Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Waiting on Wednesday #649

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

PRINCE OF GLASS & MIDNIGHT (Princes #3)
BY LINSEY MILLER

Goodreads Description:

For fans of Disney Twisted Tales and Serena Valentino’s Villains comes the next book of the Disney Prince Young Adult series where Prince Charming tells his side of Disney’s Cinderella.

Ever since the death of his mother, Prince August of Charmant has sworn off love. Now with only a few months until he inherits the throne, August is unable to delay conversations of marriage any longer. But news of a magical memory curse plaguing a nearby village—the same village he used to spend his summers with his mother—offers August a reprieve. He convinces his father to give him one week to lead the royal investigation before returning to the palace for good. Despite feeling relief, August dreads confronting his own bittersweet memories of the village, his mother, and Ella, the childhood friend he hasn’t spoken to in nearly six years. But maybe the best person to help him restore the town’s memories is the girl he hasn’t been able to forget.

Once reunited, August is surprised to see how Ella has changed. While she’s still beautiful and clever, she’s more reserved and possibly keeping secrets of her own—a fact August finds increasingly hard to ignore. Together they investigate the origins of the magic impacting the town, but with more and more people forgetting their true loves, their rekindled friendship places them in more danger than they could have imagined. With time ticking down to his return to the castle, August must grapple with his growing feelings for Ella and solve the mystery before it’s too late.

When the clock strikes midnight, the fate of the kingdom may just rely on finding the owner of a lost glass slipper…

Format: 384 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: October 1, 2024 by Disney Press
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

I know, I know. I haven't yet read the first two books in this Princes re-telling series, haha :) But I did buy the first two, ha ;) Because I think the covers are gorgeous. So of course I'm getting this third book too :)
What are you waiting for on this fairytale Wednesday?

Review: I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers

I have finally read this newest book by Courtney Summers. I have been a fan of her for years now. Have read all of her books. I was waiting with this one, as I was unsure about it. I knew it was going to be a hard book to read. Yet I also knew I would like it, as I love Courtney's writing. But yeah. I am conflicted about this story. Ack.

And I think I'm ending up at a two star rating for it. I have so many thoughts to share about it. Some good, some bad. But the writing was gorgeous. Which I loved. Loved the older brother in this story as well. He was great. I liked the mystery of it all. But there were so many things that were a bit too much for me, that I did not like.

I'm honestly unsure about how to write this review. I'm going to try to keep it short. I had hoped that I would love this book. This isn't truly a genre that I love, but I love it when Courtney writes it. But I simply could not love this one. It was too disturbing and too weird for me, to be honest. But it was also very raw and real and honest and brutal too. Which I loved. I felt like this book was an important story. But it also was not for me. There were so many parts I wish I had never read. Yeah. Yet it was written so well. And the writing was great. But I did not like the main girl, Georgia. Not even one bit. Oh. And that do affect how I enjoyed the book as well. But yeah. It was not all bad. I really loved her older brother, ha. I liked that he took care of her. Well, how he tried to take care of her. Sigh. I liked the small mystery parts, the secrets and crimes.

But then there are the parts that I did not like. I'm going to try not to write too much. And to not write that much about the plot either. I may fail. And I think I will be including some spoilers too. This book is told from the point of view of sixteen-year-old Georgia. And that is where my issues started. As she was too young. And she was trying to act way much older. This girl is beautiful. And she knows it. And I get that this is supposed to be a good thing, her knowing her beauty. But I did not like it, sadly. It was too much.

Because she is always going on about it. How beautiful she is. How she looks at herself. And yes, I get that we are all beautiful. But she was a bit of a bad person about it, ha. This book starts with her having just gotten photographs taken of herself. By stealing so much money from her brother to make it happen. She was tricked, and does not even know it. Or care once she knew it. Because she loved looking at her own photos. Until she's hit by a car, breaks her arm, and her photos are stolen as she lies unconscious.

Oh, and when she starts walking after waking up from her accident, she discovers the body of a dead girl in the woods close to her. She has been raped. She was only thirteen years old. That hurt to read about, how it was described that she looked. But I also liked this crime part of the book, trying to figure out who did it, and if it was connected to Georgia being hit by a car on the same road. But in my opinion, this book focuses way too little on the crime. I wanted more details, more of trying to solve it all. And more danger.

A man ends up dead, and everyone says this guy was the one who killed the girl and ran over Georgia. But I did not get it at all. Sure, there were small evidence that he hit her with his car. But where was the evidence of the murder? It was not there. Yet everyone believed he had done it. It bothered me greatly, as he had obviously not done it. Ugh. The older sister of the dead girl, Nora, tries to figure out who killed her. She wants Georgia to help her. They sort of have a past, but they have never actually been friends.

I wish I could say that I liked their growing romance in this book. It could have been sweet. But I did not. Because Nora treated her so badly in the beginning. And I did not like it one bit. Sigh. And then Georgia kept lying to her, not telling her things. And I did not like that either. Especially not when Georgia started working at the Aspera lodge. She has always dreamed of working there, of being an Aspera girl. They are beautiful. She thinks they have the best job there. I did not get this dream at all, to be honest. Was weird.

Georgia lives with her older brother. Their mother died from cancer about a year ago. She did not at all want her to work at Aspera, as she worked there as a cleaner herself before. But Georgia does not get it. She hates her mother. And all she wants is that job. Then after her accident, she is picked up by one of the owners of this luxury place. Cleo. And ugh. I must say that I didn't get the obsession with this woman at all. Georgia seemed to worship her and always want her. It was a bit disturbing. Yeah. I did not like it.

Anyway. She ends up getting to work at this place, as she always dreamed. But she does not get to be an Aspera girl. She has to work in a small office at a computer. And she does not like it one bit. Because she feels like she is too beautiful to be doing that job. That she should be one of those beautiful Aspera girls that work the lodge, being there for their clients. Yeah. It was so weird. And such an awful place, honestly. She gets closer to the owners. Cleo and her husband. Gods, I hated him. I hated him so much. Shudders.

There is just so much going on in this place. Despite this book not being that long. But it did take place over many weeks, I think. There were some weird time jumps. But yeah. We get to know more about this special place. How things work there. Like the scene with a famous movie star, who gets her drunk and kisses her and almost does more to her. I hated it. And then worse happens later on. And she wants it, despite her being in love with Nora, maybe. She likes being in control of a powerful man. I think. Maybe.

And I just cannot get past it. Not at all. These older men all wanted her, because she was beautiful. But she was only sixteen. And she did not seem to get that it was all wrong. That things like that should not be happening. So. Yeah. I really not like this. There was a scene where the boss fucks her. And she lets it happen, thinking she will get to be an Aspera girl after. Then a scene a little later, where he wants to fuck her again, and she does not want it, so it ends up being a rape, but off page. This was way too disturbing.

I just shared too much about what happens in this book. But I couldn't not write about it. I'm disturbed. I'm fully upset. I did not want to read about these things happening to such young girls. And yet, I know this is somewhat real too, as I have watched a lot of true crime. But still. Reading this book was a little too much for me, as it was a bit too graphic at times and too disturbing, considering how Georgia was acting during all of this as well. And then the ending wasn't even good either. Ugh. I'm honestly so disappointed, haha.

Anyway. I have now written way too much about this. Time to come to an end. I just. I really did want to love this story. And I did love parts of it. But I sadly did not love the girl. I did like her, and I did somewhat get her. But she was a bit too much with how she loved her own beauty and how she learned to use that. She was only sixteen. Ack. So yeah. I'm the Girl was an important book filled with disturbing scenes. But it was also a little too much for me, so just a two star. Still. I'll always read a book by Courtney Summers.

Saturday, March 23, 2024

In My Mailbox #646

I have been way too tired and exhausted this week. Ack. I haven't started reading my next book yet, just haven't had the time. How rude. But tomorrow for sure, I think. <3 I'm still healing from my surgery. It still doesn't look like it is getting closer to being healed. Ugh. I'm so tired of waiting. I want to get my spa bath up in early April. But I need to be healed before then. Does not seem likely. Sigh. So, yeah. I'm so tired of this. So, so very tired of it. Also sleeping badly, which sucks. Hmph. But got some lovely mail. <3 And I'm trying my best :) Hoping to love the next book that I'm reading. Fingers crossed. This week I'm waiting on Warrior of Legend. <3 So very excited about this sequel coming out soon :) I hope you are all doing well :)

Sinister Summer 5: Haunted Holiday. I know. Have not read book one, ha :D Now I can read all at once.
Not Quite a Ghost. I'm excited about reading this one soon :) I think it looks all kinds of exciting and great.
A Crown of Ivy and Glass. New paperback edition. <3 And it is fully gorgeous. Sigh. Loved this book so :)
Damsel bookplate. Eee! Thank you so much Evelyn for this precious bookplate :D Getting the book soon.
Pop Figure. This Wooloo pokemon pop figure is fully adorable, haha :) Had to get this one from amazon.

Funko Europe. Oops. I had to order once more. Sigh. I just could not resist some of these, haha. <3 I got two of Galadriel Soda, because I was trying to maybe get a chase. I got two chases. Haaaaa. Ugh. Now it's sold out, and I am not able to get the regular one, which I need. How very rude, haha :) Love my new Encanto Isabel. <3 Also love Sirius. Looks awesome. But still no Max from my Stranger Things mystery minis. Sigh. How rude. Love the new versions of Eddie :D T-shirt for my nephew, maybe. It's big in small.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Waiting on Wednesday #648

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

WARRIOR OF LEGEND (Heromaker #2)
BY KENDARE BLAKE

Goodreads Description:

The conclusion to New York Times #1 bestselling author Kendare Blake's epic duology following a young woman’s training to shepherd a princely hero to victory. Perfect for fans of Alexandra Bracken and Stephanie Garber.

Reed is officially a member of the immortal order of the Aristene. She even has a new name: Machianthe. It’s everything she’s ever dreamed of—so why isn’t she happy?

Maybe it’s because every hero she helps can only find glory at the cost of their life. Or maybe it’s because she can’t stop thinking about the prince she left behind.

Now Reed looks for any opportunity to help with low-risk hero’s trials. And a princess looking for a glorious marriage? Nothing could be less dangerous. But Hestion is one of the suitors, and while Reed is occupied trying to win him back, an old danger is gaining strength.

To battle the growing threat, the Aristene must band together, but the order has never been more divided. Will Reed be able to survive this war with her chosen family and her heart intact?
Format: 416 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: September 17, 2024 by Quill Tree Books
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

EEEEEE. I loved Champion of Fate so, so very much. And I am dying for this second book. <3 Such a huge fan of Kendare. Sigh. She's the best. And this newest duology by her is the most amazing. I'm so thrilled to read more about Reed and Hestion, eee. And the amazing world, of course. That cover is epic.
What are you waiting for on this legendary Wednesday?

Saturday, March 16, 2024

In My Mailbox #645

Already been another week. Gosh. This week have gone by pretty fast. I'm exhausted, though, haha. But I'm doing mostly okay. Waiting for my wound to heal, as always. Ugh. But it does look better for each day. Waiting for spring. Instead got more snow this week. How rude. But still. Hoping to get my spa bath up in about two weeks, eee. Just need my wound to close by then. Ugh. Seems unlikely. Sigh. But I'm hopeful. At least a little bit, haha. Managed to read a book this week :) A shorter one. Have my next read ready as well, but not ready to read it just yet. I'm still just so very exhausted. Sigh. I also had to take new photos for instagram, got twelve new taken, haha. Which I'm happy about :) Can't wait for winter to be over, and grass to return. Will be so much easier to take outdoor book photos when the ground is dry, ha. New blog posts. I shared my review of The Thirteenth Circle :D And I'm waiting on Against the Darkness :) Got new mail this week; a few lovely books and the most gorgeous plushes. Hope that you are all doing well. <3

Empire of the Damned. Regular UK edition. Of course it arrived damaged. Uuugh. How very rude, haha.
The Prisoner's Throne. Waterstones exclusive :D I still haven't read these books by Holly. Oops. One day.
The Isles of the Gods. New UK paperback edition :) Gorgeous. But a bit damaged. Sigh. How typical, ha.
The Thirteenth Circle. International paperback edition. Had to own this version too, haha :) It is so pretty.
Disney Store. Eeee. My second order after they opened, ha. LOVE these Japan exclusive pushes. Gods. They are perfection. Marie pencil case as well. Cuuute. Omg. Lucifer is the actual best. Huge and fluffy :)

More Instagram photos here. <3