Friday Reads: ARC Review of The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott!!

Hey guys!

I've been rather off-kilter as of late, with too many things and plans about the apartment and the move as of late, and if then you add the Star Wars trailer that was revealed at the latest SW Celebration and the fact that the next Celebration in 2016 will take place in London... I have been a bit of a mess this week! I already got my tickets for Celebration London 2016, and I got news yesterday that I might be getting the keys to my apartment NEXT WEEK!

So yeah, probably the blog will go on a hiatus as soon as I get the date for my apartment keys confirmed, because I'm gonna be waaaay too busy!

Now back to the review at hand... this week's Friday Reads is also the book I am adding to my Alyssa Recomends category for the 105 Challenge and the book for April!

The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I saw this one on NetGalley and wondered about it, but once I saw my friend Alyssa from The Eater of Books's review for it, I knew I had to read this one, and it didn't disappoint!

I found the world building fascinating, even if we are left with many more questions about the history of the kingdoms and why in Anglion there are such restrictions on what kind of magic can be used and by whom. It's not that information is simply kept from us, it's that almost no one in the kingdom know the reasons behind why women can only use earth magic or why they have to be married off as soon as possible after coming into their powers, it just is... but I know we'll probably be getting more information as the series progresses, and I cannot wait!

Sophie was a great character, not very keen on simply accepting everything as is, and stubborn enough to trudge along even when she's scared and she doesn't like what's going on. She disagrees with the rules of the society she lives in, but she knows that she cannot disobey them too upfront if she wants to keep breathing. But she's more than willing to take risks and wants to find a way to control her power and her destiny.

Cameron... well, he's a very swoony guy after a while, but at first I wasn't 100% keen on him, he just seemed too dismissive and did seem too happy with the status quo and given that it includes women being married off and their powers being used and controlled... I was NOT keen on that!

Their chemistry was quite off the charts as soon as they connected, magically induced at first but once it all progresses we can see that they seem to be a very good match for each other, even if at first it seems more lust than anything, but then they start working together as allies to protect each other and to face the threats against Sophie coming from those in power. Be warned that this should not be considered YA because there's sex and not the fade to black kind at all!

The plot could be the weakest part of the book, because we aren't clear on why what's happening is happening or how things are relevant or what are we moving towards in here, but we do have loads of hints and info a few unexpected twists by the end that made me glad it was not what I expected at all!

The ending was open enough to make me really want to get my hands on the next book soon, but not awfully cliffhangery as to make me pull my hair out, so that's something!

A very intriguing start for a new fantasy series, one that I'll be sure to keep an eye on and plan to get my hands on the sequel as soon as possible! Well deserved 4 stars for this one!



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ARC Review of A Study In Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway!

Hello everyone! This week's Friday Reads are quite delayed and my reviewing and my blogging have been a bit sparse, but I was on vacation with the boyfriend and we had some very well deserved and needed "us time" so everything else took a back seat.

Now back to routine and with the challenge of NetGalley November to complete this month I will be focusing mostly exclusively in all the review copies I have pending and hopefully I'll manage to tackle that pile and make it less daunting!

Starting back up, today's first review is for the second book of the Baskerville Affair series.


A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This series is becoming a serious favourite of mine. With the mish mash of steampunk, magic, historical fiction, adventure, romance and political intrigue that they manage to make work fantastically, it's always a treat!

A Study in Darkness is book 2 in the series and it is a strong sequel to the first book. I will try my best to make avoid spoilers for this book but be warned, there might be some spoilers for book 1 in this review.

Evelina was left heartbroken and in a difficult position by the end of book 1, and in this one she ends up getting herself into even more trouble, but being the strong woman that she is, she takes responsability from her actions and beyond and faces the consequences making a few agreements to make sure she can keep those she love out of trouble. She finds herself moving from the comforts of the higher society to the less comfortable but also less restrictive poorer and darker side of this Steampunk London. She will have to play spy, keep herself out of danger and try to learn as much about her magic as possible.

