Recent Reads: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas  

Series: Throne of Glass #2
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication Date:  February 14, 2023

 

Format: Paperback & Audiobook
Source: Bought/ Own

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Review: 

Celaena is champion now and tasked with killing on behalf of the king, but she is doing it her way. I felt like so much happened in thei sequel and I don't want to spoil things, so here are just some overall thoughts.

There was a lot to this book, Celaena is a badass but we see more of that now through her actions than we were allowed to see in book one. There is more determination and character growth overall, not just the survival instinct. She is going through a lot of changes and information being thrown at her. I liked the politics that weave through these books so far. 

There was also a lot more romance in this story than the first.. more chaos and it was just more twisty. Some parts were so sad, tragic really and it was hard to read them when you are loving things that are happening and then they go up in smoke. I really enjoyed this installment and jumped right into the next... guess I am part of this cult now.

Early Reader Review: Take It from the Top by Claire Swinarski

Source: From the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Take It from the Top by Claire Swinarski 

Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Publication Date:  November 19, 2024

 

Format: Hardback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Set at a camp over the course of six summers, this novel dives into the falling-out of two girls from different backgrounds who thought they'd be friends forever. Claire Swinarski, regional indie bestseller of the ALA Notable What Happened to Rachel Riley?, tackles privilege, perspective, and the power of friendship in this page-turning puzzle that readers will devour.

Eowyn Becker has waited all year to attend her sixth summer at Lamplighter Lake Summer Camp. Here, she’s not in the shadow of her Broadway-star older brother; she’s a stellar performer in her own right. Here, the pain of her mom’s death can’t reach her, and she gets to reunite with her best friend, Jules Marrigan—the only person in the world who understands her.

But when she gets to camp, everything seems wrong. The best-friend reunion Eowyn had been dreaming of doesn’t go as planned. Jules will barely even look at Eowyn, let alone talk to her, and Eowyn has no idea why.

Well, maybe she does…

There are two sides to every story, and if you want to understand this one, you’ll need to hear both. Told in a series of alternating chapters that dip back to past summers, the girls’ story will soon reveal how Eowyn and Jules went from being best friends to fierce foils. Can they mend ways before the curtains close on what was supposed to be the best summer of their lives?

Review: 

This is a heartfelt story set in a theater camp beautifully captures the bond between two young girls from very different worlds. Told from dual points of view, it delves into themes of privilege, jealousy, family dynamics, and friendship. 

Eowyn's struggles with her distant father contrast with Jules' loving and supportive family. The girls are dealing with jealousy but also their gratitude for their opportunity to attend camp. The story portrays a nuanced exploration of their differences and changing friendship. 

The emotional depth and relatable characters made this a compelling read that left me reflecting on the importance of empathy and understanding. I think that middle grade readers will really enjoy the different points of view and how the girls interact with each other and their lives. The theme is relatable in some ways and a bit much at times as well, but overall the story is well put together and the pacing is great as you learn about the summers the girls have spent together previously and how we have gotten to this point. 

... And with the upcoming release of Wicked the musical/ movie... Younger readers will also know that sotry and the songs that go along with it. 

Overall, this was a fun and quick read. It was emotional on both sides but also a very fun story. 

Building the Book Pile #447

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Hi there! It has been a few weeks, sorry about that. We have been dealing with house things, illness, and just being burnt out lately. I have been reading but not doing much here... sadly. I know LIFE... boooo.

(Adulting is really dumb)

This weekend we left NH and are currently in Las Vegas for a week on vacation. We need it, both of us are tired of work and working ... So I hope to share some fun pics next week when we return. 

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

This Week

Early Reader Review: Take it from the Top by Claire Swinarski (MG)

Recent Reads: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (Adult)

Recent Reads: The Lost Portal by Lenora Borja (YA)

Books Received Recently...  

 

The Three Year Tumble by Dayeon Auh - From the publisher for review.

Have you missed anything lately?

2024 HO-HO-HO Readathon! Commitment page

It has been a few weeks... here is the rundown...

