Tag: book blogger

Daughter of Kali: Awakening by Shiulie Ghosh Review!

by booksteff, posted in menu, Reviews

Hey Beautiful Booklovers! So sorry I haven’t been around lately, but today I’ll be sharing my views on this arc I read recently. Buckle up booknerds

  • Title: Daughter of Kali: Awakening
  • Author: Shiulie Ghosh
  • Paperback: 283 pages
  • Publisher: Peach Publishing (1 Jun. 2018)
  • Genre: Urban Fantasy
  • ISBN-10: 1780363710
  • ISBN-13: 978-1780363714
  • My Rating: 3*

Synopsis – From Amazon

We all have our demons. Kaz Deva aches to fit in and be normal. But with the unnerving ability to see things that others can’t, ‘normal’ is not an option. After a shocking confrontation with evil, Kaz is drawn into a dangerous world of myth and magic. An ancient Guild of Warriors fights to keep demons at bay, her mother is harbouring a dark secret, and a Hindu goddess is haunting her dreams. Everything she thought she knew is a lie, except her feelings for a boy she can never have. As Kaz learns the truth of who she is and where she comes from, something awakens inside her; something cold and ruthless. With the battle between Warriors and demons becoming ever more deadly, Kaz must find a way to survive her destiny and control her supernatural powers before it’s too late.

My Review – SPOILER WARNING!!

Firstly let me say this was an arc from netgalley, but I picked up this book because I was really interested to see how hinduism played a part in the story. In my opinion it’s not something we see often in YA.

You will have noticed that I only gave this a 3* and here’s why:

Whilst I was over the moon about the diverse rep of the main character her strange character behaviours were too much for me to overlook. Firstly we get the immediate angle of ‘mother and daughter don’t get on’ – to the point that the daughter is outright rude A LOT, but we have no real indication of why that is. Oh but she does like to mock her mothers indian food, and her mother’s love for the Gods etc, which I found odd considering I was excited to see some hindu rep!

There wasn’t a whole lot of reasons behind the strange resentment Kaz had for her mother…at least in the start anyway, and it bothered me that she was outright mocking her mothers way of life, and at one point even claimed the incense and statues of the Gods had embarassed her!

Another thing that annoyed me was the forbidden love trope. Whilst I confess to enjoying a forbidden love story when done well, I just couldn’t get on board. If you have read this you may be thinking “Why Steff? Because it makes her a terrible best friend to like the guy?” No, my darling readers, that is not my issue. My issue lies in the fact that Kaz, and her best friend are 15. The Love interest is 18, and someone who was brought up as trained warrior…

Let’s just think about that for a second. Now whilst in the UK the legal sex age is 16, I still don’t find it appealing to read about an 18 year old guy lusting after a 15 year old…it’s weird, and quite frankly I just can’t! As for him being trained as a warrior from a young age, I just can’t see how that would at all fit in well with two girls who are in high school. Am I insane, or are they just leaps and bounds apart.

It gave me shadowhunter vibes a little, with the whole ‘demon hunters’ thing and a whole guild of people who govern them and their training.

Another thing that I didn’t particularly like, yes another, was that Kaz (aged 15) was a normal kids then her mum SPOILER got kidnapped by a demon and all of a sudden she is commanding all the people in one of the safe house/ bases for the demon hunters. Like what….ACTUALLY WHAT!!! ARRGGHHH! How on earth can you expect me to believe, a 15 year old with no experience, in comand/ management and who has only just found out demons are real can suddenly flip a switch and start commanding other who are many years her senior and have been doing this basically their whole lives…uh uh! No sorry you lost me!

Whilst this has become a rant, I do think that the way the demons where portrayed was different, and I was intrigued by the whole Kali twist in there, so that was fun, but I’m afraid overall I can’t say it left me feeling like I has just read a great book…the more I think about it the more it annoys me.

So that’s it, my rant…I mean review for Daughter of Kali: Awakening! Please let me know in the comments below if you have read this, it would be super interesting to know what other peoples opinions are on it.

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A Pack of Vows and Tears by Olivia Wildenstein arc Review

by booksteff, posted in menu, Reviews

Hey Beautiful Booklovers! I am so excited to tell you all about this beautiful arc I received. This is the second book in The Boulder Wolves triology, and I had the privilege to get the arc of the first on netgalley a while back.

The second (and the book I am reviewing today) I recieved from the lovely Olivia Wildestien herself. Please note that although I recieved this arc for free all my opinions are, as always, my own, and I have not been paid at all for this review.

A Pack of Vows and Tears (The Boulder Wolves Book 2) by [Wildenstein, Olivia]
You can find your copy here!
  • Title: A Pack of Vows and Tears
  • Author: Olivia Wildestien
  • Paperback: 418 pages
  • Publisher: Twig Publishing (28 May 2019)
  • Genre: Urban Fantasy/ PNR
  • ISBN-10:  1948463172
  • ISBN-13:  978-1948463171
  • My Rating: 4*

Synopsis – From Amazon

She thought the fight was over but it was only just beginning.

Ness Clark’s place amongst the Boulders and at Liam’s side is compromised. First, when her cousin claims Ness helped him elude his death sentence. And then, when August Watt, Ness’s childhood friend, comes home to Boulder.

Although August’s plan was to pledge himself and return to active duty, he finds himself incapable of leaving. This becomes problematic for Liam and Ness, because a mating link has clicked into place between Ness and the ex-marine. If not consumed, the link will fade, but that’ll take months. How long and hard can two people fight a physical attraction that renders their bodies unreceptive to anyone’s but their mates?

Ness is tired of fighting, tired of having to prove herself worthy of her pack’s trust and of her Alpha’s affection. But when an enemy pack arrives and threatens the Boulders, she has two choices: step aside and let the wolves who have pushed her away fend for themselves, or step up and help them fight the newcomers.

Ness has never stepped aside…not for anyone.

Why would she start now?

My Review

As this book is a sequel I kind of knew what to expect. Not in terms of plot of course but in terms of setting and characters etc. I had my fave characters, I had characters I was less keen on. That being said, Olivia Wildenstien has this ability to take me on a wild ride, and turn my emotions completely on their head!

There were twists I didn’t see coming, a few actually, and I read this book in record time. I’m a sucker for the romance in this story and can’t tell you how much I’m rooting for the ship. The annoying thing is how quickly Olivia can make you change your mind about someone you thought you liked! I went into this book thinking I liked a character, and it turns out I really don’t after reading this.

What I really appreciate about these books is that Ness, our main character, is strong, independent, and has known much heartache and personal tragedy. It’s one of the reasons we root for her so much in these books. She is strong yet vulnerable, and whilst she always bounces back we get to see the strife she endures.

It’s hard to review this book because all I want to do is scream about the spoilers. I just want to chat until the cows come home about what happened and how I feel! I really enjoy these books. They always get devoured within hours, and quite honestly I find it cruel I have to wait for the next one…not fair at all.

Immediately after reading this I messaged Olivia and told her about my angst and she just laughed, saying she had done her job.

These books are definitely worth a read if you like romance shifter stories. I should add that I normally never read shifter stories but for this series I make an exception.

If you are interested I suggest taking a look at book one – A Pack of Blood and Lies:

Find it Here!

Synopsis

The primal rule of winning: don’t fall in love with the contender. 

Three months shy of her eighteenth birthday, Ness is forced to return to Colorado. Even though it’s been six years, and the wolves of her all-male pack don’t recognize her, she recognizes them. People who shun others because of their gender are hard to forget.

Especially Liam Kolane–son of Heath, the crudest and cruelest Alpha to have ruled the Boulder Pack. Liam is as handsome as he is infuriating, as kind as he is punishing, and he makes Ness’s traitorous heart race, which isn’t good. After all, he’s a Kolane. Like father like son, right?

When Heath dies, Liam vies to become the new Alpha and no one dares challenge him. 

Except Ness. 

Thus begins a treacherous game. 

The rules: winner takes all…including loser’s life.

Have you read any of these books? If yes…we should chat! If not, then you really should give it a go if it sounds like your cup of tea. Let me know in the comments below!

June TBR

by booksteff, posted in menu, TBR

Hey Beautiful Booklovers! Today I’ll be sharing with you my June TBR, or my intended tbr anyway! Lately I’ve been mood reading and it’s a pain in my ass, but hey what can you do?

Here is my intended reads of June…don’t hold me to them!

1 – Legend by David Gemmell

I’m really in the mood for adult fantasy at the moment and so am hoping to dive into this beauty this month! Plus…I love me an axe!

2 – The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan

Dragons – need I expand? I think it’s pretty obvious why this in here lol.

3 – Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

I read book one last year and have been saying I need to continue on, so I think it’s about time I did!!

4 – Eve of Man by Tom Fletcher and Giovanna Fletcher

Eve of Man (Eve of Man Trilogy)

Another book that has been sat on my shelf for way too long! I’m really excited by the concept, and can’t wait to see what I think of it.

5 – Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I’ve heard great things about this book and so have bumped it up on the tbr!

Have you read any of the above books? What does your tbr for June look like? Leave me a link so I can check it out, and as always let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

May Wrap Up!

by booksteff, posted in Wrap Up

Hey Beautiful Booklovers! I’m finally getting my shit together and getting back to posting on here. I have had so much going on and this platform has suffered for it, I apologise, but for now at least I have some time to organise myself and my posts for the coming weeks. Fingers crossed all goes to plan!

Anyway, today is my May Wrap Up and I am very disappointed with how little I read but like I said…I had a lot going on, and what I did read was actually very good which is a bonus!

Let’s get to it!

1 – Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik

My Rating: 4*

This is book 2 in the Temeraire series, and by now all who have visited my insta or blog before will know I am dragon mad! I really enjoyed continuing on with this story, and will definitely continue with the series

2 – Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations) by Michael J Sullivan

My Rating: 5*

Short of it is that I LOVED this book! I have found a new author to fangirl over and I now have 6 of his books! I will be doing a review of this trilogy soon because I need to tell you all how awesome this is, and how much I think you should read it too!

3 – Rise of Empire (The Riyria Revelations) By Michael J Sullivan

My Rating: 5*

Same as the above, I loved it…hence the reason I devoured the series in such short succession!

4 – Heir of Novron (The Riyria Revelations) By Michael J Sullivan

My Rating : 5*

These are not small books by any means but I read all three in under a week because I just couldn’t put them down at all!

So there you have it…my small wrap up for the month of May. I know previously my wrap ups have been a lot bigger but as I said…reading was a little non-existent this month. I did read books that I am truly happy I managed to read though, so I am not as disheartened as I would have been if I only managed 2* reads.

What did you read in the month of May? Have you read any of the above? Let me know in the comments below!

Reading Update #11

by booksteff, posted in menu, Reading Update

Okay so it’s been well over a week since I last updated you all. This isn’t for lack of wanting to update you all…it’s due to an unfortunate lack of reading [insert crying book steff here]!! It’s been tough to get in any reading other than uni work which is a little soul destroying to say the least.

Books I have read

Since my wrap up…none!! Literally none!!! I’ve literally got no books in my may reads list right now! It’s heartbreaking lol.

Currently reading

I’ve gotten 20% of the way through The Gems of Eslana, and I picked up mythago wood but haven’t continued with it yet 😭😭! So…obviously I’m feeling hella sorry for myself!

Books I plan to read next

Any…throw my a bone here! I need to read something other than uni related reading otherwise I’m going to loose the plot lol.

What books have you read in the last week? What book are you currently enjoying? Or perhaps you can comment letting me know you are having a tough reading time to make me feel better? No? Just me…okay.


My Rating System!

by booksteff, posted in menu

Hey Beautiful Booklovers! Today I thought I would let you all know how I rate my books as I know this can be such an individual thing, and for a lot of people they don’t really rely on a system they just go with a feeling…which I totally get because I have done exactly that before.

More accurately this post is so that you can share your methods too, or perhaps let me know what your thoughts are on mine – if you have any critiques and improvements etc.

So, lets get to it!

One star – 1* – Obviously, I hate giving this rating because inevitably it means I didn’t enjoy the story. Normally I give a 1* if I really didn’t connect with the characters and didn’t appreciate the plot! I may also give this rating if the writing is so poor it causes great distraction from the story line. I may also give this rating to books I end up DNFing, but generally speaking I tend to not rate those books at all.

Two star – 2* – I give this rating to books which I have managed to read but have found them very lacking. Normally it’s either lack of tension, lack of significant character intentions or goals, and generally speaking where I find that I could have been entirely happy to skip the book. These are books I, as a rule, do not recommend to others.

Three star – 3* – These are what I consider my “meh” reads. They’re okay, sometimes I even enjoy them quite a bit, but they don’t have enough to make me feel like I loved them. They are often reads I enjoyed, and can see others enjoying (so I do still recommend some). Essentially it comes down to a certain lack of wow factor for me. Good, but not wow.

Four star – 4* – Books I loved. I know you may be thinking “hey wait up aren’t 5* reviews for books you loved?” Yeah, they are but I still love a lot of my 4* reads, and quite honestly I can love a book and not consider it a 5* read. These books will normally be ones I loved but feel they don’t quite reach that 5* rating for some reason or another.

Five star – 5* – Reserved for my wow reads. The ones I rave about. The ones that give me book hangovers. The ones that I can’t stop talking/ fangirlling over! These are the books that I will revisit, and just can’t get enough of.

Do you have specific system you use for rating? Do you just wing it on a feeling? Or are you fa more structured than me? Let me know in the comments below! I’m truly curious to see what method you all use!

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers Review!

by booksteff, posted in menu, Reviews

Hey Beautiful Booklovers!! As promised I am finally posting another review! I plan to catch up with my review posts as there are so many books I want to talk to you all about! So hopefully I should be able to get back to posting one a week or thereabouts.

You can find it here on Amazon!
  • Title: Grave Mercy
  • Author: Robin LaFevers
  • Paperback: 496 pages
  • Publisher: Andersen Press (3 Jan. 2019)
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • ISBN-10: 1783448237
  • ISBN-13: 978-1783448234
  • My Rating: 4*

Synopsis – from Amazon

Young, beautiful and deadly.

Trained as an assassin by the god of Death, Ismae is sent to the court of Brittany, where she finds herself underprepared – not only for the games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

A dangerous romance full of intrigue, poison and finding one’s path

My Review

This book had been sat on my shelf for a while…neglected, and I honestly can’t remember why I picked it up; I just felt drawn to it that day, but I’m so so glad I did!

First of all I did not expect some of the hard hitting issues that come into this book, and in fact the series. As a woman, these books make me feel empowered – despite the terrible things these female characters go through they manage to bring themselves back into a state of control. One where they don’t need to feel afraid anymore! It was really refreshing to read a story where the main character wasn’t this perfect girl devoid of any tragedy and having read the next book – I believe this is a theme of these books.

I loved the beautiful historical fiction feel this book gave me. It is definitely fantasy as there are gods and magic to get behind but there is this tragic tortured past of France that leaves us feeling this tale could entirely be true in the most wonderful sense (probably has something to do with the fact I’m a dreamer, but aren’t all book lovers?). I liked reading about the political games being played, the worry over a warring country, and the general intrigue.

I loved the characters, their flaws, and the relationships that developed – particularly the enemies to lovers trope that cropped it. It was a book I didn’t want to put down, and made me immediately want to jump into the next one (which I did).

I love how Robin LaFevers manages to capture the self-doubt of her characters, and then follow through with the release of that doubt. You truly get to journey with them from the very beginning to a transformation of self, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story.

You may be wondering why I’m being so vague on plot etc, but as is my way…I honestly think you will benefit from knowing little when going into this story. If the synopsis sounds like something you’re interested in then by all means pick it up and see for yourself. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Have you read this book? The series? What were your thoughts? Or perhaps it’s on your tbr? Let me know in the comments below!

General Update!

by booksteff, posted in menu

Hey Beautiful Booklovers! Sorry I haven’t posted this week I have had a lot of uni work going on, so between that and baby, haven’t found time to get on here much. Normally Wednesday is my reading update post, but honestly I haven’t been able to read anything since I last updated you! I know…it’s killing me lol!

Anyway, I thought I’d come on and show my face as it were.

So, first off, what am I reading? A lot of uni books, but luckily I’ll be handing in my last assignment of this years study at the end of the month and then will have a good old break until October (in which I will be reading and writing as much as I’m able). Aside from that I was gifted an arc and have just started digging into it. It’s called The Gems of Elsana by Christian Sterling, so of course I will let you know how that goes once I have finished it.

Also if any of you are in the UK, I have some books for sale on my instagram…because I am unhauling to make more room on my shelves. A tough task let me assure you. Sorry to international booklovers, but I just can’t justify the price of postage.

What have I been doing aside from uni? Well, baby is almost a month old now, and I honestly don’t know where time has ran off to! It’s madness, but he is filling a lot of my day obviously, and rightly so as he is a perfect little bundle of joy. My other kids adore him, and are often trying to smother him with loving affection!

I have managed whilst being “mum of a newborn” again to keep up to date with Game of Thrones, and oh my goodness folks..I’m dying for this series! I loved the books, and this series is killing it too! I am literally a wreck after each episode at this point so if you want to chat about your theories or about how the episodes are going…I’m your girl! I mean it…I need to chat about this stuff!!

Tomorrow I’ll be coming at you with a review…I know it’s been so long you are probably wondering if I know what those are! I do, and the review will be on Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, so look out for that if you are interested in knowing my thoughts.

April Wrap Up!

by booksteff, posted in menu, Wrap Up

Hey Beautiful Booklovers!! Sorry I have been MIA recently…well pretty much all of April really, again sorry! If you follow me on Instagram then you will know that the reason I haven’t been able to post on here is because I had my little boy, and of course my family has taken priority as we have been getting used to the new dynamics of our household!

I am fine, had a comepletely natural and normal experience, baby is perfect – we are all besotted with him in the Book Steff household 😂! We are doing great, and now that things are becoming more “routine” I can now come back to mingling with you lovely people!

So, as stated above this is April’s Wrap Up post, and without further rambling…let’s get to it!

1 – A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

My Rating: 4*

This was a re-read for me, and I absolutely loved it…again. Mostly because well…dragons, but also because I love the relationship of Lady Trent and her husband. I love her inability to take no for an answer! If you haven’t read this…you should definitely look into it!

2 – Daugther of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

My Rating: 4*

Again, another re-read! After finishing Warrior of the Wild last month I needed more Levenseller goodness so picked up this duology again (because apparently despite my massive tbr I’m okay with picking up books I’ve already read 🙄)! Anyway I love this duology it’s some pirate/ siren goodness!

3 – Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller

My Rating: 4*

Same as the above – a re-read that I really enjoyed!

4 – Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

My Rating: 4*

This had been on my shelf for too long, so I finally picked it up, and oh my fecking feck!! I adored this book, I loved the concept, the characters, the political manoeuvring! It was great and I needed the next book immediately.

5 – Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

My Rating: 4*

As I said, I needed the next book, and I read it! Normally I’m not a fan when you have one book in the POV of one character then the next book follows someone else, but I have to say I love it! I needed this POV, and I didn’t even know it until I started reading this! The thing I love about these books, are that they tackle such difficult issues/ topics. This book in particular really touched on some tough topics and I loved that about it!

6 – The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke

My Rating: 2*

This was another that had been sat on my shelf for too long! I decided to pick it up and have to say I wasn’t impressed. There was no tension, because I didn’t give a bloody hoot about the characters, and to top it all off I felt like everything was just too easy for the MC!

7 – Temeraire by Naomi Novik

Temeraire (The Temeraire Series, Book 1) by [Novik, Naomi]

My Rating: 5*

Okay, so I loved it!! I loved the dragon, I loved the relationship between the MC and temeraire, and it just gave me so many feels! I will definitely be continuing in this series!

8 – Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

My Rating: 3.5*

I enjoyed this book, it had intrigue, it had a good storyline. For me it was let down with the characters, although I didn’t by any means hate them, I found they weren’t as well developed as I would have personally liked. There were elements that let me see into the characters way of being etc, but I didn’t feel as connected to them as I would have liked. However, I will say that I wasn’t expecting the twist. I recommend this book, because I think it will be loved by many, but I personally needed a bit more.

9 – Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch

My Rating: 4*

This has been a long time coming!! I read the first book nearly a year ago now, which is madness. It was time I continued, and I was really surprised, because I honestly thought I wouldn’t like it (no idea why lol)! I wasn’t expecting the twists this story took, and can’t wait to see what the final instalment brings!

10 – A Pack of Vows and Tears by Olivia Wildenstein

A Pack of Vows and Tears (The Boulder Wolves Book 2) by [Wildenstein, Olivia]

My Rating: 4*

I am officially trash for this series and Olivia knows it all to well! The amazing Olivia Wildenstein sent me an arc of this (I previously reviewed book 1 for her as an arc and so she kindly sent me the next instalment) and I just couldn’t put the damn thing down! I don’t own many shifter stories (a I own about 3 maybe 4) but this series just has me hooked; like I said…I’m utter trash for this lol! I will do a review later – closer to pub date – that way you won’t be spoiled if you plan on reading this.

11 – Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto

My Rating: 3*

I wanted to love it, but sadly I just felt the pacing let the story down. It’s as simple as that really. I know many people have raved about this, and I can honestly say I wish I could be one of them, but it just didn’t do it for me.

So there you go 11 books later we have my wrap up, which if I’m being honest with you – I’m quite impressed with because I had a baby this month lol! Have you read any of the above? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!


Reading Update #9

by booksteff, posted in menu, Reading Update

Hey Beautiful Booklovers! Another week, another reading update!

I am happy to announce I’ve read a few books since I last updated you all…2 of them have been very typically cheesy YA (which I had never heard of) but I feel like I needed that kind of blowout to get me back in my grove 😂😂!

Books I’ve read

So since my last update I have read A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan, which was a re-read for me, but I want to read book 2 this month so needed the recap.

My cheesy YA reads, well, I’m not even sure how I found them to be honest with you but sometimes I like to read something like this to help get my out of a little slump etc. The first was Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins and the second was the follow on novel Sweet Peril. If I’m honest I won’t be adding these reads to my goodreads or anything. They merely filled the task of getting me out if a slump, and I dont really have much else to say with regards to them.

Books I’m currently reading

I know last week I had picked up Ever the Huntedby Erin Summerill and I actually picked up Bitten by Kelley Armstrong too, but I haven’t gone any further with either of them…just because I haven’t been in the mood. I absolutely want to read them, and it is in no way the content that has made me feel this way – just my weird funky reading vibes at the moment 😂!

Anyway, moving on, I am looking to pick up Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence and make a start on that tonight, so hopefully I’ll be able to get through that this week.

Books I plan to pick up next

At this point with my reading preferences – who knows! Its all up in the bloody air right now 🙈😂! I haven’t even managed to put together a tbr for this month because of my indecisiveness [cries dramatically]!! I hate when I mood read 😂! What I do know is that I want to go to my unread shelves, so I’ll be having a hard look at them to decide my next reads!

Random tidbits

So as you may have guessed still no sign of baby, but hopefully he will come sooner rather than later 🤞! I’m very sore (due to chronic hip pain) which means concentration isn’t so great – which means unfortunately my social media is taking a bit of a hard hit 😭! I’m really hoping to be back on track soon 🤞💕. Also thank you to everyone who wished me well with baby – you are all so amazing 😘! I will of course let you know updates as they come.

What have you read recently? Are you in any funky reading moods/ slumps? How do you normally get out of them. As always I love hearing your thoughts and opinions so let me know in the comments below!