Tag: read

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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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!

Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller Review

by booksteff, posted in menu, Reviews

Hey Beautiful Booklovers! The book in the spotlight today is the awesome Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller!!

I have to say I’m a sucker for a warrior themed book! I just adore the whole shield maiden vibe, and when it’s done well always leaves me feeling empowered!


You can buy your copy here from Amazon!
  • Title: Warrior of the Wild
  • Author: Tricia Levenseller
  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (1 Mar. 2019)
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • ISBN-10: 1250189942
  • ISBN-13: 978-1250189943
  • My Rating: 4.5*

Synopsis – From Amazon

Eighteen-year-old Rasmira has always been both praised and scorned for her talents. As her father’s chosen heir, she has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village.

Fortunately, her long wait is almost over and after she passes her coming-of age trial, she’ll finally be able to live on her own and not have to deal with her mother’s constant rejection or the jealousy of her peers. Perhaps then she will be able to be both a warrior and a woman. But when trial day arrives, everything goes terribly wrong. Her test is sabotaged, and by law all those who fail are banished and given an impossible quest to reclaim their honor in death. And Rasmira is given the most difficult quest of them all: She must kill the oppressive deity who claims tribute from her village every year or die in the attempt.

My Review

The short version? I really loved this book. Give me female warriors, and axes any day! Tricia Levenseller is great in her ability to tell a good story in a short book.

Okay so, I loved the world, I loved the creatures, and I loved the characters.

The world was one I would happily steal into…you know, if I was a bad-ass warrior who could take down all the dangerous creatures! We follow Rasmira on her journey into banishment after she is wrongly sabotaged in her coming of age trials. What I loved about this book was Rasmira’s character arc! She really comes into herself so much throughout the 336 pages. You get to see her develop, and trust and oh my gosh, I loved it!

The creatures…honestly I really loved all the new crazy and dangerous things that roamed in the wild of this novel. I always get excited about new creatures in books, and Tricia Levenseller didn’t disappoint me!

Now, if you have read Tricia Levenseller’s Daughter of the Pirate King duology, you may know that she is a fan of sexy romances. This book did have a romance element to it, but what I loved about it was that it did not overpower the main plot. It was there, but my attention was still firmly in place where the characters overall goals lay.

This book gave me action, teamwork, great character arcs, great world building, and amazing new creatures.

Overall, I would say pick it up if you love a good female warrior, beautiful friendships, complex family dynamic and an awesome fantasy world.

My only regret? It’s a standalone [insert – me crying into a pillow]!

Have you read this book yet? Is it on your TBR (It definitely should be Booklovers)? I’m so happy I read this book, but then again I am a massive fan of anything even loosely viking themed! Let me know what you think in the comments below!

My Favourite Tropes!

by booksteff, posted in menu

Hey Beautiful Booklovers! Some of you may recall I did a post about tropes that I really can’t stand, and so instead of being Mrs Negativity Monster I decided to also do a post on tropes I am completely trash for!

As always please remember this is only my opinion. You may hate these tropes, and that is totally fine, in fact I imagine some of you will lol, but this is just my list of tropes I love to read!

1 – The Chosen One

Okay, so I know some of you are already rolling your eyes at me right now, but I can’t help it! I’m trash for this trope! Give me Harry Potter vibes any day! I know this is overdone, trust me I am aware, but when done well nothing beats a good old chosen one saving the day!

2 – Enemies to Lovers

Yup, that’s right! I love the heated tension of two people disliking each other and watching it dissolve then develop into feelings! Examples that come to mind are Rowan and Aelin from the ToG series, Lucien and Emmett from The Bindng, Nik and Hanna from Gemina (even though technically Nik was always for Hanna lol) But you get the idea!

3 – Forbidden Love

You know, when two characters know they shouldn’t, but can’t help but fall for each other! Gets me every time! I told you all before…I’m a romantic, and just can’t help it! I love the idea of the odd being against them, but that the pull to each other is too great to ignore! Yes, I am actually swooning just thinking about this trope!

4 – The Betrayal

I’m not sure what else to call this one, but what I mean is when the story evolves and then a massive plot twist comes along…the one where you find out the person who is so close to the MC is actually the one fanning the fire etc. The betrayal of the person that the main character never even suspected! This can be predictable, and so I can only tolerate it if I am blind to what is going on – If the twist comes as an utter shock!

5 – The Underdog

Come on, who doesn’t love to root for the underdog? How can anyone not?! This trope is just amazing, and I love watching the underdog take on the battles and win. There is just such a good feel to this trope – the feeling that the every day man/ woman can achieve their goals, or save the world etc. I am such a sucker for this trope it’s ridiculous!

There you have it, a short list of tropes I love. What are some of your favourite tropes? (I am positive that as I’m writing this I have forgotten a load lol). Do you agree or disagree with any of the above? Let me know in the comments below!

February Wrap Up!

by booksteff, posted in menu, Wrap Up

Hey Booklovers! I can’t believe it is the end of February already!! That is crazy, right? I mean where does time go? In book community tradition I am coming at you today with my Feb Wrap Up! So buckle up as I have 11 books to tell you about!

1 – Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

The first one I finished this month is Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice, book 1 in the Farseer trilogy. I’ll keep this brief – I really enjoyed this story, it was a great, and Robin Hobbs writing was lovely. I have a spoiler free review you can take a look at if your interested.

2 – Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟

Having not read Elantris before and people saying it was a bit like marmite – I was apprehensive going into this story. Perhaps because I wasn’t expecting much I ended up being pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed the story line and characters. Sanderson really has a knack for making good strong female characters and being able to change your opinion of others at the drop of a hat.

3 – In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I love this series. I really do, and I love how whimsical Seanan McGuire’s writing is. The stories are breathtaking, and although small I normally find they are perfect at that length. That being said, I did feel this one was a little short of what I wanted. Don’t get me wrong I still really enjoyed the story for what it was, and appreciate that Seanan McGuire is covering a large span of time, but I just wanted more of the how and why things happened. Let me be clear – the story is complete in its’ goal – the goal was not to tell me the hows and whys of that persons story, it was to convey a message of how the MC got to where she did, and it did that perfectly which is why I still gave it 4 stars.

4 – China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan 

My Rating:🌟🌟🌟

I liked this book just fine, but felt that it was lacking in the actual plot department. The majority of the time throughout reading I felt simply at a loss of why such and such was happening. It was fabulous in its’ ability to overwhelm me with the level of snobbery etc (which was the point) but I felt the story could have been better.

5 – Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another great example of Sanderson’s ability to write amazing and well rounded characters. I loved this book – like adored it. You can find my review on the review page, but if you are thinking of reading this…read it!

6 – Master of Sorrows by Justin Call

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

So…I may have gushed about this once or twice, or a hundred times! I love this book. I love the fact there is a disabled main character, I love that there is such depth to the world and religion. I love that the characters are so conflicted, and that every step of the way you are wondering what will happen next. This is such a good book, and I am so happy that I got an arc.

7 – Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski 

My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I adore the witcher series so it’s no shock that I rated this so highly. These books are full of magic, and craziness, and I love them so much! If you haven’t read these books, then what are you doing?

8 – Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor 

My Rating:🌟🌟🌟

I really wished I had of loved this book, but for me it was just okay. Average, and didn’t hold enough sway to make me want to read on. Perhaps it wasn’t the right time for me, or perhaps I expected more because I had heard the hype. I don’t know, but it just didn’t do it for me.

9 – Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟

So at first I wasn’t sure about this book. It was slow to start – not that I mind that generally – but I thought that maybe I would fall victim to the hype again! Luckily for me I ended up really enjoying this book, and Laini Taylor’s writing is just lush! This world is fantastic, and the twists – oh my gosh! It was a great read.

10 – The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French 

My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book needs to be read by more people in my opinion! I really love this book! It’s fantastic, and funny, and crazy, and GAH!! I adore it and cannot wait for book number 2 to come out! I need it! Like right now! 

11 – The Binding by Bridget Collins

My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟

Overall I enjoyed this book, and the romance within. The writing was lovely, the story engaging, the romance tragic and beautiful (very swoon worthy), and I really did enjoy it. However, I have to say I think I went into it thinking it was one thing, and getting something else; though I am still happy I read it. That was 100% my issue not the books. I went into it not knowing much, and thinking it was about magical book binding; in a way it was but it was more focused on the relationships than the magic itself. Again, this book is very enjoyable – I just went into it thinking it would be more about the magic, which it wasn’t. In conclusion if you are into magical realism with epic romance, this is a book for you.

I don’t want to spoil this book but oh my gosh I loved that ship!!

As you can see I had a pretty good reading month; nothing below 3 stars, and a few 5 stars, which is amazing considering how few I gave last year!

What have you read this month? Have you read any of the above? Did you enjoy them? Are there any you want to read from my list? Let me know in the comments below!