Friday, July 31, 2020

July FairyLoot Unboxing



Hey y’all! Here’s the July FairyLoot!! I love this box and it came on my 2 year cancer free anniversary πŸ˜ŠπŸ’•

FIRST UP WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CUSHION COVER INSPIRED BY CRESCENT CITY BY SARAH J MAAS! I’M TAKING MY PILLOW OUT OF ONE OF MY PILLOWS I WAS GETTING RID OF SO I CAN PUT IT ON MY BED πŸ˜‰


NEXT WE HAVE A GORGEOUS ART PRINT THAT I’M FRAMING ON MY WALL! IT’s OF VASYA AND MOROZKO FROM THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE. ALSO, A CARD HOLDER INSPIRED BY THE QUEENS RISING, SIME MAGNETIC BOOKMARKS & AN ASH PRINCESS CANDLE


WE HAVE A GORGEOUS FOOD TRAY INSPIRED BY WINTER BY MARISSA MEYER. WE ALSO GOT THIS MONTH & LAST MONTH TAROT CARDS IN FOLLOWING PICTURES. AND THE AWESOME BOOK OF THE MONTH I’VE BEEN WANTING W/ SPRAYED EDGES



I HOPE Y’ALL ENJOYED! HAPPY READING! 
Love, Mel πŸ–€πŸΆπŸΊπŸΎ

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Legion Of The Occult by Roberto Genovesi & Translated by Richard McKenna



Unstoppable and lethal, they move across the battlefields like ghosts. They are the soldiers of the Legio Occulta.
Nola, Roman Italy, 19 August 14 A.D.

History does not acknowledge them, but the Roman Empire knows the debt they owe to this secret legion. Trained not to fight but to read and interpret the messages of the gods, they pave the way for Roman swords, intervening when earthly weapons must give way to the power of the transcendent. With the Legio Occulta, no battle is impossible.

Clad in snow-white armour and tunics as black as night, they are seers, fortune-tellers, necromancers and haruspies selected when they were children from arenas, slave markets and burning villages. Led by a general who speaks only in sign language, their motto is Vigiles in tenebris: watchers of the night.


MY REVIEW: 3.5 Stars ⭐️ 

I really enjoyed many of the characters in this book: 
Iorus 
Lucretius
Madron/Felix
Jago
Dryantilla

Just a few favs - BUT - as this is a grim dark book, don’t love people too much because they will die! 

I didn’t like the gladiator animal parts as y’all know. And there is content warning for mentions of rape, child abuse (sexual and physical) infant killings. Well killings of all kinds. Basically, if you have read or watched Game of Thrones, there you go. 

(Uncorrected proof quote)

The centurion looked at the reflection of himself in the boy’s green eyes and for a moment saw images of burning huts, bodies immersed in pools of blood and severed heads lying in the mud. And then he seemed to hear a lament that had soon turned into a long sob and that look, broken but proud, that prayed without ever begging.


I enjoyed most of the book. I was a little lost here and there but y’all know that’s how I am at times. I would definitely read a second book as I want to see what happens with my characters and stuff going on in this world. 

I would recommend to my grimdark, fantasy friends. 

*Thank you to Netgalley and Head Of Zeus for a digital copy of this book. 

Mel πŸ–€πŸΆπŸΊπŸΎ


Monday, July 27, 2020

An Unnatural Life by Erin K. Wagner


Murderbot meets To Kill a Mockingbird in Erin K. Wagner's An Unnatural Life, an interplanetary tale of identity and responsibility.



The cybernetic organism known as 812-3 is in prison, convicted of murdering a human worker but he claims that he did not do it. With the evidence stacked against him, his lawyer, Aiya Ritsehrer, must determine grounds for an appeal and uncover the true facts of the case.

But with artificial life-forms having only recently been awarded legal rights on Earth, the military complex on Europa is resistant to the implementation of these same rights on the Jovian moon.

Aiya must battle against her own prejudices and that of her new paymasters, to secure a fair trial for her charge, while navigating her own interpersonal drama, before it's too late.

MY REVIEW: 4 Stars ⭐️ 

This book was fascinating and I did enjoy it but the ending broke my heart



I wanted to read this book as I love science fiction books and the summary sounded good. The book isn’t some big space odyssey. This book is a short story about robotnik, 812-3, and him being wrongly accused of murder. His lawyer, Aiya, works to get him a fair trial through an appeal.

Things are not what they seem and it’s truly a sad and unfair story

Some things were a bit confusing and the book is just point blank about the basic storyline. You won’t find any kind of world building etc, but if you’re looking for a real life type story in a sci-fi setting, then this is the novella for you.

*I would like to thank Netgalley and Tor for a digital copy of this book.

Mel πŸ–€πŸΆπŸΊπŸΎ

TWD Supply Drop Box July

Here’s the July Walking Dead Supply Drop Box. My trusty skeleton, Bub, wanted to be in the photo’s so I hope you enjoy 😊



First we have an awesome Magna’s War Hammer Letter Opener


We have a Daryl Dixon Funko. I would have preferred a Beta or Negan or someone new but whatever. I have a bunch of Daryl stuff as it is.


Next is a bandanna emblazoned with TWD iconic symbols


Finally we have a postcard from Oceanside and an Oceanside Cabin Motor Court Vintage key Chain 



Sunday, July 26, 2020

Forest Of Bones by Jessie Thomas



Armed with her well-worn Field Guide to Cryptids of North America and a macabre sense of enthusiasm, Ana’s mission to visit and capture evidence of every known cryptid in the United States puts her on the trail of the elusive Covey Devil. Not many people are willing to spend their winter break looking for monsters, but Ana’s trio of friends seem up for whatever the adventure entails. 

When they’re led deep into the snowy woods by its mysterious, eccentric caretaker, Ana and her fellow cryptid hunters find out exactly why it’s called the Forest of Bones. 

And there will be no turning back. 

FOREST OF BONES is an upper YA/New Adult short with a winter setting that will appeal to AMERICAN HORROR STORY and BUZZFEED UNSOLVED fans and those who like a little horror around the holidays

MY REVIEW: 3.5 Stars 🌟 

Read this with some friends at Horror Aficionadoes!



"What is that?"
"A victim," Lady Covey said of the morbid photograph. Though it was in black and white, the massacre still bled through. Ana could hardly identify a human being in that lump of chewed up flesh and bone.




Skyler walked around them, following the remnants of a stone wall that had crumbled and collapsed more than it stood the test of centuries.

Bones had been used to fill in the gaps—skulls with a dusting of light snow in their hollow eyes, long
femurs and whole ribcages and vertebrae. The bones had become part of the forest, piled along the tree trunks in neat lines and circles as if it had been done with ritualistic intent.


This was a fun little read. I mean people did stupid stuff even in a short story. The ending is what got me. I didn’t see that one coming and I loved it!!

The book is free at the time of my review on kindle US.

Mel πŸ–€πŸΆπŸΊπŸΎ

Saturday, July 25, 2020

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer



I knew we were both in mortal danger. Still, in that instant, I felt well. Whole. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through my veins again. My lungs filled deep with the sweet scent that came off his skin. It was like there had never been any hole in my chest. I was perfect - not healed, but as if there had never been a wound in the first place.

Legions of readers are hungry for more. Give in to temptation

MY REVIEW: 4 Stars ⭐️ 


I didn’t love this one as much or the movie either. Everyone was a dick, but I loved Jacob and it broke my heart at the unnecessary pain and using of people. I mostly skimmed it again. I mostly do the same for the movie.



October... November... December... January...






It was Jacob himself. Jacob was simply a perpetually happy person, and he carried that happiness with him like an aura, sharing it with whoever was near him. Like an earthbound sun, whenever someone was within his gravitational pull, Jacob warmed them. It was natural, a part of who he was. No wonder I was so eager to see him.






Mel πŸ–€πŸΆπŸΊπŸΎ

Friday, July 24, 2020

Into The Drowning Deep by Mira Grant



Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy.

Now, a new crew has been assembled. But this time they’re not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost.

Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. But the secrets of the deep come with a price.
 

MY REVIEW: 3 Stars ⭐️ 

This wasn’t as good as I hoped, but I still liked it well enough. I’m just going to review with quotes



The creature hisses, showing bloody teeth. Then, in a perfectly human, perfectly chilling voice, it says, "Come on, Kevin, don’t you have the shot yet?"




She wasn’t laughing when the screams started behind her, high and shrill and terrified, or when she felt the touch of a hand—oddly long and spindly, covered in a cool, clammy film like aloe gel was smeared across the skin—on the back of her ankle.




Do I think the found mermaids
Yes. Of course I do.
And I think the mermaids ate them all.




In the picture, the creature—the mermaid— was facing away from the camera, pulling itself along the Atargatis deck with clawed hands. It’s tail was broad and flat, more like an eel’s than a dolphin’s and while the substance growing from its scalp could have passed for hair under the right light, it was clearly something ... else.




Are mermaids real? Yes. Are mermaids friendly? No. Why is that so hard?




'Thank you,' she signed to the siren—one of a handful of signs they’d been working on for the last few months.

The siren hesitated. Then, with the deliberation of someone who was learning a foreign language, it signed back, 'You’re welcome.'




"He’s gone," said the second man, before she could ask why not. "The damned mermaids got into the control room while we were working on the servos. Ate him, and the first mate, and two of the navigators. The place is a slaughterhouse.




The thrashing mass of sirens writhed atop his body, their hands rending him into pieces. In the end, he was barely a mouthful for each of them. 




Happy Reading!

Mel πŸ–€πŸΆπŸΊπŸΎ

Thursday, July 23, 2020

The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry



When people go missing in the sleepy town of Smith's Hollow, the only clue to their fate comes when a teenager starts having terrifying visions, in a chilling horror novel from national bestselling author Christina Henry.

When the bodies of two girls are found torn apart in the town of Smiths Hollow, Lauren is surprised, but she also expects that the police won't find the killer. After all, the year before her father's body was found with his heart missing, and since then everyone has moved on. Even her best friend, Miranda, has become more interested in boys than in spending time at the old ghost tree, the way they used to when they were kids.

So when Lauren has a vision of a monster dragging the remains of the girls through the woods, she knows she can't just do nothing. Not like the rest of her town. But as she draws closer to answers, she realizes that the foundation of her seemingly normal town might be rotten at the center. And that if nobody else stands for the missing, she will.


MY REVIEW: 4 Stars ⭐️

A sweet and satisfyingly, creepy little book!



What is lurking in the woods.... What is tearing the young one’s into itty bitty pieces... shredded...



Lauren is determined to find out what’s doing the killing. She’s been having a few visions but her little brother, David, is having a lot of visions that are leading Lauren down a scary path.



What do the visions mean.... And what did grand ma ma mean about the story she told Lauren ...

Something isn’t right in the little town of Smith’s Hollow. Will they find the answers... Read it and see!

I enjoyed the characters, but I did want to smack a few people 6,000 ways to Sunday. But I digress!

Mel πŸ–€πŸΆπŸΊπŸΎ

*Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley publishing for a digital copy of this book. 






Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer



About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him—and I didn't know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Deeply seductive and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight is a love story with bite.

MY REVIEW: 5 Stars ⭐️Reread 




They were sitting in the cafeteria, as far away from where I sat as possible on the long room. There were five of them. They weren’t talking, and they weren’t eating, though they each had a tray of untouched food in from of them. They weren’t gawking at me, unlike most of the other students, so it was safe to stare at them without fear of meeting an excessively interested pair of eyes. But it was none of those things that caught, and held, my attention.




"That’s Edward. He’s gorgeous, of course, but don’t waste your time. He doesn’t date."


I kept my eyes down as I went to sit by him, bewildered by the antagonistic stare he’d given me.






"My name is Edward Cullen," he continued. "I didn’t have a chance to introduce myself last week. You must be Bella Swan."






"Can’t you just Thank me and get over it?"
"Thank you." I waited, fuming and expectant.
"You’re not going to let this go, are you?"
"No
"In that case... I hope you enjoy disappointment.




"I’m Jacob Black." He held out his hand in a friendly gesture. "You bought my dad’s truck."




I’m still loving the movie better. I like the way Jacob and Bella met better in the movie so far. And in the book they have Edward snickering from time to time. Just no! πŸ€£πŸ˜‚ smoldering not snickering.

About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him —and I didn’t know how potent that part might be—they thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.






"And so the lion fell in love with the lamb...," he murmured. I looked away, hiding my eyes as i thrilled to the word.
"What a stupid lamb," I sighed.
"What a sick, masochistic lion." He stared into the shadowy forest for a long moment, and I wondered where his thoughts had taken him.




Still loved it! Looking forward to the new book!!



Mel πŸ–€πŸΆπŸΊπŸΎ



Monday, July 20, 2020

Owlcrate Unboxing July

Here is the July Owlcrate! Yay!! I hope you enjoy my sweets.

First up we have our next Cara Kozik mug! It’s so cute! 





Next is a Raven Cycle Apron. 




Next is a cute little tin of paperclips inspired by The Hunger Games



We have the pin of the month inspired by the book of the month. 

 

OMG! One of my favorites along side the Cara Kozik mug, we have a double-sided, wooden bookmark of Kylo and Ray! I love my Kylo! Don't you judge me! 
 


We have some tea inspired by Simon Snow from Carry On! 


And the book of the month with beautiful gold gilded edges, a different cover and there is a little foil design on the naked cover. 



That's is sweets! I hope you guys enjoyed the pictures and I will see you next time =) 

Love, 
Mel ♥