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Book Review: Beyond the Shadowed Earth by Joanna Ruth Meyer

A- | If I could hold up another book as the PERFECT example of mythology and worldbuilding, I’d move Beneath the Haunting Sea to the side and hold this one higher up instead. Beyond the Shadowed Earth takes what was good about the previous standalone book in this universe and makes it better. Quite frankly, this book is far more compelling and impressive. Eda makes for a far better protagonist than Talia. The mythology and worldbuilding are much more extensive here. Still, although I liked the story overall, the ending was a bit meh and there were certain things that made it hard to suspend my disbelief.

This standalone book that’s set in the same universe as SEA, but you don’t need to read the previous book. It does help to read it so you can understand the mythology better, but this book tells Eda’s story rather than it being a continuation of Talia’s story. If you’re like me and the type of person who wants to understand the myths and how the universe works, then yes, you should read the previous book.

Make sure to read all the way through the end to get information about the giveaway!

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Flash Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Stunning, magnificent, stupendous. There are only a few books out there that I can honestly say that I:

1) Adored to the moon & back & back again

2) Immediately want to reread

3) Can say made me weep

4) Find absolutely beautifully raw and stunning.

This is the best book I have ever read. Yes, I’m saying this straight from my very soul — THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO is the best book I have ever read, hands down.

I’m not even sure if I’m going to write a full review of this book because I am so utterly in love with this book that all I’m going to end up doing is screaming about my love for it.

I want everyone out there to read this book ASAP. Don’t walk to the bookstore. RUN to one or to a library to get this book. Absolute must-read.

Flash Review: One Dark Throne (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake

A+ | People always talk about “second book syndrome” and I can tell you straight up? This book absolutely does not suffer from it. It is everything I had hoped for and more. This book is so good that I didn’t even notice it was midnight on January 1st because I was so enthralled. It is fast-paced and it doesn’t leave you time to breathe because there is always something happening.

I loved Katherine even more in this book. If I had to rank which queens are my favorite, it would be Katherine, Mirabella, and Arsinoe. They are all compelling, interesting characters, but I think that Katherine has become the most interesting one. She is ruthless, out for blood, and I gotta say, I’m looking forward to seeing what the next with her (& her sisters, of course, but mostly Katherine).

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Book Review: Fall of the Elves (Elves of Asarton #1) by Alexis Samson

A- | Stunning. What can I say? This book is absolutely stunning. From the plot to the worldbuilding, to the characters themselves, and to the writing, everything came together to create this magical book. While there were issues that populate the book, they didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this novel.

I’ve said this before, but it’s always hard to write reviews for books that I adore because I end up rambling.

Alexis contacted me and after reading the synopsis, I agreed to read and review this book. Again, I love me some fantasy and the moment I saw dragons and elves and dreams, I just leapt at the opportunity.

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Book Review: Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison

B | This is a solid thriller/mystery book that had me on the edge of my seat half the time. It’s a dark and twisting tale. It has elements of Gossip Girl tossed into the mix, although this is certainly more grown-up. From the very first page, this book refuses to let you go. It makes you go back and forth, making you question what is truth vs. lies.

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Flash Review: The Cult Called Freedom House (Sophia Rey #1) by Stephanie Evelyn

D | I don’t mind reading books with gore and dark topics so it’s not even the contents of the book itself that dropped this down to this grade. If anything, it’s the fact that this book reads like a rough draft. It’s simply an outline. There’s absolutely no substance what so ever in this book. The only reason it’s not getting a lower star rating (or none at all) is because the author did a good job depicting how cults work and what they do to their members. Aside from that, this book was a straight-up disappointment. I should have expected it when I saw how short the book was, but I was at least expecting something more than a rough draft getting published somehow.

Flash Review: Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake

B+ | This is what I can an introductory book. It sets up the stage for the chaos, drama, and madness that is (hopefully) to come. We get to meet the three sister queens, Katherine, Mirabella, and Arsinoe. Long story short, they’re goddess appointed with abilities and need to kill each other for the crown.

Although this book started out really slow, once you get to the middle portion of the book, things pick up and become much more exciting. It’s well worth pushing through the first half of the book to get to the good stuff. I absolutely will be continuing with this series.

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Book Review: Beneath the Haunting Sea (Beneath the Haunting Sea #1) by Joanna Ruth Meyer

A-/B+ | If there’s one book I can hold up as the PERFECT example of how to do mythology, this is that book. The mythology within this gothic book is stunning. And the worldbuilding? chef kiss. You guys know how much I adore excellent worldbuilding. This rich mythology and worldbuilding are wrapped up nicely with a super exciting (but not so well-paced) plot and characters you want to strangle and hug. Unfortunately, this doesn’t get a perfect grade because of it’s pacing and unnatural, forced romance. Nonetheless, the ending was satisfying and well worth the less cool parts.

Minor spoilers below.

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December 2019 TBR aka The Books I NEED to Finish Before 2020 Because I Said So !

Look, I know it’s already week 2 of December 2019, but ya know what?? I blame nursing school. My last final is on the 16th. Why am I even making this blog post NOW of all times?

Distraction !! Escaping responsibilities !!!!!

Actual RL picture of me trying to survive the next 7 days

But !! Once my med surg final is over on the 16th, I’m going to jump straight into trying to finish all of these books:

  • Beneath the Haunting Sea (Beneath the Haunting Sea #1) by Joanna Ruth Meyer
  • Beyond the Shadowed Earth (Beneath the Haunting Sea #2) by Joanna Ruth Meyer (ARC was provided by Page Street Kids; review is to be posted on Jan. 11th 2020)
  • Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison (eARC was provided by HARLEQUIN – MIRA; review will be posted on Jan. 2nd 2020)
  • Fall of the Elves (Elves of Asarton #1) by Alexis Samson (a copy of this book was provided to me by the author, Alexis Samson, in exchange for a review)

Now, as for these books below… well, I don’t NEED to finish them before 2020, but I’d really like to try nonetheless:

  • Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake
  • Clouded By Envy (Laith #1) by Candace Robinson

Can I do this? Well sh:t I need to try.

How about you guys? What’s on your December tbr?

Flash Review: Frozen 2: Forest of Shadows by Kamilla Benko

A | Not gonna lie, I did a double-take reading this book. I had to check whether this was middle grade or YA. But in any case, this book was fantastic. Kamilla captured Anna’s voice so well because she doesn’t erase Anna’s insecurities and we see Anna flourish in the book. I love how we get more of Anna and Elsa’s childhood here along with worldbuilding for Arendelle. Since I had seen the movie first, I think that this book gives the sequel even more flavor (& I thought Frozen 2 was very much a lush and gorgeous movie). But the information we get in this book about Anna and Elsa’s childhood as well as on their mother adds so much to Iduna’s character.

I loved this book. It was a quick read for me, but definitely, for young readers (aka the intended audience), this may take them a few days. But wow, is it worth a read.

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