Author: Nerissa

waiting on wednesday: bone crier’s moon

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My most anticipated book of the week is:

Bone Crier’s Moon

Bone Grace #1

by Kathryn Purdie
published on 10 March 2020

Bone ​Criers have a sacred duty. They alone can keep the dead from preying on the living. But their power to ferry the spirits of the dead into goddess Elara’s Night Heavens or Tyrus’s Underworld comes from sacrifice. The gods demand a promise of dedication. And that promise comes at the cost of the Bone Criers’ one true love.

Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she’s also destined to love.

Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.

Sabine has never had the stomach for the Bone Criers’ work. But when her best friend Ailesse is taken captive, Sabine will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means defying their traditions—and their matriarch—to break the bond between Ailesse and Bastien. Before they all die.

I first took notice of this book due to its cover! I love Charlie Bowater’s art – it’s always gorgeous ❤

The blurb kept me intrigued and now I want to know what Bone Criers are exactly and to find out Sabine’s adventure! Can’t wait for March 2020!

This is probably the last Waiting on Wednesday post for 2019! In December I have a whole bunch of other posts that I’m planning. So the next time I talk about my anticipated reads will be in 2020! See y’all then~

book blogger test tag

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Heya! I’m back with another tag :)) I discovered this tag from @emmaschapter!

1. What are your top 3 bookish pet hates?

  • Insta-love (I didn’t realize I had a problem with this, but I’m starting to really dislike it!)
  • Werewolves and Zombies ugh
  • Slow burn that is just too slow. It’s bad because most of the time chemistry between characters (if any) just fizzles out and strikes too suddenly.

2. Tell us 3 bookish confessions

  • I refuse to read classic/non-fiction books for recreation because I’ve associated them with school and stress.
  • I haven’t read many popular series because I would rather reread books that I know are good
  • I only buy physical copies of books now after reading the epub and KNOWING it’s worth my extra money

3. When was the last time you cried because of a book?

Probably More Than Forever by Jay McLean! Check out my review of the book here! You’ll love it if you enjoy the childhood friends to lovers trope :))

4. How many books are on your bedside table?

Currently 1! I have stacks of books all around my room though (some are on random stools lol)

5. What’s your favorite snack while reading?

Nothing really! If I am eating while reading it could be anything but most of the time I’m too focused on reading!

6. Name 3 books/series you’d recommend to everyone

  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
  • Trick by Natalia Jaster
  • Addicted series by K.B. Ritchie

7. Show us a picture of your favorite shelf on your bookshelf

My room is in a mess now because I’m trying to sort my life out! So I’m going to have to pass on this~

8. Write how much books mean to you in 3 words

Everything. Everything. Everything.

9. What’s your biggest reading secret?

Hmmm. Probably that I started reading books with sexual scenes when I was 10? I just never found it a problem. Is that considered lol

I quite enjoyed this tag because I could be nostalgic but also it’s really simple! If you do it too, please leave a link in the comments and I’ll check your post out :))

waiting on wednesday: all the stars and teeth

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I looked up this book after reading the title, it made me really intrigued to find out about the ‘teeth’!

This week, I am anticipating:

All the Stars and Teeth

All the Stars and Teeth #1

by Adalyn Grace

published on 4 February 2020

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice, Adalyn Grace’s All the Stars and Teeth is a thrilling fantasy for fans of Stephanie Garber’s Caraval and Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series.

She will reign.

As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.

When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.

But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.

I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.

I checked it out on goodreads and early reviewer gave the book a 4.5/5 (as of August 2019) rating. I’m hoping this turns out to be a superb fantasy! Can’t wait for February 2020 to arrive already :))

waiting on wednesday: imagine me

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Many of you have heard of the Shatter Me series. After so many years, nearly a decade I think – it’s ending 😦

This week I’m anticipating:

Imagine Me

Shatter Me #6

by Tahereh Mafi

published on 31 March 2020

The explosive finale to the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Shatter Me series.

Juliette Ferrars.

Ella Sommers.

Which is the truth and which is the lie?

Now that Ella knows who Juliette is and what she was created for, things have only become more complicated. As she struggles to understand the past that haunts her and looks to a future more uncertain than ever, the lines between right and wrong—between Ella and Juliette—blur. And with old enemies looming, her destiny may not be her own to control.

The day of reckoning for the Reestablishment is coming. But she may not get to choose what side she fights on.

I haven’t read books 4 onwards because of how much I loved book 3 and was just in book coma~ But I’m excited to reread the series and experience how the series ends when it releases. Can’t wait to see what Juliette/Ella does and whether she gets the happy ending she deserves!

waiting on wednesday: chain of gold

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Last week was my birthday week so I skipped WOW! I’m back to it with a really exciting book that I’m sure lots of you are excited for as well 😀 It’s none other than:

Chain of Gold

The Last Hours #1

by Cassandra Clare
published on 3rd March 2020

Chain of Gold is the first novel in a new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London

Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London…and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague.

James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero…and falling in love.

Confession time: I have not read The Infernal Devices series. However, I know how beloved the books and the characters are. I’m hoping to read that and then Chain of Gold all at once in 2020. I’m really excited for this book because I am still caught up with spoilers for the book and am in love with the characters already. Also, the cover is amazing!

20 years of books and birthdays tag (part. 2)

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Today is my birthday!

If you followed Monday’s post, you’ll know I’m splitting my birthday celebration into two parts 🙂 I created a tag called 20 years of books and birthdays to talk about the books I’ve read throughout my life that have greatly impacted my life/personality/reading habits/etc.

In part 1, I talk about books 1-10 which I mainly read in my childhood. Part 2 below includes books I read more recently!

Hope you enjoy~

11. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

I’ve only read I’ll Give You the Sun once but I remember it becoming my favorite book for years. I don’t remember much about it now but I recall becoming more self-confident after reading it. I think I learned from the teen characters in the book and wanted to be a better person afterwards.

12. Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber

Vampire Kisses is the OG amazing Vampire book. It started my love for the paranormal creatures before other books like Vampire Academy or Twilight came about. Not many people know about this series but please read it if you get the opportunity to do so~

13. Fang by James Patterson

Book #6 of the Maximum Ride series. I loved the main character Max and grew up wanting to be as independent, as strong, as charismatic, as captivating, as intelligent as her. I don’t remember exactly why I loved this book specifically but when i was looking through titles for this list, Fang just stuck out most to me. TBH the plot was probably just amazing. I need to reread it soon~

14. Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent is significant to me in terms of two things. One, I really liked the different factions in the books. It kinda made me reflect on what I wanted to be known for – e.g. whether I was erudite, candor, etc. Two, I think Tris was the first true kick-ass heroine that I loved (at least in book 1). She inspired me and probably many young girls to be dauntless and even divergent.

15. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy is the second Vampire series that I love and will defend forever! Rose Hathaway (the main character) is sassy, takes no bullshit, and can fight to defend herself and her loved ones. Another female protagonist who I wanted desperately to learn from!

16. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Another iconic book! TBH I never really loved The Hunger Games series at the start but I reread it when the movies were released/I matured a little more, and I got it. I really liked the values that Katniss stood for and how she protected her loved ones. THG taught me that there are some things in life that are worth fighting for and everyday I live by that.

17. Some Kind of Perfect by Krista & Becca Ritchie

I read the Addicted/Calloway Sisters series in 2017 at a horrid time of my life. I was having major national exams and needed a break. This NA series taught me that it was okay if things don’t always work out in life and that good things come to those who wait. I loved reading about the characters so much that this last book was so bittersweet. I was sad that the story was ending but grateful that after their darkest days came a true happily ever after.

18. Trick by Natalia Jaster

Trick is the best NA book I’ve ever read. I never knew NA fantasy was really a thing until I read this masterpiece. Natalia Jaster continues to impress with every book and I’m so grateful that they exist when I need pick-me-ups and humor and some romance in my life ❤

19. More than Forever by Jay McLean

This is the newest book I’ve read which made it to this list. I read More than Forever at a very appropriate time as I neared my 20s. It’s always nice to know that it’s okay for relationships and plans not to work out because you’re young and to realise that things will be fine in the end. I needed this in 2019 and I’m glad I read and fell in love with this book. You can check out my review of More than Forever here!

20. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

A Darker Shade of Magic is a very unique book in this list. I’ve struggled to finish it for almost a year now but I refuse to DNF it because I actually love love love the parts that I have read. And because I’ve been midway through this novel for a long time, I feel like the book has become a staple of my nineteen year old life. So in honor of my last year as a teen, I’m including A Darker Shade of Magic in this list.

I spent a long time thinking about the 20 books that meant the most to me over my 2 decades alive. I’m extremely grateful to have read about worlds that intrigued me and met characters who inspired me. I hope that I will continue to love reading for as long as I live 🙂

If you’ve read this far, I hope you’ll leave a comment to let me know what books have greatly impacted your life!

20 years of books and birthdays tag (part. 1)

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So this week is my birthday week 🎈🎈🎈I’m turning 20 on the 13th of September!! lol yes I’m celebrating a birthday week because this tag is far too long for one blog post. I’m splitting it into parts 1 and 2.

I’m both excited and just really scared for my twenties. On one hand I feel like I’m still young but I’m also getting older much quicker than I expect. I decided that this is a day where instead of just looking forward, I want to reminisce about all the things I’ve done. Hence, I’ve created my own tag called “20 years of books and birthdays”.

It’s really simple – essentially I’ll list the 20 books that have impacted my life the most in the last two decades that I’ve lived. They could be books I read during my childhood or other memorable periods periods of my life. Books that I feel shaped me to be who I am today.

I hope you enjoy part 1! Part 2 to come 🙂

1. Rainbow Magic Treasury by Daisy Meadows

I remember this book very fondly. I loved the Rainbow Magic series and was a fan from the start. I remember being given this Treasury which contained the first 7 books of the series and reading and rereading it numerous times. This was definitely the foundation of my love for books.

2. Princess Charlotte and the Birthday Ball by Vivian French

Tiara Club was another book that I read so many times as a child. I don’t remember much about it anymore but I always feel really warm inside when I see the book on my shelf so I decided to include this~

3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Surprise surprise I included a book from the Harry Potter series. Among the 7 books, Sorcerer’s Stone is my favorite because I loved the world building in it.

4. Faery Rebels by R. J. Anderson

Faeries are my favorite paranormal characters because of their portrayal in this book. R. J. Anderson created characters that were strong, wild, feminine and so amazing to 13 year old me.

5. Arrival by Charlotte McConaghy

Arrival was my favorite book for a long time. It was an amazing high fantasy story that I loved. Sadly the series stopped after two books and I will never know how it continues, let alone how it ends.

6. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

My entire youth revolved around one (1) Percy Jackson. This series taught me so much – it taught me to dream, to have courage, to be proud of who I am, to stand up for myself, and so much. The Lightning Thief started this entire incredible series, how could I not include it in my list.

7. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Another book from the Percy Jackson series – if this doesn’t confirm how much I love this series, I don’t know what will. The Last Olympian is my favorite book of the series. In particular I reread the battle scenes so many times as a youth. Those were definitely good days!

8. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

One more for my boy Percy. But in all honestly this book is the most read book in my shelves. I remember spending 2013 just reading and rereading The Son of Neptune to have more of Percy in my life after the events of The Lost Hero (aka the previous book before Son of Neptune).

9. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I’m a huge fan of contemporary romances now and it began because of Anna and the French Kiss. I know that there are some problems with the book itself and it’s been years since I actually read it. However, I can’t lie about the influence this book has had on my reading habits.

10. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Last book of part 1 goes to City of Fallen Angels. Among the Shadowhunter Chronicles novels, I remember this book the best as I was obsessed with it at a time where I really fell in love with reading. I have heard many opinions about City of Fallen Angels being the weakest plot of The Mortal Instruments series. However, it was a significant part of my life and I will always be fond of it.

That’s all for part 1! Part 2 will be out on my birthday – 13 September 🙂 See you there~

waiting on wednesday: sinful like us

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My most anticipated book of this week is:

Sinful Like Us

Like Us #5

by Krista and Becca Ritchie
published on 10 September 2019

HOW CAN IT BE WRONG 
IF IT FEELS SO GOOD

Dating an American princess comes with a massive amount of baggage–all of which I’m willing to carry strapped on my back in quicksand and through seven hells. But Jane Cobalt’s baggage, I’m unprepared for. It comes in the form of her five equally famous and notoriously hard-to-please brothers.  

I want Jane.  
Completely.  
Unconditionally.  

But when there’s a trip scheduled that I can’t be a part of, I only have one option. It’s immoral.  
Something I’d never consider until now.  

But, hell, there’s got to be some perks to being a twin. So I’m doing it. I’m switching places with my brother.  

Done and done.  

It should have been easy.  

There were little consequences.  

Until the storm hit. 

This week I decided to anticipate Sinful Like Us by Krista and Becca Ritchie. The Addicted and Calloway Sisters series are in my top 5 series and while I didn’t love the first few books of the sequel series aka the Like Us series that this book is part of, I am still quite excited for it. Many of my friends on twitter say this couple (who are the leads of book 4 and 5) are much better and I’m hoping to read it and love it as much as they do!

waiting on wednesday: ninth house

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This week I have chosen:

Ninth House

Ninth House Series #1

by Leigh Bardugo
published on 1 October 2019

The mesmerizing adult debut from #1 New York Timesbestselling author Leigh Bardugo

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. 

I have never actually read a Leigh Bardugo book before but I’ve heard amazing things about her writing. I’m quite excited about this book due to the premise as well. I love the idea of secret societies and power politics, which appear to be key themes of the book. Can’t wait for October!!

manga review: one piece

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I haven’t read any novels since June. Instead, I was in an obsessive manga-reading mood and started One Piece. If you’re a manga fan, you know it’s crazy long – over 900 chapters. Even for me, a really fast reader, I took nearly 15 days to reach the latest chapter (and yes, it’s still ongoing). I really enjoyed this experience though, it took me back to my younger days back when the manga had barely 500 over chapters. Reading One Piece always reminds me of good times~

One Piece

by Eiichiro Oda
Shounen, Adventure, Pirates

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

One Piece is truly one of the best mangas around. I felt like I was living an adventure that I never wanted to end. The straw-hat crew became my family. If that doesn’t describe a good read, I don’t know what will…

Firstly, I think we should all applaud Oda. He has been drawing One Piece for over 20 years and has shown no signs of stopping. Every week the manga gets even more interesting – both plot and art wise. I love that he has such a huge passion for his manga even after two decades.

So there has to be a reason why One Piece is so popular, why it’s able to continue for such a long time. I think it’s because it gives readers HOPE. No matter what happens to the characters in the manga, they find a way to continue living their dreams in different ways. Whether they pass on these dreams to someone else, or they try again themselves – they never give up or give in. This reminds readers, like myself, of our younger selves when we were more ambitious. It makes us think that we can achieve our dreams too. This feeling of hope is consistent and keeps readers wanting more. Truly, One Piece is amazing isn’t it?

Beyond that, the characters are some of my favorite. I would say I’m a little biased since I’m more attached to the earlier crew but I like all of them. I’m heartened that they come from different backgrounds but they acknowledge each other as nakama aka comrades who are like family. They are friends who travel on this wild and incredible journey together and during their adventures, they gain a family. They never turn their backs on each other even when the going gets really really tough (i.e. the Enies Lobby and Vinsmoke arc). Readers who accompany their journey, are able to relate with the characters by struggling through each fight and celebrating each victory with the crew. Family has a distinct feeling and the characters in One Piece reminds me of that.

Storywise as well – Oda can do no wrong. He knows when to make readers feel, such as to laugh, cry, get angry, and so on. Moreover, he keeps the manga interesting through varied twists and turns even after 20 years of it. Literally, there are thousands of theories on the internet about what might happen next in the series but even then he always finds another way to surprise readers. There’s never a fixed structure in the manga but every story arc is as good, or even better, than the previous. My personal favorite is probably the Whole Cake Island or Prison Break arc.

I could rave about One Piece for much longer but I think it would just be endless praise so I think you get my point. I’m an avid reader of manga but I could never like others as much I love One Piece. I am truly glad to live in a time where One Piece exists. If you’re interested in reading about a heart-warming (sometimes heart-breaking) and hilarious adventure, you definitely need to give One Piece a try! I hope you love it as much as I do~