#adventures of adalyn

[sophiesbookishthings]

September Reads

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

I love this little magical family. They're so sweet. I really enjoyed the addition of David in this book. He was super fun and I liked the way he challenged Arthur's perception of the word monster. I thought that was a really interesting point to make both within the context of this book and in the way that the fictional magical community is a metaphor for the real life lgbt community. In that same vein I loved that this book was very very blatantly anti-JKR. It did make the book a bit harder for me to read personally, since it's so upsetting to see what JKR and other terfs are doing irl, I don't always love to see such hatred depicted in fiction as I use it as a bit of an escape from the horrors of reality. That being said, I don't think it should have been done any differently because I do also believe stories like this are necessary and that TJ Klune told exactly the kind of story that he wanted to and needed to. My only slight critique of this book was that with the themes present and the dedication in particular, I was hoping there would be a more central trans character in the book. There was a nonbinary side character (which was great!), but they weren't there very long and I think the anti-terf message of this book could have benefitted from a more prominent trans character. All in all though, a very sweet book. I love the Baker-Parnassus's and want only good things for them forever.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Foxglove by Adalyn Grace

The sequel to Belladonna. I liked that this book set up not only 1 but 2 more supernatural beings. I'm very interested to see what exactly Life is in the next book. I also liked that this book let us get to know Blythe more since she was dying for most of the last book. I enjoyed Signa getting to settle into her own at Foxglove as well, even though it wasn't in the vest of circumstances.

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️

Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Woo-hoo! Percy Jackson book!!! Look, I am 25 and have been reading these books since I was like 10. As long as there's books being released, I will be reading and loving them. This book was literally just Percy, Annabeth, and Grover pet sitting. Like idk but it's such a fun concept to me. And the fact that they bond with said pets by the end? I love it. Also, Hecate's cool af. Idc that she was supposed to be kinda scary, I think she's neat. My main complaint about this book, though, was that when they knew they were having to deal with ghosts, they should've called Nico. At least for like a consultation or something! Like c'mon. Y'all have a friend that's called The Ghost King, and none of you think to call him??? But anyway... This series is just little (relatively) low stakes mini quests, and I'm having a great time.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Turtles All The Way Down by John Green

This is probably a top 5 John Green book for me, but I don't know that I can really articulate why. This book made me pretty anxious. The main character has OCD and the way her intrusive thoughts were written (while very well done) was a lot for me to read. And yet, I still really liked this book. I also actually enjoyed the romance arc in this book because it doesn't always go where you'd expect, and the male love interest is really sweet and respectful and actually kinda interesting. I appreciated that while there was a romance arc, the main characters friendship with her best friend was equally important to the story. And I'm sure it probably wasn't intentional, but the whole book felt very ace-coded to me. Although what read as ace-coded to me was probably definitely mostly due to the main characters difficulty in her relationship due to her OCD. But two things can be true I guess.

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️

[annasartaccount]

I read “Belladonna” by Adalyn Grace last year and it was one of my favorite books all year. Because I was sick all week, being 24/7 at home, I decided to do a character art from Signa Farrow.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“You must not allow yourself to be consumed so thoroughly by death. It’s not selfish to live.”

“Autumn and winter had always been her favorite seasons. They felt quiet, like the earth was at rest, preparing itself for the warmer months ahead.”

“I'm going inside where there is coffee and books and a hearth," Percy announced, glancing toward his sister.”

(Realest quote in the entire book. If i would be a book character I sadly wouldn’t be the adventurous main character but this guy )

“It’s exhausting,” Signa said as she looked down to her lap, “to pretend you are something—someone—you’re not.”

[wer0ni]

Hello everyone ♥ Here's my latest fore-edge painting adventure ✨📚 Belladonna by Adalyn Grace is finally available as a hardcover edition in the UK, and I could not pass the opportunity to paint it, as I love these covers ♥

It's still available in my store, link above!

If you want to know in advance what I'm working on and planning to update in the store later, you can follow me on instagram or tiktok ooooor youtube🌻

[dazeddoodles]

Since there’s no Veesha art can we at least get the name of their fankid(s)

Cameron, "Cam" like Camila and also like camelion because he is also a shape shifter. Although he looks mostly human by default.

(Camilo would probably be a better name since its only one letter off from Camila but I associated that name too much with Encanto)

He lives in the human world with Vee, Masha, and Camila but prefers sending time with and going on adventures with Adalyn in the Boiling Isles.

Adalyn loves her little cousin very dearly and has no problem with him "tagging along". She tends to "take charge" and switches back and forth from acting like Cameron's big sister (cousin) and his mother (like Ruby in Max and Ruby)

[spiritedstars]

Let's spice up your blog ✨️

I'll ask a few questions:

Any non-sjm influenced fantasy books you would recommend?

Vampires or Shifters (includes werewolves, dragons, felines, etc.)?

Any underrated favorite classic films or books?

What's the most romantic thing anyone could ever tell you?

You're so sweet darling!! ♥️ I appreciate you sending in this ask!

I'm pretty picky about my fantasy reads so I haven't read as many lately but some that do come to mind: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson, Belladonna by Adalyn Grace, Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen, and This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede.

Vampires. I don't mind the shifters but idk, vampires hit different lolol

I immediately thought of Disney movies. The Aristocats is not talked about enough okay!!! It's a great movie.

Hmm...this was a little hard for me lol. My romantic adventures amount to zero so picturing anything is a little challenging but ultimately as an eldest daughter who wants someone that I can safely turn my brain off around "I got you." is probably it HAHA.

[angelwishess]

୨୧┊ OC MASTERLIST ! 𝜗𝜚

This post is subject to change, and will be updated whenever I make changes to an oc / redo their intro, or make new content of them. Please keep in mind i am an OC x Canon shipper, so if that isn’t your thing thats completely fine :3

( Links will be updated once I make their posts)

𝜗𝜚 — MAIN · CAST !

╰┈➤ OCs that I will mostly post about, and have a role in the canon storyline of TWST .

Kyra Lovelace — Twisted from the Disney Princess Stereotype. || Kyra is an incredibly beautiful young lady who attracts the attention of many with her beauty and elegance. But behind that fair facade, im afraid shes rather odd! An eccentric, curious, impulsive ball of chaos that always has trouble burning hot on her heels— her love of adrenaline and desire for adventure often get her into trouble.

╰┈➤ Pinterest boards · Playlist ᧓

Elena Leech — Twisted from Ursula’s Bubble & Cauldron. || A sweet, friendly girl who gets along with everyone! A charming girl who loves to chat, shes a complete sweetheart thats beloved by all! …But a leech is a leech, right? And theres something more to her than it seems. After all, her eyes are so… Empty.

