Book Review | Midnight Strikes by Zeba Shahnaz

Title: Midnight Strikes
Author: Zeba Shahnaz
Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance
Publication Date: March 14th, 2023
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Rating: ⭐⭐

“Seventeen-year-old Anaïs just wants tonight to end. As an outsider at the kingdom’s glittering anniversary ball, she has no desire to rub shoulders with the nation’s most eligible (and pompous) bachelors—especially not the notoriously roguish Prince Leo. But at the stroke of midnight, an explosion rips through the palace, killing everyone in its path. Including her.

The last thing Anaïs sees is fire, smoke, chaos . . . and then she wakes up in her bedroom, hours before the ball. No one else remembers the deadly attack or believes her warnings of disaster.

Not even when it happens again. And again. And again.

If she’s going to escape this nightmarish time loop, Anaïs must take control of her own fate and stop the attack before it happens. But the court’s gilded surface belies a rotten core, full of restless nobles grabbing at power, discontented commoners itching for revolution, and even royals who secretly dream of taking the throne. It’s up to Anaïs to untangle these knots of deadly deceptions . . . if she can survive past midnight.” (Goodreads)

I thought this would be an interesting book due to the blurb. There were some fascinating things about it but the whole time loop thing just didn’t work for me and it’s probably because it is my least favorite thing to see in a book.

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Anaïs. She becomes stuck in a loop due and feels that it is her job to undo the revolution that is starting and save the royal family. For this reason I thought she was a strong character. It would honestly be exhausting to keep waking up over and over again to live out the same events and see people die each time. She tried her best each time to find new information and through that start putting the pieces together.

The other characters that Anaïs interacts with are very flat in my opinion. It’s hard to get to know them when the day keeps repeating and with Anaïs trying to solve the mystery its not like we are really getting to know them personally. The romance was okay but it also falls into the being flat category. I just didn’t feel it.

Books with a time loop can be cool but it’s just really hard for me to get into them and that’s definitely on me and not the book!

Overall, this was okay. I just didn’t fall in love with the characters and thought that some of the things fell flat for me.

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Book Review | Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou

Title: Threads That Bind
Author: Kika Hatzopoulou
Genre: YA Fantasy / Greek Mythology
Publication Date: May 30th, 2023
Publisher: Razorbill
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to the publisher and BookishFirst for a complimentary arc to review! All opinions are my own.

“In a world where the children of the gods inherit their powers, a descendant of the Greek Fates must solve a series of impossible murders to save her sisters, her soulmate, and her city.

Descendants of the Fates are always born in threes: one to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads that connect people to the things they love and to life itself. The Ora sisters are no exception. Io, the youngest, uses her Fate-born abilities as a private investigator in the half-sunken city of Alante.

But her latest job leads her to a horrific discovery: somebody is abducting women, maiming their life-threads, and setting the resulting wraiths loose in the city to kill. To find the culprit, she must work alongside Edei Rhuna, the right hand of the infamous Mob Queen—and the boy with whom she shares a rare fate-thread linking them as soul mates before they’ve even met.

But the investigation turns personal when Io’s estranged oldest sister turns up on the arm of her best suspect. Amid unveiled secrets from her past and her growing feelings for Edei, Io must follow clues through the city’s darkest corners and unearth a conspiracy that involves some of the city’s most powerful players—before destruction comes to her own doorstep.” (Goodreads)

This was a solid debut and has a fresh take on Greek Mythology!

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Io Ora. She has two sisters and they are all Fate-born which means they have a gift from the gods. Their gifts deal with fates and it’s no wonder there are three because “one to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads that connect people to the things they love and to life itself”. I liked learning about their gifts and what they could do with them. Io had to make a lot of hard choices when it came to hers. If you cut the thread then their love for whatever was on the other end would be a meh feeling from then on. I wouldn’t want all of that responsibility!

Io is more than just her gift though. She is also a private detective who tries to help people with their problems and find the truth. This plays a big role in the book since a few of her cases end up being connected in some way. The mystery was very intriguing and once I started reading it was hard to put down. I was guessing all the way up to the big reveal and even then there are still so many questions! I didn’t realize this was going to have a sequel until I got the cliffhanger and I definitely need to know what will happen next.

If you are looking for romance you won’t find it here. Io does find herself wanting someone but it is very complicated and when you think things will get more serious something happens. The minor characters’ relationships have more going on which wasn’t bad but I was rooting for Io.

The minor characters add a lot to the book because of their connections to Io or because of their powers, sometimes it is both. I liked learning about the politics behind their city and what happened during the riots that everyone is hush hush about. In this city it is hard to decide who to trust. In can be very cutthroat.

I have been very wary when it comes to plots with Greek Mythology because they all start to feel the same at some point. The good thing about this one is that it feels fresh and different. I can’t say I have read one like it, especially when dealing with the Fates.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I will be looking forward to the sequel!.

Goodreads Monday | The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

Hello Readers!

Goodreads Monday was hosted and created by Lauren’s Page Turners and has now been taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog. To participate, choose a random book from your TBR and show it off.

Title: The Last Bloodcarver
Author: Vanessa Le
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: March 26th, 2024
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

“The tantalizing romance of These Violent Delights meets the mechanical wonders of Cinder in The Last Bloodcarver, the first in a two-book debut – with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired fantasy world.

Nhika is a bloodcarver. A cold-hearted, ruthless beingwho can alter human biology with just a touch. In the industrial city of Theumas, she is seen not as a healer, but a monster that kills for pleasure.

When Nhika is caught using her bloodcarving abilities during a sham medical appointment, she’s captured by underground thugs and sold to an aristocratic family to heal the last witness of their father’s murder.

But as Nhika delves deeper into their investigation amidst the glitz of Theumas’ wealthiest district, she begins to notice parallels between this job and her own dark past. And when she meets an alluring yet entitled physician’s aide, Ven Kochin, she’s forced to question the true intent behind this murder. In a society that outcasts her, Kochin seems drawn to her…though he takes every chance he gets to push her out of his opulent world.

When Nhika discovers that Kochin is not who he claims to be, and that there is an evil dwelling in Theumas that runs much deeper than the murder of one man, she must decide where her heart, and her allegiance, truly lie. And – if she’s willing to become the dreaded bloodcarver Theumas fears to save herself and the ones she’s vowed to protect.” (Goodreads)

DOES THIS ONE SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD READ?

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First Lines Friday | 5-19-23

Hello Lovely Readers!

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

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

“My mark has a death wish. Which, I suppose, is convenient for me.”

The book is….

“In this dark and seductive YA fantasy debut, a siren must choose between protecting her family and following her heart in a prejudiced kingdom where her existence is illegal.

Saoirse Sorkova survives on lies. As a soldier-in-training at the most prestigious barracks in the kingdom, she lies about being a siren to avoid execution. At night, working as an assassin for a dangerous group of mercenaries, Saoirse lies about her true identity. And to her family, Saoirse tells the biggest lie of all: that she can control her siren powers and doesn’t struggle constantly against an impulse to kill.

As the top trainee in her class, Saoirse would be headed for a bright future if it weren’t for the need to keep her secrets out of the spotlight. But when a mysterious blackmailer threatens her sister, Saoirse takes a dangerous job that will help her investigate: she becomes personal bodyguard to the crown prince.

Saoirse should hate Prince Hayes. After all, his father is the one who enforces the kingdom’s brutal creature segregation laws. But when Hayes turns out to be kind, thoughtful, and charming, Saoirse finds herself increasingly drawn to him-especially when they’re forced to work together to stop a deadly killer who’s plaguing the city. There’s only one problem: Saoirse is that deadly killer.

Featuring an all Black and Brown cast, a forbidden romance, and a compulsively dark plot full of twists, this thrilling YA fantasy is perfect for fans of A Song Below Water and To Kill a Kingdom.” (Goodreads)

DO YOU WANT TO READ IT AFTER THESE FIRST LINES?

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WWW Wednesday | 5-17-23

Hello, My Lovely Bookworms!

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and is now hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

It consists of answering these three questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

My audiobook is XOXO by Axie Oh. This is a reread and fits a prompt so I figured I’d give it a go again!

Other books I am reading are Final Offer by Lauren Asher and Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton (arc). I haven’t started them yet but they will be started today!

• Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle #2) by Christopher Paolini (🎧)
• A Thousand Recipes for Revenge (Chefs of the Five Gods #1) by Beth Cato
• Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness #4) by Tamora Pierce (🎧)
• A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales (arc)
• Starlings by Amanda Linsmeier (arc)
• Naruto Vol. 30 by Masashi Kishimoto

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The next audiobook will be Queen Charlotte by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes. I’ve finished the tv series and am looking forward to seeing what the book is like.

I will be reading either Prep School Confidential by Kara Taylor or The Judas Blossom by Stephen Aryan (arc).

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT READ? ARE YOU LOVING IT? HAVE YOU READ OR WANT TO READ ANY THAT I HAVE LISTED? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!

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Book Review | Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith

Title: Revelle
Author: Lyssa Mia Smith
Genre: YA Fantasy / Historical Fiction
Publication Date: February 14th, 2023
Publisher:  HarperCollins US
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫

“On the island of Charmant, magic flows like bootlegged champagne, and fantasies can be bought for the price of a gemstone.

