Book Review: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

July 22, 2024 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Book Details

Title: The Tainted Cup
Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Adult
Content/Trigger Warnings: Body horror, murder, death, blood, gore, drug abuse (off page), sexual harassment, death of parent, animal death.
Book Links: Bookshop::B&N::Amazon::Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis

In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.

Called in to investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities.

At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior’s eyes and ears–quite literally, in this case, as among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home.

Din is most perplexed by Ana’s ravenous appetite for information and her mind’s frenzied leaps—not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.

As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.

Featuring an unforgettable Holmes-and-Watson style pairing, a gloriously labyrinthine plot, and a haunting and wholly original fantasy world, The Tainted Cup brilliantly reinvents the classic mystery tale.

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Trope-ical Readathon TBR: August 2024

July 17, 2024 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

It’s time for another round of the Trope-ical Readathon! I noticed that I never did a TBR on the blog for the last round, which was in March. That’s because the last round is what helped me dig myself out of a reading slump that I’m still kind of battling. My reading has ben sloooow this year, but readathons are always a great way to find my motivation. Hopefully, this go around will help me kick my slump all together!

Before I tell you what I’m planning on reading this round, why don’t I tell you more about the actual readathon. The Trope-ical Readathon is a month-long, team-based readathon created and run by Jenny @ JenJenReviews and her partner, @BookRob. It centers around reading books that feature specific “tropes”. Think stuff like “found family” and the ever contested “love triangle”. There are thirteen general prompts geared towards thirteen different tropes, so there’s bound to be at least a couple you love! For all the info and to join a team, just check out the Trope-ical Readathon website.

All that said, let me share all the prompts and what I’m hoping to read for each one!

Team Fantasy Challenges

Team Book (New)

Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi

This African loose retelling of the legend of Persephone sounds like something I would absolutely love! It promises high stakes, political intrigue, and a woman claiming her power. Also, I’m in awe of the cover. It’s absolutely stunning! This book is a recent release but I’ve already heard amazing things about it. I can’t wait to give it a read in August.

Team Challenge #1: “Talking Animal” Trope

Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend

I’ve been meaning to continue my read of the Nevermoor series and, yet, I still haven’t picked up the second book. It’s been lost of the shuffle of all the new books I buy or check out from the library, heh. But this challenge gives me the perfect excuse to get back into the series! I’m excited to go back to the Wonderous Society and see how our girl Morrigan is getting on.

Team Challenge #2: “Unlikely Allies” Trope

Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland

I’ve wanted to read this book since I picked it up from Book of the Month Club. It features deadly people thrown together to complete a job who are, more than likely, ready to turn on each other in a heartbeat. If that’s not the definition of “unlikely allies”, I don’t know what is! I’m excited to see how they work together and what the end results will be. I’m guessing murder.

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5 on my tbr

#5OnMyTBR – In Translation

July 15, 2024July 14, 2024 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook where you chose five books from your to-be-read pile that fit that week’s theme. If you’d like more info, head over to the announcement post!

Hello, reader!

Happy Monday and welcome to another 5 On My TBR. This week is all about translated books, which made me excited because that’s something I want more in my reading life. Part of the fun of reading is seeing life from different perspectives. What better way to do that than to read a book written by someone from an entirely different country from where you live? I’ve always been interested in trying to fit more translated works into my TBR, but I need to make a more concentrated effort, if I’m honest. If any of you have a suggestion, please let me know!

For now, here’s five on my TBR that I’m especially eager to read.

#1. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

This is the sequel to The Shadow of the Wind which is a book I picked up at random eons ago and ended up loving. It was mysterious, gothic, and so incredibly entertaining! At the time that I read it, I had no idea that it was the beginning to an entire series. I think I didn’t discover that fact for at least a couple years after finishing the first book and then I immediately added this one to my TBR. I’m looking forward to eventually continuing the series and seeing if the rest lives up to my love for the first book.

#2. The Dinner by Herman Koch

I forget how this book ended up my TBR. I know I added it without realizing it was a translated work, but I haven’t a clue what first got it on my radar, haha. Still, it sounds like something I would love! It centers around a dinner between two couples who are connected through their children. Their children who committed a horrific act. It’s an interesting concept and I’m intrigued to see how an awkward dinner like that could possibly end.

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www wednesday

WWW Wednesday: July 10th, 2024

July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Current Reads

The Stand by Stephen King: That’s right, y’all. I, a woman who is having trouble pushing myself through books that are only 300 pages, have decided to tackle the behemoth that is the complete and uncut version of one of King’s most popular books. Why am I doing this to myself? Well, I admit to being curious about this novel for ages, which is why I’ve owned a copy for years. And I also stumbled upon a read-along via email called Sipped Ink. I only have to commit to reading about 100 pages a week and, right now, that sounds a lot less intimidating than thinking about all 1000+ pages of this thing, haha. I’m enjoying it, so far, and I’m excited to keep it going!
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann: I was at my local library recently and they have a shelf that is filled with librarian picks. I’ve always noticed that some of our librarians have immaculate taste and, this particular day, I noticed one of them had placed this book up there. I’m not a huge non-fiction reader, but I loved David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon, and the premise sounded so intriguing! I snatched it up and now I’m working my way through it. I’m still in the set-up to the tragedy and already I’m hooked into the story. There’s something about knowing it’s true that just makes it hit harder.

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5 on my tbr

#5OnMyTBR – Over 400 Pages

July 8, 2024July 7, 2024 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Hello, reader!

It’s the start of another week (if you start your weeks on Monday like me) and it’s time for another 5 On My TBR! This week’s theme is one that makes me nervous, if I’m being honest. We’re talking about books on our TBRs that are over 400 pages and, lately, my brain has been shying away from anything longer than 350 pages, haha. I’m still recovering from a pretty intense reading slump and my brain requires short and sweet right now. That being said, that means there are a lot of chonkers on my TBR to choose from!

Here are five random ones that I would love to read as soon as my brain stops being so freakin’ buzzy.

#1. This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

Page count: 480
This one doesn’t come out until August so perhaps I’ll be in a better headspace once it’s on shelves. I’ve got my fingers crossed because it sounds incredible! It features sapphic, Black vampires and I am so onboard. It’s also set in Jazz Age Harlem which just sounds delightful. I’m expecting an angsty good time and I’m hoping I can gobble it up sooner rather than later.

#2. Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

Page count: 448
I’m not gonna lie, I knew nothing about this book before receiving it in one of my Illumicrate boxes. Their special edition is absolutely stunning and that made me want to know more about the book! It looks like it’s going to be filled with political intrigue and mythological creatures, which definitely has me intrigued. The low rating on Goodreads, however, makes me a little nervous… Best to find out for myself, though!

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5 on my tbr

#5OnMyTBR: Author’s Debut

June 25, 2024June 25, 2024 kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

Hello, reader!

It’s Tuesday and I’m a day late (thanks, migraine…), but it’s time for another 5 On My TBR. What is the topic for this week? We’re talking about authors’ debuts! I honestly don’t track whether books are debuts or not, so I had to look up a list on Goodreads, haha. And then I realized just how many debut novels I have on my TBR! It is… a little much. So I’ve narrowed it down to five debuts on my TBR that I’m eager to give a read. Who knows? Maybe I’ll discover a new favorite author.

#1. Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton

This book sounds like it’s going to be an absolute thrill! We follow a young siren who has to hide who she is and suppress her powers to protect her family. When a blackmailer gets a hold of her, she is forced to be the bodyguard for the crown prince. By all rights, she should hate him, but we all know that’s not how this story goes, haha. It sounds so twisty and action-packed and I’m so excited to give it a try!

#2. Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

If all I knew about this book was that it involves a library filled with magical books, that’s all I would need to know to want to read it. It also revolves two estranged sisters and I do love a book that delves into complicated familial relationships. That is especially true if it’s a sibling relationship, so this book is truly calling to me! I’m not gonna lie, the cover also got because… I mean… look at it! Simple but beautiful and I can’t wait to read it.

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www wednesday

WWW Wednesday: June 19th, 2024

June 19, 2024 kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Current Reads

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

In an effort to try and cut down on the amount of books on my physical TBR, I’ve been picking up some books that I’ve been meaning to read for years. This one sits near the top of the list, haha. I actually own both this and the sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, because I bought them forever ago when the hype for this was peak. Then I saw that the last book in the series was coming out this month so I figured this was perfect timing! So far, I’m really enjoying this novel and I’m excited to see how it all wraps up.

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book reviews

Book Review: Wildblood by Lauren Blackwood

April 15, 2024 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Book Details

Title: Wildblood
Author: Lauren Blackwood
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Content/Trigger Warnings: Physical/sexual assault, death, sexual trauma, disturbing imagery, body horror, references to suicide, suicidal ideation, spiders
Book Links: Bookshop::B&N::Amazon::Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis

A thrilling new fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood!

Eighteen-year-old Victoria is a Wildblood. Since she was kidnapped at the age of six and manipulated by the Exotic Lands Touring Company, she’s worked as a tour guide ever since with a team of fellow Wildbloods who take turns using their magic to protect travelers in a Jamaican jungle teeming with ghostly monsters.

When the boss denies Victoria an earned promotion to team leader in favor of Dean, her backstabbing ex, she’s determined to prove herself. Her magic may be the most powerful on the team, but she’s not the image the boss wants to send their new client, Thorn, a renowned goldminer determined to reach an untouched gold supply deep in the jungle.

Thorn is everything Victoria isn’t – confident, impossibly kind, and so handsome he leaves her speechless. And when he entrusts the mission to her, kindness turns to mutual respect, turns to affection, turns to love. But the jungle is treacherous, and between hypnotic river spirits, soul-devouring women that shed their skin like snakes, and her ex out for revenge, Victoria has to decide – is promotion at a corrupt company really what she wants?

A fierce, lush fantasy by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood, Wildblood tells the story of a girl who must find the strength to defeat the demons of the jungle as well as her own to find where she truly belongs.

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monthly tbr · readathon

Magical Readathon: Orilium Spring Equinox 2024 TBR

March 31, 2024 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Hello, reader!

It’s time once again to go back to Orilium in one of my favorite readathons of the year! Having just completed my other favorite readathon last month (shout out to Trope-ical Readathon!), I feel myself being solidly back on my reading grind and it feels gooood. So I’m going into the Orilium Spring Equinox feeling refreshed and with high hopes!

But what is the Magical Readathon? It is the brain child of the marvelous G @ Book Roast, who created the world of Aeldia, where Orilium dwells, and every aspect therein. It’s an incredibly creative readathon where you build a character, choose a guild, and guide your character through classes to achieve their calling. I am notoriously bad at giving all the details in a coherent way, so you should definitely watch G’s announcement video for the scoop:

My Character

✨✨✨ Name: Korrin Musgrave ✨✨✨
✨✨✨ Guild: The Order of the Crescent Moon ✨✨✨
✨✨✨ Current Guild Standing: Exalted (390 gp)✨✨✨
✨✨✨ Conduit: Quarterstaff ✨✨✨
✨✨✨ Legacy: Wolf familiar (Venandi) ✨✨✨
✨✨✨ Background: Wildling ✨✨✨
✨✨✨ Province: Irtheria ✨✨✨
✨✨✨ Heritage: Earthling (earth element) ✨✨✨

If you want to learn more about these various choices, you can check out the Brief History of Aeldia on the Google drive. It’s awesome what G has dreamed up!

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5 on my tbr

#5OnMyTBR – Happy 4 Years Freebie!

March 25, 2024 kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

Hello, reader!

As I ease my way back into blogging, I’m trying to jump back into some of the bookish memes that I always enjoyed. One of the big ones was 5 On My TBR and it’s kind of fortuitous that I decided to do it today because it’s the 4 year anniversary! I can’t believe that this meme has been around for four years! It’s always been a ton of fun to do and I’m excited to jump back in. Since this is a freebie, I’ve decided to celebrate by sharing five 2024 new releases that I’m desperate to read this year. It’s got a 4 in it, so I figure it works, haha.

Now let me share them with you.

#1. Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao

When I read the first book in this series, Song of Silver, Flame Llike Night, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. The synopsis was intriguing but I mostly read it because it came in an Illumicrate box and it fit a prompt for a readathon, haha. So I was pleasantly surprised that the first book completely sucked me in! Now, of course, I am more than eager to read this sequel. So much so that I got the Illumicrate edition, as well! Gotta have a matching set, ya know?

#2. Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana

I’ve been hearing so much about Lore of the Wilds since sometime last year. I wasn’t reading much at the end of the year, so this remained on my periphery. Now that I’m actively reading again, this has firmly planted itself in my radar. I mean… Black faeries? And enchanted library? This sounds like something that I would absolutely adore! I’m hoping my library will have this soon so I can give it a read and let y’all know my feelings.

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