╰┈➤ Pinterest boards · Playlist ᧓

Arlene “Jester” Adalyn — Twisted from the Joker card. || The fun-loving, troublemaking, “Big sis” Jester of Heartslabyul! The party never ends with her around, and her love of breaking the rules is infamous! Despite seeming like an open book, she has a past she’d like to keep hidden from everyone.

╰┈➤ Pinterest boards · Playlist ᧓

𝜗𝜚 — SIDE · OCS !

╰┈➤ OCs that don’t have a big role in the canon storyline, and I don’t usually talk about (sorry)

Eirian “Damaris” Vanrouge — Twisted from Amalthea from The Last Unicorn. || A fae with a mysterious and almost solemn air around him, Eirian is proud and level-headed, moving and speaking with the grace of a nobleman. Yet, even with how cold he can be, there are times where once can catch a glimpse of his much warmer, more mischevious nature… And his rage.

Ariston Caderyn — Twisted from the Prince Charming Stereotype. || The shining star from RSA, this prince is one of the flashiest people you’ll ever meet! He always seems to have a bright aura around him, heroic and always rushing into danger to save any poor soul caught up in trouble, hes a total charmer! And… Completely delusional.

Rory Klein — Twisted from Little Red Riding Hood. || A cowardly student from RSA who jumps at the slightest sound, Rory Klein is a cautious teen who always wears a red hood. They speak of a sheep-beast following them wherever they goes, but surely, that must just be them being paranoid…

Sol Lumiere — Twisted from the Sundrop Flower. || Reserved and quiet, Sol is a 2nd year from Pomfiore who prefers to keep to herself. Hard to find, as she has a talent for slipping away without a sound. But, there are times where he seems to glow brighter than anything.

Anson (???) — Twisted from Anastasia. || A happy-go-lucky RSA student with a mysterious past— Anson seemed to have forgotten everything about his past once arriving at RSA! No one knows where he comes from, and hes striving to find some way to get back his memories. But sometimes, people forget for a reason, and the past isnt kind.

𝜗𝜚 — FANKIDS !

╰┈➤ The kids of my OC x Canon ships !!!! (The added links arent their official intros, but i added them just cuz :3)

Marven Leech — Floyra’s kid. || The rambunctious “punk” of NRC, Marven is always causing trouble. From fights to pranks, to just Marven being Marven— Its safe to say, he really is his parents’ son. If you dont find him stirring up trouble in schoolgrounds, you’ll find him on stage shredding his electric guitar and singing his heart out! A rulebreaker, rockstar and an athlete? Hes trouble for sure! But who knows? Maybe if you look a little closer, you’ll realize hes much more soft-hearted than he’d like to admit.

╰┈➤ Pinterest boards · Playlist ᧓

Evelio Leech — Floyra’s kid. || Refined and elegant, with the aura fit for a prince. He takes after his mother with her beauty. But despite how he looks, hes just as bad (probably worse) as his twin! He uses his looks to his advantage, and his silver tongue to get whatever he wants. He speaks in a way that often has a double meaning, and he only really trusts his twin brother Marven. Despite his gentlemanly demeanor and undeniable charisma that can make anyone swoon, Evelio is… A total jerk.

╰┈➤ Pinterest boards · Playlist ᧓

Chimere Leech — Floyra’s kid. || Loud, restless and ever energetic— Chimere just can’t ever stay still! Always taking up odd jobs, for even odder payments, Chimere is hard to understand at times. One thing’s for sure though, she loves a good party!

╰┈➤ Pinterest boards · Playlist ᧓

Alora Leech — Floyra’s kid. || Eccentric and overly-eager, Alora has a deep love for anything spooky! From scary stories to ghost hunting, Alora adores it all! You can find her exploring “haunted” grounds, or speaking to ghosts and monsters! Looks like shes inherited her mama’s affinity for beasts, and NRC better watch out for the next beast tamer!

╰┈➤ Pinterest boards (<- cw for somewhat disturbing imagery) · Playlist ᧓

Rowan Howl — Jackry’s kid. — Twisted from Little Red’s Flowers. || A quiet young man who prefers to keep to himself, he tries his best to get through the school year without any trouble… But unfortunately, he always seems to find himself in the middle of it all.

𝜗𝜚 — OC X CANON INTROS !

╰┈➤ “Short” summaries of my OC x Canon ships, their dynamics, and how they developed !

Floyra — Kyra x Floyd. || Two people that are way too similar, to everyone else’s dismay. Unpredictable, impulsive, and a hatred for boredom, Kyra and Floyd are partners in crime attatched to the hip! Best friends! But everyone else can see that they’re much, much more than that..

╰┈➤ Intro · moodboard · playlist · masterlist ᧓

Jalena — Elena x Jamil. || Hatred at first sight. A classic enemies to lovers, its surely a whirlwind of emotions for both of them when they begin to realize their feelings.

╰┈➤ Intro · moodboard · playlist ᧓

Ridster — Riddle x “Jester”. || Opposites Attract at its finest! While Riddle is all about rules and order, Jester is a party animal with a hobby of breaking rules for fun! But despite their differences, they find theyre much more similar than they thought, and that leads to secret meetings and fleeting touches.

╰┈➤ Intro · moodboard · playlist ᧓

Lilian — Lilia x Eirian. || Literally a married couple. After meeting during the war, Eirian has stuck by Lilia’s side ever since, as a companion and partner in life. While he’s Eirian may be more serious than his husband, theres no denying that he’ll often spoil and permit Lilia’s shennanigans. (Literally just think of those wholesome old married couples. Yeah. Thats them.)

╰┈➤ Intro · moodboard · playlist ᧓

Jackry — Jack x Rory. || Rory has always been a coward, afraid of the world and everything in it. But when they meet Jack, they start to grow a little braver. Because theyre sure, that the world must be good— because Jack is in it.

╰┈➤ Intro · moodboard · playlist ᧓

Rooksol — Rook x Sol. || Sol has always hidden from the sight of others. Preferring the quiet, and keeping to ‘herself’. But Rook is far too persistent, and Sol can’t seem to shake him… Even after letting his biggest secret slip.

╰┈➤ Intro · moodboard · playlist ᧓

— Last Updated: December 1, 2024.

[readwithmiaa]

Bloodstained Key

By Charity Rau

Book Description:

A courageous daughter, a dangerous secret, and a mysterious nobleman. Only one will survive.

Eighteen-year-old Marianna and her family live in luxury, attending balls every night. Despite being haunted by the death of her mother and the disappearance of her fiancé, Will, she tries to remain cheerful for her sister's sake. When their father falls ill, she discovers her family is in financial ruin and fears her world is falling apart.