The focus of this book is more on the magic and the political elements and less in the investigating of crimes that was the being theme on book 1. Here the political conspiracy takes a bigger role and we discover a bit more about the Baskerville Affair and how they are trying to fight the Steam Barons. The Steam Barons in turn have their focus divided in two: fighting between themselves to try and get rid of the others and get control of all of London and the Empire and also trying to present an united from against the conspirators of the Baskerville Affair. Evelina finds herself in the middle of the struggle as are also her two uncles, Sherlock & Mycroft, though each of them for different reasons.

There's plenty of intrigue and action to keep you glued to the pages, with quite a few twists and turns along the way. With a pinch of romance to keep everything interesting and to give poor Evelina a respite of all the bleak perspectives that she is drowing in. The love triangle is thankfully resolved, and even I wasn't sure I had a favourite before, I think I'm pretty happy with how it all was done.

If all of this wasn't enough, the author has managed to seamlessly thread into the story the crimes of Jack the Reaper, and how it all was tied with the story was just great. Who was behind the crimes and the motivations... very well done, and soooo creepy!

The book ends with loads of action, Evelina finding herself once again in a position where she has to sacrifice her freedom for the sake of others and with a jaw dropping cliffhanger that I would have never expected!

Very well deserved 4 stars for this one!



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Mark This Book(s) Monday: Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst, The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye and Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett!! !!

Hiya everyone!

Happy Monday (may it be Easter Monday or whatever else it might be to you)!

This week I have no new recipe of cupcake to share with you, and this time is not for lack of time, but for lack of inspiration. I've had a few days off, but I've barely done anything productive, unless practicing saree draping while listening to Iron Maiden or Pearl Jam counts!

So today, we're having a Mark These Books Monday! Instead of just one book, I'm gonna recommend you three different books!

So let's start!

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Well, I was expecting good things from this book, cause the only other book of Sara Beth Durst that I read, Drink, Slay, Love, I loved, and this one didn't disappoint at all!

What a gem of a book! The world building here is fantastic! From the legends of the lands to the gritty sand storms to the sand worms and the Gods... everything is so well weaved, you just feel like you are there!

Liyana is a wonderful character, and I was rooting for her from beginning till the end of her journey! I loved her practical side, how she faced all adversities focusing on the task on hand, one day at a time, and one hour at a time when things threaten to overwhelm her.

An absolute must read for anyone looking for a great YA fantasy or just for any fantasy lovers out there!


The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater & Kody Boye. 

No photo available cause I read this one on my phone's Kindle app, and I don't know how to take a screen cap on my phone!

 I so thoroughly enjoyed and loved this book!

This is not your usual YA book, there are bits of horror and the romance is not really what you'd be mostly used to see, but whatever makes it different, also makes it great!

The characters feel as real teenagers, despite the paranormal bits, from the "outcast" witch that it's still growing into her powers (can you imagine dealing with all the crap that being a teenager is AND worrying about whether if you'll finally come into your witchy powers or remain a fraud-ish?) to her gay best friend, that has to deal with not being popular and being gay in a town full of straight and mostly not-gay-friendly people. Changelings, vampire hunters and loads of geeky references to Buffy!

The story weaves from the personal to the paranormal, from dealing with first loves and relationships to saving the world. And it's done in such a great way you just can't help to keep on turning the pages!

I so hope we'll get a second book for Christy, Adam and the gang!


The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett. 

 This book was so much fun! Full of magic and teenagers, but taking a look at magic in a different way, and exploring magic beings that don't usually appear so much in books.

A magic school is nothing new, neither is a magic sleuth, not even a teenager one, or mundane mixed with the whole story, but this book does it in a very refreshing way, and despite our dear Dusty being a headstrong and slightly oblivious to common sense kinda main character, you just have to like her.




There's also a look at much bigger issues that the high school ones in the shape of the magic world politics, and in way that it mirrors our world, an issue of what we are allowed to use our powers for, and why should we not use them for the wrong reasons.

All in all, a very refreshing read, and I'm really looking forward to book 2: The Nightmare Dilemma.


That's all on books for this week! Next Monday more books for sure, and maybe some cupcakes too!