As a fan of fantasy and crime/mystery fiction, and fantasy novels inspired by mythology, I was excited to start reading this omnibus of novellas when Jo Fletcher Boos invited me to take part in the blog blast around its release date in the UK (life, however, has been happening and work has been quite busy, … Continue reading A Review of AERA: THE RETURN OF THE GODS **POTENTIAL SPOILERS**
A Review Of…Seven Deaths of an Empire (arc)
Title: Seven Deaths of an Empire Author: G.R. Matthews Publisher: Solaris (Rebellion Publishing) CAWPILE: 9.86 ★★★★★ UK release: 24th June. Thank you to Rebellion for sending this my way! Where do I start with how I feel about this amazing novel? I suppose by saying that it has fast become my favourite book of the … Continue reading A Review Of…Seven Deaths of an Empire (arc)
A Review of…Even the Darkest Stars
Author: Heather Fawcett Publisher: CAWPILE: 8.57 ★★★★ I read this back in for Jade's first Polarthon this year, and I had so much fun! The premise of this novel was so intriguing and I was hooked from the moment I started reading. I'm not sure I have a favourite character, but I enjoyed the way … Continue reading A Review of…Even the Darkest Stars
A Review of…Library of the Unwritten
Author: AJ Hackworth Publisher: Titan Books CAWPILE: 9.29 ★★★★★ I've read a few books about books - and even one or two about books within books. I had been wanting to read this for a while, and then I managed to pick it up for Jade's Polarthon in February. I...loved this book! I loved the … Continue reading A Review of…Library of the Unwritten
A Review of…Aria’s Travelling Bookshop (Audiobook)
Author: Rebecca Raisin Publisher: HQ Digital CAWPILE: 9.36 ★★★★★ This was my second venture into Rebecca Raisin's work and oh my goodness I loved it just as much - if not more than - Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop (find my review here). I loved learning more about Aria and her experiences before she met Rosie, … Continue reading A Review of…Aria’s Travelling Bookshop (Audiobook)
A (Spoiler Free) Review of…Twilight and Field of Blood
Thank you so much to Ella and Quercus Publishing/ Jo Fletcher Books for sending me these! Author: Markus Heitz Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books (Quercus Publishing) TWILIGHT ( CAWPILE: 6.86) ★★★★ This was the first one I read of the two, the premise particularly intriguing. However, reading it I became a little confused about certain things … Continue reading A (Spoiler Free) Review of…Twilight and Field of Blood
A (Spoiler Free) Review of….Residuum
Title: Residuum (The Long Game Book 3) Author: Dominic Dulley Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books (Quercus Books) Published: February 18th 2021 CAWPILE: 9.00 ★★★★★ Firstly, I'd like to give a huge thank you to Ella from Jo Fletcher Books for my copy of this amazing close to the trilogy, and for Shattermoon and Morhelion, too (though … Continue reading A (Spoiler Free) Review of….Residuum
A Review of…House of Many Ways
Title: House of Many Ways Author: Diana Wynne Jones Publisher: Harper Collins Children's CAWPILE: 8.43 ★★★★★ If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know that I'm a huge Howl's Moving Castle fan and have reviewed the first book in the trilogy, here. I don't know why I didn't review the second, though … Continue reading A Review of…House of Many Ways
A Review of…Lion of the Sea (arc) *Spoiler Free*
Title: The Lion of the Sea Author: Micheline Ryckman Publisher: Whimsical Publishing CAWPILE: 9.64 ★★★★★ Thank you so much to Micheline for my arc copy of this amazing sequel! I don't want to say much, as I may give away spoilers for the first book. It is so hard to express my thoughts on this … Continue reading A Review of…Lion of the Sea (arc) *Spoiler Free*
A Review of…Dark Fae Outcast
Title: Dark Fae Outcast (Tainted Fae Book 1) Author: Autumn M. Birt Publisher: Autumn Writing CAWPILE: 9.14 ★★★★★ I loved the urban fantasy and the magical realism within it. I found the storyline enjoyable despite being slightly predictable at times , and the characters felt real and believable. I loved Bramble; despite his spikey form … Continue reading A Review of…Dark Fae Outcast
A Review of…The Shadow Man (Netgalley arc) *Spoiler Free*
Title: The Shadow Man Author: Helen Fields Publisher: Avon Publishing Date: 4th February CAWPILE: 8.86 ★★★★ Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for my e-arc of this novel I don't often read crime-thrillers, and it's been a while since I read a crime novel; I am so glad that this one was the first one … Continue reading A Review of…The Shadow Man (Netgalley arc) *Spoiler Free*
A Review of…Time’s Convert (Do not read if you’ve not read the Discovery of Witches trilogy)
Title: Time's Convert Author: Deborah Harkness Publisher: Headline Publishing CAWPILE: 9.29 ★★★★★ I've seen a few reviews saying that the frequent step back into Marcus' past made the novel drag a little - but I actually really enjoyed it. Having fallen in love with Marcus during my read of the main Discovery of Witches trilogy, … Continue reading A Review of…Time’s Convert (Do not read if you’ve not read the Discovery of Witches trilogy)
A Review of…Radio Life *Spoiler Free* (Social Media Blast)
Thank you to Ella at Jo Fletcher Books for sending me a copy of this stunning novel! Title: Radio Life Author: Derek B. Miller Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books (imprint of Quercus) CAWPILE: 9.00 ★★★★★ I've read a few dystopic novels, but I'm not sure I've ever read one like this. Most of the dystopic novels … Continue reading A Review of…Radio Life *Spoiler Free* (Social Media Blast)
A Review of….20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Audible Original)
Title: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Author: Jules Verne, Tony Lee (Contributor) Narrated by: various, including Adrian Lester Publisher: Audible Studios CAWPILE: 8.86 ★★★★★ Although I've watched a few adaptations of Verne's books (Journey to the Centre of the Earth (2008), Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) ) however I can't say that I've ever … Continue reading A Review of….20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Audible Original)
A Review Of…The City of Tears (Netgalley arc) Spoiler Free
Title: The City of Tears Author: Kate Mosse Publisher: Mantle (Pan Macmillan) Publishes: 19th January CAWPILE: 9.07 ★★★★★ Having really enjoyed The Burning Chambers back in 2019, I was pleasantly surprised and thrilled, when I was approved for the arc of City of Tears. I was, however, unprepared for the journey the sequel would take … Continue reading A Review Of…The City of Tears (Netgalley arc) Spoiler Free
A Review Of…. The Hidden Life of Trees (Audiobook)
Title: The Hidden Life of Trees Author: Peter Wohlleben Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited/ Audible Audio ★★★★★ I really enjoyed this book; always been a lover of nature, so when I saw one of my favourite YouTubers, Morgan, talking about this book in one of her videos I had to pick it up. I found it … Continue reading A Review Of…. The Hidden Life of Trees (Audiobook)
Books That Mean The Most To Me #2
In a previous post I listed some of the books that mean the most to me, and here I present you with the second part of that list. Enjoy! For those of you who maybe don't know this, I am Irish-German (though I was born in London, England; can speak German pretty fluently, and can … Continue reading Books That Mean The Most To Me #2
A Review of….Phoenix Extravagant (Netgalley)
Title: Phoenix Extravagant Author: Yoon Ha Lee Publisher: Solaris CAWPILE: 8.43 ★★★★ * Thank you to Netgalley and Solaris for my digital copy of this novel* What I first noticed and loved about this, is the LGBTQ+ representation. Especially since our main character Jebi is shown as non-binary through the use of pronouns they and … Continue reading A Review of….Phoenix Extravagant (Netgalley)
A Review of…The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition (audiobook)
Title: The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition Author: Tom Fletcher Publisher: Puffin Books CAWPILE: 9.79 ★★★★★ I read one of Tom's other middle-grade novels, The Creakers, earlier this year and loved it and, in the run-up to Christmas I thought it only fitting that I "picked" this one up. Like the previous book I adored this; … Continue reading A Review of…The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition (audiobook)
Books That Mean The Most To Me #1
Hey lovelies! I hope you're all having a good day/evening/night :). I've been thinking about doing this post for a while now and I'm finally doing it, so here is the first part of the current list of books that mean the most to me - there are a good number and just the one … Continue reading Books That Mean The Most To Me #1
A Review Of…One More For Christmas (Netgalley ARC)
Title: One More For Christmas Author: Sarah Morgan Publisher: HQ CAWPILE: 9.00 ★★★★★ Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for approving me for this. Having loved Sarah's other Christmas novel, Once Upon A Christmas, I was excited when I saw that this was available to request on Netgalley and ecstatic when I got approved - … Continue reading A Review Of…One More For Christmas (Netgalley ARC)
A Review Of…..The Chimera Code by Wayne Santos
Thank you to Netgalley and Solaris for giving me access to this arc Title: The Chimera Code Author: Wayne Santos Publisher: Rebellion (Solaris) CAWPILE: 8.43 ★★★★ What I really liked about this, was the fact that we're thrown right into the action. I also liked that the novel didn't just have the typical male/female characters, … Continue reading A Review Of…..The Chimera Code by Wayne Santos
What I’m Reading Right Now
I'm currently reading - well, only technically - five books - five! The most I've ever read at once is 4....which I suppose, if you discount the audiobook I'm listening to, is the number I'm reading right now. Right-ho, let's get into it :). Note: book synopses included are taken from Goodreads and, all but … Continue reading What I’m Reading Right Now
A Review Of…Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop (Audiobook) *May contain spoilers*
Title: Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop Author: Rebecca Raisin Narrator: Charlie Sanderson Publisher: Harper Collins CAWPILE: 9.00 ★★★★★ Rosie Lewis has her life together. A swanky job as a Michelin-Starred Sous Chef, a loving husband and future children scheduled for exactly January 2021. That’s until she comes home one day to find her husband’s pre-packed bag … Continue reading A Review Of…Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop (Audiobook) *May contain spoilers*
A Month of Reading (Mostly) Historical Fiction Novels
Hello everyone! It's November (already, can you believe it?). This month, I've decided to try and read the historical fiction novels I got from A Box of Stories ages ago, along with a few others I have on my kindle, and books that I want to or need to read, hence the "(mostly)" in the … Continue reading A Month of Reading (Mostly) Historical Fiction Novels
A Review Of….The Left-Handed Booksellers of London (Netgalley arc)
Title: The Left-Handed Booksellers of London Author: Garth Nix Publisher: Gollancz (Orion Publishing) Published: 24th September CAWPILE: 9.43 (5 stars) Thank you to Netgalley and Gollancz for my e-arc of this novel. When I saw this listed on Netgalley and read the synopsis I thought "ooh yes please! This is right up my alley!". Unfortunately, … Continue reading A Review Of….The Left-Handed Booksellers of London (Netgalley arc)
Books That I Want – Or Need -To Read Soon #1
This is a list of the books that I have on my want to read list, that I either need to read - excluding university texts - or want to read, soon (aka books that I need to read asap - like arcs - or want to have read by the end of the year, … Continue reading Books That I Want – Or Need -To Read Soon #1
These Books Will Be Incinerated By Ignatius In 3 Months!
Most people call this "These books will self-destruct in..." but I thought I'd be a little different and give my own post the title you see above. If you are unfamiliar with The Novice by Taran Matharu, Ignatius is a Salamander demon whose master is the main character Fletcher and has the ability to breathe … Continue reading These Books Will Be Incinerated By Ignatius In 3 Months!
A Review Of…Frostheart 2: Escape from Aurora (Netgalley arc) *spoiler free*
I love this book! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Puffin for my e-arc; getting my request accepted really made my day when it happened! Title: Frostheart 2: Escape from Aurora Author: Jamie Littler Publisher: Puffin CAWPILE: 9.86 (5 Stars) Release date: 1 October This is what my thoughts on the novel look like … Continue reading A Review Of…Frostheart 2: Escape from Aurora (Netgalley arc) *spoiler free*
A Review of…To Sleep In A Sea of Stars (Netgalley arc)
Isn't this cover gorgeous?! It is going down as one of my favourite science-fiction covers of all time! Title: To Sleep In A Sea of Stars Author: Christopher Paolini Publisher: Tor CAWPILE: 8.86 (4 Stars) Release Date: 15th September I am truly having difficulty expressing my thoughts on this coherently, and without spoiling it for … Continue reading A Review of…To Sleep In A Sea of Stars (Netgalley arc)
A Review of….The Human Cosmos arc
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an arc copy of this! Title: The Human Cosmos: A Secret History of the Stars Author: Jo Marchant Publisher: Canongate Publishing Star Rating: 4 (it's kind of impossible to put non-fiction books through CAWPILE, so I just give a normal star rating) I have always been a … Continue reading A Review of….The Human Cosmos arc
A Review of..A Girl Made of Air (arc) *may contain spoilers* (Part of Blog Tour)
Title: A Girl Made of Air Author: Nydia Hetherington Publisher: Quercus Books CAWPILE: 8.57 (4 Stars) What I'd like to talk about first in this review, is how much I love the use of taste, smell and touch throughout the novel when the narrator discusses her memories. I also appreciated the way that Hetherington has … Continue reading A Review of..A Girl Made of Air (arc) *may contain spoilers* (Part of Blog Tour)
A Review of….The Challenger (Contender #2) by Taran Matharu *Spoiler Free*
Title: The Challenger (Contender #2) Author: Taran Matharu Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton CAWPILE: 10.00 (5/5) My highest rated book so far this year, I've been pondering how to put my feelings about it into words, without spoiling it for those who've yet to read it. This is a difficult feat, as I have so much … Continue reading A Review of….The Challenger (Contender #2) by Taran Matharu *Spoiler Free*
An (Extended) Review of…House of Styx by David Kunsken
I hadn't really read a book like this before, until I read the synopsis of The House of Styx. It just grabbed me and pulled me; the idea of people living and trying to survive just above Venus - and battling acid rain on a daily basis to make a living? Wow! I loved the … Continue reading An (Extended) Review of…House of Styx by David Kunsken
The Books That Lift Me Up
Hey everyone! It's been nearly a month since I last published a blog post that wasn't a book review and thought it was about time I started posting them again. You are currently reading the first one, enjoy! There are often times when my mental health isn't doing great; either I'm stressed, my anxiety has … Continue reading The Books That Lift Me Up
A Review Of….Shadow Of Night
Title: Shadow of Night Author: Deborah Harkness Publisher: Headline CAWPILE: 9.36 (5 Stars) Oh. My. Goodness! The second book in the All Souls trilogy took me on an adventure, let me tell you! It was so atmospheric, set mostly within the 16th Century as we follow Diana and Matthew on a mission to find her a tutor to … Continue reading A Review Of….Shadow Of Night
A Review of….The Creakers
Title: The Creakers Author: Tom Fletcher Publisher: Puffin Books CAWPILE: 9.29 (5*) Although I have read two books by Tom, these have been YA and co-written with his wife Giovanna - I had yet to read any of his children's books, until I picked up The Creakers and I am so happy that I did, because I loved this … Continue reading A Review of….The Creakers
Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag
Hey everyone, welcome to my first Mid-year Freak Out Book Tag! I've not done this before in the four years I've been book blogging, so it was really fun. I'm insanely late in posting this, as I've been working on my dissertation proposal draft the past few weeks - however, without further ado, let's get … Continue reading Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag
A Review of….A Discovery of Witches
Title: A Discovery of Witches Author: Deborah Harkness Publisher: Headline Star Rating: 5 (CAWPILE: 9.93) G from Book Roast's CAWPILE video Oh. My. Gosh. I don't think I've loved a book this much, since I read The Chosen (Contender #1) by Taran Matharu last year. It's obviously a very different series, and I'm quite late to the All Souls trilogy as … Continue reading A Review of….A Discovery of Witches
LGBTQ+ Recommendations
I know that Pride Month has nearly passed, but I still wanted to publish a post recommending LGBTQ+ reads and novels that, though they aren't specifically LGBTQ+ but still feature LGBTQ+ rep characters- these latter titles won't include a synopsis - and as I have not yet read the novels in the last list, I … Continue reading LGBTQ+ Recommendations
A Review of….Kate and Clara’s Curious Cornish Craft Shop *spoiler-free* (Netgalley Arc)
Title: Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop Author: Ali McNamara Publisher: Sphere Star Rating: 5 Release Date: 9th July (Kindle addition) Paperback date is uncertain (Netgalley and Amazon say 23rd July, Goodreads will tell you it doesn't come out until September) It is always difficult for me, when writing a review on an Ali McNamara … Continue reading A Review of….Kate and Clara’s Curious Cornish Craft Shop *spoiler-free* (Netgalley Arc)
A Very Different Post. #BlackLivesMatter
I have been meaning to write this post for a while, but wasn't at all sure how to go about it. So, let me start with this. If you haven't been living under a rock, you will have seen what's been going on in America the past few weeks. It is horrific. A white police … Continue reading A Very Different Post. #BlackLivesMatter
A Review of…Sunny Days and Sea Breezes (NetGalley arc) *spoiler free*
Title: Sunny Days and Sea Breezes Author: Carole Matthews Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group. Star Rating: 4 stars Release date: 25th June! Although I haven't read anything by Matthews in the past (and have read contemporaries mostly by Ali McNamara), I was still able to pick up a writing style while I was reading her novel … Continue reading A Review of…Sunny Days and Sea Breezes (NetGalley arc) *spoiler free*
A Review of….The Maiden Ship
Title: The Maiden Ship Author: Micheline Ryckman Publisher: Whimsical Publishing Star Rating: 5 I'd been following Micheline's Instagram account and her beautiful illustrations for a while I think, when she announced the upcoming release of this gem of a book, and was gutted I was unable to pre-order the bundle from her website for various reasons … Continue reading A Review of….The Maiden Ship
A Review of….Days of Blood and Starlight
Author: Laini Taylor Title: Days of Blood and Starlight Publisher: Hachette UK Star Rating: 5 It had been a while since I'd read Daughter of Smoke and Bone, when I picked this up for my Astronomy prompt for the Magical Readathon back in April but I surprised myself by remembering most of what happened, before picking up … Continue reading A Review of….Days of Blood and Starlight
A Review of…..Up Close & Personal (Netgalley Arc) *Spoiler Free*
Title: Up Close and Personal Author: Kathryn Freeman Publisher: One More Chapter Star Rating: 4 Expected Release Date: 12th June I've read contemporaries/romance novels, and I've read a few novels that involve a protection detail - but I can't say I've ever read a novel that combined the two. In Freeman's novel, Kat Parker is a … Continue reading A Review of…..Up Close & Personal (Netgalley Arc) *Spoiler Free*
A Review of….The Gravity of Us (ARC) *Spoiler free*
Title: The Gravity of Us Author: Phil Stamper Publisher: Bloomsbury Rating: 5 stars Publishing date: 14 May I honestly don't know how to put my love for this book into words. I haven't read a lot of LGBTQ+ novels (I think I read my first in 2018), but I've loved them, and The Gravity of Us is … Continue reading A Review of….The Gravity of Us (ARC) *Spoiler free*
Descendants of Erodis: ORAELIA Part 2: Harry – A Memory
Following our return to Síosa Palace, I awoke from the nap I had taken almost as soon as I got into my room, and headed straight down to Ellie’s - I have known her as Ellie since we were kids, so I’m not about to start calling her a name I’ve never known her by, … Continue reading Descendants of Erodis: ORAELIA Part 2: Harry – A Memory
Descendants of Erodis: A Book on Elves
As Jaron, Kenton, Harry and I passed into town from the road leading down from the palace three hours or so after the talk with my father I made an observation, ‘for a town, there sure are a lot of people.’ Kenton let out a soft chuckle ‘certainly looks like it, doesn’t it? A lot … Continue reading Descendants of Erodis: A Book on Elves
A Review of…The Chosen (Contender #1) by Taran Matharu (Non Spoiler)
Title: The Chosen Author: Taran Matharu Publisher: Hodder Children's Books COWWT: 25/25 (5/5) Characters: 5 Oh my gosh I absolutely loved the main character, Cade. He felt really relatable, though possibly more so for some, and was so strong minded despite the hardships he faces, and takes everything in his stride; accepting the situations he … Continue reading A Review of…The Chosen (Contender #1) by Taran Matharu (Non Spoiler)
A (Spoiler Free) Review of…Dark Uprising
Thank you so much to Autumn, for sending me an arc copy of this! Title: Dark Uprising (Tainted Fae Book 2) Author: Autumn M. Birt Publisher: Autumn Writing CAWPILE: 9.43 ★★★★★ OMG I loved this! Autumn very kindly sent me the first book, Dark Fae Outcast which I loved, and I loved this one even … Continue reading A (Spoiler Free) Review of…Dark Uprising