What She Found in the Woods ARC Review

What She Found in the Woods

Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: Macmillan
Pages: 367
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥

Synopsis from goodreads:

“Running from a scandal at her New York private school, Magdalena heads to her family home to recover under the radar.

Over-medicated and under-confident, she’s fearful she’ll never escape her past.

Until she meets Bo out hiking. Wild, gorgeous and free, he makes her believe she might finally be able to move on.

But when a mutilated body is discovered in the woods, Magdalena realises she can’t trust anyone.

Not even herself.”

♥

I won an ARC copy of this book at YALC this year and the premise sounded so interesting! I love to read a thriller every now and then but it isn’t a genre I like to read too much of. With the month of Halloween, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to read What She Found in the Woods to feel sufficiently creeped out.

Starting off with Magdalena moving in with her grandparents, it’s clear she has a past which involved her doing something unforgivable, and she’s moved to get away from it all but it’s obvious from the start that it still haunts her. Magda takes off to the woods for a hike one day and here she meets a strange fellow, and one she can’t seem to stop thinking about. But with people going missing and a body turning up in the woods, perhaps it isn’t the safest place for Magda to dwell.

What struck me about this book is that it starts off really quite slow and it takes ages for things to happen. Magda moves in with her grandparents and meets up with some friends from her childhood, and there are a few little hints dropped that things aren’t quite right as we learn someone has gone missing.

Magda goes out on a hike and meets someone in the woods and is instantly enamoured. But then a body is found and shivers run down your spine as suddenly the story is taking a dark turn.

But for the majority of the middle portion of the book, not a lot happened at all and I felt like I was waiting for something to happen. It’s a very slow build and it’s like you get flickers of tension like when the body is found, or Magda’s journal is mentioned – her journal is a massive subject of this story.

What I really did enjoy are the flashbacks to Magda’s past and we learn what she did and how she ended up moving in with her grandparents and allllll about that journal of hers. These were the more shocking bits, especially when Magda is in hospital and we discover the extent of the weapon that is her journal.

This book is a bit of a murder mystery but also a delve into the human mind and what it’s capable of.

When we reach the last quarter of the book, this is where things really start to happen and it’s like the story is ramped up a gear and the story throws everything it has at you. Suddenly, everything happens at once and you don’t really get chance to take a breath before the next thing happens. After all of that build-up, it ends in an unexpected and dramatic conclusion making it a worthy thriller.

Not quite what I expected, this story requires a bit of dedication to get through, but the ending is worth it for the answers!

Due out 25th July 2020, keep this on your radar for a creepy read for next Halloween!

 

 

October wrap-up

Well this month hasn’t been very successful for reading at all! I only managed two books even though I’ve read the majority of another. I entered into bit of a reading slump with the one book I’m still currently reading as the story has completely lost its intriguing edge from the first book in the series. I’m struggling through the second in the trilogy and I can only hope the third is better than its predecessor, otherwise I fear I will have a DNF series on my hands.

I’ve had a busy month starting a new job after graduating not four days before! It’s been a very hectic month settling in and actually being a vet which is what I had been working towards since I was in primary school. Getting used to being on call has been another thing to get used to, and I’m happy to say I have definitely improved since my first week! So I haven’t really had much chance to read this month as it’s all been about the job. I’ve barely been getting enough sleep to keep going, let alone having down time and chance to partake in my hobbies like reading, so it’s no wonder I only managed the two and I needed a bit of November to finally finish.

But enough dwelling on the negative! I did at least read two books and read a chunk of another I have yet to finish. So here are the two books I read:

♥

The Places I’ve Cried in Public

Author: Holly Bourne
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Pages: 368
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥♥
Goodreads link
Full review here

This was very different to Holly Bourne’s usual books with the slight lack in wit and humour to uplift you as you read about Amelie’s story of a toxic relationship, as she revisits the places she cried in public.

It was quite a serious and solemn read and not one to take lightly. There are some horrid scenes but it’s so interesting to see how someone can easily be pulled under by a seemingly charming character.

♥

What She Found in the Woods ARC

Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: Macmillan
Pages: 367
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
Goodreads link

This was a strange book – marketed as a thriller, it took on a very slow start and about three quarters of the book is spent building up to the ending where suddenly, lots of things happen and then it’s over.

It didn’t keep my attention a lot of the time in the middle, but I did like the ending and the direction the story went in, and you do find yourself second guessing a few things along the way.

 

♥

What did you get up to reading in October? I didn’t get round to reading all the Halloween reads I had my mind on, but I did think the thriller, What She Found in the Woods was in keeping with the holiday spirit!

Let me know if you’ve read either of these books and what you think of them in the comments below.

 

The Places I’ve Cried in Public Book Review

The Places I’ve Cried in Public

Author: Holly Bourne
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Pages: 368
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Synopsis from goodreads:

“Amelie loved Reese. And she thought he loved her. But she’s starting to realise love isn’t supposed to hurt like this. So now she’s retracing their story and untangling what happened by revisiting all the places he made her cry.

Because if she works out what went wrong, perhaps she can finally learn to get over him.”

 

♥

I am a huge fan of Holly Bourne and I love everything she writes so I was super excited to delve into her latest book. But this one was so different when compared to her previous work, not only in the layout and format, but with the style and tone of writing. It’s obvious from the title that this isn’t going to be a happy story and I was prepared for some serious issues to be raised and a sombre read, but there were no light moments to lift your spirits – unusual for a Holly Bourne book which normally explores serious topics with a sprinkling of wit and humour for a lighter read. But as I read on with The Places I’ve Cried in Public, it became darker and darker and was far from the author’s usual story telling.

The story is split in two and they run parallel alongside each other with the present day Amelie reflecting on her past, and her relationship with Reese who is a guy she just met at college. She visits places she has cried in public and tries to figure out where and why the relationship went wrong, but it soon becomes evident that this was no normal loving relationship.

Amelie’s past with Reese starts off in a giddy romance with grand gestures and startling charisma, but as the past reveals itself and we see more of Amelie and Reese together, little snide comments drip in and suggestions and hurtful comments that soon make you realise what’s going on and this isn’t going to end well.

It was quite spine-chilling to read the past and see just how easily Reese turned Amelie’s mind against itself till she thought she was actually going crazy. He dropped comments that were subtle enough to go unnoticed by her at the time but powerful enough to stay with Amelie until she was suddenly doing all she could to please Reese and apologising for things she hadn’t done. It was quite horrific to read as I saw this character crumble and shatter all due to this pathetic boy who thought he could do as he pleased.

It was so hard to believe the girl from the beginning was the same as the one being slowly chipped away at by Reese. I found myself torn between thinking Amelie was stupid for not realising what was going on, but then I saw how easily succumbed she got when fantasy was made real and presented itself before her, bow and all. Reese was so charming to begin with and did anything to please Amelie and make her happy – who wouldn’t grab that with both hands? But when she was apologising over and over to him and cutting her friends out of her life just so she could please Reese, I thought she was delusional for not realising what he was doing.

Then I read an interesting bit between Amelie and her counsellor, Joan which said something about a person becoming addicted to another and to the relationship and what it was like initially. She spoke about Stockholm Syndrome and it was shocking to realise that in the short time frame of a few months in which Amelie and Reese were together, he had managed to create all of this with a person he just met.

The Places I’ve Cried in Public was honestly a truly upsetting story because I saw this girl get pulled down and under by this stupid guy and he ends up destroying a part of herself she has to slowly learn to rebuild. And what does he get? There’s no satisfying ending where we see the villain punished because this isn’t a fairy tale – it’s real life and these things happen to people over and over. It make me despair for the men and women out there that have had a piece of themselves crushed by another and once that piece has grown back, it will never be the same again, all because of this horrid person and what they did.

It’s a devastating story of how in just a few months, your life can be shattered and you never saw it coming. It warned me that there are skilful liars and manipulators out there and all it takes is for them to find you at the wrong time. Perhaps you’ve just broken up with someone, or a dear friend has passed and you’re grieving, or maybe life isn’t going your way and you’re vulnerable – whatever it is, it’s enough room for that horrid person to wheedle themselves into your life and let maliciousness take sprout.

It left me feeling very melancholy, especially with the last page where Amelie realises that she’ll never be the same girl again after what happened with Reese and my heart breaks for all the people out there that have experienced something similar in their relationships.

Prepare yourself for a heartbreaking story that is only too real in this day and age. Look after yourself and remember that you should never be made to do something intimate that you don’t want to do. Beware the charismatic good-looking stranger and if your friend warns you about them, LISTEN. Take care of yourself.

Spooky reads for Halloween

Who else is loving October with its beautiful golden oranges and blushing reds, frequent rainfalls and pumpkin spice aromas? But of course, with autumn comes the fantastic celebration holiday of Halloween, and how do we celebrate? By watching Hocus Pocus, listening to the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack on repeat (as I’m listening to it right now) and by picking up some spooky books to read!

So I’ve compiled a list of some books perfect to read in the next few weeks and some books that have just been released that I can’t wait to read that sound perfect for Halloween:

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City of Ghosts pages: 285
Tunnel of Bones pages: 287

City of Ghosts is a middle grade book set in Edinburgh that’s full of ghosts and a brilliantly spooky read for Halloween! The sequel, Tunnel of Bones has just been released and is set in Paris. For a super quick and easy read, you could even read them both on the day of Halloween!

♥

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Pages: 192

Another middle grade book but with a very creepy premise – a young girl finds a door that only appears at nigh which leads to her ‘Other Mother’ who is everything she’s ever wanted in a mother. There’s just one small problem: her Other Mother has buttons for eyes. This edition has some very creepy illustrations and if you’re keen on this story then check out the equally spooky film!

 

 

 

♥

The Witch’s Kiss by Katharine Corr and Elizabeth Corr

 

The Witch’s Kiss pages: 424
The Witch’s Tears pages:
The Witch’s Blood pages:

A trilogy about a struggling sixteen year old witch and a centuries-old curse – it’s a very sweet trilogy about magic and friendship.

 

♥

Toil and Trouble by Jessica Spotswood and Tess Sharpe

Pages: 405

An anthology that includes 15 tales of women and witchcraft – could this book be any more perfect for Halloween?! There’s something for everyone with historical fiction, contemporary and all different types of witches including some LGBT representation.

A book full of short stories at this point in October is great for just picking up and reading one each day!

 

 

 

♥

Forever Autumn by Mark Morris

Pages: 256

If you love Halloween and Doctor Who then this book is absolutely perfect for you! I love the style of writing in this book as I think the author captures Ten’s mannerisms so well. This is a brilliant book for reading in the run-up to Halloween as you follow Martha and the Doctor to the town of Blackwood Falls for some mystery and spooky cats!

 

 

 

 

 

♥

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh

Pages: 448

This is a newly released book from the author that brought us The Wrath and the Dawn that’s all about vampires. Set in New Orleans in 1872, a young girl gets pulled into a murder mystery after fleeing her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Books about vampires seem to have taken a backseat in the last few years so this a new vampire story to bring us back into their world!

 

 

 

 

♥

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Pages: 458

The newest book from the author behind Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows, this is a creepy thriller about a young woman who gets a mysterious benefactor to monitor the activities of Yale’s secret societies which turns out to be more sinister than first thought.

This sounds like a very weird and creepy book that fits in well with the spooky season and I can’t wait to read it.

 

 

 

♥

Which of these have you read or plan to read this October? And let me know your Halloween book recommendations in the comments below!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Book Review

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks (2012)
Pages: 420
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Synopsis from goodreads:

“Errand requiring immediate attention. Come.

The note was on vellum, pierced by the talons of the almost-crow that delivered it. Karou read the message. ‘He never says please’, she sighed, but she gathered up her things.

When Brimstone called, she always came.

In general, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she’s a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in ‘Elsewhere’, she has never understood Brimstone’s dark work – buying teeth from hunters and murderers – nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn’t whole.

Now the doors to Elsewhere are closing, and Karou must choose between the safety of her human life and the dangers of a war-ravaged world that may hold the answers she has always sought.”

♥

The premise of this book was super intriguing and I thought this would be a book that I instantly fell in love with which, of course, I did. Set in Prague, I loved the atmosphere in the first few chapters as we got to know Karou and her life at college. There’s wit and a brilliant voice to the story even written in the third person, and it was great to see a fantasy novel set in the modern day with modern day problems. One such problem of Karou’s is that she has a secret life as a tooth collector for Brimstone who lives in Elsewhere.

Brimstone who happens to be a chimera, is sort of Karou’s boss but also kind of her adopted father and it makes for a rather peculiar relationship which isn’t out of place in the book. In fact, the whole book is one big peculiar story as we meet more chimera and suddenly angels are introduced! I found Daughter of Smoke and Bone a very strange book indeed.

I’ve read Laini Taylor’s other book series, Strange the Dreamer, and I absolutely adored her style of writing and the characters and story she created – it was superb. What I found with Daughter of Smoke and Bone however is that it was a bit less descriptive with more focus on plot compared to description and setting the scene than in Strange. Relationships aren’t slowly built in DOSAB either with a certain relationship between two characters going at a swift pace. It was strange to read a book without that slow build when new characters are introduced, but it was totally in keeping with this whirlwind of a story.

Strange was delectable to read and oozed outstanding imagery and detail whereas DOSAB is more fast-paced and erratic, with characters constantly popping in an out of the story and the plot flitting between the present day and past memories.

If Karou’s life isn’t crazy enough with collecting teeth for Brimstone, things get a lot weirder when angels come out to play. Suddenly, the doors to Elsewhere where Brimstone dwells are ripped away from Karou and she finds help from an unlikely source. There’s a crucial bit where we finally get to find something out that has been hidden from us and the protagonist, but it’s stolen from us in the form of a series of flashbacks which I found really good but also a bit long and it was like reading another story altogether.

This book was just one of the most confusing books I’ve ever read with this being me a lot of the time while reading it:

However, this series clearly has a divide between two peoples and there were lots of profound quotes and similarities drawn to war and how dangerous hatred and endless bile can be. There are some very memorable quotes in this book and I love the different sections split up with a short sharp sentence that you think has nothing to do with the story, but really it has everything to do with it.

It was an interesting reading experience and I think there’s a lot more to come from this story of angels and devils and I’m keen to see where it goes! I’m currently reading my way through the second book in this trilogy, Days of Blood and Starlight and I’m hoping it will provide me with some answers and more excellent plot.

“Have you ever asked yourself, do monsters make war, or does war make monsters?”

-Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke and Bone

ARC review: The Loop

The Loop

Author: Ben Oliver
Publisher: Chicken House
Pages: 363
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
Expected date of publication: 5 May 2020

Synopsis from goodreads:

“Luka Kane will die in the Loop, a prison under the control of artificial intelligence.

Delays to his execution are granted if Luka submits to medical experiments. Escape is made impossible by a detonator sewn into his heart.

But on Luka’s seventeenth birthday, life in the Loop is altered: the government-issued rain stops falling and rumours of unrest start to spread. Breaking out might be his only chance to survive… and to stop a catastrophe from deleting humankind.”

♥

I managed to win an ARC copy of this book at YALC this year and I was immediately taken in by the quote that was included on the front cover of my copy: “This will pierce a hole through the right atrium of your heart… It will track your movements. It will connect you to the loop, and, most importantly, it will detonate and will kill you if you step out of line.”

What a quote to entice a reader! I liked the sound of the book and I was in the mood for a bit of a thriller read so I picked it up and I’m so glad I did.

Initially, the scene is set and you come to understand life in the Loop where things are constant and expected and very, very monotonous and mundane. Luka Kane is a great main character and I liked his personality with his don’t look back and just keep moving attitude to everything that happens to him. Even though he is segregated from his fellow prison mates, he still manages to make friends and meets up with them thanks to his friendly Warden.

So we learn about the Loop and I especially appreciated the one sentence chapters in quick succession to reiterate that Luka Kane does the same thing every day, just like his prison mates. I started to wonder where the story would go and as soon as I thought that, something happens.

The pace changes, the tension creeps in, and suddenly this isn’t about life in the Loop anymore. Luka Kane has to battle through darkness of more than one kind, and he soon discovers that if he wants to survive, he will have to make brutal decisions.

I couldn’t believe how tense I felt reading this book when things take a different turn – it really felt like watching a scary movie but you don’t know what’s coming or what’s going to happen. I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of reading The Loop and being surprised and shocked when certain things happen, but when it came to the reveal at the end with regards to why anything in the book happened, I have to say it fell a little flat for me. I had a certain expectation or hope for which direction the story would go, and I just felt disappointed with where it went. But I think that is purely personal preference and what I prefer to read over what someone else might absolutely love. That being said, I still liked this book regardless of my feelings over the ending and I’m still keen to see where the story goes.

The Loop is the first in a futuristic trilogy written by Ben Oliver. With The Maze Runner vibes, it’s the next dystopian thriller to have on your list to read.

Animal Ark: the book series that inspired my career choice

So basically, I have some big news in my life – I passed my exams and I’m going to be graduating as a vet later this month!!! After five years of high school; two years of college; five years of uni; countless placements in veterinary practices, farms, stables, kennels, rescue centres and a referral centre, I am finally going to be a vet that has been my dream ever since I was a child and read the Animal Ark children’s book series.

I found these books on the bookshelf in my Year Five class and I picked one up and decided to read it. I soon fell in love with these books and wanted to be just like Mandy Hope and grow up to become a vet. The books were a hit with my friends too, and soon we were all reading them and wishing to become vets just like Mandy wishes to in the books. But for most, it was just a fad and suddenly they weren’t reading the books anymore or wishing to become vets, and I was the only one left that still clung to the books like they were my lifeline.

I borrowed as many as I could find in the school and public libraries, a solid favourite of mine being The Kitten in the Cold and I borrowed that book dozens of times to reread. My sister had copies of other books in the series and I fervently read those too. I looked online for other copies I hadn’t read yet and they featured on my Christmas lists, and a little collection grew rapidly in my room. Then came the Animal Ark magazine which I delighted in buying. All I wanted was to become a vet.

On Friday 13th 2019 and with a full moon no less, that dream of mine that was born from books, finally came true.

I’m going to graduate and start my first job as a vet. Looking back on little me that was borrowing books from my sister and the school and public libraries, just to keep reading about Mandy’s adventures and wishing and hoping I could be just like her and become a vet, I think she would be very happy to know that she did it. She manages to pass her exams and she’s going to do what she always wished.

Books are what dreams are made of and have the capability to birth new dreams and weave new magic into our lives. Where would I be without reading? What would I be doing if I hadn’t discovered Animal Ark? I’m not sure I would be where I am right now, and for that I can only thank the authors that wrote under the pseudonym Lucy Daniels (I was shocked when I found out it wasn’t one person that wrote these books!) for writing about Mandy Hope and bringing with it, my dream come true.

Animal Ark inspired me and for that it will always have a special place in my heart.

Sherwood Book Review

Sherwood

Author: Meagan Spooner
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 470
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Synopsis from goodreads:

“Robin of Locksley is dead.

Maid Marian doesn’t know how she’ll go on, but the people of Locksley town, persecuted by the Sheriff of Nottingham, need a protector. And the dreadful Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff’s right hand, wishes to step into Robin’s shoes as Lord of Locksley and Marian’s fiancé.

Who is there to stop them?

Marian never meant to tread in Robin’s footsteps—never intended to stand as a beacon of hope to those awaiting his triumphant return. But with a sweep of his green cloak and the flash of her sword, Marian makes the choice to become her own hero: Robin Hood.”

♥

From the author that brought us the Beauty and the Beast retelling, Hunted, this latest release is a Robin Hood retelling where Lady Marian becomes the legend. I absolutely loved Hunted and couldn’t wait to read Sherwood so when I found a copy at YALC, I had to buy it and this has been my favourite book I’ve read in August. But before I begin, can we take a moment to appreciate this front cover? Not only does it match a similar style to Hunted (I just want to clarify that this isn’t a sequel to Hunted) but I adore the rain and gloomy appearance on this cover with its cosy autumnal feel, making for a perfect book to read this autumn.

As I’ve said, this isn’t a sequel to Hunted so you don’t have to have read this before reading Sherwood, but they are both retellings and so both come under the umbrella of a series, hence the similarly designed front covers and layout of the books. Where Hunted flicked between Beauty and the Beast’s points of view, Sherwood alternates between Marian’s present day and a past memory she shares of Robin. These flashbacks were super cute and gave us a glimpse of how their friendship formed and how much Robin influenced Marian in her life, and vice versa.

We start off knowing that Robin of Locksley is dead and a part of me thought this was maybe going to go in a different direction and I thought we might only hear news of his death, but we do actually read the moment he died so it’s quite firmly planted into the story with no room for the legendary hero to come back and save the day. Enter Marian who takes up the mantel instead and I thought the lead and build-up to this was done at a suitable pace, making for a more believable and understandable Robin Hood character.

There’s a brilliant protagonist and an equally fantastic antagonist as Marian battles against Guy of Gisborne who works for the Sheriff, to steal from the rich and help bring food for the poor. It’s the story of Robin Hood that we know and love, but from an interesting angle as a woman being behind the legend instead.

Marian was a fearless character and totally loyal to her friends which is how Robin Hood is born, through Marian saving a friend. There’s an evolution to her character as Marian realises she could do more for Robin’s people and starts stealing from the rich to give to the poor. I really enjoyed reading her escapades dressed in her dear Robin’s cloak and bringing about some justice for the poor, and I especially loved the idea that it was in fact Marian that was better at shooting arrows than Robin, again displaying the idea that a woman could do it just as good as a man.

This book had a good feminist attitude with Marian and her friend Elena disguising themselves as men and finally being accepted by their male friends when they reveal their identities, even though it takes some of them a little time to come to terms with. They are both such good characters that won’t let men stand in their way or hide at the side rather than help fight for justice; I also loved their friendship and trust in each other.

The writing in this book is crisp and beautiful with the right amount of description to contrast against action-packed scenes. However this was one of those books that I really had no idea where the ending would go and I couldn’t have guessed it if I tried, so I was taken by surprise with how the story ended and it’s up for you to decide if you like it or not! I think going into this book, I had an idea in mind with how it would end but it went in a totally different direction, and that’s what I love about reading stories for the first time  – you just don’t know how they will end!

A gorgeous book that is perfect to read this autumn. If you love the legend of Robin Hood, then be sure to read this whilst wrapped up in a jumper with the rain tapping the windows – you can thank me later.

“Who are you to say that being a lady, in itself, is not its own kind of war.”

– Meagan Spooner, Sherwood

August wrap-up!

Hey bookworms – it’s finally September! So can we crack open that can of pumpkin purée or is it too soon? But seriously, how fast has summer gone? I feel like I blinked and it whipped by and it’s suddenly September and autumn is peeking round the corner. I’m pretty glad for it to be over soon though and make way for one of the best seasons of the year so I can get stuck into some cosy autumnal books as the nights gradually darken more quickly. August has been a month of working and revision for me for an exam coming up this month so I haven’t really read much but I did manage a total of three books in the end! I read a variety of genres with some contemporary, fantasy and thriller books to keep me on my toes and I thoroughly enjoyed them all.

♥

What Magic is This?

Author: Holly Bourne
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Pages: 152
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Goodreads link
Full review here

A dyslexic-friendly novella about the friendship between three girls as they dabble in magic to try and solve some of their problems, this was quick and easy to race through with a lovely message in the end that friendship is magic. It had some Spinster Club vibes (a trilogy by the same author) but I really liked the new characters it introduced and their stories. Short but sweet.

♥

Sherwood

Author: Meagan Spooner
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 470
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Goodreads link

A Robin Hood retelling coming from the author that gave us Hunted, in which Lady Marian becomes the legend. I loved this story and its characters, set in a similar way to Hunted as we see flashbacks between a blossoming friendship between Robin and Marian. It’s a heart-warming story as Marian must come to terms with her grief and new friendships are made.

♥

The Loop

Author: Ben Oliver
Publisher: Chicken House
Pages: 363
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
Goodreads link

Due to be released in March 2020, this dystopian thriller did not disappoint and I was hooked from the beginning as we delved into a world of nightmares. It was definitely a page-turning read but I found some bits really quite creepy and I’m still not sure what to make of the ending.

 

♥

Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you thought of them in the comments! I just realised that I haven’t read any backlist books this month and these are all 2019/future releases so I’ll have to make sure I include some 2018 or previously released books in September to contribute to the Beat the Backlist challenge! I’m still contemplating what to read next but after reading The Loop I’m rather in the mood for some more thriller reads.

What did you read in August?

Anticipated autumn releases

It’s so hot right now in the UK but never fear! Summer will soon be over and autumn will swoop in with its gorgeous oranges and browns and falling leaves, and of course, many new book releases! So what books are coming out in September, October and November that I’m excited for?

Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell

The sequel to Carry On is due to be released on October 3rd (it’s October third – get the reference?) and even though I’m a bit annoyed the cover won’t match my copy of Carry On, I’m still excited for this long-awaited sequel.

 

 

 

♥

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh

A book about vampires? I haven’t really read one since Twilight all those years ago but I absolutely love Renée’s writing. Out October 8th, it’s a perfect book for the month of Halloween.

 

 

 

♥

Find Me by Tahereh Mafi

The second book of two novellas in the Shatter Me series includes both Shadow Me and Reveal Me which are numbers 4.5 and 5.5 respectively. I have yet to read Defy Me but I love this series and think a reread is on the cards for me soon! Find Me is also out October 8th.

 

 

♥

Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

Having read the sampler of this from YALC, I know this is going to be a good book. I’ve already read the Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater and Ronan was an awesome character – I can’t wait for this new Dreamer series. Its release date is November 5th.

 

 

 

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The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

The third in The Folk of the Air series sees the ending to this trilogy and while I don’t absolutely love the series, I’m still keen to see how it ends and I’m really hoping a certain person gets their comeuppance. The Queen of Nothing is out November 19th.

 

 

 

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Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao

I read the sampler of this from YALC as well and I was completely drawn in to this story about people with gifts called Affinities and a princess on the run. I’ll definitely be getting this on the day its released which is November 21st!

 

 

 

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What are some anticipated autumn releases for you? Or have you been lucky enough to read some of these awesome-sounding books prior to their release? Let me know in the comments!