Early Reader Review: The Not-So-Wicked Witch by Bethan Stevens (Youth) -4 stars

Early Reader Review: Warrior of Legend by Kendare Blake (YA) -3 Stars

Monthly Recap (Sept/Oct) & TBR Pile (Nov '24)

Recent Reads:The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett (MG)- 4 stars

Early Reader Review: It's Not Me, It's You by Alex Light (YA) - 4 stars

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  Leave a comment for me.

Happy Reading!

Early Reader Review: It's Not Me, It's You by Alex Light

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

It's Not Me, It's You by Alex Light 

Publisher:  HarperCollins
Publication Date:  November 5, 2024 

 

Format: Paperback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

The snark and instant chemistry of Better Than the Movies meets the indulgent summer fun and family hijinks of The Summer of Broken Rules in this compulsively readable rom-com from Alex Light, author of The Upside of Falling.

Jackie Myers is a fraud. Or she might be a genius—the jury’s still out.

The thing is, she secretly runs pleasebreakmyheart, a gone-viral account aimed at breaking hearts and ending relationships…. And she just used it to break up her insufferable eternal nemesis's picture-perfect relationship.

Wilson is the buttoned-up, type A assistant manager of her nightmares—but it turns out he’s also, apparently, a really great boyfriend.

So with her conscience (and paycheck) on the line, Jackie decides there’s only one thing to do: She’s going to help Wilson win his ex-girlfriend back. Which should be easy, considering Jackie hates him…right?

Review: 

This coming-of-age story dives into the complexities of finding your own way when life feels stuck in neutral. The story captures the loneliness of losing your best friend to new horizons and the feelings of being left behind, especially when you’re grappling with a job you can’t stand and no clear path ahead. 

The MC, Jackie, is struggling with her lack of direction and wrestles with a workplace rivalry that evolves into an unexpected romance. 

While certainly an enemies-to-lovers trope, it is refreshing, and adds a touch of romance that never overshadows her growth but complements it. What I liked most about this story was the heartwarming layer of sisterly love that enriches the story, grounding her journey in a broader web of support and self-discovery. Through relatable fears and messy emotions, the book offers a hopeful look at finding meaning beyond friendships and finally seeing the potential for something more—even if it’s uncertain or unconventional. I really appreciated the character growth throughout this read. I think that young adults will really enjoy it. 

All that said, if you are looking for more romance you are likely to be disappointed. While there is some there, it really takes a backseat to Jackie's family, finding herself, and her attempts to help people. 

While marketed for a Young Adult audience, this book is a great read, especially for readers at any stage of figuring out what comes next, this story will resonate with so many readers.

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Recent Reads: The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett 
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date:  October 22, 2024

 

Format: Hardback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

From the award-winning author of The Probability of Everything, which has been called "one of the best books I have read this year (maybe ever)" (Colby Sharp, Nerdy Book Club) and "Powerful" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review),comes a heartfelt exploration of family and change as twelve-year-old Skye reunites with her older brother, Finn, after he spent four years on the run with their father.

Skye Nickson’s world changed forever when her dad went on the run with her brother, Finn. It’s been four years without Finn’s jokes, four years without her father’s old soul music, and four years of Skye filling in as Rent-a-Finn on his MIA birthdays for their mom. Finn’s birthday is always difficult, but at least Skye has her best friends, Reece and Jax, to lean on, even if Reece has started acting too cool for them.

But this year is different because after Finn’s birthday, they get a call that he’s finally been found. Tall, quiet, and secretive, this Finn is nothing like the brother she grew up with. He keeps taking late-night phone calls and losing his new expensive gifts, and he doesn’t seem to remember any of their inside jokes or secrets.

As Skye tries to make sense of it all through the lens of her old Polaroid camera, she starts to wonder: Could this Finn be someone else entirely? And if everyone else has changed, does it mean that Skye has to change too?

