The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So I bought this book for R10 at Readers Warehouse Black Friday sale like three years ago. I didn’t pick it up as I was still missing the remaining books.
I got the remaining books last March and still didn’t start the series because I am a bad reader.
In honor of how much things have changed (and also because my brain keeps thinking we are still in March, thanks Corona) I finally started reading and all I can say is WOW!
Chloe’s first period comes with the startling side effects of her seeing dead people. When she has a very public mental breakdown, screaming at ghosts in her high school, she is moved to a group home with other “ill” students.
However the more time that Chloe spends with her housemates, the more she starts to suspect that something sinister is going on.
It certainly doesn’t help matters that even with her medication, ghosts are STILL trying to talk to her.
I loved the idea of a group home with magically gifted teenagers. It isn’t something that I ever read before so I definitely enjoyed this book immensely.
Kinda sad that it was just sitting there on my shelf for so long and I missed finding this series sooner but that’s the story of my life.
If you like paranormal fantasy, definitely give this a try.
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Tag: Books
10 Reasons Why I Prefer Paperbacks to eBooks
categories: Books
- They feel comforting- Books bring me joy. Just holding one is comforting to me.
- You don’t need to worry about battery life- This is especially important in South Africa with load shedding back. Books can never lose battery life. And if there isn’t enough light, just read by candlelight.
- They look great on a shelf- No matter how gorgeous a display of ebook virtual covers, they just cannot compare to a physical bookshelf.
- Light enough to hold and read for hours but strong enough to use as a weapon- You never know when someone is going to irritate you and you’re going to want to use you copy of “Kingdom of Ashes” to bash them over the head. No this has never happened to me.
- Old paperbacks show signs of being well-read and well-loved- I love when I pick up a secondhand paperback and you can see that whoever owned it before me either kept in pristine condition or read it until it fell apart. My first copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was a tattered R19 copy but I still keep it because I like that someone read it so often, the book eventually lost a few pages.
- The smell…allegedly.- I personally cannot vouch for this as I have a very weak sense of smell but apparently books smell good.
- Books come in different editions with extras such as maps and fan art- Some of my favorites are “City of Bones” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses”
- You can add notes and highlights- You can highlight quotes or make notes in the margins. Yes some ebooks have that function but again, it’s not the same.
- Print books go great with cute bookmarks- Magnetic bookmarks, regular bookmarks, character-shaped bookmarks, book art bookmarks…the list goes on.
- Print books can be used for research- You know, in case you want to locate a quote or a specific scene. I find it easier if you’re flipping through a print book rather than an ebook, to locate something.
I think both print and ebooks have their own advantages and disadvantages but I definitely don’t think print is dead as yet. Which format do you prefer? I’d love to know below.
Fiction Friday: Book Review- Love at First Fight (Dimple and Rishi #2. 5) by Sandhya Menon
Love at First Fight by Sandhya Menon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Love at First Fight” sets the scene for a romance between Pinky Kumar and Samir Jha. However I was just in it to see my favorites, Rishi, Dimple, Ashish and Sweetie. It is so cute how Ashish is STILL so smitten with Sweetie.
“Love at First Fight” follows the group as they tackle an escape room for Valentine’s Day. Of course the couples are together, leaving Pinky and Samir on their own team.
I actually cannot stand Samir. He seems like a totally dweeb. However I also hated Rishi at first read and he grew on me eventually so I am willing to give the other weird boy a chance.
I thought the whole set-up of the couples were kinda predictable but I really liked seeing these characters again.
Sweetie is sweet. Ashish is madly in love, Dimple is still raging against her mother’s anti feminist ways and Rishi is still superstitious and believing in Fate (Seriously, HOW are these two together?)
This was a quick read that I devored. Personally I don’t think you need to read this before reading “10 Things I Hate About Pinky” but it’s a great chance to see the characters from the previous books.
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Fiction Friday: Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer (Twilight #5)
Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was a major Twihard back in the day so purchasing this book was a must for me.
When I saw the size of the paperback (700 plus pages), I was a bit daunted by the size but convinced myself it was fine. It was Edward. I loved Edward. He was my first book boyfriend.
The synopsis was a bit over the top but again, it’s my book bae, Edward.
I opened the book and realized two things.
One- This was a really heavy book. Two- Edward has ALOT of thoughts. Like I used to think I was an overthinker but Edward put me to shame.
Incidentally reading this book calmed my anxiety (mostly), because with Edward doing so much overthinking, I didn’t have to.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand, WHY is it so big and WHY does Edward have so many thoughts?
However it was pretty interesting to see inside his head and hear his side of the story. Several moments from the book series and movie series make much more sense after reading “Midnight Sun.”
I definitely suggest you read this if you’re a “Twilight” fan. Just maybe a few pages at a time and maybe purchase the ebook instead?
There were several times I had to stop reading simply because the act of holding the book up was too much for me.
I’m not a fan of Edward’s thoughts or the size of this book. But by the last page, I was pretty disappointed that this was the last we would hear from him (although can you imagine how depressing “New Moon” would be from his perspective?)
Against my better judgement, this book had me hooked.
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Fiction Friday: Book Review- Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas
Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lady Aline has been in love with John McKenna since they were both kids.