An offer of salvation comes from the mysterious nobleman who lives isolated from the rest of the world in his extravagant, yet menacing mansion. Lord Bludington invites Marianna, her sister, and all their friends to his home for a week full of entertainment. He impresses everyone with his charm and wit, but However, when her family cannot afford the medicine needed to save her father’s life, she reluctantly accepts Bludington’s proposal of marriage and moves into the manor.

Now isolated from her friends and family, she no longer feels welcome in the eerie house. The housekeeper is abrupt, the maids spread gossip and fear her, and the butler appears to be spying on her. Then she discovers a secret that puts her life in danger, and unless in Marianna can find the courage to fight for herself, she won’t make it out of Bludington’s manor alive.

TROPES & COMPS:

● Strong female MC

● Hidden world

● Prophecy and curse

● Retelling

Dark fairytale themes similar to The Blood Spell by C.J. Redwine and Gothic vibes similar to Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Amazon Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Bloodstained-Key-Ander-Adventures-Book-ebook/dp/B0CM6W5824

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20114285-the-bloodstained-key

Genre: Fantasy (Gothic Vibes & Dark Fairytale themes)

Steam Level: No Romance

[dayscapism]

I wanna add some other fantasy recommendations that don't really have many similarities with Harry Potter but are still worth reading.

The Bear and the Nightningale (Winternight trilogy) by Katherine Arden (adult): In the northern countryside of medieval Russia (Rus') we follow a girl named Vasya who can see the spirits of the old folktales, the wild ones of the forest and rivers, and the little ones who care for the home. We follow her as she grows up and this magical world clashes with the arrival of Christianity. Throughout series she meets the winter king, a bear spirit of chaos, the prince of Moscow, evil sorcerers, a Baba Yaga, a spirit of midnight, and gets a cute horse companion. This series is a favourite of mine. Great to read in winter, you will feel the cold in your bones.

The Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski (adult, series + video games, magical creatures & East European folktales, dark magic, political fantasy)

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (adult, series, ongoing, LGBTQ+ rep, ): Inspired and set in Mesoamerica -- pre-Columbian times. The winter solstice is usually a time of celebration in the holy city of Tova, but this year there will be a solar eclipse, and it proscribes unbalancing of the world. Meanwhile, a ship bound for Tova is captained by a disgraced woman and carries one passager, who is a young blind man, scarred and cloaked in destiny.

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (standalone, adult, also set in Mesoamerica)

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen (middle grade, trilogy)

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia (middle grade, trilogy, adventure, African-American folktales and West African mythology)

Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Pedro (YA, trilogy, high fantasy, warrior queens, phoenix riders, sister rivalry)

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer (YA, series, western fairytale princesses retellings, soft sci-fi)

The Cruel Prince trilogy & The Stolen Heir duology by Holly Black (YA, political romance, faeries)

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace (YA, romance)

An Ember in the Ashes by Saaba Tahir (YA, quartet, recommended for fans of Sarah J Maas' Throne of Glass)

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes (YA, series)

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (YA, trilogy, parallel Londons)

Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo (YA/Adult)

City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty (YA, chosen one, political fantasy)

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee (YA, ongoing series, LGBTQ+, superheroes & supervillains)

So JK Rowling is shit, read this instead of Harry Potter - part 1/3:

Part 2 - Middle grade/children's books

Part 3 - Young Adult

This is a list of fantasy books (and some sci-fi) for people who no longer want to support a transphobe & bigot but are still having a hard time finding something that fills the void of Harry Potter. This is a long list, with adult, middle grade and YA recs, divided into 3 parts, one for each age range. Most of these books are far better than HP anyway; better written, great character work, better theme exploration, more atmospheric, etc.

You can still enjoy your merch, books or movies you already own, no one is telling you you can't like or love Harry Potter and the Wizarding World, but please consider diversifying your media so you don't wrongly assume this franchise is the best fantasy ever and nothing can top it when that is simply not true.

Let's go then!

If you take anything from this post, let it be this series because it is the perfect alternative:

The Nevermoor Series by Jessica Townsend!

This really should blow up worldwide, be the new fantasy phenomenon. It honestly pains me to even put it beside or compare it to Harry Potter. It feels disrespectful to Nevermoor, but it has everything and more you want out of HP. Traumatized kid protagonist who gets whisked away into an alternate world of magic, finds out she's special, meets a wonderful magical mentor/father figure (who isn't actually awful like Dumbledore is to Harry), lots of school friendships and found family, a wonderful setting including a magic school and a magical city with all kinds of fantastical landmarks and alleyways; with magical markets dark and whimsical both. There's magical trials, witches, oracles, fantastical giant creatures, sentient magical animals, and so much more. And it has good discussions on themes of discrimination, school bullying, and mental health. If you like Coraline or The Adams Family, this is perfect for you, too. Plus, this series is written by a queer author who has shown active support to social causes like Palestine.

The series is still releasing, so if you have kids in your life they could grow up with the series as it comes out.

Books in the series:

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow

Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow

Currently waiting on Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow

Rest of the recommendations under the cut:

As a guide, these are the things I associate with Harry Potter: wizards & witches, magic school, horror elements, mythical/magical creatures, mystery, nostalgia, magical trinkets & artefacts, themes of friendship, family & love and discussions of death/death imagery. Dark forest, ghosts, gloomy aesthetic, medieval castles, cosy reading rooms, libraries, very British, Christmas & Halloween, dark forests, a relatively modern world combined with magic/alternate world, astronomy/astrology, divination. Also tropes like magic politics & bureaucracy, prophecies, the chosen + dead parents, coming of age, discussions on discrimination and outcasts (sort of), good triumphing over evil, overcoming childhood trauma, school-bullying, and also the protagonist is sort of a celebrity for reasons they can't control which others them from society.

These recommendations are based on that, but of course, each recommended book is much more than its similarities with harry potter, a world in itself. This list is only a starting point and is NOT comprehensive.

Titles marked with a ★ star are books I've read and personally recommend for its similarities and reminiscences with Harry Potter.

Graphic novel recommendations:

Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Adult books: Great alternatives to the later HP books and for readers who don't vibe with middle grade or YA anymore.

★ The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (trilogy): A dark-skinned, low-class provincial orphan enters a military academy, and must prove her value as a soldier. She discovers she has a hidden, lethal power. High fantasy, based on the Chinese wars and history of the 20th century. Has a magic school/military school setting in the first book. Discussions on the horrors of war and a person's loss of humanity under extenuating circumstances. Excellent character work.

★ Discworld by Terry Pratchett (YA/Adult, different series set in the same world). In particular, the Witches, Death, and Ricewind sub-series have similarities to HP in subject, characters, setting or themes. These books have lots of British humour and excellent commentary on social issues, and a little bit of a magical school and magic learning too.

★ T. Kingfisher books: Nettle & Bone, What Moves the Dead, Thorn Hedge, Paladin's Grace, A House With Good Bones and more. She does mostly fairy tale retellings and horror. Great for fans of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

★ The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (standalone): You want magic? Well, this is, I think, the most magical book ever written. It's so atmospheric, whimsical, historical, and dark. It's about two magicians duelling each other, showing off their magical abilities, under the wishes of their families/mentors (Dumbledore, anyone?). The competition takes place in a magical circus that only opens at night. It's full of magic, romance, betrayal, and wonderful prose. Perfect if you like The Goblet of Fire but you would want a more quiet, aesthetic version of the tournament.

★ Dead Djinn series by P. Djeli Clark (series, mystery, novel + novellas that can be read in any order): This is about supernatural detectives in an alternate history of the city of Cairo, a city full of otherworldly creatures. There's a Ministry of Alchemy, LGBTQ+ rep, discussions of colonialism (especially committed by the British), lots of cheeky humour and cool magical artefacts or magic mixed with technology. It's also set in the 1910s, so it's great for fans of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (ongoing series): This has a highly-praised magic school setting. It's about a notorious wizard who narrates his story; his childhood, years being a feral orphan, his school years and then life as a fugitive of the law. This series is hailed as one of the best ones in fantasy right now. Great prose too.

Black Prism by Brent Weeks (series): We all know HP is not applauded for having the most coherent magic system. Well, in this book you get a really inventive magic system based on light: in this world, some people can use different colours of visible light to do magic. The people who can use all of them are called Prisms. We follow this one magician who is the current Prism, most powerful man in the world, high priest and emperor, and also a man of wit and charm. He knows Prisms never last though... Great for people who would like a book about a powerful, high-achieving magician, like say, Dumbledore.

★ Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (duology): A young librarian is convinced of the existence of the mythical city of Weep, which was cut from the rest of the world two hundred years ago. He is obsessed. No one believes him. One day an opportunity to travel to said city presents itself and all his dreams come true. But the city hides a dark past, and not all the inhabitants were always human: some were gods with blue skin. Beautifully written, whimsical at every turn but also full of complex, deep subjects.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (ongoing series): It's dark academia in Yale but if Yale had a bunch of occult secret clubs. A freshman, Alex, is the sole survivor of a multiple homicide and still searching for answers herself. She arrives at the school tasked to monitor the activities of the secret societies full of rich students. But the occult activities are more sinister and extraordinary than what she imagined.

Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (standalone): Magic school but now the protagonist is the witch teacher instead of the students, and who comes to teach magic to three young witches. Her coworkers are all a little eccentric, and the love interest is the grumpy librarian. A wholesome, cosy fantasy romance set in alternate contemporary times. Also with the found family trope.

★ Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb (multiple series): Hobb is one of the big names of fantasy. This is a low fantasy medieval world, with dragons, assassins, animal familiars, royal courts and backstabbing politics. If you like Game of Thrones, you'll probably like this series too. These books are character-centric to Fitz, the protagonist and bastard-born to the late crown prince, and the court jester, the Fool. The first trilogy is about Fitz's apprenticeship as an assassin to the royal family, his coming-of-age discovery of multiple hidden magic abilities that connect him to his family and the world of beasts, and his journey to save his uncle and country. So basically a non-formal magical school. Hobb has some problematic LGBTQ+ representation, though; she couldn't write a good queer character if her life depended on it. She seems to have the biases of her time ingrained in her and it shows in her writing. So there's that to consider.

★ The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (trilogy): You want a series that you will be thinking about for the rest of your life?? This one. This one is it. This trilogy is about a world where every certain time, there's a worldwide cataclysmic seismic/volcanic disaster. Humanity has evolved strict tactics to survive this, but some individuals are born with the ability to affect seismic movements. These individuals are feared and are put as children into a school where they can learn to control their superhuman abilities and later be in service of the government. One of our protagonists is one of these children. It's about motherhood and community, and has LGBTQ+ with in-text trans, bisexual, and polyamory representation. It discusses subjects of technological advancement, society and discrimination.

Vita Nostra by Marina & Sergey Dyachenko (duology): This is often called "the anti-Harry Potter book". It has elements of mystery-thriller, plays with time/time loops, a magical university, post-soviet culture in Ukraine, metamorphosis, and it's very atmospheric. It's also recommended for fans of The Night Circus and The Magicians. It's best if you go into it not knowing much.

Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan (series): For fans of Charlie Weasley and Newt Scamander, set in a world where dragons are real. The protagonist and narrator is the world's preeminent dragon naturalist, who is set to bring these creatures of myth into the light of modern science. It's a coming-of-age story, about learning, and expeditions in search of magical creatures. It's more historical fiction than fantasy though.

Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey (standalone, mystery, urban fantasy): About a private investigator who never wanted to be magical. Not like her estranged sister, who is a magically gifted professor. But when she is hired to investigate the gruesome murder of a faculty member in her sister's academy, the detective starts to lose herself in the crime and the life she could have had.

★ House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: LGBTQ+ rep, boarding school, perspective from the teachers/caretakers PoV, and feral, traumatized magical children. Edit: This book has been criticized for being anti-indigenous, in particular with the "boarding school" plot line being insensitive and trivializing the history of erasure, violence and forced assimilation done by the colonizers towards the indigenous people of Canada. Some consider this to be just a coincidence of the narrative but do keep it in mind.

The Dark Fantastic by Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (non-fiction): Exploration of race in popular youth & YA speculative fiction. Analyzing popular media including Harry Potter. Explores radical imagination & Afrofuturism in Black feminism, books and fan fiction to reveal new possibilities.

Disclaimer: I'm just one person/reader, I haven't checked the political or moral views of all these authors or if they're a shitty person. Anything I know or majorly problematic stuff is considered and accounted for, but it's not realistic for me to deep-check each author I ever read. But anyone is welcome to chime in if you know of something we should be aware of about these books/authors.

Always remember to check for trigger warnings (TW), especially for adult books.

Happy reading!

Supporting Sources:

https://www.aspiraldance.com/middle-grade-and-young-adult-books-to-read-instead-of-harry-potter/

https://missprint.wordpress.com/2022/09/01/back-to-magic-school-harry-potter-alternatives-booklist/

Goodreads for synopses.

[adventuresofadalyn]

Dreams ~ why they kinda suck sometimes

I guess we are going to get a little deep right off the bat 🤷‍♀️ whoops

It’s pretty sad when you give up on your dreams so young. Every little kid wanted to be famous. Be in the NFL, ballerina, singer, actor etc. I did too, singer. I’m going to be the next Taylor Swift or Selena Gomez! Even then it wasn’t about singing it was about being on stage, my one safe place to this day. 