Review: 

The Shape of Lost Things is about Skye, a young girl dealing with a unique family situation. Her brother was taken by her father and they have been missing. Every year she has to deal with this loss as her mother celebrates his birthday without him, but they both hope that someday he will come home... and he does, but it is awkward in a number of ways. Skye must deal with a number of emotions and come to terms with her brother bring back.

This book was a beautifully nuanced portrayal of a young girl’s struggle to reconnect with a family member who feels both familiar and foreign. There were layers of confusion, hope, and healing from a young girls perspective that will help young readers navigate a variety of emotions and overcoming difficult situations. 

The book really was lovely. Skye is young, coming to terms with both the loss of a brother but then also his return, however things are different and change is hard. She copes through taking pictures so she can remember every detail but she is also living through her lens which allows her to be slightly detached from the world around her as well. 

I think that young readers will be interested by this book, it is such a different story from things that I have read for the middle grade audience. It is deep and depicts tangled emotions really well - there is an emotional depth and completity to it that I think will give middle grade readers something new.

Monthly Recap (Sept/Oct) & TBR Pile (Nov '24)

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Here is the progress from September and October...

There was no October TBR but some of these ended up October reads due to work craziness.

I haven't been good about posting my plans... need to get back on track.

~~Books I Read in Sept/Oct 2024~~   

 TBR for the rest of November

• The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett (review, read)
• Take it From the Top by Claire Swinarski (review)
• It's Not Me, It's You by Alex Light (review)
• Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
• Christmas Corpse by Katie Forrest (HoHoHo Readathon)
• Slay Bells Ring by Katie Forrest (HoHoHo Readathon)

How was your Fall reading?  

Feel free to share it in the comments below! I would love to know what you are reading! 

Early Reader Review: Warrior of Legend by Kendare Blake

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Warrior of Legend by Kendare Blake 

Series: Heromaker #2
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Publication Date:  October 29, 2024

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Reed is officially a member of the immortal order of the Aristene. She even has a new name: Machianthe. It’s everything she’s ever dreamed of—so why isn’t she happy?

Maybe it’s because every hero she helps can only find glory at the cost of their life. Or maybe it’s because she can’t stop thinking about the prince she left behind.

Now Reed looks for any opportunity to help with low-risk hero’s trials. And a princess looking for a glorious marriage? Nothing could be less dangerous. But Hestion is one of the suitors, and while Reed is occupied trying to win him back, an old danger is gaining strength.

To battle the growing threat, the Aristene must band together, but the order has never been more divided. Will Reed be able to survive this war with her chosen family and her heart intact?

Review: 

I like this story, but for some reason I thought that this was a duology not a series and was hoping for a conclusion in this installment. I was wrong, series it is, and we are left with more things lingering for another book to come. 

Book 2 of the Heromaker series again follows Reed as she comes to terms with her new role as a full Aristene and the whole ordeal with Hestion. However, much of that has to take a backseat to a new threat against the whole order of Aristene.  

I enjoyed this book but found it to move slowly. It gave me that second book slump/syndrome feeling where it is mostly just filler to eventually get to the the next and final piece. I almost DNFed the book honestly. Then I read online that there was an out of left field death and had to keep going... sadly that death is really close to the ending. It was very surprising but also kind of not given the state of things. 

I liked the continuation of the world building, but the characters seem to lack growth a bit. Yes, Reed is coming to terms with her new role, but when we pick up she is just full-throttle and there isn't much time for us to see her adapting and growing. I also felt like this installment sent more time on some of the other characters, bringing them into the fold more and giving more backstory. I liked this but after spending so much time with Reed and her peers, it was an odd transition. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it was a slow read for me. Maybe others will feel differently but if you liked the first book, you should definitely give this one a shot.

Recent Reads: The Not-So-Wicked Witch by Bethan Stevens

Source: From Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Not-So-Wicked Witch by Bethan Stevens 
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Publication Date:  August 6, 2024 

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

On the sleepiest of nights, when the air is still and the moon is full, the conditions are just right… for WITCHES TO TAKE FLIGHT! And among all these terribly wicked, cackling witches, is one… who is actually, surprisingly quite nice! This little witch doesn’t enjoy being wicked like the others. Not one little bit. She doesn’t like creating mischief, she doesn’t like making a mess and she definitely doesn’t like any naughtiness! The other witches decide that the littlest witch needs rescuing from all this icky, gooey goodness! It’s time for some lessons in wickedness, and the best way to do that is by making a completely terrible and utterly awful potion…! Will our little witch leave her kind and gentle ways behind her and join in the wickedness? Or will she persuade her fellow witches that actually, being wicked isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? This playful take on spooky witches from the award-winning Bethan Stevens takes readers to a magical world of wickedness and kindness. This is the wonderfully funny follow-up to the prize-winning Grumpy Fairies and the fairytale twist A Damsel Not in Distress.

Review: 

This group of young witches is so wicked. They make trouble for all the kids and pets, steal cookies and socks and make messes... There is one little witch though, that isn't quite so mean, she is kind and smiles. The otehrs think that it is terrible and they try to help her become more witch-like and wicked. 

I liked the themes in this book: Kindness is better than wickedness and that there are other ways to get what you want.I think young readers and parents will really like it. 

There was a great diversity of race and also disability rep in the characters seen in the illustrations. The illustrations were also colorful and enegaging and fun. I loved the little animals depicted and thought that saying cats were also wicked was cute and funny. Some cats are. 

I think young readers will enjoy it. 

Building the Book Pile #466

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Morning everyone, I hope your weekend has been a fun one. We are dealing with a broken furnance - hope it is fixed this upcoming week because nights in New Hampshire are starting to get chilly. We are doing ok though with space heaters for the time being. 

I am doing some reading... but getting time to sit and write reviews is always difficult with work getting in the way, so I missed putting one up last week (boo work, buy yay adult money for books and furnace parts...i guess).

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

This Week

Early Reader Review: The Not-So-Wicked Witch by Bethan Stevens (Youth)

Recent Reads: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (Adult)

Early Reader Review: Warrior of Legend by Kendare Blake (YA)

Books Received Recently...  

 

The Chalice of the Gods (Percy Jackson #6) by Rick Riordan - bought

Wrath of the Triple Goddess (Percy Jackson #7 by Rick Riordan  - bought

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas - bought

It's Not Me, It's You by Alex Light - for review from the Publisher

Have you missed anything lately?

Early Reader Review: John the Skeleton by Triinu Laan (Youth) -3 stars

2024 HO-HO-HO Readathon! Commitment page

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  Leave a comment for me.

Happy Reading!

2024 HO-HO-HO Readathon!

Here are some of the Read-a-thon Details

Borrowed from Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Visit her site for more information   

• Link-up! It is unnecessary to link to goal post but of course we love them. You can link to the social media platform you will use to track your reading. This can be your blog, or a special Goodreads Shelf you create. Be sure to label the shelf hohohorat2024. You can use a social media account, but you’ll need to tag me and use hashtag #2024HoHoHoRAT. (I must be able to see it. So friend me there)

• Declare your intentions on your blog or through social media. Be sure and link back to this HoHoHo Readathon Sign-up page. Linky will close November 29th, so be sure to link up, even if you will only take part for a few days.

• Grab the image and share! Tell your friends, post the image and link on social media using X (Twitter), Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, Threads, and others. Be sure to include a link to this page, so others may join.

• Take part in at least one challenge and complete two books to be eligible for grand prize.

• Read or listen to as many Holiday or Winter themed books as you can from any genre. If you are unsure, contact me. Goodreads is an excellent source for finding Winter & Holiday reads. Ask your librarian.

• Read-a-thon starts on Thursday, November 21st 12:01 am (your time zone) and ends on Monday, December 2nd, at 11:59 pm (your time zone)

I have all of these books on my Kindle and this is a great time to get to them.

I do not have this one yet but it is a Xmas/Halloween mash-up that I might need to grab.

Challenges completed:

Books read: