Book Review 📖 The Lake House by Kate Morton

I've read other books by Kate Morton before, and every time I pick one up, I'm reminded over and over again that Kate is an amazing author.
She sucks you into her story, kicks your heart every now and then, and leaves you wanting more.

The Lake House is no exception. I loved every bit of it, trying to work out what happened all those years ago.
I'm not going to say anything else on the story itself, because you definitely don't want spoilers. Go into this blind, you won't regret it.

I would say, bring tissues. I don't know if it's because I'm a mother and this hit me hard, but the story is just beautiful and devastating on it's own.

Highly recommend not only this book, but every book Kate Morton has written.

My star rating is:

Book Review 📖 Valour by John Gwynne

Book Two

The Faithful and the Fallen

This was the second time I'm reading Valour (and this series), and I'm not surprised I loved it the second time around.

I don't know if I missed the world or these characters, but I decided to take my sweet time reading. I just didn't want to leave this magical world.
Also, I didn't think it was going to hurt as much the second time, but it did. I was still in tears at the end of Valour.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but John Gwynne is an amazing author when it comes to creating characters and worlds. It's not in your face with all the information at once, but more like you were already apart of it and everything just makes sense.
Unlike what I just said. I'm finding it hard to express in words on how much I love these books.

Cannot wait to re-read the next two books in the series.

My star rating is:

Tome Topple Read-A-Thon 📚

I have seen Tome Topple read-a-thon happening for a while now, but for some strange reason, I have never participated in one. Well, that’s about to change.

I’m in a big book reading mood, so why not incorporate that with a read-a-thon dedicated to reading big books.

If you don’t know what Tome Topple Read-A-Thon is, I suggest you check out their twitter account here. It’s better to let them explain it.

The read-a-thon runs from November 9^th-22^nd

Since it’s still awhile away, I’m not going to create a TBR list. Even if the read-a-thon is going to happen tomorrow, I hate creating a TBR list. I never stick to them.

I will be updating on here and my Twitter and Instagram account during the read-a-thon. So keep an eye out.

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review 📖 Heroes by Stephen Fry

Book Two

Stephen Fry's Great Mythology

I knew I would love this book after reading Mythos. Stephen Fry knows how to tell ancient stories for modern readers. He is witty, and straight to the point. I don't know about everyone else, but I laughed out loud when a character said "mate".

In this book, as you can tell by the title, is about the heroes of ancient Greece.

I knew some of these people, mainly Hercules (which is actually pronounced Heracles), but I didn't know the complete story. That actually goes for basically all of them. I might've heard about them, maybe little tid-bits, but I definitely didn't know a lot. I even learned about new heroes that I never heard of before.

I loved every story that was told.

Highly recommend and I highly hope there are more books in this "series".

My star rating is:

Book Review 📖 A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George RR Martin

Book One-Three
The Tales of Dunk and Egg

It's not that I keep forgetting on how much a good author George RR Martin is, but every now and then when I read his works, I'm blown away by his story telling.
I'm also kicking myself that it has taken me this long to finally read the stories of Dunk and Egg. What great characters these two are, especially Egg. I'm not going to spoil anything, but I knew who Egg was right from the beginning. Well, not exactly on who he was, but I knew his family. Hopefully that isn't a big giveaway.

What else can I say that won't be spoiler... It does feel different to his other books from this same universe. Yes, there are "tragic" moments, but surprisingly I felt these stories were somewhat wholesome. It's an adventure tale of two companions and what they encounter along the way.

This might sound controversial, but I would rather more stories on Dunk and Egg first then have another book from A Song of Ice and Fire. Let me tell you, that is saying a lot, because I want more ASOIAF. Maybe I just want more books from different time periods from this world. I just never want to leave.

Highly recommend this book to everyone, not just ASOIAF fans. Just for the writing and characters alone.

My star rating is:

Weekend Reads 📚 #5

Welcome!

Just in case the title doesn’t make any sense, this blog post and hopefully many to come, is just me talking about my reading plans for the weekend.

I’ve seen these sort of thing done mainly on YouTube, sometimes with a reading vlog, but since I have a blog, this is as close as I can get to that.

So, I hope you enjoy.

Heroes by Stephen Fry

Lately instead of rushing to read so many books one after the other, I'm taking my time and enjoying them. I think this is mainly to do with me no longer doing the reading challenge on Goodreads. I still have mine up, but I put it at 12 books.

So, saying that, that is the reason why I'm still reading Heroes by Stephen Fry. I'm enjoying every moment of it. I knew some of these characters, but not the true story.
I'm also in love with Stephen Fry's writing. His wit is perfect to these characters.

If I happen to finish Heroes this weekend, I'm not sure what I'll pick up next. I am in the mood for a fantasy, so probably a John Gwynne book.



Until next time, happy reading

Book Review 📖 The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier

Book One

Warrior Bards

Not surprising, I'm in love with this book.

For some reason I didn't know this was a follow on series to the Blackthorn and Grim trilogy. I saw a new Juliet Marillier book and I just bought it. To know that it is and know what was to become of my two favourite characters, brought me a lot of joy.

The Harp of Kings is in the point of view of Liobhan and her brother Brocc, and their goal to join a group of warriors on Swan Island.
That's all I'm going to give away in regards to the plot. I have seen that Juliet Marillier said that you don't need to read Blackthorn and Grim trilogy before this book, but I highly recommend you do. Not because the world will make sense, but you will love the characters more.

Of course my favourite character is Liobhan. She's strong willed, smart, but also vulnerable. I mean, I love every single one of these characters, but Liobhan will stick with me forever.

I should also mention the names, because it is slightly different. Don't worry, Juliet Marillier has a character list at the beginning to help you pronounce their names.

I cannot wait for the next book to be released, I need more of Liobhan and Dau.

My star rating is:

Week Long Read-A-Thon 📚

I’ve decided, since school holidays is starting for my son, that I will do a week long read-a-thon. I was going to do just 24-hours, but there are so many books that I want to read, and 24-hours isn’t going to be enough time.

I’ll be doing a lot of my updates on my Instagram and Twitter pages. So, if you want to see how my progress is going, give me a follow.

I’ll also try and do daily updates on my blog as well, but no promises with that.

The books that I plan to read, which is ambitious, are;

Typical of me wanting to read big books.

Wish me luck.

Until next time, happy reading

Book Review 📖 Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff

Book Three
The Nevernight Chronicles

Bloody hell what an amazing book. Better yet, what an amazing series.
I cannot describe in words on how much I love these characters, especially Mia, and the story. Like I said in my Godsgrave review; I take my hat off to Jay Kristoff for writing such an incredible series. A series I'll be reading over and over again and will never forget.

If you haven't read Nevernight or Godsgrave, I really don't want to spoil Darkdawn for you. Even mentioning any characters will be a spoiler. What I will say, and sorry if this review is short, is prepare yourself with tissues. A lot of tissues.

I also want to say something about Mia. 
She is an amazing, strong, fragile character. I love everything about her. Such a perfect character.

Okay, enough gushing on this series. I highly recommend this series to everyone.
A warning; it is not YA. It's an adult book with adult content.
That is all.

My star rating is:

Book Review 📖 Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier

Book Three

Blackthorn and Grim trilogy

WOW WOW WOW
That's basically how I feel for Den of Wolves and the entire Blackthorn and Grim trilogy. I love everything about this trilogy, I cannot form enough words of love and admiration for it.
Magical and heart-warming, and a lot of tears. Blackthorn and Grim will always be my favourite characters that will be with me forever.
And you can bet that I will be rereading this trilogy over and over again.

In Den of Wolves we hear the story of Cara, and what a story. As I have probably stated in my previous reviews for this trilogy, I don't want to give anything away. I think you need to go into it blind and enjoy the story as it unfolds. I will say this though, I knew it!! Something was fishy and I knew it, even if I didn't know the story completely.
Sorry, that was vague, just read the book.

I really wish this series never ended, I could read about their day to day lives and still not get bored. I think, I know, it has everything to do with the amazing story telling of Juliet Marillier. This is my first series I've read from her, and it won't be my last. I'm still kicking myself it has taken me this long to read it. I don't know how long it had been sitting on my shelf for.

Highly recommend this book to everyone. LOVED IT!!

My star rating is:

Book Review 📖 Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier

Book Two

Blackthorn and Grim trilogy

I didn't think it could get any better after her first book in the trilogy, Dreamer's Pool, but I was very much mistaken.

Tower of Thorns is the book that I fell hopelessly in love with Grim. My heart breaks for him for what he went through, but he is such a kind and generous person. He's such a good match for Blackthorn, and I don't mean as a couple, even though I'm hoping. I just think they have this friendship that needs no label.

Even though I find Blackthorn a stand-offish, I love her. She might think she isn't strong, but I think she is the strongest woman ever.
And most of all, I love her straight talking and not afraid to call bullshit.

Cannot wait to read more of these two characters.

I don't want to talk too much on the plot of this story, definitely need to go in without knowing anything.
What I will say however, I cried a bucket load of tears. That ending, I don't think I'll recover or forget.

Still kicking myself that it has taken me this long to read this trilogy. Will definitely be reading more by Juliet Marillier.

My star rating is:

Book Review 📖 Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier

Book One

Blackthorn and Grim trilogy

Another book that has been on my shelf for ages, and when I finally read it, I kick myself for not reading it sooner.

OH. MY. GODDESS!! This book is amazing!
From the characters, the plot, and the world building. If I didn't have any responsibilities, I would've easily read this in a day. I didn't want to put it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

At first Blackthorn and Grim did get slightly on my nerves, only because they were prickly and judgmental to everyone they came across. I understood their reasoning, but it did at points become too much. However, they did grow on me and I love them. I love them a lot.
Prince Oran is basically a perfect character. He's a great leader, fair but firm, and even though he made mistakes, he took responsibility.
I don't want to spoil anything, but I had a feeling about Lady Flidais. I didn't know it would end like that though, so I was pleasantly shocked and happy.

The magic aspect to this, while it's mentioned many times, it doesn't feel like it's in your face. It just gives the right amount of mysticism.

Highly recommend this book to everyone, especially if you love fantasy.

My star rating is: