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The Labyrinth of the Spirits
The Labyrinth of the Spirits
Carlos Ruiz Zafón | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Mystery
10
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A beautiful and deserving ending to a wonderful series
This is the fourth and final instalment in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. I have to be honest - I have read the first book in the series, and I have the second and third books on my bookshelf, unread. I thought I had actually read them, but as I read this book, it became blatantly obvious that I hadn't. I WILL be rectifying that! However, it isn't actually necessary to read these in order. I don't feel I've missed any of the plot, although I have a sneaking suspicion I would have 'cottoned on' a lot quicker with some of the story lines.
I loved this book - the characters are so well developed, the story had me reading through my fingers (if you see what I mean!). I wanted the best for the Sempere's for Alicia and Fermin, and they all got the ending they deserved (and that's all I'll say!).
Parts of the book are toe-curlingly graphic. Alicia's life is not a pleasant one, and one of the other characters has a very bad experience. We get to see the corruptness of government officials in fascist Spain, and the depths they go to for money and power.
And underlying it all is a love of books that we book lovers all understand: "This is a place of mystery...a sanctuary. Every book, every volume you see here has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and loved and dreamed with it."
Yes, I cried. It's a gorgeous book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
  
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Frank Carter recommended Coral Fang by The Distillers in Music (curated)

 
Coral Fang by The Distillers
Coral Fang by The Distillers
2003 | Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I picked this album up shortly after it came out, and at the time I was in a teenage band, who were awful, and I wanted to scream and I wanted to sing but I didn't know how to do both, and I heard this record and I just kinda gave up on the idea. I remember thinking 'Brody Dalle's doing this better than I ever will, and it's a girl,' and immediately I just loved everything about it. When you're a young teenage boy in the suburbs at some point you've got to get by on testosterone alone just to survive in that field of football games you don't want to play in. I just loved Brody fiercely, unapologetically being herself, and it just sounded like a glass of fucking acid in your face. I really like every record they've made, but Coral Fang specifically is as close to acid in the face as music gets. Every now and then you'll get a band that works purely on chemistry, and then sometimes there's a person in the band that's just magnetic, and for whatever reason you just can't get away from them. I think it's got a lot to do with that open sense of self and the confidence that comes from knowing who you are as an artist. It doesn't really matter if you've got no idea who you are as a person – I've just become a dad and that's turned everything I thought I knew about myself on my head – and she's definitely a role model in that respect, in regards to just unashamedly being herself. She sings and there's a sound, it's like an extra instrument. It's rare you can have someone who can put so much style into every word."

Source
  
Love's Allegiance
Love's Allegiance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This story really took me to the WWII era!
Linda Shenton Matchet really got her characters into the WWII era, by the ways in which they conversed, the clothes described, really everything matched the era of WWI. It was as if Linda Shenton Matchet transported me there. I thought that the characters had great interactions, most of the reactions to things were believable, and they were overall well-developed characters. Personally, I liked how the story was loosely based on the Biblical story of Isaac and Rachel, I thought it was a unique premise for a WWII era novel to have. This book is technically the fourth book in Linda Shenton Matchet’s Wartime Brides series, however, it can be read as a stand-alone without you getting lost or confused (I have not read the previous books in the series yet).
I believe that Linda Shenton Matchet did a good job conveying an often-controversial topic; the role Conscious Objectors (CO) played during WWII. She made me look at it in a way I had not previously done, which I appreciated, (Not to say that I fully understand that point of view, but I think I have a better picture of it now). I did think that the book moved a little fast and I wished I could have known the characters better. However, this is part of a series so maybe the next book will continue to grow the characters more.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the great characters, the full immersion into the WWII era, and for making me see a different side of a Conscious Objector (CO). I did receive this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
The Time Of Our Lives
The Time Of Our Lives
Jane Costello | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Weak main character (0 more)
I really enjoyed The Wish List by Jane Costello, so when I picked up this book I was quite keen to get stuck in.
The back of the book states 'even in the most glamorous of locations, things can go wrong.' Well let me just say there are things going wrong and then there are things going WRONG.
It is all well and good having a few unfortunate events happening to the main character but I didn't believe that it was then essential to make her awkward, accident prone and a complete sap.
I don't know if I was meant to love or hate Imogen. I grew to really dislike her. I wanted to shake her and tell her to be stronger. There is no need for women to be portrayed in such a pathetic way.
It wasn't a wholly predictable tale though. There were a couple swings that I hadn't expected that gave a bit more substance to the novel.
I read to escape life, find inspiration and motivation. In my opinion, this book reaffirmed the idea that women are weak. Please create a strong, intelligent, independent woman as a main character! It will give girls a better role model for life!
  
A Cure For Everything: A Vampire Novella
A Cure For Everything: A Vampire Novella
Steven Jenkins | 2022 | Paranormal
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I don't usually read vampire books, I love a good horror book every now and again but I've never really got into vampire books so wasn't sure if this was something I would enjoy but I thought, what the heck, why not? And, I was pleasantly surprised because it wasn't what I expected at all - it was so much more.

The premise is quite simple really, Millie is happily married with 2 young children when she receives a devastating diagnosis meaning she has but months left to live. However, there is a cure ... become a vampire! Seems like a simple decision doesn't it? Not so for Millie - her mum was a vampire and it didn't end well so what will she do? And when you think you know what's going to happen, Mr Jenkins throws in a great twist which left me wanting more.

A great, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed and that cover, wow ... eye-catching and creepy.

I am looking forward to reading more of Mr Jenkins work if this short story if anything to go by and I must thank him for making me a part of his Advance Reader Team but this in no way influenced my thoughts on this novella which I thoroughly enjoyed.
  
Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter, #1)
Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter, #1)
Sherrilyn Kenyon | 2009 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
6
7.9 (15 Ratings)
Book Rating
Okay, before I start my review, I have a little pet peeve about Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing: She'll switch from one character to another without warning. There I am, happily reading along from Amanda's viewpoint, when all of a sudden it's Kyrian. Ugh! I know I've read other authors who do the same thing, but somehow it flows better and isn't like - what just happened?! Okay, end rant.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I did like Fantasy Lover more than this one. While I don't always think Ms. Kenyon is the best writer (it sometimes feels disjointed to me) her world is very imaginative and interesting. The creatures/characters are intriguing, and the story was just plain fun to read. Hey, there's a tortured hero, what more do you need? I was really into it close to 200 pages in, then I had to put it down. The next day I picked it up and it didn't grab me as much as the day before. Though towards the end it started to pick up for me, and of course I'm a big sap for happy endings. That's why I read romances more than anything else. I don't know about other romance readers, but I've had a hard life and I need a little lightness in it. That's where romances help. Now that I've bared my soul (no pun intended - hopefully you'll get it if you've read the book), I think I'll get back to the review. Now where was I? I know that Talon will be in the next book in the series, but I can't wait to read about Acheron. If he doesn't have a book out now, Ms. Kenyon needs to start writing his story. Well, as I said before (I think), it was a fast and fun read!

Please excuse me if my review is a little disjointed (haha), I can't quite put into words how to explain how I felt about the book. Ah, oh well; can't win them all!
  
TB
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b><i>I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
When I first read <i><a href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-the-prophecy-of-shadows-by-michelle-madow"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Prophecy of Shadows</a></i>, the book felt really slow. The pacing just didn’t feel right and there wasn’t enough action. But the series showed promise to get better (and like with any other book, there’s the risk of the sequel being worse than that first book), so when I saw <i>The Blood of the Hydra </i>being available on Netgalley for request, I jumped at the chance because I wanted to see if the series would get better.

And I have to say: Wow. Despite the book has the feel of a love triangle on the horizon, <i>The Blood of the Hydra</i> is more interesting - Madow incorporates more mythology (rather than the first book, when Nicole is new to the world and learning everything about it). The characters undergo a development - in the first book, there’s a bit of tension and a division, yet a sense of unity, among the five witches. In the sequel, there is still tension, but that tension from the first has noticeably died down.

<i>The Blood of the Hydra</i> is also more action packed than the first book. More monsters and more fighting involved - honestly, I enjoyed the sequel more than <i>The Prophecy of Shadows</i> and cannot wait to continue the series.

Side Note: I know I reviewed the third book before the second. Shh.

<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/mini-reviews-pt-2-zac-brewer-amie-kaufman-meagan-spooner-michelle-madow-dawn-rae-miller-jamie-blair/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
  
The Madman&#039;s Daughter (The Madman&#039;s Daughter, #1)
The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter, #1)
Megan Shepherd | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am very glad I finally picked up this book. I got it for Christmas, but started reading so many other books that this one kinda got left behind. It is a great example of how creepy and intriguing can be mixed together in a very nice way. I loved the story itself. There were only a few moments where I felt that I c ould tell what was going to happen next. It kept me on the edge of my seat from the forst page. I really liked how all of the characters were named after other literary characters. It just made the book that much more fun for me. I would recommend this to anyone who likes gothic style horror and does not have a faint heart. There are a few scenes that can get intense and violent. I can't wait to start reading the next one!
  
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Andrea Hill (14 KP) rated Amazon Kindle in Apps

Jul 16, 2018  
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle
Book
10
9.1 (292 Ratings)
App Rating
Access to a whole world of magic and imagination. (0 more)
Not a day goes by that I don't use my Amazon Kindle.
I love Amazon Kindle. As a real bibliophile I didn't think I could ever break my addiction to the printed world. But it did. I love how easy the world of books is to access and how many genres ate available. I have a condition called fibromyalgia which makes my joints weak and painful. This made it difficult to read books in bed which is my favourite thing. Thankfully with Amazon Kindle it is light enough to use and read with one hand, so very easy for me to use on my pad. Plus with Amazon Kindle on my phone, I am never without my latest or favourite books. I read do.much I joined kindle unlimited to save myself some money. £7.99 A month, bargain.
  
AH
A Humble Heart (Hollywood Hearts, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another favourite author of mine - after coming off of Neighbour from Hell this is quite a different pace to come to and read. This book is very adorable and sweet, and actually has quite a bit of excitement, suspense maybe - action with the celebrity aspect. Throws a different light on that type of life I wonder if that's how all celebrity life is or if they live a more "normal" type of celebrity.

I like the book writer aspect and the kids, oh I love kids in books when written right, though sometimes I definitely felt the kids were written older then they were, it didn't bother me too much. This was a re-read for me though i can't remember when I read it for the first time (I read neighbour from hell repeatedly so I figured I'd re-read this series, not sad I did).