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Werewolf: *transforming* You have to go, now! I don’t want you to see me like this…

Human s/o: Don’t push me away! I’m not afraid of you!!

Werewolf: No no I’m just really dumb as a wolf and I don’t want you to see me bark at a mirror for two hours 

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Book Review: The Scholomance

by R. Lee Smith

Review written the 8th of February, 2022

Read: 06.02.2022 - 08.02.2022

FOUR STARS

If there's one word that jumps at me when thinking about this book, it's 'horrible'. Because it is. Horrible, dark, and really, I absolutely hated it. Yet, I found myself mesmerized while reading it. There's no happy ending here. At best it's bittersweet. I actually feel like telling people not to read it, because the emotions you'll be left with after being done with this hopelessly horrible story are not emotions you'd want to have to feel. Especially if reading is your happy place. R. Lee Smith's writing continues to impress me.

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2022 Popsugar Reading Challenge

Brace Yourselves, Book-Lovers: The 2022 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge Is Here!

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Book Review: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Review written the 8th of October, 2021

Read: 07.10.2021 - 08.10.2021

FOUR STARS

I'm trash for enemies to lovers, so I might be a little biased here. Also, the 'MC gets deliriously sick, and gets taken care of by Rival' trope is delicious, and to everyone who doesn't think so; I hope you have to spend your whole day wearing cold, wet socks. The pettiness? Ridiculous. Also, the sexual tension floating in the air? Sir, give me the knife. Not gonna lie though, there were some comments they threw at each other that had me frowning. Lucy does say that Joshua's words sting at some point in the start of the book. She throws out some pretty hurtful shit too, so I guess they're both acting like immature children? It's an egg or chicken first situation I guess. There were some parts in the story that irritated me, but in the end I think it's a really sweet book, and I enjoyed reading it.

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Re-posting it on here too! @bumble-bea-mon is my dumpster fire of a main blog if you're curious enough to check it out!

Hello there folks! I won't be bothering you for long, I promise!

I was just wondering what pet-peeves you as a reader/writer have when it comes to reading/writing books. Does it involve a fandom? Any specific tropes? if so, are they mostly used in published books, or fanfics, or both? Let's get a conversation going!

That's all! Would love to get some answers. Have a lovely day, and don't forget to drink some water, and stay safe <3

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book dedications are so tender here is this piece of art i made for an audience of thousands. but really every word is for you

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Book Review: Damaged Dreams by Kris Butler

Review written the 15th of September, 2021

ONE STAR, DNF AT 1/3 OF THE BOOK

Why? Cause it was BORING, and I didn't like how it was written. It had random timeline jumps, and the POV changes? I legit could, not, with how the characters basically presented themselves by summarizing who they were each time? Like... dude, who you talking to?? If they're just reminding themselves about how they're moody, or a happy go lucky person (but not really, because they're faking it and inside they're just really dark and sad, and oh my gawd, I actually am a really damaged soul, but nobody knows it) then they must be fucking nuts man. This is just a MAJOR pet peeve ngl, so it was really difficult to ignore. Especially when there are so many main characters.

Speaking of... They all sounded the same. If I hadn't had the name of which character I was reading about in the beginning of the chapters, I'd honestly have assumed this was the same character repeating the same thing over and over again.

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Book Review: Lords of Wrath by Angel Lawson, Samantha Rue

Review written the 12th of September, 2021

ONE STAR, DNF AT 50%

Just couldn't continue reading it. I was aware that entering this book I'd be reading some really messed up shit - I mean, heck, I've read the first book - but right now I just can't. In fact, I think I'm going to take a really long shower to wash off the vibe of this book, and then get myself some disgustingly sweet fluffy romance read instead.

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Book Review: Damaged Gods by K.C. Cross (J.A. Huss)

Review written the 11th of September, 2021

Read: 10.09.2021 - 11.09.2021

FIVE STARS

When this book first caught my eye, I noted it had really high ratings on Goodreads, and I decided I wanted to read it, because I was curious about what a book with an average of almost 4.5 stars could be about. It also kind of gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes when I read the blurb, and I'm a sucker for any type of fairy tale retelling. It turned out to be so much better than that, and this might be one of my favorite books I've read this year. So, I start reading, and the first I'm met with is a talking bird and our apparently crazy heroine, who's also homeless and dressed as a naughty school girl after the wild Halloween night she's just had. What a rough start, the author didn't even hesitate to throw us right into the chaos. Even the goddamn bird has a more common name than our heroine. Anyway, she finds a super sus, help-wanted ad for a job and even if she herself remarks that it's probably not the most legit looking thing, she decides to apply anyway. Because of course, we can't have our dear characters start acting smart. That's how you loose the chance of making a good story out of it folks. And it would be super duper boring. It goes as well as how you'd expect it to go... She ends up being roped into a curse. The Sanctuary is basically a gigantic cemetery filled with tombs, and a magic cathedral with rooms that appear and disappear, and hallways that move. It represents just what its name says it is. It's a sanctuary for everyone who's been cursed and they're placed there until the curse is broken. I had a really great time reading it, even if it has a pretty reluctant HFN ending (gave me chills, actually), and a kinda big cliff hanger in my opinion. Can't wait for the next book to come out! There's so much more to be explored in the world filled with monsters and damaged gods, K.C. Cross has created.

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5 more book releases in September 2021 that I'm jumping up and down in excitement for

SEPTEMBER 14TH

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Series: Standalone

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Fake Relationship

SEPTEMBER 21ST

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

Series: Standalone

Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Afterlife, LGBTQ+

SEPTEMBER 28TH

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

Series: 2nd book in The Scholomance Series

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dark Academia, Magic

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Series: 1st book in the Ex Hex Series

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Fantasy, Witches, Magic

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Series: 1st book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart Series

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Fairy Tale

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Masterlist

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Book Reviews

One Star

Book Review: Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

Book Review: Knotted by Pam Godwin

Book Review: Monster Whisperer by J.B. Trepagnier

Book Review: Lords of Wrath by Angel Lawson, Samantha Rue

Book Review: Damaged Dreams by Kris Butler

Two Stars

Book Review: Conveniently Convicted by Ivy Asher, Raven Kennedy

Book Review: Transformation by X. Aratare

Three Stars

Four Stars

Book Review: The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

Book Review: Bossy by N.R. Walker

Book Review: Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Book Review: Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Book Review: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Book Review: The Scholomance by R. Lee Smith

Five Stars

Book Review: Wolfsong by T.J. Klune

Book Review: Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts by Lyn Gala

Book Review: Damaged Gods by K.C. Cross (J.A. Huss)

Book Releases

5 book releases in September 2021 that I’m jumping up and down in excitement for

5 more book releases in September 2021 that I'm jumping up and down in excitement for

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5 book releases in September 2021 that I'm jumping up and down in excitement for

SEPTEMBER 7TH

No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull

Series: 1st book in The Convergence Saga

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Monsters, LGBTQ+

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff

Series: 1st book in the Empire of the Vampire Series

Genres: Adult, Dark Fantasy, Vampires

The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw

Series: Standalone

Genres: Sci-Fi, Cyborgs, LGBTQ+

SEPTEMBER 14TH

Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

Series: 1st book in the Defy the Night Series

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

Kraving Tavak by Zoey Draven

Series: 4th book in The Krave of Everton Series

Genres: Sci-Fi, Romance, Aliens

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Book Review: Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Review written the 29th of August, 2021

Read: 28.08.2021 - 29.08.2021

FOUR STARS

Present me any book with mythical creatures that aren't as largely used in media as, let's say, vampires and werewolves, and you can count me the fuck in. As soon as I saw the blurb mentioning gargoyles, I was like, 'Yep, just found my next read'. Nephilims, angels, demons, and the end of the world. Not to mention a chosen one and a betrayal so huge and heavy that it just made me want to rage. There were moments in the book that made the characters just feel so, painfully real to me, that I honestly have no words for it. Like the moment on the roof top Trinity has with Zayne, where she talks to him about her progressing blindness, and her explaining the reason she loves the stars... Holy shit man. I could just feel them; how difficult it must have been for Trinity to even open up, and for Zayne to hear about it. My absolute favorite scene in the whole book. “At my last appointment, about a year ago, my eye doctor asked if I could still see the stars at night. It was weird when he asked, because I had to think about it and I realized I couldn’t answer the question,” I admitted. “I hadn’t looked up at the stars in, like, forever, and it sort of hit me, you now? That one day I would look up and I wouldn’t see a star, and that would be it. I’d never be able to see something so...beautiful and simple again. Up until that moment, I’d taken that for granted. So, every night, I look up to see if I can see the stars.” "Can you see the stars now?” “I can see them. They’re faint.” Raising my hand, I pointed to two stars, one on top of the other. “Right there. Two of them.” I closed my right eye and the two tiny blurs of white became one blur of white. “Oh, wait.” I laughed. “There’s only one star there.” Right in the fucking gut man, Jesus Christ. Armentrout did an absolutely wonderful job creating these two characters. New friends, that's what I feel like I've gotten, coming away from this story. Characters that I adore with my whole heart, and would do anything for. Unfortunately, there were some setbacks, and that's why I'm ultimately giving four stars. Because as much as I wish I could give it five, I just know the story could've been even better. There were moments that dragged sometimes, and the betrayal that came at the end, came at the absolute end. I just wish the author could've given the readers some time to absorb the painful experience and loss the character's must've gone through. Especially because it ultimately has such a big impact upon the story. There simply wasn't enough time to grieve.

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Book Review: Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Review written the 28th of August, 2021

Read: 26.08.2021 - 27.08.2021

FOUR STARS

'Stories always begin the same way: There was and there was not' I loved the fairy tale start, and the theme follows you throughout the entirety of the story. Not surprising, as it's described as an original written fairy tale, which draws inspiration from Persian mythology and Sleeping Beauty. The sapphic romance element was just amazing, and even though I found myself wishing it's presence was more prevalent, I'm glad the author chose to write it the way she did. I read a lot of books, my average right now being a book, once a day. Many of the fantasy books I've devoured over the course of this year, have always, always, had a big focus on romance. Which isn't bad, mind you, but in the end, you'll start to find a pattern. Search for it long enough, and you'll ALWAYS find a pattern. This honestly sometimes makes it difficult for me to remember each individual story, because I've already found myself picking up the next one to read. Most of the times there just simply isn't enough deviation from the already established pattern for me to take much notice to 'that' particular story. 'Sometimes the princess is the monster' This story, when you boil it down to it's bare bones, is truly a story about a young girl that struggles to face, and accept what, and who she is. Soraya goes from being a ghost, wandering between the walls of the palace she's lived in for years and hiding away from others, to being someone that's managed to carve her own path, discover her own strengths, and learn from her mistakes. Girl, Serpent, Thorn, I think, is going to stay with me for a long time.

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Book Review: Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts by Lyn Gala

Review written the 12th of August, 2021

Read: 06.08.2021

FIVE STARS

Let’s just start out this review by acknowledging that, the world-building? The world-building was stunning. I loved it, and I found myself finishing the book faster than I wanted. I wanted this to last. I’d just finished binge reading the series Baal’s Heart by Bey Deckard, which is a historical fantasy mm romance story with pirates. Rightfully so, I was in the mood for something sci-fi. This was one of the first options that came up in the tag list. I thank whatever Goodread Gods are out there because this was exactly what I needed. Actually, I’d come over this book before, in the “Readers also enjoyed” section, and I remember the cover having caught my eye at the time (it's horrendous, really... what were they thinking?). I don’t even remember adding the book to my TBR, but apparently, I did. Didn’t even bother reading the blurb, so I went in totally clueless. Which was also why this disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: Please do not try any new sexual practice, especially those that might be found in our BDSM/fetish titles without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Neither Loose Id LLC nor its authors will be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or death resulting from use of the information contained in any of its titles. Caught me totally by surprise and made me start to worry about what the actual heck I’d gotten myself into. Not to despair though: Turns out it’s a general disclaimer that the publishing company puts in all their books. Which I appreciate, by the way. I completely agree with the fact that you should research, to be able to practice any form of sex in a safe and healthy manner. This is, after all, fiction we’re reading, and can not be used as point of reference. If you’re going into this book expecting alien porn, you might as well just close the book right now and go do something else. The story is well written and, again, the world building was just fantastic. It also gave me seriously big hurt/comfort vibes throughout the duration of the whole story. The tenderness and relationship the two main characters eventually develop, had my heart aching. This has truly become one of my favorite sci-fi books so far, and I wholly resent Gala for ending the journey so fast. I look forward to reading the other books in the series and learn more about this fascinating new world she’s managed to create.

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Book Review: Transformation by X. Aratare

Read: 30.07.2021 - 30.07.2021

TWO STARS

I found the author via the podcast Dragon's Reign on Spotify, and found myself enjoying the story, so I figured I'd read some of the other stuff they've written. This was really just an introduction to the story that we'll be getting to read in the next books. Like, why is this seven chapters? It doesn't even have a conclusion! This could've been so much shorter, and it ends just as we're about to get into the actual meat of the story. The first book is basically just the scenes that'll be kick-starting the real story in book 2. It's the backstory, and it dragged for much too long. And maybe I'm being a bit of an asshole here, but I'm mad and very disappointed, because I was going into this really excited. The 'Something traumatic/tragic happens at the ocean, turning main character into an orphan/almost dying, which then makes them hate the ocean and vow to never set foot in it again' trope is really overdone. I'm sorry, but I've read more mer/siren stories that have this trope than not. Usually it doesn't even bother me, but this, along with the other stuff is just too much man.

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