the bear and the nightingale

Best time of the year y’all! Merry Christmas Eve everyone. I hope you’re enjoying the holidays in whatever way you love best.

I confined myself to ONLY books that are already out that could truly appear under my tree. Oh how amazing that would be if it was all books.

Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive #3) by Brandon Sanderson

This is on BOTH my husband’s and I’s list. We love this series! And specifically asked for it, so this is about the only one I can guarantee will hopefully be there.

The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

ONE OF MY TOP THREE FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR…but I only own it on Audible. And I would loooooove a physical hardcover of this beauty. READ IT. Here’s my review to convince you.

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

I’m having realllllll bad FOMO over this book during the Christmas season. It just looks so cute!

My Life Among the Underdogs: A Memoir by Tia Torres

I am a HUGE fan of Pitbulls and Parolees. This would be a gem of non-fiction to read.

Air Awakens Series by Elise Kova

Air Awakens | Fire Falling | Earth’s End | Water’s Wrath | Crystal Crowned

I JUST WANT TO PHYSICALLY OWN ALL OF THESE BOOKS. THEY’RE SO PRETTY AND IT’S ONE OF MY FAVORITE SERIES EVER.

The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden

The Bear and the Nightingale [read before blog] | The Girl in the Tower | The Winter of the Witch

Another series I would love to physically own. I read these through library/Netgalley and oh goodness. IT’S SO GOOD. So magical, heart-pounding and romantic. I need to re-read these.

Beasts of the Frozen Sun (Frozen Sun Saga #1) by Jill Criswell

I’ve had this sitting on my TBR since it came out, but’s a little lesser known so it’s unlikely I’ll find it at a library. Here’s to hoping it’s under my tree!

Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz

As someone who has a chronic illness/injury that nobody can see, I feel like I would feel alllll the things reading this.

Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters

Cute rom-com alert. This seems precious and magical and I’m here for it.

Elantris (Elantris #1) by Brandon Sanderson

More Brandon Sanderson? No one should be surprised. I will read all of his books…eventually. I’ve heard this is amazing!

What books would you love under your tree? Do any of these happen to be on your list? Lets talk in the comments!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

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Book Tag

Book Tag: Beauty and the Beast

March 2, 2019February 27, 2019 GoodeyReads

Book Tag Saturday! I saw this over on Justine’s blog (Bookish Wisps) and since Beauty and the Beast is one of my top Disney movies ever, I couldn’t resist!

Rules:

Thank the person who tagged you.
Mention the creator → Kirsty @ Kirsty and the Cat Read.
Match a book to each of the songs/characters below.
Tag as many people as you like.

“Tale As Old As Time” – A popular theme, trope or setting you’ll never get bored of reading

Enemies to Lovers. I will never not love the hate and angst that turns into crazy passion between characters. I LIVE FOR IT.

Belle – A book you brought for its beautiful cover that’s just as beautiful inside too.

I LOVE watermelons and thought this cover was gorgeous and clever. And the book itself was the same way. It’s about a young girl struggling to understand her Mom with schizophrenia. The portrayal of mental health is poignant.

Find my review here!

Beast – Book you didn’t expect much from but pleasantly surprised you.

I just finished this book a few days ago and it definitely was a pleasant surprise. I was afraid it might be on the shallow side, but the darker portions really brought out the deeper meanings of the story.

Gaston – A book that everyone loves that you don’t

While this isn’t my biggest unpopular opinion, it is one that I know may seem crazy. I didn’t hate this series, but I never felt totally connected to the plot and characters. I think the slower pace kept me from falling in love with them.

Lefou – A loyal sidekick you can’t help but love more than their counterpart

SEVRO! I love Sevro so much. He is one of my favorite sidekicks ever. I do love Darrow, don’t get me wrong, but I love everything Sevro says and does.

Mrs. Pott, Chip & Cogsworth – A book that helped you through a difficult time or that taught you something valuable

I think the reason I love this book so much (and the series) is that it helps me through difficult times every time I pick it up. It’s the first book I go to in a reading slump, when I am feeling really down and a hundred other reasons. Feyre’s emotions remind me often of my own dark places and how she finds her happy ending reminds me that I have one too.

“Something There” – A book or a series that you weren’t into at first but picked up towards the end

I read the first book in the series and liked it, but didn’t think about looking for the second book.

Fast forward a year or two and I saw the second book at the library, thought, “why not?,” and LOVED it. Then I was able to snag book three, The Winter of the Witch, from Netgalley and fell even harder.

This is now one of my all time favorite series. If you’re looking for a fantasy book, seriously, pick these up. They won’t let you down.

“Be Our Guest” – A fictional character you’d love to have over for dinner

Rhys, The Most Handsome High Lord. This needs no explanation. I know I’m not the only one that would want this.

Not tagging anyone, but feel free to do this!

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Book Review

Review: The Girl in the Tower (Winternight Trilogy #2) by Katherine Arden

September 25, 2018October 6, 2018 GoodeyReads

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Young adult historical fiction fantasy, a little language, some violence, some kisses and lewd commentary
Length: 363 pages
Author: Katherine Arden
Publisher: Del Ray
Release Date: December 5th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The magical adventure begun in The Bear and the Nightingale continues as brave Vasya, now a young woman, is forced to choose between marriage or life in a convent and instead flees her home—but soon finds herself called upon to help defend the city of Moscow when it comes under siege.

Orphaned and cast out as a witch by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent, or allow her older sister to make her a match with a Moscovite prince. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the vast world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a boy and riding her horse into the woods. When a battle with some bandits who have been terrorizing the countryside earns her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, she must carefully guard the secret of her gender to remain in his good graces—even as she realizes his kingdom is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

OH THE ADVENTURE.

I read the first book in this series over a year ago and remembered enjoying it, but thinking, WHOA that was a lot of story. The Girl in the Tower exceeded my expectations for a middle novel. I was able to be even more immersed in the story because I understood the characters and plot much better after The Bear and the Nightingale.

Vasya is a strong heroine. Not letting her life be put into a box of marriage or a convent, she rides out for her own adventure. And what wanderlust she found! The prose and descriptions of vast Russia are beautiful. Arden interweaves world building and commentary so well you get swept away.

One of the few things I didn’t love was how much everything was Vasya’s fault. This death, that destruction, etc. She could’ve used a break, bless her heart. Vasilii the Brave is a heroine and deserved more praise under her guise.

The love tale woven throughout makes me giddy too. I look forward to more of Morozko and Vasya in the next book. This book isn’t heavy on the love either, and for a reader, I think that can sway them on way or another. I really appreciated the way it was set up. It stands apart from some novels too focused on the love. Vasya has so much loyalty and love for her family. It’s what makes the love with Morozko all the more sincere and tender.

Multiple POV helps you gain an understanding from many different characters. Vasya, Olya, and Sasha are a few on the group who get a momentary narrative. I always love when an author can handle so many characters at once because it enhances the story from all sides.

Can I almost mention MY LOVE FOR SOLOVEY? I want a magical horse that speaks to me. His fierce protection over Vasya gives me all the heart eyes.

I love the historical fiction aspect. Arden has degrees in Russian and tells the history and uses the aspects of names, times, and places to create a magic filled fantasy.

Overall audience notes: