A Court of Silver Flames - by Sarah J. Maas

Title:              A Court of Silver Flames

Author:         Sarah J. Maas

Published:   Feb 16, 2021

Series:           A Court of Thorns and Roses #4

Rating:          4 stars

Synopsis:

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.
Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.
Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.

I listened to this as an audiobook, but kept up with it in my physical book.

I'm not sure whether it was that it's a different narrator for this book than the previous ones, but something about the other characters didn't quite seem like it used to be; like their attitude and the things that they said sometimes.

Luckily I knew this was going to be from Nesta's point of view, but if you don't know that going into it then you're probably going to be a little confused when you begin reading it. However I did like that this one was from her viewpoint and not another Feyre/Rhys one. The book does tend to sway between both Cassian and Nesta's point of view, but it would have been nice if it was a little clearer at the start of each chapter or section when they switch view points (or maybe that's just my brain not registering the switch, which I'm starting to think is the case.

I loved seeing Nesta and Cassian together and the way that they interacted and grew as characters. I do wish that we'd seen a bit more of Elain, Lucien and Mor though and I do still love those characters. I did love Nesta's character arc though and also loved seeing her deal with the trauma that she'd gone through in constructive ways.

I would have liked to see more of the Trove and maybe have it turned into two books if necessary, but I did still like the story as a whole.

There was also apparently a scene cut from the book as it was essentially too much for the book and I agree that it would have been too... in-depth, I'll call it... and that it would have turned the book into more of a smut book than it already was. Personally, I think that one or two sexy scenes would have been okay, but there were too many for my liking. By about halfway through the book it felt less like they were steamy and more like I was just sitting through them to get to the next part.

One thing I was 100% not prepared for though was the 'C word'. I'm sure that I'm not the only person on the planet who loathes that word, but for it to be published in a book in the fantasy section of a book store? The words "fuck" and "cock" are also mentioned, so I wouldn't really recommend that younger teens read it.

Spoilers!

When Cassian brought the shield up to Feyre the second time I guessed that she was pregnant so I wasn't as shocked/proud/relieved of them when they finally told the Inner Circle the news.

It was also pretty underwhelming about how the Cassian and Nesta mating bond was revealed.

End Spoilers!

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All books in this series:

    1 | A Court of Thorns and Roses

    2 | A Court of Mist and Fury

    3 | A Court of Wings and Ruin

 3.1 | A Court of Frost and Starlight

    4 | A Court of Silver Flames

Aurora Burning - by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Title: Aurora Burning

Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Published: 5 May 2020

Series: The Aurora Cycle #2

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

Our heroes are back… kind of. From the bestselling co-authors of the Illuminae Files comes the second book in the epic series about a squad of misfits, losers, and discipline cases who just might be the galaxy’s best hope for survival.
First, the bad news: an ancient evil—you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal—is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They’ve just got to take care of a few small distractions first.
Like the clan of gremps who’d like to rearrange their favorite faces.
And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri.
Then there’s Kal’s long-lost sister, who’s not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted.
When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it’s time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago, the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them. But time is short, and if Auri can’t learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV.
Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits, and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion’s most unforgettable heroes—and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well.

I listened to this as an audiobook.

So... I'm wiring this only minutes after I've finished the audiobook and my hand is currently hurting a little from where I banged my fist on the table in frustration. The book ends like that?! There were tears, there were cute moments and funny lines; comebacks and explosions and shocking news.

And I loved all of it.

I still loved that there were different narrators for the different character points of view. Having different narrators for the different characters helps when there's quite a few characters to keep track of (at least with me it does) as I was easily able to tell whose chapter was whose and it helped my mind keep track of where everyone was in space and what they were all up to.

My favourite moment was probably the moments just before the end of the book. I'm not sure whether it was because we got to hear from every character about how they were feeling or whether that's the last and most prominent moment to me right now, but I loved it.

When we found out about Saedii and who her family is, I was shocked. However, I'd also somehow called it before that about who her family was, so I think that took a little of my shock factor away and just made it more of an "Aha! I knew it!" kind of moment.

I'm also glad that we finally got to hear about what happened to Zila when she was younger as I was dying to know thanks to the passing moment in Aurora Rising when she referenced the time when she was six.

I will definitely be purchasing the next book in the series when it comes out as I can't believe that Jay and Amie would leave the book on that note! Actually, knowing their writing styles I sort of can believe it... But still! How was I supposed to prepare my heart for that?!

Spoilers!

I'm guessing that Zila is on the autism spectrum somewhere based on her severely analytical thinking, her difficulty with social skills and how she doesn't seem to make eye contact with anyone. I may be wrong and that may just be how she is as a person, but it's just my guess.

I'm really hoping that Fin and Scarlett get together or at least kiss once because I'm pretty sure they'd make a cute couple and they way they interact with each other is funny when they're using sarcasm and wit, and also uplifting when they're making each other feel better and taking care of one another.

Oddly enough, I'm also hoping that Ty and Saedii get to know each other a little better (or maybe a lot better? Depends if they both still want to kill each other, I suppose).

Those final couple of times when Tyler spoke to "Kat" were the parts that made me cry though.

End Spoilers!

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All books in this series:

    1 | Aurora Rising
    2 | Aurora Burning

Enchantée - by Gita Trelease

Title: Enchantée

Author: Gita Trelease

Published: 21 Feb 2019

Series: Enchantée #1

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Paris in 1789 is a city filled with beggars, thieves, revolutionaries - and magicians...
Seventeen-year-old orphan Camille has to provide for her frail sister and her volatile brother. They survive by using the pretty magic she learnt from their mother - transforming scrap material into coins. But when things take a turn for the worse, Camille must pursue a more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette's Versailles.
Using magic, Camille transforms herself into a glamorous Baroness. But as she is swept up into a dizzying world of riches and finery, suitors and revolutionaries, Camille soon discovers that she's not the only one leading a double life.

I listened to this as an audiobook.

I loved the way that the narrator, Justine Eyre, pronounced the French words that were mentioned as, at least to my untrained ears, it sounded like someone French was speaking the words.

This was the first book I have read by Gita Trelease and I really like the way that she explained the world building and what was going on around the character in France. I did get a little confused between characters sometimes though, possibly because of the French names, but I was able to keep pace with the story by what was happening to each character to keep them apart from one another.

This book reminded me a little bit of the story of Cinderella -- a young girl who simply wants to go to the ball to escape her life at home and the troubles that keep her there; a girl who is able to find love in another world and become a part of it, though she wasn't born into it; a girl who is able to find friendship and her happily ever after in either of the worlds she sees.

I did guess that Lazare may have also been putting on a disguise to deal with his day to day life and I was both right and wrong. Camille's brother, however, was the one character I hated from the very start because of the way that he treated his sisters and how no matter what they gave to him it was still never enough to satisfy him.

Another thing that I really liked about this book was that there was a gay couple in Camille's inner circle but it wasn't treated as a big scandal or anything like that -- it was treated as a normal thing! I know that wouldn't be historically accurate, but I also didn't really care as they made a cute pair and it worked within the story.

I'm also not sure which cover I like more, the one pictured or the one with the face on the cover as I do like them both.

                                                  

All books in this series:

    1 | Enchantée
    2 | Liberté

Beneath the Sugar Sky - by Seanan McGuire

Title: Beneath the sugar Sky

Author: Seanan McGuire

Published: 9 Jan 2018

Series: Wayward Children #3

Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

Beneath the Sugar Sky returns to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children. At this magical boarding school, children who have experienced fantasy adventures are reintroduced to the "real" world.
Sumi died years before her prophesied daughter Rini could be born. Rini was born anyway, and now she’s trying to bring her mother back from a world without magic.

Sometimes that's all you can do. Just keep getting through until you don't have to do it anymore, however much time it takes, however difficult it is.

I listened to this as an audiobook.

