tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14502936459701664052024-02-19T15:55:06.004+00:00Gemma's Book NookFor all your bookish needs!Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-88513822749031223702020-10-25T10:21:00.001+00:002020-10-25T10:21:03.737+00:00Blog Tour Review - Ashes of the Sun by Django Wexler<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMSCDcYFiSYs70dHfD_3mlLRoAl6ry_pFU2hjFClkgegRu9YduwhBAD_ALknhEt8E3TsumWxZifEA6pP8wCGRUj1x7SUhZz15YrPIV-kdDsibCgYOS9dvgONnQFCCYeehwQ8aq55IZrO7/s2048/Wexler_Ashes+of+the+Sun_ALL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1313" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMSCDcYFiSYs70dHfD_3mlLRoAl6ry_pFU2hjFClkgegRu9YduwhBAD_ALknhEt8E3TsumWxZifEA6pP8wCGRUj1x7SUhZz15YrPIV-kdDsibCgYOS9dvgONnQFCCYeehwQ8aq55IZrO7/w256-h400/Wexler_Ashes+of+the+Sun_ALL.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ashes of the Sun by Django Wexler </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Published 1st October 2020 by Head of Zeus</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Star Rating - ****</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I was gifted a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Long ago, a magical war destroyed an empire, and a new one was built in its ashes. But still the old grudges simmer, and two siblings will fight on opposite sides to save their world in the start of Django Wexler's new epic fantasy trilogy.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Gyre hasn't seen his beloved sister since their parents sold her to the mysterious Twilight Order. Now, twelve years after her disappearance, Gyre's sole focus is revenge, and he's willing to risk anything and anyone to claim enough power to destroy the Order.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Chasing rumors of a fabled city protecting a powerful artifact, Gyre comes face-to-face with his lost sister. But she isn't who she once was. Trained to be a warrior, Maya wields magic for the Twilight Order's cause. Standing on opposite sides of a looming civil war, the two siblings will learn that not even the ties of blood will keep them from splitting the world in two.</span></i></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've always been intrigued by several of Django Wexler's work so when I was offered the opportunity to read and review this one I jumped at the chance. The synopsis really caught my eye and I'm pleased to say that it lived up to my expectations. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The plot was really interesting. It moved at a steady pace and kept me engaged throughout. Even when the characters were travelling I was still invested in the story and was keen to keep reading. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also really enjoy duel perspective</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> stories so this was a big plus for me too in terms of writing style.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I loved the magic system too. I liked the two sides to it, the side that came from the Chosen and how that was different to what came from the Ghouls but also how it can also be interchangeable</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and used by the opposite side through the use of arcana. I found this really interesting. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The characters were great too. There wasn't an obvious side to route for. Both perspectives had their flaws and their values and I thought this made for interesting reading. I liked the edginess and sarcasm that came from Gyre and Kit's side but I also liked the determination to do the right thing that came from Maya. I also appreciated Maya and Beq's relationship exploration. I thought this was an effortless part of the story and it didn't feel like it was imposed upon the story for diversities sake. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Overall I really enjoyed this story. I was super intrigued by the ending and didn't really want the book to end so I can honestly say I will be keeping a close eye out for the sequel when it's released. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Overall Rating </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh760s44PcjESqDMIK2jK4deRDnGAB3rYjFiqt-hqnOQLSJmlYL8ACI-zPQD4KPHqR-46k4ZAk_UFx1NWCSjQ9mfm5YiJQ4R2Q3u2s0G_NyyqL2ItUcLCIavCZBYlQfFAfEnFIYS0QfC_/s139/4+stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="35" data-original-width="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh760s44PcjESqDMIK2jK4deRDnGAB3rYjFiqt-hqnOQLSJmlYL8ACI-zPQD4KPHqR-46k4ZAk_UFx1NWCSjQ9mfm5YiJQ4R2Q3u2s0G_NyyqL2ItUcLCIavCZBYlQfFAfEnFIYS0QfC_/s0/4+stars.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Author Bio</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXqsGvYhsZqJmHQeNejbLUrjYHKv-uKryvGcvGmQgGRrsrr7ryIu6GZrVBmDl27vSwKI2qFlzJDSEFxRRXXr9fTlwXOrp0fG0il-tsRyDkVvH5EP2qbfZJMqE-ax6Qi7Z4fk2HVzMdhUt/s266/Django+Wexler+author+photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXqsGvYhsZqJmHQeNejbLUrjYHKv-uKryvGcvGmQgGRrsrr7ryIu6GZrVBmDl27vSwKI2qFlzJDSEFxRRXXr9fTlwXOrp0fG0il-tsRyDkVvH5EP2qbfZJMqE-ax6Qi7Z4fk2HVzMdhUt/w151-h200/Django+Wexler+author+photo.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Django Wexler is the author of the Shadow Campaigns novels. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. He is also the author of middle-grade fantasy novels, <i>The Forbidden Library, The Mad Apprentice and The Palace of Glass</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you to the publishers, Head of Zeus, for the opportunity to take part in the blog tour. Please check out the other bloggers on this tour to see what they are saying about this great book. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-43626129632150878082020-08-18T09:00:00.000+01:002020-08-18T09:00:00.301+01:00Review - Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 18th August 2020 by Hot Key Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***.5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 22/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was kindly gifted and ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Nothing is more important than loyalty.<br />But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy?</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I was excited to be offered a review copy of this book. I haven't really read a fantasy inspired by West African folklore and I was keen to dive into this one because it sounded so good. After finishing this book I can say I enjoyed the story overall but i definitely have some mixed feelings about it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I will be honest after about 100 pages I was considering DNFing this book. I will say now that I've finished it I'm really glad I didn't however, for the first 100-200 pages I really struggled to get into the story. The writing was fine, but I felt the pacing of the story was a bit off. There was several big time jumps in the beginning and I think this hindered the character development and the world building. There were things happening that I didn't really understand and their were aspects of the story that I didn't feel were explained well enough which was a shame as the plot itself was really interesting. The story picked up in the second half and there wasn't really any large time jumps which helped me to follow the plot better and I found myself wanting to keep reading as I was keen to see how it ended.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I loved the characters however, I really liked the idea of challenging the stereotype of this world where only men can rule and woman are seen as a lesser being in the royal circle. Our main character Tar was quite complex, it often felt like she was being pulled in many different directions and I liked how she didn't just give in to the easy option. She continued to fight for what was right even though she could hurt herself and the people around her. I thought the idea of a sacred council all linked together was really interesting. I really liked the strong found family vibes this story gave off and I liked that the romance that went along with this was very much a slow burn as it could of quite easily been quite 'instalovey' with the way the characters bonded together.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall a bit of a mixed one for me. I enjoyed the plot and the characters however, I felt the execution wasn't quite right for my taste. I'm not sure if this is part of a series or if there will be any more books in this world but if it is then I may look at picking up the next one from my library.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall Rating (3.5*)</span></span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-18464182124924140762020-04-01T09:00:00.000+01:002020-04-01T09:00:16.581+01:00April TBR<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy April everyone! I hope you are all keeping safe and well in these unprecedented times and managing to make the most of the isolation by reading all the books!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today it's time for yet another TBR and as you may or may not know April is the month of the O.W.Ls Magical Readathon. I took part in this for the first time last year and loved it so I'm looking forward to it again this year. Along with this readathon I'm still planning on taking part in my usual month challenges and such and will structure my TBR as normal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Without further ado lets see what I'm hoping to read in the month of April. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As usual I'm splitting my TBR up into the following sections...</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">TBR and Beyond yearly challenge prompts (I will be choosing two of these a month)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">TBR and Beyond monthly challenge </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any readathons I'm planning on taking part in, for this month it will be the O.W.Ls Magical Readathon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review copies I have to read</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any library books or books from my existing TBR I'm planning on reading</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So here's what I plan to read in April. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Yearly Challenge Prompts</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My two challenge prompts for this month are...</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A book written in the 1990s or a classic from the 1990s - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A book without a person on the cover or a book with a POC on the cover - The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman </span></li>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">TBR and Beyonds Monthly Challenge</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The aim of this challenge is a little bit like pairs. You choose up to two cards and read a book that matches the prompts or complete the activity on the card. You can pair cards up however you want book prompt and book prompt, activity and activity or one of each. I'm hoping to complete several pairs this month with the books I'm already planning on reading. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>O.W.Ls Magical Readathon</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have chosen the career Trader of Magical Tomes and for this I need to read four books completing the following prompts...</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Ancient Runes</b> A heart on the cover or in the title - The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Charms </b>A white cover - One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>History of Magic</b> A book featuring witches or wizards - I have lots so I'm planning to mood read this one.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Transfiguration </b>A book/series that includes shapeshifters - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Other (Library/Existing TBR Books)</i></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo (re-read)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd love to hear about what's on your April TBR.</span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-38424872079134450752020-03-31T09:00:00.000+01:002020-03-31T09:00:02.766+01:00March Wrap Up <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">March was another great reading month for me, I seem to be on a roll at the moment. Not only did I read 7 books again but 6 of them were 4 stars and above. Here are the books I read in March.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 18th August 2020 by Hot Key Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***.5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 22/50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Review - Blog Review</span><br />
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<img alt="44806008. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1554923736l/44806008._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dispel Illusion by Mark Lawrence</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 14th November 2019 by 47 North</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 16/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Re-Coil by J. T. Nicholas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 3rd March 2020 by Titan Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 18/50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/03/review-re-coil-by-j-t-nicholas.html" target="_blank">Blog Review</a></span></div>
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<img alt="44651522. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559300206l/44651522._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wilder Girls by Rory Power</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 6th February 2020 by Macmillan Children's Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 19/50</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="14061955" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362166252l/14061955.jpg" width="133" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (re-read)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 17th June 2014 by Square Fish</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - **** (original rating 3.5*)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 20/50</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="30969755" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1508532886l/30969755.jpg" width="130" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas (audiobook)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 31st July 2018 by Penguin Random House</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 21/50</span></div>
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<img alt="38340904. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522313697l/38340904._SY475_.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aru-Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 3rd May 2018 by Scholastic </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - *****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 17/50</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How many books did you manage to read in March? I'd love to hear about your favourites. </span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-32317295664058296412020-03-21T17:00:00.000+00:002020-03-21T17:00:15.422+00:00Review - Thorn by Intisar Khanani<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thorn by Intisar Khanani </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 24th March 2020 by Hot Key Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge (2019) - 68/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was gifted an unsolicited ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">A princess with two futures. A destiny all her own</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Between her cruel family and the contempt she faces at court, Princess Alyrra has always longed to escape the confines of her royal life. But when she’s betrothed to the powerful prince Kestrin, Alyrra embarks on a journey to his land with little hope for a better future.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">When a mysterious and terrifying sorceress robs Alyrra of both her identity and her role as princess, Alyrra seizes the opportunity to start a new life for herself as a goose girl.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">But Alyrra soon finds that Kestrin is not what she expected. The more Alyrra learns of this new kingdom, the pain and suffering its people endure, as well as the danger facing Kestrin from the sorceress herself, the more she knows she can’t remain the goose girl forever.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">With the fate of the kingdom at stake, Alyrra is caught between two worlds and ultimately must decide who she is, and what she stands for.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I had never actually heard of this book before I received it in the post neither have I read the original fairytale that this book is based on, The Goose Girl. However, after reading the synopsis I thought it sounded exactly like something I would really enjoy and I wasn't wrong. As I said, I haven't read the source material but this didn't hinder my enjoyment of this book at all and I don't think you need to have read the original fairytale to enjoy this one.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">This book is beautifully written. It is descriptive but not unnecessarily so and the plot moves along at a nice steady pace that keeps you engaged throughout. The magic is weaved well throughout the story and there are points where the magic makes the story feel quite atmospheric. There were also some quite hard hitting moments within this book. The story doesn't shy away from incidents and events and at points was quite brutal and that made it feel like a true fairytale.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I loved our main character Alyrra also known as Thorn. She was quite humble and really appreciated the small things. She just wanted to be happy and carve out a life for herself where she felt like she belonged however, as we progressed through the story she begins to grow as a person and starts to fight more for what she believes in. I really liked the relationship between Alyrra and Kestrin too there was no instalovey stuff happening and I felt the story really explored how they felt about each other. Even in the end, they are still not quite there and I appreciated this lack of romance and exploration of feelings.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall I would recommend this one for fairytale lovers. Whether you've read the original tale of The Goose Girl or not I think this story will be enjoyed by many.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall Rating </span></span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-86448051725327782772020-03-19T11:43:00.002+00:002020-03-19T11:43:34.362+00:00Review - Re-Coil by J. T. Nicholas <div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="49454212. sx318 sy475 " height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569427381l/49454212._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="208" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Re-Coil by J. T. Nicholas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 3rd March 2020 by Titan Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 18/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was kindly gifted a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Out on a salvage mission with a skeleton crew, Carter Langston is murdered by animated corpses left behind on this ship. Yet in this future, everyone’s consciousness backup can be safely downloaded into a brand-new body, and all you’d lose are the memories of what happened between your last backup and your death. But when Langston wakes up in his new body, he is immediately attacked in the medbay and has to fight once again for his life—and his immortality. Because this assassin aims to destroy his core forever.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Determined to find his shipmates and solve this evolving mystery, Langston locates their tech whiz Shay Chan, but two members are missing and perhaps permanently killed. Langston and Chan are soon running for their lives with the assassin and the corporation behind him in hot pursuit.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">What Langston and Chan ultimately find would signal the end of humanity. What started as a salvage mission just might end up saving the world.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I don't read much sci-fi as I tend to find much of it can be quite science heavy which isn't something I enjoy. The sci-fi I have enjoyed tends to be a little bit lighter, generally YA, however, the synopsis of this one sounded so interesting I thought I would give it a shot and I'm really glad I did.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">This was a high action sci-fi thriller that kept me reading until the very end. A real page turner, the writing was fast paced and engaging and the story really kept me on my toes. There were lots of twists and turns that kept me wanting more. I thought the idea of being re-coiled was a really interesting concept and that this book explored the idea of being pretty much immortal in a different way to that which is usually explored in fantasy novels. This then led to a really great discussion surrounding gender, particularly biological gender. This book freely discussed how people can be re-coiled in a body whose gender is different from that of the person themselves. This actually happened to one of our main characters and I thought explored their feelings about this well.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I enjoyed both of our main characters too. They both had really distinct personalities and I enjoyed reading about them. They both seemed to have some shady history and this definitely played a part in them doing the right thing and I liked this morally greyness about them. I also appreciated the very little romance in this book. It was hinted at a lot throughout however, at no point did it over shadow the story and I enjoyed this.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall a really great read and one I would recommend to both sci-fi and thriller fans alike. I will be keeping an eye out for further books from this author in the future.</span></span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-18790226639479649512020-03-02T09:00:00.000+00:002020-03-02T09:00:01.455+00:00March TBR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't manage to get a TBR post up for February however, I did post a picture on my Twitter and I'm pleased to say that I managed to complete this TBR so that's 2/2 so far. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">March's TBR is going to be a little more free as I have a few books to read and I'm not sure which prompts they will fit into for my monthly challenge so any extras will depend on this (this should make more sense in a moment). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As before I'm splitting my TBR up into the following four sections...</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">TBR and Beyond yearly challenge prompts (I will be choosing two of these a month)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">TBR and Beyond monthly challenge </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any readathons I'm planning on taking part in</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review copies I have to read</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any library books or books from my existing TBR I'm planning on reading</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">So here's what I plan to read in March so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Yearly Challenge Prompts</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My two challenge prompts for this month are...