Fantasy – notabooktuber

A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

RATING: ✖✖

The initial promise of an academically fuelled supernatural suspense mystery kept me hooked, but it ultimately landed in a plot achingly similar to Twilight — despite the promises of witchcraft and magic, this book didn’t cast a spell over me.

SYNOPSIS: Deep in the stacks of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

I read this book a while ago, but I hadn’t the urge to properly review it until now. It’s been stewing in my mind for quite some time now, as I haven’t quite been able to let go

of it — I think that, ultimately, this book let me down. It was actually a real tragedy, as the premise was fantastic. I have no idea how I stumbled upon this book, but I think it was through some sort of ‘Halloween-and-witch-books-you-should-read’ article on Bustle. Initially, I really liked the book. Until the Edward Cullens came barging into the plot, disbanding my enjoyment. Womp womp.

So, why didn’t I fall for the magic of this book? I could essentially boil it down to two reasons, which I’ll make clear below.

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The Poppy War (#1) – R.F Kuang

RATING: ✖✖✖✖✖

An endlessly exciting fantasy debut from R.F Kuang, The Poppy War’s blend of magic, mystery, Chinese mythology and folklore set in a politically ravaged country fighting a gruesome war makes anyone’s toes curl. One of the best books I’ve read in a while.

SYNOPSIS: When Rin aced the Keju, the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies, it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard, the most elite military school in Nikan, was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

This book blew my socks off. I glimpsed it on Goodreads, read the blurb, glanced at the gorgeous cover, glanced at the blurb again, then bought it. It sat on my nightstand for a few days, then ended up in my lap, and then with a 5-star review after I devoured its 544 pages in two days when I finally realized how great it is.

Because, by the Phoenix God, was this one hell of a book.

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Lady Midnight (#1) – Cassandra Clare

RATING: ✖✖✖✖

A thrilling extension of the Shadowhunter universe, we follow the Los Angeles Institute as they grapple with Shadowhunter law, the faeries running amok in L.A and the feelings that start to intensify between them. A terrific read for fans of Cassandra Clare’s work, and for anyone looking for exciting YA Fantasy without the stuffy, forced romance or overpowered MCs.

SYNOPSIS: In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight

demons, parabatai is a sacred word.
A parabatai is your partner in battle. A parabatai is your best friend. Parabatai can be everything to each other—but they can never fall in love.
Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter, and the best in her generation. She lives for battle. Shoulder to shoulder with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she patrols the streets of Los Angeles, where vampires party on the Sunset Strip, and faeries—the most powerful of supernatural creatures—teeter on the edge of open war with Shadowhunters. When the bodies of humans and faeries turn up murdered in the same way Emma’s parents were when she was a child, an uneasy alliance is formed. This is Emma’s chance for revenge—and Julian’s chance to get back his brother Mark, who is being held prisoner by the faerie Courts. All Emma, Mark, and Julian have to do is solve the murders within two weeks…and before the murderer targets them.
Their search takes Emma from sea caves full of sorcery to a dark lottery where death is dispensed. And each clue she unravels uncovers more secrets. What has Julian been hiding from her all these years? Why does Shadowhunter Law forbid parabatai to fall in love? Who really killed her parents—and can she bear to know the truth?

Hey! I’m back – with another review! So, Lady Midnight is the first book in an upcoming trilogy (I think it’s a trilogy, since that’s what it’s listed as on Goodreads.) anywho, for Christmas Santa dropped by with a copy of this book, which made me very excited as it’s been on my TBR ever since it was announced. As someone who devoured pretty much all of Cassie Clare’s books when I was but a mere tween’, I was happy to get back in the Shadowhunter universe.

I have to admit I didn’t remember all of it since it has been a hot minute since I last engrossed myself in these books, and there were some cameos from old characters that were supposed to make me jump out of my seat and positively shriek with delight, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen as I don’t quite remember them with the same tornado of delight as I would’ve done if I had read this a few years back. Unsurprising ~~unemotional~~ cameos aside, I devoured this book in ~~seven hours~~ a day which is proof as to how enjoyable it is – with that said, let’s hop into the review!

