Villains series by V E Schwab: A masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, desire, and superpowers.

V E Schwab is my new favorite author. I loved A darker shade of magic series and decided to read the Villains series. It is so good. Oh also she is coming up with a third book in this series!!! I’m so excited.

Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?

In Villains, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn’t automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question.

Vicious (Villains #1)

Blurb:

Review:

I love stories with multiple timelines and point of views. The story kicks off with Victor and switches between present and past (college days). Sydney is definitely my favorite character.

Victor and Eli are both genius lonely bestfriends until a science experiment goes horribly wrong. Anyone who goes through a traumatic near death experience will develop a superpower based on their last thoughts. These people are called ExtraOrdinary or EO.

Victor and Eli are both EOs. But they believe in different things. They both think they are justice and out to get each otherm Eli thinks all Eos are wrong and shouldn’t exist. He goes on to track and kill EOs. Victor believes EOs are human too.

The writing of VE Schwab is beautiful as always. Every line is quotable. I actually don’t know how else to review the series.

The build up to the end is totally worth. I am really curious how all the characters will come back together for the next book. I just wished Sydney realized what a horrible person her sister Sydney was.

Vengeful (Villains #2)

Blurb:

Sydney once had Serena—beloved sister, betrayed enemy, powerful ally. But now she is alone, except for her thrice-dead dog, Dol, and then there’s Victor, who thinks Sydney doesn’t know about his most recent act of vengeance.

Victor himself is under the radar these days—being buried and re-animated can strike concern even if one has superhuman powers. But despite his own worries, his anger remains. And Eli Ever still has yet to pay for the evil he has done.

Review:

If this is a trilogy and not a duology, I’m so excited. I don’t know how all the characters can be brought back together again.

Again, the ending was worth the build up.

This book was amazing because

1. We finally got Eli Ever’s back story. It was depressing but we now know how Eli became Eli.

2. We get new characters who have more pride than both Victor and Eli.

3. June is my new favorite character. I badly want her back story in the sequel. Please Victoria Please.

I don’t know how else to convince you to read this series if the blurb doesn’t.

If you love revenge stories, you will love this. The clash between two egotistical geniuses is the story of this series. Doesn’t it sound familiar to Light and L from Deathnote?

If you love Deathnote, you will definitely enjoy this.

Have you read this series? If you have whose team are you on? Team Victor or Team Eli?

V E Schwab is an author I discovered this year and I’ve already read most of her books.

Who is your favorite author that you dislike this year?

A conversation with the author of ‘Escape and Fly’

A conversation with the author of the book ‘Escape and Fly’, Bhaishali Deb.

Checkout her debut poetry book, ‘Escape and Fly’ here.

1. What inspired you to write? Have you always wanted to be a poet?

I believe that inspiration comes from within. You can look upto someone, you can make someone your role model, but, the wave to write is something which others can’t embed in you. If you have the right words, magic happens from within. And the right words I guess, is the inspiration. I’ve always wanted to be a poet, since I finished my school and that wish of mine got fulfilled in 2020. ‘Escape and Fly’ is my debut poetry book.

2. What poems or poets have most influenced you?

‘Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth’
This poem ‘The Road not Taken’ by Robert Frost is my long time favourite and it really have influenced me a lot.

3. Can you share with us one poem that is special to you in some way from the book and why is it special?

All the poems I’ve written in my book ‘Escape and Fly’ hold a special spot in my heart. But if I am asked to mention one among all of them, I’ll go for the poem ‘CHILDHOOD’ which I’ve written dedicating to the lost days of childhood.
‘Around the fragrant turn of the road
I found my childhood smiling
Riding on a cycle in a misty morning
How bright the golden days glowed
And the little joys echoed!’

4. If you could go back in time and change something about your book, what would you change?

I would perhaps add some more poems to it. 😀

5. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Keep on writing even if you make mistakes. Because it is from those little mistakes we learn.

6. What was the best and the worst part of your publishing journey?
Tell us something about your journey with BecomeShakespeare.com. How have you enjoyed your publishing experience so far?

Best part is I think, getting the glimpse of the published book and holding it in your hand. The feeling of getting to see your published book is priceless.

And I am glad I don’t have any worst experience in this publishing journey.

The journey with BecomeShakespeare.com have been really amazing. I’ve enjoyed the
whole publishing process with them. They kept me updated with each and every little thing about the project and it’s truly praiseworthy.

