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Book Review: “Coven Deception” by D. H. Davis

Coven Deception 

Author:  D. H. Davis

Published by: Austin Macauley Publishers on August 30th, 2019

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Young Adult // Supernatural // Fantasy

Similar Books I’ve Read: Sunkissed, The Rise, Dead Until Dark


Disclosure: I received this book from the Publisher/Author in exchange for an impartial review. This is an unpaid/unsponsored post.

Forbidden romance. Secrets and lies. Supernatural species. The town of Arcane Grove has a lot going on! Meet Brooke Lesley, a seventeen-year-old witch attempting to balance having a normal teenage life with having the impending responsibility of taking over as head of her coven.
One day, when an unfortunate incident reveals to Brooke that she’s been at school with a vampire for the last year, the sworn enemy of witches, things get a little complicated. Brooke finds herself feeling an intense, uncontrollable desire she’s never felt before; and ignoring friends, family and history, she embarks on a forbidden relationship that could jeopardise everything and ignite a centuries-old feud.
While Brooke battles with her coven and her conscience, she must also find a way to face an evil that threatens not only witches, but the entire town of Arcane Grove. Can she defend her coven, her town and her heart?

First Thoughts  

I have been longing for a witchy meets vamps read to slip into my TBR, so when D messaged me on instagram to connect, I knew that Coven Deception was going to be a great read. Under 150 pages and giving me all the Halloween vibes, I started reading late Saturday evening and literally couldn’t stop, finishing it in one.



My Review

Although I love some slow-burn types of romances and friends-to-lovers, you’ve got to give it up for the brilliance of forbidden romances. They have been the highlight of many a vampire-human book over the years, but when it comes to Coven Deception, the rules are a little different. This is a witch-vampire situation that gets complex and dangerous and oh-so-enthralling as the pages turn. Despite a slow start of trying to get into the swing of things and learn the ins and outs of how the world in Coven Deception works, as soon as I got into the groove of the story world, I was hooked. And being that it’s under 150 pages and I ate this up in one bite, as I got closer to finishing Brooke’s novel – and loving her counterpart in Jessie – I didn’t want it to end.

See, Brooke – our main character – is going to someday very soon take over as Coven leader. She’s seventeen at the moment, but when you’re eighteen, you’re at your most powerful and that means everything. But despite having that weighing on her, she still wants to be a regular ol’ person with a teenage life that doesn’t involve so many rules and Coven responsibilities. The balance is quite the central axis of the novel, where Brooke is trying to balance her life, her Coven, love life, school and even more that piles on her plate when it’s revealed that she’s actually been at school with a Vampire for the last year. It wouldn’t be so awful if they weren’t the literal sworn enemy of her kind, witches. But that doesn’t stop her from feeling things and crossing lines that she should never. 

Overall, Coven Deception was one of those novels that despite being short, is very mighty in its power. I loved the character development of Brooke over the span of the story and even though I loved her, Jessie was such a magnetic character and his personality really shone. I’ve always been a sucker for a novel with Vampires and this is no exception. I’d recommend this novel highly to pre-YA and early YA readers that love supernatural books that are easy reads with perfect pace. Loved highly! (And can’t wait for book two!)




D. H. Davis grew up in Coventry and has always had a love for fantasy fiction. After leaving school, she gained a degree in Occupational Therapy and worked in children’s mental health services. In recent years, she has turned to teaching both, Health and Social Care and English, combining her two passions.

Huge thank you to D. H. Davis for sending me her amazing book!

Have you read Coven Deception? What did you think?

Would you be a vampire or witch if you could pick? Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!

happy reading!

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Book Review: Slayer by Kiersten White

Slayer

Author: Kiersten White

Published by: Simon & Schuster Kids on February 1st, 2019

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Young Adult // Paranormal // Urban Fantasy 

Similar Books I’ve Read: The Coldest Girl In Coldtown, The Rise

Disclosure: I received this book from the Publisher/Author in exchange for an impartial review. This is an unpaid/unsponsored post.

Into every generation a Slayer is born…
Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watcher’s Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.
Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.
Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One—she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.
As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams…
But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested—because someone she loves might be next.
One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard.

First Thoughts  

I’ve always been a huge fan of Vampires. Give me one over anything any day. I was such a huge Twilight fan back in the day, and then breezed through the True Blood series and of course, was also such a fan of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals books and shows. But before any of these existed, I was the biggest Buffy fan there is. I watched the show, I even had the video game (and the board game, I know, totally showing my age here). So when Slayer came along, thanks to the lovely S&S team, I knew I had to read it. I owe it to my younger self to delve back into the vamp-tastic world.



My Review  

If you have no clue about the Buffy world before you start to read Slayer, it can take you a while to get the type of humour and the backstory that makes the world so enthralling. So “new” readers to the universe might take a hot second to get accustomed to what Slayer is all about, but Kiersten makes this extremely easy. Entering the world with sharp-wit and a heroine that didn’t ask to be chosen, or even want to be a Slayer, we have Nina. Born Athena, twin-sister of Artemis, formerly. Instead of focusing on the Slayer world like the tv show did, Slayer focuses more on the Watchers, which was extremely refreshing and seeing Nina turn from this proposed damsel into a sudden kick-ass woman was character development in it’s peak.

Let me start by saying that Nina didn’t ask to be a Slayer. She has always strayed towards healing and focuses all her energy on that. So when she’s called to a Slayer, it’s a shock for her and all those that surround her. There’s a well-known distaste for Buffy amongst the Watchers (which is explored and pulled apart as the book goes on and we learn how they get to realise the sacrifices a Slayer makes and how their hatred was displaced) because Nina’s father died protecting Buffy. If you were a fan of the history of the Buffyverse, you might remember him as her first Watcher. But now, Nina is the newest Chosen One. And the last Slayer ever. Suddenly she’s thrown into this confusing and monster-filled skill that she never wanted to learn, shadows that fight hard and bodies surrounding her dreams and real life. 

Overall, Slayer well surpassed my expectations. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get a Buffy knock-off, but instead, it was like I was reading this new spin-off of the world, the same sharp, on point humour, exceptional main and secondary characters (Rhys and Cillian, 100%), perfect pacing and downright unputdownable story. Kiersten has written something that’s kick-started my reading slump and given me something to sweeten my Vampire-loving collection, the first in a very long time. Huge five stars. 

Have you read Slayer?


You can buy it:
Amazon | Book Depository

I definitely recommend you add to your Goodreads and browse it at your local Library! Fans of Buffy need this in their lives!


happy reading!

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Book Review: “The Antidote” by Shelley Sackier




The Antidote

Author: Shelley Sackier

Published by: HarperTEEN on February 5th, 2019

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Young Adult // Fantasy

Similar Books I’ve Read: These Rebel Waves

Disclosure: I received this book from the Publisher/Author in exchange for an impartial review. This is an unpaid/unsponsored post.

Magic is not allowed, under any circumstances — even if it could save someone’s life. Instead, there are herbal remedies and traditional techniques that have been painstakingly recorded in lieu of using the mystical arts. Fee knows this, so she keeps her magic a secret.
Except her best friend, Xavi, is deathly ill. He’s also the crown prince. Saving him is important, not only for her, but for the entire kingdom.
Fee’s desperation to save her friend means she can barely contain the magic inside her. And after the tiniest of slips, Fee is thrust into a dark and secretive world that is as alluring as it is dangerous.
If she gives in, it could mean she can save Xavi. But it also means that those who wish to snuff out magic might just snuff her out in the process.

First Thoughts  

I’ve only read a few books this year, but I already know that I’m currently obsessed with YA Romances. I don’t even know why I am, or what book did it, but I just haven’t wanted to stray towards Fantasy reads at all lately. But when I got The Antidote, it just kept coming back up in my TBR and after the lovely Publishers sent me the gorgeous ARC, I just couldn’t resist seeing if this would win over my heart’s genre dilemma (didn’t mean for that to rhyme).

My Review 

You know you’re in for one heck of a story when there’s magic, and that magic can’t be used. So, in this case, it’s totally forbidden in The Antidote. Instead of magic and all it entails, they use herbal remedies (I guess our version of behind the counter remedies and prescription things) and special ways they incorporate into their lives instead of using magic. Fee (or Ophelia, as she was born), our main character, is loyal to the system and keeps her own magic buried within since a contagion forced half the kingdom away and separated her from her betrothed love and left her, and the future king, Prince Xavi, who were infected, behind. 

Fee’s best friend Xavi is on his death bed, struggling for life because of the way they were infected,  and knowing this, Fee’s own magic is playing games within her. Xavi is the prince and due to be the future king, so the stakes are a thousand times greater that he lives. Keeping him alive is all that Fee wants, and because of this, her magic ventures out during a momentary slip. Everything she knew about magic – and the secret world it has masked – is thunderous, throwing her life into a dangerous darkness. But to fully give in to everything magic holds would be worse than anything she could think of. She could save Xavi, but at the risk of her own life by those who forbid magic, deciding whether it’s truly worth the sacrifice, Fee stands on uneven ground that’s quaking under her footsteps.

Overall, watching Fee – and this entire world, characters and plot – grow over the course of the chapters, I was enthralled by this twisted fairytale of bonds, true love, magic, a dash of sassiness and high stakes. It did take me a while to get used to Fee’s character, because she is so determined in her ways and stubborn, but in the end, it kind of just made me love her even more. Whilst there were some slow moments, it was still a super amazing read. I still have my soft spot for YA Romances, but The Antidote is definitely up there with incredible YA 2019. Four stars!


Have you read The Antidote?


You can buy it:

Amazon | Book Depository


I definitely recommend you add to your Goodreads and browse it at your local Library!


happy reading!

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Blog Tour & Review with Extract: Shadow Of The Fox by Julie Kagawa

Title: Shadow Of The Fox

Author: Julie Kagawa

Published: November 1st, 2018 

Publisher: HQ Young Adult

Rating: ★★★★★

Find the Author: Goodreads 

Disclosure: I was sent this ARC by the publisher, reviewing it as an impartial review. This does not sway my opinion of the book. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

A single wish will spark a new dawn. Every millennium, one age ends and another age dawns…and whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers holds the power to call the great Kami Dragon from the sea and ask for any one wish. The time is near and the missing pieces of the scroll will be sought throughout the land of Iwagoto. The holder of the first piece is a humble, unknown peasant girl with a dangerous secret. Demons have burned the temple Yumeko was raised in to the ground, killing everyone within, including the master who trained her to both use and hide her kitsune powers. Yumeko escapes with the temple’s greatest treasure – one part of the ancient scroll. Fate thrusts her into the path of a mysterious samurai, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan. Yumeko knows he seeks what she has and is under orders to kill anything and anyone who stands between him and the scroll.

First Thoughts…

I have always been a fan of Julie’s books, right from the Iron Fey days. I’ve always kept my little Kagawa collection of books close to my heart, because I always know I’m in for one heck of a story-telling ride whenever I pick up one of Julie’s books. So when I got the chance to be a part of Shadow of The Fox’s Blog Tour, I had to do it. It’s Julie Kagawa, YA masterpiece writer! For me, this is definitely a highlight.

My Review…

I’ve always been in love with Fantasy books. Actually, when I started out with my blog, it was the main genre that I focused on. There’s something about one of Julie’s books that totally transforms the atmosphere where I’m reading into the story’s landscape, this time into the world where a single wish has sparked a new dawn. 

The story is split into a few perspectives from different characters.  There’s Yumeko, who is a half-kitsune (anyone remember Kira from Teen Wolf? That’s the kind of way I was basing a Kitsune from, because that’s what she was). There’s Kage Tatsumi, who is a samurai. Only every time he uses his sword (that’s violently possessed by a demon) it hurts him whenever he uses it. On the other hand, Suki, another character, is entirely different from Yumeko and Kage. But giving away too much about the way Suki’s character plays a part in the novel might give away too many spoilers. Yumeko has lived in a temple her whole life, until now. Now she’s willed to protect a precious scroll. The way that Yumeko and Kage interact and their paths cross is unlike any other kind of character clash, but together, this kind of magic happens. They, along with some friends, get deep into a world of things that go bump in the night. There’s demonic danger, thrills and an underlying mystery that I’ll be careful not to tell too much about, because it’s one of those kinds of ones where it’s better unsaid (and you need to read it for yourselves ASAP because it’s a favourite of mine this year!).
Overall, I can’t fault Shadow of The Fox in any way. It was a flawless plot, sometimes uneven pacing, but that really wasn’t a concern of mine because the story itself made up for the pace of the tale. This was just so unbelievably enthralling and mythic-ally magical that I ate it up page by page. I’m really excited to see what comes next from Julie because she never, ever disappoints. Five stars!

 Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.
When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.
Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.
Julie is the author of the bestselling Iron Fey series. The Iron Knight the fourth title in The Iron Fey series publishes in Jan 2012. The Immortal Rules, the first title in a brand new series publishes in May 2012.
Visit Julie’s website at http://www.juliekagawa.comVisit the Iron Fey website http://www.theironfey.com/Follow Julie on Twitter @jkagawa




Shadow of the Fox
From Chapter 13: Song of the Kodama
There was a shimmer in the darkness, and the hairs on the back of my neck rose. Looking up, I saw a tiny, pale green figure, no larger than my thumb, watching me from atop a root a few feet away. It wore a round mushroom cap on its head, and its eyes were like black pits under the brim.
Tatsumi saw what I was looking at, and his hand went to his sword. “Tatsumi, no,” I warned, holding out a hand. “It’s a kodama, a tree kami. It won’t hurt us.” He relaxed, dropping his hand from the hilt, and I offered the kodama a smile.
“Hello,” I greeted softly, as the tiny kami tilted its head, watching me. “Please excuse us, we’re just passing through. We’re not disturbing your tree, I hope?”
The kodama didn’t blink. It watched me a moment more, then padded forward and hopped onto a stone, staring at me with pupilless black eyes. A faint sound rose into the air, like the rustle of leaves stirred by the wind. I nodded.
“I understand. We will stay to the path, and we’ll be careful not to tread on any new plants or trees. You have my promise.”
“You can speak to the kami.” Tatsumi’s tone didn’t question, though it sounded faintly surprised. “How?”
“The monks taught me,” I replied. Not the whole truth of course; I’d been able to see the spirit world—kami, yokai, yurei and the rest of the unnatural—for as long I could remember. One of the perks—or curses—of being half kitsune. Though the monks did teach me the differences between the myriad spirits in Iwagoto. There were the nine greater Kami, the named deities who were worshipped throughout Iwagoto; Jinkei, god of Mercy, Doroshin, god of Roads, and so on. The lesser kami were minor gods, spirits of nature and the elements; they existed everywhere, in the earth, the sky and all places in between. No one knew how many kami existed in the world; when people spoke of them as a whole, it was common to say “the eight million gods,” and leave it at that.
But besides the kami, many other strange, magical creatures roamed the land. Yokai were creatures of the supernatural; sometimes called monsters or bakemono, they could change their forms or had some amount of magic power, tanuki, kamaitachi and, of course, kitsune being prime examples. Yurei described the many restless ghosts that wandered the mortal realm, zashiki warashi, onryo, ubume and more. There were even some monstrous plants that preyed on humans and a handful of creatures that didn’t fit into any category, so the list of gods, ghosts and monsters was endless. But, even though some yokai were dangerous and some yurei had malicious intent, all were residents of Ningen-do, the mortal realm, and were to be respected.
Unlike the demons—the amanjaku, and terrible oni like Yaburama. They hailed from Jigoku, the realm of evil and corruption, and did not belong in the mortal world at all.
“Master Isao and the others revered the kami,” I went on. “They strove to exist in harmony with all forms of life. The most spiritual among them could see and even speak to the kami on occasion. I sort of had the talent for it, I suppose.”
“Is that why the kamaitachi listened to you?”
“Well…not really. I listened to them.”
From Julie –
I love this passage because it feels very much like a scene from an anime, reminiscent of Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away, two of my favorites.  It’s strange, surreal, and just the tiniest bit creepy, and it also marks the beginning of Tatsumi and Yumeko’s friendship.  
You can buy SHADOW OF THE FOX here:

Amazon | Waterstones | Book Depository 

Have you read Shadow of The Fox? If you have, who was your favourite character?


Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


happy reading!

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Blog Tour & Review: A Storm of Ice and Stars by Lisa Lueddecke

Title: A Storm Of Ice And Stars
Author: Lisa Lueddecke
Published: October 4th, 2018
Publisher: Scholastic
Rating: ★★★★
Find the Authors: Goodreads

Disclosure: I was sent this ARC by the publisher, reviewing it as an impartial review. This does not sway my opinion of the book. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.


Ice, myth, magic and danger in this bone-chilling, page-turning, beautifully written fantasy novel set in the same world as A SHIVER OF SNOW AND SKY. Blood-red lights have appeared in the sky over the frozen island of Skane, causing a cloak of fear and suspicion to fall over the village like a blanket of snow. In a desperate attempt to keep out the plague, the village elders barricade its borders – no-one, no matter how in need of help, will be permitted to enter in case they bring infection with them. 

Teenager Janna refuses to turn her back on people seeking refuge and is banished to the swirling snow and lurking darkness beyond the village. Can she survive? 

First Thoughts…

It’s no secret that I love a good story within a pretty cover, and A Shiver Of Snow and Sky and now A Storm of Ice and Stars have both of those incredible attributes. When I was asked to review this lovely little book and be on the tour, I couldn’t say no. I love Lisa’s style of writing so much so I was eager to get into this fast with the aesthetic being fitting for these colder months!

My Review…

In Skane, if you weren’t already aware of the fictional island where the books (which are stand-alone but you can read them as a series) take place, is a frozen wonderland where the sky talks in colours. Maybe not the wonderland part, though. Not since red lights have danced across the skyline, wreaking havoc and panic over the villages. They know it means that the plague is coming, and forced with immediate dangers, they shut the borders and permit no one to enter for fear of bringing in the illness. 
But Janna, our focal character, is a fighter. A true fictional heroine type. She refuses to give up and just turn away people who need the villages help. Making her decision rules against the others and she’s banished to the snowy darkness of nothingness. Survival is key, but in a twisted and icy backdrop where nothing is safe and magic is lurking, Janna finds herself fighting for her own safety. 
I just loved this book. Everything about it just screams winter and enticingly icy backdrops are that breath of fresh air once we step into the colder months. I’ve been in a bit of a book-rut lately and A Storm of Ice and Stars has totally just reignited my love for YA Fiction all over again. Although I did love the previous book, A Shiver of Snow and Sky a little more than this one, this is equally as steadily-paced and beautifully written. There’s something in the way that Lisa writes that is so deeply graceful and I can never look away from the pages for a second. 
Overall, A Storm of Ice and Stars is a must read this Autumn/Winter season. I read this delicious slice of snowy story-time by a few winter-y candles, scooped up a blanket and made it a full “reading spot” to set the scene for it, and I definitely recommend! You’ll feel transported to Skane, swept up in this iridescent icy tale and fall in love just as much as I did. Incredible four star read! 




Born into an Air Force family which gave her a love for travel, Lisa Lueddecke has spent her life moving between four countries and five states. She currently resides in England, is one of five girls, and is a former book blogger and publishing intern turned writer.


A STORM OF ICE AND STARS by Lisa Lueddecke out now in paperback (£7.99, Scholastic)
@LisaLueddecke        www.lisalueddecke.com
#ICEandSTARS

Have you read the incredible A Storm of Ice and Stars?


What do you think?


Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs! 


Be sure to share your thoughts using the above hashtag and add the book to your Goodreads to read! You won’t regret a single page of this magic!


happy reading!

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Book Review: These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch

Title: These Rebel Waves (Stream Raiders #1)
Author: Sara Raasch
Published: August 8th, 2018
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper Collins)
Rating: ★★★★★
Find the Author: Goodreads 

Disclosure: I was sent this ARC by the publisher, reviewing it as an impartial review. This does not sway my opinion of the book. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.


Adeluna is a soldier. Five years ago, she helped the magic-rich island of Grace Loray overthrow its oppressor, Argrid, a country ruled by religion. But adjusting to postwar life has not been easy. When an Argridian delegate vanishes during peace talks with Grace Loray’s new Council, Argrid demands brutal justice—but Lu suspects something more dangerous is at work.
Devereux is a pirate. As one of the outlaws called stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he pirates the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market. But after Argrid accuses raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target. An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any war.
Benat is a heretic. The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic. When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can change a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre.
As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are . . . and what they are willing to become for peace.

First Thoughts…

Thank the book Gods that I got an ARC of These Rebel Waves! I was counting the days until it was out, until the lovely (and always amazing) team over at Harper360 sent me a copy! It went straight into my TBR and everything from there was book-bliss! 

My Review…

I don’t read nearly as many YA Fantasy books as I should (and I have shelves of them!) because I’m naturally drawn to Contemporary, but for These Rebel Waves, I got myself all fantasy-ready. I got one of my Fairyloot bookmarks, lit some candles and delved in! We’re introduced to so much so quickly, so it’s really prominent that you’ve got to pay attention. Adeluna, also known mostly as “Lu” thought that war was over and done with, having been a soilder. But she soon learns she can’t hang up her old self yet, because she’s thrown right back into new dangers. After the capture of Vex, Devereux Bell formally, who is one of the island’s biggest and most notable raiders, a new treaty between enemies falls apart. 
There’s a lot of action – and a lot going on that bounces from topic, to magic, to politics – flowing easily from page to page. For me, the magic element was hugely what kept me reading faster and faster. There’s magical plants of sorts, that can heal or hinder, depending on how they’re used. Some are hesitant about these things and others thrive on them, but one that is opposed is prince Benat “Ben”. I found myself drawn to Lu the most, whilst still finding Vex and Ben’s perspectives and journey’s thrilling and their characters developing steadily against the plot. Whilst at times there can be a lot going on pacing wise, once you really get into the book, knowing all the ins and outs, it’s like you’re transported to beside the characters, cheering them on and getting truly invested in their tales.
I was really surprised at how much I utterly fell head over heels for These Rebel Waves. Not only is there LGBT representation in the novel, but the characters skin isn’t your typical “every shade of ivory and pale”, skin tones ranging from very pale to dark (and I can’t say just how much this matters!).
Overall, I just have no words. I can’t think of anything other than phenomenal to describe just how much I became addicted to These Rebel Waves. If you’re looking for a new fantasy read with strong, whip-smart female characters, action, romance and political magic, you’ve found your new soulmate. Huge five stars!! (And I can’t wait for the next in this duology)
You can buy THESE REBEL WAVES:

Amazon | Waterstones | Book Depository 

Have you read These Rebel Waves? Are you looking forward to it?


Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


happy reading!

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Blog Tour & Review: Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

I’ve been dying to read Amanda’s Ace of Shades ever since I heard of her debut novel, Daughter of the Burning City. Getting to be on a Blog Tour for a book that I (spoiler) LOVED, is such a pleasure. So, welcome to the ACE OF SHADES Blog Tour Day One, read a little and let me know if you’re as big of a fan as I am now…

Title: Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game #1)
Author: Amanda Foody
Published: May 17th, 2018
Publisher: HQ Young Adult
Rating: 🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱
Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I received this ARC in exchange for an impartial review. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.


ADD TO GOODREADS

Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…and secrets hide in every shadow.
Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.
Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn’t have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne’s offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems. 
Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi’s enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city…
And she’ll need to play.

First Thoughts…

Ace of Shades was all over my Instagram, my Twitter…my everything for so long, that I was painfully anticipating getting to hold it in my hands for myself. I thought I’d have to wait until release day with the huge following of Amanda’s books, but when HQ YA offered a Blog Tour slot, I jumped, of course. It was never even a question! I started reading this as an eBook and then finished off with the Paperback after it arrived following the Bank Holiday mail delay (can we just have mail every day?!).

My Review…

I haven’t read a book quite like this in a very long time, so getting into the Fantasy landscape, introductions to the characters and rules of this new world, took some time. But in that time, I had been pulled into the pages and absorbed by the intricate plot that Amanda had woven ahead of me. Enne, our main character, is what I’d call a proper character, aka totally fancy. She’s straight-laced, knows what she’s doing, is more or less a lady in all senses. So she shouldn’t be in New Reynes, right? It’s the City of Sin, so no lady would be there just for the heck of it. But she’s on a mission. Her mother has gone missing, and after the allotted time of her anticipated return passes by, Enne knows she has to find her, one way or another. 
But her journey leads her to Levi Glaisyer, a street lord and all-round con man, far from the people she’s used to surrounding herself with. Still, they find that they’re each other’s only hope, sort of. Levi is in a pickle himself, as well, and helping Enne could reimburse him to solve his own problem. But the journey of delving into Enne’s mother’s disappearance is far from easy, and it’s rocky at best. Glamour masqueraded casinos, still cut-throat and on the verge of enemies, their search leads them to an incredible secret that shocks Enne’s world to the core, unveiling a piece of herself she didn’t know existed. Levi still can’t stay out of trouble, though, and it’s up to Enne to sacrifice herself and her values to save him and regain the upper hand in the City of Sin.
Overall, Ace of Shades is a rule-breaking, fast-paced read with killer instincts and lively characters, set against a backdrop I could picture and sense from the get-go. Amanda has written such a detailed, gripping YA novel that I just know is going to be loved by every reader it makes a home with. Huge, huge love for this novel. Consider me a newfound fan and anticipating the next installment with an edge-of-my-seat awaiting move. Five stars! What else would I give it?!
You can buy ACE OF SHADES:
Amazon | Waterstones | Book Depository 

Have you read Ace of Shades? Are you looking forward to it?


Check out the other tour dates today and let me know in the comments!


happy reading!

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Book Review: The Fandom by Anna Day


Title: The Fandom

Author:  Anna Day

Published: January 4th, 2018

Publisher: Chicken House

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I was sent this ARC as part of a giveaway. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.


Add To Goodreads

Cosplay ready, Violet and her friends are at Comic-Con.
They can’t wait to meet the fandom of mega movie, The Gallows Dance. What they’re not expecting is to be catapulted by freak accident into their favourite world – for real. Fuelled by love, guilt and fear, can the friends put the plot back on track and get out? The fate of the story is in their hands …
A fast-paced, genre-flipping YA fantasy adventure from a brand new author, writing in homage to the best YA fiction.

First Thoughts… When I won The Fandom as part of my prize from my newfound friend, Kate, on twitter, I was so excited. I wasn’t able to attend YALC and snag an ARC myself, so when I won it, it was a dream come true. I mean, just look at that blurb. It’s a story about getting thrown into a real fandom world. Isn’t that the dream?! Or for some, maybe a nightmare?
My Review… Violet can’t wait to get to Comic-Con. Along with friends and her younger brother, they anticipate to finally get to meet the actors of their favourite fandom, The Gallows Dance. (Short note: I loved this concept. There are so many teens/young adults that love fandoms and it’s never appreciated that much in literature). Despite the actors not being anything close to the characters they play, lifestyle wise, they’re still eager to meet the fandom they’re all obsessed with. But it’s not going easy for Violet and her friends. After meeting their hero, they soon get thrown into the world they love. Like. . .literally. As in, they are in the fandom world they know so well. 

Everything comes crashing to a halt for Violet. Soon enough, they find themselves following out the plot as the timeline moves along as they know it. But with the option to change the fearful conclusions, Violet could change the world and risk her friends lives or do everything she can to get them out. Throughout it, we see so many YA Fantasy tropes and a twist on calling out certain over-hyped ones (major plus points) and how putting a contemporary set of characters into a dystopian world worked (brilliantly, of course). 

Overall, every single thing that happened in The Fandom was surprising, unpredictable and wild (in the best, best way). I was rooting for the characters as the plot played out, unraveling the storyline and hanging onto my seat in a carousel of amazement and adventure. The relationships between the characters were *perfect* and that’s something that just gave The Fandom a little bit of an added edge for me. They were realistic and totally believable down to the sibling bond. Everyone has at some time in their lives been obsessed with something or a Fan of someone and I think that Anna has truly captured the essence of loving something so fiercely – and what can happen when everything goes wrong. I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about it – it’s THAT good. A true must-read this year! 

Buy The Fandom Tweet This Review
Have you read The Fandom?

What did you think?

Let me know on Twitter, Facebook or in the Comments! 

happy reading!

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Book Review: Coldmaker by Daniel A. Cohen


Title: Coldmaker

Author: Daniel A. Cohen

Published: November 2nd, 2017

Publisher: Harper Voyager 

Rating: 🐱🐱🐱🐱

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I was sent this book for review. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.


Add To Goodreads

Eight hundred years ago, the Jadans angered the Crier. In punishment, the Crier took their Cold away, condemning them to a life of enslavement in a world bathed in heat.

Or so the tale goes. 

During the day, as the Sun blazes over his head, Micah leads the life of any Jadan slave, running errands through the city of Paphos at the mercy of the petty Nobles and ruthless taskmasters.

But after the evening bells have tolled and all other Jadans sleep, Micah escapes into the night in search of scraps and broken objects, which once back inside his barracks he tinkers into treasures.

However, when a mysterious masked Jadan publicly threatens Noble authority, a wave of rebellion ripples through the city.

With Paphos plunged into turmoil, Micah’s secret is at risk of being exposed. And another, which has been waiting hundreds of years to be found, is also on the verge of discovery…

The secret of Cold.

First Thoughts… If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll have seen my Q&A with Daniel in late December. I had so much fun having him on Pretty Little Memoirs and introducing an awesome author to you all before I review the book. Coldmaker sounded like a fresh, music-to-my-ears idea when I was first offered the opportunity to read it so that was ultimately what first drew me in. But that cover, more so in person! How gorgeous.

My Review… Micah’s life is the same as any other Jadan, the slaves of his world. The Jadan’s have been the slaves of the world for over eight hundred years. Since that day, so the tale tells, they stole away the Cold. It’s almost as a weapon, from a metaphoric point of view, stolen away and replaced with only scorching heat that hangs over the Jadan’s heads every day. Micah works through Paphos, a city he does jobs for the Nobles in. They’re harsh and taxing, the poor Jadan’s at their feet. But unknown to them, after everyone has done for the day, Micah unleashes his secret. He scavenges for broken and unused items from the day and tinkers them into something wonderful. Something he’s hoping will save them all. 

But like all good things, Micah’s secret tinkering faces an end as a strange Jadan appears on the scene, threatening everything Micah holds dear in Paphos as a rebellion begins between the Nobles and Jadan’s, turning the city into chaos and disaster. With his secret on the line, he’s thrown into a mess that’s been waiting hundreds of years to be discovered that might just shatter every rule and tale that the Jadan’s know of. 

Just wow. The pure skill and delivery of the world-building in Coldmaker is sheer brilliant. I could almost imagine the air thick with immense heat, rivers boiling and desperate for cold to break the never-ending heat. Micah was a stand-out character; young but wise, and as we follow other characters later on in the book, they glide into the pages with ease, making for an epic storyworld. I don’t read a lot of High Fantasy books, but even when I do or have known of them, Coldmaker is one of the most unique, stand-out books of it’s genre. I got some Hunger Games vibes and the same kind of system as books such as Divergent, and you know how much I loved those series! Overall, Coldmaker is a one-of-a-kind four star read with bold characters, incredible interesting plot and perfect pacing. I’m really hoping there’s more to this world and that I can read more of the series! I’d definitely recommend it to YA fans of Fantasy or Dystopia. You have to read this, book lovers! If you’re missing your favourite dystopia series’, this one is sure to be the next hit for you.


Have you read Coldmaker?

Let me know what you thought on Twitter, Facebook, or by commenting below!

happy reading!

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Book Review: Nyxia (The Nyxia Triad #1) by Scott Reintgen (Spoiler-Free)

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE.


Title: Nyxia

Author: Scott Reintgen

Published: September 21st, 2017

Publisher: Michael Joseph

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I was sent this book for review. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

Every life has a price in Scott Reintgen pulse-pounding new sci-fi adventure, Nyxia, as a group of teens are taken to the far reaches of the universe and forced to decide what they’re willing to risk for a lifetime of fortune.


Emmett Atwater isn’t just leaving Detroit; he’s leaving Earth. Why the Babel Corporation recruited him is a mystery, but the number of zeroes on their contract has him boarding their lightship and hoping to return to Earth with enough money to take care of his family.


Forever.


Before long, Emmett discovers that he is one of ten recruits, all of whom have troubled pasts and are a long way from home. Now each recruit must earn the right to travel down to the planet of Eden-a planet that Babel has kept hidden-where they will mine a substance called Nyxia that has quietly become the most valuable material in the universe.


But Babel’s ship is full of secrets. And Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won’t forever compromise what it means to be human.

First Thoughts

Nyxia has been on my radar for a long time. It’s genre has increasingly become more frequent on my bookshelves and with my huge love for the 100, this looked like it could fill that void in my bookish heart after finishing the series so far. When I was given the oppertunity to read NYXIA (thank you, Beth!), I jumped at it, obviously. And I even have a code for you guys to use for money off Little Wren UK – an Etsy store with the cutest designs! Check out the bottom of this post for all the info you’ll need for that!


My Review

Emmett Atwater is given the chance he could only dream of in this near-future dystopian masterpiece. Along with nine others, he’s given the opportunity by the Babel Corporation to compete against each other to get to Eden – a new Planet; a place that only eight of them can make it through to. But Emmett knows that something about it doesn’t feel right and doesn’t sit well with him. The other recruits aren’t wealthy, either, and they want this just as much. Still, he knows that if he doesn’t win, his life won’t improve. He wants to save his Mother’s life and get back on the right track. But as he becomes close to the other recruits and feelings get tethered, along with suspicions about Babel, Emmett isn’t so certain anymore. 

One thing is for certain with NYXIA, and that is that it’s life changing. It’s got this certain thing that just makes it so likeable and I couldn’t put it down. There’s the huge diversity which is a huge plus for me because it’s about time that there was. Another, is that all the characters had functional and meaningful places in the novel and they didn’t just feel like secondary characters. I could bond with them, and Emmett, in the same way that you like to when reading a book. 

Overall, NYXIA is a must-read for fans of the 100, The Hunger Games, and Science-Fiction lovers. I cannot wait for the next novel, Scott. It was unpredictable (in the best way), brilliantly paced, had characters that were flawed (and showed their true strengths and weaknesses) and made me turn pages fast and root for them. It had me totally fixated on the inner workings of the bigger picture, also. I dare you to not be a fan of Nyxia by the time you’re finished. Huge five stars!

Rating & Recs

For fans of Dystopia, Science-Fiction and Fantasy!




DISCOUNT TIME

Pretty Little Memoirs readers and NYXIA fans! The discount code for Little Wren is: LWNYXIA10. and it’s  valid for 10% off everything in the shop with orders over £10 and it’s valid till the end of October. Perfect to pick up a few new things for yourself or for someone you love for Christmas!


Have you read Nyxia?


Let me know what you thought in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


happy reading!

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Book Review: The Best Kind Of Magic by Crystal Cestari

Title: The Best Kind of Magic

Author: Crystal Cestari

Published: May 16th, 2017

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I bought this book myself! As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

Amber Sand is not a witch. The Sand family Wicca gene somehow leapfrogged over her. But she did get one highly specific magical talent: she can see true love. As a matchmaker, Amber’s pretty far down the sorcery food chain (even birthday party magicians rank higher), but after five seconds of eye contact, she can envision anyone’s soul mate.


Amber works at her mother’s magic shop–Windy City Magic–in downtown Chicago, and she’s confident she’s seen every kind of happy ending there is: except for one–her own. (The Fates are tricky jerks that way.) So when Charlie Blitzman, the mayor’s son and most-desired boy in school, comes to her for help finding his father’s missing girlfriend, she’s distressed to find herself falling for him. Because while she can’t see her own match, she can see his–and it’s not Amber. How can she, an honest peddler of true love, pursue a boy she knows full well isn’t her match?


The Best Kind of Magic is set in urban Chicago and will appeal to readers who long for magic in the real world. With a sharp-witted and sassy heroine, a quirky cast of mystical beings, and a heady dose of adventure, this novel will have you laughing out loud and questioning your belief in happy endings.

First Thoughts 

When I saw this on Wordery, I was really enticed. The cover, for one, is freaking beautiful and then to match it – that blurb! I couldn’t believe I’d finally stumbled upon a Realistic Fantasy Novel that sounded totally plausible and unique. I posted my reading progress on social media and SO MANY of my followers were really excited to see my views on this. 

Review 

Amber Sand isn’t a witch. She’s not mad over it, but it’s a little disheartening. The Sand family gene seems to have skipped her (almost) and left her a somewhat matchmaker. With this power, she can see your perfect match and your future together. But there’s not a lot of perks of the job, telling people that their significant other isn’t the one for them doesn’t sit well with a lot of the public. Although, much to her dismay, she can’t see her own perfect match (but she gets closer and closer to seeing her best friend’s love story every time they meet up, despite Amani – a fellow supernatural – not wanting to find out). But that doesn’t stop her from being a crucial part of the Sand family Wicca shop, enchantingly named Windy City Magic. 

When Amber’s Mom starts acting odd, hanging out with a frequent visitor into the shop, the Mayor, she desperately wants to find out what’s happening. But because Amber isn’t a witch, she’s magically sealed off from listening in and whenever she tries to dig for details, she gets nothing but stale information. But when the Mayor’s son, Charlie (the most desired boy at school) comes into the store wanting to find his Father’s missing girlfriend, Amber ties the two situations together. The more that they start hanging out together, trying to solve the mystery of their Parents secretiveness and the actual mystery at hand, Amber can’t hide her feelings any longer. She’s falling for Charlie, hard. But she’s seen his perfect match, and it’s not her, so she feels like the magnetic pull isn’t enough to dispute the Fates plan for his own match. As they work together in a bustling, lively Chicago, it’s more than clear that they’re in for startling revelations and intriguing supernatural enigmas.

I just can’t stop thinking about this book (and the next in the series!) and it definitely shows. I finished it a little while ago, but it’s taken me so long to try and sum my words up into a considerable amount and not reel on for pages. Crystal has written a world of wonder with down-to-earth characters, sass (lots of it) and a killer vein of romance with an eager pulse on magical elements. As much as I loved Amber and Charlie, Amani was definitely my favourite character. I really loved her personality SO much. Overall, this is probably the best Fantasy book I’ve read this year, or maybe even longer than that. Huge five-star read! 

Rating & Recs

For fans of Magic Realism and Fantasy! For younger to older YA readers.

Have you read The Best Kind of Magic?


Let me know what you thought in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


happy reading!

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Book Review: Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

Title: Royal Bastards

Author: Andrew Shvarts

Published: May 30th, 2017

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion  

Find the Author: Goodreads 


I received this book for review on my blog! As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children.


At sixteen, Tilla spends her days exploring long-forgotten tunnels beneath the castle with her stablehand half brother, Jax, and her nights drinking with the servants, passing out on Jax’s floor while her castle bedroom collects dust. Tilla secretly longs to sit by her father’s side, resplendent in a sparkling gown, enjoying feasts with the rest of the family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, like Miles of House Hampstedt, an awkward scholar who’s been in love with Tilla since they were children.


Then, at a feast honoring the visiting princess Lyriana, the royal shocks everyone by choosing to sit at the Bastards’ Table. Before she knows it, Tilla is leading the sheltered princess on a late-night escapade. Along with Jax, Miles, and fellow bastard Zell, a Zitochi warrior from the north, they stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness.


Rebellion is brewing in the west, and a brutal coup leaves Lyriana’s uncle, the Royal Archmagus, dead—with Lyriana next on the list. The group flees for their lives, relentlessly pursued by murderous mercenaries; their own parents have put a price on their heads to prevent the king and his powerful Royal Mages from discovering their treachery.


The bastards band together, realizing they alone have the power to prevent a civil war that will tear their kingdom apart—if they can warn the king in time. And if they can survive the journey . . .

First Thoughts

I am always looking for something a little different to place into my reading habits, and Royal Bastards looked like just the thing. When I was approached about considering it for review, I was SO ready to read it, only sceptical about the title (just because I don’t swear, myself, and because I know that it’s not the cleanest of words in itself) but I never judge a book by it’s title or cover – it’s what is inside that matters, anyway. So if the title does offend or bother you, pretty please let me know and I will get it asterisked so that the post title is blanked out partially. 


My Review

Okay, okay, okay. So, Royal Bastards just totally changed everything I thought that a YA Fantasy could be – in the best way ever. I had been talking to a few blogger friends about it, and they were just as hyped by the difference between it and some of the others in the same genre, about how it’s just got this kick of reality melted into the Fantasy aspect without distracting from the main focus. It’s been very highly anticipated, in fact it’s probably one of the fastest I’ve ever seen people be interested in an upcoming review for my blog. 

Tilla used to be so loved by her father as a child, but nowadays that’s just a memory. Once her father discovered he had trueborn children that weren’t bastards, he cast her aside. She spends her days living away from the royalty that she’s supposed to be dwelling in, and hanging out with her half-brother, Jax, and the other bastards that feel the same way – cast aside and forgotten. Something that struck me straight away was just how funny this novel was? It’s got a real laugh-out-loud aspect that you wouldn’t expect from Fantasy and I loved that about it. It had these true friendships that through words alone, were crystal clear. When I was halfway through the book, I realised that there would be more books in the series (in a trilogy) and that was a true welcome revelation. But soon enough, I’m back into the action, after learning that Lyriana, a visiting princess, that had befriended the other bastards upon her arrival, was now fearing for her life after they had mistakenly discovered a crime. Now that they are all on the run, with prices on their heads from people they thought they could trust, they’re only just learning that there’s a whole lot of mayhem and chaos to come from the kingdom.

Just amazing. These teenagers, who could pack quite a punch themselves, were on the run, banded together through all of their vulnerable moments and own troubled backstories. I loved Tilla’s voice as our narrator so much, because I could really feel her passion and drive throughout the story. The only thing that niggled at me was the amount of characters to keep up with, but this might get easier now that we’ve all been introduced to them. I know some people didn’t like the love triangle of sorts, but I found it a great element to the book. Love triangles are a hit-or-miss in YA and personally, if you can write it perfectly, it can truly pay off and it did here. 

Overall, Royal Bastards is definitely one of the best Fantasy reads I’ve read this year. It had lively characters, a bustling adventure of death, chaos and friendship and I seriously cannot wait to read the next in the series. A huge four-star novel with the power to really get Fantasy YA fans involved – I think this series will kick up a storm. 

Rating


Have you read Royal Bastards?


What did you think?


Let me know in the comments or @LittleMemoirs on twitter!


happy reading!

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