-
Review: A GATHERING OF SHADOWS // stabby-goodness, ships and MAGIC!!!
Title: A Gathering of Shadows Series: Shades of Magic book #2 Author: V.E. Schwab Page count: 508 Date published: 23 February 2016 Genre: Young Adult fantasy Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift–back into Black London. Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games–an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighbouring countries–a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port. And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning.…
-
Review: WILDCARD // my mind is blown
Title: Wildcard Series: Warcross book #2 Author: Marie Lu Page count: 352 Date published: 18 September 2018 Genre: Young Adult sci-fi/contemporary Thank you Penguin Book SA for sending a copy my way – my thoughts are all my own Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS Emika Chen barely made it out of the Warcross Championships alive. Now that she knows the truth behind Hideo’s new NeuroLink algorithm, she can no longer trust the one person she’s always looked up to, who she once thought was on her side. Determined to put a stop to Hideo’s grim plans, Emika and the Phoenix Riders band together, only to find a new threat lurking on the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Someone’s put a bounty on Emika’s head, and her sole chance for survival lies with Zero and the Blackcoats, his ruthless crew. But Emika soon learns that Zero isn’t all that he seems–and his protection comes at a price. Caught in a web of betrayal, with the future of free will at risk, just how far will Emika go to take down the man she loves? Umm like what?? did I?? just read?? AHHHHH!!!!. This book man. P.S. I don’t have…
-
TOP 8 BOOKS OF 2018 // ft. 2019 new years resolutions
Yeah, I can’t fathom that the year is already over but what else can you do?? To be honest, I would have liked to have read WAY MORE than I did, I mean I passed my goal and all (and read some great books) but still. I’ll get to my goals for 2019 in a minute. I read 36 books this year which I’m satisfied with but next year is definitely the time for MORE. Anyways, I have 8 books to talk about and a couple honourable mentions so let’s just get into them, in no real particular order but some I I enjoyed more than others if that makes sense. Also, most of these aren’t 2018 releases, I only read them this year but who actually cares? H O N O U R A B L E M E N T I O N S The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli I really loved this book. I adore Becky Albertalli and related to the main character, Molly, SO much. I loved being back in the Simon-verse and the romance was so cute. It was just such a great read Renegades by Marissa Meyer WOW. This is…
-
Review: QUEEN OF AIR AND DARKNESS // i may be biased but this book is perfection
Title: Queen of Air and Darkness Series: The Dark Artifices Author: Cassandra Clare Page count: 880 Date published: 4 December 2018 Genre: Young Adult urban fantasy Rating: (5 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS What if damnation is the price of true love? Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the blight that is destroying the race of warlocks. Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love. Ummm… wow? I am surprised I actually survived…
-
NOVEMBER RECAP // exams, my birthday and contemporaries
Eyy look at me trying to be on time because apparently, I’m the best at creating new content… Okay so I was writing exams for basically the entirety of November, so um yeah, fun times. So I’m surprised I read anything at all. Well, I’ll stop rambling and get into what I read. The Trouble With Flying by Rachel Morgan {★★★★☆}: I really enjoyed this book. It’s set in South Africa and therefore was really relatable and just a really fun, fluffy romance. She has a few more books in the series so I’m also really excited to read those if they’re anything like this book. Click here for my review What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera {★★★★☆}: I read this book in collaboration with Bargain Books, which was so fun and I really enjoyed it. I loved the first 3/4 of the book but am still confused by the ending. The book wasn’t what I was expecting which is a little disappointing but nonetheless, I loved the characters and the pop culture and it’s really cute. Click here for my review and also a list of my favourite rom-com recommendations! December is school holidays for…
-
MY FAVOURITE YA BOOK-TO-MOVIE ADAPTATIONS // ft. all the movie love
You don’t even know how long this post has sat in my drafts and I’ve only now gotten to it… *nervous laughter*. I don’t have much else to say so let’s just get into this. HARRY POTTER I mean how could I not? I’ve watched these movies countless times. I’m really unoriginal, I know. My favourites are the last two, those are constantly on repeat. The set is amazing, the actors are perfect. I’ve loved them since I was 11 years old so I mean?? Is there really much else to say? LOVE, SIMON I know, I know, I did warn you that I was unoriginal. This movie was so good and quickly became a favourite. It’s such a good adaptation. The movie is adorable and perfect. They made one change that wasn’t my favourite, but the casting was so perfect. Click here for my movie review! I just,,,, BEFORE I FALL Okay, I have not read the book so I can’t speak as to how accurate the adaptation is, but if you didn’t know, I’m not an easy cryer. I mean it takes a lot to cry during a book or movie. But by the end of this movie,…
-
Review: WHAT IF IT'S US // Bargain Books collaboration ft. cuteness, many laughs and rom com recommendations
Title: What If It’s Us Author: Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera Page count: 437 Date published: 9 October 2018 Genre: Young Adult contemporary Rating: (4 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS: Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it. Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things. But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them? Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated. Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited. But what if they can’t quite nail a first date . . . or a second first date . . . or a third? What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn’t try hard enough? What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play? But what if it is? This book was sent to me by Bargain Books to read and review, but all thoughts…
-
MINI MOVIE REVIEWS // superheroes + many bad yet entertaining watches
I was sitting around one day and realised that it had been 5ever since I did one of these posts so here we are today… Also click here if you’d like to see my twitter thread of all the movies I watched and some aesthetics Twilight: New Moon A friend and I just really wanted to re-experience these movies and for some reason chose my least favourite one #noregrets. This was just a trip down memory lane and even though these movies are kinda horrible and the story is hecka problematic, I still loved rewatching. And the soundtrack is top-notch!! Avengers: Infinity War Why did I even watch this movie? I’m just left with a gazillion questions!! First off I missed the first 20 minutes when my siblings were watching it and I just landed up finishing it and THAT ENDING. I still need to watch the more recent extra movies like Guardians 2, Black Panther and Doctor Strange (I will before the next movie). I feel like this movie has made everyone freak but I’m like um they’re tricking us all. I’m not going to spoil anything but I KNOW there’s more. Anyways, I really loved this movie and…
-
OCTOBER RECAP // exams & book hype
This is late and I’ve come to the conclusion that exams are literally the worst and source of my pain. To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo {★★★★☆}: I had such a great time with this delicious book. I loved the wit, and the sirens were epic. I loved the pacing of the romance and the world-building was really well done. I overall just had a great time with this book. Click here for my review! Renegades by Marissa Meyer {★★★★☆}: Wow this book. I feel like I’ve said it a million times but it’s the book I never knew I needed. I have this new adoration for superheroes. I loved the world and characters in this book, it was extremely slow but I quite liked that. I’m so hyped for the second book!! Click here for my review. Since this is so late it probably not even worth mentioning what I want to read BUT I’m almost finished with exams and I just want to read all the books so we’ll see how this goes…. A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo Wildcard…
-
Review: THE THROUBLE WITH FLYING // adorable book by a south african author
Title: The Trouble With Flying Series: Trouble Series book #1 Author: Rachel Morgan Page count: 254 Date published: 20 June 2014 Genre: New Adult contemporary Thank you to Rachel, the author, for sending me your book! Rating: (4 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS Sarah doesn’t talk to strangers. It’s awkward, stressful, and there’s the uncontrollable blushing to worry about. When she boards a plane to fly home after an overseas holiday, she plans to stick her nose in a book and ignore everyone around her. Aiden’s terrified of flying, and it’s his first time on a plane. If he can distract himself by talking non-stop for the entire flight, he will. Too bad for Sarah he’s sitting right next to her. Against all Sarah’s expectations, she ends up enjoying Aiden’s company. They laugh, argue, concoct stories about other passengers, and accidentally hold hands during the turbulence. When the time comes to say goodbye, Sarah can’t help the crazy thought that she shouldn’t let Aiden go. Then he kisses her. And then he’s gone. With her world turning upside down in more ways than one, Sarah has to make a decision: stick with the safe, predictable life that’s been mapped out…
