Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a meme where you get to flail about whatever upcoming book you’re excited to read. Though it is generally a new release, it certainly can be any book that’s on your TBR! This meme is currently hosted by Wishful Endings and it’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.
Hello, reader!
Another super late night post because ya girl is spending her entire days packing. You’d think I would have planned ahead and scheduled some posts for this week, but… yeah. That didn’t happen so here we are 😅 It’s still Wednesday, though, and I’m ready to talk about a book that I am dying to read. And there may be a reason I picked this one especially today. If you follow a certain children’s literature author, I’m sure you’ll figure out why soon enough.
So this book is one I’ve been hearing about since 2019. It’s a book that features:
Ghosts!
A trans main character!
Creepy vibes!
Supernatural love!
The book I’m talking about is….
Goodreads Synopsis:
“Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him.
When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.
However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.”
It just sounds like it’s going to be so cute! Creepy, but cute! I want to watch Yadriel and Julian fall in love because I just need some softness right now, okay? And I’m super curious in brujo traditions and I’m always up for a witchy/supernatural romp! The fact that it is now coming out during my birth-month just makes it that much more appealing 😉 And, of course, the cover is just gorgeous! I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
What book are you excited to pick up? Have any of you had the pleasure to read Cemetery Boys yet? Let me know in the comments!
And, as always, happy reading!
If you have a moment, as well, considering signing this petition for Tony McDade, a Black trans man that was recently killed by police in Tallahassee. And much love to everyone in the trans community who may be hurting right now. Trans men are men. Trans women are women. And that’s that on that.
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a meme where you get to flail about whatever upcoming book you’re excited to read. Though it is generally a new release, it certainly can be any book that’s on your TBR! This meme is currently hosted by Wishful Endings and it’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.
Hello, reader.
The world is in a state, isn’t it? I mean, it’s been this way for quite some time, but with the state-sanctioned murder of yet another Black man, we have yet another hashtag (#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd) and protests worldwide. I want to believe that this is what starts a change in not only the United States, but the entire world. I want to believe that violence against another Black body will finally get people to see what we have been dealing with for centuries. It’s bleak out there right now, but I have hope that people are willing to fight to see an end to racism. Clearly, I support #BlackLivesMatter, but if you wish to, as well, or would like more information, I suggest checking out the Black Lives Matter Carrd. You’ll find links to petitions, places to donate, and a number of different resources.
With all that being said, I wanted to use my blog to celebrate a book written by a Black author that I have been anticipating for months! This is a YA fantasy that features:
Vengeful spirits!
Enemies-to-lovers!
Lots of dark, stabby vibes!
And, bonus, the cover is gorgeous!
The book I’m talking about is…
Goodreads Synopsis:
“The first in an fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee find themselves on a collision course to murder each other despite their growing attraction.
For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.
But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.
When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?”
Publication Date: June 2nd, 2020 (that’s right, this beautiful baby is already out!)
I mean… look at it! I want to know more about that badass Black woman on the cover! I want to know how Karina and Malik fight through their different struggles! And I’m in the mood for some dark fantasy. This just sounds like it’s going to be absolutely incredible. All the early buzz that I’ve heard definitely reinforces that sentiment.
What book are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!
Also, please take care of yourself, reader. These are tense and terrible times, but I believe we can fight for a better tomorrow. Stay safe 💕
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish back in June 2010. It is currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girland, as is stated on the blog, it was “born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.”
Hello, reader!
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is kind of an open-ended one. This week, we get to talk about reasons you love… anything really! I thought about it and decided to go with my favorite genre: fantasy. I have a lot more than ten reasons, but I’ll try to be brief!
Nostalgia: Fantasy was the genre I first gravitated towards as a young reader. It will always hold a special place in my heart 💕
Magic: I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of magic and fantasy is typically my go-to for magical things.
Epic tales: I do love a good epic story, though I sometimes have difficulties finishing them! Fantasy has an abundance of epic tales that span multiple books I can get lost in.
Immersion: Speaking of getting lost, I feel like fantasy is the best genre when you’re looking for something to completely engulf you.
Creatures: I do love reading about mythical creatures, like dragons and fae. Fantasy is clutch when it comes to fulfilling my needs for creatures not seen in this world.
Series: This is kind of attached to “epic tales”, but I really enjoy getting into a good series. A lot of times, these series are in fantasy. Well… at least the ones that I tend to enjoy. Now whether or not I finish the series… *cough*
Therapy: Sometimes, when I’m in a foul mood or am feeling blue, I’ll turn to books to help me feel better. Usually, I’ll pick up a fantasy tale so I don’t have to think about the real world for a little while.
Diversity: This is a more recent thing and can, of course, be found across genres, but I’m loving the current trend of diverse fantasy! I love being able to pick up a fantasy novel that feature characters that look like me.
Covers: Not gonna lie, I’m a total sucker for a pretty cover. And fantasy books tend to have the prettiest covers! Totally my opinion, of course, but there have been so many stunning fantasy covers in the last few years!
Themes: Though the themes I tend to love in books are ubiquitous across genres, I tend to enjoy them more if they are in a fantasy setting. It’s just interesting to see them explored in a setting where there are additional obstacles thrown in the way… like dragons.
What are some reasons you love your favorite genre? Did you do your own Top Ten Tuesday? Let me know in the comments!
Today, I am one of the stops on a blog tour for Disenchanted by Brianna Sugalski! The tour is being put on by Storytellers on Tour, which is a blog and bookstagram tour company that focuses on indie published fantasy and sci-fi. Which I think is pretty awesome! To see all the other amazing blogs on this tour, check out the schedule here. It was a privilege to be able to participate in this tour! Thank you to Storytellers on Tour and the publisher for letting me come along for the ride.
But enough rambling about the tour… let’s talk about this book!
Synopsis
“A Breton princess at the peak of the French Renaissance, Lilac lives prisoner in her parents’ castle after a wicked secret is revealed on the eve of her tenth birthday soirée. Years later, her coronation ceremony looms, and between the riotous townsfolk and scheming nobleman bent on snatching the throne, Lilac prepares for the worst… Until a mysterious letter arrives from The Witch of Lupine Grotto, detailing a curious offer to cure her darkness forever.
Lilac begrudgingly trades her coronet for a cloak and ventures into the forest Brocéliande in pursuit of the impious enchantress at the edge of town. With only the protection of an inherited dagger—and unsolicited help of the sardonic stranger who inserts himself on her quest—she must traverse Brocèliande and return in time to claim her rightful position as sovereign monarch.
This is the story of a cursed princess, A crestfallen killer, The town that wants them to burn, And the witch that can save them both.”
With an education in Mass Communication—and an engrossment in all that is curious andbewitching—Brianna Sugalski is an author and blogger. Previously, she was a staff contributor forLifestyle & Fashion online magazine, Sarah Scoop, and also served as Copy Editor and Editor-In-Chief at her school publications.Brianna was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, but now travels the country every fewyears with her husband and children. She admires the luminaries of the Victorian Era; growing upreading period literature has inspired her to paint vibrant settings of nature and narratives thatreaders will hopefully enjoy.Ultimately, she aspires to make her own readers laugh, to challenge their perspectives and to helpthem discover the magical meaning of their own powers within.
“My point is, if you cannot live with the shard of darkness that rests within you, then tell me, princess… How will you live with all of mine?”
I have to be honest. Even after reading the synopsis for this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I love a dark fantasy, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a dark YA fantasy. It sounded intriguing, though, so I decided to give it a go.
Disenchanted is definitely not lacking in action! This was a fast-paced read, with the action starting from chapter one and keeping you in it’s grip until the very end. There was no point in this story that I felt like it was lagging or getting dull. I do enjoy a fantasy that can keep me interested throughout the entire story. This was expertly paced, which made it a very quick read.
I also enjoyed the development of both our main characters, Lilac and Garin. It was interesting to follow a heroine who wasn’t immediately a badass. Lilac is definitely fierce and bold when she is cornered, but you can tell she’s spent most of her life locked away in a castle. She makes some… dubious choices, but, you know what? It’s a little refreshing reading about a heroine that isn’t instantly perfect. Lilac is messy and has flaws and it makes her a nuanced character. I felt like I would have like to see her grow a little more throughout the book, but this is the first book of a series, so it kinda makes sense. Her arc is yet to be completed!
As for Garin, he was an interesting protagonist. Again, like Lilac, he has his issues and flaws that made him come alive on the page. He is kind of your typical, tortured bad boy, but there are little traits sprinkled into him that make him just that much more intriguing. I honestly wish we could have had more of his prospective in the story! Either way, I liked watching his development as I read this book.
The one thing I would say felt a little rushed to me was the romance. This is probably because I went into this expecting more fantasy than romance. The fantasy elements were fantastic, but the romance very quickly took over. It felt a little insta-lovey, which is not my favorite thing. Still, even with the insta-love, I thought the author did a beautiful job of twisting the heartstrings as we watched these two spiral towards one another.
I think my favorite thing about this book was the world-building. I loved all the myths and supernatural creatures that were woven throughout this book! And the creepy, atmospheric descriptions of the forest Brocèliande were just… *chef’s kiss* The author has a way with beautifully wrought descriptions. It was so easy to picture the forest in my mind’s eye. I felt the closeness of the witch’s hut. Strong descriptions are something I always appreciate in my fantasy reads! It makes it so easy to get lost in the story.
Final thoughts: This was a dark, atmospheric fantasy book that will have you captivated from page one. The characters are interesting to follow and I really enjoyed watching their development. I was a little thrown off with how much romance was in this book, but I still enjoyed my reading experience.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish back in June 2010. It is currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girland, as is stated on the blog, it was “born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.”
Hello, readers!
I’ve been a pretty voracious reader since I was a child. I devoured books left and right! Between my brother and I, my parents must have spent a boatload on books to keep us entertained, heh. Although, I was much more of a re-reader when I was a kid. I would fixate on a book or series and just read them until they fell apart in my hands! Which means there are quite a few books from my childhood that I simply missed because I was too busy reading The Westing Game for the fifty-billionth time.
Which brings me to the topic of this week’s Top Ten Tuesday! This TTT is all about miss opportunities from the past. This list is comprised of books I wish I had read as a child. Let’s jump right in!
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl: I read quite a few Roald Dahl books when I was a kid, but I somehow missed this one. Probably because I was re-reading Matilda, The Witches, and The B.F.G. over and over again. I’ve always been a fan of the worlds crafted by Dahl and I’m sure I would have loved this book. It’s still on my TBR so… one day!
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: Okay, so, I have read the first book in this series, but I wished I had bothered finishing it. Honestly, I don’t think I even knew it was part of a series when I was younger. When I found out later in life, I remember noting the information and doing nothing with it, lol. I now own all the books and am planning to read them soon.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: This was actually the first book I thought of when I saw the theme for this week’s TTT. I absolutely adored the movie this book inspired when I was a kid! I am ashamed to admit that I didn’t know there was a book until I was well into my twenties. I probably would have devoured this as a young girl if I had any inkling it existed. Still, I would like to read it at some point.
The Giver by Lois Lowry: This is one of the books that I feel everyone else was made to read in school but never crossed my path. I’ve always been interested in the concept, though, and would like to read it eventually. I don’t think it’ll have the same impact on me as an adult as it would have back in the day. Still, I think it will be worth the read.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum: Here’s a fun fact about me: I hated the movie The Wizard of Oz when I was a kid. Absolutely detested it! Honestly, I’m still not a fan. So, even though I knew that the movie was based on a book, I refused to read it. Now, as an adult who tends to prefer books over the movie when it comes to adaptations, my curiosity has grown about this novel and the others that follow. Now I’m just intimidated by how many there are!
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie: I think this is another instance where I had no idea that the movie was inspired by a book. Though Peter Pan was never my favorite Disney movie, I did love the concept of a mysterious land where there was no adult supervision. And being able to fly sounded pretty alright, too! Again, this book will probably hit differently now that I’m an adult, but I still want to read it.
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende:The Neverending Story was one of my favorite movies as a kid. And, yet again, I had no idea that it was based on a book! For a kid who read as much as I did, I was woefully ignorant of a lot of stuff out there. Still, I think I would enjoy this book as an adult, as well. I’m still a fan of whimsical tales and books within books is one of my favorite things!
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers: This is a book I actually knew about as a kid. I think my family may have even owned a copy of it. Yet I never read it. I don’t know why! I was probably on another Enchanted Forest binge and just forgot about this book entirely 😅 I would love to give this book a go, even if I may no longer be the target audience.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin: I honestly don’t know how my fantasy loving younger self didn’t find this series. It sounds like it would have been right up my alley! Sorcerers and dragons and magic? Sounds amazing! Seeming as this was first published in the 60s, I do wonder how it has stood up to the test of time. Still, I do plan on at least reading this first book, hopefully sooner rather than later.
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander: This book is another one that I’m surprised I didn’t discover until recently. It’s a fantasy and it has a quest: young Kerri would have eaten this up. I didn’t discover the existence of this series until I was in my 30s, though. This is another one that was published in the 60s, but I’d still love to give it a go.
What books do you wish you had read as a child? Did you participate in this week’s Top Ten Tuesday? Let me know in the comments!
Tarisai has been raised since birth for one purpose (to kill a boy she has never met) but, to get what she craves, she must fight against her upbringing and her mysterious mother, The Lady.
Favorite Quote
This quote is from an uncorrected copy and may change in the final version
Instead of a quote, I wanted to share the dedication because it hit me right in the feels:
For the kid scanning fairy tales for a hero with a face like theirs.
And for the girls whose stories we compressed into pities and wonders, triumphs and cautions, without asking, even once, for their names.
The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Crazy-For-Books and is currently being hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer. Every Friday, a new question is posted for book bloggers to answer in the coming week. The purpose of the hop is connection and community. You can discover new blogs to follow, new books to read, and you may end up with some new followers, as well!
Coin, a thief and grifter from the lowest class of Seriden society, the Nameless, suddenly finds herself queen when she inherits a magical tattoo.
Favorite Quote
This quote is from an uncorrected copy and may change in the final version
“When you tell the truth, don’t ever look down. Don’t be ashamed and don’t be afraid. The truth isn’t something you control. It’s something you live with, and if you want to let it make you stronger, it has to be something you own.”
Kerri McBookNerd 