Luxe Revelle, star of her family’s fantastical show, knows the splendor is just an illusion. With Prohibition threatening their livelihood, her family struggles to make a living, watering down champagne and patching holes in their sequined costumes. So when the son of Charmant’s wealthiest family makes her an offer–everything the Revelles need to stay in business, in exchange for posing as his girl and helping him become mayor–she can’t refuse.

The moment Jamison Port sets foot in Charmant, he can’t shake the feeling of familiarity. An orphan with as few memories as gemstones, he’s desperate to learn what happened to his parents. But as he delves into the island’s secrets, he risks angering the wrong person and discovering a truth that just might break his heart.

When Luxe and Jamison accidentally meet, the sparks that fly are more than her magical enchantments. But keeping secrets from powerful people is a dangerous game . . . one that could destroy them both.” (Goodreads)

This was a fun YA fantasy and the audiobook was done well with two different narrators.

The book is told from two point-of-views and they come from Luxe Revelle and Jamison Port. They come from different backgrounds but something is always pulling them together. It was interesting to see how their stories came together. It wasn’t how I thought it would be and it left me very surprised.

They were both good characters that shared similar qualities like caring for family, family not always being blood related either. The ending really proved this point, especially when it came to Luxe’s. It was a very touching moment!

There is a bit of romance and although there were sweet moments I felt like there could have been a bit more and it seemed that a lot was missed due to some background things at play. Either way, they would have done anything to keep the other safe, even if it meant hurting them.

The magic system was unique with the use of gems. I can’t say I have read a book with that type of magical source before. The powers for each family were all different. I think my favorite would be the Revelle’s because it makes everything so glitzy and they can make your wildest dreams come true even if its just for a moment. I would like to time travel too. It would be a very hard decision! But remember, all magic does come at a cost.

Overall, this was a good book. I didn’t love it as much as I had wanted to and I’m not sure what was really missing for me. It was still a nice audiobook and I would definitely check out what else this author writes.

Monthly Wrap-Up | April 2023

Hello Lovely Readers!

The month of April was pretty decent. I can’t recall anything being out of the ordinary for it.

My daughter did finish up first grade at the end of the month. We will still be working through the summer on the things she found a bit harder so she can go into second grade strong. It’s hard to believe that she will be in second grade! She really enjoys math and science and I hope she keeps up that attitude.

The weather was decently nice and with some of the sun I already have a tan going on. It’s crazy that it’s happening so quickly, but I don’t have to work too hard on it when I found myself outside more often than not when the weather is nice. I’m excited for more warm days!

I don’t think there was much else besides reading and gaming like usual.

This month I managed to read 14 books, 8 audiobooks, and 1 manga/graphic novel.
23 books in total!

• Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) by Rebecca Yarros (arc/🎧)
• The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War #2) by R.F. Kuang

• Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai
• Murder Off the Books (By the Book Mysteries #3) by Tamara Berry (arc)
• In the Tunnel by Julie Lee (arc)
• The Curse of Saints by Kate Dramis (arc)
• All the Dark Souls (All The Dark Souls #1) by A.M. Dunnewin (arc)
• The Inadequate Heir (The Bridge Kingdom #3) by Danielle L. Jensen (🎧)
• Maid and Minstrel by Kate Stradling
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (🎧)

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• Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini (3.5 stars)
• Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett (🎧) (3.5 stars)
• Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra (arc)
• Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon (🎧)
• Flowers in the Gutter: The True Story of the Edelweiss Pirates, Teenagers Who Resisted the Nazis by K.R. Gaddy (🎧)
• Junior High Drama by Louise Simonson
• Ever Since by Alena Bruzas (arc)
• Spindle’s End (Folktales) by Robin McKinley (🎧)
• Ana María and the Fox (The Luna Sisters #1) by Liana De la Rosa
• Star Splitter by Matthew J. Kirby (arc)

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• Free Radicals by Lila Riesen
• The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman (arc)
• Midnight Strikes by Zeba Shahnaz (🎧)

None This Month

Readathon Updates:

2023 Audiobook Challenge 49/100 on track!
Goodreads Challenge 113/150 on track!
Magical Readathon: Adventure in Aeldia 4/12 on track!
Beat the Backlist 2023 45/52 on track!

HOW MANY BOOKS DID YOU READ IN APRIL? DID YOU HAVE A FAVORITE?

FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM / GOODREADS / TWITTER

First Lines Friday | 5-5-23

Hello Lovely Readers!

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

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

“The songs of the dead are the lamentations of the living.”

The book is….

“Darkness falls… Swords clash… Evil reigns.

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesméra, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn’t sure whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall – one that puts Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life…” (Goodreads)

DO YOU WANT TO READ IT AFTER THESE FIRST LINES?

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Book Review | The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman

Title: The Isles of the Gods
Author: Amie Kaufman
Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance
Publication Date: May 2nd, 2023
Publisher: Knopf
Rating: ⭐⭐💫

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a complimentary earc to review! All opinions are my own.

“Selly has salt water in her veins. So when her father leaves her high and dry in the port of Kirkpool, she has no intention of riding out the winter at home while he sails to adventure in the north seas. But any plans to follow him are dashed when a handsome stranger with tell-tale magician’s marks on his arms commandeers her ship under cover of darkness: He is Prince Leander of Alinor, and he needs to cross the Crescent Sea without detection so he can complete a ritual on the sacred Isles of the Gods.

Selly has no desire to escort a spoiled prince anywhere, and no time for his entitled demands or his good looks. But what starts as a leisure cruise will lead to acts of treason and sheer terror on the high seas, bringing two countries to the brink of war, two strangers closer than they ever thought possible and two dangerous gods stirring from centuries of slumber…” (Goodreads)

I’ve been dying to read this book ever since I saw it announced. The cover is gorgeous and the blurb was very intriguing for me. I did like certain aspects of this book, but others left me feeling underwhelmed. It’s really unfortunate since I wanted to love it.

The book is told from multiple point-of-views. I don’t know if I would say all of them were necessary and I definitely had favorites. A couple felt the same and if it wasn’t for the header at the beginning of the chapter I wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart.

Selly was an intriguing character. She started off making choices based on seeing her father and I can understand that. Family is very important. She has had a different life than the other characters, although that could be said for all of the characters. I think that is why she butts heads with the prince. He has come from privilege and hasn’t wanted for anything. His life isn’t always what it seems though because his family and goddess is asking for quite a lot from him.

The three other characters haven’t had as much impact in the story, but I feel like their stories will only grow in the sequel.

There is a bit of romance and frankly I’m not sure if there is a love triangle brewing or not. I hope not because I don’t think it will work but who knows. The romance that there was felt very underdeveloped and takes a lot to believe there is any feelings between them. I just didn’t feel it.

The most interesting thing for me, but also the smallest plotline, was the interactions and talks about the gods. I always find it fascinating what authors come up with when they create their own mythology. The book ended with cliffhangers that involve them so I am hoping it will be expounded upon.

A couple other things that I had issues with was the pacing and the climatic moments. The pacing was very slow and then would speed up only for it to die down again. It felt like it was all over the place with more slow moments than anything. It’s one reason it took so long for me to get through the book. I just had a hard time wanting to pick it up. The climatic moments/plot twists were fine but because I didn’t get to know the characters they felt very lackluster. I didn’t feel anything and that’s a real bummer because I should have.

Overall, this was okay. I feel like the sequel has potential to be better since this book ended on a big cliffhanger. There should be more with the romance and gods and hopefully the pacing is a bit better. Will I pick up the sequel? I don’t know. It could go either way lol. If you have like this author’s previous work then I would still give it a go. It may work out better for you than me!

First Lines Friday | 4-7-23

Hello Lovely Readers!

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

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

“The streetcar sliced ahead inches above the tidewater. As it came to a stop before the station, the cables groaned with the weight of the overpacked carriage. Passengers twisted their heads to glower up at them. Just the other day, a cable had snapped over at Sage Street, emptying passengers into the malformed canal. Three had ended up in the hospital; the bay water was cruelly cold, even this close to summer.”

The book is….

“In a world where the children of the gods inherit their powers, a descendant of the Greek Fates must solve a series of impossible murders to save her sisters, her soulmate, and her city.

Descendants of the Fates are always born in threes: one to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads that connect people to the things they love and to life itself. The Ora sisters are no exception. Io, the youngest, uses her Fate-born abilities as a private investigator in the half-sunken city of Alante.

But her latest job leads her to a horrific discovery: somebody is abducting women, maiming their life-threads, and setting the resulting wraiths loose in the city to kill. To find the culprit, she must work alongside Edei Rhuna, the right hand of the infamous Mob Queen—and the boy with whom she shares a rare fate-thread linking them as soul mates before they’ve even met.

But the investigation turns personal when Io’s estranged oldest sister turns up on the arm of her best suspect. Amid unveiled secrets from her past and her growing feelings for Edei, Io must follow clues through the city’s darkest corners and unearth a conspiracy that involves some of the city’s most powerful players—before destruction comes to her own doorstep.” (Goodreads)

DO YOU WANT TO READ IT AFTER THESE FIRST LINES?

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