Two book reviews in one

Okay. Yes, it has taken me a while to finish my books but I did finish 2. I decided to combine the reviews for The Chess Queen Enigma and The Carnelian Crow because I kind of didn’t want to stop reading. However, I will admit that I did slow down in both because both endings were not exactly ideal.

Anyway, let me start with The Chess Queen Enigma. The girls were tasked to play babysitter for the princess of Betrovia who had in hand a special letter that would end the rift between her country and England. However, things didn’t go as planned. A lot kind of went wrong for the girls in this one or at least, they were one step behind their foe. Yes, the Ankh is back and she’s back with a vengeance. She has a new plan in motion and it’s a dangerous one that has resulted in the death of several people and the near death of one pretty important character. In the end, the girls stopped the Ankh, if only for a moment, but unfortunately, the latter would have the last laugh in this situation. There are a lot of plot twists and surprises, some I really didn’t see coming so when I said the ending wasn’t ideal, I meant it.

Now for The Carnelian Crow. At the beginning, we meet Mina who is still reeling from the events of The Chess Queen Enigma. It has obviously taken a toll on her until she receives a gift from an unexpected visitor then things start to get interesting. She gets the chance to prove to herself that she isn’t a failure of a Holmes. For Evaline, things aren’t so peachy either. She’s still keeping up appearances with both her social life and her secret life. However, her sister-in-law drops a bomb on her by telling her that she needs to get married to save her family from financial crisis. Good gad! What is a girl to do? So things moved rather quickly in the book. The main issue the girls needed to face was all about The Carnelian Crow. For one, they didn’t know what it was and then as things started to be revealed, Mina finds out that she has a personal connection to it. The girls also face off with the Ankh once again and she does reveal her nefarious plot which will probably be the main plot point for the next and final book. There are still a few surprises in this book but not as many twists. However, the book ended with an arrest that was kind of the biggest surprise of them all. Again, not ideal.

How will things go for Mina and Evaline in the final book? Only time will tell. I need to wait until next year to find out. But I have a feeling that the last one is going to be one hell of a ride. A lot of loose ends need to be tied up and I can’t wait to see how everything connects.

That’s all for this post. HAPPY READING!

Now Reading (from my Kindle): The Chess Queen Enigma by Colleen Gleason

On to the next one! Let’s go!

The Blurb:

And then she mouthed a word at me—an unmistakable word that told me everything I needed to know. “Checkmate.”

Evaline Stoker & Mina Holmes have reluctantly agreed to act as social chaperones and undercover bodyguards for Princess Lurelia of Betrovia, who has arrived in London to deliver a letter that details the secret location of an ancient chess queen that’s been missing for centuries. But when the letter—which will heal a centuries-old rift between England and the Betrovians—is stolen out from under Evaline and Mina’s watchful eyes, the two girls are forced into a high-stakes race to ensure they find the chess queen before anyone else does…including their foe, the Ankh. For the chess queen is not only a historic symbol of a woman’s political power, but it has literal power as well—the queen will unlock the chessboard, revealing both treasures and ancient secrets the Ankh would kill to possess. It will take Mina’s smarts and Evaline’s strength to beat the thief and untangle this mystery before it is too late.

That’s all for this post. HAPPY READING!

Book Review: The Spiritglass Charade by Colleen Gleason

As I had mentioned in my Now Reading post of this book, I decided to read The Clockwork Scarab before proceeding to read this. I am glad I did because it got me reacquainted with all the characters and I was able to understand the story better the second time around.

Now for the second book in this series, it was quite a ride because finally the worlds of Mina and Evaline collided because of this case. In the first book, it was mostly Mina and her skills in deduction and observation. Evaline was more the brawn because there were no vampires in London until the events in this book. At the start, I thought that the case the girls were handling and the suddenly return of vampires in London were two separate things. Well, lo and behold, they’re linked! Of course, I won’t explain how here. Y’all have to read the book to find out.

I was quite happy to see Evaline in her element. In the first book, she hadn’t exactly killed a vampire yet and she was longing to prove herself worthy of her family legacy. She got that chance and proved that she was a true Venator. However, by the end of the book, she has to face some consequences that come with being a Venator and it’s consequences that she did not expect. I’m interested to see how she will handle it in the next book.

For Mina, she’s just as brilliant as ever if not, slightly annoyed about the events that she could not explain with logic and facts. She got a little more physical in this book which got her in some trying situations but at least I could see that Evaline is starting to rub off on her and vice versa.

Compared to the first book, this one had more fantastical elements alongside a mystery which makes things more complicated. There were seances, ghostly apparitions and the return of vampires to London. Evaline didn’t need convincing since she is a vampire hunter. However, Mina didn’t believe it at first until she came face to face with it.

This book definitely kept me guessing on who did it and what was really happening. I was not really fond of the vampires in the classic sense. It actually freaks me out and I just read through those parts as fast as I could. At the end, there is a new mystery that pops up. It’s not another case for the girls but it has something to do with their personal lives. I’m curious to see how that will develop in the upcoming books.

That’s all for this post. HAPPY READING!

Book Pile Additions!

As of today, I have 2 new real books and 1 new Kindle read. Well, technically, I had 2 new Kindle reads but I just finished reading one of them aka the last book I finished. Anyway, check out my new books…

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

What is it about?

Would you trade your soul mate for your soul?

A Shadowhunter’s life is bound by duty. Constrained by honor. The word of a Shadowhunter is a solemn pledge, and no vow is more sacred than the vow that binds parabatai, warrior partners—sworn to fight together, die together, but never to fall in love.

Emma Carstairs has learned that the love she shares with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, isn’t just forbidden—it could destroy them both. She knows she should run from Julian. But how can she when the Blackthorns are threatened by enemies on all sides?

Their only hope is the Black Volume of the Dead, a spell book of terrible power. Everyone wants it. Only the Blackthorns can find it. Spurred on by a dark bargain with the Seelie Queen, Emma; her best friend, Cristina; and Mark and Julian Blackthorn journey into the Courts of Faerie, where glittering revels hide bloody danger and no promise can be trusted. Meanwhile, rising tension between Shadowhunters and Downworlders has produced the Cohort, an extremist group of Shadowhunters dedicated to registering Downworlders and “unsuitable” Nephilim. They’ll do anything in their power to expose Julian’s secrets and take the Los Angeles Institute for their own.

When Downworlders turn against the Clave, a new threat rises in the form of the Lord of Shadows—the Unseelie King, who sends his greatest warriors to slaughter those with Blackthorn blood and seize the Black Volume. As dangers close in, Julian devises a risky scheme that depends on the cooperation of an unpredictable enemy. But success may come with a price he and Emma cannot even imagine, one that will bring with it a reckoning of blood that could have repercussions for everyone and everything they hold dear.

As always, I’ve been waiting for this book with bated breath! I am so excited to know what Emma, Julian and the others are going to have to face in the newest installment of the Dark Artifices series. Hope I can get to this one soon.

Rise of the isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz

What is it about?

Ride with the tide!

Deep beneath the waves, King Triton’s powerful trident has passed through the magical barrier that surrounds the Isle of the Lost—keeping villains in and magic out. And when Mal’s longtime rival Uma, daughter of Ursula, gets wind of this, she can’t believe her luck. The tide has dragged in something good for a change, and Uma is determined to get her wicked hands on it. But first, she needs a pirate crew.

A storm is brewing back in Auradon, and when Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay hear that the trident has been washed away, they realize they’ll have to find it before anyone from the Isle does. Luckily, they seem to have a talent for locating missing magical objects.

As Uma readies for the high seas alongside Harry, son of Captain Hook, Gil, son of Gaston, and the toughest rogues on the Isle of the Lost, the reformed villains of Auradon devise their own master plan. And with King Ben away on royal business, they won’t have to play by all the rules. Using bad for good can’t be totally evil, right?

The thrilling, perilous race to the trident puts old friends—and current enemies—against each other with the future of Auradon on the line. Both teams might like to make waves, but only one will come out on top of this one.

This is the latest installment of the Disney Descendants books and the events that happen in this book are set before the events of the Descendants 2 movie which is coming out in July 21st! I wonder if I can get to this before the movie comes out. Let’s see.

Alex & Eliza (A Love Story) by Melissa de la Cruz

What is it about?

Their romance shaped a nation. The rest was history.

1777. Albany, New York.

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.

Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

I am a big fan of Hamilton and Lin-Manuel Miranda. I have been listening to the cast album since 2015 and I am still dreaming of watching the show up to this day. Hopefully, one day that dream will come true. So I think you can imagine how excited I was when I found out that one of my favorite authors was writing a book about the love story of Alexander and Eliza Hamilton. Oh my Lord! I was excited. However, it did take me a while to get my hands on this book and I even had to decide whether to buy the physical book or the ebook, since I am trying to save space. In the end, this is my newest Kindle book. Needed to make some sacrifices and I also want to utilize Kinley (my Kindle) more anyway. This is the beginning.

That’s all for this post. HAPPY READING!

Now Reading (Catch up from my Kindle): The Spiritglass Charade by Coleen Gleason

Since I’m still in the mood for a good mystery, I have decided to stick to my Kindle for the time being and really try to catch up on a series that is long overdue.

The Blurb (from Goodreads.com):

After the Affair of the Clockwork Scarab, Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes are eager to help Princess Alix with a new case. Seventeen-year-old Willa Aston is obsessed with spiritual mediums, convinced she is speaking with her mother from beyond the grave. What seems like a case of spiritualist fraud quickly devolves into something far more menacing: someone is trying to make Willa “appear lunatic,” using an innocent-looking spiritglass to control her. The list of clues piles up: an unexpected murder, a gang of pickpockets, and the return of vampires to London. But are these events connected? As Uncle Sherlock would say, “there are no coincidences.” It will take all of Mina’s wit and Evaline’s muscle to keep London’s sinister underground at bay.

However, before I can actually dive into this book, I have decided to refresh my memory first. So I am reading The Clockwork Scarab again and then I’ll get to this one. It’s been a few years since I have read it. I really need to read it again. I hope y’all don’t mind.

That’s all for this post. HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Ally Carter

It all comes to a close in the final book of the Embassy Row series. This series has been quite a roller coaster for me and the story gets clearer with every book. In my opinion, this last one had the most clarity of the 3. The truth has been revealed to Grace however, there is still more to be found and understood. In addition to that, she has to deal with the Society because of what she knows and that is a pretty heavy burden to bear. But it’s a burden that she’s willing to take on for the sake of the people she loves. So she finally stops running in this book and faces reality head on.

This story shows how strong Grace is. Even if people have stood in her way to find the truth, she just blows past them and powers on. Nothing was going to stop her from finding what her mother was killed for. Not even the Society. Those women have so much power that it’s scary and they will do anything to keep Adria and the world stable. Even if it means silencing a nosy 16-year-old girl. Grace was willing to challenge that and she won.

A lot of secrets are revealed in this last book, as it should. It’s just revelation after revelation after revelation. I had to read some parts a little more slowly because I wanted to understand every detail that I could. But everything made sense. Everything clicked together. I don’t think anyone will be surprised as to who is behind Grace’s mother’s death and the attempted murders of Grace and her brother, Jamie. It’s actually quite cliche, if I really think about it. But I believe that all of this might have been avoided if some people weren’t so closed-minded and blinded by power. That should give y’all a hint.

Now to be honest, this isn’t one of my favorite series from Ally Carter. This one is a little more complicated and deep because of the psychological aspect of it. There was a lot of “crazy talk” because Grace was living with the stigma that usually comes with people who have been “admitted”. But Grace fought that stigma. She fought through the doubts and listened to that nagging voice in her head that said she wasn’t crazy. Even if this isn’t a favorite, this series was still able to keep my attention. I’m just as curious as Grace and I wanted to know the truth and how everything will turn out. Happy to say that it turned out well and Grace has a future to look forward to.

That’s all for this post. HAPPY READING!

Now Reading (Catch up from my Kindle): Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Ally Carter

It took me a couple of days and a novella to finally decide on my next book. But before I get to that, let me just say a few things about the novella I read in between.

I read The Grift of the Magi by Ally Carter. The events that happened here were set after book 3, Perfect Scoundrels and Kat is brought back to the field to try to steal back a precious Faberge egg that would have brought a lot of money to a very special charity. If Kat and her family fail to find the egg, Christmas would’ve been all but lost. However, with Kat being Kat and with her family by her side, they were able to save Christmas. I loved the Heist Society series and I do miss it. I wish it was longer! I think there are many more stories to tell. In light of that, this novella brought back that feeling and I was elated to be reading about my favorite crime family again. The story was very cute with a con that will keep you guessing. But in the end, it was all about family and the season of giving. I can’t wait for the holidays again. Maybe I should’ve waited a few more months before reading this. Just kidding!

If I didn’t read this novella, then I wouldn’t have decided to finally buy this book from Amazon and read it. I couldn’t get a hard copy here! I guess the merchandisers of the bookstores overlooked this one. Anyway, I have it and that’s all that counts.

The Blurb (spoilers ahead!):

Centuries ago, the royal family of Adria was killed…or so everyone thought.

Now Grace Blakely knows the truth: There was one survivor, and that survivor’s blood runs through her veins. This simple fact could cause a revolution—which is why some people will stop at nothing to keep it from coming to light.

There is only one way for Grace to save herself, save her family, and save the boy she loves. She must outmaneuver her foes, cut through the web of lies that has surrounded her for years, and go back to the source of all her troubles, despite the risk.

If she wins, she will inherit a throne.

And if she loses, she will inherit the fate of all the dead princesses who came before her.

That’s all for this post. HAPPY READING!

Book pile additions!

As of late, I have 2 new additions to my book pile so I decided to share with you some of my new ebooks too. I’m trying to cut down on buying physical books again since my pile is taller than me again. Mind you, I’m not tall.

So, I’ve made a promise to myself that I will buy the books of my favorite authors only. Which is still a lot so I need to be mindful. In the event that I see an interesting title, I will write it down and possibly download the ebook on my Kindle. I may have a monthly download allowance but I don’t want to abuse it.

So, here are my newest books!

Beauty and the Beast Novelization by Elizabeth Rudnick

What is it about?

Belle has dreamt of adventures like the ones she reads in her books, of traveling the world outside her small town. When Belle’s father is captured, she takes his place as a prisoner of a fearsome Beast. But life in the enchanted castle isn’t as terrible as Belle imagines, and she ultimately finds friendship and love. Enjoy this tale as old as time about adventure and love, about looking past first appearances, and about the inner Beauty and Beast in all of us in this beautiful novelization of the upcoming star-studded film!

I love Beauty and the Beast and I loved the new movie. I don’t care what other people have said about it; I LOVED IT! As a result, I bought its novelization. It was no question. As soon as I watched the movie, I bought this book. It may not have the music but I loved everything they added to the story that gave it more depth. It’s new and I do love a good backstory. Okay, I think I have said “love” enough times already.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo

What is it about?

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The title caught my attention but the blurb is what made me buy it. It combines some of my favorite things: historical fiction, forensic science and a good old mystery. I am quite excited to get to this one and see how Kerri Maniscalo writes. She’s technically endorsed by James Patterson and I love his books so I trust his judgment when it comes to writers. Let’s see, shall we?

Now, my new ebooks! Both of which were recommendations from a fellow bookworm friend.

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

What is it about?

Cinderella goes to the con in this fandom-fueled twist on the classic fairy tale.

Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle’s determined to win…unless her stepsisters get there first.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons—before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.

I love a good retelling of a fairy tale and what is the fairy tale that has the most retellings? I believe it’s Cinderella. Followed closely by Beauty and the Beast and Snow White. But that’s my opinion. Anyway, I am still attracted to it nonetheless because the twist this one took is very cute. This is the first time I’ve come across a retelling of Cinderella that has a geeky aspect to it. Looks interesting and my friend liked it. She is one intense bookworm so I trust her opinions.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

What is it about?

Kell is one of the last travelers–magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes connected by one magical city.

There’s Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, and with one mad King–George III. Red London, where life and magic are revered–and where Kell was raised alongside Rhy Maresh, the roguish heir to a flourishing empire. White London–a place where people fight to control magic and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, there was Black London. But no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red traveler, ambassador of the Maresh empire, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. It’s a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.

Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.

Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.

Magic. That word gets me every time. So when my friend started gushing about this book, it got me even more interested. This is a concept though that I haven’t come across before. Normally it’s only 2 worlds like a parallel universe or something. This one has 4! I am assuming there is much more to the story than this blurb is giving. I will have to read it first before I make any more assumptions.

That’s all for this post. HAPPY READING!

 

Book Review: The Girl with the Windup Heart by Kady Cross

I actually finished this book a few days ago and I have been racking my brain thinking of what to say about it! This book, this series has left me speechless and wanting more. If only there was more! But as always, all good things must come to an end and I have to say that it has been quite a journey.

Like in other series of its kind, the Steampunk Chronicles ended with a fierce battle. However, there were several other battles that were won in this book besides the most obvious one with the Machinist.

First, Griffin had to face his battle with himself and his power with the Aether. That was not an easy battle to take on especially when you have trained yourself to control your power instead of accepting it and letting go. For Finley, she had to face her first assailant, Lord Felix August-Raynes as well as her father. It was nice to see her connection with the father she never really met. He was a wonderful and very helpful character. In regard to Lord Felix, he was his douche bag self but Finely was able to defeat him in the end. For Jack, he had to face his growing feelings for Mila and surprisingly his father. Jack believed that Mila deserved better than him and deserved a better life. But when Mila ran away, he had to deal with those feelings especially when his father intervened. His father was an entitled prick who liked to hurt girls. I think you can figure out what Jack did to him when his father tricked Mila into going to his house. In the end, this young man had the epiphany of a lifetime. Lastly, for Mila, she had to face reality. She had to face this whole new world alone when she ran away. However, she discovered a lot of the good things as well as the bad. It’s a good thing she picks up thinks pretty fast and is also quite strong or she might not have survived otherwise. I think it’s safe to say that by the end of it all, she had become a real girl. Oh and she’s the girl with the windup heart since she’s part machine.

I’ve only mentioned 4 characters. If you are wondering about Sam, Emily and Jasper, they are all fine. Jasper finally has a lady. We met her in book 2 and got to know her in Jasper’s novella. Yes, I’m talking about Wildcat. She did end up staying in London and is the newest addition to the gang. In this story, the pair actually helped Jack go out and look for Mila. It was nice to see the three of them working together. They were quite the team. For Emily, she is still her brilliant self. It was because of her that Finley went into the Aether and came out safely every time. There was no further explanation about her past but that’s okay because that’s who Emily is. She’s not one to dwell on the past. She would prefer to move forward, especially with Sam. For Sam, we’ve been seeing a softer side to him in the last few books. That side came out more so in this one especially when he helped Finley prepare for her trips into the Aether. This guy’s not only strong but he has a big heart.

There were a lot of surprises in this book and I have mentioned a few. I hope I did not spoil to much of it. I have left out a few because those were huge twists that I didn’t want to spill. This book definitely kept me on my toes and even though I was dragging my feet in regards to reading, I still couldn’t put it down.

All in all, this book was a good way to end the series. I do hope that one day there might be a continuation but that might only be a dream. The gang’s all safe and living peaceful lives now that the Machinist is gone. Oh and every character now has a significant someone. All’s well that ends well.

That’s all for this post. HAPPY READING!

Now Reading (from my Kindle): The Girl with the Windup Heart by Kady Cross

I may be dragging my feet a little bit because I don’t want this series to end. However, I want to know what will happen next!

The Blurb:

In 1897 London, a final showdown is about to begin.

London’s underworld is no place for a young woman, even one who is strong, smart and part-automaton like Mila. But when master criminal Jack Dandy inadvertently breaks her heart, she takes off, determined to find an independent life, one entirely her own. Her search takes her to the spangled shadows of the West End’s most dazzling circus.

Meanwhile, taken captive in the Aether, Griffin King is trapped in an inescapable prison, and at the mercy of his archenemy, The Machinist. If he breaks under the hellish torment, The Machinist will claim his powers and control of the Aether itself, and no one in either world will be safe-especially not Finley Jayne and her misfit band of friends.

Finley plunges headlong into the Aether the only way she knows how, by temporarily dying. But she cannot parry The Machinist’s maneuvers for long. To defeat him for good, Griffin will have to confront his greatest fear and finally come face-to-face with the destructive power he wields.

Time to get to it! HAPPY READING!