July Wrap Up!

August 8, 2020August 8, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

Today I’m back with a July Wrap up. Things have been slowly returning to normal and I’ve been in work more so I’ve had less time to read. I did manage a total of 8 books, so lets dive in!

1. Music and Malice in Hurricane Town – Alex Bell
This was a book I picked up on a whim and ended up absolutely loving it. It follows a young girl living in a magical New Orleans as she becomes wrapped up in the murder of the cajou Queen. Forced to find out who killed her, Jude goes on a whirlwind adventure through the underworld of Baton Noir. It was a really gripping read and I ended up racing through it. (4.25/5 stars)

2. The Dark That Dwells – Matt Digman & Ryan Roody
This epic space adventure was my favourite book of the month. Full of action and adventure, I couldn’t put this one down. It’s a brilliant blend of science fiction and fantasy, following four strangers who become swept up in an epic adventure to stop an ancient evil from returning. I loved everything about this one, from the world building to the character and I highly recommend picking it up. (5/5 stars)

3. If I Had Your Face – Frances Cha
If I Had Your Face follows a group of women living in contemporary Seoul. In this society plastic surgery rules all and everyone is obsessed with looking beautiful. Each women is dealing with her own struggles of living in this society and it was such a fascinating story. The writing is gorgeous and I definitely recommend if you’re looking for some gripping contemporary fiction. (3.75/5 stars)

4. Harrow Lake – Kat Ellis
I absolutely love horror movies so when I heard about this story about the daughter of a famous horror movie director, I was instantly hooked. The story follows Lola as she returns to her mothers hometown and the place where her father filmed his cult classic. When she arrives she finds a town stuck in the past, with a number of mysterious secrets. This book was brilliantly creepy and I had such a fun time reading it. It’s a perfect read for Halloween! (4.5/5 stars)

5. Hinton Hollow Death Trip – Will Carver
Hinton Hollow Death Trip is completely unlike anything I have ever read before. It follows Detective Pace who is returning to his hometown after many years. The story is narrated by Evil, as over the course of a few days he inspires and nudges people to do evil things. This story has really short snappy chapters that had me turning pages faster and faster. (4/5 stars)

6. The Gilded Wolves – Roshani Chokshi
This is one I’ve wanted to read for a while and it was so much fun. A heist style novel about a group of individuals looking to steal magical artefacts, it very much gave me Six of Crows vibes. I really liked the characters and the plot was excited but I would have liked a bit more of a chance to get to know the world and the magic system before diving into the main story. (3.5/5 stars)

7. The Cry of the Lake – Charlie Tyler
This debut thriller might be short but boy it packs a punch. The story is set in a small town and follows a number of characters during the disappearance of a young school girl. When her body is discovered police find evidence to suspect one of her teachers. The evidence appears too neat, raising suspicions in police officer Annie and the suspect’s daughter Flo. But who would want to frame him and why? Full of twisty secrets, this was a mysterious and gripping read that I ended up reading in one day. (4/5 stars)

8. The Resident – David Jackson
This book honestly freaked me out so much. Serial killer Thomas Brogan is on the run when he finds refuge in an abandoned house. Whilst exploring he discovers he can access the homes of the neighbours through the attic and decides to have some fun while he’s lying low. I live in the type of house where this seems possible so it definitely creeped me out. A completely terrifying read, it hooks you in right from the very first page. (5/5 stars)

So those are the eight books I read in July! If you’ve read any of these I’d love to know what you thought as well as what books you’ve been reading in July!

June Wrap Up!

July 17, 2020July 4, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 4 Comments

June was another great reading month and I managed a total of nineteen books! These past few months are definitely the most I’ve ever read in a month. I’d love to be able to continue this for the rest of the year but with lockdown restrictions being eased in July I doubt I’m going to make it through as many. I’m going to keep things short and sweet because there are so many to get through but full reviews will be available for them all!

1. The Donor – Clare Macintosh
This is one of the Reading Agency’s Quick Reads for 2020. It’s a creepy little story about a young girl who recieves a transplant, and the parent of the deceased donor who inserts herself into the life of the young girl and her family. It was a fast paced read with a fun twist at the end, but would have loved a longer story. (3.5/5 stars)

2. The Curator – M W Craven
The third instalment in the Washington Poe series, this is rapidly becoming my favourite crime series of all time. Poe and Tilly are at it again, attempting to uncover the truth behind some gruesome murders in Cumbria. Despite being quite a thick book I completely devoured this, and I cannot wait for book four to come out. (5/5 stars)

3. Wonderland – Juno Dawson
Wonderland is the third instalment in Juno Dawson’s London Trilogy. Despite all the books being linked you can read them as standalones and this was my first book by Juno Dawson. A bright and modern take on the tale of Alice in Wonderland, I really enjoyed this story of friendship, finding yourself and the underworld of excess (4/5 stars)

4. Throne of Glass – Sarah J Maas
I’ve made a deal with myself that I’m going to attempt to finish as many series/read as many sequels as possible for the rest of 2020 so I thought the Throne of Glass series would be a great place to start since I only ever read the first two. Fast paced and addictive, I had so much fun rereading this, I honestly have no idea why it has taken me so long to pick up the rest of the series. (5/5 stars)

5. The Human Son – Adrian J Walker
This beautiful and moving tale follows a race of beings that have come to save the planet after the greed of humanity has almost destroyed it. After fixing all the problems humans have caused, they create a human in an experiment to see if they should be allowed to return to the planet. A really unique and inspiring read, I can’t wait to read more from this author (3.25/5 stars)