But in mere second grade, (jokingly dramatic voice) when the world is supposed to be bubblegum and rainbows, "You can’t sing, your voice is horrible, you sound like your dying, you’ll never sing as great as me, but I promise I’ll let you be a back up dancer for me don’t worry!" ~ the one and only Penny. “Penny” as I’m going to call her for this blog was my best friend for forever. We grew up together and I finally got out of the pretty toxic friendship this year. (Honestly, I didn’t even know it was toxic or bad until recently, way after I ended the friendship but more on Penny later).

Then came my dance dream. Never did I really dream about being a ballerina at a large company. I think even in 3rd grade I realized that would never happen. All I wanted to do was compete, be on a stage, be performing. But that never happened either. I was never picked. I learned later on that it wasn’t my dancing, not that I was that good anyway, but placement on the team had nothing to do with ability or talent. I’ll never know the real reason why which kind of sucks too, was it my ankle that was injured over and over, was it my mom not kissing ass, but as a little kid it was just that I wasn’t good enough (what a mystery where my imposter syndrome rooted). 

By 5th grade my "dreams" were over. Everyone was still dreaming about those same aspirations NFL, singer etc, but 5th grade Adalyn decided to focus on practicality and money. Aerospace engineer was my plan, it’s impressive, it’s practical, it’s my solution. I started worring about college in 7th grade. And not just having it on the radar, I obsessed over it. I looked more into college then, than I do now in high school when I’m actually supposed to be looking at colleges...

Point being, it sucks now, dreaming or even listening to the dreams of my friends that still haven’t lost that child side, not everyone has had reality hit them yet. And I’m not saying it’s healthy to be absolutely fixated on an impossible dream at my age but there is something to say about having those dreams, it sparks happiness and passion. I never had that though, I missed out on being a kid. On being unrealistic and just finding things to love instead of things that will look good on a resume. 

I think this mentality just fostered resentment. I am mad at my practical solutions. I am mad at the idea of having to look at colleges again. I am mad at my friends and their ability to dream. And I know that all this anger comes from the feeling that I robbed myself of a childhood that I can never get back. But, it’s hard to know if I hate the idea of my practical solutions, of being a doctor or engineer, and I would be truly unhappy in those careers or if I am just that pessimistic and hurt from never letting myself dream. 

Thanks for sticking with me if you are still here! Let me know your thoughts!

That’s all for now ~ ♡A

[theliteraryflower]

All the stars and teeth

By Adalyn Grace

Rate: 4.5/5

Synopsis: She will reign.

As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.

When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.

But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.

I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.

Review:

So this is what happens when you put too much pressure on one person. Mistakes happen but... that doesn't mean you can over react either. Amora is preparing to make her performance to prove her worth to the kingdom. But gosh, her support system sucks. You know you aren't supposed to stress people before a big exam. Well these people failed that. So after Amora's presentation goes horribly wrong she gets thrown in prison with the only person on her side is her childhood friend and fiance, Ferrick. Again love him but I am so glad that Amora is straight up with him and us. Love you but not in love with you. Then there is the plots against the kingdom, a very mysterious and sexy pirate and a mermaid who gives me life. So poor Amora has alot on her plate. I loved the world building and though I wished it could have been explored more, I understand that it's hard to do so in a duology. It was a good adventure with various locations and threats and characters that are likeable. Like seriously Vataea, Mermaid queen slaying it up and down. Another thing that I loved that the story was about saving the kingdom it was never about Amora being a girl, or her struggling between Ferrick and Bastian (pirate) but rather her need to save her home. My only complaint is that the end was a bit rushed but still a great read. I can't wait for the sequel. 

[clarislam]

Book Review: "All The Tides Of Fate" by Adalyn Grace

Last week, I reviewed "All The Stars And Teeth," but what did I think about the sequel "All The Tides Of Fate" by Adalyn Grace? Find out in today's #bookreview! #AllTheTidesOfFate #AdalynGrace #review #fantasy #fiction

Cover of “All The Tides Of Fate” by Adalyn Grace I’m back with another book review, and this time I’m reviewing “All The Tides Of Fate” by Adalyn Grace! “All The Tides Of Fate” is the sequel to “All The Stars And Teeth” by the same author, and I reviewed that book just last week. I quickly picked up the sequel to see what happened next. Here’s a quick summary so we know what it’s about: “Through…

[sophiesbookishthings]

August Reads

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

This book reminded me a lot of Ella Enchanted for some reason. It had a very similar vibe with the love story and the adventure. Wit/Hoid was the narrator which was delightful. I always love a good immortal silly guy who's actually wise and powerful that shows up all the time. Also this book has pirates, so big selling point for me. And I thought the whole spore thing going on with Tress's planet was really cool. 12 moons is a bit excessive though lol. I really liked this book a lot, it was fun. Definitely a book I'll be rereading at some point I think.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Book of Bill by Bill Cipher Alex Hirsch

Oh Gravity Falls my beloved. This show is still like top 10 for me tbh. It just fits my brand of weird so well. And idk if I was always like this or if I'm like this because of Gravity Falls lol. I can't believe we got new content in 2024. Also, Ford and Bill are totally exes. Mabel's right.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Circe by Madeline Miller

I will always love a good greek mythology retelling. I was (and will always be) a Percy Jackson kid at heart. I will admit, though, I didn't know a ton about Circe going into this, as I often confused her and Calypso. But as per any mythology based book I read, there were a lot of ventures to wikipedia to learn a bit more about who's who and what else they were involved in. Oddly enough, though, I hated The Odyssey when i had to read it in high school. If there's 1000 Odysseus haters, I'm one of them, etc., etc. or whatever. But Penelope (my beloved) was done right in this book. I also liked that Circe is a morally grey protagonist in the story. She does a lot of stuff that is not really very good, but I support women's wrongs so I thought she was super interesting. And altogether i just really liked this book. There's something about the way Madeline Miller writes that hits just right for me.

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️

In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

I love the Wayward Children series so much. I was a lot like Lundy as a kid. Very about rules and books and pretty alone. I really found the goblin market super intriguing and I think it's one of the worlds from the series I would do best in. It's all about fair deals so it can be harsh at times but it was always fair. I knew the end of the book was coming since Lundy was a character in previous books but it did still hit hard.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire

More Wayward Children! The main character of this book was intersex, which I didn't actually know going into it, but it was neat cause I don't think I've ever read a book with an intersex character before. I really liked the setting of this book. The Hooflands seem to be one of the least harrowing worlds in the series. I loved the centaurs that took care of Regan. They were fun.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

This one was really good. I've had this book for a while now and I just haven't got around to reading it until now and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. I really liked both the main character and the love interest, which is kinda rare for me. The whole concept of a girl that's quite literally followed by death was really cool and very well done. I'm excited to read the rest of the series, which I believe is recently completed.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm trying so hard not to finish all the Sanderson books (but mostly the stormlight archive) before Wind and Truth comes out in December. So I'm reading standalones and definitely not Rythm of War. Tell me why this book took me so long to finish though. I've read stormlight archive books in less time than this took me. It wasn't even that I disliked this book in any way I just don't think it grabbed me as much and I struggled to make myself sit down and read it. This book was super heavy on the politics and religious aspects of the plot and I think that may have been what caused it to drag for me since I tend to be a bit more interested in the magic aspect of fantasy books. But luckily that did pick up a bit more toward the end. But anyway! I loved Sarene in particular. I thought she was so cool. She was manipulating the hell out of people the whole book and I loved it. The end did make me interested see what Sanderson will do in the sequel.

3.75/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️

[himalia-aesthetics]

Whimsical Gothic Aesthetic

The Whimsigoth aesthetic isn’t quite goth or quite bohemian, but blends together aspects of each. This aesthetic was conjured out of the 70s, 80s, and 90s with witchy influences showcased in a plethora of movies and television shows. Free spirited individuals with interests in astrology or witchcraft may feel called to this aesthetic. 

Visuals:

Stained Glass 

The Night Sky

Well Worn Rugs 

Brass/Gold Candle holders 

Velvet 

The Moon

Black Cats

Crystals 

Vining Plants 

The Sun

Candles

Antique Rings 

Cozy Fireplaces

The Stars

Key Colors:

Black

Emerald Green

Gold

Deep Blue

Burnt Orange

Silver

Ruby Red

Purple

Bronze

Dark Teal

Yellow

Clothing:

Tops:

Corsets 

Tank Tops 

Flowing Long Sleeves

Blouses

Mesh Tops (Long/Short Sleeves) 

Velvet Tops (Long/Short Sleeves)

Lace/Lace Trimmed Tops (Long/Short Sleeves)

Bottoms:

Skirts 

Trousers 

Jeans 

Corduroy (Trousers/Skirts)

One Pieces:

Dresses

Jumpsuits 

Bodysuits 

Overalls

Outerwear:

Cardigans 

Leather jackets 

Fur Trimmed Coats

Shawls

Shoes:

Doc Marten Boots

Platform Boots

High Heel Boots

Doc Marten Loafers

Platform sandals 

Accessories:

Layered Necklaces 

Metal Belts 

Vintage/Antique Rings

Bracelets 

Dangle Earrings 

Beauty:

Dark Lipstick 

Eyeliner 

Mascara

Media/Music:

Movies:

The Craft 

Practical Magic

Coraline 

Halloweentown

Labyrinth

Alice in Wonderland 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 

The Corpse BrideW

Edward Scissorhands 

Hocus Pocus 

Shows:

Charmed

Sabrina the Teenage Witch 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Twin Peaks 

The Owl House

The Vampire Diaries

Playlists:

Whimsigothic by nataile

Whimsigothic by buffn

90s Ethereal Whimsigothic by Teleglam Sam 

90s Witch by linnett

YouTube:

Let’s Explore the Whimsigothic Aesthetic Origins, Breakdown, Outfits, Analysis by beepworld

Styling Whimsigoth Outfits with me | Talking About Thrifting by Amber Triana 

Is Whisigoth the 90s Witchy Bohemian Reborn by Teresa’s Chaotic Corner

Style Analysis: FairyGrunge and Whimsigoth by Dion the Taurus 

Authors:

Holly Black 

Kate Pentecost

Emily X.R. Pan

Adalyn Grace

Hobbies/Activities:

Studying Astrology 

Reading 

Painting 

Collecting Crystals 

Tarot Reading 

Thrift Shopping

Aromatherapy 

Gardening 

Listening to Music

Spellwork 

Related Aesthetics:

Bohemian 

Fairycore

Renaissance 

Witchcore 

Gothic 

Cottagecore

[storyofmychoices]

Malia Alaina Lahela (OC)

Malia means calm, serene, or peaceful. This meaning is reflected in the name's origin, as it is associated with the beautiful and serene Hawaiian islands. Malia can also mean "of the sea"

Malia is the Hawaiian form of "Mary", which is Olivia's grandmother's name.

Alaina is a Hawaiian Name that means precious.

Parents: Bryce and Olivia Lahela Birthday: November 23, 2023, 10:23am (Thanksgiving Day) Sign: Sagittarius Personality: honest, adventurous, intellectual, passionate, optimistic, curious, opinionated, reckless (at times), may seem egotistical due to her advanced knowledge

Skin Color: Warm tan (lighter in the winter, darker in the summer) Hair Color: Brown with red highlights Eye Color: Hazel/green at birth but change to Brown in a couple months

Future Career: Neurosurgeon, then Chief of Surgery

Facts and Headcanons

Malia loves the water (eventually). Malia is unsure about water at first, it takes some coaxing, much to her parents chagrin, but once she discovers the wonders of water, they can't keep their little mermaid out of the water.

After feeling her brother move when Olivia was pregnant with him, Malia thought he was going to be a fish.

Malia is ambidextrous. Both Olivia and Bryce are left-handed so at home, they always taught her to use her left hand. At school, her teachers taught her to use her right hand. Malia had no idea there was a difference. She thought one way the "at school way" and one way was "at home way" and she just assumed everyone could use both hands with equal fluency. This skill helps her become a very incredibly skilled surgeon due to her flexibility

Malia has many nicknames: Lia (pronounced L-EE-uh), Mali (pronounced Maa-LEE), little mermaid, and sometimes Mia (MEE-ah), and LiLi (LEE-LEE)

Malia is the inspiration for Olivia's children's books. Olivia and Bryce want to have quality children's books with medical themes for Malia and later Makoa, so Olivia writes (and eventually publishes) her own.

Middle Name HC: her parents settled on Malia quickly because it was a Hawaiian name (Bryce) but a form of Mary (Olivia / her grandmother. They went back and forth with her middle name. Olivia had suggested Adalyn so her initials would be MAL like MALia. But Bryce wanted Taylor (he's a closet Swiftie). Eventually, they settled on Alaina (a Hawaiian name that means precious). When they heard it, they both decided that was the perfect name: Malia Alaina Lahela.

More to come...

For more information check out:

[All things Olivia Hadley] [Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist]

Malia is an female original character in the Open Heart Universe.

[readingrobin]

Since I was caught up in the Magical Readathon this month, it gave me the opportunity to pick up my pace a bit reading-wise. Managed to get into those sweet double digits when it came to how much I read and the majority of them were great. It started off on a high note, but I think by the end I was getting into some very lukewarm reads. Nothing too terrible, since I didn't manage to DNF anything this month, but it's always disappointing to end a month with a whimper rather than a bang.

Total Books Reads: 11

Total Pages Read: 3,520

Books Read:

Murder for the Modern Girl by Kendall Kulper (3.5/5) (Review)

All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace (3/5) - A sea faring journey is just what I needed to get in the mood for a summer that feels not too far off. I will say, this book definitely lives up to its promise of adventure, due to its tense, bloody action and introduction to a world with a interesting magic system, though I did find myself constantly confused and unable to really visualize soul magic. I think the book's greatest strength is its setting, where each island holds its own kind of magic and traits. Though we didn't see every island, I'm sure the rest will be left for the sequel to explore, there was enough to sate me for this particular journey.

When it comes to our main crew, I think I have to echo some other reviews by saying Amora comes off as the least interesting. Bastian has his charm and inner turmoil that he tries to keep behind a mischievous facade, Ferrick, his foil, a bit more straight laced and focused, while also having the neat featuring of regrowing limbs, and Vataea, a mermaid with a sultry, yet scary strength. And Amora is…just there. She's the princess, our main character, the one who believes she alone can save the kingdom, which somewhat makes me feel like she views her crew as nothing more than lackeys and sidekicks who are but tools to help her get to each destination while she does the most self-sacrifical work. I know she's meant to be a stubborn royal who was most likely raised to believe so, but it still doesn't exactly put her in the best light to the reader.

The writing itself kept my attention, but the plot had the standard twists and formula one finds in most YA fantasy. Nothing wrong with a formulaic plot, but there should be some sort of window dressing or aesthetic that keeps it from fading into the background with all the rest like it. My mind was starting to expect certain plot beats, only to go "ah, there it is" when the shoe inevitably dropped.

Mage and the Endless Unknown by SJ Miller (4/5) - Not gonna lie, this graphic novel gets rough. If you're up for seeing a little mage constantly facing some sort of traumatizing event from the terrifying creatures he meets on his travels, well, this'll certainly do it for you. The artist really has a knack for drawing unnerving, rigidly detailed creatures that give off a Junji Ito vibe. The contrast of the amount of gore, violence, and disturbing visuals offset the more friendly and cartoonish looking mage, giving the idea that one of these things doesn't belong in this setting. Though upsetting at points, there is a glimmer of hope to this comic, one that offers a sense of peace and rest. The comic does have a physical release coming out, but you can read it now on the magecomic website.

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (4/5) - It's odd how I went into this book having both some expectations, mostly due my friends and everyone else lauding it extensively, and no expectations at all. This pretty much happens whenever I'm 3-5 years behind reading the latest hot titles. But Elatsoe really does live up to its clout. The world has a somewhat normalized take on the paranormal, where vampires, or "cursed" individuals, magic users, and faeries are a known part of the world, interacting with society with life pretty much going on as normal. Well, aside from the string of mysterious deaths that seem to linger around a small town in the middle of Texas. It presents a setting that is both familiar and yet holds a bit of intrigue in a sort of alternate Earth containing all the history of our world with just some extra bits.

I loved the incorporation of Lipan Apache culture in the story, giving it an identity all its own and more weight to its events. The theme of oppressors actively displacing and sacrificing the oppressed to survive and further their own needs will always be haunting, especially when tied to the history between colonizers and indigenous peoples. Little Badger gives an equal amount of lamentation for the crimes of the past and present, while also celebrating the endurance of culture and its teachings that are passed down throughout the ages. 

A big plus for making Ellie's asexuality just a casual feature of her character rather than making it an entire plot point. As an asexual person, I'm glad to have any normalizing representation that's more than an entire story where the protagonist has to repeatedly defend and validate their sexuality to other people. Here, it's just a part of her being, no big thing, and that's the way it should be. 

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher (4/5) - I've been hearing a lot of good things about T. Kingfisher and how I would really jive with her work. Well, diving into a story with a main character that has trouble really understanding the world around her while also bringing together a group that may qualify as one of the odder found families definitely wins me over.

I think what really endears me to this book is how much I appreciate Marra as a character. I love how, despite how constantly and profoundly out of her depth she is, she is still determined to do anything to protect her family. That, while she is surrounded by people who, on the surface, are more exemplary and powerful, she is capable of working marvels. What makes her stand out among other royal heroines is that her abilities are not tied to skills she earned through her title or some kind of destiny, but a certain domesticity she finds comfort in and developed all by herself. Marra is a self made woman, wanting to make herself of use to others instead of sitting around, waiting to be used as a chess piece. I think there's something amiable in depicting a sort of power in the mundane, that, with enough determination and love, could be as strong as any weapon or magic.

The writing style makes it so immersive as a dark fairy tale. Kingfisher always nails the tone of a scene, whether it be unnerving, reflective, mysterious, or tinged with a hint of humor. There were some elements I think could have been expanded upon. I wish we got a little bit more characterization from Prince Vorling other than what we got as second hand accounts. Most of the time, he never really felt like a threat, just something far away and not really tangible, despite his lingering marks on Kania. I really wanted to see more of that Goblin Market as well. So very ripe with fantastical possibilities.

The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill (3/5) - O'Neill, throughout all of their work, knows what it takes to make each of their worlds atmospheric, engaging, and magical. It's mainly through their artwork, which is just totally immaculate here. The night scenes, will covered in a dark, expansive sky, still have a certain glow about them, coming from Anya's lantern and the ethereal presence of the moths. The adding of animal characteristics to the characters also bring about a certain kind of charm, though I wonder if there was a purpose behind these designs beyond aesthetic. The art itself make it worth checking out, but I don't think it ultimately saves a story that seems somewhat empty.

I think, as I was reading, I never felt totally ingrained in the world. It seemed almost aloof in nature, not really explaining certain things or leaving other elements up to interpretation. I mentioned the story seeming somewhat empty, which kind of makes sense for one that has a desert setting and deals with feelings of loneliness in a community and isolating yourself. But there's not really much else that compensates for that space, not in depth worldbuilding or interesting character dynamics. The message is a reassuring one, that your responsibilities in your community shouldn't be a source of isolation, but rather a way to get closer to them. It's a simple, reflective story, which is fine, but I think I was expecting more out of the premise.

The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells (3/5) - Wells certainly has a penchant for emotionally aloof and antisocially prone main characters, but I'm all for it. In a world devoid of humans and populated by a slew of humanoid creatures, the story offers a setting completely alien to the reader, which leaves a lot up to the imagination. At first, it was somewhat difficult for me to properly visualize all the differences between the species. The book already has an appendix for how to differentiate between the Raksura and the Fell, so it would have been helpful to have another that focused on the other races in the world.

I don't know if this is just me, but I thought that it was somewhat odd that, despite possibly coming from a similar ancestor, the Raksura are an all sentient, rational thinking race among all their classes, but the Fell are a mostly animalistic hivemind species aside from their rulers. It kind of made for a messy parallel and I think was to make the reader empathize more with the Raksura and showcase the Fell as entirely evil with no capability for civility. I suppose it certainly helps side with the heroes as the two constantly slaughter each other, but it makes for a pretty boring antagonist that is simply evil scary monsters just because. The story seemed like it had a few opportunities to go deeper than that, as Cloud has a history with them and Wells has shown that she is capable of more nuanced storytelling, but fell off about halfway through.

I wish there had been more time set aside for Cloud to truly learn about his people and reflect on his place in their society before they thrust him into the hierarchical issues and the disputes with the Fell. Cloud has only just found his people for the first time after losing his mother and siblings as a child, wandering alone and hiding what he is from others, and I don't think we get a lot of him reflecting on what that truly means. Also, imagine going through all that, and discovering that your main purpose in that society was basically to breed. Again, may just be a personal thing, but I know that would certainly lead to an existential dilemma for me. Personally, I'm not a fan of society structures as, "you're born as this class, so obviously you must serve that role forever" seems too dystopic for my tastes. Wells subverts this with Chime in a way, but again, doesn't really tap the full ramifications or intrigue behind it.

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country Vol 1. by James Tynion IV and Lisandro Estherran (5/5) - It's very rare that I find a Sandman-affiliated comic that I don't like really. I love this world and all the terrifying sorts of beings that live within it. I know Tynion more for his young adult Wynd series, but know that he's very capable at writing horror and Nightmare Country certainly proves it. This comic takes Sandman back to its horror roots, following the Corinthian as a being with teeth for eyes other than him has been stalking a woman in her waking life for some time now. This volume serves as a good setup to the story, getting all our main players in, bringing back some familiar faces and introducing some new ones. With how the story ended, I'm really interested to see where exactly it's going to go.

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson (4/5) (Review)

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova (3/5) - I feel very lukewarm about Labyrinth Lost. It wasn't a particularly bad book, I think it's just one where I've read similar stories before and they were told in a way that was more gripping to me. I didn't really connect with the simpler writing style, or connect with any of the characters. I think the only elements that I was really interested in was the magic system and the environments of Los Lagos. I'm always a fan of the trope of the tempting feast, the one meant to lure you in with delicious food and fascinating company, only to trick you into eating dirt and keep you there forever. It's a portal fantasy staple, really. 

It may be just a me thing since I was breezing through this book so quickly, but the pacing felt a bit off at times, with the action starting and stopping so often, especially towards the end. I think what really threw me off about the group is that we don't really have a strong trio of characters between Alex, Nova, and Rishi. Usually in fantasies that usually follow a group of three characters off on a typical quest, there's some cohesion to them. They may get off to a rocky start, but eventually they really start to work well as a unit and become stronger for it. Here, the group doesn't really feel like a stable triangle, as they usually range from being incredibly snarky and antagonistic towards each other (Alex and Nova at the start, then Rishi taking over that job from Alex as the two start to get on better) or being completely devoted to each other (Nova warming up to Alex, as well as Rishi being a constant supportive force and that's it). I wish Rishi got some kind of quality that made her more of an asset to the team other than Alex's best friend and love interest. She literally just fell into the portal to Los Lagos after Alex on accident and really doesn't serve a function other than backing Alex up. It doesn't make her that memorable as a character and it's a little disappointing.

I know there's plot reasons as to why they don't really feel like a great team but the twist towards the end probably would have hit a lot harder if they were. 

Other than that, the family dynamic was a great element of the story, which makes it a bummer that we don't really see more of them. I know the sequel follows Alex's sister, which would probably focus a bit more on that aspect, but I don't think I gel enough with this writer or the overall story to continue.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (2/5) - Though I may not have liked this book very much, I will say that I appreciate that it introduced me to an interesting aspect of history that I had not known before, such as the Pack Horse project and the Blue Fugates family. I'm a real big fan of pieces of history that slips through the cracks and lead the way for improvement in societies that were disadvantaged, which was one of the aims of the Pack Horse project. To know the dedication of librarians in this context, to be introduced how they would travel in dangerous conditions to bring people books and magazines that would either give them a relief for their hard lives, or help them learn new skills that would help them contribute in new ways to their families or communities was a much welcome lesson.

That's probably the only praise I can really give this book. I wasn't a fan of how this book centered on the constant sense of tragedy that lingers around Cussy May. It seems that, no matter how little good she experiences, she can't hold onto it for long or it's overshadows by the many, many horrible things that happen to her. Numerous sexual assaults, medical assault, losing so many people. At some point, it almost feels manipulative that we're constantly supposed to feel bad for Cussy, but at some point it gets to be too much to take seriously. Did I feel anger at all the injustice she faced? Sure, as any rational minded person would. But when the only thing your character experiences is constant hardship without any slack, it gets to be real repetitive and boring. And that ending was just the cherry out a cake made out of frustration and emotional exhaustion.

When it came to the author's treatment of race in the book, I'm just gonna say that it's a bit messy in certain scenarios. Framing Cussy, a person with blue skin, as someone who is somehow treated more poorly than the few black people in the community, was, I don't know, probably not a great choice. The scene with the doctor's Jamaican servant (you can tell she's Jamaican because the author makes sure to lean hard into the accent), who doesn't even let Cussy into his house or provide her a drink when he asks her to, just felt a little tone deaf. 

While I'm glad this books highlights the importance of literature within a community, as well as how wealth and information disparity leads people to become more disadvantaged, misinformed, and generally have harder ways of living, its tone and content just felt a little overbearing.

Average Rating: 3.5/5

[linsvibe]

Belladonna

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"Belladonna" by Adalyn Grace, first book of the duology with it's name, has an unexpected review from me, despite the average rating on Good reads. The books follows the adventure of Signa Farrow, a girl with the ability of seeing spirits, as well as the Death. Coming with the curse of death over all of her past guardians, Signa moves to the Thorn Grove estate, which reveals to have a murder mystery, which she must solve. As I mentioned above, despite the average rating on Good reads (which is insanely high for the actual content of the book), is one of the worst books I've ever read. It is not only predictable, but also cringe and full of second hand embarrassment, which makes it painful to read. The book features some romance between Signa and Death. Only things I liked about the book is Death and his charm and ability of being extremely funny and the hardcover version of the book which gave me high expectations because I live by judge a book by it's cover. I do not recommend this book unless you want to torture yourself or I don't like you. Keep your money as it's not worth it in my opinion. First time I read this I DNF'ed but after some time I forced myself to finish it just to write this review. Sometimes I wish I could give books 0 stars, but as it's not possible 1/5 stars is my review.