2014/11/29

Book Haul: November

As at the end of every month, I think to myself: "this month has gone by so fast!" It's no different this month. Things are busy this time of year, December is coming, there's lots to do at work, presents to get, cards to write... And it's always exhausting, but it's all worth it to go home for Christmas and spend time with the family.

Anyways, it's time to show you the books I got this month!














I hope you've had a great month!
ALL LINKS ARE AFFILIATE
SHARE:

2014/11/28

2014/11/27

Book Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamunde Hodge

Title: Cruel Beauty
Author: Rosamunde Hodge
Published: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 342
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
Nyx has always know her fate. She is to marry the Gentle Lord, the evil trickster who rules Arcadia, all because her father struck a foolish bargain with him. Her sister will live, because her father chose her over Nyx. She will die, because her father does not love her.

But when she's finally married and sent off to the castle to live, she finds her husband is not quite what she expected...


Review:
This is a Beauty and The Beast retelling, and in the beginning of the book, I thought it was going to be too conventional. However, I was happily surprised.

My favourite thing about this book is the world its set in, especially the castle. There are all these doors and rooms, and the house changes all the time. I really enjoyed it and could vividly picture it in my head.

I liked the characters, though I didn't feel a strong connection to all of them.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes young adult fantasy novels with a big chunk of romance in it.
You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
*AFFILIATE LINK
SHARE:

2014/11/26

Book Review: Doll Bones by Holly Black

Title: Doll Bones
Author: Holly Black (Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler)
Published: 2013
Language: English
Pages: 247
Rating: 3/5


Summary:
Zach, Alice and Poppy are friends and they love playing with action figures, creating their own stories and worlds. And in their world, The Queen is the creepy doll that sits in Poppy's grandmothers cabinet, that they aren't allowed to touch. But one day, when they take it out, weird things start happening...


Review:
I liked this book. It was creepy and interesting, and a quick read to get through. The language was easy to follow and the story was quick paced. I definitely enjoyed it.

However, I wanted this book to dig deeper. It's creepy, but I feel like it should've been a lot more scary, especially when it's said to be horror. I also feel like it should have dug deeper with all of the characters, not just one. The look of the book gives this idea that you're going to read something really special, but it wasn't. The illustrations do give it another element, but it1s not enough.

This book is definitely more suited for a younger audience than adults, as it is more of a coming of age story than a horror story.

I would recommend this to young teens who like creepy books.
You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
*AFFILIATE LINK
SHARE:

2014/11/25

2014/11/24

Book Review: Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick

Title: Midwinterblood
Author: Marcus Sedgwick
Published: 2012
Language: English
Pages: 288
Rating: 5/5


Summary:
Eric, a journalist, comes to Blessed Island for the mystery; the island where it's rumoured people live forever and no children are born. And when he meets a local named Merle, he has a distinct feeling he knows her from before... and when events escalate on the island, he realizes it's more than just a déjà vu.


Review:
I don't think I've ever read a book so fast. I was completely entranced by this story. It is intriguing from page one, and I absolutely loved it.

This story is mysterious, a little spooky and exciting, and a lot of the time I was a little confused, but in a good way. This book has all these threads that eventually tie together, and you slowly start to realize what is going on. I really enjoyed the characters, though it's hard to get into without spoiling anything.

The writing is absolutely beautiful, and I am definitely checking out more books from this author.

The only thing I think is strange is that this is classified as young adult, and I think this would be much better suited for adult readers.

I would highly recommend this to people who like mysterious, paranormal, beautifully written book with an epic love story in it.
You can get this book from The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
*AFFILIATE LINK
SHARE:

2014/11/23

Top 5: Non-Fiction Books I Want To Read

I am a huge fiction reader, but I very rarely venture into the non-fiction world. But I want to explore it, so here are five of them I'd like to read.
1. Quiet by Susan Cain


This is a book about the power of introverts, which I think would be really fascinating since I am one. I've heard great things about it too.
2. Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates


Also a topic I am very much interested in, and I've heard this book is great. As far as I know, this is a collection of stories from people all around the world who have experienced sexism.
3. The Bookshop Book by Jen Campbell


This is a book about bookshops all around the world, and I would love to read it, because I love bookshops! I've also really enjoyed Jen Campbells other work.
4. Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey


A book filled with great people from history and how they conducted their days and got to work. I think this will be an inspiring read.
5. Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham


I think this is an essay collection, and though I am somewhat unfamiliar with Lena Dunham, I think this will be funny and interesting. I've heard great things!
I think I'm going to make it a goal to read at least five non-fiction books next year, so maybe I'll get to all of these!


SHARE:

2014/11/22

Book Review: Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Title: Coraline
Author: Neil Gaiman
Published: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 162
Rating: 5/5


Summary:
In Coraline's house, in the drawing room, there is a door. The first time she opens it, she finds only a brick wall. But when she opens it again, she finds a replica of her own house, filled with copies; of her room, of the kitchen, of her parents, of the cat in the garden... but something is different here. And Coraline soon realizes, it's not different in a good way.


Review:
I went in blind reading this book, and I really, really enjoyed it. The tone is set right away; eerie and creepy. It does not take long before the action begins, which I really enjoyed.

The writing is simple and easy to read, which I thought suited the story well. In a way, parts of this book reminds me of Alice in Wonderland in the way that she finds another world, and sort of just go with the flow in a way, which I really enjoyed.

Basically, this was a creepy, scary, a little gross and exciting tale that I would highly recommend if you want to read something a little terrifying.
You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
*AFFILIATE LINK
SHARE:

2014/11/21

2014/11/20

Book Review: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Ruin and Rising
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Published: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 417
Rating: 4/5

This is the third and final book in The Grisha trilogy. You can check out my review of the others, Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm, if you wish.

As this is the third book in a series, this review will contain spoilers.


Summary:
The capital has fallen and the Darkling now rules Ravka. Now a Saint, a weakened Alina and the remnants of a once-great army is Ravkas only hope at destroying the Shadow Fold and defeating the Darkling once and for all.


Review:
Ah, I zoomed through this book. I found it, as the two others, really exciting. I still like all of the characters and I especially enjoy the banter between them, and how their friendships have evolved.

Again, I felt like Alina grew in this story, and I really enjoyed that. As in the previous one, I still love the characters that were first introduced in Siege and Storm.

This book was definitely a good conclusion to the series, and I quite liked the ending.

I'm trying not to go too much into detail, because I really don't want to ruin it, but I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy. It's definitely worth a read, and up there with some of the better trilogies I've read.

Seriously, if you haven't started it yet, get on it!
You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
*AFFILIATE LINK
SHARE:

2014/11/19

Top 5: Books I Want To Read Because of The Cover

I recently did a Top 5 with books I bought because of the cover, but I thought I would do one with books I'm planning to get because of the cover. Honestly, some of these I don't even know what they're about.


I do know this is set in a war, but that's about it.


This is fantasy... I think.


I don't have a clue, but I love this cover.


The cover plus the title has me intrigued.


Not even the slightest inkling, but love the colours on this.

SHARE:
© The Book Castle | All rights reserved.
Blogger Template Created by pipdig