However she is a lady while he works in the stables. When their budding romance is discovered, Aline is forced to make McKenna leave by lying to him that she never loved him.
Many years later, McKenna returns to the estate after having made his fortune in America. He is determined to extract revenge on Aline however it is clear that every after so much time, both their feelings have not dimmed at all.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read this book over and over again.
I love starting the Wallflowers series from the very beginning and seeing Westcliff’s background. This time was no exception. I finished this book and instantly started on the next one in the series.
I loved the pairing of Aline and McKenna especially seeing how they grow and evolve over time. This is a beautiful love story with a happily ever after that I enjoyed immensely.
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Fiction Friday: Book Review- Daring to Dream (Dream Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts
Daring To Dream by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Margo, Kate and Laura grew up in Templeton House together. The three girls were as close as sisters.
The daughter of the Templeton’s housekeeper, Margo always wanted more. So as soon as she graduated she took the first opportunity to leave their small town to become a model.
She had fame, success and money. Until it all came crashing down with a scandal.
Forced to return home and try to make something of her life, Margo decides to open a store and sell the last pieces of her pampered life.
I’m not sure why I picked up this book because there isn’t much that appealed to me in terms of plot. I guess it was just an impulse because of the pretty butterfly on the cover?
Surprisingly I loved this book. There’s a legend, close-knit friends and family. This is a feel-good novel though and though which I really enjoyed.
The relationship between Kate, Laura and Margo was beautiful to watch especially seeing how they were so different in personalities.
If you’re looking for a romance book with a lot of heart, I strongly recommend you start this series.
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Fiction Friday: The Places I’ve Cried in Public by Holly Bourne
The Places I’ve Cried in Public by Holly Bourne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was the first book I read by Holly Bourne and wow, IT IS ONE HELL OF A BOOK!
Amelie and Reese were in love. Or so she thought. But now that they are over, Amelie is beginning to see the cracks in their relationship. She is starting to see that maybe, just maybe whatever it is that they had was not love.
“The Places I’ve Cried in Public” paints a pretty accurate picture of what it’s like to fall into a toxic relationship. Ever so slowly that you don’t even know its wrong until you’re too far gone and then wondering what happened.
I knew a Reese in high school and this book really took me back to that time. I had to keep putting the book down to cry and then I sat and bawled my eyes out when this book was finished. I felt seen. I felt heard. I felt understood.
This book is so important and so relevant.
It is realistic and well-written and just sheer, utter perfection.
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Fiction Friday: Red Lily (In the Garden #3) by Nora Roberts
Red Lily by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Red Lily” is the final book in the “In The Garden” trilogy and oh how it breaks my heart to see these characters go (which is odd coz I barely remembered them in “Black Rose” but I guess I’ve gotten attached to them).
“Red Lily” follows Harper and Hayley as they try to start a relationship together. The two of them have had feelings for each other for a while which they’ve been pushing back.
However a short while after their first kiss, the Harper Bride has a temper tantrum and her violent behaviour starts to escalate. She then starts possessing poor Hayley who is no longer sure what is her and what is the Harper Bride.
I found it incredibly sickeningly that the Harper Bride would go after Harper as he is technically her family (insert vomit emoji here) however I was also moved by how she was clearly losing her sanity.
This was a great read that I devoured in one sitting (although it WAS lockdown so it could have been that too). I loved watching the entire family come together and I was glad to finally see the Harper Bride put to rest.
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Book Review: The MacKade Brothers: Devin and Shane by Nora Roberts
The MacKade Brothers: Devin and Shane by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book so so so so so much!
This follows the last two MacKade brothers- the respectable Sherfiff Devin MacKade who has had a crush on Cassie Connor since forever and Shane MacKade who is determined to be the last MacKade bachelor until he meets a gorgeous academic who changes his mind.
Devin wants Cassie but knows that she is still fragile after her divorce from her abusive, scumbag husband. But when rumors start up about the possibility of parole, the MacKades rally to ensure that Cassie remains protected.
Shane MacKade reluctantly opens his home to Rebecca Knight who is studying paranormal activity. He is attracted to her but refuses to commit as he is the last remaining MacKade bachelor, a title he wears well.
These two stories were my favorite from the series. It was sweet and romantic and I couldn’t read fast enough.
The only thing that irritated me was that my copy was in tatters (it was secondhand) and pages kept falling out as I read it. Not a fun experience and it definitely took away from the book but I love these pairings and these plotlines.
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Book Review: The Pride of Jared MacKade by Nora Roberts
The Pride of Jared Mackade by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jared MacKade pops in to his new neighbor, Savannah as a favor to a friend.
Her estranged father has passed away and left her some money.
Savannah wants nothing to do with the money or the nosey lawyer who brings her news of it. But when her son starts spending more and more time on the MacKade ‘s land, Savannah finds herself
attracted to Jared MacKade.
This was a pretty quick read that I enjoyed. It’s a fun romance and I liked the element of Savannah and her son having trouble trusting Jared. It felt realistic but also it was handled pretty well with a really heartfelt scene.
It was also great to see Rafe and Reagan again (They are so cute!) and their tiny but close-knit community.
This series might have me craving small town romances.
Definitely give this series a go if you’re looking for a quick and sweet read.
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