Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Book Review - Graceling (Graphic Novel) by Kristin Cashore

 

Graceling are a rare type of people born with an extreme skill. Katsa is the niece of the king and she's also a Graceling. Katsa has been able to live a life of privilege because of her royal blood until her skill awakens one day and she kills a man with her bare hands. Her uncle wishing to utilize her ability, makes her his enforcer and she travels the kingdom to enforce her uncle's will on his subjects and anyone who dares to oppose him.

However, everything changes when Katsa meets Po during a mission. Po is a foreign prince that is graced with the ability of close combat. He is searching for his grandfather who has disappeared without a trace. Against her better judgement, Katsa decides to help Po. While on their journey together, Katsa learns the true extent of her abilities along with a secret that could threaten everything she holds dear.

I thought this graphic novel was well done. The drawings, the story, and world building was well developed and interesting. I believe the graphic novel is based off a series and it captivated me enough that I would read the rest of the series to learn more about Katsa and Po. I would recommend this graphic novel to anyone who has an interest in graphic novels and fantasy stories.

Monday, November 14, 2022

Book Spotlight - Curse Undone by Brandie June + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: CURSE UNDONE (Gold Spun #2)

Author: Brandie June

Pub. Date: October 4, 2022

Publisher: CamCat Books

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 336

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, Audible, B&NiBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Two crowns. Two kingdoms. One chance to rule.

Nor and King Casper are captured by the fay army and forced to face the indomitable Faerie Queen, Marasina. At her command, Casper is thrown into a mysterious prison while an even sinister fate is in store for Nor―a deadly fay poison that reveals Nor’s true nature. She’s not only half-fay. She is Queen Marasina’s heir.

Revealed to be like the very creatures she despises, Nor must not only find a way to free Casper but also navigate a court that is as deadly as it is beautiful. Her allies are few, and though Pel claims to want friendship, Nor finds she cannot forgive his betrayal. As tensions mount and war looms between the kingdoms, Nor must choose a side, before it’s too late.

In this epic conclusion to the Gold Spun duology, Nor discovers that a glamour and a curse may be two sides of the same coin.

 

Grab book 1, GOLD SPUN now!

 

Book Trailer:


 

About Brandie June:

Brandie June spent most of her childhood onstage or reading, as both activities let her live in fantastic stories. She moved to Los Angeles to study acting at UCLA, and eventually branched out into costume design and playwriting. While she spends most of her free time writing, she will still take any excuse to play dress-up, especially if it involves wearing a crown. She happily promotes more stories as a marketing director for kids’ films and anime. When not writing or marketing, she can often be found doing aerial arts, playing board games, drinking too much espresso, and coming up with new art projects. She lives with her husband, two spoiled rescue pups, a spoiled cat, six fish tanks, and five bookshelves. You can find out more about her at www.brandiejune.com and follow her @brandiejune.

Subscribe to Brandie's newsletter (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of CURSE UNDONE, US Only.

Ends November 22nd, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want some awesome swag? Upload proof of Purchase of CURSE UNDONE and Brandie will mail you some! Fill out the form HERE to get a bookmark, signed bookplate, and pair of Gold Spun Duology pins. PLUS, a few lucky people also get a fairy wing necklace!



Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/24/2022

A Dream Within A Dream

Guest Post

10/25/2022

Books and Kats

Guest Post

10/26/2022

Book-Keeping

Review/IG Post

10/27/2022

Books a Plenty Book Reviews

Review

10/28/2022

Jenguerdy

IG Spotlight

10/29/2022

Writer of Wrongs

Excerpt

Week Two:

10/30/2022

@jennareadstuff

IG Review/TikTok Post

10/31/2022

Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf

IG Review

11/1/2022

Bookish Trisha

Guest Post/IG Post

11/2/2022

YA Books Central

Guest Post/IG Post

11/3/2022

Fire and Ice

Review

11/4/2022

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt

11/5/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Three:

11/6/2022

BookHounds YA

Excerpt/IG Post

11/7/2022

Mom with a Reading Problem

Review/IG Post

11/8/2022

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Review/TikTok Post

11/9/2022

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

11/10/2022

A Backwards Story

Review/IG Post

11/11/2022

Living in a Bookworld

Excerpt

11/12/2022

bookbriefs

Review/IG Post

Week Four:

11/13/2022

@bookishreviews_byalison

IG Review

11/14/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

11/15/2022

The.bibliophile.michelle

IG Review

11/16/2022

two points of interest

Review

11/17/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

11/18/2022

@simplybeccamee

IG Review


Saturday, November 12, 2022

Book Spotlight - Briarcliff Prep by Brianna Peppins + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: BRIARCLIFF PREP

Author: Brianna Peppins

Pub. Date: November 15, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 400

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, B&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

Set at a luxe, aspirational boarding school inspired by the author's beloved alma mater Spelman College, this debut is a captivating celebration of the friends we choose, the family we protect, and the love we owe ourselves.

It's fourteen-year-old Avielle "Avi" LeBeau's turn to do what everyone in her family has done: leave home to attend Briarcliff Prep―a Historically Black Boarding School (HBBS). And as scared as she is to say goodbye to her parents and move to Georgia, she knows her fearless big sister Belle will be there to show her the ropes.

Before long, Avi settles into life at Briarcliff. New friends (and foes), challenging classes (at times too challenging), and maybe a cute tutor-turned-something-more (if her brothers don't get in the way). Meanwhile, Belle does what she always does: she runs the campus's social scene, especially now that she's dating Logan, the pride and joy of Briarcliff's sibling school Preston Academy.

But something about Logan doesn't sit well with Avi, no matter how many times Belle reassures her Logan is a good guy. And when Avi stumbles across the truth, her relationship with Belle is put to the test. If Avi reveals what she knows, their sisterhood might never recover. But if she doesn't, she might lose Belle forever.

Debut author Brianna Peppins deftly balances a celebration of sisterhood, self-discovery, and Black joy with an empathetic exploration of teen dating violence in this novel that is, at its heart, a love letter to Black girls.

 

About Brianna Peppins:

Brianna Peppins is the author of young adult contemporary novels, including Briarcliff Prep and As Long as We're Together. She was raised in PG County, Maryland and graduated from Spelman College with a B.A. in Psychology. When not writing, Brianna takes special interest in spending time with her loved ones, social justice issues and is a self-proclaimed movie aficionado.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 





Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of BRIARCLIFF PREP, US Only.

Ends December 6th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/1/2022

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt/IG Post

11/2/2022

Author Z. Knight

Excerpt/IG Post

11/3/2022

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt/IG Post

11/4/2022

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Review

11/5/2022

@jennareadstuff

IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Two:

11/6/2022

A Dream Within A Dream

Review/IG Post

11/7/2022

Fire and Ice

Review/IG Post

11/8/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

11/9/2022

pluvioreads

Review/TikTok Post

11/10/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

11/11/2022

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

11/12/2022

Jeff_of_allmedia

IG Review

Week Three:

11/13/2022

zaineylaney

IG Post/TikTok Post

11/14/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review

11/15/2022

YA Books Central

Excerpt/IG Post

11/16/2022

Stacialovestoread

Review/IG Post

11/17/2022

@booksrn_rashi

IG Review

11/18/2022

brittreadsalattebooks

IG Review

11/19/2022

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

Week Four:

11/20/2022

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

11/21/2022

onemused

IG Spotlight

11/22/2022

The Real World According To Sam

Review/IG Post

11/23/2022

@ReadsReaders

YouTube Review/IG Post

11/24/2022

The Book View

Review/IG Post

11/25/2022

Fall Between the Pages

TikTok Review/IG Post

11/26/2022

Confessions of a YA Reader

Review

Week Five:

11/27/2022

@thechattybookworm

TikTok Review/IG Post

11/28/2022

Momfluenster

IG Review

11/29/2022

@drew_ambitious_reading

IG Review/TikTok Post

11/30/2022

popthebutterfly

Review/IG Post


Thursday, November 10, 2022

Book Review - Black Dahlia by Rick Geary

 

On January 15, 1947 in Los Angeles, a woman was with her young daughter walking around the neighborhood when they come across a discarded mannequin. It turns out the mannequin was the discarded body of Elizabeth Short. Elizabeth's body was posed, drained of blood and cut in two. The author then delves into Elizabeth's life before her murder and the aftermath.

I thought the graphic novel was an interesting read. I was familiar with the Black Dahlia murder and the graphic novel didn't disclose any additional information that couldn't be found elsewhere. I feel if you like reading about true crime and you like graphic novels, you will enjoy this series.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Book Spotlight - Twin Sisters Livingston and the Mystery at Madame Molineaux's by Mary Knight + Spotlight

 

About The Book:

Title: TWIN SISTERS LIVINGSTON AND THE MYSTERY AT MADAME MOLINEAUX'S

Author: Mary Knight

Pub. Date: September 27, 2022

Publisher: Living Lantern Media Group, LLC

Formats:  Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 428

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

Twin sisters Maddie and Jo Livingston have spent their lives traveling the world with their famous archaeologist parents. But when the Livingstons’ work takes them on a mysterious year-long excavation in Siberia, much too dangerous for two twelve-year-old girls, Maddie and Jo are whisked off to a castle in Switzerland, where they find themselves piecing together a mystery of their own.

Madame Molineaux’s School for Girls is filled with interesting students and professors from all over Europe. But it doesn’t take long for the girls to figure out that this is no ordinary boarding school: bizarre animals, hidden tapestries, secret tunnels, and a long list of unanswered questions keep Maddie, Jo, and their new friends searching for clues around every corner. Where is that snotty Rosemary Byron going when she sneaks out of her dormitory at night? What secret is their beloved headmistress trying to protect? Who is concealing treasures in the unlikeliest of hiding places? The girls must put all these strange pieces together to discover the staggering truth, and to save their school before Madame Molineaux’s closes its doors—for good!

 


About the Twin Sisters Livingston Team:

We fuel self-discovery, sisterhood and adventure.

Twin Sisters Livingston is devoted to delivering smart, sophisticated media that empowers tween girls. Anchored by a 24-book series, our brand enchants young readers though the adventurous tales of American twin sisters Maddie and Jo, who solve mysteries within the walls of a fabulously diverse Swiss boarding school. The fictional universe is expanded to include e-books and audiobooks, subscription boxes full of rich edu-tainment, gaming apps and more.

Subscribe to the Newsletter and read the fist 6 chapters for FREE! (scroll down)

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win a finished copy of TWIN SISTERS LIVINGSTON AND THE MYSTERY AT MADAME MOLINEAUX'S, US Only.

2 winners will win an eBook of TWIN SISTERS LIVINGSTON AND THE MYSTERY AT MADAME MOLINEAUX'S, International.

Ends November 15th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/31/2022

Mythical Books

Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post

10/31/2022

Kait Plus Books

Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post

11/1/2022

A Dream Within A Dream

Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post

11/1/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post

11/2/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

11/2/2022

The Momma Spot

Review

11/3/2022

Fall Between the Pages

TikTok Review/IG Post

11/3/2022

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Review

11/4/2022

YA Books Central

Interview/IG Post

11/4/2022

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

Week Two:

11/7/2022

Log Cabin Library

Review

11/7/2022

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

11/8/2022

Blog Write. Read. Live

Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post

11/8/2022

@froggyreadteach

IG Review/Read Aloud

11/9/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review

11/9/2022

Jeff_of_allmedia

IG Review

11/10/2022

The Page Ladies @jacleomik33

IG Review

11/10/2022

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review

11/11/2022

Locks, Hooks and Books

Review

11/11/2022

The Real World According To Sam

Review/IG Post