</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">A book with time travel or parallel universes - <i>Dispel Illusion by Mark Lawrence </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">A book from the Rick Riorden imprint or the Salaam Reads imprint - <i>Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi</i></span></li>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">TBR and Beyonds Monthly Challenge</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is where I need to wait to see if any of the other books on my TBR fit into any of these prompts. The aim of this challenge is to choose a chain and read a book to match each prompt on the chain. Which chain I choose will depend on if any of my other reads fit into any of the prompts (I hope that makes sense). If you would like to know which chain I choose in the end I always update my reading progress on my Twitter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Review Copies </i></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recoil by J.T Nicholas</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Other (Library/Existing TBR Books)</i></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (Exsiting TBR/Reread)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets hope I can keep up my momentum from February and read all the books in March. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are you planning on reading in March? Let me know. </span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-48759236098780385782020-03-01T13:29:00.001+00:002020-03-01T13:29:40.497+00:00February Wrap Up<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who can believe we've made it to the end of February already. With February being the shortest month of the year I thought I would have fewer books read this month however, I managed to finish 8 book which is fantastic for me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And The Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness (Audiobook)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 4th September 2018 by Walker Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - **</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 8/50</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 20th February 2020 by Tor UK</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating **.5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 13/50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/02/review-unspoken-name-by-ak-larkwood.html" target="_blank">Blog Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 5th November 2019 by Tor Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 9/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/02/review-fate-of-fallen-by-kel-kade.html" target="_blank">Blog Review</a></span></div>
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<img alt="41443415" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555252800l/41443415.jpg" width="131" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wardens of Eternity by Courtney Moulton</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 21st January 2020 by Blink</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 10/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review - Blog Review</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 6th October 2016 by Bloomsbury Children's</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 14/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Illustrated Edition) by J K Rowling</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published October 2016 by Bloomsbury Publishing </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 11/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 25th February 2020 by Balzer + Bray</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 12/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/02/review-red-hood-by-elana-k-arnold.html" target="_blank">Blog Review</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Heart so Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 7th January 2020 by Bloomsbury YA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 15/50</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Still no 5 star reads for me yet but I definitely had some good ones this month. My favourites were A Heart so Fierce and Broken and Red Hood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">How many books did you manage to read this month? I'd love to hear about your favourite. </span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-58857895410373270252020-02-25T08:00:00.000+00:002020-02-25T08:00:03.642+00:00Review - Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 25th February 2020 by Balzer + Bray</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 12/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was kindly gifted an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">You are alone in the woods, seen only by the unblinking yellow moon. Your hands are empty. You are nearly naked.<br /><br />And the wolf is angry.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Since her grandmother became her caretaker when she was four years old, Bisou Martel has lived a quiet life in a little house in Seattle. She’s kept mostly to herself. She’s been good. But then comes the night of homecoming, when she finds herself running for her life over roots and between trees, a fury of claws and teeth behind her. A wolf attacks. Bisou fights back. A new moon rises. And with it, questions. About the blood in Bisou’s past and on her hands as she stumbles home. About broken boys and vicious wolves. About girls lost in the woods—frightened, but not alone.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>**BEWARE POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD**</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I requested this one because I really enjoyed Damsel by Elana K. Arnold when I read it last year, even though it was quite a controversial book, and I was keen to see what she did next.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The thing I loved most about this book was definitely the writing style. Elana K. Arnold writes in a really fairytalesque way and the story reads like a classic fairytale, even though it's set in the modern world. It's also written in the second person POV which threw me at first but after the first chapter I really got into it and it really worked for me. As you can probably tell from the title this story is inspired by the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale and I think this worked really well. It wasn't a direct retelling and there was a lot of original content however, there were very clear nods to the classic tale and I felt that it all blended together nicely.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">This story really delved into a lot of modern day issues and I think it handled them really well. There was a lot of positive commentary surrounding periods, loosing your virginity and having sex for the first time which I don't think is spoken about often enough in books so I thought this was great. There was also a lot of commentary about toxic masculinity and sexual assault and how important it is to stand up for what's right and what you believe in which was good too. I liked the main character and enjoyed watching how her friendship with two other girls grew throughout the story. I liked this depiction of friendship and how they all supported each other.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I did find the ending a little odd however, the book spent most of the duration exploring how to challenge peoples views and opinions and it seemed that the girls believed murder to be the solution to all their problems which just felt a little bit off to me. That being said I really enjoyed this one and I think it is a really important read and it covers some really important topics. I will definitely be picking up anythings else Elana K. Arnold writes in the future.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall Rating </span></span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-17695249594319776542020-02-23T14:44:00.002+00:002020-02-23T14:44:47.040+00:00Review - The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 20th February 2020 by Tor UK</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - **.5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 13/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was kindly gifted a finished copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">What if you knew how and when you will die?</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Csorwe does — she will climb the mountain, enter the Shrine of the Unspoken, and gain the most honored title: sacrifice.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">But on the day of her foretold death, a powerful mage offers her a new fate. Leave with him, and live. Turn away from her destiny and her god to become a thief, a spy, an assassin—the wizard's loyal sword. Topple an empire, and help him reclaim his seat of power.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">But Csorwe will soon learn – gods remember, and if you live long enough, all debts come due.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I was really looking forward to this one. I requested an ARC a few months ago but I wasn't able to get one due to it being so popular but I was lucky enough to get my hands of a finished copy unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype for me.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The premise was really interesting and that's what really sold this story to me. All of the key elements from the synopsis were there in the story however, it wasn't what I was expecting and I think this threw me off a little to begin with. That being said, the actual crux of the story was good and I enjoyed most of what I read however, I did have quite a few issues with the writing and pacing of this story. I found the transitions between key parts of the story to be quite clunky and I often found myself confused about how we got from one thing to another and how they linked together. Along with this the pacing was a bit off, we often covered long periods of time in a short number of pages and I don't feel like this was conveyed well. Also I felt like the action scenes could have been improved. When reading an action scene it felt like just as we were getting to the climax it just ended.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I did enjoy the characters though and I thought they were interesting. I liked how we seemed to have different races of characters from around this would although it wasn't explicitly said. Our main character and the others from her country had tusks and another main character, from a different part of the world, was described as having pointed ears. I liked the development of the characters throughout and their was a twist involving one of them that I didn't see coming so this was a nice surprise.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall I was disappointed with this one. Although I enjoyed the main points of the story itself and the characters were interesting the writing had a few to meany issues for me. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be continuing on with the story.</span><b><u><br style="background-color: white;" /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall Rating (2.5*)</span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-17428544008691083892020-02-19T11:08:00.002+00:002020-02-19T11:08:35.937+00:00Review - Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 5th November 2019 by Tor Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 9/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was gifted a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The Shroud of Prophecy tests fate to discover what happens when the path of good and right, the triumph of light over darkness, the only path to salvation… fails.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Everyone loves Mathias. So naturally, when he discovers it’s his destiny to save the world, he dives in head first, pulling his best friend Aaslo along for the ride.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Mathias is thrilled for the adventure! There’s nothing better than a road beneath his feet and adventure in the air. Aaslo, on the other hand, has never cared for the world beyond the borders of his sleepy village and would be much happier alone and in the woods. But, someone has to keep the Chosen One’s head on his shoulders and his feet on the ground.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">It turns out saving the world isn’t as easy, or exciting, as it sounds in the stories. Mathias is more than willing to place his life on the line, but Aaslo would love nothing more than to forget about all the talk of arcane bloodlines and magical fae creatures. When the going gets rough, folks start to believe their only chance for survival is to surrender to the forces of evil, which isn’t how the stories go. At all. To make matters worse Aaslo is beginning to fear that he may have lost his mind…</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The premise of this one really intrigued me. The idea of flipping the chosen one trope completely on its head really appealed to me and I'm pleased so say it didn't disappoint. I found the plot really interesting. I loved the idea of the Foresters and the use of magic and it was because of these things that I enjoyed the story. The book itself wasn't actually very long for an adult fantasy however, it did take me a while to read. I did find it to be a bit slow in places but that being said I still enjoyed my reading experience.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The main thing that I felt let this one down was the characters. I enjoyed the ideas behind them, as I said before, the Foresters and the magic however, they fell a bit flat for me. I would of liked some more character development, especially of the main character and a little bit more of an exploration of the character himself as opposed to his constant inner monologue.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall I enjoyed the story and I thought the plot was interesting. It's because of this that I am planning on continuing on with the series and I hope we dive a bit deeper into the characters in the next one.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall Rating </span></span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-78525895492957029302020-02-09T13:24:00.001+00:002020-02-09T13:24:32.463+00:00Review - A Queen on Hiding by Sarah Kozloff<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 21st January 2020</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 6/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was gifted an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Orphaned, exiled and hunted, Cérulia, Princess of Weirandale, must master the magic that is her birthright, become a ruthless guerilla fighter, and transform into the queen she is destined to be.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">But to do it she must win the favor of the spirits who play in mortal affairs, assemble an unlikely group of rebels, and wrest the throne from a corrupt aristocracy whose rot has spread throughout her kingdom.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;">The big selling point for this book, or the series as a whole, is that one book will be released each month allowing for you to basically binge the whole series if you want to. I definitely think this is a great idea as I, for one, do not like waiting for the next instalment in a series.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">This book is full of things I love in fantasy, royalty, politics, plotting, scheming the lot and I really enjoyed reading it. There wasn't necessary anything new in this story however, what was there I feel was done very well and the plot kept me hooked throughout. For a 500 page book it actually read very quickly. The writing was very detailed and the world building was great. The author has developed an extremely complex and interesting world but not one that was too complicated that you found yourself getting lost.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The plot was interesting too, I particularly enjoyed Cressa's storyline and would of liked a bit more from her (if you've read the book you'll know what I mean) but Cerulia's story was interesting too, especially as we neared the end of the book. Cressa was probably my favourite character. As the story went on her character developed in such an interesting way and she became determined to do what was right for her daughter and her country. I found Cerulia's character a bit annoying at first however as the story went on she grew on me and towards the end of the book she really became her own distinct person, I feel like there's a lot more to come from her as the series continues.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall I really enjoyed this one and I would recommend it to lovers of classic fantasy. I'm pleased I haven't got to wait long for the sequel because I'll definitely be picking it up at the end of this month.</span></span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-58703386377294402932020-02-01T08:46:00.001+00:002020-02-19T11:25:17.696+00:00January Wrap Up<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We finally made it! January's finally over and, I don't know about you, but it felt like a very long month to me indeed. I did however have a very successful reading month. I managed to read 7 books, including some rereads and I stuck to my TBR! </span><br />
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<img alt="22819449. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438121335l/22819449._SY475_.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (Reread)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 31st July 2019 by Indigo </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***.5 (original rating 4*)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 1/50</span></div>
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<img alt="40216397. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548414155l/40216397._SY475_.jpg" width="123" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 4th April 2019 by Zephyr</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 2/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/01/blog-tour-review-wolf-light-by-yaba.html" target="_blank">Blog Tour Review</a></span></div>
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<img alt="42776525. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542186735l/42776525._SY475_.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Collision by Victor Dixen </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 18th April 2019 by Hot Key Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 3/50</span></div>
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<img alt="24548235. sx318 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451727490l/24548235._SX318_.jpg" width="169" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Illustrated Edition) by J K Rowling (Reread)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6th October 2015 by Bloomsbury</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<img alt="34104969. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529643984l/34104969._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Black Coats by Colleen Oakes (Audiobook)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 12th February 2019 by HarperTeen</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 5/50</span></div>
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<img alt="45046606" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562895147l/45046606.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 21st January 2020 by Tor Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 6/50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/02/review-queen-on-hiding-by-sarah-kozloff.html" target="_blank">Blog Review</a></span></div>
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<img alt="40864790" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537541596l/40864790.jpg" width="141" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 5th September 2019 by Macmillan Childrens'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 7/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Currently Reading</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness (Audiobook)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As you can see January was a great month in ratings too, with all but one of my reads being a 4*. I hope to keep this up this momentum into the rest of the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What was your favourite read of January? I'd love to hear about it. </span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-70668917446444768782020-01-27T09:00:00.000+00:002020-01-27T09:00:01.035+00:00Blog Tour Review - Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="320" src="https://uc1e3088ae7be3eb423f3079a3db.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AApcZJZXWPnXhlQqS3iFc9A4MQUa_2lSSIq0FKyIW6SmLuFXavrjlCxgRKBHawnq10nquD_Y9Jlz8unqZhQRvYBbDfp9YNpJNdt2-Epa1qJRzMnshre0lKGc0P380AcRXZYie2g76TiM88kBGIHg7ntnz_r7NSWXLmv9YrjrWz_eJ5FMOWg8nXjiWTph8V0Kc5z9XSqUxlwVTerBxyDaes7Frm-XQNhjpGUPaHCHYKvtgVoWmau5mnMITeCWSGVFHpj4sQxjrhh6iKT_0V_CW8KLpfHWYCuw8YL_qbz72LdfDaUXrCVAQ3MBuOyuKzoK0YGht9cE6jw3cOhKUFsHtcbE-EiJ-dkBNh3qncyRh79YVg/p.jpeg?fv_content=true&size_mode=5" width="208" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 9th January 2020 by Zephyr </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 2/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>I was gifted a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Born in wolf light, the magical dusk, in Mongolia, Ghana and Cornwall, Zula, Adoma and Linet are custodians of the sacred sites of their homelands. Yaba's debut novel A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars was shortlisted for the 2018 Branford Boase Award and nominated for the 2019 Carnegie Medal.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">When copper miners plunder Zula's desert home in Gobi Altai, and Adoma's forest and river are polluted by gold prospectors, it is only a matter of time before the lake Linet guards with her life is also in jeopardy. How far will Zula, Adoma and Linet go to defend the well-being of their homes? And when all else fails, will they have the courage to summon the ancient power of their order, to make the landscape speak in a way that everyone will hear?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Rich in elemental magic, myth and the mysterious magical dusk, Wolf Light is Yaba Badoe's defiant call to protect our environment, to conserve our heritage and to hear the ancient power that connects us.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I read this authors first book in 2018 and, although I enjoyed it, something missed the mark for me a little bit with that one. However, I said in that review that I thought this author showed potential and I was interested in checking out anything she wrote in the future and I'm glad I managed to get my hands on a copy of this book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I really enjoy this authors writing style. It's quite flowery and lyrical, definitely fairytalesque and I think that it fits really well with the fabulist themes throughout the story. I found myself moving along with the flow of this story and as a result I finished it quite quickly and I felt quite immersed within the book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">As with this authors previous work, this book features some interesting and important topics. This one discusses the impact humanity is having on our natural world through things like deforestation and I think this was a really interesting theme to focus a novel on. The magical way the author wove these themes throughout the book, I felt, worked really well and it left me with a lot of food for thought on the subject. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">This story is told through 3 different POVs from 3 very different characters from different parts of the world. I loved this diversity between characters, each had their own important places and people but this overarching theme brought them all together and I loved their interactions. This group of 3 female characters were fantastic, they each had their own individual personalities but they fit so well together and I loved the strong, supportive friendship group that they formed throughout this book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Overall I really enjoyed this one, and I'm glad I gave this author another chance. I particularly enjoyed the writing style and I really loved the group of characters in this story. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this authors future work and will certainly be picking up any more books that she writes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Author Bio</u></b></span></div>
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<img height="150" src="https://uc6031f69b368ecd2e8ec1387731.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/thumb/AAqxBC1ygjTgn5D7X3mJ7s4u9s9YQUpJHHH60-D18493G-bDCA6t-zm09shMVf73njVLMmQseOJpHYqOZfC4oCME6jrARIq0mLO7AqJsSZ8ZC36k0tR1ih_nwk0HEhQ-tB7YNIuv24SPhuRfDMnz3xJKNfmChLJF4ec_7-Y32QLRDR1Krz2h_weJO0ew202WAh-nj9hsC7vT-9ViAdJcGJvlDJBkSUo5BZ4PYp0pO7drt7JPGRohGc_8pEoGXQyFh_r5QEJANmE8YMbHTx9Krhd2QeuqE3mQVgoZDlegTLljUMJPEKiy_5BwhklKzJJ8roDnsELY0idZ9TdthEBDd4Qu1A2TyyklgWSSbcP-lr_v2Q/p.jpeg?fv_content=true&size_mode=5" width="200" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.8440093994141" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="51.2639961242676" x="46.2960014343262" y="-205.495986938477">Yaba Badoe </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.8440093994141" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="49.8479995727539" x="101.336006164551" y="-205.495986938477">is an award</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="5.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="1.90798950195312" x="151.2080078125" y="-205.496002197266">-</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="81.3240051269531" x="153.332000732422" y="-205.496002197266">winning Ghanaian</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="5.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="1.90798950195312" x="234.878005981445" y="-205.496002197266">-</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="316.620025634766" x="237.253997802734" y="-205.496002197266">British documentary filmmaker and writer. In 2014 Yaba was nominated </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="241.128028869629" x="45.5999984741211" y="-191.095993041992">for the Distinguished Woman of African Cinema award.</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="253.140014648438" x="291.08203125" y="-191.095993041992">She travels frequently to chair film conventions and lecture.</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="142.763999938965" x="46.4039993286133" y="-176.695999145508">Her most recent documentary was </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.8440093994141" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="45.5039978027344" x="193.178009033203" y="-176.695983886719">The Art of </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.8440093994141" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="68.843994140625" x="240.398010253906" y="-176.695983886719">Ama Ata Aidoo</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="4.09201049804688" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="1.33200073242188" x="310.162017822266" y="-176.695983886719">. </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.8440093994141" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="73.10400390625" x="315.993988037109" y="-176.695983886719">Her debut novel, </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="111.180023193359" x="388.858001708984" y="-176.695999145508">A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars</text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="48.2400207519531" x="500.847991943359" y="-176.695999145508">, published </text><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="507.839988708496" x="46.5120010375977" y="-162.296005249023">by Zephyr, was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2018 and has been nominated for the 2019 Carnegie Medal.</text></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="507.839988708496" x="46.5120010375977" y="-162.296005249023"><br /></text></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><text class="_3ziulaHePS" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="14.843994140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="background-color: #f7f9fa;" textlength="507.839988708496" x="46.5120010375977" y="-162.296005249023"><b>Twitter: </b><a href="https://twitter.com/yaba_badoe" target="_blank">@yaba_badoe</a></text></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you to the publishers, Zephyr, for the opportunity to take part in this tour. It's been great. There's still a lot more coming up on this tour so if your interested check out some of the other stops below. </span></div>
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<img alt="Image preview" height="200" src="https://attachment.outlook.live.net/owa/MSA%3Agemma.jackson274%40hotmail.com/service.svc/s/GetAttachmentThumbnail?id=AQMkADAwATY0MDABLWU1MzItYzFmMS0wMAItMDAKAEYAAAO3%2BJeDaYa1Qa%2BDFhvQsbRVBwBqrW1pl03YQYUNWpRc6B7lAAACAQwAAABqrW1pl03YQYUNWpRc6B7lAANNwjChAAAAARIAEAAJbaS3wmyQRpof%2Bap7PCcM&thumbnailType=2&owa=outlook.live.com&scriptVer=2020011305.09&isc=1&X-OWA-CANARY=b3Hb9n1uTkqKwSr3vfRBaCBCLBCam9cYDL4u5zhC7rlgoUEMRODDJdBXxCUAkmsUhebpKMh0kxU.&token=eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IjU2MzU4ODUyMzRCOTI1MkRERTAwNTc2NkQ5RDlGMjc2NTY1RjYzRTIiLCJ4NXQiOiJWaldJVWpTNUpTM2VBRmRtMmRueWRsWmZZLUkiLCJ0eXAiOiJKV1QifQ.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.dU_a6D0_Z71fz-opRq4fGy4ATZ3EDIAq9u9fYiP4kYGWNn9w4y1B8QGe6IRwudTqRHKjidvr0tr6JNeKnefkGUyEK--qquselLzKUZ7UDjOyOW1fSMf24vFlxM35W2Scv3khhZ50Y0Plt2yqLRa6ANzqR5GlhclzEDwAY0PDLmlx2FwZG0sUtHFv5kS4dkD8pXGEsr09_ZH2S1wVU_IETZ_awcBI16wUrX5_L0cc-15bumkp4BtP3rvH7ZQNRfdgKhyqupUfK3nDYWHlLCpyXO8F6SdOvUwie8-UblqKDuVgBaVlqIP4rBC3fBzOu_fpnVcBcg62LaL97-8GXc82SA&animation=true" width="400" /></div>
Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-40733834388547293742020-01-21T09:00:00.000+00:002020-01-21T09:00:06.956+00:00Review - Spellhacker by M.K. England <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spellhacker by M.K. England</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 21st January 2020 by HarperCollins Children's Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 67/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was gifted an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span id="freeText8422431838957448228" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">In Kyrkarta, magic—known as maz—was once a freely available natural resource. Then an earthquake released a magical plague, killing thousands and opening the door for a greedy corporation to make maz a commodity that’s tightly controlled—and, of course, outrageously expensive.<br /><br />Which is why Diz and her three best friends run a highly lucrative, highly illegal maz siphoning gig on the side. Their next job is supposed to be their last heist ever.<br /><br />But when their plan turns up a powerful new strain of maz that (literally) blows up in their faces, they’re driven to unravel a conspiracy at the very center of the spellplague—and possibly save the world.<br /><br />No pressure.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I haven't actually read anything by this author before however I was super drawn in by the synopsis and I'm pleased to say it delivered. I really enjoyed this genre blending book and all of the story that went along with it. There are elements of fantasy and sci-fi throughout this book, as well as it being set in a world with dystopian traits so there's definitely something for everyone in here.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The writing was fast paced and engaging and I finished this book in a couple of days and that's something I haven't done for a while so the story really did pull me in. I liked the magic system too, I thought it was quite unique and I liked how we didn't just have magic wielders and mundane people in this world but we also had the addition of something called a techwitch which is someone who can wield the magic, or Maz as it's known in this world, with the help of technology. It felt like the author had put a lot of thought into the magic system in this world, we had lots of different strains of Maz that all did different things, I also liked the addition of the glossary pertaining to the Maz at the start of the book, this was really helpful.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The characters in this book were great too. I loved all of the LGBTQIA+ rep and it didn't at any point feel like it had been shoehorned into the story to further the plot. It was natural to the story, which I appreciated. I also loved the friendship group and found family aspect that surrounded these characters. I loved how they looked out for each other and I enjoyed the commentary on found family vs blood family. The one thing I will say is that, as an adult, I did find Diz's character a little frustrating. She had a lot of anger and frustration pent up and a lot of her issues could of been solved if she had only talked to someone about them however, I think this will be very relateable to a lot of teenage readers.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall I really enjoyed this book. The plot was fast paced and I really enjoyed the magic system and the blend of genres within the story. The characters were great to and I really appreciated the diversity throughout. I will definitely be adding this authors other books to my TBR list.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall Rating</span></span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-55525025005693470452020-01-18T09:00:00.000+00:002020-01-18T09:00:11.437+00:00Children's Book Spotlight - Molly's Magic Brolly by Sarah Morrell<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="320" src="https://bluefalconpublishing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/MMB-Product-Image.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Molly's Magic Brolly by Sarah Morrell</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 22nd September 2019 by Blue Falcon Publishing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was gifted a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from publishers website)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Molly is desperate for a nice, new dolly. So when Grannie sends her a special gift, Molly is sure it’s the dolly she’s been dreaming of…</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>but she’s in for a surprise!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Molly’s Magic Brolly is an enchanting tale of new adventures and old friends.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This beautiful picture book will take young readers on a journey of magic and wonder! Aimed at children up to approximately 7 years old, it contains an important lesson about gratitude and appreciation, which is brought to life by playful colour illustrations.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another great children's picture book from Blue Falcon Publishing. I don't think I've received a book from them yet that I haven't liked! This ones written using rhyming phrases which is one of my favourite writing styles for children's books. I love the way the story flowed and there were some aspects of repetition throughout that will encourage the children to join in with the story telling. Some lovely illustrations throughout too that children will love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I agree with the above synopsis and I think that this book does a great job and prompting important discussions about gratitude and appreciation with older children however, the fun writing style and lovely illustrations will appeal to younger children as well. On first sight this book does seem geared towards girls however, I think that many children, girls and boys alike, will enjoy this book so please don't let this put you off. This is one I will be sharing with my class and I hope they enjoy the experience as much as I did. </span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-69648003761496466982020-01-04T17:00:00.000+00:002020-01-04T17:00:04.023+00:00Top 10 Books of 2019 <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know about you but I love this time of year for blogging and booktubing as I enjoy hearing and reading all about everyone's end of year wrap ups, what they loved, what they didn't and what they hope to achieve in the new year. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I'm back with my top 10 favourite books of 2019. You'll see as we go through that I read some of my favourite series this year along with some wild cards thrown in there. These books aren't in any order of preference, only the order in which I read them throughout the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Wicked King by Holly Black</i></span></div>
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<img alt="26032887. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1520620414l/26032887._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/01/review-wicked-king-by-holly-black.html" target="_blank">Review</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff</i></span></div>
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<img alt="29236299. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480097137l/29236299._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-gemina-by-amie-kaufman-and-jay.html" target="_blank">Review</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff</i></span></div>
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<img alt="24909347" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1501704611l/24909347.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-obsidio-by-amie-kaufman-and-jay.html" target="_blank">Review</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Nevernight by Jay Kristoff</i></span></div>
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<img alt="29845906. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1466099581l/29845906._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/04/review-nevernight-by-jay-kristoff.html" target="_blank">Review</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Music and Malice in Hurricane Town by Alex Bell</i></span></div>
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<img alt="43442435. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546440857l/43442435._SY475_.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/04/review-music-and-malice-in-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Review</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon</i></span></div>
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<img alt="40275288. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527807139l/40275288._SY475_.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/05/review-priory-of-orange-tree-by.html" target="_blank">Review</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan </i></span></div>
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<img alt="42281646. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542510377l/42281646._SY475_.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/09/review-tiger-queen-by-annie-sullivan.html" target="_blank">Review</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>No review for this one because I found that I struggled to talk about it without spoiling a lot of both this book and the first one. Just know it's one of the best sequels ever!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Turning Darkness into Light by Marie Brennan </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<img alt="45320283. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556443572l/45320283._SY475_.jpg" width="131" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/09/review-turning-darkness-into-light-by.html" target="_blank">Review</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<img alt="34846987" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505465708l/34846987.jpg" width="123" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I don't have a full review of this one as I read it towards the end of the year when I was taking a bit of a break from reviewing. This book really surprised me. It was magical and whimsical but explored some intense topics at the same time and I would highly recommend it. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So that's it, my favourite books of 2019. As you can see I read a lot of Jay Kristoff this year, he's definitely a new favourite author. I finished up quite a few highly rated series this year too, including the Folk of the Air series by Holly Black, The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff and The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd love to hear about your favourite reads of 2019, let me know in the comments. </span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-66616708775520438802020-01-03T17:00:00.000+00:002020-01-03T17:00:10.219+00:00January TBR<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2020 I'm hoping to go back to posting monthly TBRs so I can share with you my reading plans for the month and to try and keep me a bit more accountable for my reading. I don't plan on making really strict TBRs as I do find that can put me in a slump sometimes however, I will be sharing with you the challenges I plan on taking part in each month and any ideas for books I would like to read. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I plan on splitting these TBRs into sections. I will talk about each of the following sections. </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">TBR and Beyond yearly challenge prompts (I will be choosing two of these a month)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">TBR and Beyond monthly challenge </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any readathons I'm planning on taking part in</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review copies I have to read</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any library books or books from my TBR I'm planning on reading</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So without further ado lets dive into my January TBR. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Yearly Challenge Prompts</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My two challenge prompts for this month are</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A book with a ghost author or an indie author - <i>Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A book where people travel by train or by car - <i>Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (Illustrated Edition) by J.K. Rowling </i></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>TBR and Beyonds Monthly Challenge </i></span></div>
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<img alt="Image may contain: text" height="232" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/81490558_10157524572487713_2381514861180878848_o.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ohc=yoa4QG-KGAwAQl5DGlOKVFiePt22a9VwHqRFgkQOExiq9K7UOEam4LWkg&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr3-1.xx&oh=d987f92f0d09334aa24c6a596037cb45&oe=5EB1E3FE" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My rolls were</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Free Space</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next in Series - <i>Collision by Victor Dixen </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">LGBTQ+</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Winter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Free Space</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2019 Book</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Magic - <i>Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe</i></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Review Copies </i></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Other (Library/Exisiting TBR Books)</i></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Collision by Victor Dixen (Library Book)</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'll probably only manage to get to 4/5 of these ones but hopefully this will give me a bit of a choice which will stop me getting slumpy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What books do you have on your TBR of January? Let me know. </span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-2532008994198195302020-01-02T17:00:00.001+00:002020-01-02T17:02:11.894+00:002019 Recap and 2020 Reading Goals<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another Happy New Year to you all! It doesn't feel so long ago that we were here discussing my reading and blogging goals for 2019 and now we're looking forward to 2020. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had a really positive reading year in 2019, I read a lot and enjoyed a lot of what I read. I was also pretty good at keeping up with my challenges and with blogging, even if I have got a bit lax in the last few months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In today's post I will be recapping my 2019 goals and looking at how I did and sharing with you all my goals for this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Goodreads Goal</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2019 I set my Goodreads goal to 50 books, as I usually do, and I'm pleased to say I managed to exceed this and I actually read 69 books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2020 I will be setting my goal to 50 books again and hopefully I'll manage to exceed this once more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Reading Challenges</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last year I signed up to the AtoZ Reading Challenge hosted by Ginger Mom and Company. I didn't manage to complete the whole alphabet but I did manage to read 19 letters and I'm really pleased with this, you can see my final wrap up post <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/01/a-to-z-reading-challenge-wrap-up.html" target="_blank">here</a>. This challenge is happening again this year for anyone wishing to take part however, I'm choosing a different challenge for 2020. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year I'm taking part in the TBR and Beyond Yearly Reading Challenge which is hosted over on the TBR and Beyond Facebook group. My plan is to pick a couple of prompts out of a bag every month in the hope of encouraging me to get through my backlist TBR. Along with the yearly reading challenge TBR and Beyond also host monthly challenges and I plan to take part in as many of these as I can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Blogging Goals</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2019 I set myself a blogging schedule where I planned to post regular content on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and then one weekend day. I did really well with this schedule for most of the year and then I returned to work after maternity leave and my blogging time was severely limited. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year I'm not setting myself any super restrictive blogging goals as I know I'm not going to have a massive amount of time. I plan to regularly post a monthly TBR, reading wrap up and haul along with any reviews of books I received for review. If at any point I find myself with some extra time, such as the school holidays, then I'll schedule in some extra posts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Social Media Goals</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't have any of these last year but for 2020 I've decided to set myself the goal of being more active on social media. I actually spent quite a lot of time on Twitter and Facebook (too much probably) and I really want to become more active in the book communities on these platforms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So that's it. I'm really pleased with what I managed to achieve last year as it was definitely a busy year for me. Lets hope 2020 fairs just as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What reading goals have you set yourself for this year? Did you manage to achieve everything you hoped to in 2019? I'd love to know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-34154239280664212072020-01-02T17:00:00.000+00:002020-01-02T17:00:06.465+00:00A to Z Reading Challenge Wrap Up<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: x-large;"><img alt="2019 Challenge cohosted" height="200" src="https://i1.wp.com/gingermomandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2019-Challenge-cohosted.png?fit=780%2C390&ssl=1" width="400" /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We made it to the end of 2019! The year was a good one for me both in a reading way and a general life way. As you may be aware I signed up to the A to Z reading challenge hosted by <a href="https://gingermomandcompany.com/2019-challenges/2019-atoz-challenge/" target="_blank">Ginger Mom and Company</a> at the beginning of 2019 and I want to wrap this up and let you know how I did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Below is a list of all of the books I've read this year that count towards this challenge and any reviews I've posted for these. I managed to complete 19 letter which I'm really pleased about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">A. </b>A Blade So Black by L. L. McKinney - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/03/review-blade-so-black-by-l-l-mckinney.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">B. </b>The Beckoning Shadow by Katharyn Blair - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/07/review-beckoning-shadow-by-katharyn.html" target="_blank">Review</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>C.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">D. </b>Damsel by Elana K. Arnold - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/03/review-damsel-by-elana-k-arnold.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">E. </b>Enchantee by Gite Trelease - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/03/review-enchantee-by-gita-trelease.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">F. </b>Final Girls by Riley Sager - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/05/review-final-girls-by-riley-sager.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">G. </b>Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-gemina-by-amie-kaufman-and-jay.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">H. </b>Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">I. </b>In Fallen Woods by R N Merle - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-in-fallen-woods-by-r-n-merle.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">J. </b>James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra by Colm McElwain - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/01/review-james-clyde-and-diamonds-of.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">L. </span>Lord of Secrets by Breanna Teintze - Review</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">M. </b>Music and Malice in Hurricane Town by Alex Bell - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/04/review-music-and-malice-in-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">N. </span>Nevernight by Jay Kristoff - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/04/review-nevernight-by-jay-kristoff.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">O. </b>Origin by Dan Brown - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-origin-by-dan-brown.html" target="_blank">Review</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">P. </b>Poppy Haviland and the Secret of the Lively Widow by Micheal Barra - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/04/review-poppy-haviland-and-secret-of.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">Q. </b>The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">R. </b>The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-ruin-of-kings-by-jenn-lyons.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">S. </b>Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/05/review-stepsister-by-jennifer-donnelly.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">T. </b>Tangleweed and Brine by Deidre Sullivan - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2676651143" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">W. </b>The Wicked King by Holly Black - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/01/review-wicked-king-by-holly-black.html" target="_blank">Review</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Did you take part in any challenges this year? I'd love to hear about how you did. </span><br />
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-71437816306712344332020-01-01T16:53:00.000+00:002020-01-01T16:53:00.365+00:00Final Wrap Up of 2019<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As with September and October, I didn't read a whole lot in November so I will be combining my November and December wrap up for what will be my final one of the year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">December was a better reading month for me because of the Christmas holidays. I also decided to take part in the Winter Magical Readathon in December so I'll let you know which books I read for which prompts as I go along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Broken Homes By Ben Aaronovitch </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 25th July 2013 by Gollancz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - **</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 65/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Winter Magical Readathon Prompt - Read an Urban Fantasy </span></div>
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<img alt="42264409. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544021201l/42264409._SY475_.jpg" width="128" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Secret Runners of New York by Matthew Reilly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 26th March 2019 by Hot Key Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 62/50</span></div>
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<img alt="Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King, #2)" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511933735l/36682619._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 27th February 2018 by Feiwel and Friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 31st October 2019 by Tor UK</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 62/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Review - Blog Review</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 19th November 2019 by Hot Key Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 64/50</span></div>
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<img alt="37797920. sx318 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1536428574l/37797920._SX318_.jpg" width="140" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 30th October 2018 by Orion Children's Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 66/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Winter Magical Readathon Prompt - Buddy Read or Read a Book Club Pick</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="36501255. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563865151l/36501255._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spellhacker by M.K. England</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 21st January 2020 by HarperCollins Children's Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 67/50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Winter Magical Readathon Prompt - Pink or Purple on the Cover</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="36443368. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563398327l/36443368._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thorn by Intisar Khanani </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 24th March 2020 by Hot Key Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 68/50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Winter Magical Readathon Prompt - Pick 5-7 books, place in a circle, spin and pick one at random.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="35224165" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495737477l/35224165.jpg" width="131" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lost Boy the Christina Henry </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Published 4th July 2017 by Titan Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge 69/50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Winter Magical Readathon Prompt - Friends Favourite Book</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published 8th February 2018 by Del Rey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****.5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 61/50</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How did you do in December? Did you manage to reach your Goodreads goal? I'd love to hear about your favourite of the month. </span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-60521421477426846942019-12-31T09:00:00.000+00:002019-12-31T09:38:39.921+00:00Final Quarterly Wrap Up of 2019<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So here I am with my final quarterly wrap up of 2019 which covers the months October, November and December. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This quarter I read 14 books which is my worst reading quarter to date. I'm not sure why that is, I just seem to have been really busy however I hope next year will start off better. Here are my stats for this quarter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Age Demographic</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Middle Grade: <b>1</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Young Adult: <b>6</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Adult: <b>7</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Genre</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Fantasy: <b>9</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Sci-Fi: <b>1</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Magical Realism: <b>1</b></i></span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Mystery/Thriller: <b>2</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Fairytale Retelling: </i><b>1</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Source</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Physical ARC/Finished Copy from Publisher: <b>5</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Bought in 2019: <b>4</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Owned Prior to 2019: </i><b>3</b><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Library Book: <b>1</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Library Audio Book: <b>1</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Star Rating</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>1 Star: </i><b>0</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>2 Star: <b>1</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>3 Star: <b>2</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>4 Star: <b>10</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>5 Star: <b>1</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Top 3 Books of this Quarter</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>The Toy Makers by Robert Dinsdale</i></span></div>
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<img alt="34846987" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505465708l/34846987.jpg" width="123" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff</i></span></div>
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<img alt="39281503. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1547640131l/39281503._SY475_.jpg" width="131" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black</i></span></div>
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<img alt="26032912. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553624975l/26032912._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So not my best for quantity but fairly good for quality, most of the books I read this quarter were at least 4 stars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm hoping 2020 will be just as good as 2019 for reading, if not better!</span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-42895521550649835452019-12-17T20:07:00.002+00:002019-12-17T20:07:27.203+00:00Review - The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons <div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="43255070" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553105582l/43255070.jpg" width="210" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 31st October 2019 by Tor UK</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***.5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 63/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was gifted a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">You can have everything you want if you sacrifice everything you believe.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Kihrin D'Mon is a wanted man.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Since he destroyed the Stone of Shackles and set demons free across Quur, he has been on the run from the wrath of an entire empire. His attempt to escape brings him into the path of Janel Theranon, a mysterious Joratese woman who claims to know Kihrin.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Janel's plea for help pits Kihrin against all manner of dangers: a secret rebellion, a dragon capable of destroying an entire city, and Kihrin's old enemy, the wizard Relos Var.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Janel believes that Relos Var possesses one of the most powerful artifacts in the world―the Cornerstone called the Name of All Things. And if Janel is right, then there may be nothing in the world that can stop Relos Var from getting what he wants.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">And what he wants is Kihrin D'Mon.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Jenn Lyons continues the Chorus of Dragons series with The Name of All Things, the epic sequel to The Ruin of Kings.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I read the first book in this series earlier on in the year and I was really excited to dive into this one. I didn't love it as much as the first but it was definitely a solid sequel.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">One of the things I really enjoyed about the first book was the unique writing style and this one followed suit in that respect. As with the first book, we follow one story told by two different perspectives however, I found this one a bit easier to follow as we follow the story in a linear fashion unlike the first book. The other thing I really like about these books is the world and the story development. It's very detailed and I think the author did a great job at creating a really well thought out story.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">My favourite part of the first book through was the characters, I particularly loved Kihrin however, he isn't very prominent in this instalment and I think that's why I didn't love this one as much as the first. In this book we follow Janel and Brother Qown's story that led to them to be where they are at the beginning of the book. Kihrin is here in the background and you do get his witty remarks between each section of storytelling but I just didn't find Janel's story as compelling as Kihrin's. I also felt that at times the story became a little bit long winded and it could have been shortened in places, with less repetition between perspectives. That being said I liked the references to Janel's appearances in the first book and how all of this tied together and I liked the final section of the book when we jump back to present time and the action with Kihrin again at the forefront of the story.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall, as I said before, I think this was a very solid sequel that expanded upon the story that was set up in the first one. There were a few interesting twists and turns, especially in the final part that kept me wanting more. I think the author has created some really clever storytelling full of interweaving plots and narratives and I'm really excited to pick up the third and final book in this series to see how everything ends.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Overall Rating (3.5*)</span></span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-45208562186990689742019-11-15T09:00:00.000+00:002019-11-15T09:00:02.268+00:00Review - The Remaking by Clay McLeod Chapman<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="The Remaking: A Novel" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564457549l/47366759._SX318_.jpg" width="216" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Remaking by Clay McLeod Chapman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 8th October 2019 by Quirk Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 58/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I was gifted a copy of this book, unsolicited, from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Synopsis (from Goodreads)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Inspired by a true story, this supernatural thriller for fans of horror and true crime follows a tale as it evolves every twenty years—with terrifying results.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Ella Louise has lived in the woods surrounding Pilot’s Creek, Virginia, for nearly a decade. Publicly, she and her daughter Jessica are shunned by their upper-crust family and the Pilot’s Creek residents. Privately, desperate townspeople visit her apothecary for a cure to what ails them—until Ella Louise is blamed for the death of a prominent customer. Accused of witchcraft, both mother and daughter are burned at the stake in the middle of the night. Ella Louise’s burial site is never found, but the little girl has the most famous grave in the South: a steel-reinforced coffin surrounded by a fence of interconnected white crosses.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Their story will take the shape of an urban legend as it’s told around a campfire by a man forever marked by his boyhood encounters with Jessica. Decades later, a boy at that campfire will cast Amber Pendleton as Jessica in a ’70s horror movie inspired by the Witch Girl of Pilot’s Creek. Amber’s experiences on that set and its meta-remake in the ’90s will ripple through pop culture, ruining her life and career after she becomes the target of a witch hunt. Amber’s best chance to break the cycle of horror comes when a true-crime investigator tracks her down to interview her for his popular podcast. But will this final act of storytelling redeem her—or will it bring the story full circle, ready to be told once again? And again. And again…</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><u>My Thoughts</u></b></span></span></div>
<table border="0" cellspacing="1" class="myActivity" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="readable reviewText" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was sent this book unsolicited from the publisher and I'm usually quite wary of unsolicited review copies but this one sounded so intriguing I couldn't help but give it a go. The synopsis of this one sounded perfect for the Halloween season and I was right. The story was creepy and the writing style was extremely atmospheric which made it the perfect Halloween read.<br /><br />The thing I loved most about this one was the storytelling. I loved the way the author told the story using four different timelines all following the same urban legend. We started at the beginning with the original legend and then moved through the years with the remakes, but it all linked back to the very beginning. It was really clever, all of the stories interconnected well and I think this made the story quite unique.<br /><br />Not only did the stories connect but so did the characters. Our female MC was featured in all 3 of the remake story lines and all of the male MCs had the same traits. I'm not really sure how I feel about the male characters, which is the reason why I gave this one 4 stars. Each of them came across as quite possessive of the story they were telling and therefore the female MC however, this did fit quite well with the story and definitely added to the creepy vibe.<br /><br />Overall I quite enjoyed this one. It was very creepy and atmospheric and definitely makes a great Halloween read, perfect for the spooky season.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450293645970166405.post-62579284638026746662019-11-02T09:00:00.000+00:002019-11-02T09:00:01.047+00:00September and October Wrap Up<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past couple of months my reading has slowed down dramatically. Over the months of September and October I have only read 7 books across the two months which is a lot less than I had been (I'm looking at you 13 books in August)! I think this is combination of being back at work full time after the summer holidays and being in a bit of a dreaded reading slump. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because of these things I have also slowed down with my blog, only posting reviews of books I received from publishers, and that is why there was no September wrap up. However, I feel like I'm coming out the other side of this blip now so here I am bringing you a combined wrap up of all of the books I've read in the months of September and October. </span></div>
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<img alt="46904842. sx318 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563219268l/46904842._SX318_.jpg" width="135" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Invisible in a Bright Light by Sally Gardner</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 17th October 2019 by Head of Zeus</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 54/50 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Review - <a href="https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.com/2019/10/review-invisible-in-bright-light-by.html" target="_blank">Blog Review</a></span></div>
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<img alt="39462537. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541963916l/39462537._SY475_.jpg" width="130" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Evermore by Sara Holland</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 3rd January by Orchard Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 55/50</span></div>
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<img alt="43263556" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552327713l/43263556.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Nightjar by Deborah Hewitt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 5th September by Pan Macmillan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 56/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Review - Blog Review</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Remaking by Clay McLeod Chapman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 8th October 2019 by Quirk Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 58/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Review - Blog Review</span></div>
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<img alt="Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1)" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1483132546l/33643994._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 28th February 2017 by Feiwel Friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 57/50</span></div>
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<img alt="39281503. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1547640131l/39281503._SY475_.jpg" width="131" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 5th September 2019 by HarperVoyager </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 59/50</span></div>
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<img alt="36481352. sy475 " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532862531l/36481352._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Published 18th June 2018 by Harper Collins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Rating - *****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Goodreads Challenge - 53/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not a bad couple of reading months ratings wise but not great quantity wise. Hopefully the rest of the year will be better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm really pleased to have finished out the Nevernight Chronicles this month though definitely a series I would recommend. What was your favourite read of the month?</span></div>
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Gemma's Book Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875894369594115411noreply@blogger.com10