November Wrap Up (2020)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And it's finally the end of November! I don't know about you guys, but it feels like it's gone snail pace for me! 

But, the end is near, and it's time for my November Wrap Up (2020)! 

Enjoy! 

Honestly, this month has kind of been all over the place. I started off the month really solidly, I was knocking out books left and right. But then I just couldn't stay motivated to read! 

1. Starsight (Skyward #2), by Brandon Sanderson

After waiting a further six months after the release of the hardback, of course I was going to start the paperback as soon as I could. After absolutely loving Skyward, I was so excited to pick this up and it did not disappoint. I admit it took a different direction to what I was thinking, but it did not take me long at all to fly through this. I'm trying not to think about how long I have to wait for the paperback of the third novel, but that is a wait I am willing to do, because Starsight was fantastic. (Despite the Skyward series being Sci-fi instead of Sanderson's usual fantasy.) 

2. Saga: Volume Five, by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples 

3. Saga: Volume 6, by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples 

4. Saga: Volume 7, by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples 

5. Saga: Volume 8, by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples 

6. Saga: Volume 9, by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples 

I know... I took a week and marathoned the last four issues of Saga (that are currently out). I'm now caught up, and just as heartbroken as the rest of the fans are. I know I haven't been a fan of these volumes for as long as the rest of you all, like some people have been waiting literal years for another issue to be released. All I can do is wait in hope that that volume 10 is released sometime next year. 

7. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (The Montague Siblings #1), by Mackenzie Lee 

It takes a really good book to pull me from my Saga reading slump, but somehow The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue did it. I don't know what it is about this book but I just got stuck in. The time period felt very accurate, I absolutely adored the characters, I was invested from the start, and I was surprised by how protective I grew of our misfit Montague crew. Everything about this book was wonderful (apart from the characters I want to punch and throw in the lake). I highly recommend this if you feel like reading an LGBT historical fiction full of characters too wonderful for words. 

8. Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1), by Jay Kristoff 

This... slowed me down so much. It was such a struggle to get through the first 150 pages, like it was painful. Mainly because of the writing style, which I always knew I'd have trouble with, but once I got past the first 150 or so, it slowly got better! In hindsight, it was better than I thought at the time, but I still had a fair few problems with it. I'm not going to lie, if someone told me that it would take over 100 pages to get into this, I might not have picked it up (but the ending kind of redeemed the start). Aside from that, I was expecting more violence, cos assassin school. But overall, a fairly decent read. Check out my review if you want my in-depth thoughts!

9. Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle #2), by Jay Kristoff

I finished this today! Despite this book taking me 8 days to finish, I absolutely liked it more than Nevernight! Don't ask me why, because even though there was still a clear plot, a clear premise, so many more plot points came into play. There were also a lot more characters, and even though it was hard to keep track of all of them, the problems were smaller, and less noticeable. The characters I met in this book will be hard to forget honestly. There was also more violence, which I was happy about. I loved getting to see more of the world, and I have no idea what is left of the world, but there will undoubtedly be more to see in the third book. (Which I will start in December.) 

Okay! So those are the books that I finished this month! I hope you enjoyed reading about them and as always, feel free to comment below about any of them! 

I hope you have a wonderful evening and I'll see you all soon with my December TBR (2020)! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1), by Jay Kristoff

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And for the first time in months, I'm writing a review! 

But I finished Nevernight on Friday, and I can't think of a better book to launch me out of my review slump! 

Enjoy! 

Title: Nevernight

Author: Jay Kristoff 

Genre: Fantasy 

Status: Book 1/3 in "The Nevernight Chronicle" 

Pages: 463 

Blurb: "Mia Corvere is only

ten years old when she is 

given her first lesson in death. 

Destined to destroy empires, the child 

raised in shadows made a promise on the 

day she lost everything; to avenge herself on 

those that shattered her world. 

But the chance to strike against such powerful 

enemies will be fleeting, and Mia must become 

a weapon without equal. Before she seeks 

vengeance, she must seek training among the te

infamous assassins of the Red Church of Itreya. 

