tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11453709903196291972024-03-13T18:39:59.723-04:00Portrait of a BookChristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12664530848411025818noreply@blogger.comBlogger763125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-42662241731727996652021-01-23T10:00:00.001-05:002021-01-23T10:00:03.481-05:00Blog Tour and Book Sketch: Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift<center><a href="https://tbrandbeyondbooktours.com
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51630215-cast-in-firelight"></a>CAST IN FIRELIGHT<br />
By: Dana Swift<br />
Published By: Delacorte Press<br />
Release Date: January 19, 2021<br />
Series: Wickery #1<br />
Pages: 448<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher via Netgalley<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://read.macmillan.com/lp/a-golden-fury/">Macmillan</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Adraa is the royal heir of Belwar, a talented witch on the cusp of taking her royal ceremony test, and a girl who just wants to prove her worth to her people.<br>
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Jatin is the royal heir to Naupure, a competitive wizard who's mastered all nine colors of magic, and a boy anxious to return home for the first time since he was a child.<br>
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Together, their arranged marriage will unite two of Wickery's most powerful kingdoms. But after years of rivalry from afar, Adraa and Jatin only agree on one thing: their reunion will be anything but sweet.<br>
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Only, destiny has other plans and with the criminal underbelly of Belwar suddenly making a move for control, their paths cross...and neither realizes who the other is, adopting separate secret identities instead.<br>
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Between dodging deathly spells and keeping their true selves hidden, the pair must learn to put their trust in the other if either is to uncover the real threat. Now Wickery's fate is in the hands of rivals..? Fiancées..? Partners..? Whatever they are, it's complicated and bound for greatness or destruction.<br>
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The first book in an epic, heart-pounding fantasy duology about two royal heirs betrothed to be married, but whose loyalties are torn, and a ruthless enemy who threatens their world, perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal, and Renée Ahdieh.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: Excuse me while I scream and wait very impatiently for the next installment!<br>
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I cannot resist a fantasy novel boasting a unique magic system and an arranged marriage, so I knew that Cast in Firelight had to be on my TBR. This was my second book of 2021, and my first fantasy book after a major fantasy hangover, and yet I was quickly drawn into the story and enjoyed the adventure. <br>
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Adraa has always known her future—train in magic, marry Jatin, and unite the lands of Belwar and Naupure. Only Adraa is not looking forward to her future. She and Jatin are rivals, not lovers, and she dreads her royal ceremony test where she must prove her skill with magic in front of her kingdom. Adraa wants to be the best maharani she can for Belwar, but no country is perfect, and she soon discovers that criminal activity is rampant. When her path crosses Jatin’s, with both under assumed identities, she finds an unlikely ally and partner. But the truth will always come out, and Adraa must decide which she wants to save—her country or her heart.<br>
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If you love strong, princess-saves-herself type heroines, then you will want Cast in Firelight to be on your TBR. Adraa is fierce, independent, and passionate, though not without her insecurities. Although she does not necessarily want to accept her arranged marriage, she uses her frustration and dislike of Jatin to push herself to be a better witch. I would have liked to see more of their rivalry instead or (or in addition to) the budding romance under the false identities, if only because there was a hint of sizzle in their dislike.<br>
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The world and its magic system was highly inventive, with nine gods and goddesses each represented by a different color. Witches and wizards had a forte in one of the nine colors, supposedly as a blessing from that god, so any spoken spells showed the color of their forte. The world itself drew from Indian influences, which the author explained was done for her children, and it added another depth to the fantasy setting. I hope we are able to learn more about the gods and their interactions in the world in the sequel.<br>
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Intrigue and suspense are definitely woven throughout the plot, which kept me turning pages so that I could learn who was truly trustworthy. Although readers can guess at some of the story aspects, there are a few surprises along the way. However, there were a few scenes that surprised me in a different way—these seemed to come out of nowhere and not quite fit the arc of the story. I found myself rereading a few pages to see if I had missed a lead-in, but to no avail. Even though I was momentarily pulled out of the flow of the story, once those scenes had passed, it was easy to be swept up in the world again.<br>
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Overall, Cast in Firelight is a strong debut, and if you like secret identities in a fantasy world, you should definitely add this to your TBR! The ending definitely left me wanting the sequel, so I will be looking forward to its release next year!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The color-coded magic system based on the nine gods and goddesses.
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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Dana Swift started making up fantasy worlds when she was eleven years old and hasn’t stopped since. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned degrees in English and Advertising. While in college, Dana competed as a saber fencer and learned a thing or two about fighting, parrying and how it feels to fall in love with your sparring partner. She currently lives with said husband in Miami, Florida.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="https://www.danaswiftbooks.com/ ">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/swift_dana">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/danaswiftbooks/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19510928.Dana_Swift">Goodreads</a>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE <a href="https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2020/11/29/tour-schedule-cast-in-firelight-by-dana-swift/
">HERE</a>~</span></b></center>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ DON'T MISS THIS GIVEAWAY! ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-21548732428979447362021-01-07T10:00:00.001-05:002021-01-07T10:00:03.544-05:00Book Sketch: The Frozen Crown by Greta Kelly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhna6BNdqIAas3EjiGkZdngYFG7LMbTPaYXRQmseUpBMbQ7GU8Mf_SnHEdU2mIC27sd0yMowaGnyRcpiDD_WTRVO2y194GgnsWSuzShVJFVh4HHpW2YyFPe3V-Y1LMViv8iyAH1jT7CHO9t/s1000/The+Frozen+Crown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhna6BNdqIAas3EjiGkZdngYFG7LMbTPaYXRQmseUpBMbQ7GU8Mf_SnHEdU2mIC27sd0yMowaGnyRcpiDD_WTRVO2y194GgnsWSuzShVJFVh4HHpW2YyFPe3V-Y1LMViv8iyAH1jT7CHO9t/s1000/The+Frozen+Crown.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53175338-the-frozen-crown?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=6xAdgW2i76&rank=1">THE FROZEN CROWN</a><br />
By: Greta Kelly<br />
Published By: Harper Voyager<br />
Release Date: January 12, 2021<br />
Series: The Frozen Crown #1<br />
Pages: 384<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: AAdult<br />
Source: Netgalley<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9780062956958">King's English</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: A princess with a powerful and dangerous secret must find a way to save her country from ruthless invaders in this exciting debut fantasy, the first novel in a thrilling duology packed with heroism, treachery, magic, and war.<br>
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Askia became heir to the Frozen Crown of Seravesh because of her devotion to her people. But her realm is facing a threat she cannot defeat by sheer will alone. The mad emperor of the Roven Empire has unleashed a horde of invading soldiers to enslave her lands. For months, her warriors have waged a valiant, stealth battle, yet they cannot stop the enemy’s advancement. Running out of time, she sets sail for sun-drenched Vishir, the neighboring land to the south, to seek help from its ruler, Emperor Armaan.
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A young woman raised in army camps, Askia is ill-equipped to navigate Vishir’s labyrinthine political games. Her every move sinks her deeper into court intrigues which bewilder and repel her, leaving her vulnerable not only to enemies gathering at Vishir's gates, but to those behind the palace walls. <br>
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And in this glittering court, where secrets are worth more than gold, Askia fears that one false step will expose her true nature. For Askia is a witch gifted with magical abilities—knowledge that could destroy not only her life but her people. As her adversaries draw closer, Askia is forced to make an impossible choice—and no matter what she decides, it may not be enough to prevent Seravesh’s fall.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: I need the sequel immediately!<br>
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Any novel billed with both magic and treachery is one that makes it onto my TBR list immediately. I was very excited to get a copy of The Frozen Crown on Netgalley, and the intriguing synopsis of this book did not disappoint! From the magic system to the political intrigue, this book kept me turning page after page to see what would happen next.<br>
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Askia is the rightful heir to the Frozen Crown of Seravesh, but political maneuvering of her cousin has kept her from her throne. Instead, her country is embroiled in a war with the Roven Empire. Orphaned and desperate to win back her country, Askia has traveled among war camps, fought with her army, but now must journey to a foreign court to gain allies to defeat Roven. However, once in Vishir, Askia discovers that the real battle is just beginning. Forced to navigate secrets, political alliances, and budding romances, Askia must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice for her country—or for herself.<br>
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In many ways, this book combined the best of YA and adult fantasy genres. The book was faced-paced with just enough world-building to appreciate the political dynamics. The magic system and guilds were very intriguing, especially Askia’s brand of witchery. There were definitely many powers and forces at play in the book, and it kept the storyline quite interesting trying to figure out how they would all interact together.<br>
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Askia is a strong female, forged through a difficult past, bound by loyalty to fight for her country. She wants to remain independent, to win her allies through her own merits and through the importance of her cause rather than playing romantic games. This is not to say that there are no attractions in this novel, or no good males, but it is not the overall focus. Instead, Askia spends most of her time training to be a better warrior, a better witch, and better able to navigate court politics. I enjoyed watching her come into her own, confront her past, and find a strength she didn’t know she had to make the difficult decisions. <br>
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I do wish that there had been a bit more world-building, especially at the beginning—the initial pages were a bit confusing, but the action quickly made up for that confusion. I would also have liked to see more time given to the relationship between Askia and some of the other characters. There is so much more I could say about this book, but it would be a shame to spoil anything. Many of the characters are more than they seem, and the truth only begins to come out the more that you read. I will be interested to see how the world expands in the next book, how the hints of romance play out, and how the characters will rise to new and unexpected challenges.<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: Askia’s brand of witchery and her strength.
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41187447-a-golden-fury?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=dqdZjb4rmX&rank=1"></a>A GOLDEN FURY<br />
By: Samantha Cohoe<br />
Published By: Wednesday Books<br />
Release Date: October 13, 2020<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 352<br />
Genre: Historical Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://read.macmillan.com/lp/a-golden-fury/">Macmillan</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Thea Hope longs to be an alchemist out of the shadow of her famous mother. The two of them are close to creating the legendary Philosopher’s Stone—whose properties include immortality and can turn any metal into gold—but just when the promise of the Stone’s riches is in their grasp, Thea’s mother destroys the Stone in a sudden fit of violent madness.<br>
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While combing through her mother’s notes, Thea learns that there’s a curse on the Stone that causes anyone who tries to make it to lose their sanity. With the threat of the French Revolution looming, Thea is sent to Oxford for her safety, to live with the father who doesn’t know she exists.<br>
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But in Oxford, there are alchemists after the Stone who don’t believe Thea’s warning about the curse—instead, they’ll stop at nothing to steal Thea’s knowledge of how to create the Stone. But Thea can only run for so long, and soon she will have to choose: create the Stone and sacrifice her sanity, or let the people she loves die.</i><br />
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Alchemy is a subject I find fascinating. There are so many things we still do not understand about the world, and sometimes it’s hard not to dream about a touch of magic in everyday life. Who wouldn’t want to have the Philosopher’s Stone? This book explores that exact question.<br>
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Thea Hope is an aspiring alchemist living in the shadow of her famous mother, but she dreams of finding her own fame one day. She will uncover the secrets of making the Philosopher’s Stone, reunite with her love Will, and live happily ever after, as the fairy tales say. Only life is not a fairy tale. Her mother is trying to keep the alchemical secrets to herself, and with France on the brink of revolution, Thea will be sent to England for her own safety. Despite staying with a father who never knew she existed, Thea is determined to live out her dreams. However, secrets and betrayals abound, and Thea will have to navigate dangerous waters if she wants to survive, let alone make the stone.<br>
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This book drew me in from the very beginning. I loved the premise, and who wouldn’t want to be engrossed in historical France and England? I wanted to learn more about Thea and her mother, and I wanted to see if they would be successful making the stone. I felt Thea’s longing for her one real friend and love, and, of course, the chance of learning alchemical secrets fascinated me. And then all of the action started. The mark of a good book is one that can make you feel strong emotions, and A Golden Fury certainly accomplished this. From wanting to see more of the Comte, to wishing I could reach through the pages and shake a character or two to make them see reason, emotions were definitely high throughout this book.<br>
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The magical effects of the stone are felt throughout the book. The further alchemists descend into their work, the less lucid they become. This led to moments of wondering who could be trusted, if the budding romances were motivated by real feelings or by greed (and maybe a touch of Stockholm Syndrome), and it also made me keep turning pages to uncover the truth about all of the characters and see if Thea would prevail despite all the odds. The stakes in this book were certainly high—lose friends, lose sanity, or lose life—and this made for gripping reading.<br>
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Unfortunately, for me, the ending of the book did not quite live up to the beginning. There were several fledgling plot lines that never seemed fully realized, and more than once I felt like I was getting whiplash from characters’ behavior. It seemed like the book didn’t quite reach its full potential. I wanted more vivid descriptions, more time to savor building tension, and more of a resolution to the story threads that were started. However, I know other people did not have these issues, so don’t let that stop you from reading this! There were still plenty of enjoyable aspects throughout the book.<br>
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Travel through time and enjoy the mystic nature of alchemy. I’ll be interested to see what Samantha Cohoe writes next!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The inclusion of research from historical alchemists.
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh06KUaoWLMlNG3y-jmLx841EQOKHxXxiQ4VueVXatyTZpgPAtSkZVLkgQm02xDk3pUWAP9TDFhrq-yj3uZZ2s8OkbFCb8LVJ0TJ4IX4zKGE4Va3liFEcr2_y0ZrVDrVdeEPAfyN0MwQB/s648/Samantha+Cohoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh06KUaoWLMlNG3y-jmLx841EQOKHxXxiQ4VueVXatyTZpgPAtSkZVLkgQm02xDk3pUWAP9TDFhrq-yj3uZZ2s8OkbFCb8LVJ0TJ4IX4zKGE4Va3liFEcr2_y0ZrVDrVdeEPAfyN0MwQB/s648/Samantha+Cohoe.jpg" width="175" height="225" data-original-width="200" data-original-height="227" /></a></div>
Samantha Cohoe writes historically-inspired young adult fantasy. She was raised in San Luis Obispo, California, where she enjoyed an idyllic childhood of beach trips, omnivorous reading, and writing stories brimming with adverbs. She currently lives in Denver with her family and divides her time among teaching Latin, mothering, writing, reading, and deleting adverbs. A Golden Fury is her debut novel.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="http://www.samanthacohoe.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/addiethorley">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/samanthacohoe/
">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18313531.Samantha_Cohoe">Goodreads</a>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-1038813113253575022020-10-12T10:00:00.001-04:002020-10-12T10:00:05.890-04:00Book Sketch: The Sky Weaver by Kristen Ciccarelli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoV74LPg-2WOi5RrkhGYS5yroL65PriVYxRKtPx0a5bGgFozHMaMAKmc2RW_i3bP_eT6R9RXpL83XZ4iNE-SXS6ZHxe4GUv40VqNv9paORA9_9sDXKyw-LIcoI1Nyi-UQI89aUZCPpU1u/s474/The+Sky+Weaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoV74LPg-2WOi5RrkhGYS5yroL65PriVYxRKtPx0a5bGgFozHMaMAKmc2RW_i3bP_eT6R9RXpL83XZ4iNE-SXS6ZHxe4GUv40VqNv9paORA9_9sDXKyw-LIcoI1Nyi-UQI89aUZCPpU1u/s474/The+Sky+Weaver.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35843942-the-sky-weaver?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=TQIBjeRtMC&rank=1">THE SKY WEAVER</a><br />
By: Kristen Ciccarelli<br />
Published By: Harper Teen<br />
Release Date: November 12, 2019<br />
Series: Iskari<br />
Pages: 400<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9780062568052">King's English</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Warning--May contain spoilers for The Last Namsara or The Caged Queen.<br>
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At the end of one world, there always lies another.<br>
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Safire, a soldier, knows her role in this world is to serve the King of Firgaard—helping to maintain the peace in her oft-troubled nation.<br>
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Eris, a deadly pirate, has no such conviction. Known as the Death Dancer for her ability to evade even the most determined of pursuers, she possesses a superhuman power to move between worlds.<br>
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When one can roam from dimension to dimension, can one ever be home? Can love and loyalty truly exist?<br>
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Now Safire and Eris—sworn enemies—find themselves on a common mission: to find Asha, the last Namsara. From the port city of Darmoor to the fabled faraway Star Isles, their search and their stories become woven ever more tightly together as they discover the uncertain fate they’re hurtling towards may just be a shared one. In this world—and the next. </i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: Kristen Ciccarelli saved the best for last!<br>
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This was unquestionably my favorite book of the trilogy. Pirates, deception, enemies-to-lovers, and mythology are all woven together to create a compelling story that kept me turning page after page. This book can be read as a standalone, but it is definitely much richer if you have read the other two books first.<br>
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Safire has sworn to protect King Dax with her life. So when a thief infiltrates Firgaard, Safire will stop at nothing to neutralize the threat to the kingdom’s safety. Only Eris is far more that Safire ever bargained for. What starts as a series of lures and traps ends in an intercontinental quest with life and death stakes. Can they find Asha before it’s too late? And if they do, can they save not just the realm, but also their hearts?<br>
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Are you looking for a book full of action with dragons and an expertly crafted slow-burn romance? Look no further than this book! After the slow pace and political intrigue of The Caged Queen, The Sky Weaver is exactly what you would want in the final installment of a trilogy. Eris and Safire each have their own missions, but events beyond their control draw them into a tenuous alliance that takes them far away from Firgaard and into the legendary Sky Isles. But working together is nearly impossible, as both are trying to undermine the other. Still, there is an undeniable pull between both characters, a sizzling tension that leaps of the page and is every bit as captivating as the piratical action.<br>
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Both the dragons and the mythological storylines are back in full force throughout this book. Dragons are personified with human feelings and emotions, and the development of one dragon in particular was just as touching as anything with the human characters. The snippets of mythology included here also culminate brilliantly into the climax of this story. This book already had a dual POV between Eris and Safire, which I loved, but the way the myths were included made this more like a triple POV, making me appreciate the full scope of the story even more.<br>
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This book is wonderfully crafted and will make you feel all of the emotions. More than once I found myself waiting with bated breath to see what would happen, or rereading paragraphs just to savor the moment with the characters, or just wanting to reach through the pages and hug everyone there. The Sky Weaver cemented the fact that I will read any future novels by Kristen Ciccarelli. If you’ve been on the fence about this trilogy, definitely add it to your TBR. The last book alone makes the read worth it, but throughout the trilogy, you can find everything that makes fantasy the best genre to read.<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: A perfectly-written enemies-to-lovers romance and the bond between a girl and her dragon.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuxV3XaPvbKn5hyA30kX7sUf4hmFe0VXWpOFMiIMoFMvWBYzQmaBegHEdjQMowOAAwIj-aLzVwsd6f52VzWb9dz6FSJwhPBPNgeyqvIO_Wl87dij2efZpTHi7_TwYPSyhHiSqUCadwZ65/s1080/The+Sky+Weaver+SR.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuxV3XaPvbKn5hyA30kX7sUf4hmFe0VXWpOFMiIMoFMvWBYzQmaBegHEdjQMowOAAwIj-aLzVwsd6f52VzWb9dz6FSJwhPBPNgeyqvIO_Wl87dij2efZpTHi7_TwYPSyhHiSqUCadwZ65/s400/The+Sky+Weaver+SR.png"/></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-90094777767769807342020-10-05T10:00:00.008-04:002020-10-05T10:00:02.065-04:00Book Sketch: The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5tADAW4bRzX6zYPXQvhmWZ_rY-H0dhFIUOy4WKzBKggyYs8jhyIR80rWYKGAKhDKpn5wkNUUdyvxEMQhPUfAbtXWjd1751qm-QhdT7inaNd8s8Yh3v1d9-GeTr6pGlQAgarpGvQIDMfo/s475/The+Caged+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5tADAW4bRzX6zYPXQvhmWZ_rY-H0dhFIUOy4WKzBKggyYs8jhyIR80rWYKGAKhDKpn5wkNUUdyvxEMQhPUfAbtXWjd1751qm-QhdT7inaNd8s8Yh3v1d9-GeTr6pGlQAgarpGvQIDMfo/s475/The+Caged+Queen.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35843937-the-caged-queen?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=napjEzA1mr&rank=1">THE CAGED QUEEN</a><br />
By: Kristen Ciccarelli<br />
Published By: Harper Teen<br />
Release Date: September 25, 2018<br />
Series: Iskari<br />
Pages: 400<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9780062568014">King's English</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Warning--May contain spoilers for The Last Namsara.<br>
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Once there were two sisters born with a bond so strong that it forged them together forever. Roa and Essie called it the hum. It was a magic they cherished—until the day a terrible accident took Essie’s life and trapped her soul in this world.<br>
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Dax—the heir to Firgaard’s throne—was responsible for the accident. Roa swore to hate him forever. But eight years later he returned, begging for her help. He was determined to dethrone his cruel father, under whose oppressive reign Roa’s people had suffered.<br>
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Roa made him a deal: she’d give him the army he needed if he made her queen. Only as queen could she save her people from Firgaard’s rule.<br>
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Then a chance arises to right every wrong—an opportunity for Roa to rid herself of this enemy king and rescue her beloved sister. During the Relinquishing, when the spirits of the dead are said to return, Roa discovers she can reclaim her sister for good.<br>
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All she has to do is kill the king.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: No sophomore slump here!<br>
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I really enjoyed The Last Namsara, and I was eager to dive into The Caged Queen. Although this is technically a companion novel and they can be read out of order, I would definitely recommend reading them in publication order. The following review will be spoiler-free for The Caged Queen, but it contains spoilers for The Last Namsara. <br>
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Dax and Roa are the new king and queen of Firgaard, but their rule is far from easy. Roa is an outsider, a Scrublander from the House of Sky, desperate to save her people from starvation. Dax is a new ruler, trying to help his childhood friend while doing good for his land as well. But Roa cannot let go of a tragic accident in the past, instead clinging to her sister’s spirit and chasing the hope that she can somehow bring Essie back. Schemes and secrets abound on all sides in Dax and Roa’s unstable kingdom, threatening to tear both the kingdom and the couple apart. With Asha and Torwin gone, Dax is on his own to save what he cares about most. Can he unravel the plots against him before it’s too late?<br>
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The Last Namsara was full of action, but this book was much more psychological, which I found fascinating. Roa made no secrets of her emotions toward Dax and his kingdom, and she quickly found herself embroiled in plots to destabilize his rule. Dax, on the other hand, was an enigma through most of the book, keeping me guessing where his loyalties and his heart truly were. Although Dax generally came across as weak in the first book, he really found his own strength in this story. By the end of the book, Dax will become one of your favorite characters.<br>
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One of the best parts of the first book was the mythology and lore included, and that was back in this story as well. Short stories from the world were interspersed with the actual storyline. Along with this, there were a fair number of flashbacks to Dax and Roa’s childhood, which really rounded them out as characters. Roa especially needed this, because she was far harder to like. Still, the character growth and development were wonderful throughout the entire book.<br>
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Overall, it was enjoyable to read a story that was both a sequel and a companion novel. I appreciate the fact that we got more of the world from different perspectives, and it allowed me to like the world even more. The tension between the characters in an enemies-to-lovers romance, the uncertainty from unreliable narrators, and dangerous stakes made this book a page-turner despite the slow pace. After this, I can’t wait to see what Ciccarelli has in store for the final installment of the trilogy!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The short stories within the story, and the royal schemes.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-14278036601740640992020-09-13T10:00:00.001-04:002020-09-13T10:00:02.517-04:00Book Sketch: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QnBT4S6Qu3Xx4MAuzPDeTneG6onWyB8Y9E7wlJ8Ug8A59RmLzNsgNPG9RL6ra4pmgu3zWq3wDXVMsyLiQChsBSdTNVKZMbQ5gRwfcy4CkH7_wQ6tZhVF0qzHWCzefWt0TxVH9Ffr9zlT/s475/The+Winners+Crime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QnBT4S6Qu3Xx4MAuzPDeTneG6onWyB8Y9E7wlJ8Ug8A59RmLzNsgNPG9RL6ra4pmgu3zWq3wDXVMsyLiQChsBSdTNVKZMbQ5gRwfcy4CkH7_wQ6tZhVF0qzHWCzefWt0TxVH9Ffr9zlT/s475/The+Winners+Crime.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20443207-the-winner-s-crime?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eebpIP35iC&rank=1">THE WINNER'S CRIME</a><br />
By: Marie Rutkoski<br />
Published By: Farrar Strauss Giroux<br />
Release Date: March 3, 2015<br />
Series: The Winner's Curse<br />
Pages: 416<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Library<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9780374384708">King's English</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Warning--May contain spoilers for The Winner's Curse.<br>
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Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.<br>
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The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement... if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.<br>
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As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: I’m so glad I don’t have to wait another year for the final book of this trilogy!<br>
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Everything that made me love the story in The Winner’s Curse is back in full force in The Winner’s Curse. This book raises the stakes with more trials and tribulations for Kestrel and Arin, more (potentially deadly) scheming, and more of their fatal attraction. There was no second-book slump here!<br>
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In a desperate attempt to save the Herrani people from certain death at the hands of the Valorian general, Kestrel made a bargain with the emperor of Valoria: She would marry his son the prince and one day become empress. To prepare for her fate, Kestrel moves to the mainland palace, where she is pulled into the emperor’s schemes and thrown together with her betrothed. But as always, Kestrel has schemes of her own. With the truth of her love buried deep in her heart, Kestrel continues to plot for a better future. Meanwhile, Arin has to find a way to protect his people from the inevitable war that was only delayed, no matter how far he has to travel or how much he has to sacrifice. Will their paths bring them back together, or will they be torn apart forever?<br>
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Most fantasy books have kick-butt heroines fighting in armor, but The Winner’s Curse diverged from this norm. In this book as well, Kestrel is every bit a warrior with her intelligence, and she does so while in a ball gown. Everything I loved about Kestrel in the first book made me love her in this one as well, especially her inner strength and musical talent. As a pawn in the emperor’s schemes, Kestrel is forced to make brutal choices that weigh heavily on her conscience and only serve to drive a further wedge between her and Arin. The emperor would make Machiavelli proud, but his son is a different man entirely. Verex befriends Kestrel, though he has no real desire to marry her. I was quite thankful that this did not become a love triangle.<br>
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All budding romance took a backseat in this book, though Kestrel and Arin’s feelings are certainly forefront in both of their minds. Arin was rather stubborn in his determination to erase his feelings, even going so far as to make questionable decisions in foreign countries. Still, despite all of the struggles, there was a faint thread of hope. Every time that Arin and Kestrel were brought together, no matter how dire the circumstances, the undercurrent of romantic tension was palpable.<br>
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This book introduced new, interesting characters, especially in Arin’s travels, as well as raised the stakes for all political and royal parties. I can’t wait to see how everything comes together in the final book of this trilogy. There is so much more I could say about this book, but really, you just need to read it for yourself.<br>
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If you haven’t picked up The Winner’s Curse trilogy by Marie Rutkoski, what are you waiting for? This is one trilogy you won’t want to miss!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: All of the political scheming by Kestrel.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeQ0aG2hFDMkCgg4nS6p5fey5ReKbXdK8ro8VaTzfUD_J02R9cDmKcJx5FZZwACsEc1SndO8SReoF7vUFNqvCcVVTnRLYR4AbFgJW52PJ9qM2ksxKnBlzsRqgTAPMUMDve14iz0F7o4bb/s1080/The+Winners+Crime+SR.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeQ0aG2hFDMkCgg4nS6p5fey5ReKbXdK8ro8VaTzfUD_J02R9cDmKcJx5FZZwACsEc1SndO8SReoF7vUFNqvCcVVTnRLYR4AbFgJW52PJ9qM2ksxKnBlzsRqgTAPMUMDve14iz0F7o4bb/s400/The+Winners+Crime+SR.png"/></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-74656654397320448262020-09-10T22:00:00.001-04:002020-09-10T22:00:03.263-04:00Book Sketch: Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9m3ryAEkGFKwuQm-zMfKa3UiieKhdkVbcWNl2kXjFYXHeFI5dsi1zso1X7qHS8QUF0CLPS6vU69LelCcDtS5pIzprNa_WHUghd3hj8WSAVoa68SAZtHwgtWvQbKa-KhyphenhyphenMW57sIUJUjUu/s475/Daughter+of+the+Siren+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9m3ryAEkGFKwuQm-zMfKa3UiieKhdkVbcWNl2kXjFYXHeFI5dsi1zso1X7qHS8QUF0CLPS6vU69LelCcDtS5pIzprNa_WHUghd3hj8WSAVoa68SAZtHwgtWvQbKa-KhyphenhyphenMW57sIUJUjUu/s475/Daughter+of+the+Siren+Queen.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36682619-daughter-of-the-siren-queen?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=j4ghe6dWDC&rank=1">DAUGHTER OF THE SIREN QUEEN</a><br />
By: Tricia Levenseller<br />
Published By: Feiwel Friends<br />
Release Date: February 27, 2018<br />
Series: Daughter of the Pirate King<br />
Pages: 341<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Bought<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9781250096012">King's English</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Warning--May contain spoilers for Daughter of the Pirate King.<br>
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Alosa's mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father's justice.<br>
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When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" data-original-width="288" data-original-height="38" /></a></div>
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First Thought After Finishing: I’m going to miss all of the adventures of Alosa and Riden!<br>
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I picked up Daughter of the Pirate King in April, and I couldn’t believe I had waited so long to read it! It was such a fun escape, especially right at the beginning of the Covid-19 quarantine, and their rollicking adventures kept me turning page after page. Daughter of the Siren Queen picks up right not long after the first book ends, and there are more hijinks, heists, and heated moments filling every page!<br>
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Alosa is a woman on a mission to fulfill her pirate dreams: Find the hidden treasure, take her rightful place as the new pirate queen, and exact revenge on her enemies. But while making her plans back at the Keep, she realizes that she doesn’t know her father quite as well as she thought. Suspicion leads her to investigate and uncover long-held secrets that will change her life forever. Before she can finish plotting and planning, Alosa is once again racing across the ocean with her crew and Riden by her side. This may be her most dangerous adventure yet, but she’s not the daughter of the Pirate King and Siren Queen for nothing. She’ll make her dreams come true, or die trying.<br>
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The fierce and feisty heroine is back for another round of adventures in Daughter of the Siren Queen. While the first book was nonstop adventure, this book has more introspection and soul-searching from Alosa. After uncovering her father’s secrets, she has to come to terms with her childhood and everything she thought to be true. But that is not to say this book isn’t full of action. There are plenty of high-stakes battles from feuding pirates, not to mention page-turning tension. Alosa also has to confront the siren half of her nature if she wants to find the treasure and keep her crew safe. Once again, this is a battle of inner strength, and I could really appreciate the transformation that Alosa goes through in this story.<br>
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One of the best parts of this book was getting to see more of Alosa’s crew and the bonds between all the members. The crew epitomizes squad goals that takes sisterhood to new levels with their quick wit, fierce loyalty, and mutual respect. I’m sure there won’t be more books written in this world, but I can imagine all of the female pirates having the most interesting backstories with such exciting futures. <br>
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Finally, there is the relationship between Alosa and Riden. The tension isn’t quite as high as the first book, but there are definitely more intimate moments. We finally get to learn about Riden’s past, and it made him even more endearing. These two complement each other so well, and I couldn’t help cheering for them as they found happiness with each other.<br>
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With this duology, Tricia Levenseller has made it onto my auto-buy author list. I can’t wait to read more of her books!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The bonds between the female pirate crew.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj8W6EH7j7zALynCpcNtANb2KFWQhL7tTLsR0JKlDyN4h4TBQmBmTkJWMt4pgwyU_OUgunxTdYAL3OVpVUhdOyr76024MPNl4qj-XDcdIRJw0Ks7zB2JacUCqxpqSwLzDXG5QfN11s-eX/s1080/Daughter+of+the+Siren+Queen+SR.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj8W6EH7j7zALynCpcNtANb2KFWQhL7tTLsR0JKlDyN4h4TBQmBmTkJWMt4pgwyU_OUgunxTdYAL3OVpVUhdOyr76024MPNl4qj-XDcdIRJw0Ks7zB2JacUCqxpqSwLzDXG5QfN11s-eX/s400/Daughter+of+the+Siren+Queen+SR.png"/></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-11385786525989642362020-09-09T10:00:00.000-04:002020-09-09T10:00:05.310-04:00Book Sketch: American Panda by Gloria Chao<div class="separator" style="clear: both; txt-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3gbPF7sUMhmVO2_CqINEuWJ5TGlfKUOsAzdUda2MF-YIteEAx_7rstjO8-urW1aLPhViDexItAgkocBzfJnVueh07FAMSwuJZ1ztWAWJ48bojnaLFiHYKF9J5cEBKT3_QuCPP3klrqZz/s475/American+Panda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3gbPF7sUMhmVO2_CqINEuWJ5TGlfKUOsAzdUda2MF-YIteEAx_7rstjO8-urW1aLPhViDexItAgkocBzfJnVueh07FAMSwuJZ1ztWAWJ48bojnaLFiHYKF9J5cEBKT3_QuCPP3klrqZz/s400/American+Panda.jpg"/></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35297380-american-panda?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=c8r0CvWvYs&rank=1">AMERICAN PANDA</a><br />
By: Gloria Chao<br />
Published By: Simon Pulse<br />
Release Date: February 6, 2018<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 311<br />
Genre: Contemporary<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Bought<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9781481499101">King's English</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents' master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.<br>
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With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can't bring herself to tell them the truth--that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.<br>
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But when Mei reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" data-original-width="288" data-original-height="38" /></a></div>
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First Thought After Finishing: Such a sweet romance story, and I loved learning about Chinese/Taiwanese culture!<br>
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I’ve had American Panda on my shelves for a while, and when I was looking for a humorous book for a readathon, this one jumped out as an obvious choice! It was a perfect palate cleanser after reading a lot of fantasy and sci-fi books, and I loved the added elements that made it more than a contemporary YA romance!<br>
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Mei is a seventeen-year-old freshman at MIT, one step close to fulfilling her parents’ dream of her becoming a doctor. There’s only one problem—she doesn’t think she can handle being a doctor. Biology doesn’t interest her, and she’s more than a little squeamish about medical issues. She’s also not ready to be paired for marriage with the boy of her mother’s choosing. But after everything her parents have sacrificed for her, how could she ever tell her parents the truth? Instead, she keeps hiding pieces of herself—her hobbies, her crush, even her reunion with her estranged brother. But secrets always have a way of coming out, and what will happen when her parents finally discover the truth?<br>
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I love books with a college setting, especially ones that make me feel like I’m right there on the campus. American Panda has so many great details about MIT, including special vocabulary, great descriptions of their special buildings, and more. It made me remember my own college days, where we used acronyms for everything and had our own special traditions involving clock towers and fountains. I also found myself identifying with Mei more than I expected, despite the cultural differences. She wanted to please her parents, but she also wanted to follow her own artistic path; my parents had hopes of me going to medical school, but I was a music major instead. The difference is that Mei had generations of cultural tradition and responsibilities heaped onto her shoulders. Her mother especially was overinvolved in her life, always trying to care for her daughter but smothering her with guilt at the same time. The voice mails and “horror” stories her mother told were quite comical to an outsider but were certainly a lot for any teenager to handle.<br>
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Mei’s romantic adventure was also entangled with her journey to independence. As much as she liked Darren, she always worried about what her parents would think about the fact that he wasn’t Chinese. Still, the attraction was undeniable. They had such a sweet courtship—Darren was just the kind of guy that anyone would want for a first boyfriend. Still, Mei had to work through years of emotional baggage to be able to find her own happiness. Her brother ended up coming through for her in this respect, just like a big brother should. Unlike some books, where the side characters don’t seem to fit in or aren’t that likeable, all the characters here were integrated into the story and helped it come to life.<br>
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I always appreciate “heavier” contemporary books, and this one certainly delivered. All the heartache was also balanced with laughter and smiles. I look forward to reading more from Gloria Chao!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: All of the references to Chinese culture and the MIT descriptions.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-48823043986076735012020-09-08T10:00:00.003-04:002020-09-08T10:00:02.765-04:00Book Sketch: Beach Read by Emily Henry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8WfaygEzDuOYdXAYl72xFMM3idIXZzFITdHfpNJ6m-c7HcmjjT_uz2lQpLHjsuGo6ylWDxyiLEdfLWbC1lq9Ji7-bQ1-FFSH6ricnp5H-_-Vv1iXlJBmmGZW6LvqYebv3u4b5uG3IcaI/s475/Beach+Read.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8WfaygEzDuOYdXAYl72xFMM3idIXZzFITdHfpNJ6m-c7HcmjjT_uz2lQpLHjsuGo6ylWDxyiLEdfLWbC1lq9Ji7-bQ1-FFSH6ricnp5H-_-Vv1iXlJBmmGZW6LvqYebv3u4b5uG3IcaI/s475/Beach+Read.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52867387-beach-read?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=yYoPW6JiUE&rank=1#">BEACH READ</a><br />
By: Emily Henry<br />
Published By: Berkley<br />
Release Date: May 19, 2020<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 361<br />
Genre: Romance<br />
Reading Level: Adult<br />
Source: Bought<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9781984806734">King's English</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.<br>
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Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.<br>
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They're polar opposites.<br>
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In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they're living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer's block.<br>
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Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She'll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he'll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: I wish this book had more pages!<br>
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I love reading contemporary romances in the summer, and when I started seeing Beach Read all over Instagram, I knew this had to be on my TBR this summer. So many people loved this book, and after reading it, I can see why. This isn’t a lighthearted, cute read, but it was absolutely the perfect book for the last week of summer.<br>
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January Andrews loves romance, loves love, and loves happily ever afters. At least, she did. That was all before. Before she realized that her carefully cultivated life had been a lie. Now she wants nothing to do with happy endings. There’s only one problem—she’s a romance writer, her next book is due, and she’s broke. So she’s going to spend the summer in her father’s beach house overcoming her writer’s block. But she never expected that her college nemesis-slash-crush, Augustus Everett, would be living in the house next door. After a disastrous book club event, they make a deal: They’ll trade genres. January will write the next great American novel, and Gus will exchange killing the cast for pairing them up instead. But this is just writing. Everything will be purely professional. Nothing could possibly go wrong…right?<br>
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As an aspiring author, I really enjoy reading books with authors as characters. It’s like doing research while also having a fantastic story—the best of both worlds. This book gave me not one author but two, which made it twice as good. I loved seeing both of these authors’ perspectives, their different methods of researching and writing, and their motives behind their stories. It was like a story within a story, and I was just as intrigued by the books January and Gus were writing (please, someone actually write them!) as I was by the romance developing between January and Gus. After finishing this book, I wanted to dive back into my own story and work through my own writer’s block!<br>
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Both January and Gus are vivid characters, and both of them made me want to reach through the pages to give them a hug. January’s disillusionment with happy endings, and Gus’s realistic-bordering-on-pessimistic life attitude were both very relatable. To me, romance novels are always better when there is a clear reason for the characters to be together beyond physical attraction, and Gus and January definitely have that. They both have their baggage, but it is this baggage and a touch of “opposites attract” that helped to bring these two together. As Gus’s backstory was revealed, it became more and more clear why January and Gus just belonged together. Add to this palpable chemistry, sizzling banter, and sweet (or sexy) moments between the characters, and I was more than a little bit swoony for their romance. I certainly wouldn’t mind having a Gus of my own.<br>
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The setting and small-town vibes play an important role in this book. I could almost imagine myself on the Michigan coast, sitting on a porch with a cup of coffee and looking out on the waves. I also loved the other characters sprinkled throughout the story—Pete, Maggie, and Shadi. There was wonderful friendship, and despite all of the issues with biological family, Pete and Maggie definitely filled that void. I also enjoyed reading the texts, notes, and letters that were included throughout the story. The letters especially added so much, and that ended up being one of the most touching scenes in the book.<br>
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Beach Read may not have been an upbeat lighthearted read, but it ended up being so much better. It was the perfect summer read that I wanted to last far longer than it did. I hope that Emily Henry writes more books like this, because every single one will go on my TBR. If you are looking for a romance with great depth to the story and a wide emotional range, look no further than Beach Read.<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The story-within-a-story aspect, the setting, and Gus.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWKeE_T3Vsxr5sLpyL79SZb8D4Q3XkGUT_6Xp1DWMDNNQFfENElG798qSezxMgRiotJHs0AGr4XQqGqVoWg6RfHDx0Xs-wfCvUhxdUVCbufrBOByAH9KTHeIS_b8d0BUIHIioECl0elR-/s1080/Beach+Read+SR.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWKeE_T3Vsxr5sLpyL79SZb8D4Q3XkGUT_6Xp1DWMDNNQFfENElG798qSezxMgRiotJHs0AGr4XQqGqVoWg6RfHDx0Xs-wfCvUhxdUVCbufrBOByAH9KTHeIS_b8d0BUIHIioECl0elR-/s400/Beach+Read+SR.png"/></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-81163798267938445192020-08-25T16:00:00.014-04:002020-08-25T16:00:02.304-04:00Book Sketch: The Invention of Sophie Carter by Samantha Hastings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; txt-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV6rwRe4KZ61KIBFWzan1yaC62NM3FocHk68tWhyUeFrgkyqesgzfQslXmOIPoKCGV_OkP2vkrdb8nW9OfVJMD-sB4q2gzVlkTOxlB0Ut5XGWMBLLhLtChq-gHyyZz53yIA02O-9Ai7CY/s475/The+Invention+of+Sophie+Carter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV6rwRe4KZ61KIBFWzan1yaC62NM3FocHk68tWhyUeFrgkyqesgzfQslXmOIPoKCGV_OkP2vkrdb8nW9OfVJMD-sB4q2gzVlkTOxlB0Ut5XGWMBLLhLtChq-gHyyZz53yIA02O-9Ai7CY/s400/The+Invention+of+Sophie+Carter.jpg"/></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51040477-the-invention-of-sophie-carter?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=wwycBjY3BY&rank=1">THE INVENTION OF SOPHIE CARTER</a><br />
By: Samantha Hastings<br />
Published By: Swoon Reads<br />
Release Date: July 14, 2020<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 320<br />
Genre: Historical Fiction<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Netgalley<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Invention-Sophie-Carter-Samantha-Hastings-ebook/dp/B07TTZ8ZKK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20X9HLQ3H6BMK&dchild=1&keywords=the+invention+of+sophie+carter&qid=1598374276&sprefix=the+invention+of+sophie%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Identical twin sisters take turns swapping places over the course of a summer in order to pursue their secret ambitions in Samantha Hastings' Victorian YA romance.<br>
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1851. Bounced from one begrudging relative to another their whole lives, orphaned identical twins Sophie and Mariah Carter have always relied on each other for love and support, even though the sisters couldn't be more different.<br>
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Brash Sophie wants to be an inventor, and demure Mariah wants to be an artist. Both long to visit London for the summer—Sophie to see the Queen’s Great Exhibition and Mariah to study the world’s finest collection of paintings. But when their cantankerous aunt answers their letter pleading for a place to stay, she insists she only has time and room to spare for one of them.<br>
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So, Mariah and Sophie hatch a clever scheme: They will travel to London together and take turns playing the part of "Sophie".<br>
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At first the plan runs like clockwork. But as the girls avoid getting caught by increasingly narrow margins and two handsome gentlemen—both of whom think they’re falling in love with the real Sophie Carter—enter the equation, the sisters find they don’t have the situation quite as under control as they thought.<br>
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With all sorts of delightful Parent Trap-style identical twin hijinks, The Invention of Sophie Carter is the perfect light-and-sweet palate cleanser.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: What a fun trip back to historical London!<br>
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I’m a fan of historical fiction and foreign settings, so I knew I had to read this book. Samantha Hastings is also a local author, which made me even more eager to dive in. This book was a fun summer read full of sisterhood bonds, adventure, and romance.<br>
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Sophie and Mariah Carter maybe next twins, but they couldn’t be more different. Sophie is outspoken, always wanting to know how things work and to take care of their little family. Mariah longs to find love and acceptance. To get away from a bad situation, Sophie writes her aunt in London and asks for help. Her aunt agrees to let her come for a season, but only Sophie. So the twins hatch a plan—they’ll both go and pretend to be one person. Mariah will look for a husband, and Sophie will find an apprenticeship to an inventor. But the best-laid plans are never quite reality. Both twins discover hidden secrets about themselves, and each other, and find adventures they never dreamed of. But as the season draws to a close, they realize they can’t stay “Sophie” forever. Will they lose everything they worked for, or will all their dreams come true?<br>
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As an only child, I love books about sibling bonds—especially twins—because it’s one more way to live vicariously. The bond between Sophie and Mariah was felt throughout the whole book, even as they started to find their own paths as individuals. I can only imagine how difficult it is to find an individual identity when one has always been part of a set, and this book handled it very well. I also enjoyed the journey to London as well as the past. The excitement of seeing a new city and being on the brink of so many advancements was also quite fun. Both twins grow into their own strength—one quiet, one more exuberant—and it was quite an emotional journey.<br>
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The two budding romances were definitely the stars of this book. Reading Victorian classics has given me a soft spot for rich British gentlemen who are unapproachable or unavailable, and these stories helped me relive those romances that I love. The references to other great novels as well as the appreciation for an intelligent, independent female helped endear both of the male leads to me. Both of the romances are also wrapped up in family obligations, secrets, and class politics, which kept the tension high throughout the story. Although there were some family members that I wanted to reach through the pages and shake, there were other family friends whose witty repartee or unwavering kindness struck just the right balance to all the hardships the twins faced.<br>
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After everything Sophie and Mariah went through in their childhood, it was so easy to root for both of them finding their happily ever after and have all of their wishes come true. This book certainly runs the reader through a range of emotions, which made the story all the more impactful. Samantha Hastings has woven a story that will transport and delight readers, and I look forward to seeing what her next novel will be!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The sisterly bond between the twins.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-15450396921845959412020-06-26T08:00:00.000-04:002020-06-26T08:00:00.357-04:00Book Sketch: The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpFyCG8t7SZZBnnH5QnbGQ3wCfx68usAKj2N5NtCenyMEV2sus0xzwkH3Es_dAOFnywYFiTb5maZGC08UlQHFYzn9ZvYdcUVv4r2cLfwqgxG9VXnUjDp4KPxOwvcCXy72oJtT1fxrzVdO/s1600/The+Last+Namsara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpFyCG8t7SZZBnnH5QnbGQ3wCfx68usAKj2N5NtCenyMEV2sus0xzwkH3Es_dAOFnywYFiTb5maZGC08UlQHFYzn9ZvYdcUVv4r2cLfwqgxG9VXnUjDp4KPxOwvcCXy72oJtT1fxrzVdO/s400/The+Last+Namsara.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="255" data-original-height="399" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32667458-the-last-namsara?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ewdGZoLnDq&rank=1">THE LAST NAMSARA</a><br />
By: Kristen Ciccarelli<br />
Published By: HarperTeen<br />
Release Date: October 2, 2017<br />
Series: Iskari (#1)<br />
Pages: 421<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Bought<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Namsara-Iskari-Kristen-Ciccarelli/dp/0062567993/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1JLDWHI4BV6KA&dchild=1&keywords=the+last+namsara&qid=1593142959&sprefix=the+last+nam%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-2">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.<br>
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These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.<br>
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Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: What a great debut!<br>
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Dragons are some of my favorite mythical creatures, so any time that there is a book about them, that book is automatically on my TBR! Admittedly, this book sat on my shelf for a bit before I read it, but it turned out to be great to binge-read the trilogy. Here there be dragons, but there is so much more.<br>
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Asha is the Iskari, the death bringer, but also the one keeping her people safe from dragons. After nearly dying in an attack by Kozu, the first dragon, Asha lets her scars serve as a constant reminder of what can happen to her and her people if she fails in her mission. But being the daughter of the king also comes at a price. She has an arranged engagement to a man she doesn’t love, and her actions and words are always under scrutiny. When Asha is offered a deal to break her engagement, she jumps at the chance. But that isn’t the only deal that Asha receives, and secret deals bring hidden stories to light. Soon, Asha has to choose between her duty and her heart.<br>
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I love mythology, and one of my favorite aspects of this book was reading stories and lore from the world interwoven with the present-day narrative. This brought another level to the story, and Asha’s love and knowledge of the folklore made her more likeable. These stories also give hope that dragons and humans can coexist rather than the current practice of slaying them to keep cities safe. Thank goodness for the old tales! I hope to see even more of them in future books.<br>
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In many respects, Asha was a formidable character. Physically strong and confident despite an early accident, she faces her fears on a daily basis to protect her home. As a royal, she had to follow certain rules, though she never quite felt passionate about them. Asha could have been embittered and entitled, the perfect protégé for her father. Instead, when a slave named Torwin showed her kindness and flouted the rules, risking his life, Asha’s worldview began to change. Together, they formed a terrific team, especially when you add her cousin Safire, who Asha protects at all costs. Asha’s other family members are more enigmatic, and I longed for multiple POVs to have the full picture. However, it was the feeling that something was not quite right that kept me turning pages. <br>
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This story has many familiar elements of fantasy, including an evolving knowledge for the reader of what is true, high-stakes battles, familial and political drama, shifting loyalties, and young love managing to bloom against all odds. If you are a fan of the genre, you will definitely find something to love in this book.<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The folklore and the dragons.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-77437122667963200232020-05-22T08:00:00.000-04:002020-05-22T08:00:13.377-04:00Book Sketch: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8lebK48iHEdBmCG3Rw13F7U_Ao17DYoTsNOmChcBP7SaYJUtmuAMZ9rdb-AXbwY-XzF-xFfxsqsL95NkYFn5xQdXkmNgQABkC9kY_H3Ee4Wc3zo0DsL9V_HUQaZsNmTvNuaVEu6KF0GS/s1600/The+Winners+Curse+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8lebK48iHEdBmCG3Rw13F7U_Ao17DYoTsNOmChcBP7SaYJUtmuAMZ9rdb-AXbwY-XzF-xFfxsqsL95NkYFn5xQdXkmNgQABkC9kY_H3Ee4Wc3zo0DsL9V_HUQaZsNmTvNuaVEu6KF0GS/s400/The+Winners+Curse+Cover.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="317" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069030-the-winner-s-curse?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=pFNpFgHkW1&rank=1">THE WINNER'S CURSE</a><br />
By: Marie Rutkoskir<br />
Published By: Farrar Straus Giroux<br />
Release Date: March 4, 2014<br />
Series: The Winner's Trilogy<br />
Pages: 355<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Library Audio<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Winners-Curse-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00ERWUQR4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+winner%27s+curse&qid=1590131136&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.<br>
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One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.<br>
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But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.<br>
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Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" data-original-width="288" data-original-height="38" /></a></div>
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First Thoughts After Finishing: I should have read this trilogy years ago!<br>
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A few years ago, I took a break from reading YA books. During that time, The Winner’s Curse was published. As it turns out, I missed out on some good books in those years. However, with Marie Rutkoski’s new book set in the same world, as well as the love for this trilogy, I knew that I needed to catch up on my reading, and I am so glad I did!<br>
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As the daughter of the Valorian general, Kestrel has two choices: Join the military or be married. Not ready to settle for either fate, she spends her time practicing her music or visiting her friend Jess. When the friends are out together and happen through the Herrani slave market, Kestrel finds herself making a purchase she never anticipated—a young male slave named Arin—for an exorbitant sum. Once Arin begins working at Kestrel’s house, she cannot seem to avoid him. He becomes her escort, her shadow of sorts—and yet he is a Herrani, and she a Valorian. Nothing could happen between them. But the winds of unrest are gathering, bringing change on the breeze, and neither Kestrel nor Arin could be prepared for what will happen.<br>
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This book has elements of several genres—fantasy, historical fiction, and dystopian. The world is complete with carriages, fancy dresses, and land battles and class warfare that left Herrani enslaved to the Valorians. Into this complex, tumultuous world are placed Kestrel and Arin, who must navigate a nearly-impossible situation. Kestrel quickly became one of my favorite females in fantasy. She has to train as a fighter, but unlike most females, her fiercest weapon is her mind. Kestrel is constantly strategizing, whether it is at the game Bite and Sting to outwit her opponents or devising military maneuvers for conquering lands or saving her own. Add to that her brilliant talent for music, and I was sold.<br>
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Arin was harder to get to know, despite the third-person point of view that allowed us to see his actions. It was difficult to determine my feelings about him until partway through the book, and even then the constantly-shifting events and loyalties made me question those feelings more than once. However, there was no denying the romantic tension between Arin and Kestrel—it practically radiated off the page into something palpable. The tender moments they shared were certainly swoon-worthy, and I cannot wait to see what will develop between them in the next book.<br>
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This book was a quick read despite all of the events taking place in what seemed like a few short pages. The writing was lyric and beautiful, and the cast of supporting characters brought vibrancy and life to the story. The story may have been written years ago, but it can still very much stand beside the fantasy stories of today in all aspects. If you have not started this trilogy, add it to your TBR today!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: Kestrel’s wit and cunning, and certain musical and pier scenes.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nAbB82ciPCaE06ffAzxjJ0qUf_9Kl_iqtOxNr1gzdOUfQ-P3gkOj22sZ6MJnHHnTGuqulc1HA_prp7u_7nqzCK-Jnk_JyPW2jJeuAgc2JgSKALAhG2eapWWIvoakpFLiOcrSwUkWEl7_/s1600/The+Winner%2527s+Curse+SR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nAbB82ciPCaE06ffAzxjJ0qUf_9Kl_iqtOxNr1gzdOUfQ-P3gkOj22sZ6MJnHHnTGuqulc1HA_prp7u_7nqzCK-Jnk_JyPW2jJeuAgc2JgSKALAhG2eapWWIvoakpFLiOcrSwUkWEl7_/s400/The+Winner%2527s+Curse+SR.png" width="400" height="400" data-original-width="1080" data-original-height="1080" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-29600992108874782672020-05-18T02:30:00.000-04:002020-05-18T14:24:42.378-04:00Book Sketch: Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKd-l_SYA_XSpREjLEPy22Fih952zo72UBkRU4SOdxX_K8pTWQVHm7_Waif-QfR6QOvfCSh_5d0n7VF733Ifqwvj-Js7W_qFTVdiCBrIleLqiMASQPNq9KIOUkZHAeSSaEyLKbisGYSYwD/s1600/Daughter+of+the+Pirate+King+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKd-l_SYA_XSpREjLEPy22Fih952zo72UBkRU4SOdxX_K8pTWQVHm7_Waif-QfR6QOvfCSh_5d0n7VF733Ifqwvj-Js7W_qFTVdiCBrIleLqiMASQPNq9KIOUkZHAeSSaEyLKbisGYSYwD/s400/Daughter+of+the+Pirate+King+Cover.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33643994-daughter-of-the-pirate-king">DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING</a><br />
By: Tricia Levenseller<br />
Published By: Feiwel Friends<br />
Release Date: February 28, 2017<br />
Series: Daughter of the Pirate King<br />
Pages: 311<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Bought (OwlCrate)<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Pirate-King-Tricia-Levenseller-ebook/dp/B01J1EGXR4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=daughter+of+the+pirate+king&qid=1589825178&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.
More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" data-original-width="288" data-original-height="38" /></a></div>
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First Thought After Finishing: Why did I wait so long to read this book?<br>
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Not long after I joined Bookstagram, there was a fair amount of hype about Daughter of the Pirate King. Sometimes that makes me nervous to start a book, but in this case, there was nothing to worry about. I flew through this novel in one day, and it was every bit as enjoyable as the hype had promised it to be.<br>
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Brave, fearless pirate Alosa has been sent on a mission by her father to retrieve a map that will lead to untold riches for the pirates. So Alosa devises the perfect scheme—fall into enemy hands, search their ship undetected, and prove herself as the best of the best. Alosa has no reason to doubt her skills or her success, and she is fully devoted to her mission. Only Alosa never bargained for Riden, the first mate of the enemy ship. The more time she spends with him, the harder it is to separate the prisoner role she is playing from her own feelings about Riden. But as a pirate, she should know that schemes always abound, and this mission may prove to be one too many for the pirate princess.<br>
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<div class="quotebox"><center>“Oh, the ridiculous things one has to do when one is a pirate.”</center></div><br>
Alosa is everything one could want in a heroine—fierce, witty, and cunning. Her confidence in herself and her skills is a refreshing change of pace from main characters who are convinced they are “nothing special.” Alosa doesn’t need anyone to validate her, and yet, she desperately wants the approval of her father. This vulnerability, along with her humor, makes her quite likeable. Then enter Riden, the charming yet sly love interest. He is wonderful in his own way, and the banter between him and Alosa is very entertaining.<br>
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<div class="quotebox"><center>“Everyone has something dark in their past. I suppose it’s our job to overcome it. And if we can’t overcome it, then all we can do is make the most of it.”</center></div><br>
Moreso than the budding romance, this book is nonstop adventure—escape attempts and capture, working against the clock on dangerous searches, and twists that might be predictable but also keep the story engaging. With the high stakes on the high seas, the schemes, and the romantic tension, there is never a dull moment. Both of the main characters also have their secrets, and those revelations have set the stage for a sequel that I can’t wait to read. <br>
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This was Tricia Levenseller’s debut book, and if all of her other books weren’t already on my TBR, they would be after reading this one. If you are looking for the perfect book to escape reality for a few hours, look no further than Daughter of the Pirate King!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: Alosa’s confidence and witty humor.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-83mxuVQBwcBhVKqx1zeIG-gr9plaEg9ll10RtUUv2_Eg4tomXhxtk0dGL8YzKK7xW8PF4J1Rql71iJXW37tmwEQ1EwFmMlSFh8hUjG7A1oSMViyF3PIYQ5mqIXnZEqeTBpi5Amy5S5G/s1600/Daughter+of+the+Pirate+King+SR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-83mxuVQBwcBhVKqx1zeIG-gr9plaEg9ll10RtUUv2_Eg4tomXhxtk0dGL8YzKK7xW8PF4J1Rql71iJXW37tmwEQ1EwFmMlSFh8hUjG7A1oSMViyF3PIYQ5mqIXnZEqeTBpi5Amy5S5G/s400/Daughter+of+the+Pirate+King+SR.png" width="400" height="400" data-original-width="1080" data-original-height="1080" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-61023931845709918862020-03-22T08:00:00.000-04:002020-03-22T08:00:05.784-04:00Blog Tour & Book Feature: Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer<center><a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYi1kX15B7VFaxihfl9hp8ZYDhyphenhyphenWly_dS6QZXR19JeZm0uymhj17yo5n6_P7TaxrCW3NYTuk0FVUsDmPC4sGOur_mul-gSZMl_zbhrJiq2Bm4Uj8XVniVQs6GBwELLjnAAVS2qsrV1Ps3/s1600/Witches+of+Ash+and+Ruin+Banner.png" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42773037-witches-of-ash-and-ruin?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=sB8oKdC35A&rank=1"></a>Witches of Ash and Ruin<br />
By: E. Latimer<br />
Published By: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers<br />
Release Date: March 3, 2020<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 384<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Ash-Ruin-Latimer/dp/1368052258/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SV35PZYR7RFM&dchild=1&keywords=witches+of+ash+and+ruin&qid=1584863485&sprefix=witches+of+ash+and+%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Modern witchcraft blends with ancient Celtic mythology in an epic clash of witches and gods, perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic trilogy and A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES.<br>
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Seventeen-year-old Dayna Walsh is struggling to cope with her somatic OCD; the aftermath of being outed as bisexual in her conservative Irish town; and the return of her long-absent mother, who barely seems like a parent. But all that really matters to her is ascending and finally, finally becoming a full witch-plans that are complicated when another coven, rumored to have a sordid history with black magic, arrives in town with premonitions of death. Dayna immediately finds herself at odds with the bewitchingly frustrating Meiner King, the granddaughter of their coven leader.<br>
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And then a witch turns up murdered at a local sacred site, along with the blood symbol of the Butcher of Manchester-an infamous serial killer whose trail has long gone cold. The killer's motives are enmeshed in a complex web of witches and gods, and Dayna and Meiner soon find themselves at the center of it all. If they don't stop the Butcher, one of them will be next.<br>
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With razor-sharp prose and achingly real characters, E. Latimer crafts a sweeping, mesmerizing story of dark magic and brutal mythology set against a backdrop of contemporary Ireland that's impossible to put down.</i><br />
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2XyL0Re9nMzFabagVpON1rFHfKKnyliwj5m4THjMmcLxy_3j5qErIuFZs02V-i6W4Oqmvun7fJgELB40F8-0MfG1NbycHTPGPD-sMpktsnGnEQR6Zd2AZzs1VQbouqb2g_9afJKL72kx/s1600/E+Latimer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2XyL0Re9nMzFabagVpON1rFHfKKnyliwj5m4THjMmcLxy_3j5qErIuFZs02V-i6W4Oqmvun7fJgELB40F8-0MfG1NbycHTPGPD-sMpktsnGnEQR6Zd2AZzs1VQbouqb2g_9afJKL72kx/s320/E+Latimer.jpg" width="175" height="225" data-original-width="200" data-original-height="300" /></a></div>
E. Latimer is a fantasy writer from Victoria, BC. Her middle grade novel, The Strange and Deadly Portraits of Bryony Gray was published by Tundra Books, and was recently nominated for the Red Maple Fiction Award.<br>
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In her spare time, she writes books, makes silly vlogs with the Word Nerds about writing, and reads excessively.<br>
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Her latest novel, Witches of Ash and Ruin, will be released Spring/Summer 2020 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="http://www.elatimer.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ELatimerWrites">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elatimerwrites/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3422739.E_Latimer">Goodreads</a>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-21764215629953681912020-02-16T08:00:00.000-05:002020-03-22T03:46:55.862-04:00Blog Tour & Book Sketch: Night Spinner by Addie Thorley<center><a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf_hbzgboyK6F1uX_t0_YhzdziHozJcbK8Hzvz-Q47F0myBGW2F6TMer9-klOV_aMi1QGMeztf-9GfcaFVghR7Pr859DEZSlv20Sk-JBdAHAPrQLMd3mRZuRSglKna2QwOG6iG6Yhs10D/s1600/Night+Spinner+Banner.png" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45046766-night-spinner?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=k6CvKCxnUW&rank=1"></a>Night Spinner<br />
By: Addie Thorley<br />
Published By: Page Street Kids<br />
Release Date: February 11, 2020<br />
Series: Night Spinner #1<br />
Pages: 400<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Night-Spinner-Addie-Thorley/dp/1624148883/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=night+spinner&qid=1581834412&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: A must-read for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, transforming The Hunchback of Notre Dame into a powerful tundra-inspired epic.<br>
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Before the massacre at Nariin, Enebish was one of the greatest warriors in the Sky King’s Imperial Army: a rare and dangerous Night Spinner, blessed with the ability to control the threads of darkness. Now, she is known as Enebish the Destroyer―a monster and murderer, banished to a monastery for losing control of her power and annihilating a merchant caravan.<br>
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Guilt stricken and scarred, Enebish tries to be grateful for her sanctuary, until her adoptive sister, Imperial Army commander Ghoa, returns from the war front with a tantalizing offer. If Enebish can capture the notorious criminal, Temujin, whose band of rebels has been seizing army supply wagons, not only will her crimes be pardoned, she will be reinstated as a warrior.<br>
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Enebish eagerly accepts. But as she hunts Temujin across the tundra, she discovers the tides of war have shifted, and the supplies he’s stealing are the only thing keeping thousands of shepherds from starving. Torn between duty and conscience, Enebish must decide whether to put her trust in the charismatic rebel or her beloved sister. No matter who she chooses, an even greater enemy is advancing, ready to bring the empire to its knees.</i><br />
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FTAF: I need the next book now, please!<br>
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Addie Thorley’s An Affair of Poisons was very popular around Bookstagram. So when I saw that she had a new fantasy book coming out, I knew it had to be on my TBR list.<br>
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Enebish used to be a great warrior. Now, she is reduced to a shell of her former self, banished to a monastery to atone for her crimes. When her adopted sister, Ghoa, the commander of the Sky King’s army, arrives at the monastery unexpectedly, Enebish learns that she will finally have a chance to redeem herself and get her old life back. Only the mission does not turn out to be as simple as she expects. She should have been eager to turn over traitors to her sister and restore her name, but she finds herself conflicted. The deeper undercover she goes, the more imperative it is that she decide where her loyalty lies—with her family or with her country.<br>
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From the beginning of this book, I was completely enamored with the beautiful prose. In this retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the original story is gender-swapped and subtly woven into a lush fantasy narrative. Although Enebish is disfigured, it is a result of her crimes, and that is also why she is hidden away. Still, she wants to do right by her family and even her jailers. Throughout the book, she is constantly at war with herself, truly wanting to follow the right course of action but almost always unsure of what that is. It is this debate that also makes the book so engaging for the reader. Should Enebish trust Ghoa? Serik? Temujin? Or only herself? Half-truths and secrets are rampant in this story.<br>
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The world-building is so rich, and yet I found myself wanting even more. Kalima powers are bestowed upon the lucky individuals, and they can control different elements like ice, the sun, the wind, and the night. I’d love to know more about this system in the second book. Beyond this, the scenery is so well-described that I was transported to each setting, from the beautiful to the appalling squalor. Everything about the writing is captivating and had me wanting to read faster yet savor the story at the same time.<br>
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The ideas of religious freedom and unity despite cultural and ethnic differences also play heavily into this book despite the fantasy setting. Warriors and rebels come from all countries, families are (forcibly) broken and (by choice) reformed, and almost everyone is accepting of this. The love of friendship and family is tangibly felt in every chapter, and it made the villains and the struggles that much more complicated. In many ways, this book showcased the triumph of the human spirit and showed how resilient and powerful people can be.<br>
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Although I haven’t read Addie Thorley’s first book, I will definitely be moving it up on my TBR. I’ll also be waiting impatiently for the sequel to find out how this story concludes!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The detailed yet elegant writing style.
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7YA9YRG3kbi-Zs51rUFLcoywe7fXzhMQQ0iE5nFlDTh5G8A4kKj5uhbeVUFaa6cbJtIkj6qypbvbyJdzHMf7uxoigBgNZMnMkzuHD10g0YeL6Q0VoWc1BG1_bmJYqgtmoJHPEhBWUbs1/s1600/Addie+Thorley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7YA9YRG3kbi-Zs51rUFLcoywe7fXzhMQQ0iE5nFlDTh5G8A4kKj5uhbeVUFaa6cbJtIkj6qypbvbyJdzHMf7uxoigBgNZMnMkzuHD10g0YeL6Q0VoWc1BG1_bmJYqgtmoJHPEhBWUbs1/s320/Addie+Thorley.jpg" width="175" height="225" data-original-width="200" data-original-height="227" /></a></div>
Addie Thorley is the author of An Affair of Poisons, a YA historical fantasy, which was chosen as a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers selection and is a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults nominee. Her forthcoming novel, Night Spinner, will be released on February 11, 2020.<br>
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She spent her childhood playing soccer, riding horses, and scribbling stories. After graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in journalism, Addie decided “hard news” didn’t contain enough magic and kissing, so she flung herself into the land of fiction and never looked back. She now lives in Princeton, New Jersey with her husband, daughter, and wolf dog. When she’s not writing she can be found gallivanting in the woods or galloping around the barn where she works as a horse trainer and exercise rider.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="http://www.addiethorley.com/p/hi-im-addie.html">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/addiethorley">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/addiethorley/?ref=badge">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17590955.Addie_Thorley">Goodreads</a>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-7393187472445802372020-02-10T08:00:00.000-05:002020-02-16T01:07:25.534-05:00Blog Tour & Book Sketch: Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal<center><a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1cYdlNSbm2IM-Dpr4IG3wCGOxhMVqgCPGaKdgtT231TvdTfsv-a8syeWwNghD2chOuUvEviEc7thPb788rQ68mRz8-qFBHgzR9OVyjArETVOLHJYWCDE7mqF4vhocvZTcc4nf8dFJw3V/s1600/Ink+in+the+Blood+Banner.png" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43261156-ink-in-the-blood?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=elkjfaAEKC&rank=1"></a>Ink in the Blood<br />
By: Kim Smejkal<br />
Published By: HMH Books for Young Readers<br />
Release Date: February 11, 2020<br />
Series: Ink in the Blood #1<br />
Pages: 448<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ink-Blood-Kim-Smejkal/dp/1328557057/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TM1WHG85W02U&keywords=ink+in+the+blood&qid=1581325484&sprefix=ink+in+the+blood%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: A lush, dark YA fantasy debut that weaves together tattoo magic, faith, and eccentric theater in a world where lies are currency and ink is a weapon, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake.<br>
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Celia Sand and her best friend, Anya Burtoni, are inklings for the esteemed religion of Profeta. Using magic, they tattoo followers with beautiful images that represent the Divine’s will and guide the actions of the recipients. It’s considered a noble calling, but ten years into their servitude Celia and Anya know the truth: Profeta is built on lies, the tattooed orders strip away freedom, and the revered temple is actually a brutal, torturous prison.<br>
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Their opportunity to escape arrives with the Rabble Mob, a traveling theater troupe. Using their inkling abilities for performance instead of propaganda, Celia and Anya are content for the first time . . . until they realize who followed them. The Divine they never believed in is very real, very angry, and determined to use Celia, Anya, and the Rabble Mob’s now-infamous stage to spread her deceitful influence even further.<br>
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To protect their new family from the wrath of a malicious deity and the zealots who work in her name, Celia and Anya must unmask the biggest lie of all—Profeta itself.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" data-original-width="288" data-original-height="38" /></a></div>
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First Thought After Finishing: *insert stammering then* Well then!<br>
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A fantasy book with tatoo magic? Yes please! Add in a traveling theater troupe, a hint of romance, and a dash or religious debate, and I was hooked.<br>
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Celia is an Inkling—a child specially chosen by the Divine to share her will and messages through tattoos. From the time she was six, she knew what the rest of her life would be. She and her best friend, Anya, passed every test and followed every Divine bidding. Only they don’t quite believe in the Divine, despite growing up in the temple. When an opportunity to escape presents itself, Celia and Anya know they must take it. But life outside the temple might prove to be just as dangerous as life on the inside. Celia and Anya soon discover that they must give the performance of a lifetime if they have any hope of staying alive—or changing the world.<br>
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Most books about revolution show the protagonist trying to dethrone an evil despot, but Ink in the Blood takes it one step further. Instead of a corrupt ruler, an entire religion has become corrupt, but it will take extraordinary means to expose the corruption and pave a pathway forward. I am fascinated by all things religion, particularly the similarities and differences between denominations, so I enjoyed this twist on YA fantasy. The religious system comes complete with its own myths and lore, which made the world feel that much more possible and real.<br>
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It’s rare to see a book that highlights friends as soulmates, but this story does just that. The bond between Celia and Anya was unbreakable, and with Galentine’s day fast approaching, I couldn’t help but love this aspect of the story. Celia and Anya may have their flaws—some real, some created by the powers that be—but their devotion to each other was never in question, even in the darkest times.<br>
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The side characters, particularly those of the Rabble Mob, are no less important. One couldn’t help but love the little children who looked to Celia as a pseudo-mother. But the real stars of the show were Kitty Kay and the Plague Doctor. Both of these characters are shrouded in mystery, particularly the Plague Doctor. Over time, Kitty Kay becomes the mother that the Inklings never have, but the Plague Doctor remains an enigma to understand. The chemistry between him and Celia sizzled off the page, and though their romance was not the main facet of the story, it made for a delightful diversion in the midst of so much tension.<br>
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I will admit that it took some time for me to get into this story. As much as I support queer representation, within the first fifty pages of this book, the pains to show inclusivity took me out of the story rather than being integrated naturally. This lessened as the book went on, however, and once the story picked up, it was nearly impossible to put down. The last fifty pages definitely made up for the first fifty, as twist after twist kept me guessing until the end. I thought that this was a standalone, but there will be a sequel forthcoming. Although many loose ends are tied up, I look forward to seeing how Celia’s story continues in the next book! Ink in the Blood is a debut that is not to be missed!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The tattoo magic system.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" data-original-width="288" data-original-height="38" /></a></div>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LppNjqnhDyg7T-bHbLu5QzpMUJ-dL4rbpgaHcRIxQyBOoBapPUge0Gjb3TVW56mzlfGlw6wtkRn40TQwCMl_AocKL4DLd8qxaZ55ji-vZRZJBTw7qel6jOaq9yqP9B40aOn6r4bk3Iu4/s1600/Kim+Smejkal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LppNjqnhDyg7T-bHbLu5QzpMUJ-dL4rbpgaHcRIxQyBOoBapPUge0Gjb3TVW56mzlfGlw6wtkRn40TQwCMl_AocKL4DLd8qxaZ55ji-vZRZJBTw7qel6jOaq9yqP9B40aOn6r4bk3Iu4/s320/Kim+Smejkal.jpg" width="175" height="175" data-original-width="750" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
Kim Smejkal lives with her family on muse-satiating Vancouver Island, which means she’s often lost in the woods or wandering a beach. She writes dark fantasy for young adults and not-so-young adults, always with a touch of magic. Her debut novel, INK IN THE BLOOD, will release from HMH in early 2020, with a sequel to follow in 2021. She is represented by Daniel Lazar of Writers House.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="https://kimsmejkal.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/kimsmejkal">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kimsmejkal/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18143421.Kim_Smejkal">Goodreads</a>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-91016465548183812082020-01-16T08:00:00.000-05:002020-01-16T08:00:01.507-05:00Blog Tour & Book Sketch: Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez<center><a href="http://rockstarbooktours.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia679LsErp7SiclAKRuYNVqqg1m-0KEIf1xOII6JpRLu39EBvf-mPc1_AavNhWBmUwyPmSE2MKTnWbF-7K38qXV710-6Zj5CdW3fzrr8dSIy5hlnS4pBCd0mQeGnRLhbU3xqwxXb8iXMsR/s1600/WOVEN+IN+MOONLIGHT.jpg" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40877706-woven-in-moonlight?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=OG2BSTa6Gl&rank=1">WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT</a><br />
By: Isabel Ibañez<br />
Published By: Page Street Books<br />
Release Date: January 7, 2020<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 384<br />
Genre: Fantasy<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woven-Moonlight-Isabel-Iba%C3%B1ez/dp/1624148018/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12K2RUCE58IAR&keywords=woven+in+moonlight&qid=1579156772&sprefix=woven+in+moonli%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.<br>
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Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.<br>
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When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.<br>
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She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SxAKWDOPdMxsKU22CVYjwNA-hYQMpYLEug4RiBsfkuSDE8Afd1364LXinCS1OyRJdRcHV_pX-EYB5do5Xz8-5woTmv3MpUdNn6OLn-PY7pbRI9EG7c3fQ1_5WStihUk8dj8eA-Dzf2bg/s1600/BP3_NewLine.png" data-original-width="288" data-original-height="38" /></a></div>
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First Thought After Finishing: I know this is a standalone, but I’d love to read a sequel!<br>
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I love cultural books, particularly ones that transport you beyond your current walls and to a rich, new setting that you have never seen before. Fantasy is also my favorite genre. Combining them into a Bolivian-inspired world full of secrets, revolution, and forbidden love had me very excited to read this book.<br>
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Ximena can never truly be Ximena. From the time she was eight years old, she has been the decoy for Catalina, the Illustrian Condesa. When the enemy Llacsan king demands the Condesa’s hand in marriage, Ximena has no choice but to journey to the castillo to accept his proposal or risk the lives of her people. Ximena is eager for the opportunity, hoping she will find a way to end the king’s reign—permanently. Only she never expected people in enemy territory to be kind, or to find that perhaps history did not happen the way she had always been told. All too soon, Ximena must decide where her loyalties lie, but in doing so, she will risk losing the only life she has ever known—or losing herself.<br>
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Woven in Moonlight may be a story of royalty and revolution, but it is also a story of growth and change. Due to the Llacsan rebellion, Ximena lost her parents and found herself serving as the Condesa’s decoy. After spending so much time sublimating her own thoughts and feelings for the greater good, her deepest desire is to simply be herself. As much as she dreads travelling to the castillo and essentially being a hostage in enemy territory, it was this uncomfortable experience that allowed her to grow and have a more expansive worldview. The message felt a bit heavy-handed at times, but in today’s radically charged political climate, it is important to remember that there are always two sides to every story and that the best way forward may not always be the same way that it has always been before.<br>
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Although the plot was a bit predictable, the rich setting, the bits of Bolivian culture sprinkled throughout the novel, and the slow-burn romance kept the story engaging. More than once my mouth was watering for the Bolivian dishes described, and I loved the bits of Spanish woven into the story! I also enjoyed the details of Ximena and Tamaya’s weaving—I could easily envision the beauty of the tapestries, particularly with the vibrant colors, animals and scenery included. <br>
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Woven in Moonlight is Isabel Ibanez’s debut novel, but when visiting Goodreads, I discovered that she has already said that there will be a sequel set in the same world! I will be eagerly anticipating this next book, Written in Starlight, and look forward to journeying back to this Bolivian-inspired world for the characters to build a better future!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: Ximena’s animal companions—I wish that I could have them!
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2md16yxyK5ueD5hm6YBlv05W8jRIiQ7RD7DH6vsBW_RGXpU7uddmZyp-FW7vYImIZj0tqfw1JVzDQH2KKo2qMy-UBugNjyPOcaz1gFoiEJnjNkp4RMd1X8w0vM2n2hMmhqpqhXg6lEt_/s1600/Isabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2md16yxyK5ueD5hm6YBlv05W8jRIiQ7RD7DH6vsBW_RGXpU7uddmZyp-FW7vYImIZj0tqfw1JVzDQH2KKo2qMy-UBugNjyPOcaz1gFoiEJnjNkp4RMd1X8w0vM2n2hMmhqpqhXg6lEt_/s320/Isabel.jpg" width="175" height="175" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="700" /></a></div>
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Isabel Ibañez was born in Boca Raton, Florida, and is the proud daughter of two Bolivian
immigrants. A true word nerd, she received her degree in creative writing and has been a
Pitch Wars mentor for three years. Isabel is an avid movie goer and loves hosting family and
friends around the dinner table. She currently lives in Winter Park, Florida, with her
husband, their adorable dog, and a serious collection of books. Say hi on social media at
@IsabelWriter09.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="http://www.isabelibanezdavis.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/IsabelWriter09">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17052517.Isabel_Iba_ez">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://instagram.com/IsabelWriter09">Instagram</a></center>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE ~</span></b></center>
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Week One:<br>
1/6/20 - <a href="https://www.bookhoundsya.net/">BookHounds YA</a> - Excerpt<br>
1/6/20 - <a href="https://www.bookhoundsya.net/">Nay's Pink Bookshelf</a> - Review<br>
1/7/20 - <a href="https://www.doyoudog-ear.com/">Do You Dog-Ear?</a> - Review<br>
1/7/20 - <a href="https://booknerdrambling.blogspot.com/">Ramblings of a Book Nerd</a> - Review<br>
1/8/20 - <a href="http://kaitgoodwin.com/books">Kait Plus Books</a> - Excerpt<br>
1/8/20 - <a href="http://www.randomfandomnerd.blogspot.com/">Cuz I'm A Nerd</a> - Review<br>
1/9/20 - <a href="https://www.lifewithinthepages.com/">Life Within the Pages</a> - Review<br>
1/9/20 - <a href="https://www.lifewithinthepages.com/">Smada's Book Smack</a> - Review<br>
10/10/20 - <a href="https://instagram.com/fictitiouswonderland">Fictitious Wonderland</a> - Review<br>
10/10/20 - <a href="https://instagram.com/fictitiouswonderland">Fictitious Fox</a> - Review<br>
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Week Two:<br>
1/13/20 - <a href="https://www.elisquared.com/">Eli to the Nth</a> - Review<br>
1/13/20 - <a href="https://blessedmommysc.blogspot.com/">Lifestyle of Me</a> - Review<br>
1/14/20 - <a href="http://www.herestohappyendings.com/">Here's to Happy Endings</a> - Review<br>
1/14/20 - <a href="http://www.herestohappyendings.com/">Not in Jersey</a> - Review<br>
1/15/20 - <a href="http://www.fireandiceya.com/">Fire and Ice</a> - Review<br>
1/15/20 - <a href="https://popthebutterfly.wordpress.com/">Pop the Butterfly Reads</a> - Review<br>
1/16/20 - <a href="http://www.historywomanperspective.com/">History from a Woman's Perspective</a> - Review</br>
1/16/20 - Portrait of a Book - Review<br>
1/17/20 - <a href="http://am2cents.blogspot.com/">Two Points of Interest</a> - Review<br>
1/17/20 - <a href="http://am2cents.blogspot.com/">D Wants to Read</a> - Review<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-46643597905986181762020-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:002020-02-10T04:00:50.009-05:00Blog Tour & Book Sketch: Throw Like a Girl by Sarah Henning<center><a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM1quRKcZsG75uhgekY1LA7p09zazS2_LRuwNwa8ESqFDt7jizhGoZjh88-8wk8PCRJA7k7EYeOZ1-H9kwSM2wKjKMyakwKi01RVN1PD4l3G8k861NW7a8RMqAb1YIkNxVQZLSQiLq64S/s320/tour+banner+%25284%2529.png" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWNqBPpXhxq5JWkQfT7Qkr2yGi5JiG94xxO-vFnSuLgCb1nwgq-GTkQGZpNeTuPOBA8JpG6ub2egmGfXjDIavbEYDd2agd2qDmGcI-VIPfwZB0i9sbAZzcQJSZtRc24UFqUcB_z-WZglF/s1600/book+cover+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWNqBPpXhxq5JWkQfT7Qkr2yGi5JiG94xxO-vFnSuLgCb1nwgq-GTkQGZpNeTuPOBA8JpG6ub2egmGfXjDIavbEYDd2agd2qDmGcI-VIPfwZB0i9sbAZzcQJSZtRc24UFqUcB_z-WZglF/s400/book+cover+%25282%2529.jpg" width="220" height="330" data-original-width="501" data-original-height="755" /></a></div>
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40195260-throw-like-a-girl"></a>Throw Like a Girl<br />
By: Sarah Henning<br />
Published By: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers<br />
Release Date: January 7, 2020<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 368<br />
Genre: Contemporary<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Throw-Like-Girl-Sarah-Henning/dp/0316529508/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MAMSI3PVP9NR&keywords=throw+like+a+girl+sarah+henning&qid=1578643744&sprefix=throw+like+a+%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Friday Night Lights meets Morgan Matson's The Unexpected Everything in this contemporary debut where swoonworthy romance meets underdog sports story.<br>
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When softball star Liv Rodinsky throws one ill-advised punch during the most important game of the year, she loses her scholarship to her fancy private school, her boyfriend, and her teammates all in one fell swoop. With no other options, Liv is forced to transfer to the nearest public school, Northland, where she'll have to convince their coach she deserves a spot on the softball team, all while facing both her ex and the teammates of the girl she punched... Every. Single. Day.<br>
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Enter Grey, the injured star quarterback with amazing hair and a foolproof plan: if Liv joins the football team as his temporary replacement, he'll make sure she gets a spot on the softball team in the Spring. But it will take more than the perfect spiral for Liv to find acceptance in Northland's halls, and behind that charming smile, Grey may not be so perfect after all.<br>
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With well-drawn characters and a charming quarterback love interest who's got brains as well as brawn, Throw Like a Girl will have readers swooning from the very first page.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: The YA genre needs more sports romances!<br>
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Although I’m not an athlete myself, I enjoy reading stories that feature sports. I always admire the dedication that these teenage athletes display as they pursue their dreams. Throw Like a Girl showcased not only athletic talent but also the challenge of balancing family pressure, romance, and normal teenage life.<br>
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Liv has it all—a sports family, the perfect boyfriend, a great group of friends, and the star spot on her private school’s softball team. But all of that vanishes with one punch during a tournament game. Much to her dismay, Liv will have to attend the rival public school, which is home to the softball team of the girl she punched. Liv expected talent to carry her through, but her new coach wants to see something more—teamwork. When the starting quarterback approaches her with an offer to help if she joins the football team, Liv knows she has to take the opportunity. Only she never expected to like football so much, or to pass her heart to the quarterback. And when secrets come to light, only Liv can decide what play to call and hope it results in a touchdown.<br>
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As a teenager, I stopped playing soccer because playing on a team against boys several years older than me made me nervous. Liv, however, is almost fearless, earning her place on a male team in a male sport and earning not their contempt but their admiration. This is not only because of her athleticism but also because of her work ethic, strong character, and determination to be the best that she can. I appreciated her reminders of all the lessons she had been taught by her father and sister, and they made me want to redouble my efforts in my own passions. <br>
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This book was pitched as a sports romance, and it does not disappoint on either count. The vivid description of all of the games—softball, football, and even volleyball—transported me to the bleachers and left me cheering for Liv and her team. And the romance between Liv and Grey, though not without its problems, was often incredibly sweet. True, they both made mistakes, but what girl doesn’t want to discover that the handsome, unattainable quarterback is actually a devoted friend and boyfriend? And no review would be complete without mentioning Addie, Liv’s sassy softball friend. Addie is the loyal, unconditional friend that everyone needs, and she is the voice of reason in the midst of Liv’s tempest. If there was ever a spinoff about her, I would most definitely read it.<br>
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At its heart, Throw Like a Girl centers around standing up for oneself in the right way, whether it is with family, in relationships, or against enemies. But with this message woven into a book that is by turns humorous and touching but always engaging, the story never feels like a sermon. I was sad to see the end of Liv’s journey, and I can only hope that a companion novel might offer a glimpse of these wonderful characters. This book is perfect for fans of Miranda Kenneally's novels. I will be eagerly awaiting Sarah Henning’s next book!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The detailed descriptions of all of the sports games.
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf-Zuwbin5y6g53PU72pGt8alJ-CT0jg5FXff6Z88i9LcWHvUSys1CRtVHW6QoQMbZqhgq9C59Tgbb1f4ZaJJnHIuHAq7P6G9m8bJMrsncIi26fUIm1RPtXn-ZrBH3L5HKTJTUTDhm8Cu/s1600/author+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf-Zuwbin5y6g53PU72pGt8alJ-CT0jg5FXff6Z88i9LcWHvUSys1CRtVHW6QoQMbZqhgq9C59Tgbb1f4ZaJJnHIuHAq7P6G9m8bJMrsncIi26fUIm1RPtXn-ZrBH3L5HKTJTUTDhm8Cu/s400/author+%25282%2529.jpg" width="175" height="225" data-original-width="750" data-original-height="853" /></a></div>
Sarah Henning is a recovering journalist who has worked for the Palm Beach Post, Kansas City Star and Associated Press, among others. While in South Florida, Sarah lived and worked through five hurricanes, which gave her an extreme respect for the ocean. When not writing, she runs ultramarathons, hits the playground with her two kids and hangs out with her husband Justin, who doubles as her long-suffering IT department. Sarah lives in Lawrence, Kansas, which, despite being extremely far from the beach, happens to be pretty cool.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="https://www.sarahhenningwrites.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/shhenning">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shhenning/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14671253.Sarah_Henning">Goodreads</a>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE <a href="https://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/2019/11/tour-schedule-throw-like-girl-by-sarah.html
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-19099101602119726932019-10-23T08:00:00.000-04:002020-01-16T01:34:45.103-05:00Blog Tour & Book Sketch: Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart<center><a href="http://rockstarbooktours.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HaqbBxMTa_TESbTQCE3Myf23N_ir4o-7aUseEwLFs0MFJwATlZVz1GMc9ccCD1TsEYU6drtT4k85qSxbdupAPJD0UveX_kEd5j9tsU9pks2DqMMP7-f43N6q1IVIxpO9VY1aV1JLu24h/s1600/SCARS+LIKE+WINGS.jpg" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39353216-scars-like-wings?from_search=true">SCARS LIKE WINGS</a><br />
By: Erin Stewart<br />
Published By: Delacorte<br />
Release Date: October 3, 2019<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 352<br />
Genre: Contemporary<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Scars-Like-Wings-Erin-Stewart/dp/1984848828/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DFRK8NL5L16S&keywords=scars+like+wings&qid=1571824024&sprefix=scars+like+%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Ava Lee has lost everything there is to lose: Her parents. Her best friend. Her home. Even her face. She doesn't need a mirror to know what she looks like--she can see her reflection in the eyes of everyone around her. <br>
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A year after the fire that destroyed her world, her aunt and uncle have decided she should go back to high school. Be "normal" again. Whatever that is. Ava knows better. There is no normal for someone like her. And forget making friends--no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl, now or ever. <br>
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But when Ava meets a fellow survivor named Piper, she begins to feel like maybe she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone. Sarcastic and blunt, Piper isn't afraid to push Ava out of her comfort zone. Piper introduces Ava to Asad, a boy who loves theater just as much as she does, and slowly, Ava tries to create a life again. Yet Piper is fighting her own battle, and soon Ava must decide if she's going to fade back into her scars . . . or let the people by her side help her fly.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: I was not expecting that to be so emotional!<br>
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There is something fascinating in stories of survival and rebuilding. Perhaps it is because we are grateful that those experiences are not our own, or it is simply human nature to puzzle out that which we do not understand. I had heard this book mentioned several times, and the synopsis intrigued me. I found myself glued to the pages, fascinated with this new approach to navigating high school life.<br>
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One night—that’s all it took to change Ava’s life forever. Before, she was a theater junkie, center stage in every performance. After, burns covered 60% of her body, and she was a patchwork quilt of skin grafts, though not even the grafts could fix the shape of her nose or her missing ear—or the fact that her parents and cousin perished in the fire. Now, she is only a specter of her former self, haunting her cousin’s house as though she could replace the daughter her aunt and uncle lost. When the “Committee on Ava’s Life” decides she needs to reintegrate to high school, Ava balks at the idea. But it’s only ten days. She can survive that long—she’s a survivor, after all. Ava is prepared to keep her head down, her headphones on, and drown out the world. But she didn’t count on Piper, Asad, or the fact that perhaps she too could be a phoenix.<br>
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<div class="quotebox"><center>“She moves her fingers to her chest. ‘You decide how your scars change you /here/. You decide how much love you let in. You chose to live that night in the fire, and you need to keep choosing it.”’</center></div>
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I rarely read contemporary YA unless I am in the mood for a quick, beach-read-vibes romance or the story deals with heavier issues. As an adult, the general teen drama and pettiness so often found in contemporary stories does not interest me, and as a high school teacher, I see quite enough of it. Scars Like Wings, though in a high school setting, has so much more than that. To be sure, part of the story deals with navigating high school with a face that looks like Freddie Krueger at best, Phantom of the Opera at worst. But as Piper tells her from the first day at Crossroads High, nobody survives high school alone. The initial stares will eventually fade, but it is the support network that must be in place to escape the crushing loneliness.<br>
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<div class="quotebox"><center>“‘I’m not gonna sit here and pretend to know why God lets things happen to good people like you and your folks, but I know this: God puts people in our path, and my path crossed yours that night,’ she says. ‘Your story is part of mine now, and I know that’s how he wants it—our hearts all jumbled together.’”</center></div>
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Enter Piper, another burn survivor who flaunts her status. Unlike Ava, who wants to fade into the background, Piper makes a statement of standing out. Her infectious positivity and refusal to be ignored slowly but surely help Ava emerge from her self-imposed cocoon. Piper is exactly the kind of cheerleader friend that everyone needs, but that hardly means that her life is a bed of roses. She becomes a main character in her own right, and when we are finally given a glimpse into her psyche, you cannot help but want to envelop her in a hug as tight as her compression garments and not let go. As for her other friend, Asad—I still have mixed feelings about him. However, I appreciate that the story does not shy away from gritty reality simply because Ava is a burn survivor. As the vice principal often says, she gets no special treatment, and that was refreshing.<br>
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<div class="quotebox"><center>“She lost a daughter. I lost a mother. But as we sit there side by side, the differences don’t matter. Pain is pain.”</center></div>
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Piper and Ava’s friendship reflected nuances present in everyday life, and that was often a roller-coaster journey on its own. But for me, the true emotional power of this book came from the familial conversations, the ones exploring the impact of being a child without a mother (and what she could do to make her adoptive mother happy) and of being a mother without a child. Ava’s aunt and uncle are, without a doubt, some of the best parents I have read in YA novels. Their family has a seemingly impossible road to navigate, and yet with time, they are able to live into a new normal. The depths of their love and sacrifice in the face of loss will tug at your heartstrings and not let go. Even reflecting on their conversations now is bittersweet—their pain is still tangible, but so is their love. As someone lucky enough to still have her mother, it makes me want to be a better daughter while I still have the chance.<br>
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<div class="quotebox"><center>“‘There’s always beauty in the ashes. Sometimes we just can’t see it yet.’”</center></div>
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We all have scars—some are just easier to see. We all have doubts, loss, and heartache to some degree. But after reading this book, you start to believe that you too can rise like a phoenix from the ashes. Powerful, poignant, thought-provoking, and dare I say inspiring, this debut novel from Erin Stewart is not to be missed.<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: Learning to love again as a family. (Also all of the Broadway references and quotes.)
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGNFXHUmJNTSoXKzUb0rOKNC60TNiTQNhpBwUrc4xkJR1vDVrBIFXBEGVlt_6DuubbS6o6CLAw-KxQDUeCglsJDHFZ4JM28rk8QLbPeibzfJXnODLJdeu62yMYxm57hpsMQ1Pi63MwC2i/s1600/Erin-Stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGNFXHUmJNTSoXKzUb0rOKNC60TNiTQNhpBwUrc4xkJR1vDVrBIFXBEGVlt_6DuubbS6o6CLAw-KxQDUeCglsJDHFZ4JM28rk8QLbPeibzfJXnODLJdeu62yMYxm57hpsMQ1Pi63MwC2i/s400/Erin-Stewart.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="400" /></a></div>
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Erin Stewart is the author of SCARS LIKE WINGS, her debut novel. Erin is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and a BYU undergraduate who works as a freelance writer and editor, as well as a <a href="https://www.deseretnews.com/author/22147/Erin-Stewart.html">weekly columnist</a> in Salt Lake City.<br>
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Erin lives in Utah with her husband and three children. She is represented by the amazing Brianne Johnson of <a href="http://www.writershouse.com/">Writers House</a>.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="https://erinstewartbooks.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Erin_N_Stewart">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17886409.Erin_Stewart">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/erin_n_stewart/">Instagram</a></center>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE ~</span></b></center>
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Week One:<br>
10/1/19 - <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a> - Review<br>
10/2/19 - <a href="http://www.bookhoundsya.net/">BookHounds YA</a> - Review<br>
10/3/19 - <a href="https://blessedmommysc.blogspot.com/">Lifestyle of Me</a> - Review<br>
10/4/19 - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fictitious.fox/">Fictitious Fox</a> - Review<br>
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Week Two:<br>
10/7/19 - <a href="http://www.fireandicereads.com/">Fire and Ice</a> - Review<br>
10/8/19 - <a href="http://www.moonlightrendezvous.com/">Moonlight Rendezvous</a> - Review<br>
10/9/19 - <a href="http://www.novelnovice.com/">Novel Novice</a> - Excerpt<br>
10/10/19 - <a href="http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com/">Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers</a> - Review<br>
10/11/19 - <a href="http://www.herestohappyendings.com/">Here's to Happy Endings</a> - Review<br>
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Week Three:<br>
10/14/19 - <a href="https://treestandbookreviews.com/">Treestand Book Reviews</a> - Review<br>
10/15/19 - <a href="http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/">Smada's Book Smack</a> - Review<br>
10/16/19 - <a href="http://riddlesreviews.com/">Riddle's Reviews</a> - Review<br>
10/17/19 - <a href="http://www.jenabrownwrites.com/">Jena Brown Writes</a> - Review<br>
10/18/19 - <a href="http://hollymbryan.tumblr.com/">Book-Keeping</a> - Review<br>
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Week Four:<br>
10/21/19 - <a href="https://abookishdreamblog.wordpress.com/">A Bookish Dream</a> - Review<br>
10/22/19 - <a href="https://www.lifewithinthepages.com/">Life Within the Pages</a> - Review</br>
10/23/19 - Portrait of a Book - Review<br>
10/24/19 - <a href="http://thepagesinbetween.com/">The Pages In-Between</a> - Review<br>
10/25/19 - <a href="https://fangirlstuckbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/">Paper Readers</a> - Review<br>
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Week Five:<br>
10/28/19 - <a href="https://www.southerngirlbookaholic.com/">Southern Girl Bookaholic</a> - Review<br>
10/29/19 - <a href="https://www.doyoudog-ear.com/">Do You Dog-Ear?</a> - Review</br>
10/30/19 - <a href="http://www.novelnovice.com/">Novel Novice</a> - Excerpt<br>
10/31/19 - <a href="http://am2cents.blogspot.com/">Two Points of Interest</a> - Review<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-7923244726173750272019-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:002019-10-23T05:43:21.846-04:00Blog Tour & Book Sketch: The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake<center><a href="http://rockstarbooktours.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcwpFLgnWV8_2JlPzljqMSswJIpgldY8ZOnnV7wbqc1pYoQs1ud8Br0ZhUiync5Gzk29Xm6hkWhHT-dA5oR4XhdImbvc2mcTQqoPbkm-NSiI3LoFtOKB5Qb4pCPmivNNEAi0iUIq8OOZj/s1600/THE+LAST+TRUE+POETS+OF+THE+SEA.jpg" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41783734-the-last-true-poets-of-the-sea?from_search=true">THE LAST TRUE POETS OF THE SEA</a><br />
By: Julia Drake<br />
Published By: Disney Hyperion<br />
Release Date: October 1, 2019<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 400<br />
Genre: Contemporary<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-True-Poets-Sea/dp/1368048080/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11N9DAA0C73R8&keywords=the+last+true+poets+of+the+sea&qid=1571393803&sprefix=the+last+true+po%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: The Larkin family isn't just lucky—they persevere. At least that's what Violet and her younger brother, Sam, were always told. When the Lyric sank off the coast of Maine, their great-great-great-grandmother didn't drown like the rest of the passengers. No, Fidelia swam to shore, fell in love, and founded Lyric, Maine, the town Violet and Sam returned to every summer.<br>
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But wrecks seem to run in the family. Tall, funny, musical Violet can't stop partying with the wrong people. And, one beautiful summer day, brilliant, sensitive Sam attempts to take his own life.<br>
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Shipped back to Lyric while Sam is in treatment, Violet is haunted by her family's missing piece - the lost shipwreck she and Sam dreamed of discovering when they were children. Desperate to make amends, Violet embarks on a wildly ambitious mission: locate the Lyric, lain hidden in a watery grave for over a century.<br>
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She finds a fellow wreck hunter in Liv Stone, an amateur local historian whose sparkling intelligence and guarded gray eyes make Violet ache in an exhilarating new way. Whether or not they find the Lyric, the journey Violet takes-and the bridges she builds along the way-may be the start of something like survival.</i><br />
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First Thoughts After Finishing: I want adventure in the great wide somewhere...and I miss the beach!<br>
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I am (almost) always a fan of retellings, so when I saw that this was inspired by Twelfth Night and set in a coastal town of Maine, I knew that I needed to read this book. In many ways, this book mirrored the ocean—the story stayed in the shallows until, in moments when you were not expecting it, the continental shelf dropped away and the depths were open for exploration.<br>
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Violet is descended from a shipwreck survivor who helped found the town of Lyric, Maine. She is convinced that she has the “shipwreck gene,” that her life is destined to be dashed into pieces on rocks and leave her floundering to recover. And in fact, that hardly seems far-fetched. A teenager at loose in New York City, she makes more than questionable decisions that leave her as emotionally frozen as if she had been the one thrown from safety into icy water rather than her great-great-great-grandmother. While her brother Sam struggles to cope with a mental disorder, Violet turns to the numbness of sex and drugs. After Sam’s suicide attempt, he is sent to treatment in Vermont, and Violet is sent to spend the summer with her uncle in Lyric. The city holds many memories for her, but a return to the past might be exactly what she needs for her family’s future. With the help of friends that she never expected to make, Violet embarks on a quest to uncover the long-lost shipwreck of Lyric and of her family.<br>
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<div class="quotebox"><center>“Survival was its own quest: we needed to choose to survive over and over again. We had to wash up on shore, and we had to choose to keep washing up every single day.”</center></div>
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Many contemporary stories are character-driven, and The Last True Poets of the Sea is no exception. The book followed the pace of a small coastal town, particularly one that is not overrun by tourists despite the summer season. The plot itself could have been distilled into a fourth of the pages, but the depth of the character development ensured that the book never felt slow. Violet is by turns fascinating and frustrating. I kept hoping for a revelation that would explain her self-destructive path, but one never came. However, this is not to say that her past was not explored. Certain stories were gradually revealed that made me sympathize all the more with Violet’s internal battle to be a better friend, daughter, and sister. She gave words to those feelings that are all too easy to creep in, particularly in an age of disconnectedness. Her brother might be the one with a diagnosis, but the exploration of Violet’s mind highlights how not all struggles come with a name. Throughout the book, her gradual realizations are important reminders for all readers, whether they are teenagers or adults.<br>
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One of the highlights of this book is a slow-burn romance with emotions ebbing and flowing like waves lapping the shore. The relationships did not unfold in quite the way I was expecting; in fact, this book probably has one of the best uses of a love triangle that I have seen. For a long time, there were only small eddies of romantic current, but once Violet and Liv were able to admit to themselves and each other how they felt, it was like a tidal wave unleashed—so much feeling but almost over before it seemed like anything had happened. However, I loved the fact that even though there was queer representation, it was not the sole focus of the story. Being attracted to both sexes was only one facet of Violet’s character and hardly the one that defined her, which I appreciated. <br>
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Friendships also played an important part in this book, particularly the idea of friendships as an anchor. I loved Violet’s diverse friend group, especially Orion, and I would have enjoyed seeing all of them interact more. Familial relationships also shared the spotlight. The Larkin family dynamic is one that is all too familiar—nothing is necessarily wrong, but at the same time, they are not the happy family they wish to be. I appreciated that there was a process to rebuild relationships; the family was not fixed by a single day or single conversation. Also, Toby may be the best uncle ever—I would like to sign up for his puzzles and pastries!<br>
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Despite the engrossing nature of the character development, I do wish a bit more time had been spent uncovering the family genealogy and the shipwreck history rather than reading the unifying thread at the end of the book. Overall, however, this book was a quick read that drew me into the minds of new characters and left me with much to think about. I will look forward to seeing what Julia Drake writes next!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: Exploring so many timely issues without over-labeling everything.
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PzThEc_5Uw5Rd93qHRSVpfHCEide2-MgHwM2oypr0CSrfWAjCUFZvDEtqQlFhyphenhyphen4-iTKvE4zZff6BfWwJk0RiHwJStiYF9-QQaTEIkQJEHUlvv69h_7xU6XLQpbpvWTummHLL5c_RnoGg/s1600/juliadrake_authorpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PzThEc_5Uw5Rd93qHRSVpfHCEide2-MgHwM2oypr0CSrfWAjCUFZvDEtqQlFhyphenhyphen4-iTKvE4zZff6BfWwJk0RiHwJStiYF9-QQaTEIkQJEHUlvv69h_7xU6XLQpbpvWTummHLL5c_RnoGg/s400/juliadrake_authorpic.jpg" width="175" height="225" data-original-width="341" data-original-height="454" /></a></div>
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Julia Drake grew up outside Philadelphia. As a teenager, she played some of Shakespeare's best heroines in her high school theater program and their stories would stay with her forever. She received her BA in Spanish from Williams College, and her MFA in creative writing from Columbia University, where she also taught writing to first-year students. She currently works as a book coach for aspiring writers and teaches creative writing classes for Writopia Lab, a nonprofit that fosters love of writing in young adults. She lives in San Francisco with her partner and their rescue rabbit, Ned.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="http://www.juliadrakewriter.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JuliaDrake__">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3132011.Julia_Drake">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/julia.k.drake/">Instagram</a></center>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE ~</span></b></center>
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Week One:<br>
10/1/19 - <a href="https://twirlingbookprincess.com/">Twirling Book Princess</a> - Excerpt<br>
10/2/19 - <a href="http://www.bookhoundsya.net/">BookHounds YA</a> - Excerpt<br>
10/3/19 - <a href="https://wonderstruck-kcks.blogspot.com/">Wonder Struck</a> - Review<br>
10/4/19 - <a href="https://www.dazzledbybooks.com/">Dazzled by Books</a> - Review<br>
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Week Two:<br>
10/7/19 - <a href="https://thelayawaydragon.com/">The Layaway Dragon</a> - Review<br>
10/8/19 - <a href="https://popthebutterfly.wordpress.com/">PopTheButterfly Reads</a> - Review<br>
10/9/19 - <a href="http://www.novelnovice.com/">Novel Novice</a> - Excerpt<br>
10/10/19 - <a href="https://www.southerngirlbookaholic.com/">Southern Girl Bookaholic</a> - Review<br>
10/11/19 - <a href="http://fkrants.blogspot.com/">Fyrekatz Blog</a> - Review<br>
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Week Three:<br>
10/14/19 - <a href="http://www.jenabrownwrites.com/">Jena Brown Writes</a> - Review<br>
10/15/19 - <a href="http://www.fireandicereads.com/">Fire and Ice</a> - Review<br>
10/16/19 - <a href="http://www.moonlightrendezvous.com/">Moonlight Rendezvous</a> - Review<br>
10/17/19 - <a href="https://abookishdreamblog.wordpress.com/">A Bookish Dream</a> - Review<br>
10/18/19 - Portrait of a Book - Review<br>
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Week Four:<br>
10/21/19 - <a href="http://thepagesinbetween.com/">The Pages In-Between</a> - Review<br>
10/22/19 - <a href="http://misclisa.blogspot.com/">Lisa Loves Literature</a> - Excerpt</br>
10/23/19 - <a href="http://am2cents.blogspot.com/">Two Points of Interest</a> - Review<br>
10/24/19 - <a href="https://www.doyoudog-ear.com/">Do You Dog-Ear?</a> - Review<br>
10/25/19 - <a href="http://nerdophiles.com/">Nerdophiles</a> - Review<br>
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Week Five:<br>
10/28/19 - <a href="https://novelnerdfaction.blogspot.com/">Novel Nerd Fiction</a> - Review<br>
10/29/19 - <a href="http://hollymbryan.tumblr.com/">Book Keeping</a> - Review</br>
10/30/19 - <a href="https://www.elisquared.com/">Eli to the Nth</a> - Review<br>
10/31/19 - <a href="http://www.thatgeorgiagypsy.com/">That Georgia Gypsy</a> - Review<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-88389007271794598062019-10-06T08:00:00.000-04:002020-01-10T03:00:25.598-05:00Blog Tour & Book Sketch: Crier's War by Nina Varela<center><a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC0N0zvEN-g3Iow42SWPQDXqmllNPXS9aYHY-woI7XSFRcxHvgd99s4vjNPyOQdrIcqq4XWYX62oRHfpLWj-3ZAPzK4k0GkiQf-XI-C8d9Q67ORN2blZILB9XKbkq4yXKhLSH2AcuzlsL/s1600/TOUR+BANNER+%25283%2529.png" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41951626-crier-s-war?from_search=true"></a>Crier's War<br />
By: Nina Varela<br />
Published By: HarperTeen<br />
Release Date: October 1, 2019<br />
Series: Crier's War #1<br />
Pages: 448<br />
Genre: Contemporary<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Criers-War-Nina-Varela/dp/0062823949/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=crier%27s+war&qid=1570334097&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, designed to be the playthings of royals, usurped their owners’ estates and bent the human race to their will.
Now Ayla, a human servant rising in the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging her family’s death…by killing the sovereign’s daughter, Lady Crier.
Crier was Made to be beautiful, flawless, and to carry on her father’s legacy. But that was before her betrothal to the enigmatic Scyre Kinok, before she discovered her father isn’t the benevolent king she once admired, and most importantly, before she met Ayla.
Now, with growing human unrest across the land, pressures from a foreign queen, and an evil new leader on the rise, Crier and Ayla find there may be only one path to love: war.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: I need answers!<br>
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The synopsis of this book offered all of the best elements of current young adult literature: a fantasy world, science fiction and historical elements, a slow-burn romance, and political rest. In Crier’s War, Nina Varela delivered all of this, crafting a story that felt both familiar and new, leaving me with anticipation for the sequel.<br>
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Once upon a time, there were no Automae, only humans. Then a barren queen, desperate to be a mother, issued a challenge: Build her a daughter and obtain innumerable riches. Thus the first Automa was Made, and so began a new era. However, itt did not take long before Automae—with their superior strength—usurped power from the humans and relegated the humans to a servant role. In the aftermath of the War of the Kinds, the Automa Sovereign Hesod rules Rabu, and his Made daughter Crier is poised to follow in her footsteps. That is, until she meets the human Ayla, a victim of the continuing class war and spitfire who makes Crier come alive in ways she never imagined. Crier is drawn to Ayla and makes the human her new handmaiden, unwittingly giving Ayla the opportunity for revenge she has always dreamed of. Crier wants to become a benevolent ruler, to make her father proud, and to explore these new feelings. But with tensions growing between humans and Automae, the constant threat of uprisings, and Crier’s engagement to Scyre Kinok, it seems that the only path forward may be war—within the country, and within herself.<br>
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From the beginning of the narrative, I was drawn into the world. Glimpses of journal pages documented the history of the world, and their reappearance throughout the story helped to shade the picture already in place. Despite the recent war that should have made Crier and her father separate and distinct from humans, Sovereign Hesod harbors a fondness for human traditions. In Crier, this fondness becomes a dream of returning (in part) to a life before the war. Automa are not supposed to have feelings, yet Crier never felt like a distant narrator. Throughout the book, her emotions—worry, longing, fear, and more—were tangible, and she was a more sympathetic character for it. She stood in stark contrast to both Ayla, who actively tried to have no emotion save her anger and her drive for purpose, and Kinok, who is too embroiled in schemes to display anything but cold, calculated manipulation.<br>
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In other stories, gender and tradition serve as the obstacles to romance, but not here. In this instance, political unrest and class differences serve as the chasm needing to be crossed. The palpable tension between Crier and Ayla is heightened through alternating points of view that weave together seamlessly into one story rather than feeling like battling perspectives. The ebb and flow of their growing feelings for each other occurred naturally, though it largely happened in their thoughts rather than in actual encounters between the two. Their rare intimate moments were quite touching, and I would have liked to see more of them. Instead, most of the page time was dedicated to unraveling the puzzles presented by Kinok, Queen Junn, and Ayla’s past. Both girls encounter more than a few surprises along the way, and trusts and loyalties are often called into question, both of which made for a gripping read.<br>
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<div class="quotebox"><center>“’Fever and fervor,’ said Junn.<br>‘There is very little difference, in the end.’”</center></div>
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This quote aptly describes so many aspects of Crier’s War, from the dangerous political climate to the all-consuming thoughts of new love. Varela did an excellent job of crafting this feeling for her story as well—I read most of the book over two days and found myself disappointed when I had to set it aside. I am eagerly anticipating the sequel and the answers it provides!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The crafted human fairy tales, how they were shared, and their adoption for political code.
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ60JS4ynpHI8ly4P3_505XjyD9bepvr9K2qC3QwIMe3lD8_kgdkbiEPIr9rjUIVFb1zTBxsUbeTouYukjHU4iF341ykmM9UFTqkigIHuNtNQIkSmOZdxzVto4NDJhM-U5sH86h9lLPPGW/s1600/AUTHOR+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ60JS4ynpHI8ly4P3_505XjyD9bepvr9K2qC3QwIMe3lD8_kgdkbiEPIr9rjUIVFb1zTBxsUbeTouYukjHU4iF341ykmM9UFTqkigIHuNtNQIkSmOZdxzVto4NDJhM-U5sH86h9lLPPGW/s320/AUTHOR+%25281%2529.jpg" width="150" height="225" data-original-width="177" data-original-height="266" /></a></div>
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Nina Varela is a nationally awarded writer of screenplays and short fiction. She was born in New Orleans and raised on a hippie commune in Durham, North Carolina, where she spent most of her childhood playing in the Eno River, building faerie houses from moss and bark, and running barefoot through the woods. These days, Nina lives in Los Angeles with her writing partner and their tiny, ill-behaved dog. She tends to write stories about hard-won love and young people toppling the monarchy/patriarchy/whatever-archy. On a related note, she’s queer. On a less related note, she has strong feelings about hushpuppies and loves a good jambalaya. CRIER’S WAR is her first novel. You can find Nina at any given coffee shop in the greater Los Angeles area, or at www.ninavarela.com.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="https://www.ninavarela.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ninavarelas">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ninavarelas_/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18450258.Nina_Varela">Goodreads</a>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE <a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/2019/08/tour-schedule-criers-war-criers-war-1.html
">HERE</a>~</span></b></center>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-8411842932063724552019-10-02T08:00:00.000-04:002019-10-02T08:00:05.816-04:00Blog Tour & Book Spotlight: Sam Saves the Night by Shari Simpson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLr48hDo7LSmPcIvgRucvtGbDXek5UgXvANu_Y8ZztayvtlRT1foA3fmaKP7NUXgoEwxMUsS-Wi0O1S2cTj5AJlu0RoAmcGiGS4FOoInnmkVgBDH1sgJhETXsd8REe_sJYKG-97WcLRs3V/s1600/SAM+SAVES+THE+NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLr48hDo7LSmPcIvgRucvtGbDXek5UgXvANu_Y8ZztayvtlRT1foA3fmaKP7NUXgoEwxMUsS-Wi0O1S2cTj5AJlu0RoAmcGiGS4FOoInnmkVgBDH1sgJhETXsd8REe_sJYKG-97WcLRs3V/s1600/SAM+SAVES+THE+NIGHT.jpg" width="400" height="184" data-original-width="1552" data-original-height="715" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40920744-sam-saves-the-night?from_search=true">SAM SAVES THE NIGHT</a><br />
By: Shari Simpson<br />
Published By: Disney-Hyperion<br />
Release Date: October 1, 2019<br />
Series: Sleepwakes #1<br />
Pages: 304<br />
Genre: Paranormal<br />
Reading Level: Middle Grade<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SleepWakers-Book-Sam-Saves-Night/dp/1368007619/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sam+saves+the+night&qid=1569995701&s=gateway&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Thirteen-year-old Sam has no friends, but you can't really blame her. She lives her life in a state of chronic exhaustion thanks to her nightly sleepwalking jaunts, which include trips to the store, treehouse-building projects, and breaking-and-entering escapades-none of which she remembers in the morning. Her condition is taking its toll on her family (and her life), so when her mom takes her to see a wacky strip-mall sleep specialist, Sam is wary, but 100 percent in.<br>
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The night after the doc works his mojo, Sam wakes up outside her body, watching herself sleep. FREAKY! But once she gets over the panic attack, she realizes there's a whole world of detached-souls out there, called SleepWakers-cliques of kids like the Achieves, who use their sleep time to learn new things; the Numbs, who eat junk food and play video games all night long, and the OCDeeds who search for missing things and organize other people's stuff. And then there are the Mean Dreams, led by Madalynn Sucret, the nicest girl in Sam's school, who shows Sam that she can use her power to get back at a bully who's been tormenting her. Sam is intrigued-until it becomes clear that Madalynn is the real bully and the "tormentor" is just, well... sad. Now Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes of SleepWakers to fight back against Madalynn and the Mean Dreams in the most epic battle the night has ever seen.</i><br />
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycxuHLuR7pRPN66Em4cLTai7wTOVy_DmiiV98c3kvaXcqDcyjTNn72WIorgH8ZhjEu2pKaZD0NE9GyVSlYBcZdIzAD2noXiS6pRYXdJ83n9yvLifK-zsrhMc1YQWzcirYhREiJEw1grB6/s1600/simpson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycxuHLuR7pRPN66Em4cLTai7wTOVy_DmiiV98c3kvaXcqDcyjTNn72WIorgH8ZhjEu2pKaZD0NE9GyVSlYBcZdIzAD2noXiS6pRYXdJ83n9yvLifK-zsrhMc1YQWzcirYhREiJEw1grB6/s320/simpson.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="125" data-original-height="280" /></a></div>
Shari Simpson is a playwright and screenwriter who cowrote the off-Broadway hit Maybe Baby, It's You and the Disney Channel Original Movie The Swap, both with her longtime writing partner, Charlie Shahnaian. She also won the 2012 BlogHer Voice of the Year for Humor Writing. Shari lives in Hoboken, NJ, with a patient husband, two hilarious teenagers, a demonic cat, and her pug, Mila Kunis. This is her first novel.
