The third book in my mafia romance series is finally here! You can buy the book on amazon (Paperback: $7.99; Kindle; $2.99). If you have kindle unlimited you can get the book for free!

Here is the synopsis: Taking place three years after Arranged Love: Angelo Ricci is Boston’s new Mafia Don. As he tries to earn his place and respect from his men, he is learning to navigate the world deaf. The accident that left him deaf accompanied by ringing in his ears has left him bitter and depressed. Struggling to keep on, he focuses all his effort and energy on a new mission. Kidnap the Bratva leader’s daughter—Anastasia Vasiliev. Anastasia has a secret that might just pull Angelo out from his darkness, but can these two enemies truly fall for each other? As their bond grows closer the inevitability of their forbidden love catches up with them and the true test of their relationship begins. Can the Mafia look past their Don pairing up with a Vasiliev? Will Angelo and Anastasia be able to survive their downfalls?

Get the book here!

If you haven’t read the series, the first book is Arranged Love and the second is Forbidden Love. I’ll leave the synopsis for both book below.

Arranged Love:

Liliana Ricci 
Growing up in Boston as the daughter of the mafia’s leader has its perks. I never grew up wanting anything with monetary value, never went hungry or thirsty and always had a bed to sleep in. What I craved was companionship, love, freedom. 
My father arranged my marriage to one of the most ruthless in the Mob, Antonio Moretti, notorious for being cold and calculating. He is the newest Don of the mafia’s Outfit in Chicago due to the death of his father. The Outfit is weakened from the Bratva and my father thinks this marriage will help our ties. I’m nothing more than a business deal. 
I’ve heard rumors and stories of Antonio Moretti that frighten me to my very core. I’m not ready to give up my innocence, I’m not ready to be forced into a loveless marriage like all women unfortunate enough to be born into this life.

Antonio Moretti
The Bratva slaughtered my father along with eighteen others on a mission. A mission I should have been on with my younger brother. Now I am the rightful Don of the Outfit. This isn’t the first time within the past few months that the Bratva has attacked and slaughtered my soldiers, there has to be a rat. 
The only way to get my revenge is if I have help from Boston. Marco Ricci offers a good majority of his men in exchange that I marry his nineteen-year-old daughter, Liliana. I never once saw myself as the married type or the father type, but I know the job description and what is expected of me. I agree with the marriage because I need the men.
One look into her blue eyes and already I feel…strange. She is captivating, she is innocent, but she is unlike any of the other women I have met. She is feisty and reserved and not flinging herself at me like I’m used to. 
I refuse to get close to her. Closeness is a weakness.

Forbidden Love Synopsis: Arabella:
They call me The Cursed Widow. After the luck I’ve had lately I’m starting to really believe I am cursed.
I have always played pretend, always pretended everything was okay when my own life was spiraling out of my control. I’ve pretended my demons weren’t sucking the life out of me. Now that my second husband is dead, I am enjoying her newfound freedom. Except now Chicago isn’t a safe place for me anymore. Marco Ricci’s men are angry and they won’t stop until every last Moretti is dead. I am forced to leave Chicago and be with my brother, Lazzaro, in Italy, permanently. I’m not ready to say goodbye to my friends, not ready to leave my family or my home. Italy is my new future and when I find out the purpose of my presence there…things change forever.

Thanks to all those who have supported me and inspired me to keep writing! Because of everyone who reads my books and tells me how much you enjoyed it, you make me feel like I’m accomplishing my life’s dream of becoming an author.

Let’s see what books I finished for the month of October.

I actually had a really good month. I got my wisdom teeth taken out which meant I miss work and had a lot of time to lay in bed, recover, and read!

OCTOBER WRAP-UP: For October I managed to read 9 books!

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Near Witch by VE Schwab ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Halloween Party by Agatha Christie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Anne of Windy Poplars by LM Montgomery ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Anne’s House of Dreams by LM Montgomery ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Anne of Ingleside by LM Montgomery ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[NOT PICTURED] ARC The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Favorite read: Tie between Serpent & Dove, Ninth House, & The Guinevere Deception I loved them all so much!

Planned on reading 7 book, I read 9. Of the 7 books on my October TBR list I only read 5 of them. The two I didn’t read were City of Ghosts and There Will Come a Darkness.

GOAL for November: Read five books. The Beautiful, Gideon the Ninth, The Bones Houses, The Seven and Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and The Queen of Nothing — due to participating in NaNoWriMo I don’t know how much reading I’ll get done I’ve been focusing more on my writing

Serpent & Dove surprised me most. I loved every aspect of it and I think it definitely made its way into my top 10 favorite books of all time. Most disappointing I have to say is The Near Witch, I love VE Schwab but this wasn’t my favorite book from her.

The Guinevere Deception surprised me to (review on this blog) I was lucky enough to receive an ARC and it was amazing. I adore retelling and I’m tired of the same retelling s—Beauty and the Beast. This one is about Arthur and the round table and it was done beautifully! I highly recommend it for fantasy lovers that love retelling.

Ninth House I can tell will be my new favorite adult series. I can’t wait for book 2 and I’m excited to see which direction Bardugo is going to go with for this series. I love the characters and the plot and it’s DEFINITELY my favorite book she’s written. I just hope it doesn’t like Shadow & Bone because that series made me sad at the end and for personally, I didn’t quite like the series and didn’t fall in love with Six of Crows either. I will say though Bardugo has a wonderful imagination, the world and concepts she creates in all her books are fascinating and her characters are ALWAYS swoon worthy. Kaz. The Darkling. Nikolai. Darlington.

Thanks for reading! Tell me if you read any good books for October and what you plan on reading for November!

Let me start off by saying I think this book is my favorite read of 2019.

Here’s the synopsis:

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

As a huntsman of the Church, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. But when Lou pulls a wicked stunt, the two are forced into an impossible situation—marriage.

Lou, unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, must make a choice. And love makes fools of us all.

Set in a world of powerful women, dark magic, and off-the-charts romance, book one of this stunning fantasy duology will leave readers burning for more.

Okay, I loved this book for so many reasons. First off, the main protagonist, Lou, is so lovable. I’ve seen many authors try to make their main characters funny and sarcastic and end up making the character, quite frankly, obnoxious. But I enjoyed Lou, she was funny and unique and she didn’t care to be a “proper” lady. She swears, she sings pub songs, and she isn’t afraid. I loved Lou and reading her made me smile and enjoy page after page.

Reid, the other protagonist, is very much the opposite of Lou. A gentleman who has taken an oath. A Virgin who doesn’t swear and sworn his life to the church as a huntsman for witches. People who know me know I have a thing for red-heads and I definitely feel head over heels for Reid. At first he seems like he has a stick up his butt, a real Mr. Serious, but you also know that you are going to grow to love him. And that’s exactly what happened. As Reid breaks out of his shell and we learn more about him we fall completely head over heels for him and his tragic backstory.

The plot itself is genius. We take the age old, Church versus Witchcraft (except witches are real in this book) and the church prosecutes and burns witches-women at the stake.

Lou hides her true nature (her being a witch) but there is something she is after, Angelica’s ring. And it is precisely the thing that gets her in trouble. Caught some what in the act, Reid recognizes her as a thief or in association with the thieving that happened when the ring was taken and tries to capture her—the whole mess ends up looking like Reid was attacking her, ripped dress and all. The Reverend marries them to save Reid’s purity and career. But why would the Reverend not clear Reid’s name and send the thief to prison.

There is more behind this situation than we are let on. But that what makes this book so good. The secrets that are slowly revealed.

Reid and Lou are married. Again they are opposites, and Lou just loves to get under this skin. I loved their scenes together and found myself smiling. I couldn’t stop reading and rooted for them all the way. Despite their difference in personality, when they both started spending time with each other and got to know one another, they found friendship and companionship in each other. Trust and love. Their romance is one that burns and makes your insides twists. It is to die for and the scenes of their shared passion make this book feel complete.

Alas, Reid does not know the truth. He sees witches as evil, they should burn. Lou, the woman he falls for, is a witch. Will he learn the truth? And will their love survive?

Serpent & Dove: immerse yourself into a world you won’t ever want to leave. The characters become your friends and lovers and you become attached to their lives, you feel bound by their secrets, and you want to help protect them at all cost. Enter into a magical world of betrayal, war, and deception.

Five star rating without a doubt. I need book two—LIKE NOW!

Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book.

The price to pay for an ARC is an even longer wait for book two.

Let’s start off with the synopsis:

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom’s borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution–send in Guinevere to be Arthur’s wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king’s idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere’s real name–and her true identity–is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot. 

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old–including Arthur’s own family–demand things continue as they have been, and the new–those drawn by the dream of Camelot–fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. 

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

This book starts off with Guinevere on her way to marry King Arthur she is sent by her father—Merlin—to protect the king. Although in Camelot magic is banished, Guinevere is a sorceress.

Guinevere has secrets, hence the deception part of the book. Each page is new insight into who exactly “Guinevere” is. We come to know different characters like Arthur’s nephew and Guinevere’s maid type chambermaid lady (completely forgot her name) named Brangien. We get to meet Lancelot too, who is hiding something. All our friends have secrets but the real question is are we able to trust them?

If you are a fan of King Arthur and the round table this book is for you! White makes an interest twists to the beloved characters. Guinevere, a sorceress, navigates the world as a human trying to make sense of people and every day life. King Arthur tries to balance peace in his kingdom as threat rises. The two of them balance their new married life; show off for their people and learn to live with each other.

Guinevere has friends who look after her and protect her, but is her well being really in their best interest?

The world building is vivid and mesmerizing as you learn and navigate through the lands of Camelot. This book is filled with magic, secrets, and lies. The plots have twists and turns that leave you at the edge of your seat. Each page is an adventure and you won’t be able to put this book down. The characters are complex and secretive as the further the story goes the we learn—but still want—more.

Ready your horse and prepare to ride into the world of Camelot. Remember trust nobody as you follow Guinevere on her mission to save King Arthur and Camelot. This world is filled with magic and secrets. Are you able to unravel the truth from the lies?

Are you ready for Kiersten White’s Camelot Rising trilogy?

RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 5th 2019

I’ve read the Grishaverse, I’ve read the Six of Crows duology and let me tell you…I wasn’t thrilled with them. I liked them but I wasn’t obsessed. The Six of Crows duology got four stars from me after it took months to finish both the books. The Shadow and Bone trilogy angered me at the end to the point where I don’t even think I can say I’m that big of a fan of the books. Although I am deeply obsessed with The Darkling.

So, what did I expect going into Ninth House? Well for starters I was REALLY excited it is an adult book. The concept seemed cool and this book has been one of my most highly anticipated books of 2019.

It. Did. Not. Disappoint.

Holy crow, I loved it! Five stars no doubt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was intriguing and kept me on my toes. It took a bit to get into in the beginning, but once it got going I simply couldn’t put it down.

Here is the synopsis:

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. In fact, by age twenty, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most prestigious universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. Their eight windowless “tombs” are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street’s biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.

The book starts off in the present and then goes into the past. It leaves us with questions of why is Darlington in “Spain” and what do the quotations mean? Where is Darlington??? We also know that Alex is troubled. She was brought to Yale for her powers, but throughout the book we learn of her troubled past.

We get to see Alex grow. Her character development is *chef’s kiss* I will say this too—

TRIGGER WARNING PLEASE READ THIS SO YOU CAN PREPARE YOURSELF IF YOU’RE EASILY TRIGGERED

In the middle of the book (sorry I forgot the page number) Alex will start to talk about her past, she goes on this field trip where she goes to the bathroom and finds out she gets her period. You might want to skip a page when you see Alex has gotten her period in this bathroom. It is a scene where young Alex is sexually assault and it is somewhat graphic.

The entire book is interesting, to find out about these secret societies and the magic they do. It’s filled with spells, conjuring, and spirits! Alex is trying to figure out what happened to Tara, who was murdered, she has a Gray (ghost) help her out. This is the same Gray who is called Grimesbride and is notorious for killing his wife and himself. The problem with this is once you connect with a Gray they form an attachment and the ties not easily severed. How will Alex get out of this one?

There is mystery, betrayal, and plot twists in this story. Every page is an adventure and a treat. The characters are complex and not as they seem at first. You crave to know more about them and the more you read, the more you fall in love with them.

Darlington is my favorite character, he seemed mysterious. A gentleman who seemed jealous of Alex’s abilities at first, but who also seemed dedicated to the society. I loved him so much. I loved the way he and Alex interacted with each other. The big mystery in this book is Darlington is missing and we don’t find out where/what happened until later. And even later than that will you find out….

Is he dead or alive?

You will not regret picking up Bardugo’s debut Adult Novel. It is filled with so much magic and amazement. This is a journey you’re going to want to take, so open up to the Ninth House and learn their secrets.

Hey y’all it’s finally fall!

This post is for all you October lovers and all you fantasy lovers!

Yes I’m talking to fantasy lovers because my recommendations for this fall consist of MAINLY fantasy books.

Even if you aren’t a fantasy lover, keep reading, maybe something will catch your eye. If you’re a lover of October and all things Fall-esque, halloweeny, and mythical creatures this October TBR is for you!

Let’s start off with my first pick and also a new October release which I’m excited for!

1. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Synopsis:

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. In fact, by age twenty, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most prestigious universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. Their eight windowless “tombs” are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street’s biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.

*This book has trigger warnings*

Ninth House releases October 8th 2019. It is Bardugo’s first adult book. Also, as you can tell it is the perfect book to read for October, it’s creepy, unsolved murders, spooky ritual-type creepiness going on. I’m all for it.

2. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Synopsis:

Welcome to the cursed town of Sparrow…

Where, two centuries ago, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town.

Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under.

Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sisters’ return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into.

Mistrust and lies spread quickly through the salty, rain-soaked streets. The townspeople turn against one another. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets. And death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters.

But only Penny sees what others cannot. And she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself.

The Wicked Deep is a young adult fantasy book. It’s an “older book” which released March 6th 2018. I think this has major Hocus Pocus vibes. If you like witches or have a strong interest in things relating to the Salem Witch trials, this is definitely a book you’re going to want to read this October. It’s not too spooky for all those who don’t like horror/thriller (like me). With the chilly weather approaching, curling up in a blanket and reading this book—it sounds like the perfect evening.

3. The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab

Synopsis:

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.  

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.  

There are no strangers in the town of Near.  

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.  

But when an actual stranger, a boy who seems to fade like smoke, appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.  

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion.  

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.  

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

VE Schwab is the queen at writing creepy stories that have such an October vibe. I don’t know if I need to say much after the description aside from—every single Schwab book is golden. Her style of writing is so unique and captures your attention from start to finish. I feel this is the perfect mystery, kids are disappearing from there beds, it’s chilling, creepy, and will easily pique your interest. The wind talks. Perfect autumn read with a Witch theme and a mystery!

4. The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

Synopsis:

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans is a safe haven after she’s forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent in the middle of the carnival season, Celine is quickly enraptured by the vibrant city, from its music to its fancy soirées and even its danger. She becomes embroiled in the city’s glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group’s enigmatic leader, Sébastien Saint Germain. 

When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in Sébastien’s own lair–the second dead girl to turn up in recent weeks–Celine battles her attraction to Sébastien and suspicions about his guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret. 

After a third murder, New Orleans becomes gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose–one who has now set Celine in his sights. As the murderer stalks her, Celine finally takes matters into her own hands, only to find herself caught in the midst of an age-old feud between the darkest creatures of the night, where the price of forbidden love is her life. 

At once a sultry romance and a decadent, thrilling mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet.

This book doesn’t release until October 8th 2019

Do I need to say anything other than New Orleans?? Can’t you just picture the famous creepy (yet beautiful) New Orleans cemetery with the big beautiful crypts. It just gives me a voodoo vibe too. The Underworld, murder…are you intrigued yet? (Also has a seductive romance if I didn’t already convince you) This book is about Vampires, so if you liked Twilight vampires are back! If you hated Twilight—give these vampires a chance! Vampires definitely fill the October/Halloweeny theme and I think it’s the perfect read for a spooky month.

5. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

Synopsis:

Ever since Cass almost drowned (okay, she did drown, but she doesn’t like to think about it), she can pull back the Veil that separates the living from the dead . . . and enter the world of spirits. Her best friend is even a ghost. 

So things are already pretty strange. But they’re about to get much stranger. 

When Cass’s parents start hosting a TV show about the world’s most haunted places, the family heads off to Edinburgh, Scotland. Here, graveyards, castles, and secret passageways teem with restless phantoms. And when Cass meets a girl who shares her “gift,” she realizes how much she still has to learn about the Veil — and herself. 

And she’ll have to learn fast. The city of ghosts is more dangerous than she ever imagined.

We did Cults, murders, Witches, Vampires and now it’s time for Ghosts! Schwab is on my list again because like I said—her writing just screams spooky and creepy and thrilling! This is a middle grade book so it’s not adult spooky to the point where you can’t go to sleep that night, but it definitely fulfills the whole halloween aesthetic. If you’re interested in ghosts and the afterlife; pick City of Bones for your October TBR. Oh and if you end up loving this book, the second one is out, too!

6. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Synopsis:

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.

This book is placed in LGBTQ Science Fiction. Let’s check Skelton’s off the list for this book ✔️ I will admit I haven’t read this book but it gives me MAJOR spooky vibes. I mean just check out the cover. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book and I think it has the perfect premise to put you in the spooky spirit of Halloween/Fall!

7. Halloween Party by Agatha Christie

Synopsis:

At a Hallowe’en party, Joyce—a hostile thirteen-year-old—boasts that she once witnessed a murder. When no one believes her, she storms off home. But within hours her body is found, still in the house, drowned in an apple-bobbing tub.

That night, Hercule Poirot is called in to find the “evil presence.” But first he must establish whether he is looking for a murderer or a double murderer.…

Agatha Christie is the Queen of Mystery! I was never a fan of mystery books until I got into her stories earlier this year. What better to put you in the Halloween mood than reading a story about a Halloween party? Figure out the murderer in this who-done-it and experience many twists and turns with every page!

8. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. 

Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world. 

Corpses and a serial killer? If this doesn’t scream Halloween I don’t know what does. Jack the Ripper already is so creepy and in this Ya Fantasy book we get to hear about the gruesome murders and catch/study a psychopathic killer.

9. The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

In the captivating start to the darkly lyrical fantasy series for readers of Leigh Bardugo and Sabaa Tahir, Tea can raise the dead, but resurrection comes at a price…

Let me be clear: I never intended to raise my brother from his grave, though he may claim otherwise. If there’s anything I’ve learned from him in the years since, it’s that the dead hide truths as well as the living.

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she’s a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.

In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha-one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles…and make a powerful choice.

This is a middle grade/young adult fantasy book that came out back in February 2018. Do I need to say more beside “raising brother back from the dead?” This is another witch-book recommendation and if you love all things witchy this is another must add to your October TBR. Perfect for all you who don’t want an intense scary book but still want the Halloween aesthetic.

10. There Will Come A Darkness by Katy Rose Pool

Synopsis:

For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations―until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared.

All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction. With chaos on the horizon, five souls are set on a collision course:

A prince exiled from his kingdom.
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.
A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart. 
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.

One of them―or all of them―could break the world. Will they be savior or destroyer? Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Children of Blood and Bone, and An Ember in the Ashes.

This book is a newer release and one I’m most excited to read. There Will Come A Darkness has a perfect halloweeny touch—prophets, darkness, ruthless killers.

•

There you have it. My top 10 reads for this October! I hope you added at least half of these amazing books to your TBR and I hope you get through as many as you can. I know I love to read certain books based off the seasons. I love curling up in a blanket and sipping on hot chocolate as I read a book about magic or witches or serial killers. It really puts you in the spirit of the season.

Happy almost October and happy reading!

This post is going to be broken up in spoiler-free the first half and then will have spoilers in the last half (you’ll be warned). I cannot write this review without discussing some major spoilers.

Here’s the synopsis:

The epic conclusion to the internationally bestselling Nevernight Chronicle from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

The greatest games in Godsgrave’s history have ended with the most audacious murders in the history of the Itreyan Republic.

Mia Corvere, gladiatii, escaped slave and infamous assassin, is on the run. Pursued by Blades of the Red Church and soldiers of the Luminatii legion, she may never escape the City of Bridges and Bones alive. Her mentor Mercurio is now in the clutches of her enemies. Her own family wishes her dead. And her nemesis, Consul Julius Scaeva, stands but a breath from total dominance over the Republic. 

But beneath the city, a dark secret awaits. Together with her lover Ashlinn, brother Jonnen and a mysterious benefactor returned from beyond the veil of death, she must undertake a perilous journey across the Republic, seeking the final answer to the riddle of her life. Truedark approaches. Night is falling on the Republic for perhaps the final time. 

Can Mia survive in a world where even daylight must die?

Let’s start off with my rating: 4.5 stars

I would give this book 5–easily—but there are a few things that made me take away a half a star.

This book was a ride. A journey. Wow. I loved the characters with all my heart. I cried with them. Laughed with them. I felt like Mia’s Vendetta was my own. I rooted for her and became friends with her and loved who she loved. I felt apart of this world and that is why Kristoff is a genius.

Book one (Nevernight) will always be my favorite there is just so much in that book that was amazing. Them all training to be assassins, getting to listen to backstories, the romance between Mia and Tric. The plot twists. It was all so amazing. Even Godsgrave was amazing with the gladataii (probably did not spell that right and I don’t feel like fact-checking my spelling). This book follows Mia’s final journey to kill who she’s been after since book 1…Julius Scavea.

Jay Kristoff’s writing style takes a while to get used to but it’s so unique and really hooks you. I found myself thinking about the characters after putting the book down to take a break and picking it back up because I missed the characters and had to know more! The premise of the book in itself is complicated and of course confusing at times (especially if you sometimes skim like I do). But it’s still all genius. The plot, the settings, and the characters.

The characters are unlike any I have ever known. Mia, for starters, is badass! She is a fierce female warrior/assassin. With the help of Mister Kindly and Eclipse she has no fear. I mean this girl kicks ass and tells it to people straight. I really admire and look up to Mia. Aside from the murdering people, I want to be as brave, courageous, and confident as she is. Mia doesn’t shit from anyone and that is what is most admirable about her. Keeping her chin held high, she doesn’t let anything get in her way. Her vendetta is revenge and she’ll stop at nothing to achieve it. Although she is described as a “ruthless bitch” Mia has “the heart of a lion” (quote from the book I’m not crying you are). She loves her friends and her remaining family, her little brother, and a certain someone who has been like a father to her—Mercurio. I love Mia’s selfish yet unselfish ways. The way she protects her own along with her dedication. She’s a character you won’t forget.

Tric. My sweet baby Tric. I’ll try to make this a non-spoiler description for all who are reading who haven’t started the series or haven’t finished Darkdawn. Tric is one of the main protagonists in Nevernight and Mia’s love interest. He has a backstory that will make you tear up. He had a heart like no other. He too is fierce. He is smart, cunning, but sweet. Reading scenes with him in it I just fall in love. He makes me smile and he has made me cry. He is definitely initiated into Emmy’s long list of book boyfriends. Tric is a trained assassin who loves Mia, even though they know they can have no life together (because their lives are dedicated to the Red Church) it doesn’t stop them from their blossoming romance. Tric is swoon-worthy and I love him with all my heart. He deserves the world and you just have to read to judge and love him for yourself!

Mister Kindly. My favorite not-cat. I love this sassy, sarcastic, ball of not-fluff. I love him so much. You can tell how much he loves Mia and wants to see her safe and has the best interest in mind. They get into a fight in this series and I swear I cried. I’ll have a list of all the times I cried in the spoiler section. All I can say is Mister K is a treat and I love him as my all time favorite literary creature.

The whole premise for The Nevernight Chronicles is just extraordinary. The plot twists are always jaw dropping and there is no mercy. Mia goes through so much trying to avenge her father by murdering who took part in his death. She learns so much along the way—many of it shocking. This book has no mercy so don’t get too invested in any characters. It’s a real-talk fantasy book discussing hard situations. It’s heart breaking and heart mending. It has sexual exploration, graphic murders, and real truths. There is no holding back in the series and that is what makes this series awesome. There’s no censoring or sugar coating. It’s vulnerable, it’s wanton, it’s honest and beautiful.

If you haven’t read this series—trust me when I say buying Nevernight is worth it. It took me three years to get past page 20 but when you get used to the formatting, the footnotes, and wrap your head around the world building along with the timelines and really push to page 100, you too will find you cannot put it down.

Now…the rest of this review will spoil people who haven’t read Nevernight / Godsgrave

Darkdawn starts off where Godsgrave left off. Mia has Jonnen in her grasp, she thinks she just killed Julius Scaeva….

Well within the first few chapters you find out Julius really isn’t dead. Hardly a spoiler considering the premise of this book is the hunt to kill him.

Jonnen is hateful to her not believing Mia is really his sister and also hating her because he so innocently and blindly loves his father (who Mia is still trying to kill.)

As we left off from Godsgrave: that last sentence had all of us screaming I’m sure and so here is the moment of truth…Tric omg Tric is back

But is he really…

Hardly a spoiler again but if you don’t know how Tric came back to life just go to next paragraph….okay so he was brought back to life and is here to tell Mia she has a greater purpose in life. Also he is kinda dead, it’s stated he seems different, a little more colder. Tric says many times to that he isn’t the Tric he used to be because that Tric was murdered. What the purpose Tric talks about is though—well I guess you’ll have to read to find out.

Mia meets so many great people along the way (Like Cloud—I loved him!) There are also some old friends like Sid, Wavewaker, and co. Oh Ashlinn too and as we know from Book 2, Ash is her lover (yes there are smut scenes people…you’re welcome). There is a divide between Ash and Tric because well…Ashlinn killed Tric.

Mia must make her decision in this book. A choice between lovers…Tric or Ash?

If you’re just DYING to know, you can keep reading when I talk about Darkdawn spoilers at the end of this.

Overall, this book is a JOURNEY. It’s a journey that has ended but it’s a journey I’m so glad I went on. It was a roller coaster, really, it’s was beautiful and frustrating and I laughed, cried, got angry, and yet I don’t regret a single word I read. Each chapter is a new surprise and each page is an adventure. I hope you love this epic conclusion as much as I did. And if you haven’t read this at all…I hope you decide to pick up Nevernight and give it a try.

SPOILERS FOR DARKDAWN AHEAD!!!

Before the rant here is my cry-count

1. The dedication
2. Mister Kindly/Mia fight
3. Tric cries
4. Mercurio gets sad about Mia and his inner monologue talks about how he loves her as a daughter and how he’ll never forget her
5. The Acknowledgements

I really didn’t cry much for someone who is VERY hyper empathic. I cry at everything. But these were the saddest scenes in my opinion.

Okay this is going to be my RANT—

There’s so much to say…so I’m going to start with problem #1

Mia did not get with Tric. What? Why? Ugh. Tric cRYING. Don’t get me wrong when I say I loved the fact that Mia is very open in her sexuality and is one of the very very few bisexual characters I’ve read about. I also really enjoyed the smut scenes between Ash and Mia. But I feel like Tric and Mia had so much more chemistry.

Tric came back for Mia and that’s what breaks my heart the most. He doubtlessly explains how much he loves Mia and how much he’ll follow her and be with her through everything. Ashlinn to me (In this book) constantly discussed to Mia domestication. Let’s have a house and be together forever. Not really a future I see for Mia but okay.

I loved their relationship in book 1 and Mia must have too because in book 2 upon seeing Ashlinn she is pissed at her because well, she killed her lover! There relationship to me in book 2 felt lustful but that’s it. It didn’t feel like love and it certainly didn’t feel like a connection. It felt like they just wanted someone to warm their beds. Also, Mia is very protective of her friends and it kinda breaks my heart because she did love Tric and then she falls for his murderer.

Tric and Mia almost have sex (I was squealing) Then it stopped. Mia obviously still has feelings to the point where she almost did him even though she’s with Ash. Mia explains to Tric that she loves Ash and wants her more than she wants to have sex with Tric. Tric cries and I actually cry with him. It was so sad. I just wanted him to have a HEA.

😦

Ashlinn dies and comes back. But how you ask? Well Tric goes back to the hearth (or whatever it’s called) he kills himself again so he can tell Ashlinn how to get back. But there’s no bringing Tric back a second time.

RIP.

Speaking of HEA guess who didn’t get one? Wavewaker and Bryn. Okay I have a lot to say on this subject.

There is a scene I like where they all sit down and discuss their first times. Wavewaker admits he is a virgin waiting for the right woman. Okay but I LOVE this. I LIVE for this. Because I’m so tired of books where EVERYONEEEEE has done it. That’s not real life. There are people who haven’t had sex yet and I feel like there constantly badgered with “why haven’t you don’t it yet” and constantly talked down to, to like they’re missing out on something. It just annoys me because it seems the normal nowadays is everyone has sex, but that’s not true. So, I was all for the diversity of a virgin. And a male too! Loved it. So

Bryn thought this as her opportunity. They have watch together and they’re SOOOO close to doing it!

Then they die.

Wavewaker dies a virgin, so sad. But also kinda liked that Wavewaker never had sex with anyone before he died. Sexual diversity.

But also…couldn’t they have had sex and THEN die. Ugh.

And problem #3 that bothered me…THE ENDING.

Look away if you don’t want to know if Mia gets her HEA…

Okay so..are you looking away? Are you reading because you want to know? Ready? Okay. So, yes she frickin does. What???? I know. Didn’t Jay say that Mia wasn’t going to? Didn’t Jay say that Mia was going to die. Well she does die…just many years later probably at old age. No. She lives with Ashlinn for probably forever and ever.

So make of that what you will. A few things could’ve made the rating a full 5 stars but I’m rating it 4.5!

I just wish Tric got a HEA 😦

I hope you enjoyed my review and found it either helpful or entertaining.

My Nevernight journey is over and I’ll forever be grateful for such a fantastic series. Thanks Jay Kristoff for this amazing imaginary adventure!

The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy

Synopsis:

In the city of Craewick, memories reign. The power-obsessed ruler of the city, Madame, has cultivated a society in which memories are currency, citizens are divided by ability, and Gifted individuals can take memories from others through touch as they please.

Seventeen-year-old Etta Lark is desperate to live outside of the corrupt culture, but grapples with the guilt of an accident that has left her mother bedridden in the city’s asylum. When Madame threatens to put her mother up for auction, a Craewick practice in which a “criminal’s” memories are sold to the highest bidder before being killed, Etta will do whatever it takes to save her. Even if it means rejoining the Shadows, the rebel group she swore off in the wake of the accident years earlier.

To prove her allegiance to the Shadows and rescue her mother, Etta must steal a memorized map of the Maze, a formidable prison created by the bloodthirsty ruler of a neighboring Realm. So she sets out on a journey in which she faces startling attacks, unexpected romance, and, above all, her own past in order to set things right in her world.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars

I was given this ARC by Blink publishing. I’m so happy that I got to read this book before it came out. I found the description really intriguing and it did not let me down. The entire book was well-paced full of action, adventure, heart-break, betrayal, tests of loyalty, and romance. This book had lovable characters that made me laugh as well as made me cry.

I’ve read my fair share of fantasy books and this one is unique in writing style and world building. The concept alone of gifted individuals who are able to steal memories or transfer memories into others, is amazing! I was so engrossed in reading more about the mechanics of the magic.

Character development 👏🏼 yes. That’s all I have to say. I loved watching the characters grow and change throughout the story. We see the main character Etta—who we learn betrayed the group (Shadows) who she used to work for. Doing anything to save her mother who is in a coma—she goes back to the Shadows. Etta is a strong female lead character who is broken in her own way. Guilt ridden from how she betrayed her friends, she learns to move on and accept new friendship.