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Daughter of the Siren Queen (#2) – Tricia Levenseller

RATING: ✖✖✖

The sequel to the entertaining first installment in the ‘Daughter of-‘ series, Levenseller’s second book remains just as fun to read despite its few minor faults. Anyone looking for an exciting twist on pirates and adventure should look no further within the YA genre – this is it.

SYNOPSIS: Alosa’s mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he’s under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father’s justice.

When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.

I told you I would read the sequel, and I did, so here I am. I breezed through the book within a day once I got down to reading it, testament to its readability, but I’ll get into the places in the book I struggled a bit more with as I write the review.

The book’s protagonist is still Alosa Kalligan – Daughter of the Pirate King (as we learned in the first book.) – who by now has escaped the ship on which she ‘pretended’ to be captured. Having defeated (ish) her enemies, she’s back to commanding her own ship and her own all-female crew – the Ava-lee is her pride and joy, and she longs to get back on the sea and sail as the true Captain she really is. However, there are a few setbacks to her plan:

1) The enormous secret mentioned in the synopsis which kind of disrupts her entire life.

2) The uNfAiRlY attractive Riden who apparently keeps her distracted with his breathing (?)

3) The enormous treasure on Isla de Canta, guarded by sirens, which Alosa needs, apparently.

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The Red Labyrinth – Meredith Tate

RATING: ✖✖✖

A swift YA read with a fast-moving plot and intriguing storyline. A worthwhile read for fans of ‘The Maze Runner’, ‘Red Queen’ and ‘The Hunger Games’.

SYNOPSIS: The massive labyrinth was built to protect Zadie Kalvers’ isolated desert town. Unfortunately, living in the maze’s shadow makes her feel anything but safe. Even without its enchanted deathtraps and illusions, a mysterious killer named Dex lurks in its corridors, terrorizing anyone in his path … But when Zadie’s best friend vanishes into the labyrinth-and everyone mysteriously forgets he exists- completing the maze becomes her only hope of saving him.

In desperation, Zadie bribes the only person who knows the safe path through-Dex-into forming a tenuous alliance. Navigating a deadly garden, a lethal blood-filled hourglass, and other traps-with an untrustworthy murderer for her guide-Zadie’s one wrong step from certain death. But with time running out before her friend (and secret crush) is lost forever, Zadie must reach the exit and find him. If Dex and the labyrinth don’t kill her first.

A free ARC copy was provided to me by NetGalley (thank you, NetGalley!) – the book will be officially published in 2019 (04 Jun). Setting that aside for now – let’s get into the review!

The Red Labyrinth promised to be filled with wonder, danger and excitement – and the cover speaks volumes for itself (yes, I fell for the cover trap. I always do.) but instead, the reader is faced with a slightly different reality.

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Ready Player One – Ernest Cline

RATING. ✖✖✖✖

A breezy, thrilling YA sci-fi read whose 80s nostalgia is enough to make anyone weep for a pair of leg warmers. I’m not kidding.

SYNPOSIS: In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

Well. It’s only fair I get into the review! I devoured this book over a weekend when I really should’ve been studying, so saying it kept me interest piqued during each and every page is an understatement, to say the least.

Ready Player One is the perfect mix of Ender’s Game sci-fi, a tribute to 80s memorabilia and a homage to gaming culture in general. As someone who’s spent her fair share of her childhood on the internet, all of the above makes me positively giddy with excitement. Since the book was a fairly quick read (clocking in at ca 390 pages.) it was a no-brainer for me to enjoy it!

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Reincarnation Blues – Michael Poore

RATING: ✖✖✖✖

The kind of book you need to read to cleanse your palate from generic YA but also to actually read something that makes you think.

SYNPOSIS: What if you could live forever—but without your one true love? Reincarnation Blues is the story of a man who has been reincarnated nearly 10,000 times, in search of the secret to immortality so that he can be with his beloved, the incarnation of Death. Neil Gaiman meets Kurt Vonnegut in this darkly whimsical, hilariously profound, and wildly imaginative comedy of the secrets of life and love. Transporting us from ancient India to outer space to Renaissance Italy to the present day, is a journey through time, space, and the human heart.

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