7. Writing can be exhausting and stressful. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Writing can be exhausting and stressful only if you don’t enjoy it. If you enjoy writing, I am sure you can you will progress more. So, enjoy it, and keep writing.

8. What does literary success look like to you?

Getting good reviews is how I judge literary success, also, self- satisfaction and contentment are other two parameters for it.
Although, literary success may be viewed differently by different people but this is how I feel, how I think literary success is.

9. Are you working on anything at present that you would like to share with your readers about?

Currently I am working on a Novel, which I have recently started. And I would be glad to share with you all about it once it is done.

10. What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

I actually wrote this book ‘Escape and Fly’ based on various dimensions of life. What I would like my readers to take away from this book is their view on life. I want them to see more of the positives of life than the negatives. This is all.

Omgg Kaz and Inej!!! And Matthias 😭 (Crooked Kingdom review)

Six of Crows was an amazing book on its own but Crooked Kingdom was a blessing I didn’t know I needed. It left me heartbroken and hopeful in the end. The book was just so so so so good. I rarely say this but it was totally worth the hype.

Welcome to the world of the Grisha.

Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives.

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties.

A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

If anyone is hesitant to pick up the duology because of the the hype, trust me that for once the hype is totally worth it.

Has anyone noticed this whole city is looking for us, mad at us, or wants to kill us?”
“So?” said Kaz.
“Well, usually it’s just half the city.

Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)

The book picks up exactly where we left off. Inej has been captured by Van Eck and the crew is weakened but don’t worry because Kaz’s brain is still intact. I will not spoil the story so I won’t be telling exactly what they plan and how they do it.

I can’t believe that Inej actually believed that Kaz wouldn’t come for her if her legs are broken. She doubted that anyone would care to save her. It broke my heart. Kaz and Inej are two people who have gone through so much in life that they can’t even touch each other without going through hell. It is what makes them such rich characters and their growth through the books is remarkable.

I lived for Kaz and Inej scenes. If Leigh Bardugo ever decides to revisit their story again, I’d literally buy 10 copies of it.

I would have come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we’d fight our way out together-knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that’s what we do. We never stop fighting.

Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)

This quote from the Inej is everything! I love the series because our heroes are nothings and nobodies but nothings and nobodies who are ready to take on the world.

Maybe there were people who lived those lives. Maybe this girl was one of them. But what about the rest of us? What about the nobodies and the nothings, the invisible girls? We learn to hold our heads as if we wear crowns. We learn to wring magic from the ordinary. That was how you survived when you weren’t chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway.

Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)

Also also, Kaz called Jesper Jordie!!!??? Omg the implications of that. Kaz considers Jesper his brother. Kaz is so hard on him because he doesn’t want Jesper to be as naïve as Jordie.

This book finally gives us the story for Wylan that we needed. His character had so much development this book but I did hope it would have been nice to have his perspective even in the first book, Six of Crows. I definitely cried when he goes to his mother’s grave.

You’re stupid about a lot of things, Wylan, but you are not stupid. And if I ever hear you call yourself a moron again, I’m going to tell Matthias you tried to kiss Nina. With tongue.”
Wylan wiped his nose on his sleeve. “He’ll never believe it.”
“Then I’ll tell Nina you tried to kiss Matthias. With tongue.

Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)

Wylan seriously became my favorite character. Jesper and Wylan are just so adorable. Their pairing also seems meaningful because you get two opposite kinds of fathers reacting differently in similar situations and how much it changes for the children. The story arc of Wylan and his mother was really great.

He thumbed quickly through the ledger and said, “When people see a cripple walking down the street, leaning on his cane, what do they feel?” Wylan looked away. People always did when Kaz talked about his limp, as if he didn’t know what he was or how the world saw him. “They feel pity. Now, what do they think when they see me coming?”
Wylan’s mouth quirked up at the corner. “They think they’d better cross the street.”
Kaz tossed the ledger back in the safe. “You’re not weak because you can’t read. You’re weak because you’re afraid of people seeing your weakness. You’re letting shame decide who you are.

Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)

HUGE SPOILER ALERT

I can’t even start talking about Nina and Matthias without ending up crying.

Meeting you was a disaster.”
She raised a brow. “Thank you.”
Djel, he was terrible at this. He stumbled on, trying to make her understand. “But I am grateful for that disaster. I needed a catastrophe to shake me from the life I knew. You were an earthquake, a landslide.”
“I,” she said, planting a hand on her hip, “am a delicate flower.”
“You aren’t a flower, you’re every blossom in the wood blooming at once. You are a tidal wave. You’re a stampede. You are overwhelming.

Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)

I guess his death makes sense but it is still really sad. He had actual plans to change the world and live the life he wanted with Nina. 😭😭

I wasn’t disappointed even a bit. I watched readywithcindy’s video review and I agree that maybe Matthias was the shadow of the person who killed him. Every character in the book had a shadow or was a shadow for someone like Inej and Dunyasha and Kaz and Pekka Rollins. I was really curious about how the story of Pekka Rollins would end.

I don’t hold a grudge. I cradle it. I coddle it. I feed it fine cuts of meat and send it to the best schools. I nurture my grudges, Rollins.

Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)

This book was the perfect read. If you were on the fence about picking up this book, I hope I’ve convinced you to pick up the duology.

Have you read this series? Who is your favorite character?

Which is your favorite fantasy book/series?

Finally Reading Six of Crows

Oh my, oh my why didn’t I read this book before!? It is the perfect read for me. A heist with six outcasts, sign me the hell up! I love morally grey characters and especially theieves and survivors in a fantasy setting.

Kaz leaned back. “What’s the easiest way to steal a man’s wallet?”
“Knife to the throat?” asked Inej.
“Gun to the back?” said Jesper.
“Poison in his cup?” suggested Nina.
“You’re all horrible,” said Matthias.

Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)

I read the book first time in June this year and that’s what I felt but I didn’t know how to review it. I just finished listening to the audiobook of Six of Crows and I decided to just write what I felt while listening to the books.

The following is less a review, more what I felt while reading it. There will definitely be mild spoilers ahead.

I had actually read the chapter 1 before. It is mildly interesting but I don’t even know why I stopped reading there before. This chapter is from the perspective of Joost. I didn’t understand what was happening at all in the first 50 to 80 pages because I haven’t read the Grisha trilogy and didn’t know anything about the magic system actually anything at all. So if the book wasn’t so popular I probably wouldn’t have continued reading it. I just wish the book could’ve started off differently. Or maybe it’s already perfect. I don’t know.

Another thing I felt while reading the book was that, it is impossible for Kaz Brekkar to be 17! I don’t think the whole crew is teenagers. I’ve imagined them all in their 20s in my head. Jasper and Matthias would be in late 20s, Inej, Wylan and Nina in early 20s and Kaz would be in his mid 20s. It just makes more sense to me with all they’ve gone through in their life and how they think.

A gambler, a convict, a wayward son, a lost Grisha, a Suli girl who had become a killer, a boy from the Barrel who had become something worse.

Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)

Speaking of Kaz and Inej, omfg, I love them so much! They’re my favorite couple although it’s hard to believe that all six people in the crew are paired. I lived for all the Kaz and Inej scenes. God I wanted more. I wanted so much more. Also, I love Inej because she recognized that she wanted more from Kaz for her to stay and she chose her dreams over it.

He needed to tell her…what? That she was lovely and brave and better than anything he deserved. That he was twisted, crooked, wrong, but not so broken that he couldn’t pull himself together into some semblance of a man for her. That without meaning to, he’d begun to lean on her, to look for her, to need her near. He needed to thank her for his new hat.

Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)

I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all.

Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)

I love the book more because it takes all cliches of a fantasy story with a choosen one and throws it out the window. Kaz and Inej and Nina and Matthias and Jasper and Wylan, none of them are chosen. They are the opposite of chosen. They are all just survivors trying to live their life. I also would have definitely loved a separate book on each of these six people. They definitely all had enough story to tell.

Let’s talk about Nina and Matthias. I absolutely love enemies to lovers. Since I read Serpent and Dove before this, I felt that they’re literally Lou and Reid. But this is better because Nina is not some kind if a princess, she is a soldier fighting for a cause and so is Matthias. I just loved the dynamic and everything between these too. Nina is also my waffle queen!

Wylan and Jesper weren’t the focus in this book but the development in Crooked Kingdom is amazinggg. So I don’t have much to talk about them here except that I love them ofcourse!

The heist was very clever and interesting but I was drawn to the story because of the characters and their development. Kaz was my absolute favorite. Who was yours?

I can’t believe the ending. I’ve just started Crooked Kingdom for the second time and I’m so excited.

Have you read Six of Crows? Did you enjoy it? Who was your favorite character?

We Beat The Gods by Saad Quadri

A man sits on a bench by a picturesque river view side waiting to meet someone. Waiting in the hopes that she will come. As he sits there, he is haunted by the ghosts of his past. Memories of happiness intertwined with those of sadness, despair, remorse and regret. Far away, the woman in question is a bundle of anxiety. Thinking about the possibilities to come and the impossibilities that come with them. She is unsure of the path that she wants to take. After all, what we want to do and what we should do are rarely the same. Meanwhile death looms over the city lying in wait for its next victim. Does she have a reason to come? Will they meet? Time can only tell. And time is running out.

Review:

“Aakhen raaton mein sone he kahan deti hain,
Teri yaadon se muh dho deti hain,
Subah ko es baat ki kaafi shikayat rahti hai,
Ye raatein to saari yaadein loot leti hain”

The book is written in two POV’s – HIS and HER. It is the story of two people who are haunted by the ghosts of their past and they take a look back at their lives. The writing is poetic and also includes shaayaris (poems). I struggled with some of them because my Hindi is bad. The book talks about love, life, regrets, sadness and more.

The book also has the issue of “love jihaad” and inter religion marriage which is now relevant more than ever (if you are following the controversy, you know)

“You looked into my eyes sadly and said, “If only you were Muslim” and I replied, “If only you were Hindu.”

The writing tugs at your heart. It is written with metaphors to convey the depths of what they’re feeling. It did become one too many metaphors at one point. The book is short and can be completed in one sitting. I was getting bored and about to give up reading when I was hit with an unexpected twist.

I enjoyed reading the book but another round of editing and proofreading would’ve made it better.

3.5

Thanks to the publisher for the book.

What are you currently reading?

Circe by Madeline Miller – Truly Spellbinding

Greek mythology is fascinating. Circe is one of my favorites. It is on the top of my rereads. I don’t how to describe the book except to say ‘Truly Spellbinding’.

Blurb: In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

Review:

Circe felt out of place among the nymphs and gods from the moment she was born. She was fascinated by human beings. What did her life look like when she was exiled due to pure politics. What did she make of her life? The book covers the total of the immortal life of Circe. It is one of the best Greek mythology books out there.

The narration was a little confusing sometimes because so so much happens in this small book. We cover the 300+ years of Circe’s life. I loved the all the references to popular Greek mythologies. You get them only if you know about Greek mythologies but even if you don’t it is a great read.

It is a common saying that women are delicate creatures, flowers, eggs, anything that may be crushed in a moment’s carelessness. If I had ever believed it, I no longer did.

Madeline Miller, Circe

The writing is so good. These quotes should give you an example. It is also renowned as a feminist retelling of Circe’s story. I wished there were more women characters and more interactions of Circe and other nymphs or goddesses or just other women to completely call it a feminist retelling. Other than that, I’ve no complaints.

I thought once that gods are the opposite of death, but I see now they are more dead than anything, for they are unchanging, and can hold nothing in their hands.

Madeline Miller, Circe

You cannot know how frightened gods are of pain. There is nothing more foreign to them, and so nothing they ache more deeply to see.

Madeline Miller, Circe

But gods are born of ichor and nectar, their excellences already bursting from their fingertips. So they find their fame by proving what they can mar: destroying cities, starting wars, breeding plagues and monsters. All that smoke and savor rising so delicately from our altars. It leaves only ash behind.

Madeline Miller, Circe

This is such a bad review but I really don’t know how to review. I hope you pick this up and help me review it!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I would give it 10 stars if I could. I’m soon picking up the book ‘Song of Achilles’ by Madeline Miller. I’ve heard so much about it and I already love her writing from Circe. I hope it as good as this.

What are you currently reading? What was your last 5 start read?

Soul Spoken – A journey to break a million fallacies by unlinking the mind, heart and self to spark on inner revelation

Soul Spoken by Shrea Kukreja

Soul Spoken is a place where experiences have been characterized by living emotions. It is a book which has been brought together with 28 extracts and 2 poems. It is a perceptive interpretation of a young girl’s journey where aspects such as conflict, love, ego, selflessness, restlessness, inspiration, aspiration, contentment have been personified. A magical interplay between the mind, heart and soul, designed for young adults

Firstly, the book cover is beautiful. The book consists of journal entries of sorts of a girl and narrates her life experiences. The writing is beautiful, with metaphors to convey the depths of what she’s feeling.

“That’s the beauty of intensity, like a bouquet of different flowers, flagrantly smiling at her.”

I just felt sometimes that they became too much and maybe author could’ve tried conveying the emotions in a simpler way.

It is a short book of around 74 pages. It is captivating and I read it one go. It’s an intimate, personal and uncut revelation of a transformation, untangling bits and pieces of her life in the various levels of lenses she sees them in. It is as if the book has been written by looking in the depths of a soul. Hence, “Soul Spoken”.

“Freedom shouldn’t have a price to pay, And you cannot pre-plan what you have to say, Doubtful instances left at the end of the day, Downfall is never the reason to fade away. “

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. I’d recommend it to poetry lovers. If you enjoy a book that takes time to understand and enjoy (like poetry), this book is for you.

Take it as a diary or a personal narrative, bringing out true sentiment, naturally in rhyme.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

Qotd: Do you like books with deeper meanings and metaphors?

100 bookish QOTD ideas (Bookstagram)

If you are a regular bookstagrammer, you know the struggles of posting consistently, especially coming up with the caption. Here are a 100 bookish QOTDs (question of the day) to help you a little.

1. What are you currently reading?

2. How was your weekend? What did you read?

3. Who is your favorite author?

4. Who are your top 3 favorite authors?

5. If you could spend a day with an author, who would you choose?

6. Which is your favorite genre?

7. If you can read books from only one genre for the rest of your lives, what genre would it be?

8. Do you DNF books or always read till the end?

9. What was your favorite story/book as a child?

10. What is something you don’t like about bookstagram?

11. What is your tbr for the month?

12. How many books did you read this month? Which was your favorite?

13. Would you rather read books you don’t like for the rest of your life or not read any book at all?

14. Which is your favorite book to movie/series adaptation?

15. Which trope do you prefer? Friends to lovers or Enemies to lovers

16. What is that one book that you want everyone in the world to read?

17. If you could read only the first chapter or the last chapter of your favorite book, which would you read?

18. What do you do to get out of a reading slump?

19. If you could read only one book for the rest of your life which would it be?

20. If you could read only one book from your favorite series, which would it be?

21. What is a book you badly want to read but haven’t read it yet?

22. What would be the title of the book based on your life?

23. What is your go to comfort read?

24. Which was your last 5 star read?

25. If you could rewrite your favorite book, what would you change?

26. What is your biggest pet peeve regarding books?

27. What books do you dislike or just don’t understand the popularity?

28. Do you hate read books? Do you have any guilty pleasure reads?

29. What is a book from your favorite series that was disappointing?

30. Which upcoming release are you excited to read?

31. Which fictional character would you like to date?

32. Paperback or hardcover? Audiobooks or ebooks?

33. Which book do you think is underrated?

34. Do you enjoy reading classics? Which is your favorite?

35. If you’re going to be stuck in an island, which three books would you want with you?

36. If you could spend a day with one fictional character, who would it be?

37. If you could be part of one fictional world, which would you choose?

38. Do you have a favourite audiobook narrator or favourite audiobook?

39. Which is your favorite last book of a series?

40. Do you enjoy reading books from villain’s POV? Who is your favorite villain?

41. Which is your favorite YA fantasy? Recommendations please

42. Which is your favorite mythological book? Recommendations please

43. Which is your favorite spooky read? Recommendations please

44. Which is your favorite mystery/thriller? Recommendations please

45. Do you read true crime stories? Recommendations please

46. Do you enjoy reading short stories? Any favorites? Recommendations please

47. Which is your favorite dystopian book/movie?

48. Do you enjoy reading scifi books? Any favorites?

49. What is a book that inspired you?

50. Which is your favorite series ever?

51. Do you prefer series or stand alones?

52. Which was your last 5 star read?

53. Which was your last disappointing read?

54. What’s a book based on a real life incident that you love?

55. Do you enjoy reading poetry? Recommendations please

56. Do you read self help books? Recommendations please

57. Which is your favorite non fiction book?

58. Which is a book you love with LGBTQ characters?

59. Which is your favorite fantasy book with LGBTQ+ characters?

60. Do you read middle grade books? Which is your favorite?

Some predictive text questions

61. I like books because ___________

62. I read because ____________

63. Books are awesome because ________

64. When I read I transform into _______

65. I want to be _______

from the book ______

66. Do you own signed copies? Which is your favorite?

67. Have you met an author? How was the experience?

68. Which is your most valued book?

69. Do you buy books based on book covers?

70. Which is your favorite book cover?

71. Who is your all time favorite protagonist?

72. Who are your favorite villains?

73. Who is your favorite book couple?

74. Do you prefer platonic relationships or romantic relationships between protagonists?

75. What is your favorite platonic relationship from a book?

76. Do you prefer reading indoors or outdoors?

77. Do you like to listen to music while reading?

78. Which is your favorite snack to eat while reading?

79. What is your favorite place to read?

80. What time of the day do you like best to read?

81. Do you have a favourite bookmark to use?

82. Paperbacks or hardcovers? Ebooks are audiobooks?

83. Do you like rereading books? Which is your favorite to reread?

84. Do you like books with different POVs?

85. Do you like reading multiple books at a time? How many books do you read at once?

86. How do you organize your bookshelf?

87. Do you own multiple copies of the same book? Which ones?

88. What’s the last book that kept you up at night?

89. Which is the last book that made you cry?

90. Do you buy book merch? Which is your favourite ?

91. How much time do you usually spend for reading in a day?

92. Do you prefer shopping online or in bookstores?

93. Which was your accidental favorite read?

94. Do you prefer reading long books or short books?

95. Do you like books with maps? Which is your favorite bookish map?

96. Who would you be if you could be a character from the book you’re currently reading?

97. Which genre do you rarely read and want to read more?

98. Describe the book you’re currently reading in three words and I’ll try to guess the book.

99. Describe the title of the book you’re currently reading in emojis and I’ll try to guess the book.

100. How many books do you carry while traveling?

Hope this helped, even a little bit. Do foolow my blog for more!

I love Audiobooks!

I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience possible in my life. And I am horribly limited.

Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

My reading goal this year is to read a 100 books. I’m slowly getting there with 1 book at a time. I’ve read 82 books already and I am so happy. All thanks to audiobooks!

Audiobooks are amazing because I can get my reading done while doing other work. It is such a life saver.

When you read a book, the story definitely happens inside your head. When you listen, it seems to happen in a little cloud all around it, like a fuzzy knit cap pulled down over your eyes.

Robin Sloan, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, #1)

There are many apps that provide audiobooks. The most famous one is obviously Amazon Audible. Audible subscription does offer the best prices and offers. There are other apps like Storytel, Scribd and some free apps too.

I hope you enjoy audiobooks. Happy reading!

Qotd: Audiobooks or ebooks?

What the fu*k even happened in Blood & Honey!? (Serpent & Dove #2)

After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.

To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.

This series should have clearly been a duology because literally nothing happened until the very end of this book. Also, what the fuck happened at the very end?? I’ve many questions and many more complaints.

First of all this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020. Serpent and Dove was a surprisingly excellent read. All the things developed throughout that book fell flat in this book. Why did you do this Shelby???

Do checkout my review of book 1, Serpent and Dove https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/10/01/serpent-dove-big-titty-liddy/

SPOILERS AHEAD

Hello, Chass.”
Blood roared in my ears. “Hello, wife.

Shelby Mahurin, Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)

The book picks up right where it left off in the last book. I definitely recommend rereading Serpent & Dove before this. I had forgotten names of side characters who make appearances in this one. Also, why did Lou forget that she took the memories of Bas? It was so pointless. Actually, most of the book was pointless.

Nothing happens for 80% of the book. The group decides they need allies if they’re going to fight this and go to meet different people for it. That’s it, that’s the story. It’d have been so much better if the author could cut that part short.

Most importantly, I felt like Reid and Lou were different poeple from the last book. Character growth is good but completely changing characters? Lou did magic in the last book too but there was no point where her magic was hsrmful or destructive. But this time around everyone is worried about Lou’s magic. I also thought the growth in Reid’s character is supposed to be the realization that magic is not inherently evil but it could be used to serve evil purposes. Now if we say that Lou becomes evil the more she uses her magic , won’t that make magic evil???

I’m a witch , Reid. A witch . I have the power to protect the ones I love, and I will sacrifice anything for them. If that makes me a monster—if that makes me aberrant —I’ll don the teeth and claws to make it easier for you. I’ll get worse, if that justifies your twisted rhetoric. Much, much worse.

Shelby Mahurin, Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)

Those who loved the book for it’s slow burn romance in the last book will be so dissappointed by this book. The dynamic was interesting in the first say 50 pages. The rest of the book is just unnecessary conflicts and fighting between the two. I can understand the fighting to some extent because of their beliefs but Lou says this at one point:

We’re natural enemies, Reid. You’ll always be a witch hunter. I’ll always be a witch. And we’ll always bring each other pain.

Shelby Mahurin, Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)

Wasn’t this the conflict of the last book?? There are smut scenes in this book too but nothing leading upto it. I did enjoy reading the sex scene before the climax.

Reid is a witch now but it was handled very weirdly. I see that it would be very confusing to someone who have hated magic their whole life. Lou and Reid refuse to talk about it and Reid concludes that it’s best for Lou to not use magic. I hope to god there is better character growth in the next one. They did resolve the conflicts but I just didn’t get it. Reid comes to term with Lou’s magic and him being a witch.

You don’t get to leave me. Do you understand?” Cupping my face, he wrenched me backward and kissed me hard. His voice was fierce. His eyes were fiercer. They burned into mine, angry and anguished and afraid. “You don’t get to do this alone. If you retreat into your mind—into your magic—I’ll follow you, Lou.” He shook me slightly, tears glistening in those frightened eyes. “I’ll follow you into that darkness, and I’ll bring you back. Do you hear me? Where you go, I will go.

Shelby Mahurin, Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)

I crept into his lap. “What am I, Reid? Say it again.”
“You’re a witch.”
“And what are you?” He didn’t hesitate, and my heart swelled. “I am too.”
“Only partly right, I’m afraid.” My smile—now genuine—grew at his confusion, and I leaned forward, rubbing my nose against his. He closed his eyes. “Allow me to fill in the gaps for you.” I kissed his nose. “You are a huntsman.” Though he recoiled slightly, I didn’t let him escape, kissing his cheek. “You are a son.” I kissed his other cheek. “You are a brother.” His forehead. “You are a husband.” His eyelids and his chin. “You are brave and strong and good .” And, finally, his lips. “But most important, you are loved.

Shelby Mahurin, Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)

Also also God’s are involved in the plot now?? Please define the rules of the magic system and the universe you’ve created. Please. It gets very confusing. The moment Claud Deveraux was introduced, I knew he’d play a major role later on. But a God!? He did have the wild old man persona throughout the book. He said things like:

A snake,” I replied, breath hitching. “I suppose . . . I’m a snake. A liar. A deceiver. Cursed to crawl on my belly and eat dust all the days of my life.”
“Ah.” To my surprise, Claud’s face didn’t twist in disgust or revulsion. He nodded instead, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Yes, I would agree with that assessment.”
Humiliation hung my head. “Right. Thanks.”
“Louise.” A single finger lifted my chin, forcing me to look at him. Those eyes, once warm, now blazed with intensity, with conviction. “What you are now is not what you’ve always been, nor is it what you always will be. You are a snake. Shed your skin if it no longer serves you. Transform into something different. Something better.

Shelby Mahurin, Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)

How old are you?” I asked again, louder this time.
“Very old.”
Odd, indeed. I stared at him. “ What are you?”
He chuckled, his eyes cutting to mine. “I simply . . . am.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Of course it is. Why must I bind myself to fit your expectations?

Shelby Mahurin, Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)

So he is a God but it still does not solve the problem. Why? I’ve no idea. It also feel like many characters were brought bacl from book 1 for no reason at all, especially the whole climax involving Reid’s old lover, Celie.

I can’t even begin to process Ansel’s death. He was the one character I had liked throughout the book. Why did you have to do this 😭

The book ends with a huge cliffhanger. I’m not going to mention what it is, but even it feels pointless. I was so excited to read this book ever since I read Serpent and Dove but this time I don’t really care. I’m going to read the next book when it comes out, sure but I’m only just mildly interested with what happens to Lou and Reid now.