My Thoughts: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Spin the Dawn
(The Blood of Stars #1)
by Elizabeth Lim

Publication Date: July 9th 2019
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 392
ISBN: 9780525646990
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Retelling
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Own

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Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renée Ahdieh. (Goodreads)

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim is one of those books that I totally meant to get to when it first came out, but waited way too long to start, then kicked myself for not having started it sooner. I was determined to finally read this series this year and I’m SO glad I did! (But yes, still kicking myself.)

Spin the Dawn was described as Project Runway meets Mulan, and it was that Mulan description that completely drew me in. Mulan was one of my most favorite Disney movies growing up and so of course I wanted to read a book that was inspired by it!

The storyline for this book was very interesting! I could definitely tell which parts were Mulan inspired, and I loved it. I also love that there’s magic in the story as well! That definitely wasn’t expected at all. I also really loved so many of the characters in the book as well! Maia is definitely a favorite of mine and I loved her determination and growth over the length of the book. I also really, really loved Edan as well. Together, they are a great duo!

I also want to add that I have devoured the second book in this duology before writing this review, and it was perfection. It was a great story, with a great ending, and while I’m sad to see it all come to an end, I’m so thrilled to finally read the series. I can’t wait to read more of Elizabeth’s book soon!

Overall; I really enjoyed Spin the Dawn, (and Unravel the Dusk), SO much more than I expected to! I will be kicking myself for a while now for not reading it sooner, and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more of Elizabeth’s books in the future! I have her newest book, Six Crimson Cranes, on my TBR to start soon, and now I’m even more excited to do so. If you haven’t checked these books out, I definitely recommend them!

My Thoughts: A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

A Vow So Bold and Deadly
(Cursebreakers #3)
by Brigid Kemmerer

Publication Date: January 26th 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9781547602582
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Retelling / Magic
Source: Own

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Face your fears, fight the battle.

Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone—even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series. (Goodreads)

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer at the top of my list of most anticipated reads for 2021, and I was so very excited to finally get my hands on the book! I have really enjoyed the series since it was first released in 2019, and while I’m not at all ready for the series to come to an end, I am very curious to see how it will do so.

If you’ve been around my blog a while, or if you follow me on Instagram, then you probably know how much I LOVE A Curse So Dark and Lonely. Not only because it’s such a unique, addictive read, but also because it’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, which I LOVE. (Seriously, can I get more retellings like this in the future, please?!) I thought the sequel, A Heart So Fierce and Broken was fantastic as well, and after the MAJOR cliffhanger ending in it, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this final book.

(It was a LONG wait… but it was also SO worth it.)

While I wanted to absolutely devour this book after I finally got my hands on it, I chose to read it slowly instead, because, as I said above, I really, really didn’t want the story to end. This was actually hard to do because the story was SO good, and things kept happening, and I just wanted to devour the book as quickly as I could. Once I hit the halfway mark, I was a goner, and read the last half of the book in one sitting.  And I enjoyed every minute of it.

I had no idea what to expect going into this book. The first and second books went in completely different directions than expected them to, and so I had no idea what would happen in this third book. The storyline picks up not long after where A Heart So Fierce and Broken ends and quickly goes from there. We get multiple viewpoints throughout the book, as we did in the previous books, and it was so nice to get in these characters' heads again. We learn so much new info! This series has so many great characters, and I love them all so much, and want to know so much more about them!

The first half of the book is a little slow, but once you hit the halfway mark, things really start to heat up. I’m pretty happy with the way things ended in this book… though… While it feels like some things came together rather nicely, it also felt like some things were left open – either to be left to our interpretation or for something else, I have no idea. I definitely feel like there could be more to this story in the future, and if Brigid wants to add to this series, or make a spin-off, I would SO be down for that. Give me all the books!

Overall; I thought A Vow So Bold and Deadly was the perfect end to this wonderful series. I wasn’t at all ready for it to end, and I am hoping beyond hope that we get more books in this series down the road, or maybe a spin-off series, because I’m so not ready to say goodbye to these characters. If you’ve read and loved the other books in this series, do check out this conclusion with A Vow So Bold and Deadly! If you’ve not yet started this fantastic series… well… what are you waiting for??

My Thoughts: A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

A Heart So Fierce and Broken
(Cursebreakers #2)
by Brigid Kemmerer

Publication Date: January 7th 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Pages: 450
ISBN: 9781681195117
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retellings
Source: Own

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Find the heir, win the crown.

The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Win the crown, save the kingdom.

Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen--until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?

The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war.

In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places. (Add to Goodreads)

I originally read A Heart So Fierce and Broken back when it was first released in 2020, but for some reason never typed out my thoughts on the book. Since I just finished re-reading it to refresh before starting A Vow So Bold and Deadly, I figured I would go ahead and take a moment to share my thoughts on the book while it is, once again, fresh in my mind.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a book that I enjoyed so much. Not only because it’s a highly addictive read, but also because it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. (I seriously can’t get enough of them.) It was definitely one of my favorite series starters, so of course, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on its sequel, A Heart So Fierce and Broken.

While the first book in the series is about Rhen and Harper, the second book is all about Grey, and a newly introduced character, Lia Mara. I loved Scary Grey from the moment I met him in the first book, so I was really, really excited to get his story in the second book. Especially after we discovered his secret! Grey is such a great character, and I really enjoyed following him on his journey in this book. I also really enjoyed watching his relationship with Lia Mara grow throughout the book. I like them both so much, and I’m so curious to see what’s in store for them, (as well as Harper, Rhen, and the rest of the crew), in the third book.

(Also, that ending of A Heart So Fierce and Broken was crazy! Waiting a year for the next book almost killed me!)

Overall; A Heart So Fierce and Broken was a great sequel to A Curse So Dark and Lonely! I am now very excited to get started on A Vow So Bold and Deadly, even though I am SO not ready for the series to end. If you haven’t yet started this series, you definitely need to do so! It’s so good, and I hope you enjoy it if you do decide to read it.

My Thoughts: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely
(Cursebreakers #1)
by Brigid Kemmerer
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Publication Date: January 29th 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Pages: 484
ISBN: 9781681195087
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: Own

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Fall in love, break the curse.

Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin. (Goodreads)

A Curse So Dark and Lonely has been on my TBR for the longest, and I’m not even sure what took me so long to read this book. I absolutely adore all of the contemporary novels that I’ve read by Brigid Kemmerer so far, and I was super curious to read this fantasy retelling. Let me tell you, it was SO good. So, so good, and I’m kicking myself for not having read it sooner!

If you know me at all then you know I love a good fairytale retelling! It’s so much fun to get an authors spin on a much loved story, and I’m always up for reading these retellings whenever I find them. I have read a few Beauty and the Beast retellings so far, and I am thrilled to tell you that A Curse So Dark and Lonely is at the top of my list of favorites!

There are so many things that I liked about this book. The characters were so great, and the main character, Harper, (the Belle in this book), is an awesome heroine, and not at all your average, ordinary girl. She really made this book special. Prince Rhen, (the Beast), was also a really interesting character. But, my favorite character in the book would have to be Grey. So mysterious and loyal, and I need to know more about him asap!

The storyline for this book felt familiar, yet completely new as well! I enjoyed the parts that reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, but I enjoyed the new twists as well. The story was fresh and exciting, and I absolutely can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Overall; As you can probably tell by these thoughts of mine, I really, really enjoyed A Curse So Dark and Lonely! I am seriously kicking myself for not having read the book sooner, and I have now learned my lesson that I must read any book by Brigid as soon as I get my hands on it! I am now SO excited to start A Heart So Fierce and Broken, which is set to release January 2020!!

My Thoughts: House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

House of Salt and Sorrows
by Erin A. Craig
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Publication Date: August 6th 2019
Publisher: Delacorte
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9781984831927
Genre: Young Adult | Retelling | Fantasy
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Finished Copy from Publisher

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In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn't sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh's involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it's a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next. (Goodreads)

The first thing that drew me to House of Salt and Sorrow by Erin A. Craig was the absolutely gorgeous book cover, (I cannot resist a pretty cover!). I was also completely intrigued by the summary for the book, and I knew I would have to check it out. I am SO glad I did! This story was deliciously creepy, while also being just a little familiar, and I loved every minute of it.

So, if you haven’t yet read the summary for the book, (you should), then I will tell you that this book is a retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses story! I have read a few retellings of this story, and this one is definitely one of my favorites. However, I cannot say that any of the books that I have read so far have had the creepy twist to it that this one had. I’m not usually a fan of creepy, but this book had me hooked, and once I started the story, I couldn’t stop!

I don’t like comparing books to other books, but the feeling that I got while reading this book reminded me very much of Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand, (which is another really awesome, creepy read), and though these stories are not similar AT ALL, they still gave me the same vibe, and I loved it. AND I also really loved that the story felt familiar as well, with the 12 Dancing Princesses theme. I definitely need more books like these in my life.

Overall; If you’re looking for a creepy read to add to your Halloween TBR, or just to read ANYTIME, definitely check out House of Salt and Sorrows! This book had me flying through the pages, and I loved it. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Erin in the future!

My Thoughts: The Blood Spell by C.J. Redwine

The Blood Spell
(Ravenspire #4)
by C.J. Redwine
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Publication Date: February 12th 2019
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 438
ISBN: 9780062653017
Genre: Young Adult | Retelling | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy / Own

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Blue de la Cour has her life planned: hide the magic in her blood and continue trying to turn metal into gold so she can help her city’s homeless. But when her father is murdered and a cruel but powerful woman claims custody of Blue and her property, one wrong move could expose her—and doom her once and for all. The only one who can help? The boy she’s loathed since childhood: Prince Kellan.

Kellan Renard, crown prince of Balavata, is walking a thin line between political success and devastating violence. Newly returned from boarding school, he must find a bride among the kingdom’s head families and announce his betrothal—but escalating tension among the families makes the search nearly impossible. He’s surprised to discover that the one person who makes him feel like he can breathe is Blue, the girl who once ruined all his best adventures.

When mysterious forces lead to disappearances throughout Balavata, Blue and Kellan must work together to find the truth. What they discover will lead them to the darkest reaches of the kingdom, and to the most painful moments of their pasts. When romance is forbidden and evil is rising, can Blue save those she loves, even if it costs her everything? (Goodreads)

I adore the Ravenspire series by C.J. Redwine, and I have been waiting for *the longest* to get my hands on The Blood Spell, the fourth book in this awesome series. This series of retellings has had me hooked from the very first book, and I am always eagerly anticipating when a new book is due to release. The Blood Spell was an excellent addition to this awesome series, and I’m so thrilled to have it in my collection!!

If you haven’t yet read this series, let me quickly fill you in… Every book in this series is a retelling of a popular fairytale. The first book, The Shadow Queen, is a retelling of Snow White. The second and third books, The Wish Granter and The Traitor Prince, are retellings of Rumpelstiltskin and The Prince and the Pauper/The False Prince. And, of course, the fourth book in the series, The Blood Spell, (probably my most anticipated of the series), is a Cinderella retelling! (Up until now The Shadow Queen has been my favorite book in the series, but now The Blood Spell is among my fave as well!)

As I mentioned above, I have been long awaiting this Cinderella retelling, as I can’t seem to get enough of these stories, and I was super curious to see how C.J. would put her spin on this popular tale. I’m thrilled to say that I really loved everything about this book. It has amazing characters, including the main character, Blue de la Cour, (who is awesome, and who I love), A crown prince who was super adorable, and even an evil-stepmother type who you will love to hate, (even when you feel a bit sorry for her). These are just a few of the awesome characters; there are SO many more to love! (And a few to hate as well!)

I also really loved the storyline for the book. Being a retelling, it felt both familiar, yet uniquely new as well. I love the story of Cinderella, and I have only read a handful of retellings of the book so far, and this book is by far one of my favorites. I especially love that the story had a magical feel to it. That gave it such an interesting twist!

Overall; If you haven’t noticed, I really, really enjoyed The Blood Spell! While I love all the books in this series, The Blood Spell and The Shadow Queen are definitely my favorites so far, and I will most definitely be re-reading all of these books soon. I don’t know if The Blood Spell is the last book in the series, but I am really hoping that it’s not, because I would love to see C.J. write even more retellings to add to this collection! If you’ve not yet checked out the books, and are fans of a good retelling, or just fans of awesome stories in general, you should definitely check out The Ravenspire series!!

My Thoughts: Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody

Sky Without Stars
(System Divine #1)
by Jessica Brody
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& Joanne Rendell
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Publication Date: March 26th 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 592
ISBN: 9781534410633
Genre: Young Adult | Retelling | Sci-Fi
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

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A thief. An officer. A guardian.

Three strangers, one shared destiny . . .

When the Last Days came, the planet of Laterre promised hope. A new life for a wealthy French family and their descendants. But five hundred years later, it’s now a place where an extravagant elite class reigns supreme; where the clouds hide the stars and the poor starve in the streets; where a rebel group, long thought dead, is resurfacing.

Whispers of revolution have begun—a revolution that hinges on three unlikely heroes…

Chatine is a street-savvy thief who will do anything to escape the brutal Regime, including spy on Marcellus, the grandson of the most powerful man on the planet.

Marcellus is an officer—and the son of a renowned traitor. In training to take command of the military, Marcellus begins to doubt the government he’s vowed to serve when his father dies and leaves behind a cryptic message that only one person can read: a girl named Alouette.

Alouette is living in an underground refuge, where she guards and protects the last surviving library on the planet. But a shocking murder will bring Alouette to the surface for the first time in twelve years…and plunge Laterre into chaos.

All three have a role to play in a dangerous game of revolution—and together they will shape the future of a planet.

Power, romance, and destiny collide in this sweeping reimagining of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, Les Misérables. (Goodreads)

I was very much intrigued by Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell, partially because of the interesting cover, and partially because it was co-written by Jessica Brody. I’ve read a few books that I enjoyed by Jessica so far, so of course I wanted to check out this new book by her. Sky Without Stars was definitely an interesting read.

Let me start by saying that Sky Without Stars is a retelling of Les Misérables, a story which I know absolutely nothing about. (I have not read the book, nor watched the movies, or anything else. I know next to nothing about the story, expect that Anne Hathaway was in the movie.) That being said, I was still pretty excited to start the story, AND as I read it, I found myself getting more and more curious about the original, and how this retelling compared. (I doubt that I will read the original anytime soon, but we’ll see…).

So even though I didn’t know anything about the original story, I still thought this retelling was very interesting. I especially enjoyed the sci-fi aspect to the storyline. I’ve just recently started reading more and more sci-fi, and I always enjoy an author’s take on the genre. The world-building was very interesting, as were the characters in the story. (Of course I had to stop reading the story multiple times to look up who was who, and though the characters have different (yet similar) names to the original cast, I still managed to figure out who was who.) The book ends with a pretty big cliffhanger, and I’m pretty curious to know what’s going to happen next.

Overall; Sky Without Stars was a really interesting read. It did take me a while to get through the book, as it was pretty massive, but I did enjoy the story, and I’m curious to see what will happen next. (I assume this will be a series, but I do not know if it will be a duology or a trilogy.) Fans of Les Misérables will probably appreciate the retelling parts more than I could, having not read the original. I hope you all enjoy the book if you decide to read it!

My Thoughts: Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

Sherwood
by Meagan Spooner
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Publication Date: March 19th 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 467
ISBN: 9780062422316
Genre: Young Adult | Retelling | Historical Fiction
Source: Edelweiss / Copy from Publisher

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Robin of Locksley is dead.

Maid Marian doesn’t know how she’ll go on, but the people of Locksley town, persecuted by the Sheriff of Nottingham, need a protector. And the dreadful Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff’s right hand, wishes to step into Robin’s shoes as Lord of Locksley and Marian’s fiancé.

Who is there to stop them?

Marian never meant to tread in Robin’s footsteps—never intended to stand as a beacon of hope to those awaiting his triumphant return. But with a sweep of his green cloak and the flash of her sword, Marian makes the choice to become her own hero: Robin Hood. (Goodreads)

I was super excited when a copy of Sherwood by Meagan Spooner arrived on my doorstep a few weeks back, and I absolutely couldn’t wait to devour this book! I am a big fan of Meagan’s writing, and I really enjoyed the last book I read by her, Hunted, which was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I couldn’t wait to get started on Sherwood to see what Meagan had in store for us in this new book!

I am a pretty huge fan of fairytale retellings, as I love when an author takes an old story, puts their own twist on it, and makes it something completely new. I always find these stories familiar, yet unique, and I am always looking for new ones to read. Sherwood is a retelling of Robin Hood, and a really enjoyed Meagan’s version of this classic story. Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood, I know I read the children’s version of the story a million times growing up, and I appreciated the familiarity in this book. That being said, I really loved the twist in the story as well!

First off, the main character, Maid Marian, is the hero in the story, and I really love the it’s a girl that saves the day. Though I can’t even imagine living in this time period, and trying to do the things that she did throughout the story. (This time period was not kind to women.) But good for Marian for taking charge! I love that! (I’m not going to say much more on that, so read the book if you want to know more!) Just rest assured, she is awesome. Also, there are also a lot of other familiar characters in the book that you’ll remember from the original story as well!

I have to say that the storyline for the book kind of caught me by surprise! Obviously I knew it was a retelling, but it went in a completely different direction from what I was expecting. The first chapter was a bit of a shocker, and was not at all what I expected. While I enjoyed reading this book, I did have a few small issues with it, two being that it was a bit slow at times, and it seemed to end a bit abruptly as well. I also didn’t really buy the relationship between Marian and Guy, despite how hard I tried to like it. Otherwise, this was a really interesting read.

Overall; If you’re a fan of retellings, especially those of Robin Hood, you should definitely add Sherwood to your TBR! I’m really glad to have read the book, and it’s a welcome addition to my shelf along with Hunted, which is also by Meagan Spooner! Check them out, and I hope you love them!

My Thoughts: Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

Sea Witch
by Sarah Henning
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Publication Date: July 31st 2018
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780062438775
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: Edelweiss

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Everyone knows what happens in the end.
A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss.
But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends.
One feared, one royal, and one already dead.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.

A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.

But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.

The rise of Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic villainess is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits—to become a monster. (Goodreads)

The first thing that drew me to Sea Witch by Sarah Henning was its absolutely stunning cover. If you know me at all, you know that I can’t resist a gorgeous cover! Then I discovered that this was a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, and I just knew that I had to check it out. I’m a huge fan of retellings, and I was super curious to see the authors take on this classic story. It was definitely worth the read!

I really enjoyed the storyline for this book. As I said, I love a good retelling, especially those of The Little Mermaid, because, seriously, there are not nearly enough mermaid books in my life. The story is told from the two main characters alternate perspectives, which was nice. There’s a bit of romance in the book as well for these characters, but to be honest, I didn’t really buy into it, and there’s a reason why. I love that the book is set both at sea and a faraway kingdom, because both are completely fascinating to me. There are quite a few twists and turns throughout the book that caught me by surprise, and I LOVED that about the book. I totally didn’t see a few of them coming, and that doesn’t happen often for me! And which is also the reason why I’m choosing to be pretty vague with this review. I don’t want to accidently give away any of the surprises, so do read the book so you can enjoy them as well!

Overall; Sea Witch was a really quick and enjoyable read for me! I enjoyed the authors take on the original story, including the twists that I probably should have seen coming but didn’t. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Sarah Henning in the future, including her next book, Throw Like a Girl, which is set to release sometime in 2019!

My Thoughts: My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows

My Plain Jane
(My Lady Janies #2)
by Cynthia Hand
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Jodi Meadows
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Brodi Ashton
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Publication Date: June 26th 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 464
ISBN: 9780062652775
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

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You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love—and, Reader, she marries him. (!!!)

Or does she?

Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Brontë, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights. (Goodreads)

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows was one of my most highly anticipated reads for 2018, as I'm sure it was for a lot of people, and I'm beyond thrilled that I had the opportunity to read this book!

I read My Lady Jane back when it was first released and I really enjoyed the book, so I was super excited to get started on this one as well. I had actually hoped to re-read My Lady Jane before starting this new book, as my mind isn't all that it used to be when remembering stuff, but I unfortunately didn't have the time to do so. However, while these books are a series, they can definitely be read as standalone as well, and that worked perfectly for me!

Each book in The Lady Janies series is about a different lady from history, whose name happens to be JANE! The first book in the series, My Lady Jane, was about Jane Grey, and this new book, My Plain Jane, was about Jane Eyre, which I found completely fascinating! While I have never read the original story by Charlotte Bronte, I know the jist of it, and it fun to read the authors retelling of the story. And, it really makes me want to read the original story ASAP, which I have been meaning to do for FOREVER, but still haven't gotten around to yet. This is something that I'm definitely going to be doing soon.

My Plain Jane is full of lots of fun characters, including Charlotte Bronte and, of course, Jane Eyre, and lots of great supporting characters as well. I really enjoyed following them along on their adventure throughout the book, and the familiar storyline, with it's fun twist, definitely kept my attention throughout the book. This was a great summertime read!

Overall; My Plain Jane is a great addition to The Lady Janies series, and I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on the next book, My Calamity Jane, which is set to release in 2020, and is all about -- you guessed it -- Calamity Jane! I just know I'm going to enjoy that book as well, and I can't wait to have it in my hands! If you're a fan of famous Janes in history, do add My Lady Jane and My Plain Jane to your TBR now, and I hope you enjoy them just as much as I did.

My Thoughts: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Flame in the Mist
(Flame in the Mist #1)
by  Renee Ahdieh
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Publication Date: May 16th 2017
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 392
ISBN: 9780399171635
Genre: Young Adult | Retelling | Fantasy
Source: Own

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The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires. (Goodreads)

I've had a copy of Flame in the Mist sitting on my shelf for the longest, but I unfortunately hadn't had the chance to pick it up until recently. I've read a few books by Renee Ahdieh in the past, and really enjoyed them, and I was super curious to finally read this one as well. Retellings are some of my favorite books, and I just knew I would enjoy Flame in the Mist. With the second book in the series coming out next month, I figured it was time to finally read the book, and I'm really glad I decided to do so!

The storyline for Flame in the Mist was really interesting, and I love that it was a Mulan retelling. I love Mulan, and I couldn't wait to finally read her story. The story starts off with a bang, then gets a little slow in the middle, but picks back up as the story goes along. I was definitely entertained throughout, and didn't see many of the twists throughout the story coming. The book ends with quite a cliffhanger ending, and I'm actually glad that I waited until to read this, as now I don't have to wait so long before starting the next book. I really want to know what happens next!

There were a lot of characters to like in Flame in the Mist. I love the main character, Mariko's, strength and determination. She proves time and time again throughout the story that though she's a girl, she's quite fierce, and she was definitely able to take care of herself. I really like Mariko's brother, Kenshin, as well, and I definitely appreciated the strong bond between these two twins. There are a lot of other secondary characters in the story to like as well, but I don't want to give anything away about them, so read the book and meet them for yourself!

Overall; Flame in the Mist was not at all what I expected, but I really enjoyed the story! This is the third book that I've read by Renee Ahdieh, and I find myself enjoying her stories more and more. I am super excited to get my hands on Smoke in the Sun as soon as it is released, as I'm super curious to know what's going to happen next, especially after that cliffhanger ending in Flame in the Mist! If you're a fan of retellings, especially Mulan retellings, do check out this book!

My Thoughts: The Traitor Prince by C.J. Redwine

The Traitor Prince
(Ravenspire #3)
by C.J. Redwine
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Publication Date: February 13th 2018
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9780062652980
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: Own/Edelweiss

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Javan Najafai, crown prince of Akram, has spent the last ten years at an elite boarding school, far away from his kingdom. But his eagerly awaited return home is cut short when a mysterious imposter takes his place—and no one believes Javan is the true prince.

After barely escaping the imposter’s assassins, Javan is thrown into Maqbara, the kingdom’s most dangerous prison. The only way to gain an audience with the king — and reveal Javan’s identity — is to fight in Maqbara’s yearly tournament. But winning is much harder than acing competitions at school, and soon Javan finds himself beset not just by the terrifying creatures in the arena, but also a band of prisoners allied against him, and even the warden herself.

The only person who can help him is Sajda, who has been enslaved by Maqbara’s warden since she was a child, and whose guarded demeanor and powerful right hook keep the prisoners in check. Working with Sajda might be the only way Javan can escape alive — but she has dangerous secrets.

Together, Javan and Sajda have to outwit the vicious warden, outfight the deadly creatures, and outlast the murderous prisoners intent on killing Javan. If they fail, they’ll be trapped in Maqbara for good—and the secret Sajda’s been hiding will bury them both. (Goodreads)

I'm a big fan of C.J. Redwine's Ravenspire series, and I'm so thrilled to have finally read the third book in the series, The Traitor Prince! I only just recently read the second book in the series, The Wish Granter, a few weeks ago, and I really enjoyed the story. I absolutely couldn't wait to get started on this newest book, and now that I've finished it, I'm officially caught up on the series! Yay!

If you've read any of the books in this series already, you'll know that these stories are retellings of popular fairytales. The first book was a spin on Snow White, the second on Rumpelstiltskin, and this third book was inspired by The Prince and the Pauper and The False Prince. I'll be the first to admit that I know absolutely nothing about either of those original stories, so I can't really tell how C.J. put her own spin on that story, but I did find the storyline for the book to be really interesting, and, at times, quite brutal! I can't even imagine living in the world in which these characters lived, but C.J. did a great job of creating and describing it.

The characters in this story were really interesting as well, especially the two main characters, Javan and Sajda. The story is told from their two different viewpoints, and I love that, because we can get so much more information that way.  Though, I felt so bad for both of these characters, and all the other innocent characters in the story. As I mentioned above, this world was pretty brutal. There were a few parts that were particularly hard to read. But, I had to keep reading, and the ending left me with a smile on my face.

Overall; The Traitor Prince was a really interesting addition to the Ravenspire series, and I'm so glad to have finally read it! I'm also really glad that I am officially caught up with this series, and I'm hoping that I will get to read the fourth book in the series, The Blood Spell, is released in 2019! (FYI, this fourth book will be a spin on the Cinderella story!) I'll me anxiously waiting to get my hands on that one as well. If you love a good retelling, do check out The Traitor Prince and the rest of the books in this series!

My Thoughts: The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

The Wish Granter
(Ravenspire #2)
by C.J. Redwine
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Publication Date: February 14th 2017
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 425
ISBN: 9780062360274
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: Own

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The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague, who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul. (Goodreads)

I’ve had The Wish Granter, the second book in the Ravenspire series by C.J. Redwine, on my TBR for longer than I care to admit. With the third book in the series coming out this month, I figured that it was the perfect time to binge read both books, and having just finished the book, I’m kicking myself for not having read it sooner!!

When I started reading The Wish Granter, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that though this was the second book in the series, it’s also a standalone as well. The first book, The Shadow Queen, had been a Snow White retelling, and while I knew The Wish Granter had different characters, I assumed we’d see the characters from the first book around as well. We didn’t. This is a completely different set of characters and a completely different story as well, so that was interesting!

The Wish Granter is a Rumpelstiltskin retelling, and I was super excited to learn that, as I am raking my brain and can’t remember reading any retellings of this story as of yet. Actually, other than just the basic knowledge of the original story, and what little I’ve seen on the TV Show Once Upon a Time, I know very little of his story. It was definitely interesting, even though Rumpelstiltskin is quite the cruel man.

This story had a lot of interesting characters, including Rumpelstiltskin himself, who, as I mentioned, was very evil, but very well written as well. A very sneaky, evil little man, and while I had no love for him at all, the author did a great job of making him an cruel villain.

The star of the story, for me at least, was Ari, who is the twin of Thad, the newly crowned king of Súndraille. After Thad made a dangerous wish with the Wish Granter, aka Rumpelstiltskin, to become king, Ari takes it upon herself, with the help of her brothers new weapons master, Sebastian, to find a way to defeat Rumpel and release her brother from their bargain. I appreciate her determination and fierceness throughout the story, and I also love that she’s not at all what you’d expect from a princess. I love how down to earth she was, and I also love her love for food. (I can relate.) IF there was only one thing I wanted more of throughout the story, it would have been more Ari & Sebastian times. (Wink.)

The storyline for the book was really interesting, and held my attention throughout. Some parts were hard to read, mostly the things that happened at the hands of Rumpelstiltskin, but otherwise I was pretty engrossed in the story. I’m super excited to move on to the next book in the series now.

Overall; I really enjoyed reading The Wish Granter, and now having finally read the book, I wish I hadn’t waited so long to do so. Lucky for me I have the third book in the series, The Traitor Prince, sitting on my shelf, and I can’t wait to get started on it. If you’re a fan of fairytale retellings, and want to read a good story about Rumpelstiltskin, do check out The Wish Granter! (And if you haven’t already checked out the first book in the series, The Shadow Queen, do check it out as well!