Author: J.

Book Review: This is All I Ask by Lynn Kurland

I almost judged a book by its cover here, if I did, I would have lost out on one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read

Rating: ★★★★ and 1/2

Synopsis: Gillian of Warewick knows no other treatment than the terrible physical and mental abuse issued by her father. When he arranges a match for Gillian with Christopher of Blackmour, she is fearful: Blackmour is rumored to be an evil sorcerer. When Gillian meets him, he proves to be far more of a man than her father is, yet he is unwilling to be a lover to Gillian. She finds that Blackmour has as many psychological scars to heal as she has physical scars.

Review: This book honestly makes me cry almost every time I read it. The emotions are so raw and visceral, I literally can’t help it. This book is very much an emotional rollercoaster, with a plot twist I was genuinely not expecting. Although parts of this book are truly painful and gut-wrenching, watching how each of them struggles with their identities and worth, I love this book. The wholesomeness is enchanting and the growth that each character goes through is inspiring.

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Book Review: Radiance by Grace Draven

Rating:★★★★ and 1/2 or 4.5 stars

Synopsis: THE PRINCE OF NO VALUE

Brishen Khaskem, prince of the Kai, has lived content as the nonessential spare heir to a throne secured many times over. A trade and political alliance between the human kingdom of Gaur and the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis requires that he marry a Gauri woman to seal the treaty. Always a dutiful son, Brishen agrees to the marriage and discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.

THE NOBLEWOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE

Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king, has always known her only worth to the royal family lay in a strategic marriage. Resigned to her fate, she is horrified to learn that her intended groom isn’t just a foreign aristocrat but the younger prince of a people neither familiar nor human. Bound to her new husband, Ildiko will leave behind all she’s known to embrace a man shrouded in darkness but with a soul forged by light.

Two people brought together by the trappings of duty and politics will discover they are destined for each other, even as the powers of a hostile kingdom scheme to tear them apart.

Review: This is basically a fantastical retelling of beauty and the beast but so much more exciting! An arranged marriage, evil parents and rivalling species; and a couple who find solace in each other despite their differences. This was such a perfect mixture of romance and adventure and the character’s growth was amazing!

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Why I’m boycotting Amazon + my fave (online) ethical booksellers UK

Amazon started off as a book shop and is now one of the (or the) most used book shops. Actually perhaps even as any online store in general. In my opinion, Jeff Bezos doesn’t need any more money especially when he donates hardly any to charity. He could change so many lives with that money but just has it laying around. So my morals align with Amazon’s which is why I have stopped using it. It’s quite scary how people go straight to Amazon when wanting to buy something.

This is slightly difficult as some books are printed by amazon meaning that you can get them nowhere else (abe books and book depository and such are owned by amazon so that’s not a choice either) so here I have compiled some of my favourite online ethical booksellers. Also, a warning that some of these are second hand (actually most) as I feel no need to add another new book into the world when there is a perfectly good one available, it’s just more sustainable and nicer to the earth! ☺️

1) Worldofbooks.com

World of books is a second hand bookseller that has pledged to donate 1 million books by the end of 2020! They recycle all books that are unable to be donated or sold and are actively trying to become a more sustainable brand by reducing carbon emissions. Their operations have saved 1,670 tonnes of CO2e! (Although if you are trying to find a book type the book and then world of books and it is more likely to show up. I don’t know why but when searching on the website sometimes books don’t come up even though they do sell them)

Shipping: Free to the UK- Ships to 190 countries

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Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

You can buy this here

Rating:★★★★★

Synopsis: The first book in the Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer! See where the futuristic YA fairytale saga all began, with the tale of a teenage cyborg who must fight for Earth’s survival against villains from outer space.

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

With high-stakes action and a smart, resourceful heroine, Cinder is a Cinderella retelling that is at once classic and strikingly original.

Review: I have read this book before but I finally decided to read the full series!! I had put it off for a while but I shall wait no longer!! This book is brilliant, fantastic, extraordinary and all other synonyms of amazing! The Cinderella story is my favourite storyline of all time and although I don’t read many dystopian books, the dystopian twist on this story was just… phenomenal!

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