Aug 11, 2022

Recent Reads: The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow


The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
Publisher: Redhook
Publication Date: 
October 13, 2020 


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20

Format: Paperback/ Audiobook
Source: Bought in paperback and via Audible.


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 
In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters--James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna--join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There's no such thing as witches. But there will be.
Review: 
This book was a lot of different things... it was a story about witches, past and future, it was a story about sisterhood and relationships, it was long and sweeping, and it was about rebellion at its core. 

In this book we follow the Eastwood sisters, three women, born witches but since seperated and whp really don't use their powers all that much, if at all, except one. An event occurs bringing them together and pulling others into their cause to re-ignite witching in New Salem. The use the Suffragette movement and rebel against the men in the city looking to take over their lives and their powers.

The plot was dark, angry at times, but also showcased love and affection. I really enjoyed the sisters - there was a bookish type, the driven firey type, and the more maternal type and they all had their place in the tale. This book isn't for the faint of heart, it is 517 pages and pretty slow moving a lot of the time. I bought the paperback and then also the Audible book to read along with and the audio really helped me push through the slowest parts. In addition to the length and slow bits, this book also showcases feminism, racism, transphobia, and has a few gay couples interpersed as well. So there is a lot here. 

I really enjoyed this book, but it is hard to put my finger on just one thing I enjoyed about it. As a whole it was just a lot of really fun reading. The world that Harrow built was realistic yet fantastical and i love a good witchy tale. If you think that might be for you... go grab this one. This would be a great read for the upcoming Fall/Autumn months.

Aug 9, 2022

Early Reader Review: Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin

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

Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin 
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date:  August 2, 2022


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 
When eighteen-year-old witch Iris Gray accidentally enacts a curse that could have dire consequences, she must team up with a boy who hates witches to make sure her magic isn't unleashed on the world.

Iris Gray knows witches aren't welcome in most towns. When she was forced to leave her last home, she left behind a father who was no longer willing to start over. And while the Witches' Council was lenient in their punishment, Iris knows they're keeping tabs on her. Now settled in Washington, Iris never lets anyone see who she really is; instead, she vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast. Otherwise, she spends her days at the wildlife refuge which would be the perfect job if not for Pike Alder, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist who interns with them.

Iris concocts the perfect curse for Pike: one that will turn him into a witch. But just as she's about to dispel it, a bird swoops down and steals the curse before flying away. If the bird dies, the curse will be unleashed―and the bird is a powerful amplifier, and unleashing the curse would turn not just Pike, but everyone in the region, into a witch.

New witches have no idea how to control their magic and the consequences would be dire. And the Witches' Council does not look kindly on multiple offenses; if they found out, Iris could be stripped of her magic for good. Iris begs Pike to help her track the bird, and they set out on a trek through the Pacific Northwest looking for a single bird that could destroy everything.
Review: 
This cover is lovely... that and the fact that it was Rachel Griffin drew me in. I loved The Nature of Witches last year and was so excited for this new book, sadly it feel a little flat for me. 

What I loved about the first book was the beautiful magic/power structire that Griffin had built out and how the humans and witches lived together and worked with one another. I fully expected this book to have an extension of that world and power structure, and it didn't. I felt like this magic was a bit meh in comparison. The magic in this book is three types and they are briefly described a few times but there isn't a lot of explanation.

Iris is the type that can use their power with animals, to communicate a bit and heal them/ help them. She works in an animal sanctuary with her mother and a grad student named Pike. While the book it a bit about the magic, it is really a romance. It is an enemies to dating relationship between Iris and Pike. It was cute. Iris can be super stubborn, independent, and she is really in her own head a lot. Pike is kind of an ass, he is entitled and bossy and a know-it-all and although they make it work with a friendship and then being together, I never really liked Pike all that much. 

This was an ok read, it wasn't horrible, it wasn't wonderful it feel solidly in the middle. It was pretty quick paced and the plot was handled ok. There is a woman/woman relationship which is nice but that seemed very back-burner and only for the rep than the actual plot. Overall, this one was good... I am happy that I gave it a shot and it was a fast read for me.

Aug 8, 2022

Early Reader Review: Surely Surely Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly

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

Surely Surely Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly 
Series: Maybe Marisol #2
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date:  August 9, 2022



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20

Format: Ebook

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

"Anyone who has ever had trouble feeling brave will be empowered by Marisol."--NBC News

Everyone loves sports . . . except Marisol! The stand-alone companion to Newbery Medal winner and New York Times-bestselling Erin Entrada Kelly's Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey is an irresistible and humorous story about friendship, family, and fitting in. Fans of Clementine, Billy Miller Makes a Wish, and Ramona the Pest will find a new friend in Marisol.

Marisol Rainey's two least-favorite things are radishes and gym class. She avoids radishes with very little trouble, but gym is another story--especially when Coach Decker announces that they will be learning to play kickball.

There are so many things that can go wrong in kickball. What if Marisol tries to kick the ball . . . but falls down? What if she tries to catch the ball and gets smacked in the nose? What if she's the worst kickballer in the history of kickball? Marisol and her best friend Jada decide to get help from the most unlikely--and most annoying--athlete in the world: Marisol's big brother, Oz.

Told in short chapters with illustrations by the author on almost every page, Erin Entrada Kelly's stand-alone companion novel to Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey celebrates the small but mighty Marisol, the joys of friendship, the power of being different, and the triumph of persevering. Surely Surely Marisol Rainey is ideal for readers of Kevin Henkes, Meg Medina, Judy Blume, and Beverly Cleary.
Review: 
This is a fun-filled follow up to Maybe Maybe Maisol Rainey. The 2nd book in the Marisol series follows Marisol to gym class. She is not that good at most sports and now they have to play kickball. Marisol is so worried about playing and being good and it is wearing on her. The book follows her struggle, trials, and methods of trying to learn kickball with hopes of just kicking the ball. 

This is such a cute story. Marisol is smart and fun and I can relate to the torment of gym class. I was not great at sports, I hated performing in front of others, and there was always that one bully that made it worse. Marisol experiences all of that and she does a great job being herself and trying her best. 

This would be a wonderful book for young readers, the chapters are shorter and there will be illustrations throughout the book. I think Marisol is a great and relatable character that lots of different types of readers will enjoy.


Aug 7, 2022

Building the Book Pile #406

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Hello there, I hope you had a good week. As you are reading this I am on my way home from a Funeral/Memorial for my grandfather. This year has been so dramatic. A lot of family deaths, a separation, some cancer too...it is just a lot. 

I haven't really been sharing too much here but that is why my reading as been meh... I just wanna sleep through the emotions most the time. Things are looking up now... so here's to positive thoughts. I am sorry if I was a downer on your reading this morning. Stay healthy everyone!

XOXO - Steph

If you are interested in supporting my ability to stay awake and read please consider dontating - Coffee  is appreciated ... Ko-fi
 


Coming up on the Blog


Early Reader Review: Surely Surely Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly (MG)

Early Reader Review: Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin (YA)

Recent Reads: The Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow (Adult)


Books Received Recently...   

No books this week :) 
That's good, lots of books I need to read already.

Comment or leave me a link and I will see you online again soon.
Happy Reading!

Aug 5, 2022

Blog Tour: Review - A Long Way From Home by Brian Caves




A Long Way From Home by Brian Caves 

Publisher: Red Dragon
Publication Date:  May 27, 2022



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20

Format: Ebook


About the Book: 
A sleepy town in 1960s South Georgia, where to some residents, segregation is more important than catching a killer. 

An ex-homicide detective from Chicago called to honour an old promise.

With a rising body count and a community guarding their secrets more fiercly than their children, asking questions could prove deadly for the outsider…
 


Rating:

Trigger warnings: Murder, rape, death/dead bodies, racism, violence. 

Set in 1960's Georgia, a Chicago PI is called in by a friend's family to investigate the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl. The local authorities are seeming to do nothing about it because in small-town GA there is still a good deal of segregation, and the girl is black. The main character is Tom Bale, the PI that has come to delve into the case of the missing child and he runs into several problems along the way, many stemming from the town’s racism. Some instances might have been ignorance, however there is a great deal of people in the town that would be happy if the black population was not there. 

When I began reading this book, I was very put off by the amount of racism I was reading. Our MC was doing his best to be open and somewhat conforming to the town, but that was also a problem. While he did not seem racist, he was also not standing up for the population either. The racism in this book is a majority of the plot. The town doesn’t want to talk to Tom because he is working with the black population, they don’t know the girl, or the family, they don’t seem to know anything. It was all a wonderful mystery, but even once somewhat solved, there is still this layer of uncertainty. The original mystery is somewhat wrapped up at the 40% point of the book, and then the rest is a deeper dive into the problems of the town and other disappearances. It was an interesting way to write a mystery. 

I enjoyed the cadence of the book overall, it moved smoothly and was a quick read. Sometimes the author got a little hung up on details or the past that he throws in, but I am not sure that they add much to the story overall. Even times when he is talking about Tom’s past, I didn’t gleam a lot from them. I think that part of that was that Tom was a one-dimensional character. There were also a number of times that the author focused on the 60’s music and tv, but they were sadly points that were lost on me since I am of the younger generation. 

Overall, I enjoyed the mystery and the build up of the book. I found that I wanted to pick it up to read it and see where it was headed. There was a lull for me at that 40%-ish mark, but then it sped back up a few chapters later. If you are looking for a mystery, enjoy the 60’s as a period, and don’t mind being told all about the Georgia heat in the summer, this one might be for you.


About the Author
I started out as an engineer, then an estate agent, followed by senior management roles in cable TV and telecoms. Spent a few years as a management consultant and now work in the language translation industry.

I have played music all my life. Classically trained on the clarinet from the age of eight until fourteen when my world took a quantum leap forward after hearing Jimi Hendrix and Voodoo Child on the radio. I thought, wow, I gotta do that. I dumped the clarinet and I picked up the guitar and have never put it down. I have played alongside topflight musicians, both live and in studios.

From a young age I read books like Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe, Black Beauty, Swallows and Amazons, then The Famous Five, Billy Bunter, Jennings and Derbyshire, Biggles, and Tarzan. Agatha Christie had a major impact as did Georges Simenon. I penned short stories at school – mostly adventure, but it wasn’t until I became hooked on American Crime Noir that my urge to write came crashing to the forefront of my mind. Reading Hammett, Chandler, Jim Thompson, Macdonald, and the master, James M. Cain had the same effect on my potential writing career as Hendrix had for my music.

Currently, having been further influenced by the greats of Southern literature, I write crime stories based in the Deep South as well as UK based dark noir crime set in the county of Northamptonshire where I reside. Throw into the pot crime and horror short stories and novellas and you’ll have some idea of what goes on in my head.

Find the Author

Aug 3, 2022

Recent Reads: From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper

From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper
Series: The Witches of Thistle Grove #2
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date:  May 17, 2022



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought/own


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 
Opposites attract in this wickedly charming rom-com by Lana Harper, author of Payback’s a Witch.

Wild child Isidora Avramov is a thrill chaser, adept demon summoner, and—despite the whole sexy-evil-sorceress vibe—also a cuddly animal lover. When she’s not designing costumes and new storylines for the Arcane Emporium’s haunted house, Issa's nursing a secret, conflicted dream of ditching her family’s witchy business to become an indie fashion designer in her own right.

But when someone starts sabotaging the celebrations leading up to this year’s Beltane festival with dark, dangerous magic, a member of the rival Thorn family gets badly hurt—throwing immediate suspicion on the Avramovs. To clear the Avramov name and step up for her family when they need her the most, Issa agrees to serve as a co-investigator, helping none other than Rowan Thorn get to the bottom of things.

Rowan is the very definition of lawful good, so tragically noble and by-the-book he makes Issa’s teeth hurt. In accordance with their families’ complicated history, he and Issa have been archenemies for years and have grown to heartily loathe each other. But as the unlikely duo follow a perplexing trail of clues to a stunning conclusion, Issa and Rowan discover how little they really know each other… and stumble upon a maddening attraction that becomes harder to ignore by the day.

Review: 
I was so excited for this sequal that I pre-ordered it... but then it took me a while to pick it up and it was a little slow on the reading front for a while there.  This book is in the same small town of Thistle Grove and follows the same families of witches as the last book in the series but our main characters are different. In this installment, our main character is Isidora Avramov the younger sister of Talia who we followed in book one. There is a curse that has taken over the witching town and her family has left it to her and the Thorn scion to solve who or what is behind it. Issa and Rowan have a troubled history and that will make this very interesting. 

The romace we get thorough this book is very much the enemies to lovers trope. It was done well enough for me and I liked these new characters. I found it interesting that we got another Avramov so quickly since we had one in book one, but it flowed well and made sense in the end. I felt like there needed to be more behind the plot and the curse, a lot of time was spent on banter and internal dialogue in this book. The banter was fun and funny, but there was a LOT of internal dialogue and that stunted the reading experience for me a bit. 

All that said, I am enjoying this series and am excited to see who we follow in book three, looks like a Blackmoore.. and a non-witch ...ooooh excited!

Aug 2, 2022

Blog Tour: Excerpt & Giveaway - Rebel One by J.S. Christine


Rebel One by J.S. Christine
Series: Melkin Series, #1
Publication date: May 13th 2022
Genres: New Adult, Romance

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20

About the Book

Lacey Carson dreams of experiencing the world outside of the mundane town her father limits her to. “Go big or go home”? Lacey is already wrapped up in her comforter before that question can be finished. Her fight or flight instinct falls hard in one direction only.

Insert Travis Miller. He’s a little too loud, a little too violent, a little too focused on Lacey. He only knows how to go big.

When the opportunity presents itself for more adventure, Lacey jumps in head first before Travis can say no. It may be a little more than she bargained for as she learns about the ups and downs of independence, her own strength, and the crime world she quickly becomes immersed into. 

 


I looked behind us. There was a large van with guns poking out of it.

“Oh my God,” I cried, clasping a hand to my mouth. I turned back facing forward and slouched down to keep out of the way if they shot the back window.