6. Little Creeping Things – Chelsea Ichaso
This was such a fast paced read that I ended up reading it pretty much in one sitting. The story of a young girl who jokingly plots the murder of her bully, and then the bully ends up dead. I guessed pretty early on who was behind it but it was still an incredibly gripping read. I also love that delightfully creepy cover. (3.75/5 stars)

7. Crown of Midnight – Sarah J Maas
Continuing on with my reread I read Crown of Midnight and I’m so glad I decided to reread the first couple because I remembered pretty much nothing about this. I loved seeing the relationships between the main characters develop and I thought this was a really solid sequel – very much excited to pick up Heir of Fire. (5/5 stars)

8. Darkness Rising – A A Dhand
Another of the 2020 Quick Reads, this is a prequel story in A A Dhand’s Detective Harry Virdee series. I saw the author speak at an event a number of years ago and always meant to pick up some of his books. I really enjoyed this fun and gritty little book and I’m definitely going to be trying a full length novel from this author. (3/5 stars)

9. Midnight’s Twins – Holly Race
This beautifully written tale about twins that end up following in their mother’s footsteps to become knights of the dream world Annun, it was such a unique tale and I absolutely devoured this one. I loved seeing the relationship between Fern and Ollie change as learn to become knights and there was tons of action. (4/5 stars)

10. Wilder Girls – Rory Power
This creepy story of a virus that plagues a school causing the girls to develop strange symptoms that destroy their bodies. I must admit that I had really high expectations for this book and while I did enjoy it, it wasn’t quite what I expected. A fascinating story and one loads of people will love. (3.5/5 stars)

11. The Trials of Apollo: Hidden Oracle – Rick Riordan
I took part in a readalong for this book and it was my first time reading a Rick Riordan book. It was such a fun read but I do kind of wish I had started with the Percy Jackson books instead. I’m definitely going to go back and read those first and then I’m going to continue on with the series. (3.5/5 stars)

12. The Falconer – Elizabeth May
This was one I pulled off my TBR at random and I’m so glad I did because I loved this so much. Steampunk Edinburgh, bad ass main character and monstrous creatures. I read the whole thing practically in one sitting and it was so much fun. I can’t believe it took me so long to pick this up and I’ve already ordered the other two books in the trilogy. (4/5 stars)

13. The Corset – Laura Purcell
I really loved The Silent Companions so I was really intrigued to pick up The Corset. This story was just as dark and eerie, and I absolutely adored it. The story of a young girl in prison for murder, she recounts her tale to a wealthy woman as their fates become intertwined. A brilliant tale and one of my favourites of the month. It was so cleverly executed, I didn’t want to put it down. (4.5/5 stars)

14. Notting Hill Carnival – Candice Carty Williams
My third Quick Reads book, this isn’t the sort of thing I would normally read but I was intrigued and ended up really enjoying it. A West Side Story type tale in which a boy and girl from rival gangs fall in love. It was a really quick read but like the other two I would have loved a bit more. (3/5 stars)

15. The Shamer’s Daughter – Lene Kaaberbol
This is another one that has been sitting on my TBR for some time and I’m so pleased that I finally picked it up. The beautifully written story of a world in which shamers can make people confess to their guilt and the story of a shamer’s daughter who is caught up in a plot to take over a town. It was fun and a great read if you’re looking for some light fantasy. (3/5 stars)

16. The Girl From Widow Hills – Megan Miranda
A dark and twisty new book from Megan Miranda, this follows a girl who survived a horrific accident in which she was swept away during a storm and survived three days in the drainage system. Haunted by her past she changes her name and moves away, but the past doesn’t stay buried for long. Gripping and a great ending, this was such a good story. (4/5 stars)

17. Call Me Joe – Martin Van Es & Andrew Crofts
This was a fascinating and thought provoking tale of an event in which the sun disappears for twelve minutes. After twelve minutes the sun returns and a man appears claiming to be the son of God, offering to help humanity make one last ditch effort to solve the problems that are destroying the plan. A really interesting read that I kept thinking about long after I’d finished reading. (4/5 stars)

18. The Last Human – Zack Jordan
This epic space opera follows Sarya, the last human in space. She’s also the thing the galaxy fears most. She has many questions about her past and why humans were deemed too dangerous, but has to contend with staying hidden at Watertower Station. When she encounters a bounty hunter events spiral out of control and Sarya ends up getting a lot more than she asked for. This one has plenty of action and is a really interesting read. (3/5 stars)

19. Elves War Fighting Manual – Den Patrick
I read the Orcs War Fighting Manual a few months back and decided it would be fun to pick up the next instalment. These are fun little fantasy books that recount the fighting styles of different races, they’re witty and quick little reads and I really enjoyed this one. I’m very intrigued to pick up the third and final book in the series, which focuses on the dwarves. (4/5 stars)

So those were the nineteen books I picked up in June. If you’ve read any of these I’d love to know what you thought, as well as what your favourite read of June was!

May Wrap Up!

June 13, 2020June 13, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

May was another great reading month and I managed to read seventeen books in total. I’m going to keep things quite short because getting through seventeen books will make this post absolutely massive, but I will link full reviews if you want to find out more – lets dive in!

