Nothing is perfect, and as such, the reviews in this blog are chaotic. My main aim is to share my thoughts, joy and opinions on a book, not make a publication perfect review. This blog endorses authenticity, showing up and joy over perfection.
Felt like this fit nicely into the same vibes as our last book. The Baker and the Bard follows two friends, Juniper who is an apprentice at the local bakery, and Hadley who is a bard that performs at the local inn. The little adventure had in this book is sparked by a stranger requesting a specific pastry that requires magical mushrooms that need to be foraged since the baker doesn’t have them in stock easily.
Our two friends will then set off on a soft gentle adventure to the forest where they will also realise there’s a little mystery of something eating local crops and leaving a glowy goo behind. Might as well find magicla mushroom and solve the mystery, right?
The story is just cute with finding new creatures, a caretaker and a bit of understanding coexisting environments. I admit the story felt a bit shoe horned to just cover certain topics and at times it was a little weak but the art came into save it and honestly the art is the best part of this cosy adventure. It is still a very cute and cosy book which left me wanting some pastries and a nice cup of tea.
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
Rating:
Nothing is perfect, and as such, the reviews in this blog are chaotic. My main aim is to share my thoughts, joy and opinions on a book, not make a publication perfect review. This blog endorses authenticity, showing up and joy over perfection.
Disclaimer: Receiving a review copy from the publisher does not affect my opinion of the book. If you think I review it highly it is due to me knowing my taste well and therefore not requesting books I won’t enjoy. And I am not obligated to review the book if I do not like it, so you may not see bad reviews due to me preferring not to hype down a particular book. I only do reviews of books I disagreed with if I think it is worth bringing a topic or warning to light.
This book was the perfect excuse to pull some cute cat plushies because why not, I have my own brand of “stray” cats.
I loved this book, probably even more the Emily Wilde’s series (and I enjoyed those a lot). And I am so so thankful to Orbit for the review copy because I was able to read the book before it came out and then I raved about it to other people (I do circus arts and I have an informal “book club” where we all read different things but weekly we talk about what we each read and recommend books to each other and this book has been one I’ve recommended a few times).
Anyway, to the actual review of this book. The short version of the review would be that this felt like I was reading a mix of the film and book versions of Howl’s Moving Castle (book version including the other two which rarely ever get included, but are so good), with Agnes being a little like Sophie and Havelock being like Howl. There is also like in the books, a much more involved sister and it is just very satisfying and wholesome and worth reading. Very cosy, very cute, you will want to visit a cat cafe and maybe watch Howl’s Moving Castle or read it afterwards.
Now the longer version, we start our story with Agnes trying to find a place to move into after a mage battle destroyed her previous shop front and the landlady she had cannot afford to fix the damage. Winter is coming and she needs a warm space for the cats and herself as she runs a cat charity to pick up strays. But most places she sees aren’t accepting her because she has cats. Until she finds the perfect shop, but she thinks she can’t afford it, despite being drawn to it over and over. Finally she decides to give in and just check it out, and somehow things work out in a way that is scary but feels meant to be. She’s quickly moving in and everything is pretty smooth, but then she starts getting weird visitors that go through her charity and into the basement of the shop.
To no one’s surprise, turns out she is a front for the most known mage ever Havelock, who is super famous and sought after. And well, as you would expect chaos ensues, with a magical battle between Havelock and another mage and our poor Agnes who loves keeping track of things and organisation struggles. But she’s practical and despite the fact she doesn’t agree with magic and mages, she will make the most of this chaos thank you very much.
She then goes on a mission (if you’ve seen Howl’s Moving there’s a scene that’s very similar to Sophie cleaning Howl’s Castle and it was so satisfying to read) to make things work out for this weird arrangement. But in some ways, she seems to be adopting Havelock as one of her strays and maybe, just maybe falling in lvoe with him despite her misgivings on magic and mages and the fact she thought she couldn’t love someone other than her husband who passed away two years before.
There’s a whole plot that I don’t want to spoil, but I definitely can say that this was adorable, very satisfying to read and honestly 100% worth it. I’d recommend it for the cosy factor, the magic, the Howl vibes, the pastries, the cats and the romance.
Ownership: Subscribed on their 6 boxes option. If you are interested in purchasing an Illumicrate subscription, you can do it on their website.
Illumicrate is a book subscription box that usually features fantasy and sci-fi, and curates a wide range of books, including both young adult and adult fiction. It usually contains a new release and several bookish goodies.
I skipped February last year, the book and fandoms just weren’t my particular cup of tea (I think I usually skip one box a year if at all and I love that you can do this). So let’s see how March was, starting with the featured book and going clockwise:
The main book was The Prince Without Sorrow by Maithree Wijesekara which is on my list to read but still hasn’t been read.
Story book Setting magnet inspired by One Dark Window (we like this book so big win here), but in general I like the collection of storybook settings. The magnets are so pretty and perfect for my recipe cards that end up on the fridge.
A super awesome coaster inspired by The Jasmine Throne and the deathless waters (you’d need to read it to understand).
A book pot and I like the desing of this one so I kept it, but it’s currently packed in storage still.
Warden of the Wood embroidery kit which is on my pile of crafty projects to do because it is very cool, but I haven’t got to it yet (embroidery and crochet are the slowest craft projects for me at the moment since I don’t have a set space to do them so I keep having to setup, then move then lose momentum).
Overall the box was full of awesome bits and fandom I like so there wasn’t anything really wasted, big win in this case and I am pretty happy with the contents and over all the box and the look of it.
Nothing is perfect, and as such, the reviews in this blog are chaotic. My main aim is to share my thoughts, joy and opinions on a book, not make a publication perfect review. This blog endorses authenticity, showing up and joy over perfection.
Disclaimer: Receiving a review copy from the publisher does not affect my opinion of the book. If you think I review it highly it is due to me knowing my taste well and therefore not requesting books I won’t enjoy. And I am not obligated to review the book if I do not like it, so you may not see bad reviews due to me preferring not to hype down a particular book. I only do reviews of books I disagreed with if I think it is worth bringing a topic or warning to light.
I have typed this review a few times trying to find the best way to tell you “hey, this was really fun to read, and I wish everyone else would read, please go read it. I want more fun cosy chaos books like this one”, and I don’t think I know how else to say it.
How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days is a cute chaos hug to a fantasy nerd. You have Pansy, a halfling in search of a little adventure and that feels a little out of place in her village because of being a little odd and not wanting pure comfort. And you have Ren a goblin who is trying their best to support their clan and also they have a green thumb like nobody else.
Now have Pansy inherit her grandma’s cottage and she feels like this is her chance to make her own life without feeling a bit out of place, she has found her place. But surprise, when she goes to claim her inheritance, Ren is already living there and growing all manners of things (including lots of moss inside the house, apparently moss inside the cottage is not a halfling thing but I think is a pretty cool idea).
To the surprise of both, they somehow end up making a deal on who gets to keep the house, whomever doesn’t leave and stays in it. There’s a few ground rules like not being destructive to each other’s things and stuff, and that you can’t “remove” but only add things (you can already see this backfiring, right?). And so it starts, a little back and forth between them trying to find ways to annoy each other of the home.
It is not to the reader’s surprise of course, that these all backfire in very amusing and funny ways, but also in making the home cosy for both of them. I will say, this was a proper cosy read, with lots of plants and cooking, and questions about belonging and family (or clan) and what it means to be part of them.
But there’s also a lot of little elements reminding you of other worlds, other stories, other classics and some newer works, and it was this also that was fun to read. It felt like a good hug and was about as complex a read as I could muster at a time when I had no voice and a fever. I still enjoyed it a lot and it made me laugh, then cough then regret my life choices, but 10/10 worth it for the story.
Ownership: Subscribed on their 6 boxes option. If you are interested in purchasing an Illumicrate subscription, you can do it on their website.
Illumicrate is a book subscription box that usually features fantasy and sci-fi, and curates a wide range of books, including both young adult and adult fiction. It usually contains a new release and several bookish goodies.
Somehow we’re still trying to catch up on the boxes, but in this case I missed adding the leaflet to the photograph, so imagine it is there. Starting on the top left corner and going clockwise:
A cute little tea strainer inspired by A Tempest of Tea. I am not super big on tea strainers because they are a pain to clean up but this one is super cute!
A trivet inspired by Legends and Lattes, which was perfect becuase a great book chocie and trivets are such wonderful things! This had been in use at home but is currently in storage waiting to the next house move.
Two mini vases inspired by This Poison Heart, which are cute, I just don;t know what I will do with them.
Midnight Bridge Blanket, I didn’t feel like extending it all so there wasn’t a massive view of it, but still, blankets are great.
And finally the featured book which was Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao, which I haven’t read but I’ve head good things so I still want to.
A nice fresh start to the year box, which was fun to open, with a blanket to cuddle up with and things to make the day cosy and make you feel like you’re wrapped up by a fantasy, and I just love it overall together.
Ladycastle by Delilah S. Dawson with Rebecca Farrow and Ashley A. Woods
Rating:
Nothing is perfect, and as such, the reviews in this blog are chaotic. My main aim is to share my thoughts, joy and opinions on a book, not make a publication perfect review. This blog endorses authenticity, showing up and joy over perfection.
This felt like the perfect follow-up review since we have women fighting for their castle!
When the King and his men go on a crusade and somehow get eaten by a dragon, the women aren’t that bothered because at least there’s a lot less having to deal with them and they can do whatever they want. But when it turns out there is a curse that attracts monsters to the castle (thanks to the heads up from the least capable and only survivor knight, Sir Riddick), the women decide that it is their turn to claim what is theirs.
So we have Merinor who is the blacksmith’s wife and now the newly proclaimed King, Princess Aeve becomes the Captian rather than a trapped bird in a cage until she decided to marry, and well, Sir Riddick is meant to help them train up and learn how to fight, defend, build and do all things men do to defend a castle.
But maybe, just maybe, they don’t need to do it the way men do and maybe just maybe they may be quite good at keeping their castle safe and fighting the curse.
This was a fun read, even if at times a little bit frustrating. It challenges tropes and stereotypes, but it also overdoes some parts and just gets stuck in monologues that aren’t necessary and just a little bit boring. I think if it worked better at the plot and less at the woe is me, this would’ve been a higher score on my rating. but the art was fun, and I had a good quick read of this and a lot of fun.
Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-Il Kim. Translated by Anton Hur
Rating:
Nothing is perfect, and as such, the reviews in this blog are chaotic. My main aim is to share my thoughts, joy and opinions on a book, not make a publication perfect review. This blog endorses authenticity, showing up and joy over perfection.
Disclaimer: Receiving a review copy from the publisher does not affect my opinion of the book. If you think I review it highly it is due to me knowing my taste well and therefore not requesting books I won’t enjoy. And I am not obligated to review the book if I do not like it, so you may not see bad reviews due to me preferring not to hype down a particular book. I only do reviews of books I disagreed with if I think it is worth bringing a topic or warning to light.
When I first requested this book I wasn’t sure how much I would like it since I am picky with my translated fiction (the translator can make or break a book, trust me on this). But I shouldn’t have worried, this book sunk its teeth into me and didn’t let go, and though for some reason I didn’t review it at the time that I read it, it’s one of those that lives rent free in my head.
We follow Loran, a swordswoman who is desperate to avenge her family after it was killed by the Empire, so she does what anyone would do and climbs into a volcano to find an ancient dragon from legend and try to negotiate with it so she can get her revenge. She gets an interesting deal on this and comes out with a fancy shiny sword and a greater purpose to her life. But having this purpose still doesn’t solve everything and so Loran keeps trying to make her way towards making a difference and in turn finds a lot of interesting adventures and situations that kept me rooting for her and also engrossed into her side of the story.
The other side is from “inside” the Empire, given that Loran more or less is an outsider to the Empire. Arienne in contrast has magic and is pretty much resigned to having a life where she will become the battery of the Empire upon her death. She lives a relatively good life but she still has dreams and ponder son them. So when she starts hearing a voice inside her head from a powerful necromancer, she starts questioning things, particularly if she is truly meant to just be a battery and what living a life means.
You get a nice contrast between both of the points of view, first in the environment (inside and outside of the Empire), but also in personality and approaches. Loran can use strength more than brain (not that she doesn’t use her brain), whereas Arienne has to use her brain first before her strength. And yet, both of them have to learn how to wield their own power and what a life lived means, and what that implies for the Empire, because if they use what they have, they are enemies of the Empire and all they can truly do is find a way to make having a future a reality.
I enjoyed this so much, it was so interesting seeing both of them slowly become heroines and also work through their own preconceptions and ideals, try to fight not just the Empire but their own internal battles.
If you like epic fantasy with high stakes, magic, swordswomen, dragons, and necromancy, this is the book for you.
Nothing is perfect, and as such, the reviews in this blog are chaotic. My main aim is to share my thoughts, joy and opinions on a book, not make a publication perfect review. This blog endorses authenticity, showing up and joy over perfection.
The Firelight Apprentice follows sisters Ada and Safi in a city that is powered by magic and recovering from a devastating war. Ada is the responsible sister making sure things work out and they are alive, but she can see Safi is developing powers of magic and knows that her sister could benefit from becoming an apprentice to a magician, but she also wants to keep her sister safe and near.