“Don’t go that way. Keep away from our new place,” Cameron ordered Travis as he flew past cars. He took a sharp turn, pulling up the emergency brake to make the turn before releasing it and continuing down with no regard towards the speed limit.

“What new place?” Travis shot back.

“Left. Don’t go straight. I said left,” Cameron said, pointing with his hand that had a gun in it. 

I swallowed. I had no idea what they were talking about but I didn’t care. I was not going to live much longer anyway. I held my head in my hands, massaging my temple with my fingertips.

“I don’t know where I’m going,” Travis shouted as we skidded around a sharp turn. 

My body rammed against the side of Finn’s from the force.

“Let me drive,” Ben said from next to me in the backseat at the same time Cameron yelled for them to switch.

I racked my brain for how that was going to happen. We were going more than a safe amount above the speed limit. Stopping to switch would only slow us down and even though I was a firm believer in speed limits, that option wasn’t looking too great right now.

“Take it, Cam,” Travis said as he moved back from the steering wheel.

Cameron scooted over slightly. He put one hand on the wheel and I watched in horror as he moved one leg down to where the gas pedal would be. From the speed, it felt like it was being floored. My eyes bulged.

Ben hopped in front of me at the same time Travis flicked a switch underneath his seat, causing it to move back as far as it would go. The two boys fit in the seat awkwardly as they moved around each other; Ben taking Travis’ seat and Travis crouching to climb back.

“Hey gorgeous,” Travis said as he faced me while in between the drivers and passenger’s seat. He flashed a cheeky smile before climbing to where Ben was previously seated next to me.

The whole exchange happened in the span of maybe seven seconds. I blinked. There was no way I was living to see the age of eighteen at this rate.

Ben made the seat go to the right distance away from the pedals and Cameron moved back over to his seat. The speed, if anything, went faster now that Ben was driving. Cameron started talking to him about something but I couldn’t pick it out.

Travis came into my line of view as he fumbled through the duffel bag at my feet before pulling out a large gun. He pushed himself out of the window so he was leaning out of it with his chest facing the car. Finn was doing the same, only Travis seemed to be sitting on the arm rest on the side of the door, not putting him out of the car as much as Finn, who was literally sitting on the window edge.

“Lacey!” Finn yelled. He slumped quickly back into the car. “Hold my legs for me.”

Without giving me a chance to say yes or no, and without second guessing the trust he put in the girl he kidnapped hours ago, he forced himself back out the window. I crawled over to where he was and held onto the top of his legs. I sat on my knees, putting them directly on his feet to try to put more weight on him to keep him from falling out of the car. 

“Next time, don’t make such a grand entrance,” Cameron yelled in the direction of where Travis’ body was. Cameron’s window was rolled down as well, but I don’t know how much he was actually doing since I felt like Finn was blocking most of his view with his body.

“Excuse me?” Travis shot back. I could barely hear him but he must have moved his head in slightly as he spoke. Otherwise, I think the wind and bullets would have carried his voice away.

“Let’s lay on the horn and tear up the roads as we come home to get everyone’s attention, what an idea!” Cameron scolded.

“Sorry, you’re going to have to yell louder if you want me to hear you over the squealing tires and bullets being shot at me,” Travis demanded.


About the Author

J.S. Christine has been writing novels since 2011 and graduated with a degree in Creative Writing. She strives to give readers worlds they can relax in with characters they can call their friends. Her novels typically travel down the obstacle-ridden roads of self-discovery with music blasting in the car’s speakers and the occasional explosion off to the side. Her first novel, Sparked, was self-published in 2016. When she isn’t writing, she can be found binge reading books, burning cookies, attempting to run, or teaching her three cats how great popcorn is.

Find the Author 

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Twitter

 

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Aug 1, 2022

Monthly Re-Cap (July 22) and TBR Pile (Aug 22)


Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Here is the progress from July
I feel like I did much better this month.



~~Books I Read in July 2022~~  

            


~~Links to Some Reviews~~
Others will come later.
  1. Sunflower Sisters by Monika Singh Gangotra (Youth) -3 stars
  2. Beneath the Trees: First Spring by Dav (GN) - 4 stars
  3.  Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend by Alys Arden (GN, YA) - 3 stars
  4. This is a Birthday Cake by Andrew Cangelose (Youth) - 5 stars
  5. Darling Girl by Liz Michaelski (Adult) - 2 stars
  6. Three Pockets Full by Cindy Rodriguez (Youth) - 5 stars


 TBR for August



  1. Book of Night by Holly Black
  2. The Darkening by Sunya Mara
  3. From the Deep by Kateri Stanley
  4. Mere Mortals by Erin Jade Lnge
  5. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
  6. RANDOM PICK from the ever growing shelves at home.

How was your July reading? Anything I should add to my TBR?
Feel free to share it in the comments below! I would love to know what you are reading!