I received an arc copy through Novl and Little Brown Young Reader. All thoughts are my own.

Teeth in the Mist was a very interesting read. Spanning three different centuries, it follows three women connected in their struggle with the man Fostos. Filled with mystery, ghosts, demons, and just a touch of necromancy, this book will be sure to keep you guessing till the final page. One thing I can’t wait to see in the final copy is all the illustrations and photos. We were teased in the arc with only a few illustrations in the first fifty pages, but I know the finished copy will be beautiful.

I only rated it 3/5 stars because at times it was a little hard to follow. There seemed to be time jumps between the chapters, but that could also be due to the 19th century voice. A few plot points didn’t seem to make too much sense, and a few felt thrown into the story at the last minute.

With that being said, it was still a very creepy read just from the imagery alone. I’m sure the photos and art design will only enhance the reading experience. a

I received an arc of this book from Novl and Little Brown Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Release Date: April 2nd 2019 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Rating: 5/5 Stars

We Rule the night by Claire Eliza Bartlett was a fantastic read. A historical fiction novel with a touch of magic thrown in, it easily jumped to the top of my Favorite Reads of 2019, and even though it’s only February, I imagine that it will stay near the top for a while.

This book was so frustrating. Based on the Night Raiders of the Soviet Union in WWII, it showcases the women serving their country and fighting for the right to be recognized for their worth. We Rule the Night has a diverse cast of characters full of personality who butt heads with one another at every turn. The novel follows Revna and Linné, two women from drastically different backgrounds, as they traverse the complicated politics behind war and their place in it. With men expecting them to fail at every turn, the women must learn how to work with each other if they want to keep their place in the army and avoid leaving for their literal and figurative prison.

I recommend this book to anyone who who loves historical fiction, war fiction, and every woman who’s trying to make her mark in a man’s profession.

I received an e-arc of this book from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Release Date: March 12th 2019 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Rating: 4/5 stars.

This was an amazing read. Squad is a young adult contemporary about what it’s like when friends grow apart and to learn what it’s like to be your own person. Jenna learns the hard way that it’s not easy to fall out with your best friend, someone who practically lives in your own skin. Through the falling out, she starts to find out who she is and who she’s meant to be, all while trying new things and hanging around new people. 

This was the first contemporary I’ve read in a long time where it actually felt like I was inside a teenager’s mind. Most others the narration always seems a little too mature, but with Jenna we got to see the pettiness, the melodrama, and the growth that sophomores in high school go trough to find out who they really are and who their friends are.

I received an e-arc of this book from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Release Date: March 12th 2019 by Simon & Schuster
Rating: Technical rating: 4/5 stars. Personal rating: 2/5 stars.

This read was definitely a step out of my comfort zone. I don’t usually read nonfiction, and once again I’m reminded why. Don’t get me wrong, the subject matter is something I’m very interested in. It’s why I requested the book in the first place, I’ve always been interested with the Borden murders and what really took place. 

Reading it form the nonfiction, factual standpoint made it feel very stiff. It read more like a term paper, going into every detail about everyone involved in the case, from the detectives, to the jurors and the men who worked with Andrew Borden.

For what it was, a nonfiction book based on the murders and trial of the Borden family, I would rate it a 4/5 stars. But based on my personal enjoyment, I’d give it a 2/5 stars. 

I received an e-arc of this book from Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Release Date: January 29th 2019 by Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books.
Rating: 4/5 Stars

This book was not on my radar at all. When I first read the teaser summary, it felt too disconnected. It almost seemed like I was reading a blurb about two different books in two different genres. After hearing all the praise it was getting, and how many people were recommending it on Instagram, I thought I’d give it another try and I’m so glad I did.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is such an amazing take on the Beauty and the Beast tale we all know and love. With a determined heroine who doesn’t let her disability stop her from doing what is right, and a young man who’s exhausted from failing time and time again. Though they start out at odds, with one refusing to trust the other, feelings slowly start to develop. 

Nothing ever felt slow. Something was always happening, wether it as an action scene, or the characters bickering or strategizing. The romance was a bit of a slow burn, but I’ve read too many books where the couple fall instantly in love that this felt more realistic. One of my favorite aspects of the novel is the fact that the beast isn’t present. The curse has the prince transform into the beast at the end of the season, giving him a chance to woo the lady. 

I had a hard time putting this book down. At work I would hope to sneak away for a few minutes to try to sneak a couple of pages in. Always, one more chapter, just one more chapter, then I’ll go to bed. Who needs sleep when you’re curled up with such an amazing story? I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a fairy tale retelling with a leading lady who doesn’t shy away from a fight and expect Prince Charming to save her in the end. 

Best books I read in 2018

Let’s take a moment to look back at all the amazing reads from last year! I ended up reading just over 40 books last year, and over a quarter of them were 5 star reads. I wish I could list all the fantastic reads from last year, it was definitely a challenge to only list 10. These are my favorite reads from 2018.

-VICIOUS BY V.E. SCHWAB
-THE WIKED KING BY HOLLY BLACK
-ILLUMINAE BY AMIE KAUFMAN & JAY KRISTOFF
-SADIE BY COURTNEY SUMMERS
-WHITE STAG BY KARI BARBIERI
-SKY IN THE DEEP BY ADRIENNE YOUNG
-DEFY THE STARS BY CLAUDIA GRAY
-DEFY THE WORLDS BY CLAUDIA GRAY
-AMERICAN PANDA BY GLORIA CHAO
-A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC BY V.E. SCHWAB

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With the new year comes a new reading goal and many new favorites. I can’t wait to see what this year will bring, and how many amazing books I’ll add to my favorites shelf.

Want to participate in Top Ten Tuesday?
You can learn more about how to join the fun in The Artsy Reader Girl’s post, available here.

What were some of your favorite reads for the year? Let me know in the comments.

Stay Bookish,
Erin

 I received a copy of this book from Novl in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. 

The Wicked King is the second book in the Folk of the Air series by Holly Black
Release Date: January 8th 2019 by Little, Brown and Company
Rating: 5/5 Stars

My first thoughts after finishing The Wicked King were how am I going to write a review without spoiling anything?? The sequel to The Cruel Prince gives us a more in-depth look at the politics and workings of the court of Elfhame, as well as delve into the growing relationship between Jude and Cardan. 

When we last left the duo, Jude turned everything on its head when she bound the Fae Prince to her and made him the new King of Elfhame. Now we get to see how that bond affects the relationships of those closest to her, including her twin sister and foster father. With secrets and rumors and deathly threats around every corner under the Palace Hill, Jude struggles to keep her control over Cardan a secret. Especially when he seems to do everything in his power to get under her skin. 

We also learn a little more about the crowned king and his past, including the relationships with his parents and siblings. Along with an undersea adventure, this book will have you guessing till the very end. The only thing I hate is the long wait till Queen of Nothing comes out. After that ending, I’d do anything for a bound manuscript. I know 2018 isn’t even done yet, but can 2020 come any faster??

Welcome to my page! I’m really excited to share my thoughts on some of my favorite and current reads. 

Books are a uniquely portable magic. — Stephen King