Snow Like Ashes by Sarah Raasch Spoiler Free! At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book. In what I consider high fantasy or even hardcore sci-fi, it takes me a while to keep places and people straight. In the beginning, I went back and forth between being bored, confused, and loving it. At about 160 pages in, that’s when I fell in love with the book and couldn’t put it down. The general premise is a land where are there 8 kingdoms, 4 tied to seasons and 4 called the rhythms. We follow Meira who is from Winter, which was destroyed by Spring. She and several others are living as refugees. The rest of the Winterians are slaves in work camps in Spring. The ultimate goal of the refugees
In this video I discuss a bit of the differences between being a self-published indie author versus an indie author working with an independent press. I also talk a bit about self-publishing costs and marketing expectations. This is my personal experience over the last three years and is no way inclusive of everyone's experience. It's just something I thought could use some clarification!
Blood of Wonderland by Colleen Oakes I read the first 160 pages of this in one sitting. I had recently finished Queen of Hearts, and I actually liked this book more. Yes, it is a lot more introspection, but I feel it is less confusing and there is more attention to detail. I did predict a couple of the plot twists, but it didn't detract from the story. This book is an easy read, although it did give me some very strange, violent dreams when reading before bed! Other than that, I look forward to book 3 and still hope that the twist on the retelling is that Dinah ends up a good Queen in the end. 4 out of 5 stars
Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes I really liked this book! It is very different from Alice in Wonderland. The general premise is there, but people are reimagined in new and interesting ways. Dinah is very likeable and you sense her grief from the death of her mother and her jerk of a father's treatment of her. Some scenes were difficult for me to visualize for some reason, not sure if it was overly complicated description or what exactly, but it didn't detract from the story. I really hope Dinah doesn't end up like the true Queen of Hearts (a ruthless, blood thirsty ruler). I think the story is different enough where Colleen Oakes can do whatever the heck she wants with it. I do believe this
This was my first Fairyloot box and it was so amazing! I only wish that I could order it more often, alas, it will have to remain a special treat since international shipping is so expensive. From the UK to the US it was about $50 total. Here's a list of this month's items: Caraval by Stephanie Garber Signed bookplate personalised letter Caraval bookmark Caraval postcard Game of Thrones OR Harry Potter Mystery Mini (Funko) Exclusive The Night Circus Pillowcase Size 18"x18" (Risa Rodil) How to think like Sherlock by Daniel Smith Exclusive "Come Back Yesterday" Candle (Meraki Candles) Exclusive Rose Necklace (Oh Panda Eyes) Exclusive Alice in Wonderland Bookmark (Read At Midnight) Bonus items:
I had the privilege of meeting Martha Brockenbrough at the Midwest Writer's Workshop a few years ago. It's also where I purchased this book. I started it that year, but after 20 pages got distracted and didn't pick it up again. This month I was looking for some standalone reads and recalled that I'd barely started/never finished this book. I like to keep my reviews as spoiler free as possible so here goes. For me this book is 3.5-3.75/5 stars, but I rounded up. I liked the idea behind this book: the enigmatic nature of love and death. It was an easy read and the chapters were short and alternated between Love, Death, Henry, and Flora but remained in the third person. I also liked the message
