Mini-Review Collection { 1 }
Hi friends! Since I like knocking off several reviews at once, I've decided to create Mini-Review Collection, where I'll usually post 3 quick reviews of books I recently read!
In this first collection, I'll be reviewing ARCs of Night of Cake & Puppets, Speak Easy, Speak Love, and The Last Namsara!
In this first collection, I'll be reviewing ARCs of Night of Cake & Puppets, Speak Easy, Speak Love, and The Last Namsara!
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Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor, art by Jim Di BartoloDaughter of Smoke & Bone, book 2.5
Published September 12, 2017 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ARC provided by publisher (oh my gosh?!)
In this stand-alone companion to the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone series comes the story of Mik and Zuzana's fantastical first date—as a gorgeously illustrated gift edition with bonus content included.
Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her "rabid fairy," her "voodoo eyes" are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or "Violin Boy," her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to make the first move, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It's a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter's night before leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy is not going to know what hit him.
New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy—the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Originally published as an ebook, this new print edition will include breathtaking black and white illustrations, plus bonus content in a gorgeous package perfect for new and current fans of the series.
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Be still my beating heart. Even after so long after reading this one, it still never loses its charm. Night of Cake & Puppets is—and always will be—one of the cutest stories I have—and will—ever read.
It's just? So freaking cute. I have no idea how, but it just is. Reading from Mik's point of view and from Zuzana's, both of which are so incredibly different, was so refreshing. Seeing as Zu's was a bit wicked and determined, where Mik's was a bit curious and excited, both were perfect and both were just SO, SO CUTE.
Also! The art? What a fantastic addition. Bartolo's art was phenomenal and seeing the finished ones with the story just added more to the experience. They were strange, which totally matched Zu's personality. I really loved his style!
Also, this had a bit of Karou and oh my god, I loved that Taylor still showed their friendship in this novella.
So! All of that being said, I definitely recommend reading this! It's a quick read and so much fun, full of light and fluffy feelings with amazing art. Definitely go pick it up!
It's just? So freaking cute. I have no idea how, but it just is. Reading from Mik's point of view and from Zuzana's, both of which are so incredibly different, was so refreshing. Seeing as Zu's was a bit wicked and determined, where Mik's was a bit curious and excited, both were perfect and both were just SO, SO CUTE.
Also! The art? What a fantastic addition. Bartolo's art was phenomenal and seeing the finished ones with the story just added more to the experience. They were strange, which totally matched Zu's personality. I really loved his style!
Also, this had a bit of Karou and oh my god, I loved that Taylor still showed their friendship in this novella.
So! All of that being said, I definitely recommend reading this! It's a quick read and so much fun, full of light and fluffy feelings with amazing art. Definitely go pick it up!
Buy links!
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Speak Easy, Speak Love by McKelle GeorgeStandalone Novel
Published September 19, 2017 by Greenwillow Books
e-ARC provided by Edelweiss
Add it on GoodReads!
Published September 19, 2017 by Greenwillow Books
e-ARC provided by Edelweiss
Add it on GoodReads!
Six teenagers’ lives intertwine during one thrilling summer full of romantic misunderstandings and dangerous deals in this sparkling retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.
After she gets kicked out of boarding school, seventeen-year-old Beatrice goes to her uncle’s estate on Long Island. But Hey Nonny Nonny is more than just a rundown old mansion. Beatrice’s cousin, Hero, runs a struggling speakeasy out of the basement—one that might not survive the summer.
Along with Prince, a poor young man determined to prove his worth; his brother, John, a dark and dangerous agent of the local mob; Benedick, a handsome trust-fund kid trying to become a writer; and Maggie, a beautiful and talented singer; Beatrice and Hero throw all their efforts into planning a massive party to save the speakeasy. Despite all their worries, the summer is beautiful, love is in the air, and Beatrice and Benedick are caught up in a romantic battle of wits that their friends might be quietly orchestrating in the background.
Hilariously clever and utterly charming, McKelle George’s debut novel is full of intrigue and 1920s charm. For fans of Jenny Han, Stephanie Perkins, and Anna Godbersen.
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THIS BOOK. Oh my gosh, this was just so charming. I was already drawn to it because have you seen that cover?! I want a poster of it on my wall. I want to look at it FOREVER because it is just so pretty, bless the artist. Everything about it—the author's name in that font, the typography, THE HAIR THINGS, the shadowy wisps, the 1920's feel—IS PURE PERFECTION.
Now, about the book itself! It is beautiful. Full of finding yourself, romance, SO MUCH BANTER, and faaaaamily. I loved it. Honestly, it was just such a book.
I will admit, the plot is a bit slow, but that's because there's a few other arcs in the book. There are several POVs—primarily Beatrice and Benedick, with some Maggie—and they each have their own issues they need to battle through. I thought George seamlessly did this and it totally added to the book. It made each character, not just the three who got their own chapters, come alive.
Speaking of, the characters definitely made this book! I adored each and every one of them! Hero, the flirt, and, personally, an Inspiration (tm), was beautiful and dedicated and just plain amazing. I loved her style, her ability to put herself out there, just everything. Then there was Beatrice, my fierce, feminist darling! She was never afraid to voice her opinions and to stand up for herself. She said whatever she wanted, consequences be damned. Benedick was a smart, sassy writer and I liked how George wrote him! He was so sweet, funny at times, and adorably awkward with his feelings! Prince and John weren't were a pair of brothers that were so different, it's surprising they were related at all! I wished we'd seen more of John, but they were both complicated and admirable in their own way. And finally, Maggie, my loooooove. Her POV was probably my favourite. There's just so much about her I love, I could go on for ages.
Okay, okay wrapping up here, but before I go: ALL THE SHIPS. THEY ARE SO GOOD. ALL OF THEM. Oh my GOSH, they were so cute, so perfect, SO WELL DEVELOPED. I loved them. All of them. Particularly Bea and Ben, because you see most of them, BUT YEAH. They're all!! So!! Goood!!
And to end this not-so-mini-review (lmao sorry), READ THIS BOOK. It is so charming, so funny, and so, so good!
Now, about the book itself! It is beautiful. Full of finding yourself, romance, SO MUCH BANTER, and faaaaamily. I loved it. Honestly, it was just such a book.
I will admit, the plot is a bit slow, but that's because there's a few other arcs in the book. There are several POVs—primarily Beatrice and Benedick, with some Maggie—and they each have their own issues they need to battle through. I thought George seamlessly did this and it totally added to the book. It made each character, not just the three who got their own chapters, come alive.
Speaking of, the characters definitely made this book! I adored each and every one of them! Hero, the flirt, and, personally, an Inspiration (tm), was beautiful and dedicated and just plain amazing. I loved her style, her ability to put herself out there, just everything. Then there was Beatrice, my fierce, feminist darling! She was never afraid to voice her opinions and to stand up for herself. She said whatever she wanted, consequences be damned. Benedick was a smart, sassy writer and I liked how George wrote him! He was so sweet, funny at times, and adorably awkward with his feelings! Prince and John weren't were a pair of brothers that were so different, it's surprising they were related at all! I wished we'd seen more of John, but they were both complicated and admirable in their own way. And finally, Maggie, my loooooove. Her POV was probably my favourite. There's just so much about her I love, I could go on for ages.
Okay, okay wrapping up here, but before I go: ALL THE SHIPS. THEY ARE SO GOOD. ALL OF THEM. Oh my GOSH, they were so cute, so perfect, SO WELL DEVELOPED. I loved them. All of them. Particularly Bea and Ben, because you see most of them, BUT YEAH. They're all!! So!! Goood!!
And to end this not-so-mini-review (lmao sorry), READ THIS BOOK. It is so charming, so funny, and so, so good!
Buy links!
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Iksari, book 1
Publishes October 3, 2017 by HarperTeen
e-ARC provided by Edelweiss
e-ARC provided by Edelweiss
In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be dark—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death bringer.
These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up hearing in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.
Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.
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So. This book. Wow, I am blown away. Ciccarelli really has beautiful writing. And the romance? So, so good. Sort of slow burn, but full of the best interactions. I am 100% trash for it already.
The dragons are some of the best part of this book, which might seem a bit weird, considering the main character is a dragon hunter. But fret not, I don't think many will anticipate the direction this book goes in, which makes it such a great fantasy novel.
Speaking of the main character, Asha was something else. Fierce and brave, she didn't back down from a challenge or a dragon. I loved her from the first chapter and her change throughout the book was beautifully and believably done, and it just made her all the more amazing in my eyes.
The romance was both a subtle yet glaringly there sort of thing, if that makes sense? Whatever, I just know I loved it. Ciccarelli did a wonderful job with it and the interactions between Asha and her love interest were so cute, I was always just hoping for more!
The world this is set in seems so intricate and well written. I was keen on the whole old story aspect of the book and how it played with dragons. I really can't wait for book 2 and explore more of it!
Overall: add this to your TBR list. It's so worth it.
The dragons are some of the best part of this book, which might seem a bit weird, considering the main character is a dragon hunter. But fret not, I don't think many will anticipate the direction this book goes in, which makes it such a great fantasy novel.
Speaking of the main character, Asha was something else. Fierce and brave, she didn't back down from a challenge or a dragon. I loved her from the first chapter and her change throughout the book was beautifully and believably done, and it just made her all the more amazing in my eyes.
The romance was both a subtle yet glaringly there sort of thing, if that makes sense? Whatever, I just know I loved it. Ciccarelli did a wonderful job with it and the interactions between Asha and her love interest were so cute, I was always just hoping for more!
The world this is set in seems so intricate and well written. I was keen on the whole old story aspect of the book and how it played with dragons. I really can't wait for book 2 and explore more of it!
Overall: add this to your TBR list. It's so worth it.
Buy links!
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