The Shadows of What was Lost Review

This book... Wow, the Shadows of What was Lost by James Islington was so good. It was pretty much 700 pages which I devoured in 3 days! 3 days! Most people who read this book seem to love it (myself included) but there are a few bad reviews because it's marketed for fans of Robert Jordan and Sanderson. I think it's pretty unfair to compare books especially if someone writes that they're inspired by those authors. I don't think there's anything wrong with being inspired by authors but please stop comparing authors to the point where you ruin a perfectly good book for yourself. Especially one that is as digestible as this one.

There are 4 main point of views that get switched up throughout the story, and some chapters were better than others but overall each character offered something unique to the plot and each felt quite organic. (and for those of you who think Wir is too perfect, he most definitely is but I love him the best anyways) I do think Asha's chapters were the most interesting and plot driven than the others but I'm very excited and curious to see where the story goes. Shit be happening hard.

I recommend this book if you're maybe just starting out in the high epic fantasy genre or if you just want to read something that you'll actually understand with all your favorite fantasy shit.

#theshadowsofwhatwaslost #bookreview #jamesislington

Laurie Forest Books

I love the Black Witch Chronicles, like love them. There are the first two books out now and 2 novellas bound into one copy called Rebel Mages. I know the author plans to make the series 5 books right now and they have been coming out fairly slowly but omgoodness has it been worth it.

I have now read the first book twice and it was better the second time around. I know it has gotten lots of controversy over the years for it's blatant racist main character named Elloren. However that is the charm of this series, this book puts Elloren through trials and you can literally read her character growth, she goes from ignorant about other cultures and thinking she's better to thinking that she's still got a lot to learn and that other cultures aren't bad at all, they're just people trying to live and survive exactly like her. I'm not a great writer, so I hope I get the point across, there is one scene that really shook me, where Elloren learns from Professor Kristian that 'history is written by the victors.' So Elloren literally realizes that to piece together a correct history she needs to critically think and read sources from all peoples not just her own. Elloren grows into the role of heroine, she doesn't start in it. And I think this book is very important, it really teaches you that racism is inherited/learned behavior, and you can change and help many other types of people.

I'll probably talk about this series many times over as it progresses and I get the opportunity to read more of it. The newest book the Shadow Wand releases in June and I've already pre-ordered it.

In a nutshell, this series is high epic fantasy for young adults with slow burn romance, potential for enemies to lovers, witches, selkies, powerful women, fae, dragons and a resistance to totalitarian rule.

#theblackwitchchronicles #laurieforest #theblackwitch #theironflower

April 2020 Wrap Up

I did lot's of reading this month, more than normal because I've been at home because of Covid. This blog has kind of taken an extra long hiatus because I just had a crazy year and I work two jobs. However I decided that I'm going to be doing a lot more work now to read and review because it truly makes me happy to promote books I love!

Without further ado in order of reading...

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest 4.5/5 stars

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout 3/5 stars

Storm & Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout 4/5 stars

Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill 4/5 stars

The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest 5/5 stars

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire 4/5 stars

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine 5/5 stars (I always reread this book when I get stressed)

Finally I ended the month with this big bad boi

The Shadows of What was Lost by James Islington 4/5 stars

It was a really, really, good reading month for me. I usually only read 2-5 books but here I have read 8 books.

Utopia by Thomas More 3/5

Well I'm still wondering if this is serious or satire... but I liked it anyway!

A lot of these issues are relevant to today's society and I think that it's a bit of both fun and serious. 
Plus who wouldn't love the sweet Ever After's honourable mention of this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18414.Utopia

People Like Us by Dana Mele  4/5

This book was so freaking intense, my heart was hammering pretty much the whole time and I finished it fairly quickly because I needed so badly to understand the mystery. I really like that it went in different directions than I thought it would. And even though it might've been a teensy bit cliche at the end it was perfect. And even though I know everything I'm still sad about the book which means it was good.

Lot's of trigger warnings though if you're sensitive to suicide/bullying.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35356380-people-like-us

Sweet Black Waves by Kristin Perez  3.5/5

This was almost a full 4 for me, but it was a little dry and boring in places. Those were really cute though and that's what kept me going.

I don't really like any of the characters, I loved the main character at first but she's growing up and I still love her but boy is she ever making mistakes that I'm so mad right now with the ending that all I can say is that I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.  

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31179006-sweet-black-waves

Nancy Drew & the Hardy Boys- The Big Lie      ✶✶✶
Graphic Novel by Anthony DEl Col & Werther Dell'Edera

I enjoyed this graphic novel but I definitely didn't love it.
It seems more like a prologue to a bigger story which has left me feeling a little unsatisfied.

I absolutely adore the art, I think it's perfect for this story and the noir theme fits perfectly.

Overall worth reading and collecting, I just hope that they make more of them with a huge crazy mystery to solve that's a million times bigger than this.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35356102-nancy-drew-and-the-hardy-boys