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<center>Find Her Online: <br>
<a href="https://twitter.com/SharSimWrites">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7220988.Shari_Simpson">Goodreads</a> </center>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE ~</span></b></center>
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<u>Week 1:</u><br>
10/1 - <a href="http://cindysloveofbooks.com/">Cindy's Love of Books</a> - Review<br>
10/2 - Portrait of a Book - Spotlight<br>
10/3 - <a href="http://www.moonlightrendezvous.com/">Moonlight Rendezvous</a> - Review<br>
10/4 - <a href="http://www.bookhoundsya.net/">BookHounds YA</a> - Excerpt<br>
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<u>Week 2:</u><br>
10/7 - <a href="https://www.struckbystories.com/">Struck by Stories</a> - Review<br>
10/8 - <a href="https://twirlingbookprincess.com/">Twirling Book Princess</a> - Excerpt<br>
10/9 - <a href="http://shortcake-bibliophage.home.blog/">Shortcake Bibliophage</a> - Excerpt<br>
10/10 - <a href="https://lovestarsandbooks.wordpress.com/">Love, Stars, and Books</a> - Review<br>
10/11 - <a href="https://www.dazzledbybooks.com/">Dazzled by Books</a> - Review<br>
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<u>Week 3:</u><br>
10/14 - <a href="http://yabooknerd.blogspot.com/">YA Book Nerd</a> - Review<br>
10/15 - <a href="https://www.lifewithinthepages.com/">Life Within the Pages</a> - Review<br>
10/16 - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/">Fictitious Fox</a> - Review<br>
10/17 - <a href="http://fkrants.blogspot.com/">Fyrekatz Blog</a> - Review<br>
10/18 - <a href="https://thetryeverything.wordpress.com/">The Try Everything</a> - Excerpt<br>
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<u>Week 4</u><br>
10/21 - <a href="http://www.novelnovice.com/">Novel Novice</a> - Excerpt<br>
10/22 - <a href="http://nerdophiles.com/">Nerdophiles</a> - Review<br>
10/23 - <a href="https://www.southerngirlbookaholic.com/">Southern Girl Bookaholic</a> - Review<br>
10/24 - <a href="http://am2cents.blogspot.com/">Two Points of Interest</a> - Review<br>
10/25 - <a href="http://littleredreads.com/">Little Red Reads</a> - Review<br>
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<u>Week 5</u><br>
10/28 - <a href="https://popthebutterfly.wordpress.com/">Pop the Butterfly Reads</a> - Review<br>
10/29 - <a href="http://savingsinseconds.com/">Savings in Seconds</a> - Review<br>
10/30 - <a href="https://wonderstruck-kcks.blogspot.com/">Wonder Struck</a> - Review<br>
10/31 - <a href="http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com/">Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers</a> - Review
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-70634634848363956342019-08-26T08:00:00.000-04:002019-10-05T23:50:15.482-04:00Blog Tour and Book Sketch: All the Bad Apples by Moira Fowley-Doyle<center><a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC371CoiLA5XxsU9Z3TeTYn3GF0w_leqhYqkONEcC50z2SyyPNOcAurf5tIvpseoS6HWtvOUoZJgWj-6gvRBDxd-liJ3IsXwhd8UmvoPZ6aFZa7qkRK69U9iDg29dZcQWnQmVmPGrAQkok/s1600/tour+banner+%25282%2529.png" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44139388-all-the-bad-apples?ac=1&from_search=true"></a>All the Bad Apples<br />
By: Moira Fowley-Doyle<br />
Published By: Kathy Dawson Books<br />
Release Date: August 27, 2019<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 320<br />
Genre: Contemporary<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-Bad-Apples-Mo%C3%AFra-Fowley-Doyle/dp/052555274X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1L4S2GCIHM0H2&keywords=all+the+bad+apples&qid=1566795580&s=gateway&sprefix=all+the+bad+a%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: The day after the funeral all our mourning clothes hung out on the line like sleeping bats. 'This will be really embarrassing,' I kept saying to my family, 'when she shows up at the door in a week or two.'<br>
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When Deena's wild and mysterious sister Mandy disappears - presumed dead - her family are heartbroken. But Mandy has always been troubled. It's just another bad thing to happen to Deena's family. Only Deena refuses to believe it's true.<br>
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And then the letters start arriving. Letters from Mandy, claiming that their family's blighted history is not just bad luck or bad decisions - but a curse, handed down through the generations. Mandy has gone in search of the curse's roots, and now Deena must find her. What they find will heal their family's rotten past - or rip it apart forever. </i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: I can’t believe stories like these still happen for so many girls.<br>
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Irish history wrapped into a mystery? Yes please! But this story comes with so much more than a mystery infused with hints of magic. It’s a story of overcoming the past, of defying societal conventions and expectations, and of being proud of who you are.<br>
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Deena has been raised by her older sister to be a “nice, normal girl” so that she can escape the Rys family curse. It’s what her sister expects, it’s what her father expects, and it’s what she wants—except for when she’s with her other sister, Mandy. A wild enigma, Mandy offers Deena a glimpse into something that is more than a “nice, normal life.” Until the day that Mandy disappears, and everyone believes her to be dead—everyone except Deena. A letter that Mandy left behind sends Deena on a quest to discover the truth. Along with her best friend, she finds new people who also have a part in her history. But this is one story that doesn’t end the way that anyone was expecting.<br>
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From the beginning of this book, something felt just a bit unsettled, which made me dive right into the story to figure out what was going on. Mandy was an intriguing character, and Deena’s tenacious belief that Mandy was alive had me convinced as well. The story unfolded in alternating perspectives—the present, with Mandy’s letters, and flashbacks of the family history. The flashback scenes were both fascinating and horrifying, knowing that they were loosely based on reality. In many ways, they were like traffic accidents—hard to watch but impossible to look away from. In all honesty, the historical scenes were more compelling than the present tense, but piecing together the puzzle was so intriguing that I finished the book within a few hours.<br>
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The cast of characters was diverse and felt like a group that would be fun to hang out with. The adventure bound them all in a way that made them feel like they always belonged together. I especially liked Cale’s character. She was unapologetically herself in a way that was inspirational. It would be interesting to see a spinoff story involving her and Deena. The family members, on the other hand, often left a lot to be desired. Then again, that was probably the point. <br>
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This book inspired a lot of emotions, and not all of them were positive. But I am so glad that a book like this exists, because it should cause a reaction. Anyone reading this should want better for women and children all over the world. I can only hope that this book finds its way into the hands of people who need it—into the hands of anyone who has ever been considered a “bad apple.”<br>
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All the Bad Apples is the first book I’ve read by Moira Fowley-Doyle, but it won’t be the last. I can’t wait to see what adventure she creates and what emotions she inspires next.<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The haunting reality of the flashback scenes.
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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Moïra is half-French, half-Irish and lives in Dublin. Her first novel, The Accident Season, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and received widespread critical acclaim. Her second, Spellbook of the Lost and Found, was shortlisted for an Irish Book Award.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="https://moirafowleydoyle.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/moirawithatrema">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moirawithatrema/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9013537.Mo_ra_Fowley_Doyle">Goodreads</a>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-33969256211947579452019-08-06T08:00:00.000-04:002019-08-06T08:00:06.729-04:00Blog Tour and Book Sketch: Hello Girls by Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry<center><a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk63L6TCMQ8MZD-rmeVQ1eFyk5IJtOtjycEvN3C829P4c4pXUxu-_qKdSeXqb4NtTaqWMzq8zy8VRf6AT5QBzX0HuU4ClP-Grq7Rc-34arQFiP21FvmZnkv71y7IfAJUjy2TpdktUAcU9M/s320/TOUR+BANNER+%25281%2529.png" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36596442-hello-girls?from_search=true"></a><br />
By: Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry<br />
Published By: Katherine Tegen Books<br />
Release Date: August 6, 2019<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 320<br />
Genre: Contemporary<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Girls-Brittany-Cavallaro/dp/0062803425/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=hello+girls&qid=1565071533&s=gateway&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Best friends are forged by fire. For Winona Olsen and Lucille Pryce, that fire happened the night they met outside the police station—both deciding whether to turn their families in.<br>
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Winona has been starving for life in the seemingly perfect home that she shares with her seemingly perfect father, celebrity weatherman Stormy Olsen. No one knows that he locks the pantry door to control her eating and leaves bruises where no one can see them.<br>
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Lucille has been suffocating beneath the needs of her mother and her drug-dealing brother, wondering if there’s more out there for her than disappearing waitress tips and generations of barely getting by.<br>
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One harrowing night, Winona and Lucille realize they can’t wait until graduation to start their new lives. They need out. Now. All they need is three grand, fast. And really, a stolen convertible to take them from Michigan to Las Vegas can’t hurt.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: I would love a book with more of Winona and Lucille’s adventures!<br>
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The synopsis of Hello Girls had definite Thelma and Louise vibes, and just like it promised, this book was a fun read. I kept turning page after page to see what shenanigans the girls would get themselves into next.<br>
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Winona Olsen has the perfect life—or so it seems. Nobody would guess what her life is actually like in her house or what her father acts like off-camera. Lucille Pryce is the opposite—nobody would ever envy her. Except possibly Winona. A chance meeting one night forged a friendship that could endure the worst life had to throw at them. But when they realize that they can’t wait until graduation to be free of their small town, they hatch a plan to get away—a plan so crazy enough, it might just work. What are a few felonies compared to a lifetime of freedom?<br>
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Hello Girls was a fast-paced whirlwind of adventure. Winona and Lucille were never without a plan for very long. Lucille is a quick-witted schemer who is completely devoted to her friendship with Winona. Despite everything, she was determined to make her life better, and I loved that about her. Winona was slower to open up, but her quiet strength eventually came through. The two friends were a great balance, and their friendship shone through in the story.<br>
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However, there was a certain amount of suspension of disbelief required in this book. Despite the initial fun of this adventure, there were definitely darker moments and morally questionable acts from all characters involved. The adult side of me couldn’t believe the things the girls got away with (both legally and in terms of their consciences). Everything didn’t go perfectly according to plan, but I couldn’t help thinking that the girls were rather lucky.<br>
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If you can get past the logistical problems, this book is a quick and entertaining read. If these authors have another collaboration, I’ll definitely check it out!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The unwavering friendship between Winona and Lucille.
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHORS ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqCgTSst3iiHk15MpaqBGDkJ-zeU6uYoSqDDM57Rw5O6sHT_wCz_90YNOw3aEsqrSDSWCyU8C0satd-0mGzayhxStDxacNzuqBpJ-qQbqGdwoT9SRmpHON5T64H9M3rl28iDZRRMuxs6b/s1600/brittany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqCgTSst3iiHk15MpaqBGDkJ-zeU6uYoSqDDM57Rw5O6sHT_wCz_90YNOw3aEsqrSDSWCyU8C0satd-0mGzayhxStDxacNzuqBpJ-qQbqGdwoT9SRmpHON5T64H9M3rl28iDZRRMuxs6b/s320/brittany.jpg" width="175" height="225" data-original-width="177" data-original-height="266" /></a></div>
Brittany Cavallaro is a poet, fiction writer, and old school Sherlockian. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Charlotte Holmes novels from HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books, including A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE, THE LAST OF AUGUST, and THE CASE FOR JAMIE (forthcoming in March 2018). She's also the author of the poetry collection GIRL-KING (University of Akron) and is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship. She earned her BA in literature from Middlebury College and her MFA in poetry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She lives in Michigan with her husband, cat, dog, and collection of deerstalker caps.<br>
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<center>Find Brittany Online: <br>
<a href="http://www.brittanycavallaro.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/skippingstones">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/skippingstones/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6894322.Brittany_Cavallaro">Goodreads</a>
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Emily Henry is the author of The Love That Split the World and A Million Junes. She is a full-time writer, proofreader, and donut connoisseur. She studied creative writing at Hope College and the New York Center for Art & Media Studies, and now spends most of her time in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the part of Kentucky just beneath it. She tweets @EmilyHenryWrite.
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<center>Find Emily Online: <br>
<a href="https://twitter.com/emilyhenrywrite">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilyhenrywrites/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13905555.Emily_Henry">Goodreads</a>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145370990319629197.post-76178953351373309542019-05-19T08:00:00.000-04:002019-08-06T02:00:03.682-04:00Blog Tour and Book Sketch: Bright Burning Stars by A.K. Small<center><a href="http://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0sonsy9_cOWssmDW5zwKf_vMmBEBl5oWxRyF0hFCaWbI7cpCmUn_AwWS5gkqqtnHc_VURUFQ0opW04X1yZADM2MDmuP6KDTZCExhFrlLviEyRWJuy9gw7fTUfMYTn7iF0KLydDl_ydd9/s1600/TOUR+BANNER.png" width="400" height="160" data-original-width="615" data-original-height="240" /></img></a></center>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42288387-bright-burning-stars"></a><br />
By: A.K. Small<br />
Published By: Algonquin Young Readers<br />
Release Date: May 21, 2019<br />
Series: None<br />
Pages: 304<br />
Genre: Contemporary<br />
Reading Level: Young Adult<br />
Source: ALA<br />
Buy the Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Burning-Stars-K-Small/dp/1616208783/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GYGDICEKOGYQ&keywords=bright+burning+stars+by+a.k.+small&qid=1558247916&s=gateway&sprefix=bright+burning+stars%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></b><br />
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<i>Goodreads Summary: Best friends Marine Duval and Kate Sanders have trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School since childhood, where they’ve formed an inseparable bond forged by respective family tragedies and a fierce love for dance. When the body of a student is found in the dorms just before the start of their final year, Marine and Kate begin to ask themselves what they would do to win the ultimate prize: to be the one girl selected to join the Opera’s prestigious corps de ballet. Would they die? Cheat? Seduce the most talented boy in the school, dubbed the Demigod, hoping his magic would make them shine, too? Neither girl is sure.<br>
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But then Kate gets closer to the Demigod, even as Marine has begun to capture his heart. And as selection day draws near, the competition—for the prize, for the Demigod—becomes fiercer, and Marine and Kate realize they have everything to lose, including each other.</i><br />
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First Thought After Finishing: Oh, these characters!<br>
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If a book is about ballerinas, chances are good that I will read it. I love stories about ballerinas and ballet school (Center Stage is one of my favorite movies), and books set in foreign countries help curb my wanderlust by helping my live vicariously. Since Bright Burning Stars combines two of my favorite things, I was excited to dive in to the story.<br>
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Marine and Kate are students at the Paris Opera Ballet School. Since early in the program, they have been been friends and even made pacts about being sisters forever. However, with the final year of school upon them, they have to face the harsh reality—only one of them can win The Prize (a place with the company), and the other will have to leave. They think they can continue helping each other, but soon their weaknesses catch up with them, forcing both girls to make decisions that might affect their futures forever. But when ballet is your whole life, is there room for anything—friendship, love, or loyalty—or can there only be dance?<br>
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Let me just say—the ballet is strong with this book. The author studied dance and grew up in Paris, so everything in the story has a ring of authenticity. I loved the technical terms and bits of French sprinkled throughout the writing. Even without perfect knowledge of ballet terminology, all of the spins and jumps described helped the dancers fly off the page and onto a stage in my mind (and made me want to buy tickets to my city’s ballets next year!).<br>
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Bright Burning Stars is told in dual POVs, with chapters alternating between Marine and Kate. Knowing that only one could ultimately win, it almost felt like the chapters were competing for me to root for one girl over the other. I found myself drawn into both girls’ stories, celebrating their triumphs, sympathizing with their heartaches, and wanting to fix their problems when life became hard for them to handle. This book didn’t just show the difficulties of thriving in a competitive ballet school, although those elements were certainly part of the story. Sabotage, shifting rankings, boys, and constant pressure tested the girls’ friendship more than perhaps a normal high school would. However, both Marine and Kate have their own non-ballet baggage, and watching them work through these problems was a journey relevant for both teens and adults. <br>
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In addition to Marine and Kate, we see glimpses of their classmates and their teachers. Hands-down, my favorite characters were Luc (sorry to Cyrille the Demigod) and Monsieur Chevalier. If there were ever a spinoff about Luc, I would love to read that. I may or may not have some choice words for a few other characters, but what can I say—the world is comprised of flawed human beings, and that deserves to be represented on the page. Because of that, I read through this book rather quickly. I needed to see how the answer to the ultimate question—would you die for The Prize?—played out. When I did reach the ending, I found myself wishing that there was still more story to be read.<br>
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This book delves into myriad issues that teens (and adults) face. While it was good that the author did not shy away from these, I also wish that each one, when they appeared in the story, would have been given more time on the page and a more thorough resolution. I have so many feelings about the ending of this story, which for the sake of spoilers, I will omit here. But if you read this book and need someone to talk about it with, you know where to find me! <br>
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Overall, I appreciated this story and the way it made me reflect on my own life. A.K. Small has another book coming out in 2021 which sounds very interesting, and I will definitely be reading that one as well!<br>
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Most Memorable Aspect: The descriptions of being one with music or one with an instrument. It’s almost indescribable, and yet it was here on the page.<br>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~</span></b></center><br>
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A.K. Small is thrilled for her debut novel, BRIGHT BURNING STARS, to come out May 21, 2019 through publisher Algonquin Young Readers. Her talent for writing and passion for classical ballet fuse together in this novel and earned A.K. Small the honor of an Entertainment Weekly review.<br>
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In addition to BRIGHT BURNING STARS, A.K. Small spends time on short stories. Her short story, Anthrocon, 2017 was just nominated for a Pushcart prize by the Bellevue Literary Review. Other stories such as the Flour Baby and The Interior Designer were also nominated or runner-up to prizes.<br>
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She also ran a column titled, "A French Girl's View Du Monde" at Barrelhouse Magazine.<br>
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A.K. Small graduated from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2009 with an MFA in fiction. When she's not reading her favorite authors (Rainbow Rowell, Angie Thomas, Anna Gavalda, Jandy Nelson, Ann Hood, Sue Miller, Anais Nin, Tayari Jones, Joyce Carol Oates, Richard Wright, and J.R.R. Tolkien, to name a few!), she's studying her favorite dancers: Sylvie Guillem, Noella Pontois, Marie-Agnes Gillot, and Aurelie Dupont.<br>
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A.K. Small grew up near the Sacré Coeur in Paris and married her Tobagonian soul mate. She has three gorgeous daughters and owns a min-chi named Dallas.
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<center>Find her online: <br>
<a href="https://www.aksmallwords.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/aksmallwords">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aksmallwords/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17626278.A_K_Small">Goodreads</a>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE <a href="https://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/2019/03/tour-schedule-bright-burning-stars-by.html
">HERE</a>~</span></b></center>
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<center><b><span style="color: rgb(191, 62, 255); font-size:150%;">~ DON'T MISS THIS GIVEAWAY! ~</span></b></center>
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<center><a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86365/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="d9681b86365" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_so8ydx9e">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgd2ko49tU3HP2OTqf3_oqWYrRI55UeOUhCuFf0wVz4B1-dmoWXwlwfjjTKdUp3dIZoi7SW9QSvH99S58ESpxYO9E3BfGlZXsCdkKrZkfj3ByYKEBEnjPCGMKU6C7044SB_UCIC3LgYB/s1600/TealSignaturePurple.png" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="140" /></a></div>Christinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325036985708675899noreply@blogger.com0