Still she decides to let her sister join a group a travelling magicians who offer to take her on as an apprentice as they see hSafi’s powers and what could be. Safi of course id delighted to be learning and developing her magic, but there are still forces of darkness lurking, particularly a lich that is power hungry and ready to steal it from those that have magic.
I’ve loved Bree’s other books and so had preordered this one, not sure why it took me forever to actually upload the review, but it was a good read. It wasn’t the same as the Garlic series, but it still had these interesting conflict of growth and what happens as you grow and who becomes your friends and allies, and how to make that work for you being yourself.
The magical world was super interesting as was the magic that exists, I feel a little like it is the same world where Garlic and the Vampire happen but maybe a different much civilised area since this is a city. Still, it was a nice addition to the collection and a good read.
Ownership: Subscribed on their 6 boxes option. If you are interested in purchasing an Illumicrate subscription, you can do it on their website.
Illumicrate is a book subscription box that usually features fantasy and sci-fi, and curates a wide range of books, including both young adult and adult fiction. It usually contains a new release and several bookish goodies.
Time is running out is a hell of a theme, makes me think of Catch me if you can or inception, or similar films, so let’s see how we did with the theme and items, startingwith the featured book and going clockwise:
The featured book was The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso. And I have actually read (and reviewed) this book, before I even got the book box, and really enjoyed it, it was a really good choice.
The Vagabond Quick tumbler, which I like these but I already have one I keep so this went as a gift since I only really keep one or two of them, but they are quite hardy and long lasting.
Socks, divine rights socks. I love getting nice socks in book boxes, so this was a win and they are still in rotation and have been used a lot.
The monthly leaflet.
A Jump into Alternate Realities book pot. I love these pots and I think I kept this one because it is very fun!
One More Chapter coin. Basically to help you stop reading when you say “one more chapter”, toss and it will tell if you go ahead or not. Love the idea of it and I rarely ever actually follow it but I still find it very fun.
This was a very good and nice bok, and I have fond memories of reading the book, which was super enjoyable, and the socks are as always awesome to get, so I was pretty pleased with Novemeber and what it brought even if there was no running around to try to make time last longer (though if you get philosophical, then time goes back to normal around this time of year and the darkness wraps around making time seem shorter).
Nothing is perfect, and as such, the reviews in this blog are chaotic. My main aim is to share my thoughts, joy and opinions on a book, not make a publication perfect review. This blog endorses authenticity, showing up and joy over perfection.
Disclaimer: Receiving a review copy from the publisher does not affect my opinion of the book. If you think I review it highly it is due to me knowing my taste well and therefore not requesting books I won’t enjoy. And I am not obligated to review the book if I do not like it, so you may not see bad reviews due to me preferring not to hype down a particular book. I only do reviews of books I disagreed with if I think it is worth bringing a topic or warning to light.
I got this book from the publishers and actually finished it reading in time for Halloween but the review didn’t get done until now.
I will start by saying that the story of someone who can’t cast magic and is a “useless” member of a magical family trying to help someone who has suddenly been granted powers and solve also a who did this and race against time was right up my street.
The book suffers a little with pacing and characters being introduced quite abruptly in the first third of the book, where at first we get a bit more exposition, more tell than show, and some weird incongruence with everyone highlighting how Joan is basically unemployed and still has so much money so she can just live like that, which felt a bit unnecessary and also condescending. Particularly since she technically leaves her job and all her life to come move back to be with her family, so making her aware she is dependent on her family feels pretty frustrating (and you would hope she has her own savings and her own life carved up).
Anyway, that was the parts I struggled with but then we get to meet her family and her friends, or what will become her “coven”. The book is really focused on acceptance of yourself, and seeing yourself from the eyes of others and the good that can be. We also have a big focus on found family over biological family which can sometimes take you for granted or make assumptions simply because you are part of the family.
The dynamics of the different magical groups were interesting though I would’ve liked to see more points of view or more about other beings other than CZ who is a vampire, and to get a better picture of why exactly witches dominate other than the little explanation we get on the dynamics, seeing them in action more would’ve helped.
But still, the overall story was interesting, and somehow it does wrap up most of the plot so you could have it be a stand alone and not need more, to you can take off from where it ends and create other stand alone books that still follow Joan and her little “coven” around, which I think would be very cute, particularly getting to know more of Astoria and Wren.
Overall, it was one of those books you can read in one sitting (or two in my case), easy fun read, leaves you feeling grateful for your community and found family, and wanting to spend time with them.
