heart and soul—but that’s something the enigmatic demon can’t promise her.

When a high-ranking member of House Greed is assassinated, Emilia and Wrath are drawn to the rival demon court. Damning evidence points to Vittoria as the murderer and she’s quickly declared an enemy of the Seven Circles. Despite her betrayal, Emilia will do anything to solve this new mystery and find out who her sister really is.

Together Emilia and Wrath play a sin-fueled game of deception as they work to stop the unrest that’s brewing between witches, demons, shape-shifters and the most treacherous foes of all: the Feared.

Emilia was warned that when it came to the Wicked nothing was as it seemed. But, have the true villains been much closer all along? When the truth is finally revealed, it just might end up costing Emilia her heart.

Book Cover Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀 • 5 / 5 skulls

So eventually, I think I’d like to give this series a shot, even though it appears to have quite a bit of focus on romance. And I’m gonna be honest here: the covers of this series are definitely part of the reason why I want to try it, though the plot summaries also seem interesting.

Anyway, back to the cover of this book specifically: I really like it for some reason. Black and white and red always look good together and it’s part of what sets it apart for me from the other covers in the series. I also love the crown and how it looks on the skull. The blank backdrop also makes everything stand out so well.

The thing I like the most about the cover, however, are the smoldering roses around the skull, and the rubies glistening in its eye sockets. It just looks sooo good. I love this cover.

What do you guys think of this cover? Have you read any of the books in The Kingdom of the Wicked series? If you have, what did you think of the book(s)?

Thanks for reading, and have an amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar