30 June, 2018

REVIEW: DEADMARSH FEY by Melika Dannese Lux

Title: Deadmarsh Fey
Author: Melika Dannese Lux
Series: Dwellers of Darkness, Children of Light #1
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Books in my Belfry
Release: May 2nd, 2018
Source: Kindle Edition
Pages: 674

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BLURB: Flesh and bone and hearts unknown, lead to the rath and your fate will be shown…

Deadmarsh. The name struck terror into the hearts of all who heard it. But to Roger Knightley, neither Deadmarsh the house, nor Deadmarsh the family, had ever been anything to fear. Nearly each summer of his young life had been spent in that manor on the moors, having wild adventures with his cousin, Lockie, the Deadmarsh heir. This year should have been no different, but when Roger arrives, he finds everything, and everyone, changed. The grounds are unkempt, the servants long gone. Kip, the family cat, has inexplicably grown and glares at Roger as if he is trying to read the boy’s mind. Roger’s eldest cousin, Travers, always treated as a servant, now dresses like a duchess and wears round her neck a strange moonstone given to her by someone known as Master Coffyn, who has taken over the teaching of Lockie at a school in Wales called Nethermarrow.
And soon after he crosses the threshold of Deadmarsh, Roger discovers that Coffyn has overtaken Lockie. The boy is deceitful, riddled with fear, and has returned bearing tales of creatures called Jagged Ones that claim to be of the Fey and can somehow conceal themselves while standing in the full light of the moon. What they want with Lockie, Roger cannot fathom, until the horror within his cousin lashes out, and it becomes savagely clear that these Jagged Ones and the Dark Wreaker they serve are not only after Lockie and Travers, but Roger, too.
Joining forces with an ally whose true nature remains hidden, Roger seeks to unravel the tapestry of lies woven round his family’s connection to the death-haunted world of Everl’aria—and the Dark Wreaker who calls it home. The deeper Roger delves into the past, the more he begins to suspect that the tales of dark deeds done in the forest behind Deadmarsh, deeds in which village children made sacrifice to an otherworldly beast and were never seen or heard from again, are true. And if there is truth in these outlandish stories, what of the rumor that it was not an earthquake which rocked the moors surrounding Deadmarsh sixteen years ago, but a winged nightmare attempting to break free of its underground prison? Enlisting the aid of a monster equipped with enough inborn firepower to blast his enemies into oblivion might be as suicidal as Roger’s friends insist, yet the boy knows he needs all the help he can get if there is to be any hope of defeating not only the Dark Wreaker and his servants, but an unholy trinity known as the Bear, the Wolf, and the Curse That Walks The Earth.
And then there is the foe named Blood Wood, who might be the deadliest of them all.
Racing against time, Roger must find a way to end the battle being waged across worlds before the night of Lockie’s eleventh birthday—two days hence. If he fails, blood will drown the earth. And Roger and his entire family will fulfill the prophecy of fey’s older, more lethal meaning…
Fated to die.

29 June, 2018

REVIEW: THE SECRET CASEBOOK OF SIMON FEXIMAL by K.J. Charles

Title: The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal
Author: K.J. Charles
Series: The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal 1
Genres: Historical, Romance, LGBT
Publisher: KJC Books
Release: March 25th 2017
Source: ebook
Pages: 232

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BLURB:
A story too secret, too terrifying—and too shockingly intimate—for Victorian eyes.

A note to the Editor

Dear Henry,

I have been Simon Feximal’s companion, assistant and chronicler for twenty years now, and during that time my Casebooks of Feximal the Ghost-Hunter have spread the reputation of this most accomplished of ghost-hunters far and wide.

You have asked me often for the tale of our first meeting, and how my association with Feximal came about. I have always declined, because it is a story too private to be truthfully recounted, and a memory too precious to be falsified. But none knows better than I that stories must be told.

So here is it, Henry, a full and accurate account of how I met Simon Feximal, which I shall leave with my solicitor to pass to you after my death.

I dare say it may not be quite what you expect.

Robert Caldwell September 1914

 

28 June, 2018

27 June, 2018

26 June, 2018

25 June, 2018

24 June, 2018

COVER OF THE MONTH


We are always told to not judge a book by its cover but... this is exactly what we will be doing! Cover art should also be appreciated. Am I right? ;)

In this meme we will be choosing 5 covers every month from books published on said month
e.g. for january we will choose a cover from a book published in january


23 June, 2018

REVIEW: ORYX AND CRAKE by Margaret Atwood


Title: Oryx and Crake
Author: Margaret Atwood
Series: Maddaddam #1
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Post Apocalypse
Publisher: Anchor Books
Release: March 30th, 2004
Source: Hardcover
Pages: 400

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BLURB: Oryx and Crake is at once an unforgettable love story and a compelling vision of the future. Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. In search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey–with the help of the green-eyed Children of Crake–through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic engineering ride. Margaret Atwood projects us into a near future that is both all too familiar and beyond our imagining.
 

22 June, 2018

REVIEW: BRISINGR by Christopher Paolini


Title: Brisingr
Author: Christopher Paolini
Series: The Inheritance Cycle #3
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Release: September 8th, 2008
Source: Hardcover
Pages: 748

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BLURB: Oaths sworn... loyalties tested... forces collide.

It's been only months since Eragon first uttered "brisingr", an ancient language term for fire. Since then, he's not only learned to create magic with words — he's been challenged to his very core. Following the colossal battle against the Empires warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more adventure at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon's oath to his cousin, Roran: to help rescue Roran's beloved from King Galbatorix's clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength — as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices — choices that will take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

21 June, 2018

20 June, 2018

19 June, 2018

18 June, 2018

17 June, 2018

SUNDAY PORTRAIT: Simon Spier


Happy Sunday, friends! Welcome to Sunday Portraits, where we give a face to our beloved book friends!

 Today we have: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli:

Simon Spier
In the books, Simon is described as having blonde hair and gray eyes. He also needs so wears glasses and is called "cute" by Peter, a junior college student, whom he meets at a bar.

In the movies, he is shown to be brunette with brown eyes, and only wears glasses in flashbacks, suggesting that he wears contacts.

16 June, 2018

REVIEW: NORSE MYTHOLOGY by Neil Gaiman


Title: Norse Mythology
Author: Neil Gaiman
Series: -
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Fiction
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Release: March 16th, 2018
Source: Audiobook
Pages: 304

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BLURB: Neil Gaiman, long inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction, presents a bravura rendition of the Norse gods and their world from their origin though their upheaval in Ragnarok. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki?son of a giant?blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.
Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs, and giants. Through Gaiman’s deft and witty prose, these gods emerge with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.

15 June, 2018

REVIEW: THE OCTOBER GAME by Ray Bradbury


Title: The October Game
Author: Ray Bradbury
Series: -
Genres: Horror, Fiction, Fantasy, Short Story
Publisher:
Knopf
Release:
1948 in The Stories of Ray Bradbury
Source:
Audiobook / Online


  // Goodreads // Text Online// 


BLURB: One of Ray Bradbury's famous short stories about a wicked game that scares the most deepest part of your body and soul.

13 June, 2018

Waiting on Wednesday: A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa


Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. Today we are waiting for A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa!

As interest in other countries' situations is rising, today we bring you the biography and real story of a man's life in North Korea.

Publication date: June 26th, 2018
Publisher: AmazonCrossing

12 June, 2018

11 June, 2018

10 June, 2018

09 June, 2018

REVIEW: FLIGHT OF MAGPIES by K.J. Charles


Title: Flight of Magpies
Author:  K. J. Charles
Series: A Charm of Magpies #3
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, LGBT
Publisher: KJC Books
Release: March 28th, 2017
Source: eBook
Pages: 239

// Goodreads // BookDepository // Amazon //

BLURB: Danger in the air. Lovers on the brink.

With the justiciary understaffed, a series of horrifying occult murders to be investigated, and a young student flying off the rails, magical law enforcer Stephen Day is under increasing stress. And the strain is starting to show in his relationship with his aristocratic lover, Lord Crane.

Crane chafes at the restrictions of England’s laws, and there’s a worrying development in the blood-and-sex bond he shares with Stephen. A development that makes a sensible man question if they should be together at all.

Then a devastating loss brings the people he most loves into bitter conflict. Old enemies, new enemies, and unexpected enemies are painting Stephen and Crane into a corner, and the pressure threatens to tear them apart...

08 June, 2018

REVIEW: THE RED QUEEN by Philippa Gregory


Title: The Red Queen
Author: Philippa Gregory
Series: The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels #3
Genres:
Historical Fiction
Publisher:
Touchstone
Release:
August 3rd, 2010
Source: Paperback
Pages: 400

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BLURB: The Red Queen tells the story of the child-bride of Edmund Tudor, who, although widowed in her early teens, uses her determination of character and wily plotting to infiltrate the house of York under the guise of loyal friend and servant, undermine the support for Richard III and ultimately ensure that her only son, Henry Tudor, triumphs as King of England. Through collaboration with the dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret agrees to a betrothal between Henry and Elizabeth's daughter, thereby uniting the families and resolving the Cousins War once and for all by founding of the Tudor dynasty.


07 June, 2018

06 June, 2018

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03 June, 2018

02 June, 2018

REVIEW: A CASE OF POSSESSION by K.J. Charles


Title: A Case of Possession
Author:  K. J. Charles
Series: A Charm of Magpies #2
Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Romance
Publisher: KJC Books
Release: March 28th, 2017
Source: eBook
Pages: 211

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BLURB: Magic in the blood. Danger in the streets.

Lord Crane has never had a lover quite as elusive as Stephen Day. He knows Stephen’s job as justiciar requires secrecy, but the magician is doing his disappearing act more than seems reasonable—especially since Crane will soon return to his home in China. When a blackmailer threatens to expose their illicit relationship, there's only one thing stopping Crane from leaving the country he loathes: Stephen.

Stephen has problems of his own. As he investigates a plague of giant rats sweeping London, his sudden increase in power, boosted by his blood-and-sex bond with Crane, is rousing suspicion that he’s turned warlock. With all eyes on him, the threat of exposure grows. Stephen could lose his friends, his job and his liberty over his relationship with Crane. He’s not sure if he can take that risk much longer. Crane isn’t sure if he can ask him to.

The rats are closing in, and something has to give…
 

01 June, 2018

REVIEW: BANGKOK HAUNTS by John Burdett

Title: Bangkok Haunts
Author: John Burdett
Series: Sonchai Jitpleecheep 3
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Publisher: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard
Release: June 10th, 2008
Source: ebook
Pages: 368

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BLURB:
Sonchai Jitpleecheep, the devout Buddhist Royal Thai Police detective who led us through the best sellers Bangkok 8 and Bangkok Tattoo, returns in this blistering novel.

Sonchai has seen virtually everything on his beat in Bangkok's District 8, but nothing like the snuff film he's just been sent anonymously. Furiously fast-paced and laced through with an erotic ghost story that gives a new dark twist to the life of our hero, Bangkok Haunts more than lives up to the smart and darkly funny originality of its predecessors.