Harry Potter Covers from Around the World: Risa Rodil

I am not even sure if these books are for sale and if they are where to find them, but I may just have to find out, they are gorgeous!!! Very simple but elegant and straight to the heart of each story. I would be very happy if these covers were on my shelf. I like the colour combinations, autumn colours, makes me want to grab them, curl up in front of a fire and read them.

What do you think of these covers?

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ARC Review: Hidden Huntress

Sometimes, one must accomplish the impossible.

Beneath the mountain, the king’s reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cécile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king’s power. Or his manipulation.

Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.

To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cécile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted…

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The first book in the series was original and engaging and I loved it. This book was the complete opposite, it was boring and very hard to read, I will go as far to say I hated reading it. I didn’t actually finish it, I got up to 75% which took me 2 months, every time I tried to pick it up I felt like I was putting myself through torture. I had heard it got better in the second half of the book, but that was not the case for me, if anything it got worse.

In the first book Cecile was a strong and passionate character and this book she became weak, whiny and annoying to read. I preferred reading Tristan’s side but after a while even his parts got so boring that I did not see the point of reading it.

The plot was slow and full of obstacles that made no sense and when there was action it was predictable and often pointless.

I hate giving one star reviews but I am going to have to make an exception, after such a good start to the series, this was such a let down.

1 star out of 5

Are dumb characters realistic?

This is a post I just thought of, so sorry for the lack of preparation. I just watched a video of an English woman who did not know the capital of England. I personally am not convinced this video was real, I have no idea how you can get to your twenties and not the capital of your on own country, especially with the internet and television.

This got me thinking, how I often get annoyed at “dumb” characters, they are often so stupid that they probably would not make it in real life. Now I know we all have our silly moments and moments that feel like your brain has stopped working, me more than most.

I remember recently writing a review and commenting on how a friend of the main character was a little too stupid to be real. But for the life of me I cannot think of or find which book it was.

These characters often rely on the main character far too much and with the characters often not only smarts but common sense it really annoys me. I know people have differing degrees of knowledge on each subject, but even people I know that do not consider themselves as smart would beat half these characters in a quiz any day.

Does anyone remember Karen from Mean Girls, she is a perfect example, okay ye it is a little funny and she stands up for herself (ish) eventually. But I do not it is fair to show just that side, I wish these characters all had a side they excelled in, which happens in real life. It could be anything: sport, fashion, music, just anything that shows a true character and not just the not so clever side.

What do you think of “dumb” characters in books?

ARC Review: Heart of Ice

Will their passion for each other be a blessing, or fulfill an ancient curse and destroy them?

Lucinda Stafford is uniquely unqualified to serve as governess for the children of a handsome inventor. But, she’s determined to prove to her family she’s not a fragile, pampered heiress who can’t take care of herself. She didn’t plan to be attracted to the man who makes her furious one moment and whimper with desire the next. When danger threatens, can she save two innocent children from a terrifying nightmare?

Grayson Thorne has only weeks to prove his geothermal plant can generate electricity, or he’ll lose much needed funding. He’s desperate to hire a new governess, but shocked when his housekeeper returns home with a beautiful, educated female who awakens long dormant desires. She’s the perfect choice, if he can manage to keep his hunger for her kisses and fantasies of taking her to his bed under control.

An ancient Icelandic curse hides in the hills, haunting the residents of Thornehús. Grayson and Lucinda may be swept away by passion, but they must face an unspeakable horror that threatens them all.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a nice premise, they characters were clever and very well defined, but this curse that is described in the blurb barely shows up and you never truly find out exactly what it is. There’s little hints but not enough. This is in all essence a romance novel trying to pretend to be a Gothic thriller. It didn’t have me fooled for very long. So if you wanting the folk lore and thriller-ness this book promised, you should go find it somewhere else. If you are happy with a nice historical romance in a lovely setting, this book is for you.

Lucinda was passionate and stood up for what she believed was right. I liked her very much as a main character.

Grayson was a strange man, often giving foolish restrictions to his children and staff, although he did come through in the end. It made up for all his foolishness in the beginning.

The setting was beautiful and makes me very much want to visit Iceland. I just wish they explored a little more, most of the book took place in the manor or surrounding area.

If there had been more folk lore in it, it would have been much better. In my view if you promise it in the blurb it should be there.

3 out of 5 stars.

First Lines: Silk

“Dressing the dead required a certain dexterity and patience. William surveyed his work with pride. A pity no one would see his accomplishment. He doubted Isabeau’s maid could’ve done much better.”

It is the time of Jack the Ripper, the widowed Queen Victoria sits on the throne of England. The whole of London is on edge wondering when or where Jack will kill next. The Palace, Parliament, and the press are demanding the police do more to find him. In another part of London, rough-around-the-edges war hero, Metropolitan Detective Inspector Rudyard Bloodstone has his own serial killer to find. Inter departmental rivalries, politics, and little evidence to go on hamper the investigation at every turn. In a battle of wills, Bloodstone presses forward following his instincts in spite of the obstacles. Adding to those problems, away from the strains of the investigation, he is engaged in the ups and downs of a new relationship with a lovely hat maker.

An intriguing start. I like books where you are immediately wondering what on earth is going on. This book starts of intriguing and only gets more so. I am looking forward to finding out how this book ends.

Would you read this book based on the first line, cover or description?

Harry Potter Covers from Around the World: Original US

Although I did not grow up with these covers, they are familiar to me. They are beautiful and convey the theme of the books very well, apart from the last one, what is he meant to be doing? Just looks like he is proclaiming a faith or something. Even the fifth one just seems like he is trying to keep a secret. But I still love them.

What do you think of these covers? Did you grow up with these covers?

Review: Crystal Magic

Nothing is safe around Kristyl Barnette. Windows break. Books rocket across the room. Lights flicker. Strange occurrences follow the sixteen-year-old everywhere.

When tragedy forces her to move to the small town of Clearwater, Michigan, with her estranged aunt Jodi, Kristyl tries to leave her past behind. But Clearwater has secrets of its own—a mystical history that intersects with Kristyl’s life and might shed light on the inexplicable events that plague her.

When a mysterious illness threatens her aunt’s life, Kristyl will do anything to cure her. Enlisting the help of witches could save Jodi, but is dealing in magic worth the consequences?

I enjoyed this book. I liked the introduction of magic and how we got to know the characters as the main character did. I did sometimes feel that there was two separate stories going on. I did like that the town had magical history I just wish we got to read more of it.

I loved Owen, I really wanted him to be real and wished there was more of him. I didn’t like how there was no sight of him in the last few chapters, I do hope things work out well for him in the end.

If there was more magic and how it works it would have been better. I think for a story about magic there wasn’t enough.

I really enjoyed the setting, the town was great, I loved how all the characters knew each other. The close friends of Bria, Owen etc was good except I was a little confused at proposed pairings at times.

I was planning to review this 4 stars but the ending just didn’t gel well with me. After that I am not sure I will read the next one. Depends on how much it costs.

3 out of 5 stars

Review: The Potion Diaries

Tags

fantasy, magic, potions, teen, YA

When the Princess of Nova accidentally poisons herself with a love potion meant for her crush, she falls crown-over-heels in love with her own reflection. Oops. A nationwide hunt is called to find the cure, with competitors travelling the world for the rarest ingredients, deep in magical forests and frozen tundras, facing death at every turn.

Enter Samantha Kemi – an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent. Sam’s family were once the most respected alchemists in the kingdom, but they’ve fallen on hard times, and winning the hunt would save their reputation. But can Sam really compete with the dazzling powers of the ZoroAster megapharma company? Just how close is Sam willing to get to Zain Aster, her dashing former classmate and enemy, in the meantime?

And just to add to the pressure, this quest is ALL OVER social media. And the world news.

No big deal, then.

Review

I really enjoyed this book, I devoured it in one sitting. It was magical romantic and had lots of potions in it, which I love.

The premise was clever and very well thought out. The setting was beautiful although I never found out where it was, America maybe. I liked the use of our world with magic built in. The potion making was brilliant, I could not have asked for more on that front. The Hunt was clever and full of surprises.

Eve and Lyn was extremely inventive and well written. It was fun to read from Eve’s point of view.

Kemi’s POV was more of action packed and for that I was thankful. She was clever and worked things out rationally and always stuck up for what she knew was right. I was also good to see her let her guard down at times, she was confident of herself but also relied on others when needed.

Zain was a good love interest. He was there often but although I felt I always knew what was going to happen with him Kemi didn’t. At times it was a little predictable.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy.

4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for people who like

ARC Review: Howl at the Moon

Eighth graders, Ben, Jake and Leah need cash, and mowing lawns in the winter just isn’t cutting it. Their need for cash births the Liarus (Liars R Us) Detective Agency! Their first client is Old Lady Smitz, who is said to have murdered her three sons and husband. She’s missing a family heirloom, but it’s not just any old trinket, it’s the crest of Lykoi. There are only two rules: No girls are allowed and never seal a deal with the witch doctor. Disregarding danger, these three discover that money is usually more trouble than it’s worth!

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little unsure of this book at first, But after a little while I began to love it 🙂 The story was very clever, three young teenagers trying to play detective. The characters were fun and very lifelike. I liked the relationship between Ben and Leah, just wish a little more came of it, but then again there may be more books in the series.

I love the introduction the fantasy elements in normal life, there was enough shock of seeing something paranormal from the characters to keep me satisfied. I loved the fantasy element, I am not usually a fan of werewolves, I often think they are done badly, but in this book I loved it. It was original and well described.

I am looking forward to reading more from this series and this author.

4 out of 5 stars

Harry Potter Covers from Around the World : Original UK Covers

These are the original covers that I grew up with, all except for the last one, I have the adult cover for that one. But these covers are familiar to as are the characters that we all know and love. They are beautiful and describe the books well, yet still childish enough to engage younger readers.

Do you like these covers?