This is where Reid comes along. He is Etta’s partner and they journey together to find Porter. For a good portion of the book Etta and Reid are traveling together and we get to watch their friendship blossom beautifully. I really loved Reid and although I’m a big fan of broody, strong, come-off-as-mean alpha male characters (This is why I root for Bray for about a quarter of the book), Reid may be strong and brave, but we see his sweet side. Reid is incredibly genuine and he warmed my heart. I easily fell in love with him as he tried to see the good in Etta even when she was self-deprecating herself. He would tell her that things have changed and she is worthy and she is capable and brave and even though Etta pulls away from this—Reid isn’t having it.

This is a non-spoiler review so I’ll make this simple. The Memory Thief had interesting twists, an amazing story line filled with violence, characters you can’t help but love, insight to tragic backstories, it has a ruthless villain that you want to see taken down just as much as the main character. You will fall in love, you will cry, you will cheer and you will want to pull out your hair. The Memory Thief is a journey you won’t want to miss!

The Memory Thief releases October 1st 2019! Pre-orders are up so what are you waiting for…order a copy! You won’t regret it!

Thank again to Blink for sending me this amazing book!

August was not my month. I read a grand total of three books. I had 8 on my TBR, and I only finished 1 of them.

1. Anne of Avonlea
2. Twisted Bonds ARC
3. Strange the Dreamer

The reviews to these books can be found on my page, so there is no use in posting the reviews here.

So let’s talk about my reading experience this month.

This month has been busy for me. I got a job and have been working a lot of hours. I did more writing than I did reading. Also, I went on a book buying ban—so there weren’t any “new books” for me to read but it did force me to read books I’ve had on my shelves for wayyy too long.

Anne of Avonlea wasn’t the best. I found it to have no purpose. It felt like there was no plot. Just a lot of fast-forwarding and lots of meeting random people in Avonlea (half of whom I can’t even remember their names or their purposes). I really want to dive more into this series and find out how Anne’s story ends so I will continue by reading book 3 in September.

Twisted Bonds by Cora Reilly was given to me as an ARC. I read it in a day and reviewed it on goodreads. It was good, I always love her Mafia Romance, but I found the main character Kiara to be repetitive and she annoyed me slightly. More than half the book felt unnecessary because it is Twisted Pride (the book before Twisted Bonds) but only in Kiara/Nino’s POV. So, I wasn’t that interested in the first half. It felt longer than necessary too. It could’ve been cut in half or the first half of the book could’ve been replaced with something more interesting instead of predictable considering it just goes over the events of Twisted Pride. Still, I loved the romance and I love her with Nino. The book also gave me lots of baby fever. Her Mafia Romance series is one of my favorites and I’ll always love every single one of her books.

Strange the Dreamer. I’m SO glad I finally picked up this book. This was the only book on my August TBR. I forced myself one night to get out of bed, pick the book from my bookshelf and crack it open. It was magical and epic. I loved it and I can’t wait to read Muse of Nightmares! Lazlo Strange is definitely a book boyfriend of mine.

So this is how my August TBR was supposed to go:

• A Beggar’s Kingdom
• Wicked Saints
• Sorcery of Thorns
• An Enchantment of Ravens
• Furyborn
• Kingsbane
• We Hunt the Flame
• Strange the Dreamer ✔️

Naturally for my September TBR I condensed the list in half

SEPTEMBER TBR

• ARC The Memory Thief
• ARC The Prom
• Stalking Jack the Ripper
• Darkdawn
• Anne of Green Gables (Book 3)

Hopefully I will be a lot better by sticking to my list and ACTUALLY reading them all. September is busy for me. I’m on vacation as of right now and I don’t get home until Sept 4th/5th. I go on vacation again at the end of the month for about a week. I always bring books with me on vacation but I struggle to pick them up unfortunately.

I also have my October TBR list made out only because I have a lot of spooky-ish books that would be perfect to read. If you’re like me and you hate horror and thriller books—consider these for your October TBR. They’re all fantasy with witch-themes or ghost themes, and then there is one mystery book.

OCTOBER TBR

• Halloween Party by Agatha Christie (Mystery)
• The Near Witch by VE Schwab (Fantasy)
• City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab (Middle-Grade Fantasy)
• The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw (YA Fantasy)
• A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer (YA Fantasy)

I hope everyone accomplishes all your September reading goals! I’d love to hear what some books you plan on reading are or even what books you finished for your August reading goals. Let me know in the comments.

Happy Reading!