In this book, we learn that in an alternate universe Sumi did have a child - but that child is slowly disappearing. In this book, if feels as if Rumi is definitely is Sumi's daughter and it's amusing - just how they're both so innocent and the way everyone reacts to the things they say (like when Rumi is in the duck pond!).

At the start, it is confusing to figure out what character the book is talking about as quite a few are mentioned, unlike the past books in the series. I think I finally decided that it's from the perspective of a girl named Cora, but about Sumi's daughter Rumi.

I kind of love Cora though. Like when she runs into Christopher on the porch and she stammers and blurts and seems nervous etc. It's a natural human reaction. I also loved that Kade simply looked up direction on Google Maps.

Cora: Why are you so happy? Everything here is dead people.
Christopher: That's why I'm so happy. Everything here is dead people.

My favourite thing about this book is probably that the kids at the school learned to be a little kinder to one another, or at least more careful about what they judge people on. I also like that it shows that fatter people can like to exercise and may just have health problems causing it, and that not every thin, lean person likes to exercise. Lots of learning in this book!

I still don't like Kade's parents from the previous books though. Simply because he wanted to change pronouns because he has gender dysmorphia (he was born a girl but he felt as if he was a boy) and his parents stopped wanting him because of that.

Worlds too and from info was vague, interesting but also confusing. However, I did like that the doors open for the utter need inter bones trying to get out. It's interesting that the only thing that they can bring back from their door world is something that has come out of their bodies like tears or bone or blood if you wanted some magic in the real world.

I did notice something though that I'm guessing was on purpose. The words that were on Jack and Jill's door from the previous book appears in this book too.

All she had to do was be sure.

Spoilers!

I was shocked when we found out that Sumi supposedly had a daughter. Especially after the previous book where she died!

I have questions about Kade driving though: How and why can he drive? When did he learn? Why is this the first time that we're hearing about the bus?

One downside of this book was that I basically forgot that Nadia only had one hand as it was only mentioned at the start of the book and at the very end.

End Spoilers!

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All books in this series:

    1 | Every Heart a Doorway
    2 | Down Among the Sticks and Bones
    3 | Beneath the Sugar Sky
    4 | In an Absent Dream

4.5 | Juice Like Wounds
    5 | Come Tumbling Down

    6 | Across the Green Grass Fields

    7 | Where the Drowned Girls Go

Don't You Cry - by Mary Kubica

Title: Don't You Cry

Author: Mary Kubica

Published: 17 May 2016

Series: -

Rating: 2 stars

Synopsis:

In downtown Chicago, Esther Vaughan disappears from her apartment without a trace. A haunting letter addressed to My Dearest is found among her possessions, leaving her roommate Quinn Collins to question how well she really knew her friend. Meanwhile, in a small town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where eighteen-year-old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more sinister.
As Quinn searches for answers about Esther, and Alex is drawn further under the stranger's spell, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes readers on a taut and twisted thrill ride that builds to a stunning conclusion and shows that no matter how fast and far we run, the past always catches up with us.

I listened to this as an audiobook.

The narrator's tone of voice changes when she changes which character is speaking which is good.

I did have one theory that was neither proven nor disproven, but that was that maybe Esther was Alex's first kiss and she was just going by the name of Lee when they met? One question I have that I may have simply missed the answer to - why was Alex practically stalking the woman he called Pearl?

At times, I did find that some things were a little too descriptive.

I liked the premise of the story - roommate goes missing and remaining roommate has to try and piece together what happened from what's in the missing person's room. I'm not entirely sure why I didn't love this one as much as I could have.

Unfortunately, I only understood the title reference at the end when the lullaby was sung. Not a major issue though, just something I noticed.

Spoilers!

So many theories! Prepare yourself:

- I did guess that Esther abandoned the house on Alex's street, and I was half right by that as it was actually her family that did.

- I also wasn't too far off with my guess that Genevive was alive and had changed her name to Esther - they're just sisters and not the same person. My guess that Pearl was Genevieve's sister was almost right in the opposite way - they're the same person and not sisters.

- I did wonder if the EV that was signed in letters was Alex's mother, but it turns out I was wrong.

End Spoilers!

The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition - by Tom Fletcher

Title: The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition

Author: Tom Fletcher

Published: 16 Nov 2017

Series: -

Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

They sang and danced a merry celebration with their new dinosaur friend . . . It was a Christmas Eve that none of them would ever forget.
The Christmasaurus is a story about a boy named William Trundle and a dinosaur, the Christmasaurus. It's about how they meet one Christmas Eve and have an extraordinary adventure. It's about friendship and family, sleigh bells and Santa, singing elves and flying reindeer, music and magic. It's about discovering your heart's true desire, and learning that the impossible might just be possible . . .
The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition includes 14 songs on CD, all written and performed by Tom Fletcher, accompanied by a full orchestra with performances by Giovanna Fletcher, Carrie Hope-Fletcher and Santa Claus! And listen out for newcomer Max Reader singing 'Someone More Than Me' and Harry Judd on drums in 'Afraid of Heights'. 
Throughout the book you'll find prompts telling you which track to listen to as you read the story, and at the back are all the lyrics, so you can sing along, too!

Sometimes the right things to do are the hardest.

I listened to this as an audiobook.

The introduction is read by Tom Fletcher which is a nice touch. I also like that he added in the science behind why there are no more dinosaurs. The made-up words also make it fun to listen to and I'm sure that children would love the words too when it's read to them.

In the physical book, there are lovely illustrations by Shane Devries and there are also illustrated gift tags in the margins where it tell you that you can play the scene-specific songs from the exclusive soundtrack if you wish to.

In the audiobook, it automatically heads straight into the song for you, rather than you having to press play on the next song while reading. I also like that Tom mentioned that music is a type of magic too as it's very true - it can sometimes help lift your spirits when you're feeling rotten, and it can help you to continue to be happy when you're in a good mood.

The songs are wonderfully catchy, and I'm pretty sure I know every word to #1! However, when you look up Tom Fletcher's music video to #12 and really listen to the words, it does make you become sad. I'm also glad that Tom's wife Giovanna and his sister Carrie both sing a song or two as it does make it feel a little more homely. Song #5 can make you sad when you listen to the lyrics too.

The narrator has a good tone of voice and makes it sound as if a grandparent was telling a story to a child. You can also tell which character is which, and even the Christmasaurus has a unique voice.

There are some great life lessons to be learned in this book too - even for an adult!
- It's okay to be different
- Some people have a disability
- Bullying isn't okay
- It's okay to feel rotten

One point I do find interesting is the theory of how the elves act and how they make the toys for good children. We always think of elves as little creatures that physically make the toys - but in The Christmasaurus, we find out that maybe everything they say is in rhyme and they dig in the ice for the toys instead.

The soundtrack:
1. It Must Be Christmas Time
2. Dig, Diggedy Dig (The Digging Song)
3. The Christmasaurus
4. Thin Ice
5. Someone More Than Me
6. The Nice List
7. I've Been a Good Girl
8. I Believe It Could
9. I Ho, Ho, Hope It's Santa
10. I Love Creatures
11. Christmas Makes Me Sick
12. Afraid of Heights
13. Don't Know What It Is
14. If You Believe

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All books in this series:

    1 | The Christmasaurus

    2 | The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch

The Assassin's Blade - by Sarah J. Maas

Title: The Assassin's Blade

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Published: 4 March 2014

Series: Throne of Glass #0.1-0.5

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

I listened to this as an audiobook, however I do have this as a beautiful hardcover book too.

This book is a bind up of the Throne of Glass novellas: The Assassin and the Pirate Lord (#0.1), The Assassin and the Healer (#0.2), The Assassin and the Desert (#0.3), The Assassin and the Underworld (#0.4), and also The Assassin and the Empire (#0.5). It shows what Celaena gets up to before some of the books happen, however it's probably best to read the last book in this bind-up at the end otherwise you'll have spoilers.

I like that it's based in the medieval sort of era, but it's worded in a way that doesn't sound too old and it doesn't pul away from the story as you read. There's also only one narrator, but as she reads you can tell the difference between characters when they speak.

My favourite thing about Celaena would have to be her sass and sarcasm though. Along with the fact that she's the only female assassin in the guild, but can run circles around the men with what she can do! That, and she absolutely loves to read. Also, if Ansel had stayed, I would love to think that her and Celaena would have been friends - murderous friends, but still. The friends that slay together, stay together?

In this bind-up of books, we also get to find out a little history of the Throne of Glass universe. Such as learning of the three Iron Teeth Clans and what they can do.

Spoilers!

Sam Cortland! Need I say more? Read the book and you'll see what I mean. Plus, we're reminded of him every time Celaena says "I am Celaena Sardothien, and I will not be afraid."

After you've read the books once, you realise how much foreshadowing there is!

"This girl wasn't like wildfire. She was wildfire."

I would love to see what the white stag actually looks like too because it sounds absolutely beautiful.

End Spoilers!

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All books in this series:

0.1 | The Assassin's Blade (The Assassin and the Pirate)

0.2 | The Assassin's Blade (The Assassin and the Healer)

0.3 | The Assassin's Blade (The Assassin and the Desert)

0.4 | The Assassin's Blade (The Assassin and the Underworld)

0.5 | The Assassin's Blade (The Assassin and the Empire)

    1 | Throne of Glass

    2 | Crown of Midnight

    3 | Heir of Fire

    4 | Queen of Shadows

    5 | Empire of Storms

    6 | Tower of Dawn

    7 | Kingdom of Ash

Tiny Pretty Things - by Sona Charaipotra & Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Tiny Pretty Things

Author: Sona Charaipotra & Dhonielle Clayton

Published: 26 May 2015

Series: Tiny Pretty Things #1

Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

Black Swan meets Pretty Little Liars in this soapy, drama-packed novel featuring diverse characters who will do anything to be the prima at their elite ballet school.
Gigi, Bette, and June, three top students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet school, have seen their fair share of drama. Free-spirited new girl Gigi just wants to dance—but the very act might kill her. Privileged New Yorker Bette's desire to escape the shadow of her ballet-star sister brings out a dangerous edge in her. And perfectionist June needs to land a lead role this year or her controlling mother will put an end to her dancing dreams forever.
When every dancer is both friend and foe, the girls will sacrifice, manipulate, and backstab to be the best of the best.

Trigger Warning: eating disorder, drugs

I listened to this as an audiobook.

The book alternates between three points of views - Gigi, Bette, and June's. Gigi is one of only two students at the school that are black with a medical condition, Bette is the younger sister of a school celebrity, and June is a half-Korean and half-white student. 

I wasn't sure that Cassie had a British accent until it was mentioned that she was from London so I'm not sure whether that's because of the narrator or because of my own brain. At the start it also sounded a bit like the characters sounded a bit blah and a little monotone, but as the book went on it got better.

Ballerinas have their secrets.

Sometimes felt like this book went on forever. It's a good book and I liked listening to this audiobook, but there are times when I thought that it was going to finish but it just never did. When the book finally did end it was on a cliff hanger anyway.

So much drama. Everywhere. Both relationship drama and drama between the girls in general.

I did wonder if the practice room that Gigi keeps going to was Cassie's.

But there are also some good lessons to be learned from this book too:

1. Not being ready for sex is okay
2. Be your own person, not what someone else wants you to be
3. Everything isn't always what it looks like from the outside
4. Sometimes we ignore things that are important because we don't like what it makes us think about
5. Not every person is the same - some are nice, some are mean, some care about us, some don't...

Perfection comes at a price.

My main question was who kept threatening Gigi? Bette and Will both seem like possible options, but I don't think either option would have done everything though. I'm not entirely sure on that point...

Spoilers!

Lots of family and relationship triangles and circles in this one. Will likes Henri who dated Cassie, who is cousins with Alec, who is now dating Gigi, who is roommates with June, who likes Jai-He, who is dating Seijing, who seems to hate June, who gives ballet tips to Bette, who is roommates with Eleanor who adores Adelle who is sisters with Bette who was friends with Liz...

I also guessed that Will was probably gay, and I was right. However I did also guess that Cassie committed suicide after all Bette's pranks and I was wrong about that one, so it sort of evened it out. I'm also wondering if June is lesbian or bisexual or whether that was just a one time thing...

The more you read, the more you realise how many problems the girls do (or probably do) have. My guesses/knowledge? Bette's mother is an alcoholic, Bette's addicted to Adderall, June and Liz seem anorexic, Gigi sounds depressed and has a hole in her heart.

End Spoilers!

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All books in this series:

    1 | Tiny Pretty Things
    2 | Shiny Broken Pieces

On the Other Side - by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Title: On the Other Side

Author: Carrie Hope Fletcher

Published: 14 July 2016

Series: -

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:
A love story like no other, this is the debut novel from Carrie Hope Fletcher, author of the Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller All I Know Now.
Evie Snow is eighty-two when she quietly passes away in her sleep, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. It's the way most people wish to leave the world but when Evie reaches the door of her own private heaven, she finds that she's become her twenty-seven-year-old self and the door won't open.
Evie's soul must be light enough to pass through so she needs to get rid of whatever is making her soul heavy. For Evie, this means unburdening herself of the three secrets that have weighed her down for over fifty years, so she must find a way to reveal them before it's too late. As Evie begins the journey of a lifetime, she learns more about life and love than she ever thought possible, and somehow , some way, she may also find her way back to her long lost love . . .
On the Other Side will transport you to a world that is impossible to forget. Powerful, magical and utterly romantic, this is a love story like no other from everyone's favourite 'big sister', Carrie Hope Fletcher.

Your soul is too heavy to pass through this door
Leave the weight of the world in the world from before.
Once it is lighter, your key shall then turn
And you will be able to have what you yearn.

I listened to this as an audiobook and finished it in one sitting.

This book is a magical realism sort of book - a reality/magic cross over sort of genre. I think this is the first book (that I can think of) that I've read in that genre.

I love that Evie isn't a small, thin person - that she has big hips and thighs from bread and cheese. 

There are a few parts of this book that are my favourite. Mainly, that getting a husband isn't at the top of Evie's priority list! She shows that you can be independent and do what you want to in life without needing a man. Another is that Vincent isn't perfect but Evie still loves Vincent for exactly how he is. 

I may not normally be able to pick up on themes in books, but I definitely think I've figured this one out - the stop and smell the roses theme vibe, seeing people/things rather than just looking, and that happiness has nothing to do with money.

The bridge wrestling was also quite cute and amusing. It kinda sucked that it was insta-love, but I adored the pair other than that.

Carrie singing the song in the audiobook that Evie does to her son, August, was lovely to hear. But I may be biased on that as I love Carrie's voice in general.

In the audiobook, Sunny to me sounded a bit like Ron Weasley. I can also imagine Carrie as Evie because of how happy and bubbly etc we normally see her in her YouTube videos.

Great adventures can start small. Even as small as a sweet. Help yourself to an adventure.

Spoilers!

Foreshadowing was included in the book as by the time you reach the third secret, you remember that the tree was mentioned early on in the book with Evie's son, August.

I cried at a few places in the book. When we heard the ambulance and found out Vincent left at the same time, Jim's speech, Evie's speech to sleeping Vincent, and especially Vincent dying.

Evie, you were my single greatest adventure.

There seemed to be quite a bit of  representation of different people/things in general which was great too. Vincent being bisexual, Isla the staff member being pansexual, Eddie being gay. Curvy girls were represented by Evie, and marriage problems were even represented by August and Daphne.

I did notice that all the main surnames were to do with weather and seasons - not sure if that was on purpose or not though. Summer, Winters, Snow, Frost, and Sunny Shine.

I'm also curious about a couple of things: Who's CB and PF in the initials on the lift doors when Evie's daughter, Isla, goes to fetch the shoebox? Plus Leafy said there's ways without the wall if someone passes and you need to tell them things - what are the ways?

End Spoilers!

Ruby Red - by Kerstin Gier

Title: Ruby Red

Author: Kerstin Gier

Published: 10 May 2011

Series: Precious Stone Trilogy #1

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!
Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

I listened to this as an audiobook. It is also translated by Anthea Bell, but it's done well so you can't really tell it's been translated.

My favourite parts about this book are the cover, and that romance is involved in the story but action is the main focus.

I loved that  Gwynn grew up around all the time travel aspects in her family, but didn't really know a single thing about it. How does she solve this issue? The internet! Having a main character simply Google something when they didn't know the answer was quite nice.

The time travel machine using a drop of the traveler's blood is an interesting idea to help control when and where they travel to too. Plus Madam Risini sounded quite lovely, and little Rob sounded pretty cute.

One "Omg!" moment was who I guessed the people Gwynn saw when she time travelled at the high school were. I may be right, or I may be wrong, but if I'm right then I'm quite excited to find out about that story.

I do have a couple of questions though. Why does Gwynn see herself each time she time travels? And what is the note/quote after each chapter about?

Overall, this was a good story to read and I didn't really want to stop.

Spoilers!

From the start, my guess was that Charlotte probably couldn't time travel but Gwynn could, so it wasn't much of a surprise when we find that out.

I'm curious to see if Gideon is a double crosser or not. Can't remember what specifically made me think that, but it would be interesting to find out.

One confusing point for me was that I'd guessed that Paul and Lucy were the ones at the start holding the baby, but how were they holding Gwynn and calling her their daughter if they aren't her parents?

End Spoilers!

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All books in this series:

    1 | Ruby Red
    2 | Sapphire Blue
    3 | Emerald Green

Down Among the Sticks and Bones - by Seanan McGuire

Title: Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: Wayward Children #2
Published: 13 June 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis:
Twin sisters Jack and Jill were seventeen when they found their way home and were packed off to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.
This is the story of what happened first…
Jacqueline was her mother’s perfect daughter—polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it’s because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline.
Jillian was her father’s perfect daughter—adventurous, thrill-seeking, and a bit of a tom-boy. He really would have preferred a son, but you work with what you've got.
They were five when they learned that grown-ups can’t be trusted.
They were twelve when they walked down the impossible staircase and discovered that the pretense of love can never be enough to prepare you a life filled with magic in a land filled with mad scientists and death and choices.

I listened to this as an audiobook. It was read by the author which I found a nice little touch. I'm loving these covers though!

This book is a prequel and follows Jack and Jill from the previous book, showing that their home life wasn't all rainbows and daisies. Their parents essentially wanted the "perfect family".

These two sisters manage to stick together throughout their childhood and their slight sibling rivalry. The book also shows why children should be able to choose who they are for themselves and what they do and don't like. This book shows you that there's a million ways to be a girl, but none of them are wrong.

Some adventures require nothing more than a willing heart and the ability to trip over the cracks in the world.

Having to earn a vampire's name is an idea I hadn't thought about before too.

I like that Dr Bleak lets Jack try and work out the bath for herself. She's never had to do that before but she wants to learn new things. He gives her all the tools to do what's needed, but lets her work out how - better than her real parents were.

Finding out about Mary was definitely a bit of a shock.

Time keeps moving through the door too which is interesting. I would have thought that if you go through the door at twelve years old, then you'd go back to your original world still being twelve. But that's not how it works. Jack and Jill managed to go from twelve to seventeen - having to go through periods, hormones, friendships or lack of them, and relationships, all while in The Moors.

A single revelation does not change a life. It is a start.

Spoilers!

I don't think Jack's sexuality is stated for sure, but Jack having a relationship with another girl didn't feel like it was forced on the character or like it was an afterthought to the story as it flowed well.

End Spoilers!

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All books in this series:

    1 | Every Heart a Doorway
    2 | Down Among the Sticks and Bones
    3 | Beneath the Sugar Sky
    4 | In an Absent Dream

4.5 | Juice Like Wounds
    5 | Come Tumbling Down

    6 | Across the Green Grass Fields

    7 | Where the Drowned Girls Go