1. Pine – Francine Toon
This was a leftover read from the OWLS Magical Readathon, which I ended up really enjoying. A beautifully written tale about life in the remote Scottish highlands, it was full of secrets and a brilliant sense of atmosphere (4/5 stars)

2. Dangerous Remedy – Kat Dunn
Set during the French Revolution, this story of daring heists, politics and a hint of magic was everything I wanted it to be and more. I absolutely raced through this fast paced tale and I’m so looking forward to book two. (4.5/5 stars)

3. The Book of Koli – M R Carey
This was my first time reading an M R Carey book and it was such a clever tale. A post-apocalyptic tale where even the trees are out to get you, one young boy dreams of being more than a Woodsmith. But when he manages to wake a piece of old world tech the consequences could be much higher than he anticipated. (4/5 stars)

4. Dispel Illusion – Mark Lawrence
The third and final book in Mark Lawrence’s Impossible Times trilogy, I absolutely loved this one and it was one of my favourite books of the month. I’m so sad to say goodbye to these characters, but Lawrence created a brilliant ending to the story. (5/5 stars)

5. Shade’s Children – Garth Nix
Shade’s Children was one of my favourite books growing up and I read it over and over so I thought it would be fun to revisit as an adult. It was just as dark and creepy as I remember it being and I absolutely loved it. It’s such a cleverly written tale and I can’t wait revisit more of Nix’s books in the future (5/5 stars)

6. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J K Rowling
After revisiting Shade’s Children I figured I might revisit the Harry Potter series and reread them as it’s been a few years since I read them physically, the last time was via audiobook. I really enjoyed this and was planning to continue on with the series however in light of J K Rowling’s recent comments, this has been put on hold. (5/5 stars)

7. In Plain Sight – Marion Todd
This fast paced tale set in Fife in Scotland follows DI Clare MacKay as she attempts to solve the case of a young child being kidnapped. A twisty and intriguing police procedural, I ended up really enjoying this one and will definitely be picking up more of the series (3.75/5 stars)

8. The Elite – Kiera Cass
Since the announcement that The Selection series was getting a Netflix adaptation I decided it was finally time to dig my copies out and give them a go. I read the first one and thought it was fun so went ahead with book two. In much the same vein it was light and fluffy, full of drama and the luxury of castle life. (3/5 stars)

9. All Your Twisted Secrets – Diana Urban
I must admit to being a little disappointed in this one. I thought it was going to be like One Of Us Is Lying, but found the story just a little bit too far fetched for my tastes. The story of five teenagers locked in a room with a bomb, and they must decide which one of them to kill so that the rest can live. (2.5/5 stars)

10. Burn – Patrick Ness
This was my third time reading a book by Patrick Ness and I think this is my favourite one so far. The story of an alternate 1950s America in which dragons live alongside humans, it was an intriguing story and one I found difficult to put down. (4/5 stars)

11. Aurora Burning – Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
One of my most anticipated releases of the year, this was everything I was hoping for and more. Squad 312 are back, and the stakes are even higher than they were last time. The book ended on the most awful cliffhanger and I’m already desperate to find out what’s going to happen in book three. (5/5 stars)

12. The Deck of Omens – Christine Lynn Herman
The conclusion to The Devouring Gray duology, The Deck of Omens was an interesting sequel. I preferred book one in terms of the story, but it was fascinating to get answers to the questions left in book one and Herman wrapped up the duology nicely. (3.75/5 stars)

13. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Suzanne Collins
I must confess to be massively disappointed in this one. I loved The Hunger Games growing up and I was so excited by this prequel but I really disliked Snow and I struggled to slog through the second part of the book and the only bit I really enjoyed was the last fifty-eighty pages. (2.5/5 stars)

14. Highfire – Eoin Colfer
This crazy and unique tale is follows Verne the dragon – one of the last of his kind as he ends up taking on a human familiar and becomes tangled up in a drug war and sinister plot from the local police Constable. Action packed and full of humour, this was a really fun read. (3/5 stars)

15. A Conjuring of Assassins – Cate Glass
The sequel to An Illusion of Thieves, this was another most anticipated release for me. The Chimera are back at it again, and this time the heist is on an even bigger scale. I love the world Glass has created in this and I can’t wait for the next instalment. (4/5 stars)

16. Girls of Paper and Fire – Natasha Ngan
Girls of Paper and Fire had a massive amount of buzz surrounding it when it first came out and I have been excited to read it for a long time. While I still really enjoyed this it didn’t quite live up to the hype and I felt the story was a bit slow and that the Demon King was a bit one-dimensional. It was still a fascinating story though, and I’m intrigued to see where the sequel goes (3.5/5 stars)

17. The Turn of the Key – Ruth Ware
This was my first time reading a Ruth Ware and my god it was creepy. I absolutely loved this and I’m definitely planning to pick up some more of her books in the near future. Inspired by The Turn of the Screw, this story features a strange ‘smart home’, creepy children, family secrets and so many twists you’ll never see coming. (4.25/5 stars)

So those are the seventeen books I managed to read in May. I’m not sure how I can top that in June but I’m going to try. If you’ve read any of these I’d love to know what you thought, as well as what your favourite book of June was!

April Wrap Up!

May 10, 2020May 7, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

April has been a crazy month, with most of the world being in lock down. It’s been a difficult few weeks but one positive is that it has given me loads of time to read. April ended up being a terrific reading month and I read 20 books. I’m going to keep this quite short otherwise getting through 20 books would make this post massive!

1. Magic For Liars – Sarah Gailey
This murder mystery set in a magic school was an interesting and engaging read. I had seen it described as ‘Veronica Mars at Hogwarts’ and I think that’s a pretty apt description! (3/5 stars)

2. The Cold Is In Her Bones – Paternelle Van Arsdale
I picked this up on a whim and found it to be quite a fun and eerie tale. The story of a village cursed by a woman who was cast out, young women in the village become possessed by demons. Quite a quick read and enjoyed the fairy tale like quality. (3/5 stars)

3. Viper – Bex Hogan
I’ve had a copy of this book for a while but I finally picked it up and I’m so glad I did. Bloodthirsty pirates, revenge plots and mysterious magical powers, I couldn’t get enough of this one and absolutely raced through it. (4.5/5 stars)

4. Prosper’s Demon – K J Parker
This extremely short novella follows an unnamed narrator as he exercises demons from the local people. It was a fun and fascinating tale the perfect quick read. A unique story, it definitely made me want to try more from this author. (3.75/5 stars)

5. Hold Back the Tide – Melinda Salisbury
I loved everything about this book. Eerie atmospheric setting, long buried secrets and a hint of something supernatural? I’m sold. The story of a young girl living in the Scottish highlands with her murderer father, it’s one of my favourite books of the year so far. (5/5 stars)

6. The Dark Knight Returns – Frank Miller
I thought I would revisit a graphic novel I haven’t read since University and it was such a fun reread. This dark tale follows Batman as he returns to save Gotham after many years. He’s older and not as capable as he once was, but that isn’t going to stop him. (4/5 stars)

7. Heart of Thorns – Bree Barton
Heart of Thorns is the first in a YA trilogy featuring a young woman forced to marry a prince but soon discovers she has powers that she will be hunted for. It falls into a lot of typical YA tropes, but it was a fun read and I’m interested to see what book two brings. (3/5 stars)

8. Bloodchild – Anna Stephens
Bloodchild is the third and final instalment in one of my favourite grimdark trilogies. Bloody, brutal and heartbreaking, it was everything I was hoping for and more. I already want to go back and reread the series. (5/5 stars)

9. Bookish and the Beast – Ashley Poston
Ashley Poston is a genius at creating these geeky retellings. Bookish and the Beast might be my favourite ever. I loved the way she worked in the fairy tale and it was also nice to get glimpses of characters we met in book one and book two! (4.5/5 stars)

10. Every Heart A Doorway – Seanan McGuire
This series has a lot of buzz so I thought I would try it on audiobook to see what the fuss was about and oh I’m so glad I did. I completely loved this magical story full of unique worlds and fascinating characters (4.25/5 stars)

11. The Lodger – C L Taylor
This short story is available to people signed up for C L Taylor’s book club. It was a fun read with a surprise twist at the end, but I would have loved for it to be a bit longer to give you the chance to get to know the characters. (2.75/5 stars)

12. Down Among the Sticks and Bones – Seanan McGuire
After loving book one so much I decided to dive right back into book two and this one was definitely my favourite. Jack and Jill are without a doubt my favourite characters and it was brilliant seeing them on the moors. (5/5 stars)

13. One Of Us Is Next – Karen M. McManus
I really enjoyed One Of Us Is Lying so was interested to see how Karen M. McManus would handle a sequel. It was interesting to revisit some of the characters from book one and it was a fast paced read, but I did guess the twists quite early on. (3.5/5 stars)

14. Strangers – C. L Taylor
C L Taylor has done it again with another fast paced and unputdownable thriller. Every time she releases a new book I need to just spend the day reading it because I know I won’t be able to put it down. (5/5 stars)

15. Beneath the Sugar Sky – Seanan McGuire
I am pretty much obsessed with the Wayward Children series at this point. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the previous two – I found Rini a bit on the irritating side, but I still completely love the world and the adventures they get up to. (3.75/5 stars)

16. King of Fools – Amanda Foody
WHY did I wait so long to pick this one up? Amanda Foody had me on the edge of my seat with this one. I really love the world she has created and I’ve become so attached to the characters. Equal parts excited and terrified to see how it all ends in Queen of Volts (5/5 stars)

17. In An Absent Dream – Seanan McGuire
I must admit that the Goblin Market was one of the worlds that intrigued me most. Lundy’s story is a really sad one and it made me appreciate her character all the more. (4/5 stars)

18. Firewalkers – Adrian Tchaikovsky
A story where the Earth is burning and three young people must risk their lives in the burning desert to repair solar panels for the rich, this was a gripping read. Featuring creepy AI’s and monstrous creepy crawlies, I really enjoyed this one. (4/5 stars)

19. Seeker – Cate Tiernan
Continuing my reread of the Wicca series with book number 10. It was interesting seeing things from Hunter’s perspective for a change, but I kind of missed Morgan. Looking forward to rereading the last five books. (3.75/5 stars)

20. Come Tumbling Down – Seanan McGuire
I was overjoyed to learn that the next book in the series would be returning to the moors. I enjoyed this one just as much and honestly would love a full length novel just of the magnificent characters McGuire has created in the moors. (5/5 stars)

So those are all the books I read in April! I still can’t quite believe I managed to read 20 books in one month, hoping I can do just as many in May. If you’ve read any of these I’d love to know your thoughts, as well as what books you read in April!

OWLS Readathon Wrap Up!

May 8, 2020May 3, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

I originally posted a TBR for the OWLS readathon which you can take a look at here, but pretty much didn’t stick to it and ended up reading other things so I thought it would be fun to post a quick round up of what books I read and which exams I completed!

Ancient Runes (heart on the cover): Heart of Thorns – Bree Barton

Arithmancy (something outside your favourite genre): Strangers – C. L. Taylor

Astronomy (read this book at night): Hold Back the Tide – Melinda Salisbury

Charms (white cover): One Of Us Is Next – Karen M. McManus

Defence Against the Dark Arts (book set at sea): Viper – Bex Hogan

Divination (assign numbers to your TBR): Firewalkers – Adrian Tchaikovsky

Herbology (title that starts with M): Magic for Liars – Sarah Gailey

History of Magic (book with witches): Seeker – Cate Tiernan

Muggle Studies (read a contemporary): Bookish and the Beast – Ashley Poston

Potions (under 150 pages): Prosper’s Demon K J Parker

Transfiguration (features shapeshifting): The Cold Is In Her Bones – Peternelle Van Arsdale

So I managed to complete eleven out of twelve exams, I started reading Pine by Francine Toon for Care of Magical Creatures but didn’t finish it till May 1st. Overall I’m really pleased with how I got on with this readathon and I’m really looking forward to the NEWTS in August!

March Wrap Up!

April 15, 2020April 14, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

July 23, 2019 (13)
March was a bit of an odd month for me, I ended up in hospital towards the end of the month and have been ill ever since so I didn’t do as much reading as I’d hoped. I did however manage to get through eight of the books on my TBR – so here they are!

1. In the Tall Grass – Stephen King & Joe Hill
After struggling to find something to watch on Netflix I ended up watching the movie adaptation of this novella by Stephen King and Joe Hill. Like pretty much everything by these authors it was strange and eerie and I wasn’t really sure what was going on. I decided to have a go at the novella and it was a fun and quick read, although not something I’d be likely to pick up again. I definitely preferred it to the film adaptation though. (2.5/5 stars)

2. Last Ones Left Alive – Sarah Davis-Goff
Last Ones Left Alive follows the story of three women fighting to survive in a zombie infested Ireland. Last Ones Left Alive is a fierce and feminist tale of friendship, love and survival. I read it in a single afternoon and I still think about what a strong and powerful story it was. I really enjoyed the simple, raw writing style and I’m keen to try more from Sarah Davis-Goff in the future. (3/5 stars)

3. Of Curses and Kisses – Sandhya Menon
I love retellings so when I heard about a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast I was sold. This is my first time reading a book by Sandhya Menon and I enjoyed the fun and fast paced story of boarding school romance. It was a light and fluffy read, and it was the perfect story to get lost in when you need a pick me up. It was a fresh and interesting take on such a well known tale and I absolutely flew through this one. (3.5/5 stars)

4. Frozen Beauty – Lexa Hillyer
I really enjoyed Lexa Hillyer’s Spindle Fire so was really interested to see what she would do with a contemporary novel. The story follows three sisters in a small town full of secrets. When one mysteriously dies, the remaining two sisters must figure out the truth behind her death as well as find a way to live with their grief. A twisty tale that deals with family, sisterhood and grief, I found this one hard to put down. (4/5 stars)

5. Wicked As You Wish – Rin Chupeco
I can’t believe it has taken me this long to pick up a book by Rin Chupeco. I’ve had The Bone Witch on my TBR for ages but haven’t gotten around to it, and when an ARC of this arrived through the post I decided to have a go. I completely adored this wonderful tale of magic, friendship and battle. It was completely unputdownable and I cannot wait to read the next instalment. I’ve also now bumped The Bone Witch to the very top of my TBR because I cannot get enough of her writing. (5/5 stars)

6. The Devouring Gray – Christine Lynn Herman
The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman has been on my TBR for absolutely ages and it was one of those books I was really excited to read and somehow it just slipped through the cracks. I finally picked it up and I totally loved it. It has pretty much everything I love – creepy little town, weird cult like families with mysterious powers and tons of secrets. I read the last hundred pages or so on the edge of my seat and my next read is definitely going to be The Deck of Omens because I just can’t wait to find out what happens next. (4.5/5 stars)

7. Liquid Crystal Nightingale – Eeleen Lee
This space opera meets political thriller is an intense and clever debut, following the story of Pleo Tanza as she survives life on Chatoyance. With her father the only survivor in a mining tragedy and her sister dead, Pleo finds herself framed for the murder of one of her classmates, and wrapped up in a series of events that could change life on Chatoyance forever. Quick paced and exciting, this was a really enjoyable read. (3/5 stars)

8. Mortmain Hall – Martin Edwards
Mortmain Hall is the second instalment in the Rachel Savernake series. The story follows Rachel, an amateur sleuth as she attempts to uncover the mystery of a tragic death at her estate during a dinner party. Set in the 1930s, this tale is gripping and intense and gave me serious Agatha Christie vibes. If you’re looking for a beautifully told story to capture your attention this is definitely it. I haven’t read the first book so this can definitely be read as a standalone, but I’m looking forward to picking up book one too. (4/5 stars)

So those are the books I read in March! I’d love to know which books you read in March and if you’ve read any of these what you thought!

January Wrap Up!

February 2, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 7 Comments

January was a really good reading month. I only managed to read eight books, but I gave everything 3.5 stars or above, which I’m really pleased about. I think I’m getting better at knowing if something is going to be to my taste before I pick it up. I also managed to read five of the eight books I put on my monthly TBR so I’m pretty pleased with that. So let’s dive into the books I read in January!

1. The God Game – Danny Tobey
This fast paced and clever thriller follows a group of kids who start playing a mysterious game known only as the G.O.D. Game. Do what it wants and you win prizes, but refuse and you could wind up dead. It was action packed and I loved the group dynamic the super intelligent kids working together to defeat the game – definitely a great way to start off my 2020 reading. (5/5 stars)

2. The Last Wish – Andrzej Sapakowski
I finally picked up the first book in The Witcher series after having meant to read it for absolutely ages. I really enjoyed this introduction into the world of monsters and magic, and I’m so looking forward to continuing on the series. This book is a short story collection so it was really easy to dip in and out of the book. (4.5/5 stars)

3. Loki: Where Mischef Lies – Mackenzi Lee
This is the first in a three part series featuring characters from the Marvel Universe. The story follows Loki as he is sent on an assignment to Earth. It’s a fun read and I enjoyed getting to see more of Loki and really getting to know his character. I did feel the story was a bit on the predictable side and preferred the first half of the book where Loki is in Asgard. (3.5/5 stars)

4. All the Rage – Cara Hunter
This was my first time reading a book by Cara Hunter and I completely loved this addictive, fast paced thriller. The story follows the abduction of a young girl who escapes her captor. She’s reluctant to talk to police, but another girl also goes missing so she has no choice but to tell the police her secrets. This book had so many twists I didn’t see coming and I can’t wait to read more from this author. (4.5/5 stars)

5. The Unadjusteds – Marisa Noelle
This is a fascinating story about a world in which genetic modifications have taken over the planet – but how far is too far? It’s a great action/adventure story featuring a kick-ass main character and plenty of high stakes moments. It gave me serious hunger games vibes and I’m really hoping for a sequel. (3.75/5 stars)

6. Spellhacker – M. K. England
I’ve always wanted to read The Disasters so I was so excited when I got an ARC of Spellhacker. This unique and engaging story features a heist gone wrong, a brilliant squad of characters and a community helping corporation who might not be as goody goody as they appear. I raced through this because it was just such an addictive read and I’m definitely going to pick up a copy of The Disasters. (4/5 stars)

7. All the Wandering Light – Heather Fawcett
This is the sequel to Even the Darkest Stars a book I absolutely loved when I read it in 2018. The story follows the same characters the really fascinating world that Fawcett has created, but somehow it didn’t grab me quite as much as the first book did. I still really enjoyed it and think it made for a really terrific ending to the story. (4/5 stars)

8. A Queen in Hiding – Sarah Kozloff
A Queen in Hiding was definitely my favourite book of January. I completely fell in love with this epic fantasy tale of Queen Cressa and her daughter, fighting to keep the throne from those who wish to overthrow her. It was full of heart stopping moments, brilliant characters and plenty of epic battles. I’m desperate to get my hands on book two, but fortunately Sarah Kozloff is releasing the four part series over the course of four months, so I won’t have to wait too long for book two! (5/5 stars)

So those are the books I read in January! I’d love to know what your favourite read of the month was, and if you’ve read any of these what you thought!

June Wrap Up!

July 22, 2019July 21, 2019 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 7 Comments

My super late wrap ups continue with all the lovely books I read in June!

1. What Lies Around Us – Andrew Crofts
This is a little book that packs a punch, following a ghostwriter who delves into the secrets behind Hollywood and Silicon Valley. It was twisty, exciting and I really enjoyed this one. Full review for my stop on the blog tour can be found here! (4/5 stars)

2. The Boy With the Porcelain Blade – Den Patrick
I thought it might be time for a reread of one of my favourite series. I raced through this dark and addictive fantasy story. It was so fun to return to a world that I love so much. Lucien is probably one of my favourite characters of all time, and I definitely think this is an underrated series. Looking forward to continuing my reread with books two and three. (5/5 stars)

3. The Colarado Kid – Stephen King
This was a fascinating little novella, the first in Titan’s Hard Case Crime series. It was the perfect read for a Sunday afternoon and I ended up reading it in one sitting with the story winding you in deeper and deeper. It’s written very much like an old detective tale and was a really fun read. I really liked that there’s no clear resolution at the end, and it’s left quite ambiguous. (3/5 stars)

4. Beautiful Disaster – Jamie McGuire
This was absolutely not for me. I was in the mood for a light and fluffy read and thought I might give it a go but I really struggled to finish it. Both the main characters were horrible and when they weren’t making each other miserable they were screaming at each other or treating the other like a possession. I also felt the whole plot was so dramatic and over the top, definitely won’t be continuing this series. (1.5/5 stars)

5. Maresi – Maria Turtschaninoff
This is a series that I’ve wanted to read for a while and I’m so glad I finally picked up the first book in the series – I completely fell in love! This is such a beautifully written tale and I adored the cast of characters and the stunning island they called home. I cannot wait to continue into book two, and if you want to read my full thoughts my review can be found here! (4/5 stars)

6. The Wolf – Leo Carew
The Wolf is pretty much my idea of a perfect book. The story of two warring kingdoms and their leaders who will stop at nothing to win. It was a thrilling read and I loved the high stakes, the political intrigue and the devious tactics the characters use to try and gain the upper hand. The Spider is definitely high on my TBR list for next month because I need to know what’s going to happen next. (5/5 stars)

7. The Silent Patient – Alex Michaelides
I’ve been reading more and more thrillers recently and so I’ve been guessing plot twists more frequently. However the twist in this one completely blew my mind. Every time I made up my mind how it was going to end it went in a completely different direction. This is one of those super fast paced, dark thrillers that will have you on the edge of your seat. (4/5 stars)

8. The Ballad of Black Tom – Victor LaValle
I saw this book mentioned on BookTube and thought it sounded like a quick, engrossing read. For some reason I struggled to connect with the story. It was well written and interesting but it ended up taking me ages to finish it and I found myself kind of slogging through it. I think because the book is so short you only really get a snapshot of the world and the magic, and I struggled to get to grips with it. (2.5/5 stars)

9. The Tall Man – Phoebe Locke
This was kind of giving me Slender Man vibes and I thought it sounded like just thing I was in the mood for. I love those mysteries where you never quite know if it’s supernatural or not. It follows several different timelines and perspectives, which can at times be a little confusing. It is a quick and dark read though, one that I think thriller fans will really enjoy. (3.5/5 stars)

10. The Kingdom – Jess Rothenberg
This is a bit of a difficult one for me. I really really enjoyed this book. It’s a brilliant science fiction tale about an AI who works in a fantasy theme park. She’s there to help guests in any way, but when she starts to develop emotions things quickly spiral out of control. It was a terrific read but I think I had built it up in my head a bit too much, so even though it was really good I still felt a little disappointed. That’s probably just me though! (4/5 stars)

11. An Illusion of Thieves – Cate Glass
This was definitely the surprise read of the month. I picked this up on a whim and ended up completely adoring this epic fantasy with a fantastic mix of characters. The plot was exciting and I raced through this and I’m already desperate for more. This will easily end up on my favourite books of 2019 list. (5/5 stars)

So those are all the books I read in June! If you’ve read any of them I’d love to know what you thought and also what your favourite June reads were!

May Wrap Up!

June 21, 2019 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 8 Comments

I definitely feel like I’ve got my reading mojo back recently and in May I managed to read 15 books. Some of them are just little novellas rather than full books but I had a really interesting reading month overall, so lets dive in!

1. Exit Strategy – Martha Wells
I’ve steadily been working my way through The Murderbot Diaries on audio because they’re fun and interesting reads. This is the fourth instalment in the series and while I enjoyed it, I felt it was getting a bit repetitive. The narrator does a really brilliant job of bringing Murderbot to life and the whole series make for really quick reads. I’m caught up on the series now and looking forward to the next instalment which is due for release in 2020. (3/5 stars)

2. Sea Witch – Sara Henning
Sea Witch is a dark retelling which focuses on the Ursula character in The Little Mermaid. This was another audio book read for me and I fell in love with the characters. It was a fast paced read and the narrator was fabulous. I thought the book came to a really interesting conclusion and I assumed it was a standalone but there is a second instalment coming out which I’m really intrigued to read because I’m not sure where the author can go next. Full review is here if you want to know more! (4/5 stars)

3. Aurora Rising – Ami Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
I LOVED this book. The story of a bunch of misfits tasked with saving the galaxy was everything I needed and I’m crediting this book with pulling me out of my reading slump. I adored everything about this book from the characters to the fun, action packed plot. I’m already desperate for more and I’m absolutely going to reread this one soon. My full review for this is here if you want to know more! (5/5 stars)

4. Joker – Brian Azzello
This is a graphic novel I’ve had on my shelf for quite a while so I decided to pick it up one afternoon. I read it in one sitting and I did enjoy it, but it felt kind of forgettable? I only remember the very basics of the story. It felt very much like a crime story that happened to have Batman and Joker in it rather than a superhero tale. I wasn’t all that keen on the art style either, so overall it felt very average. (2.5/5 stars)

5. Wicked Saints – Emily A. Duncan
This was another book that I really really enjoyed. The magic system in this book really intrigued me and I really fell in love with the story. It could have done with a bit more character development and I’m hoping this is something that is addressed in the next book in the series. Full review for Wicked Saints is here! (4.5/5 stars)

6. As Far As the Stars – Virginia Macgregor
This book was so cute! The story of two characters with family members on a plane that has crashed, it’s a sweet and fascinating story as they attempt to deal with what has happened to the plane and explore their feeling for each other. It’s the perfect summer road trip novel and there are lots of really beautiful moments in the story. I took part in the blog tour for this so you can see my stop here if you want to know more. (4/5 stars)

7. Locked In – Mark Lawrence
I recently discovered some Mark Lawrence short stories that I hadn’t read so I quickly snapped up the opportunity to read them (they’ve available on his website). This one was my favourite, a quick and dark little story that kept me hooked the whole way through. A perfect read if you’ve got some time to kill and easily read in one sitting. (4/5 stars)

8. Quick – Mark Lawrence
This was another of the short stories. This one felt a bit shorter so I didn’t feel like I got the chance to get to know the character as much, but it was still a fun little story featuring a young man with strange powers – again this would be perfect if you were waiting for something and had a bit of time to kill – a fun and light read! (3/5 stars)

9. The Princess and the Fangirl – Ashley Poston
I love love loved Geekarella so I was super excited to read The Princess and the Fangirl and it was everything I wanted and more. The story is a retelling of The Princess and the pauper and features two adorable romances, one is also female/female and they were just the cutest! I really enjoyed reading this and it was so fun to see characters from Geekarella pop up. Kind of hoping Ashley Poston continues with this and does more of these geeky retellings because I’m obsessed. (4.25/5 stars)

10. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – Holly Jackson
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this up. There was lots of buzz around this at YALC last year and I was interested to give it a go. It ended up being quite an intense, twisty thriller and every theory I came up with ended up being shot down. There were plenty of twists that I absolutely did not see coming. (4/5 stars)

11. The Selection – Kiera Cass
I finally got around to reading the first book in The Selection series and I totally get what everyone was telling me. It wasn’t exactly a ground breaking read but it was fast paced and I couldn’t seem to put the book down. It was an addictive story and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next. (3.5/5 stars)

12. Limited Wish – Mark Lawrence
This was probably my favourite book of the month and I’m pretty obsessed with this series. The second instalment of the Impossible Times trilogy was just as brilliant as book one and I raced through this book because I was just so desperate to know what was going to happen to Nick and the gang. Full review for this one can be found over here. (5/5 stars)

13. My Secret Lies With You – Faye Bird
This was a strange little thriller about a young girl who makes friends with a group of people on holiday. Someone they met last year has gone missing and the group attempt to unravel that secrets around her disappearance. This was another one that I finished very quickly, it’s an exciting readable tale that I think thriller fans will really enjoy. (4/5 stars)

14. Green Arrow: Midas Touch – Dan Jurgens
This was just not for me. I really like Green Arrow and picked up a copy of this New 52 graphic novel but I didn’t get on with it at all. I thought the story was quite slow, it was all action with very little plot. I didn’t feel like I got to know any of the characters and I didn’t really care for the art style. (2/5 stars)

15. Evidence of the Affair – Taylor Jenkins Reid
I saw a few booktubers talking about this novella written by the author of Daisy Jones and the Six. The story follows a woman who discovers her husband is having an affair and so tells the lovers husband all about it. The two strike up a friendship as they attempt to deal with their partners lies and secrets. It’s all told through letters and it was a really fascinating read. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author because this is the second time I’ve read something from her that wasn’t my kind of thing and loved it. (4/5 stars)

So those are all the books I read in May! I definitely found some new favourites and I’m hoping I can read just as many in June. Definitely let me know what you’ve been reading recently and if you’ve read any of these I’d loved to know what you thought!

April Wrap Up!

May 30, 2019May 31, 2019 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 8 Comments

I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus these last two weeks but I’m back and today I thought I would share my April wrap up. I seem to have managed to get out of the slump and managed to complete 12 books in April!

1. Daisy Jones and the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Daisy Jones and the Six is definitely not the kind of book I would normally read but it completely sucked me in and totally lived up to the hype. I ended up loving it way more than I thought I would and I can’t wait to read more from Taylor Jenkins Reid. My full review for Daisy Jones can be found here. (4/5 stars)

2. Muse of Nightmares – Laini Taylor
To coincide with the paperback release of this gorgeous book I was asked to participate in the blog tour. Muse of Nightmares is the sequel to Strange the Dreamer, a beautifully told fantasy story full of magic and adventure. I loved Muse of Nightmares just as much as I loved the first book in the series and I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it. You can check out my stop on the blog tour here. (5/5 stars)

3. Sleep – C. L. Taylor
C. L. Taylor is fast becoming one of my favourite crime writers. Every single one of her books has had me on the edge of my seat. Sleep is a dark and twisty tale about a group of people staying at a hotel on a remote Scottish island. Everyone has secrets, but is one of them planning murder? I was completely shocked by the ending and I loved every second. Full review for this one is here! (4.5/5 stars)

4. Star Crossed – Minnie Darke
This was such a cute and fun contemporary story! Star-Crossed revolves around star signs and really brings a fresh perspective to the contemporary genre. I completely adored the characters and was hooked on the story. This was another blog tour that I participated in so if you want to find out more you can check out my stop here. (3.5/5 stars)

5. The Devil Aspect – Craig Russell
This book was so dark and creepy I couldn’t get enough. Craig Russell completely sucked me in with this story and I almost missed my train stop a few times because I was absorbed in the story. A mixture of historical fiction, horror and thriller – this story packs a punch and is full of excitement and quite a bit of gore. If you’re intrigued and you can find my full review here. (4.5/5 stars)

6. The Fandom Rising – Anna Day
Anna Day is back with a fun and exciting sequel to The Fandom. In this instalment some of the characters return to the world of The Gallows Dance and there’s an added mystery going on in the real world. It was great to return to the characters we fell in love with in book one and I really enjoyed the story. (Review here!) (3.5/5 stars)

7. Summer Bird Blue – Akemi Dawn Bowman
Starfish was one of my favourite books of 2018 so I was really excited to read Summer Bird Blue. The story follows a young girl dealing with the loss of her sister in a car crash. The story is emotional and I loved the connection with music, but I didn’t mesh with the characters in the same way I did Starfish. (3/5 stars)

8. The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes – Neil Gaiman
I absolutely adore Neil Gaiman but for some reason I’ve never picked up The Sandman graphic novels. I rectified that this month by reading the first instalment – Preludes and Nocturnes. It was dark and gripping and the art work was completely stunning. I’m really looking forward to continuing the series and can’t wait to pick up volume two! (3.5/5 stars)

9. Release – Patrick Ness
I picked this up while on holiday because it sounded like a really fascinating story about a day in the life of young Adam Thorn and a mysterious ghost that brings about the end of the world. It felt like I was reading two completely different stories and it left me feeling a bit disappointed. (2.5/5 stars)

10. The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien
I’m trying to reread some of my favourite books of all time so I figured this was the perfect opportunity to reread The Hobbit. No matter how many times I read it I still completely fall in love with the story. It’s such a well written tale and I already want to reread it again sometime soon. I’m definitely going to try and reread the Lord of the Rings books before the end of the year too. (5/5 stars)

11. The Lives Before Us – Juliet Conlin
I absolutely loved The Uncommon Life of Alfred Warner in Six Days by Juliet Conlin so I was so excited to pick up her new book. This is such a beautiful and moving tale set during the Second World War. It’s full of heart and and it’s definitely a book I still think about even though I finished it ages ago. I can’t wait to see what Juliet writes next! (4/5 stars)

12. Emily Eternal – M. G. Wheaton
I’m pretty sure I read this book in a single day. Emily Eternal is a science fiction story about an AI named Emily who is designed to help human trauma. The sun is dying and Emily discovers a secret that might save humanity, she must go on the run with her human friends and attempt to stop the end of the world. It’s jam packed with danger, excitement and adventure. It’s definitely a must read. (4/5 stars)

So those are all the books I read in April! I had an excellent reading month with lots of really brilliant books and I’m hoping that it will continue for the rest of the year!

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Tag: wrap up

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