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Dark Fantasy Reads

If you like magic and the darker side of life, then you must be a dark fantasy fan (and we should really be friends). When magic takes a dark turn, all sorts of wicked fun is bound to be unleashed! These reads feature struggles with the forces of darkness that’re too irresistible to turn away!

  Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody

Meet Sorina, a talented illusionist who gets by just fine for a person with no eyes. Her lifelike illusions may seem creepy to visitors of the Gomorrah Festival but to her, they’re her family. When a cold-hearted killer somehow starts killing them one by one, Sorina will stop at nothing to protect them.

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Alice is the new girl at school and she’s attracting all sorts of attention. Sometimes it’s the terrifying undead sort and other times it’s the handsome shape of Cole Holland, who carries secrets behind his dashing smile. Which do you think is more dangerous?

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“Caskets of Ice” by Kate WJ White

SYNOPSIS: 

“Retribution was sure to follow, an unwavering lantern even on the darkest of nights. It would continue to guide them, accompanied by her untiring spirit.” One thing is true for them all; and what a price to pay- When they realise the ice caskets, which were once their tomb, are the only thing keeping them alive. How far would you go, if you had the power to control your dreams? Entering lands where things are eerily not what they seem, cannibalistic witches and glowing jade cicadas that bring nothing but misfortune. Where a dream devil wanders the dreamscape collecting souls, building his empire on nothing but fear and death. Beyond the caskets of ice, some doors should remain unopened…. Come closer and listen my dear… Where do we really go when we fall asleep?

RATING: 🧇🧇🧇/5

REVIEW:

I was honoured to be asked an honest review for « Caskets Of Ice » by Kate WJ White, which is her debut novel. I accepted because I was really enthusiast by the concept and was thrilled to be allowed to read something very unique. It is a story about dreams, and freeing yourself from your demons.  My first point is that the author has one of the most beautiful and vivid writing I have ever read! truly her prose is poetry! The way she weaves her metaphor in a very colourful and very original way is magnificent! It participates at immersing the reader in this dreamy feeling that you find throughout the book.  However, there is one thing that bothered me. In my opinion, the book should have been much longer. Let me explain: sometimes I felt like the author was too impatient to tell us the story and was way too fast in getting to point A to point B. I got lost several times, as too much was happening at the same time and the writing drowned the character's actions.  I had to come back earlier in the story to make sure I had not missed a thing, because I was not sure I was truly understanding what was happening.  However, a part of me is biased… I also wanted it to be longer because I loved the character of Alysia, and would not have minded a book just for herself! Guys !!! I FELL IN LOVE IN HER !! Give me a book (or several…) about her entire life, and I will read it as if it is water and I am a dehydrated crazy woman lost in a desert. For me, it was the most compelling and most flesh-out character of this novel. For me it is really where the author shined through, she took her time telling us the story, she kept the story focused for a time on her to give us time to get attached, and the point of view was mainly from her. And it worked for me! Plus you have this adventurous plot, with an emotional backstory, a quest… What is not to like?  Overall we have to salute the author for proposing something bold, unique and beautifully written. All I have to say is that it is full of promises, and I am waiting for the next book and to see how this author will evolve! 

#caskets of ice #book review

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« Caskets of Ice » by Kate WJ White.

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“Becoming” by Michelle Obama

                                 “When They Go Low, We Go High” 

RATING: 🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇/5

SYNOPSIS:

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare. In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.

REVIEW:

« Becoming » is a memoir written by former First Lady of the USA: Michelle Obama. 

In all honesty, I wanted to read that book for a while now, and finally, I had the time to do so. I am not going to lie, I am biased. I have always admired this woman. All the work she put up, especially to encourage and help girls to get an education is, to me, absolutely wonderful and speaks to me. I come from a modest background, and I had to fight, and my parents had to make certain sacrifices to make sure I and my siblings have access to the best education. So I will support and admire everyone who does this as well, either it is for their child, or on a larger scale. But, even though I was hyped to read a book written by one of my inspiration, let me tell you this: this book was amazing! I loved it! I felt so pumped up after I finished it! It is such an emotional and motivating book! As always I will always look for good prose, and the reader has it! Michelle Obama is a great writer. She makes you feel invested in her story. Even though you know beforehand the outcome of certain events, she makes you relive it, with all the emotions that you felt at that time. And I found interesting to relive these historic events through her eyes. She gives you a good insight on how politics for a citizen is like, and how progress is achieved. But even though politics can be indeed frustrating, and politicians can be more concerned about keeping their power, she keeps it optimistic while staying lucid. If we want to see change, on our level we can work for it, by using what is already there, by being tolerant, helping those who are around us, by being compassionate.  « When they go low, we go higher ! ». Such an inspiring lady! I recommend her book, it is beautiful, very human, and mostly… Full of hope! It reinforced my admiration for Michelle Obama. Such a great book !

#michelle obama #becoming by michelle obama #book review #booklr #books #book community

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Becoming, by Michelle Obama. 

I have been wainting a while to read that one !! 

#michelle obama #becoming #becoming by michelle obama #booklr #booklr community #bookstagram #books

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“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood

RATING: 🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇 /5

SYNOPSIS:

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now . . . Funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing, The Handmaid's Tale is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and tour de force.

REVIEW:

     « The Handmaid’s Tale » by Margaret Atwood, is a book that was published back in 1985. And since then has never stopped being relevant.       It narrates the tale of a Handmaid in the dystopian reality of the United state where a very specific view on religion has taken over the country and stripped women of all of their rights, their names for some, reorganise the economy, and has institutionalised rape as a way to allow the privileged families to have a child. The book is disturbing on how, for me, it describes my worst nightmares, in a time where we still have to fight, as a woman, for our rights.       I must first mention the writing! It was stunning, kind of reminded me of Marguerite Duras for some reason, this sort a retelling of the past, by a potentially unreliable narrator. This stream of consciousness is amazing! I loved it! Very fluid writing, very poetic, and I loved the mind of Offred. She tells it as she feels it but even censures herself sometimes which tells a lot about her trauma and the hardships she has and still endures. We do not have much information on other characters, as we exclusively have the point of view of Offred, which put a light on how solitary this life is for all of them. We see how they are scared of each other, mistrust each other, but are hungry for human contact and bounding. You can only feel strongly for Offred and hope she makes it out here someday and retrieve her daughter. You just want Gilead to burn.       And you can just put yourself into her shoes by this reading, especially the way Gilead starts, this feeling of distress and frustration she feels as she has to rely on her husband and becomes dependant of him. I would hate to feel that… I do not want to say too much about the plot, as there is already a lot of spoilers given by the TvShow. But I highly recommend reading this book, for the story it tells, and also for this good quality writing which convinced me to read another book by this author as soon as I have the chance.

#margaret atwood #the handmaid's tale #book review #bookstagram #booklr #books #the handmaid's tale review

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#more than this #patrick ness #booklr #booklr community #booksnwaffles #bookstagram

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#the handmaid's tale #bookworm #booklr

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“Furyborn: The Empirium Trilogy - Book 1″ by Claire Legrand

RATING: 🧇🧇🧇/5

SYNOPSIS:

When assassins ambush her best friend, Rielle Dardenne risks everything to save him, exposing herself as one of a pair of prophesied queens: a queen of light, and a queen of blood. To prove she is the Sun Queen, Rielle must endure seven elemental magic trials. If she fails, she will be executed...unless the trials kill her first. One thousand years later, the legend of Queen Rielle is a fairy tale to Eliana Ferracora. A bounty hunter for the Undying Empire, Eliana believes herself untouchable--until her mother vanishes. To find her, Eliana joins a rebel captain and discovers that the evil at the empire's heart is more terrible than she ever imagined. As Rielle and Eliana fight in a cosmic war that spans millennia, their stories intersect, and the shocking connections between them ultimately determine the fate of their world--and of each other.

REVIEW: 

I have wanted to read Furyborn for a while now, I had heard so much about when it came out in 2018 and the cover was absolutely gorgeous. The book was published in 2018 by SourceBooks Fire. Written by Claire Legrand, a librarian who already has written a few books before that one.  It has been sitting on my bookshelf since 2018, and finally, I had the time to read.  Sooo… I did not enjoy the book. The thing is the prologue and the first chapters were really good, we were starting off to a very good start, and then… nothing. It was boring. The thing for me is I had the impression to have read the book a thousand times already. Magic trials, badass assassin, love/angst… Except here it was not very enticing. The two main characters were full of clichés, and with the potential the story has, they really came out bland. Even the main villain felt like a bad rip off of the Darkling from the Grisha Trilogy. I love tropes, but offer me a new perspective, make me feel for the characters, and for that many pages, give me A GOOD PLOT.  Nothing happens during the story. Nothing at least that you already knew from the prologue. It is just a succession of « things ». There is not much worldbuilding either I thought, or enough to be invested in the story... Which is why it is so dull to read. I must say I was not a fan of how the book was organised either, chapters wise. One chapter Rielle, one chapter Eliana. You do not get to actually get into the action, that you are already moving on to the other characters, and this for the length of the book. And you do not get emotionally involved in the characters. I just could not care what happened to them at some point. And then when you close it, you realise that nothing justifies the length of the book, because there was no stakes or big goal to the story. Honestly, this book was a big let down for me. I do not think I well pick up the sequel at all…  

#bookreview #booklr #furyborn

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The Diviners by Libba Bray: An Underrated Book series

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✩ Emma’s Bookshelf: WINTER READS ✩

These are books to cozy up next to a roaring fire with, to feverishly consume as snow falls softly outside. The stories are dark, lush, and atmospheric, with gorgeous language to match. These books will transport you to hushed forests and wine-dark seas, to dusty libraries full of forgotten mysteries. Recommended to read with a hot drink in hand. 

➸ The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden 

➸ Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente 

➸ House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

➸ Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

➸ The Binding by Bridget Collins

➸  Sabriel by Garth Nix

#pal #tbr

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#bookstagram #furyborn #books #bookreviews #bookshelves #book reviews #bookworm #booklr

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“The Leaf Reader” by Emily Arsenault

“Maybe, occasionally, some of the pictures I saw in teacups were not for the tea drinkers. Maybe some of them were for me.”

RATING: 🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇/5

SYNOPSIS:

Marnie Wells knows that she creeps people out. It’s not really her fault; her brother is always in trouble, and her grandmother, who’s been their guardian since Mom took off is…eccentric. So no one even bats an eye when Marnie finds an old book about reading tea leaves and starts telling fortunes. The ceremony and symbols are weirdly soothing, but she knows—and hopes everyone else does too—that none of it’s real. Then basketball star Matt Cotrell asks for a reading. He’s been getting emails from someone claiming to be his best friend, Andrea Quinley, who disappeared and is presumed dead. And while they’d always denied they were romantically involved, a cloud of suspicion now hangs over Matt. But Marnie sees a kindred spirit: someone who, like her, is damaged by association. Suddenly the readings seem real. And, despite the fact that they’re telling Marnie things about Matt that make him seem increasingly dangerous, she can’t shake her initial attraction to him. In fact, it’s getting stronger. And that could turn out to be deadly.

REVIEW:      

       So I had read this book quite a while ago, but I could not remember the plot, as it was when I started work and I was not very focused. To be honest I am not sure I had the time to finish it. So when I saw it on my shelf I decided to give it a go once again. Good idea because I really enjoyed it.       Emily Arsenault is a writer accustomed to « mystery novel » but this one was her first shot at a mystery novel for YA Literature. The book came out on June 13th 2017 and was published by Soho Teens.       The first thing to say about this novel is that it is well written. The writing is very fluid, simple. The book is a real page-turner.       The plot in itself is also very good! I could not put it down! You follow Marnie a teenager who took over summer the habit of doing tea readings. She starts just for fun, to humour her classmates, and one in particular called Cecilia.   Cecilia is part of a group of friends, to which a member is missing. Indeed, last year a young girl named Andrea was reported missing. One day her best friend Matt, ask Marnie for a reading. Both of them then start investigating Andrea disappearance, to which a childhood friend of Marnie’s, Jimmy, might be linked.       The investigation and the gift of Marnie work very well all along with the story. It helps find some clues, without making it too easy either. The reader keeps on trying to guess as well as the main protagonist what might have transpired, without really grasping what it is all about. I loved it. It was not too obvious but you could guess in which direction the author was going. And I really appreciated the resolution of the mystery. You have some input on class struggle, and the privilege of the wealthy against the others, which I found, the way it was put, quite emotional...      The main protagonist Marnie, is also very well fleshed out! She is a very mature teenage girl, but still a teenager. I really like the fact that she was very straightforward and honest with herself. There was no moment where I was like « Oh my god, do that » or « Do not do that, it is stupid », which is rare. She is very sympathetic and very smart. I enjoyed being in her head, for the length of the book and would love to have more protagonist written this way.      The ambience of the book is also very well established. You can see yourself a G.Clara’s house (Marnie’s grandmother), or sit with her at the coffee shop… The city itself is interesting also, between the normal life, the places that are part of the investigation, the places between the present and how it was on the past and Marnie thrilling dreams, the city takes on many faces, and as a reader, it is amazing to discover.      I would strongly recommend this book. It is not very long, around 230 pages (or less), and you get hooked right away. The pace is good, and the plot is reaaaaally good! Do yourself a favour, settled in a comfy place, get yourself a cup of tea (and a waffle ) and READ IT!

#books #booklover #bookstagram #bookreview #the leaf reader #emily arsenault

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“Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America”, by Leslie Knope ;)

“Welcome to Pawnee: More Exciting than New York, More Glamorous than Hollywood, Roughly the Same Size as Bismarck, North Dakota”

RATINGS (Waffles) : 🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇/5

SYNOPSIS:

In Pawnee, Leslie Knope (as played by Amy Poehler on NBC's hit show Parks and Recreation) takes readers on a hilarious tour through her hometown, the Midwestern haven known as Pawnee, Indiana. The book chronicles the city's colorful citizens and hopping nightlife, and also explores some of the most hilarious events from its crazy history--like the time the whole town was on fire, its ongoing raccoon infestation, and the cult that took over in the 1970s. Packed with laugh-out-loud-funny photographs, illustrations, and commentary by the other inhabitants of Pawnee, it's a must-read that will make you enjoy every moment of your stay in the Greatest Town in America.

REVIEW:

    I love this book! I could sing my love for this book on the top of a rooftop! I discovered the TV show "Parks and Recreation" when I was in college kinda randomly, and have been hooked ever since. This show has truly become a way to cope with my anxiety, a way to comfort myself and take a real dose of optimism and joy. Leslie Knope is such a great character, she is truly an inspiration.     The day I got this book I was over the moon and hoping I will be not disappointed. And let me tell you: I.WAS. NOT. The book is a real insight into the history of Pawnee, and its everyday life, from the nightclubs, to the diverse companies and the diverse activities available, you get all the extra information.     What I liked the most is actually the first chapter, titled "24 Hours In Pawnee", where you pretend to spend a day in the town, you even get the plan of JJ'S Diner with a collage of Leslie Knope eating waffles! You have a transcript of the show "Crazy Ira & The douche", covers of  Pawnee sun, an Interview of Perd Harpley, the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness, and even a chapter on Eagleton. I mean the work they have put into this book is amazing! I thought it was really a good idea to make Leslie's book come to life, after all, she is passionate about her book, so it is kinda the ultimate Leslie Knope goodies.     Leslie Knope I think is such a great character, she is driven, ambitious, compassionate, funny, bubbly, sometimes a push-over. We have a truly good written character!     Of course, if you have never seen the show, I do not think you will be able to enjoy this book, it was truly meant for fans of the show. But hey, it is never too late to watch it ;)

#book review #booklr #books #parks and rec #leslie knope #Pawnee: The greatest town in america #bookworm #bookstagram

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#booklr #bookstagram #bookshelves #the leaf reader #current read #tbr #pal

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Darroc: [breathes]

Me:

#feverborn #fever series

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BOOK REVIEW

HIII !! 

Latest review posted ! I am so glad to finally be able to do that again, I am quite rusty but very proud :D

If you ever check it out please let me know what I can keep, but more importantly what can I improve. 

I would advise to go directly on the computer rather than the mobile version ;)

Here the links:  The Review      The blog 

#book review #bookworm #booklr community #Booklr #repost