Inside the Church's halls, Mia must prove herself against 

the deadliest of opponents and survive the tutelage of 

murderers, liars and daemons at the heart of the murder cult. 

The Church is no ordinary school. 

But Mia is no ordinary student." 

My Thoughts 

Let me start with the point that I experienced something rare regarding this book: I didn't love or hate it particularly. It seems I'm alone in that, considering how far people are going to show how much they despise/ love this book on Goodreads! 

And even now as I'm writing this review, I'm not certain on my rating for this book because some aspects I loved, but I had some problems with it as well. 

For example, the writing took a while to get into. In fact, for the first 100-150 pages, I was loath to pick this up. The writing was just so dense, I struggled to find the motivation to pick it up. It took me maybe 3-4 days for me to make it past the first 150 pages, and then I was soaring through. But if each  sentence wasn't as detailed as it was, I know it wouldn't have taken me half as long to read as it had. (I finished it in a week.) 

Really, that was the only negative thing I have to say. 

However, I'm not going to say that it was an insignificant problem, because it wasn't. 

But there was an awful lot I did like about Nevernight. 

First off, I loved Mia as a protagonist. It was unbelievably easy to fall into her story, I never tired of reading from her perspective. I liked how she was always sure of herself, her next move, yet she didn't appear cocky or overconfident. That's not to say she didn't attract her fair bit of trouble (my heart was beating so fast at some parts, I swear I was close to a heart-attack!) But aside from that, she never stepped away from a challenge. I very much enjoyed following Mia through the halls of the Red Church.

Speaking of the Red Church, the lessons were crazy! They constantly kept the students on their toes, and although I won't disclose what happens in these lessons, I will say that I have never read about a school as cut throat as the Red Church. 

Not just the lessons, but seeing Mia's will to survive the challenges that awaited her throughout the school year, was fantastic to see. One of the best parts of the story was not knowing what was coming next, which is kind of what it was like being a student in the Church- but a lot less terrifying! 

All of those things were fantastic, but what I enjoyed reading about was the relationships.  The students were always trying to one up each-other, the teachers scared me with their trials and tribulations, but my favourite companionship was between Mia and her shadow cat. (Yep, there's a shadow cat!) 

The students in the Red Church all had their eye on something: becoming a blade for the Church. And they will stop at nothing to reach that goal. They're all full of bloody-minded determination, and they will say and do almost anything to reach the top. Some of the fights I saw in this book were bloody-thirsty and violent, and they set my heart on edge! 

Overall, I kind of liked this book. The parts I enjoyed, I really really enjoyed. Unfortunately it was kind of the same for the parts I disliked too. However, I will continue on with the series, (mainly because it's already arrived at my house), but I think I'll take me time with this trilogy, instead of rushing through it in one month, like I originally planned because, even though I've now noted down my thoughts, I'm still not sure on my rating.

Here's hope for the second book, Godsgrave! 

I hope I enjoy it! 

Okay! That's my review of Nevernight! I hope you enjoyed it, and if you've read it, feel free to comment what you thought! 

I hope you have a good evening, and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

End of the Year Book Tag

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And because this tag is currently making the rounds on booktube, I figured now would be the perfect time to do this tag too! 

If you've followed this blog for a while, you know that I love making plans, so this is the perfect tag for me! 

Enjoy! 

1. Are there any books that you started this year that you still need to finish?

At this point of the year, there aren't any books that I've started that I still need to finish (aside from my current read). I'm not really the type of reader to put books aside to come back to them later, I'd just forget the whole plot! I prefer to either keep going until the point where I'm just bored, or I consider the book DNF'ed. 

2. Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

I don't have any particular books that I automatically pick up every year for the seasonal/end of the year, but here are some that I've read in the past:

Autumnal reads

1. Pumpkin Heads, by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Higgs (graphic novel set on Halloween)

2. The Girl in Red, by Christina Henry (red riding hood retelling)

Christmassy reads 

The Harry Potter series' of course! 

(Need more Christmassy reads, please recommend me some guys!) 

3. Is there a new release you're still waiting for?

The Cousins, by Karen M. McManus! It follows cousins Milly, Aubrey and Jonah story when they are invited to work on their Grandma's island resort, despite never having met her, and barely knowing each-other. But their parents have made one thing clear: none of them can say no, for they were disowned by their grandmother when they were born- this could be an opportunity to get back into her good graces. But when they arrive on the island, it's clear she has other plans for them. And the longer they stay, the more mysterious they become. Whatever pulled the family apart all those years ago isn't over- and this summer, the cousins will learn everything. 

I kind of wish this had come out earlier in the year, because it feels more like a summer read, or a Halloweenish read, but I'm looking forward to reading it regardless. Karen M. McManus is an autobuy author of mine, I've always found her books quick and easy to fly through, but always engaging, with a twist at the end that I don't tend to see coming. Release date is 1/12/20. 

4. What are three books you want to read before the end of the year? 

My December is mostly filled up with a Christmassy series (you will know what series I'm talking about if you follow my Instagram) but there are still a few books that I want to get to. They are:

1. The Cousins, by Karen M. McManus- (As mentioned above.) 

2. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Montague Sibling #2), by Mackenzie Lee- (I finished The Gentleman's Guide this month and loved it, so I want to be up to date on the trilogy, for the final release next year.) 

3. Darkdawn (The Nevernight Chronicles #3), by Jay Kristoff (I'm reading Nevernight now, so this would mean that I finish the series this year.) 

5. Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year? 

Honestly, I doubt it, but there's always a chance! 

6. Have you already started making reading plans for 2021? 

Absolutely! I know what series' I want to try and conquer, some kind of idea what number I'll try and achieve for the Goodreads Reading Challenge, I'm looking forward to sharing them all with you! I won't disclose the list now, but there will certainly be a post planned for December! 

Comment down below whether you've started making reading plans for 2021 too and if so, what they are! 

Okay! So that's the "End of the Year Book Tag!" 

As always, anyone who wants to do this tag, can! You're welcome to try it if you want to! 

Right, that's all I have for you today, so I'll see you all soon! Enjoy your reading and I'll see you very soon! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

Series' I'm Intimidated to Start

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And today I will be listing the books/ series that I'm intimidated to read (because they're huge!) 

Just a disclaimer, I'm pretty sure these will all be adult fantasy series', so if you're not into that genre, you might want to skip this post! 

Enjoy! 

1. Robin Hobb books! 

I don't know how, but all of a sudden, maybe half way through the year, everybody was picking up this book (and the other nine books that take place within this world.) But there's so much hype for these books that I definitely want to read them soon. The only problem is, it's a ten book series (within books of three and four) and they're all huge. If I get the time to prioritise them, then maybe I'll start them in the new year. 

Series': The Farseer Trilogy 

(Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin and Assassin's Quest)

Liveship Traders 

(Ship of Magic, The Mad Ship and Ship of Destiny)

Tawny Man 

(Fool's Errand, The Golden Fool & Fool's Fate)

2. The Stormlight Archive series, by Brandon Sanderson 

The Stormlight Archive series is kind of the same instance as the Robin Hobb books, but there are less of them! (Even though the fans of this series have had to wait a lot longer for these books to come out- a decade for four books) I'm likely to get on board with this series before the Robin Hobb books for that reason, but they're still intimidating because they're all 600+ pages. 

Books currently out: The Way of Kings 

Oathbringer

Words of Radiance 

Released 17/11/20: Rhythm of War

3. A Song of Ice and Fire series, by George R. R. Martin 

This series isn't about how long or how large it is (though these are huge too.) But this is about the hype, and how everybody loves this series (and the tv show too) when I've not even seen the tv show. I have no idea what I'm going to think, when I eventually pick it up. Will I even enjoy it? I hope so. 

(Though I think I will- I mean, how could I not? 

Books: A Game of Thrones 

A Clash of Kings 

A Storm of Swords

A Feast of Crows

A Dance with Dragons 

4. The Daevabad trilogy, by S.A. Chakraborty 

Another trilogy that everybody's been talking about recently! Again, I've heard absolutely amazing things about this series, the covers are absolutely beautiful (this version of the covers anyway), and it just sounds so interesting that I feel like I could polish off the whole trilogy in a week and a half if I was in the right mood. Why am I intimidated? Because again, they're all in the 600+ pages range, and I have no idea if I'm going to like them or not. The good news, the series is finished! The third book has just recently been released, so I wouldn't have to wait for another release after I've read them. 

Books: The City of Brass

The Kingdom of Copper

The Empire of Gold

5. The Poppy War trilogy, by R.F. Kuang 

It's ridiculous how long I've wanted to start reading this. I heard about The Poppy War back when it was released and somehow there are two new books out now and the trilogy is finished! I've heard the most about this trilogy (well, the first book) out of all of these, and everything I hear sounds super exciting, so I can't wait to get my hands on the first book (despite the intimidating size/ hype.) 

Books: The Poppy Wars

The Dragon Republic

The Burning God

Okay! So those are all the series I'm intimidated to start! I'm sure I'm going to love all of them, because they're all adult fantasy, but that doesn't mean I'm not scared to start them. I hope to get to some of these in the new year (most like City of Brass and The Poppy War, but we'll see.) 

Okay! That's all I have for you today, I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

Favourite Audiobooks So Far!

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And today I will be talking about my favourite audiobooks! 

I've been listening to them for a while now, but this year is when I've really got into them, and I've enjoyed a lot of them. 

Enjoy! 

1. Becoming, by Michelle Obama 

As if Becoming wasn't already amazing, the audiobook is another level. It was narrated by Michelle herself, and that just added so much more. What I loved most about hearing Michelle narrate was the way you could tell how she felt about places, and people, based on the emotion in her voice as she spoke about the kind of things she experienced, growing up, and entering adulthood. It really completes the book as a whole, and you feel like you get to know Michelle more as a person when listening to her telling her story. Highly recommend. 

2. Daisy Jones and the Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

Of course this was going to make my list. Daisy Jones and the Six is a book made up entirely out of real interviews (that the group recorded over their time). Each character had a different voice actor, each actor felt like they were the actual person, it didn't feel like a recording, everything about it just felt faultless. You feel like you're being transported back to 70's LA, genuinely. Just, go listen to it, if you haven't already. 

3. Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2), by Seanen McGuire 

Now, with this one (and the next one), it's not really about how much I enjoyed the audiobook specifically, but how much I just genuinely enjoyed the book itself. But, I don't regret listening to the audiobooks of these, (not just because I can't get them in my local Waterstones') but because of how quick a listen they were. Depending on how quick the speed is, they only take up to 3 hours of listening each! I don't know about you guys, but rarely can I read for 3 hours straight. Down Among the Sticks and Bones follows twins Jack and Jill in their magical lands. It's the first world we visit in the series, and even after 5 books, it's still one of my favourites. There are vampires, and it's all very dark and mysterious. But the best part about this world is the writing, and the way the narrator orchestrates the world with the way they speak. That's the best part about this audiobook for me. 

4. In An Absent Dreams (Wayward Children #4), by Seanen McGuire 

Honestly, I don't know why I enjoyed this so much. It's a book about a studious girl that disappears to a land make of deals and debts. It's a logical world, with owing and fingers crossed behind your back, and a book that I got completely sucked into. There's character development, which I loved to see, especially in a book that was as short as this. Although it's easy for the fourth book in a series to be a drag for the author, this is probably my favourite in the series so far. Eagerly awaiting book 6, which is due to be released early 2021. 

5. The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune 

I read this last month, I don't need to reiterate how much I loved the audiobook. But I will anyway, because I love recommending books I loved! This book was just so damn cute! The message is so wonderful too, that you can always find the good in people, even if others perceive them as bad. The characters are so dear, I just want to hug each and every one of them! One of my favourite middle-grades ever, not just one of my favourite audiobooks! 

6. Twin Ambitions, by Mo Farah

Even though it wasn't Mo Farah himself that recorded this, I could still feel the energy in Arinze Kene's voice as I read about him growing up in difficult circumstances, to winning the Gold at the 2012 Olympics. I had already been a fan of Mo before reading this, but after demolishing Paula Radcliffe's autobiography in just a few days, I knew I needed more. Mo Farah's auto was everything that I needed. What I loved most about this audiobook was that I could almost feel the adrenaline as I listening to every challenge being overcome by the legend that is Mo Farah, against my own training journey. (I'm a runner too, though I'm nowhere near the level of him.) Again, eager to read some more Olympic athlete's autobiographies! (If you know any, comment down below!) 

Okay! So those are my favourite audiobooks! Of course, not everybody who sees this list is going to love each of these, because everyone has their own taste, but hopefully this helps if you are considering delving into your first audiobook! 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I will see you all next week! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx

November TBR (2020)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And today I'm back with my November TBR (2020)! Because, no matter how shit life is at the moment, I've still got reading to finish. So here's this month's list. 

Enjoy! 

1. The rest of the Saga volumes, by Brian V. Kaughan and Fiona Staples

(Volumes 6,7,8,9)

I made it to halfway through last month (or halfway through the volumes that are currently out anyway) so I'm hoping to get up to date this month. I've heard there's a time jump after volume five, so I'm excited to see where volume six picks up, and what's in store for Hazel, Helena and Marko. I'm also desperately hoping that Brian and Fiona don't take too much of an extended hiatus, because I don't think I'll survive if volume 9 ends on a cliff-hanger! 

2. The Nevernight Chronicle trilogy, by Jay Kristoff 

(Nevernight, Godsgrave & Darkdawn)

 

Aside from Saga, The Nevernight Chronicle trilogy is the last series left to pick up! Nearly there, but I would like to finish the whole trilogy before December because, although I like reading one book a month, marathoning a trilogy certainly gets through it quicker, and it means I can digest it all at once. I don't know much about Nevernight, but I know that's it's a book about Mia, a girl at an assassin school, whose one goal is to reap revenge on the people who ruined her life. I know it's dark and violent, and even though Halloween is over, I'm anxious to sink my teeth into this trilogy. 

3. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Montague Siblings #1), by Mackenzie Lee 

Once again, I was stuck for options, and I thought "Why not put on the last remaining audiobook I got on Audible and try to read it?", so here I am, adding it! It worked with Hunted! 

That is why, I'm sticking this book on here, because it's been sitting in my Audible account since 2018 and it's high time I started it. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is an LGBT historical fiction novel as far as I'm aware, and that's all I know or need to know. The hype for The Gentleman's Guide was huge around the time it came out, and I'm excited to see why everyone was so excited about it. 

4. Starsight (Skyward #2), by Brandon Sanderson 

I've been awaiting the sequel to Skyward to come out in paperback for a very long time, and when I took one last trip down to Waterstones before Lockdown 2, I saw this and knew I had to get it. I'll be reading this first, and due to the comments I've seen on it's Goodreads page, it's just as amazing as the first one! If you didn't know, Skyward (the first book), is about Spensa, whose dream is to take to the skies as a pilot, to fight down the krell that have been fighting humanity for the last however many years. But because her father turned coward and flew from battle, when she was just a child, she won't even get the chance to enrol in flying school. Until the krell double their attacks. Will Spensa finally be given the chance to prove she's not a coward like her father? Or is cowardice genetic? 

I enjoyed Skyward so much it'll likely be on my favourite books for the year, and I'm expecting the sequel to be the very same. Every Sanderson book I've picked up (which isn't many admittedly, but I'm hoping to change that) I've absolutely devoured and I can't wait to delve back into Spensa's world once more. 

Okay! That's my TBR for the month of November. I wanted to add more, I really did, but I genuinely couldn't think of any (and even though I only have four parts in this TBR, it technically counts for 5 books and 4 graphic novels.) 

But let me know what you plan to read this month and we can talk about it in the comments! 

I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx