An avid reader and collector of special edition books, this blog has a variety of book reviews, book box unboxings and sharing fun bookish merchandise. Most book reviews are young adult fantasy but also feature adult fantasy books. I love to read and I love to collect bookish merchandise such as character art prints. I share my goodreads book challenge progress each year and a book review roundup. Book box unboxings include illumicrate book box reviews and fairyloot book box reviews.
Here is a list of my favourite reads from 2020 and exactly what it was I loved about them.
My Favourite Reads from 2020 and Where to Find Them
It’s been really hard to narrow down my absolute favourite reads from last year but I think I’ve picked a really good bunch. It would have been even easier to know what my favourite reads were if I’d written them down somewhere. I ended up reading 70 books in 2020 and beat my reading challenge. This year I am going to actually write down my favourite books of every month so that this list feels more complete.
Favourite Reads: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
One of my favourite reads last year was the Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden. I loved this Russian folklore inspired story and found the character of Vasya enchanting. It is a really magical tale but in a very sublte way. The writing is superb and the level of detail makes this a slow paced read perfect for wintery rainy days. I found it took me a little longer than normal to read because it’s very descriptive but the ending of each book really packs a punch. Affiliate Link for The Bear and the Nightingale.
I loved the whole of the Winternight Trilogy. The Bear and the Nightingale was book one in the series and absolutely enchanting.
Favourite Reads: Standalone – The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levensellar
The Shadows Between us was a great read for me and I reviewed it earlier in the year. This was a short read that I loved. Perfect for those that love Enemies to Lovers. It has amazing fashion, good romance and a pretty intriguing plot. It’s a standalone book where both the protagonist and love interest are morally grey characters with murder on their minds.
Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas
I couldn’t write a favourite reads blog post without including an autobuy author. I loved Crescent City and I am eagerly anticipating the sequel which is supposed to be coming out towards the end of 2021. I wrote a full review on Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood earlier in the year just after reading. I laughed, cried, swooned throughout. I did struggle with the pacing at the start of the book but by the end I was enthralled.
Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood is the start of the new series from Sarah J Maas and one of my favourite reads in 2020
Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Now I usually love my fantasy; it’s my go-to but sometimes a bit of SciFi really helps me feel fresh about reading. Another of my favourite reads of 2020 was Aurora Burning. Now, this is actually book two – and book one is great, but the second is my favourite because of the line “I am not feeling nothing” from the legendary Zila. I really can not wait for book three in this series.
Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
When I first signed up to Fairyloot & Illumicrate in January 2020 one of the big announcements was a special edition box of Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare. At this point I hadn’t read a Shadowhunters book but I have seen the netflix show. I impulsed bought this and then read, very quickly, The Infernal Devices in time for Chain of Gold. I ended up not reading it until July but it was evidently one of my favourite reads of 2020. I absolutely adore Cordelia Carstairs and her story. I think I am team Carstairs overall because I loved Jem, and I love Emma in the dark artifices too. Anna Lightwood is another fabulous character and I think it’s the character driven story that really made me love Chain of Gold.
The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant
This was a really suprising read for me as the concept was so interesting and actually kind of dark too. It’s a Les Miserables retelling focusing on the underground guilds of revolutionary Paris. It was so interesting and I found the main character, Cat, a little on the morally grey side but she’s dealing with some pretty nasty people in order to suvive. It was a great story. The Court of Miracles affiliate link.
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L Armentrout
From Blood and Ash and it’s sequel, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, were amazing reads of 2020. I am now on the hunt for all the things so I’m thrilled that both Fairyloot and Illumicrate are doing special editions. I am absolutely getting both because I think this is in the running to be one of my favourite fantasy romance series. I love Poppy and Hawke. they are forever on pair with my ultimate ship Feysand. These are big books, sizzling smutty romance, character growth and amazing battle scenes. I love the worldbuiling. I want all of the books.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalo
Lastly I’m ending my list of favourite reads of 2020 with Kingdom of the Wicked. This book will make you hungry for pasta like never before. I loved the magic and the way the seven deadly sins are portrayed as princes of hell. It was action packed and intriguing and I still don’t know what to expect for the next book Kingdom of the Cursed. You can buy Kingdom of the Wicked on Amazon with my affiliate link.
Reviewing Legendborn by Tracy Denonn is a 2020 debut novel. The first in a new fantasy ya series with an interesting spin on King Authurian legends. The books focus is secret societies and demon hunting.
Legendborn is described as “A heard-pounding YA fantasy series from debut author Tracy Denonn”. I felt my heart pounding right from the first page which I’ve heard others describe as a little bit of a slower build up. I was instantly hooked and intrigued by Legendborn and I wanted to know more. It quickly became a fantasy murder mystery with an intricate magic system, demons and secret societies.
Legendborn Paperback by Tracy Deonn with a frothy latte. Reading and coffee in perfect harmony,
Content Warnings for Legendborn and This Review:
Parental death, Racism, Alcohol Use, Memory Tampering and Loss.
Summary Review for Legendborn (non spoiler)
Originally, I purchased this on my kindle on an amazon and then got a paperback copy in my illumicrate box. Lots of friends have been recommending Legendborn; the hype is worth it. I am reading in January 2021 as part of a book group to help read books I actually own. My rating for Legendborn is 5/5 Stars.
The writing and pacing is fantastic. The plot makes me think of a sort of cross between Twilight and Shadowhunters. It is mordern/urban fantasy with a hidden world element that I really love. The insights into black lived experience is phenomenal and painful for the main character. This story does have a strong undercurrent of racism and misogyny. There’s a point in the book where it’s kind of said that Bree has two faults; being black and being a woman. I can understand this discrimination for being a woman. The way this was tied into the plot and the civil war is really well done. It made it more real as it dealt with real life issues. I was thrilled with the ending and I can not wait for more.
Where Can I buy Legendborn?
Full Review and Series Predictions (Spoilers)
I was instantly gripped when I started Legendborn with the image of the shimmery police officer talking about the main character, Bree Matthews and her mother’s death. It really drove empathy with the main character straight away and almost effortlessly. I already felt connected emotionally with the character and that’s something I’ve been struggling with for quite a while. It’s always impressive when an Author can connect you like that.
Discussing the start of Legendborn
We quickly learn in the early chapters of Legendbrn that Bree is really intelligent and is going to an early college programme and again right at the start there is talk of cliff diving and I’m just like this is going to be sending my heart in all kinds of places. Then we are introduced to Selwyn Kane who approaches Bree in a bit of a strange way and of course he is all tall, dark and brooding so naturally I want him to be the love interest in this. I’m not sure though. He tries to erase Bree’s memory but it doesn’t work so she stays hidden and watches the magic unfold. She hears a lot of terms she doesn’t understand and so it becomes her mission to find out more.
There is some racism in the start of the book, coming from the police officer and I found that really interesting to read as a white person reading the personal experience of a black person. I obviously can not fully comphrehend a back person’s lived experience with racism but it really gave you an insight into that sort of everyday casual racism and it did shock me.
The themes of racism really show how hurtful offhand comments and snide remarks can be
Because I was in Bree’s headspace hearing her reaction and it just made me so angry that he would speak to her like that – not because I don’t believe it happens but more because I have not witnessed it (white priviledge) and it was just a snippet in this lived experience. Like I was horrified because I have never had those assumptions made about me and I would hope I would never make those assumptions about anyone else (the conversation is doubting Bree getting into the early college programme on merit).
Holding up a paperback copy of Legendborn against a grey brick background
It was evidently and obviously because of her skin colour and even though it was still me reading about an experience rather than living it it made me angry. Again, that’s excellent writing but it’s also drawing on what goes on every day for people of colour and it’s not all about attacks and violence, it’s the sneers and asumptions and just lack of decency when having human contact.
Moving on then after Bree gets in trouble with the Dean she is given a peer mentor and he turns up all bright eyed and smart and is also part of the Legendborn. Nick is all charismatic and has a winning smile. I am not sure on him at the start of the book but maybe it’s because I find the dark and mysterious Selwyn more appealing? Who even knows. We learn that he dennounced his heritage to the Legendborn but he’s going to sponsor Bree to join so she can find out the truth about her Mother’s murder.
Getting some answers and firmly in middle book territory
Basically I got completely enthralled and could not put this book down. Every time I made a prediction about the book I was wrong and I kind of loved that I was. Basically, Bree has to do these trials to get into the secret society which are to test her skills, strength and combat. This book takes place just over a couple of weeks I think – its less than a month I’m sure and so there’s a bit of insta love in there between her and Nick. I’m not keen on Instalove but I think the instant connection is necessary.
Later down the line Bree has a conversation with William, the healer, who says relationships between Scions are basically forbidden because of the risk of mixing the lines and not knowing where the scion true bloodline is. This is vital for the ending as we find out but also will give the author the ability to stop the relationship with Nick.
After the final trial Bree hears Selwyn, the kingsmage sworn to protect Nick is out throwing trees around. Bree goes to check on him because he had the coutesy to offer her some final training so she wouldn’t loose in the combat round too badly. The conversation is heated and angry, things are said that are hurtful and then she goes back to the house, to Nick’s room, to wait for Nick who has gone to pick up his father. At this point we know Nick is the Scion for the Arthur line and he wants Bree to be his squire so he can help her find what happened to her mother.
The build up to the final act
Time passes and Bree dozes off to be woken by Sel returning and slamming doors. She goes to check on him a little while later and then confesses everything and he does agree with her. He ends up helping her to break into Lord Davis, Nick’s Father’s, study to find information about Bree’s mother. They find what they looking for and it reveals so much but Bree’s mothers death was complate accident.
We also find out about Selwyn’s mother which is devestating. Bree leaves really upset and then she can’t really shake out of it for a week or so. She’s supposed to be going to a gala selection dinner where the scions choose their squires and she doesn’t want to go. Her dad takes her out to pancakes and they chat and he gives her an old bracelet from her mother. Bree opens the charm bracelet box back in her room and is sucked into a mage flame memory.
Basically, her mother tells her loads of stuff about why she might be dead. She’s with a younger version of Bree. She confesses lots about the line and their magic and how it’s a cursed part of root magic called bloodcrafting. The curse is that the magic can only live in their bloodline at once, and is passed down mother to daughter.
This usually means that, as the best scion age is 16-21 or something that for the magic to awaken in Bree, her mother had to die. So her mother’s death wasn’t caused by a merlin but instead was just part of the curse from an ancestor. Bree’s mother is talking to someone else, a merlin, who then mesmers child Bree so she won’t remember this speech her mother is giving to teenager Bree.
What will happen next in the Legendborn series?
Here is the final act where everything is revealed about who Bree really is, why the family was cursed, why I think her and Nick’s relationship is doomed. Also, why I think Bree and Sel are going to end up as endgame and I honestly think that is a couple I ship because they have shared pain. There is another connection as well which is just really well done. I think with everything they have and learn they have what it takes to not only change how things are run within the secret society order. Bree and Sel also potentially have the power between them to beat the shadowborn and line of Morgaine. You will have to read it to find out what happens in the end!
Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin is the second book in the series and follows Lou Leblanc & Reid Diggory after the events of Serpent & Dove. This is a YA Fantasy story with a dark edge.
Blood & Honey Book Review
Blood & Honey was released on 1st September 2020 and is the second book by Shelby Mahurin. I ordered the special edition from Fairyloot which has been delayed so I also bought the Kindle version of this book. Blood & Honey is 544 pages long and continues the story of Lou & Reid from Serpent & Dove. This book is very different from Serpent & Dove and I feel it’s important to go into this one with fresh eyes. This is not the romantic enemies to lovers tale we first read in book one because the relationship has already been established. It is, however, a continuation after the events of book one and builds up nicely for what I think will be an explosive finally to the trilogy. If you would like to order a copy I have an affiliate link for Blood and Honey below.
I am trying out a new way of reviewing books by using my kindle notes and annotations to talk about certain aspects in the book. Therefore, this review will contain spoilers, a summary and a book review. If you have not read this yet or do not want to be spoiled then please do not read. I really want to try and make this more of a discussion on the characters and the plot of the book rather than a spoiler free review. If you would like spoiler free reviews then this blog is not for you.
Reviewing Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin
I read Blood & Honey on my kindle and uploaded my thoughts and notes as I went through the book. If you want to follow me on Good Reads you can find more of these notes if you’re interested.
Blood & Honey felt really dark to me. The setting of it being in an enchanted forest, the appearance of the matagot and all the other magic around. What we learn of La Dame Rougue’s magic and how they could use tears but choose blood and the price they have to pay was really interesting. I felt this book was a little strangely paced at times, certain things were stretched out to give the appearance of two weeks passing which lead to a lot of character development but not much plot development.
I would personally say this is a heavily character driven book with some filler plot details and a pretty spectacular final 30% where most, if not all, the action is. The last part of the book holds the most plot development and foreshadows some interesting parts to expect from book 3. The appearance and addition to Claud Deveraux is an interesting one and I felt his revelation fitted well with the story but I’m not really sure what his motives are or what will happen with him next. I don’t think he’s really about good v evil, more of a spectator that shouldn’t intervene but feels he has to. Something bigger is afoot and I hope it’s revealed in the next book.
Kindle book cover of Blood & Honey alongside Ember Stag candles and Book Besties Book Sleeve
On Ansel Diggory
My first note from reading Blood & Honey was on Ansel Diggory and I don’t know if this was foreshadowing or if it was just because of his development but his feelig of hopelessness in the book was just incredibly sad. “But I was worthless in that fight, just like I’ll be worthless in the Blood camp.” – there are a few more like this from Ansel and each time my heart was breaking. Ansel is such a cinnamon roll character. He’s incredibly sweet and so wants to find his place in the world. He didn’t really believe in what the church were doing which is probably why he was so drawn to Lou and Coco even if he didn’t *know* they were witches right away.
Ansel’s Hopelessness
Ansel, throughout the book, does not feel like he is good enough. He doesn’t feel worth anything. He is so incredibly lost but it never comes across as him being a moody teenager. It is just really sad. It makes you want to wrap him up in a warm hug and tell him it will be okay. His training with Lou is painful because it’s not something he’s good at. His romance with Coco doesn’t come to fruition. Again, foreshadowing maybe but it really feels like these things are like severing ties. He isn’t good at fighting. He isn’t good at romance. He’s not feeling his best self. He is vulnerable and almost feels shame at being the ordinary in the group. He doesn’t feel special, and Lou trying to tell him he is in his own way just isn’t enough.
There were points were it felt like everything hadn’t quite broken Ansel yet. He wated to keep trying, to fight, train, with Coco. I think the fact that he still wants to try and protect others, that he still wants to be good, shows that the huntsme upbringing didn’t completely tear him down. He still had some spark of special left.
The Moment I realised…Who Dies in Blood & Honey?
“I’m not worthless, but I still don’t believe you. I can’t fight. I can’t cast enchantments. Let me prove I can do something—” This just felt horribly foreshadowing. It was the final line for me really that made me know what was going to happen to Ansel and my heart started to break all over again for him. His last conversation with Lou in the tunnels before the confrontation was hard and something I think Lou is really going to battle with in the next book.
If you’ve read the book then you’ll know at the end of Blood & Honey that Ansel dies. I had a feeling someone would die but I guess throughout the story it’s kind of hinted at that it will be Reid although with him being a narrator it didn’t make sense to kill him off. Ansel’s death is absolutely heartbreaking.
On Beauregard Lyon
Beau is the complete opposite to Ansel. He doesn’t feel sorry for himself or feel like he’s worthless but he is frustrated with his father and the status quo. I ended up realling liking him and felt he had a few moments of quiet genius when he put his arrogance aside. What I do like about Beau is he’s one of the males in the book that doesn’t agree with the system and he wants change because he doesn’t want to see people like Ansel – despite the love war – from suffering. I am convinced Beau is a good guy really. At least beyond the whips and jokes he knows what’s right or wrong despite what he’s been told. Reid struggles with this with his huntsmen beliefs. It seems Beau has questioned what’s right/wrong and I am here for it.
On Coco Monvoisin
Coco is a princess and I am here for it. She is such a good person, she’s so loyal and seeing her family at the blood camp really tore at me. The guilt she was feeling even though she was trying to protect Lou and keep her safe really made me so sad. Coco is absolutely the most resolute, strongest character in this series so seeing her vulnerable side was really interesting. I honestly think her and Lou will be able to bring both witch camps together again with the disposal of La Voisin & La Dame des Sorcieres. I love how she tries with Ansel because she knows he’s a good person and I think her infuriation at Beau was funny. I loved that she had some LGTBQ representation as well i this book as that’s really important. She is just beautiful and strong and really held everyone together. Someone needs to look after Coco.
Flickerwix Canvas Collection – Coco Character art
On Reid Diggory
“Blue pigs. Fury coiled in my throat at the slur. These men didn’t realize all the Chasseurs did to ensure their safety. The sacrifices they made. The integrity they held. I eyed the men’s rumpled clothing in distaste. Perhaps they lived too far north to understand, or perhaps their farms sat too far removed from polite society.”
Reid. I like Reid. I really do. But he is a bit of a snob, especially when you consider his roots, and what we now know about his heritage. I know he’s still dealing with his loss of identity a bit but the huntsmen life really did sink in. Sometimes it makes me angry that he just accepted without question but then I guess that’s why he was captain because he was just how the archbishop wanted him to be from his early brainwashing. It is frustrating to read how he still views the chassuers as the right way to live and behave. However, he has a lot of work to undo here. He’s never had to question anything at all and this is testing every single one of his boundaries.
Reid has great character development in the second half of the book
Reading ‘Reid Labelle’ for the first time was really strange and it was the first time you see another of his names. I think he has four in this book. Lyon, as he’s the king’s son, Labelle, as he’s Madame Labelle’s son, Leblanc as Lou’s husband and Diggory the name he grew up with which is given to oprhans. I guess he has all of these identities pressing on him and he’s trying to find out who he is throughout the book. The world Lou and Coco come from is Matriarchal so he would have taken these names if things had been different.
When Reid says “All because of me. My beliefs.” I think this is a really important realisation for Reid, outside his bubble where people don’t respect the Chasseurs and what they do or don’t believe witches are evil or whatever other reason they don’t like the huntsmen. Growing up sheltered and praised, duty bound, to finally learning and listening. A revelation and so doubt another knock for him.
Flickerwix candle art for Reid Diggory
Reid desperately wants to belong to something or someone
There were parts that made me sad too, that throughout the book, particularly when Reid is without Lou, he is desperately seeking connection with someone. He doesn’t have Lou, or Ansel. His mother is kinda infuriating to be honest. He killed his father figure. He’s alone. He’s against everything he thought he knew. He seeks family. It really makes me sad because right now the last thing he needs is being hunted down, he needs some time to discover himself and figure things out. I guess there’s nothing like putting someone under pressure to work that out though!
On Lou LeBlanc
I didn’t have a lot of notes on Lou from my kindle read. Lou Leblanc is one of my favourite fictional females because she’s really badass. In Blood & Honey this is no different but there was a really important point made. When you start messing with memories and magic you lose a piece of yourself. This is so important I think and we see it come to fruition when they’re fighting Bas later in the book as he has no recollection of who she is. It is mentioned not to mess with memories but it seems Lou has done this a few times now, in Serpent and Dove and through Blood & Honey. Perhaps even before because she was hardly doing any magic and what she did do was in secret to prevet Morgane from catching her.
In Blood & Honey we see Lou spiral into madness and her magic. I had real vibes of Lady Macbeth and Cersei when reading some of Lou’s chapters as there were times when she was quite cruel. This must be the result of the memory removal changing her personality. I desperately hope it can be fixed in the third book as, even though she agreed to stop, her encounter at the end of the book makes me think all will not be as it seems. I worry for one of my favourite characters. She has put herself in quite a dark place and this has torn holes in who she is. The last part of the book she is much less ‘mad’ with the help of friends she see’s she is turning into Morgane and she doesn’t want that. I think we still have a way to go with Lou. I worry about how Ansel’s death will be a part of her in the next book, I worry that we have’t seen the extent of her madess and it will get worse before it truly gets better. However, I am hopeful that good will win against evil and even though everything requires a balance I hope Lou and Reid get their happy ending.
OTP Lou Leblanc and Reid Diggory character art from Serpent and Dove
Who is the true villian of Blood & Honey?
This is an interesting one here I think. We have Morgane as the obvious villian. King Auguste who just seems like an asshole. I am completely unsure of Madame Labelle’s motives but I don’t think she’s a bad person. I think La Voisin and Nicholina are kind of working with Morgane but also for themselves. I think they want to destroy the leadership of the Dame Blanche and reverse the roles. I think they’re in this for revenge. I don’t trust them though at all. The last scene it seems like they do some kind of magic on Lou and I’m not sure how that will play out but it worries me. I think the chasseurs aren’t exactly bad but they’re kind of in over their heads now. I think by the end of the book we will see the end of witch hunting as well as the deaths of the king, Morgane and La Voisin.
Have you read Blood and Honey? What did you think? How do you think the next book will play out?
From Blood and Ash is a new series by Jennifer L Armentrout and is followed by A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire. It is full of dark, sensual, slow burn romance and a wonderfully captivating fantasty world of Gods and monsters.
From Blood and Ash Book Review
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout is the start of an amazing series that I just can’t get enough of. It is a new NA series and around 622 pages long. It is a fantasy series focusing on the main protagonist Poppy, the Maiden, who has been sheltered and kept away from human contact apart from a select group of people until she reaches the age of Ascension. She is kept veiled in public and is favoured by the Queen. When someone close to her is murdered, her guard is replaced with Hawke Flynn, a smoldering and gorgeous solider. Is everything as it seems? No, of course it isn’t! This will contain spoilers as I go through the book. If you don’t want to be spoiled then please do not continue reading! You can purchase From Blood and Ash and the sequel below using an affiliate link.
From Blood and Ash is a brilliant read for so many reasons. Poppy is a lovely character. She’s relatable and funny and fierce and protective. She has been sheltered all her life and wants to live a little before her ascension. She misses her brother and her parents. She’s a fighter. She’s sneaky. Her description of spiders is completely accurate and something anyone with arachnaphobia will identify and agree with.
Hawke is just *hearteyes* he is seductive and sarcastic and funny. He has a bit of darkness to him that makes Poppy curious during their interactions. He teases her a lot but most of all he doesn’t try to be her knight in shining armour. He knows she can protect herself and he lets her do just that. Although, it’s clear he does’t want to her to get in any harm.
Hard to deal with themes are presented well to build sympathy and character development
There are some scenes in From Blood and Ash which are a little harder and heavier on the heart. Poppy has been orphaned. Her parents were attacked and murdered but her and her brother escaped. During this attack Poppy was facially disfigured which is hidden most of the time because of the veil she has to wear. For the last few years she has been living with the Duke and Duchess, away from the heart of the kingdom and the Queen of Solis who made her the maiden. The Duke is incredibly cruel to her. There is a humiliating scene where he and one of the ascended lords beat her with a cane just for being who she is. It’s really horrible and her strength and resolve really shines through in those moments. From Blood and Ash has a few harder to read scenes but they are dealt with well, not too graphically but enough to build sympathy with the character and provide understanding and reasoning for certain actions.
I have been reading From Blood and Ash on the kindle app on my phone.
From Blood and Ash has a death that will make you cry
Throughout the series we see how important Vikter is to Poppy. He trains her to defend herself, he tries to make her life more passable than it is. I feel we don’t get the full story with him because of his death. I feel like he might have tried to get Poppy away somehow maybe. It frustrates me that he didn’t do more to stop the Duke but then I also think he thought if he did defy the Duke he would be replaced and then who would look after Poppy? You really feel Poppy’s pain from this throughout the second half of the book and even in A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire. His death comes at a time when the rise is under attack and later, Poppy blames Hawke for this.
The slow burn romance and sexual tension
This is done so well. The romance is seductive and steamy and written well. Poppy is curious which allows her to be confident despite feeling like she’ll be clumsy. Hawke very obviously knows what he’s doing. More men need to read seductive sex scenes and fantasy romance books by women because it focuses on female pleasure and we all need more of that. The scene in the blood forest where no clothes are removed is probably one of the steamiest things I’ve ever read!
The slow burn romance adds to the sexual tension and build up of the relationship which is just so good. It also really makes you feel conflicted during the big reveal where you find out who Hawke really is because he’s hot and sexy but also has done some pretty bad things.
But that’s the thing that does frustrate me with Poppy a little bit. I don’t think Hawke lied to her all that much, apart from his true identity and I feel her frustration and anger and “hatred” of him is a bit unjustified. But then she’s young and she feels betrayed and her whole world has been turned upside down. Anger at Hawke, or now we know, Casteel is the only thing she can really control after he reveals who he is.
The sequel to From Blood and Ash is called A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire and is available to buy and read now!
I just loved this book
Obviously having read the second one I’m trying to keep to the contents just of From Blood and Ash but it’s tough. I really loved it though. It was just such a page turner. I really loved the world building through this and the fact that there is all sorts of mythology surrounding the story. There are plenty of narrative hooks to keep you going like why was the duke so cruel? Who is Hawke? Who was the first maiden? Why were Poppy’s parents missing? Why is Poppy the maiden? What happens at the ascension? What really happened to Ian, Poppy’s brother?
I love how the end of the book answers pretty much all of these questions and then right on the last page it ends with Casteel telling Poppy they’re going to get married. And then the book ends and you’re just like what, you can’t leave it there? You don’t really see Poppy’s reaction until the second book so it’s just keeps you wanting to find out more. The pacing is good, it was a little slow at first and is clearly in two parts of before the battle and then after the battle. The transition is really seamless and done with enough conflict to warrent a change of pace and narrative.
One of my goals for 2020 is to read 52 books or around one a week. Some might be new, some are ones I’ve had for a while or been meaning to read, some I haven’t quite finished yet and some will be recommendations from others. You can see all the books I’ve read so far on my Good Reads 2020 Reading Challenge.
I am new to the works of VE Schwab this year and have only read two of her books so far but I have loved them both and can see why these books are favourited by so many people. I first read A Darker Shade of Magic earlier in the year and I am currently reading A Gathering of Shadows which is my 52nd book of the year – completing my reading challenge for 2020. Honestly, book boxes have really helped with my reading as well as being more active on bookstagram. Also my youtube is picking up nicely again so I’m hoping to do more bookish chats, reviews and unboxings which I cross post here, on IGTV and occassionally facebook. Anyway, I digress. If you fancy seeing an unboxing of the special edition Illumicrate Collections of A Darker Shade of Magic box you can below:
What’s Inside Illumicrate Collections: A Darker Shade of Magic
An illumicrate exclusive naked hardback edition of the first book A Darker Shade of Magic with foil cover design, exclusive end papers and shiny silver sprayed edges with ribbon bookmark. A set of dust jackets for all three books A hanging poster A set of acrylic character models An enamel pin A reversible book sleeve with art on one side and a quote on the other A giant Four London’s blanket
Firstly, this box is bigger than the regular monthly boxes and this is my first special edition illumicrate box. I have already ordered the Daughter of Smoke and Bone box for November but now I’ve seen the quality of stuff in the ‘luxe’ collectors editions I feel that this will just be next level. Also, there’s a blanket and I love a blanket. It’s incredibly soft and lovely. The artwork is all stunning too, I am so impressed and so happy to own these items. I love the booksleeve as the quote art is fantastic and the character art is just perfect. The character figures was a really cool touch and something I just didn’t see coming at all, a great way to display character art.
