Tag: genre: fantasy

31. A book mentioned in another book – The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

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Finished 11/25/18

This was not the book I had originally planned for this prompt but after reading the Six of Crows duology, starting the Grisha Trilogy, and pre-ordering King of Scars (which all take place in the same world) I got hyped and bought the hardcover of this book. It’s so pretty and I started reading right away. The stories collected in this book are talked about in the Crooked Kingdom so I used it to check off this prompt. Easy peasy! This ended up being my last prompt for the challenge.

Now for the book, I really liked it. There’s six fairy tales, some retellings of classics but with a Grisha twist to them. The artwork is beautiful and adds to the whole experience while reading this book. I definitely recommend this to fans of the Grishaverse.

title: Saga Volumes 5-9

author: Brian K. Vaughan

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
genre(s): Comics, Fantasy, Science Fiction

my thoughts: wowowow. After reading Vol. 4 I put a request in at my library for the rest of the trades because I needed to know what happens next. Since Volume 9 came out recently there was a loooong wait so I just went and bought it. Oh man that ending! I’m sad that it’s currently on hiatus for at least a year but I can understand why they have decided on that. I will wait as long as I have to for this amazing story.

Finish date: 11/09, 11/10, 11/11, 11/12, 11/18

A3. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public space – The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

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Finished 10/30/18

This ended up being one of the hardest prompts to fulfill. I couldn’t see any of the titles of books that were being read and I’m a very quiet person. I can’t just talk to someone out of nowhere, it makes me uncomfortable. I finally just went with a book that I saw someone pick up at the bookstore and that ended up being Raven Black. I also saw two other books that interested me but they weren’t readily available at my library. Unfortunately something happened with the hold I put on the book and it was checked out again and I just didn’t want to wait 21days for it to be available. I’m still planning on reading Raven Black but not for this prompt.

Now finally finally I was able to actually find a book being read out in the wild! I was so excited because 1. I actually found someone myself and 2. It’s a book that I’ve been wanting to read. The Hazel Wood. I was lined up for the Disney Designer Collection exclusive Princess Jazmine barbie (I wasn’t called in the raffle sad) but in line I saw someone sitting down reading this book.

Okay okay enough with my unnecessary explanation in picking the book. Though to be fair this feels more like a diary that I’m keeping for myself. I doubt anyone will see this or even read it. Anywayyyy hahaha on to the book review.

The actual book review: I really enjoyed the story. It definitely is a typical fairy tale, it was all the ingredients for one. There’s also a lot of mystery and answers to questions that are not straightforward. If that’s not your thing avoid! But I don’t mind cliches and tropes and I really ended up caring for the characters and the story.

title: City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake #1)

author: Victoria Schwab

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
genre(s): Middle Grade, Fantasy, Paranormal

my thoughts: This is Schwab’s first middle grade book and I really enjoyed the story. It definitely had a creepy vibe but wasn’t terrifying (which sometimes I just can’t handle so this was perfect for me). I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. Hopefully it will be released soonish. I recommend this book for those looking for an easy and fun halloween (spooky in general) read.

Finish date: 10/14/18

title: Saga Vol. 3

author: Brian K. Vaughan

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
genre(s): Comics, Fantasy, Science Fiction

my thoughts: I really enjoyed this. I know I said this exact same thing about volume 1 but it still stands. I love the characters and the world that’s been built. I get the majority of my books from my library’s ebook catalogue but I hope to have enough money to purchase this comic series one day.

Finish date: 10/13/18

title: Saga Vol. 2

author: Brian K. Vaughan

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
genre(s): Comics, Fantasy, Science Fiction

my thoughts: I loved this! The backstory of Marco & Alana and the tidbits about their childhood and home life peaked my interest. I also really like that this story is being told by a future Hazel. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of these comics.

Finish date: 10/12/18

20. A book by a local author – The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

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Finished 09/18/18

I had a hard time with this prompt so I expanded my area to the state in general. According to his bio, Tony DiTerlizzi resides in LA. I figured eh same state at least sounds good. Also I’m a big fan of The Spiderwick Chronicles. The illustrations are wonderful and enhanced the story. It helped paint the world DiTerlizzi created. The story itself dragged or felt stagnant in some places. I’m interested to find out what happened to the earth in the rest of this trilogy.

title: Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1)

author: Laura Sebastian

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
genre(s): YA, Fantasy

my thoughts: under the cut for possible spoilers.

First off beware the dreaded love-triangle. Okay if it’s your thing, this story has it and if it’s not well again this story has a love triangle. Now they don’t really bother me that much, only enough to make a note of but not avoid a book. This wasn’t a bad story just a tad slow and boring for me and there was a lot of potential. I really kept waiting for something to happen, there was so much lag in between any action and even the action wasn’t very… action-y. The main, Theo, kept trying to see the best in people even after they showed their true colors and then she’d give them a second chance. One example her friend Cress, she showed she only cared for “Thora” so long as she stayed in her lane but that was as far as her humanity stretched. And Theo kept giving her the benefit of the doubt, twice she tried to appeal to Cress and even in the end after Theo tried to kill Cress, she felt bad for her and guilt. Girl make up your mind, was she your friend or not? (imo not). Ugh sorry this review is terrible. I just wasn’t feeling this book but I am planning on reading the rest in the series since it’s only a trilogy.

Finish date: 09/16/18

title: Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1)

author: Tricia Levenseller

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
genre(s): YA, Romance, Fantasy

my thoughts: I really enjoyed this! It was a really fast read, not very long but wonderfully written imo. The story pulled me in right away and I did not want to put the book down. I also love the story behind Alosa’s conception. I’m a sucker for cover art and this one got me hooked before I read the summary.

A little tidbit about me, I get all my books from the library first and if I really like the story I’ll go and buy it to support the author. As soon as I started the book I knew this was going on my books to buy wish list. This book left me wanting to read more by Tricia Levenseller.

Finish date: 09/12/18