Happy Publishing Day: Wicked Saints (Something Dark and Holy #1) by Emily A. Duncan

GoodeyReads3 Comments

Happy publishing day to this twisted and dark read. Plenty of characters that made me question their every move. It was a great start to the series. Wicked Saints dropped me right into the action and rarely let up. I love the intertwining of world-building and religion. After that ending, I seriously can’t wait to get my hands on book two!

I highly recommend adding this to your TBR! Find my original review here.

Thank you again to Netgalley and the publisher, Wednesday Books, for the e-ARC.

Book summary:

A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself.

A prince in danger must decide who to trust.

A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings. 

Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war.

In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light. Wicked Saints is the thrilling start to Emily A. Duncan’s devastatingly Gothic Something Dark and Holy trilogy.. 

Have you read this? Do you enjoy darker books? Let’s talk in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

GoodeyReads8 Comments

Helllllllo readers!

Welcome back to Top Ten Tuesday. Today we’re discussing things that make me pick up a book. There’s a handful of reasons I decide to read a book. Check them out below!

A beautiful cover.

I am a sucker for a pretty cover. But I’m also not particular about a cover. I think so many covers are gorgeous. I just love all the covers *shrugs*.

A well crafted synopsis.

This is super important. I want the book to suck me in based off of the summary. I want to know just enough to make me want to read it.

A solid Goodreads rating.

I would consider this probably one of my highest factors for me. I will generally pick up anything with a 3.60+ rating. If it’s lower, it takes a bit more convincing for me.

A recommendation from a friend.

If someone I know recommends me a book, I figure they truly think I’ll enjoy it. And they loved it too, so I respect that opinion and want to check it out for myself.

A new book by an auto-buy author.

I have a fairly big list of authors that I will buy anything from them. And if I hear they have a new book coming out, YOU BETTER BELIEVE I pre-ordered that stat.

Seeing it often on Bookstagram/Blog.

If I see a book absolutely everywhere sometimes I can’t resist. And if it also has a gorgeous cover, those photos are going to make me want to read it.

Fear of missing out.

Hype, hype, hype. This explains itself.

Need of an anxiety/stress reliever.

I’m grateful to have a husband that gets me. When I am seriously having the worst day, he takes the babe, goes to the park and lets me read for an hour to detox. It truly calms me and I feel centered again.

Continuation of a series.

This should be a given. You need that next book? YOU GET THAT BOOK.

The perfect weather.

I am a big mood reader. And honestly, depending on the weather the day I’m starting a new book will influence what I end up choosing! Some days call for a long fantasy read, others call for a short rom-com.

What makes you pick up a book? Were any of these on your list? Let’s talk in the comments!

Book Review: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Eveyln Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

GoodeyReads3 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Mystery/Fiction
Length: 449 pages
Author: Stuart Turton
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Release Date: September 18th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Rules of Blackheath:

Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered at 11:00 p.m. 
There are eight days, and eight witnesses for you to inhabit. 
We will only let you escape once you tell us the name of the killer. 
Understood? Then let’s begin…

Evelyn Hardcastle will die. Every day until Aiden Bishop can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others…

The most inventive debut of the year twists together a mystery of such unexpected creativity it will leave readers guessing until the very last page.

WHAT WAS THE DEAL WITH THE FOOTMAN.

Okay. I liked this book.

But I’m going to start this out with saying I can not figure out what in the world was happening with the footman. He was there, doing all of these things, but had no context. Never learned his name, anything about him, NOTHING. I literally knew he was hired by another character and that was it. I know he’s a side character, but he was so frequently involved (and in the mind of the main character) that I really wanted some back story. I think I was supposed to hate him, but I became so indifferent from lack of information.

Now, momentarily, back to things I did like.

Y’all, this book is trippy. I am SO impressed with the way the author kept up with the timeline and all of guests at Blackheath. I was surprised at how easily I kept up and things made sense. Serious kudos for keeping things straight.

What also impressed me was that I didn’t figure out the final twist! I had surmised most of the story, but then things started breaking down even more and that last reveal moment had me like WHOA. There was never a lot of fingers pointed at one person so it made it difficult to nail down who I thought was the murderer. I honestly can’t believe that many people died. Totally insane.

Okay, back to the last frustrating bit I had.

There was no background to Blackheath itself. When the “boss” (trying to remain spoiler-free and as vague as I can) showed up and gave the narrator the low-down, it left me hanging. Who came up with this idea? How does this idea work? Is there magic involved? Also, WHAT TIME PERIOD ARE WE IN?

Unfortunately, I was left with more questions than answers which is why I had to knock off a few stars.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fiction/mystery (thriller? maybe a little)
  • Language: The use of b*tch was used once
  • Romance: kiss, a very little detailed morning after scene
  • Violence: guns, knives, physical beatings, poison, murder (a lot of murder)
  • Trigger warnings: some implication that one of the hosts has raped/sexually assaulted multiple women

Instagram || Goodreads

Book Tag Saturday: 1 Year Anniversary + Get to Know the Blogger Tag

GoodeyReads31 Comments

It’s my one-year blog anniversary!

I never thought I’d get this far. This all started out as a way to combat postpartum depression. I have come to deeply love this community and still get gleeful every time I see a like/comment on here.

I appreciate and thank you for all your support and hope to continue providing a joyful, bookish blog.

Now the fun part.

I CREATED MY OWN TAG. Hot dang. To help y’all get to know me (and vice versa) I have created this Get to Know the Blogger Tag.

Also, if you have any questions for me, I would LOVE for you to leave them in the comments and I will make another post with the answers.

Rules:

  1. Thank the person who tagged you!
  2. Link back and credit the original creator (myself: GoodeyReads)
  3. Answer book questions about yourself.
  4. Answer the other questions about yourself.
  5. Change the last 5 questions when you tag someone else (if you want! – the more random the better)
  6. Tag at least 3 people.
  7. Have fun! (ooh, that was cliche)

A book about where you’re from (City, State, Country – your choice).

Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

I’m from the South (USA), and the best I could find (off the top of my head) was this book! It’s by an author in Austin, Texas. I don’t know much about it, but it sounded pretty interesting. A mix of different retellings put together.

A book about your favorite non-bookish hobby.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

I LOVED READING THIS BOOK. If you enjoy running in any way (walking totally counts), read this. I was fascinated and captivated and found it so informative. One of my favorite non-fiction reads.

A book about a fear of yours.

Skyward (Skyward #1) by Brandon Sanderson

I am so utterly terrified of flying. I mean seriously. It’s bad. Dramamine is my drug of choice to sleep my way there. Not only am I freaked out by the concept of being stuck in a metal tube without any control, I also get sick being that high and I get so miserable.

Spensa flying in those tiny ships all day? Yeah, I’m going to say NOPE for me.

A book about something that brings you joy.

Bright Burning Stars by A.K. Small

Okay, up front: this book itself is not joyful. BUT, it’s about dancing. And I attended dance lessons from 3-18. I still turn on the music loud and dance around the house with my toddler. I love it, it’s cathartic. I also feel better about a good dancing session.

A book about your career/what you’re studying in school.

Human Anatomy & Physiology by Elaine N. Marieb, Katja Hoehn

I studied health in school, yet apparently haven’t read many specific health books since. This is a 1,200+ page textbook that I essentially read cover to cover for one of my classes. Hands down one of the hardest courses I ever took (it was one of those where a 70 on a test was considered an 90+).

What job would you be terrible doing?

Motivational speaker. I have such a fear of legit public speaking (not talking small group stuff, I’m okay there, but like hundreds of people kinda groups). I was asked to speak in church last week and had to say no because I literally started shaking as I was asked.

What’s a subject you wish you knew more about?

Anything medical/nutriotional. My degree is in health (and my dad and husband both have medical based careers) so I am always looking for great medical books to read.

In your opinion, what is the best day on the calendar and why?

July 4th. Y’all, my favorite holiday is the fourth of July. I AM OBSESSED with all things patriotic. I dress up in crazy outfits, make (and consume) a bunch of food and soak up all the sun. USA USA USA!

Oh, and I guess my birthday. I may or may not plead with my husband to celebrate a birthday week.

What is the craziest item you spent way too much on?

My treadmill. I dearly love it (and dearly need to get it fixed), but dude. Those things are pricey.

What’s a quirky thing you do?

Whenever I’m concentrating on something I stick my tongue out. This is anything from a test, to a Bookstagram photo shoot. Luckily my husband finds this adorable. I’ve been doing this since at least middle school.

I’m tagging more than 3 people to hopefully get this out there!

The Bibliophagist || Purple Manatees || TheGeekishBrunette || Reading with Jessica || Kristin Kraves Books || Literary Weaponry || The Reading Chemist || Shalini’s Books & Reviews || Becky’s Book Blog || The Secret Library Book Blog

No pressure! And if you weren’t tagged, please feel free to do this too! And tag me, I’d love to see your answers.

Let’s be friends on my other handles: Instagram || Goodreads