Did Not Finish (DNF) #3

On By AllieS.In Book Review, DNFLeave a comment

I want to love every book I buy and read but that doesn’t always happen. I also don’t believe in forcing myself to finish things that I’m not enjoying so I routinely stop reading books and never finish them. These post are for me to talk about why I DNFed a book.

13260128Cleopatra Confesses by Carolyn Meyer is a young adult historical fiction novel about the life of Cleopatra. I originally read this back in Junior High and recently found a copy at a used book store and decided to reread it. Its much too young for me now and what little I read was very boring but I think someone who I the correct age would get more out of it.

48764258._SY475_Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten is a historical fiction novel about Catherine the Great from her life as a peasant to the Tsarina of Russia. Its well written and very detailed but I found it boring. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley but was only able to finish about 30 pages before I gave up. It would be a good read for those interested in this time period or these historical figures.

6124802Fairest of All by Serena Valentino is a young adult Snow White retelling that is from the perspective of the Evil Queen. Unlike some retellings this one is directly connected to the Disney movie version. I read this book initially when I was younger and really liked it. Earlier this year I received a free eBook version and decided to try to reread it. I like the concept of the story but I got about half way though and was very board. I feel like this book and series is good for younger readers but adults might not get much out of it.

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows is a fantasy historical young adult book about Lady Jane Grey. I knew that this was a comedic take on historical fiction but I didn’t know when starting the book that it would have so many fantastical elements. I’m a fan of historical fiction and I expected that when I pick this book up but I felt that what I read was more of a fantasy. If that’s what you want then this book would be great but I wanted something that read more historical so I don’t intend to finish this book.

Beach Read by Emily Henry is an adult romance book where a romance author and a literary fiction author who are both having trouble writing their next book end up living near each other and falling in love. I started this book as an audio book and I’m just not in the mood for an audio book right now. I like the premise but I wasn’t liking what I read of it. However, I do think that I will either come back to the audio at some point or try reading it as a physical book. So this is a not finishing for now but I can see myself reading it at some point.

OwlCrate Winter Wishes Box

On By AllieS.In Book Box, OwlCrateLeave a comment

In December 2020 OwlCrate did a Winter Wishes box in celebration of A Universe of Wishes a new young adult fantasy anthology.

The items included in this box where a Spinning Sliver inspired mug, a stainless steel coffee/tea spoon that also is a bag clip, Wintersong inspired tea from Riddle’s Tea Shop, a set of reusable gift bags, a gel eye mask with a quote from The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and a Vanilla Buttercream scented candle.

The book included is A Universe of Wishes which is a new young adult fantasy anthology written by many different popular authors. This special edition has an exclusive cover, foiling on the hardcover, and exclusive end pages. As well as a ribbon book mark and a letter from the editor bound in the front of the book. The enamel pin that came with the box was also inspired by the book.

Illumicrate Collections: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

On By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

Another Collectors edition that I bought in 2020 was the Illumicrate Collections: Daughter of Smoke and Bone box. Personally, I bought this box more of the book than any of the items but I did like most of the items included.

The items included in this box are all themed round Daughter of Smoke and Bone and the rest of the series with one items inspired by the Strange the Dreamer Duology. These items include a set of bookends, a replica soul thurible, a book sleeve, a metal book tin, an enamel pin and a foiled art print. The Strange the Dream item was a mug designed by Rosiethorns88. Overall, I liked the items though I feel like I have too many mugs at this point.

The book itself is an exclusive 10th Anniversary signed hardback copy. This edition also includes light blue sprayed edges, a foiled design and quote on the hardback, and art on the reverse of the dustjacket. This is a gorgeous edition of this book and Illumicrate due have matching editions of the rest of the series planned.

Illumicrate Archives: The Poppy War Series Box

On By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

Illumicrate Archives is a new box type from Illumicrate where they take popular series and release a whole special edition matching set. I have only just recently started the Poppy War series by R. F. Kuang but I already love the characters and the series. So, when Illumicrate announced this box I knew that I had to order it.

This set is primarly focused on the books but there where a few items included. These items where a phoenix and dragon enamel pin set, a foiled art print, and a double sided metal bookmark.

The books themselves are gorgeous. Each book comes with the cover art printed on the hardback, signed end pages, smoky sprayed edges that match the color of the end pages, and exclusive art on the reverse of the dust jacket. I love these editions and can’t wait to finish the series.

November 2020 Fairyloot

On By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

Fairyloot is a Young Adult book subscription box focusing on fantasy based out of the UK. Each month you receive a new Young Adult hardback book and 5-6 bookish goodies. Like most book boxes the hardback are special editions and the items are a combination of both practical things and more decorative items. November’s theme is Enemies to Lovers.

The bookish items included this month are a Cruel Prince tote bag, a literary scrunchie, a bag hanger, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin inspired scarf, a set of foiled bookmarks and a phone screen cleaner. Also are the tarot cards that come every month and the missing ones from September.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers and are signed by the author. The box also includes and author letter for each book. This months book is These Violent Delights by Chole Gong which also has exclusive art under the dust jacket and pink sprayed edges. These Violent Delights is a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai focusing on rival gangs and a hidden monster.

December’s theme is Thick as Thieves.

November 2020 Wrap Up

On By AllieS.In Book Review, Wrap UpLeave a comment

In November I read four books which is lower than some months for me but with the holidays and how this year has been any reading is good.

Books:

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia is a young adult nonfiction book that tells the history of the Romanov family during World War I and the Russian Revolution. It adds information about peasant lives and historical accounts from those not connect to the crown which many accounts of the Romanov Family don’t include. If you like Russian history its a very fast and easy read but not its not written with the younger side of the YA audience in mind.

So You Want To Work in a Museum? by Tara Young is a nonfiction book about working in museums and how to get a job in the field. My degree is in Public History and I’ve had jobs in museums but due to the pandemic my job search has stalled out. So, I’ve started to read more museum focused books for continuing my education and hoping that I the new year that I can restart my job search. This book would be good for anyone interested in a museum job. I already knew most of this information but I can always use a refresh on certain topics.

The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher is a very creepy adult horror/fantasy novel. When Mouse agrees to clean out her grandmothers house she ends up finding her Step-grandfathers journal which is full of bizarre and creepy writing. However, when she ends up finding this place full of carved stones behind the house she realizes that the writings she found might be true. This is a very creepy and atmospheric book that kept me wanting to find out what would happen next. I loved the characters and the humor they bring to such an unsettling plot and I loved the ending.

The last book I read was From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back which is a series of Star Wars short stories set during The Empire Strikes Back but told from the perspective of background and side characters. Most of the stories I liked. However, I feel like there was too much focus on Hoth and Cloud City. There was also more focus on characters that show up in other Star Wars media that I’m not familiar with which in turn caused me to not know what was going on in some stories. Great for fans of Star Wars and those who like to see different takes on beloved stories and franchises. I received an advanced copy through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

November 2020 OwlCrate

On By AllieS.In Book Box, OwlCrateLeave a comment

Owl Crate is a young adult book subscription box where every month you receive one new hardcover book and an assortment of bookish goodies connected to the monthly theme. Some of these items are very practical and some are better suited as décor or for a pin/bulletin board. November’s theme is Growing Wild.

Each box includes different bookish goodies that fit the theme of the month and are connected to other books. This months items include wooden flower pressing kit, a reading planner, planner stickers, a dandelion pendant necklace and flower art prints inspired by Lord of the Rings and Middle Earth. I don’t think I will use the flower pressing kit or the reading planner. I’m very picky about planners and I hate undated ones so I will either sell or give away the planner.

Every month Owl Crate has a new young adult hardback book that has an exclusive cover, is signed and comes with a letter from the author. The enamel pin that is in every box is also inspired by that months book. This months book is Among the Beast and Briars by Ashley Poston which also has sprayed edges and art under the dust jacket. Among the Beast and Briars is a dark fairytale where Cerys must find the Lady of the Wilds to try to find a way to save her home.

December’s theme is Love is a Battlefield.

Fairyloot: Blood and Honey Collector’s Edition Box

On By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

When I heard that Fairyloot was doing a special edition box for Blood and Honey I knew I wanted to try out their special edition boxes.

The items included in this box where a blanket, candle, an enamel pin set, a storage tin, a deck of tarot cards, and an art print. Obviously a special signed edition of Blood and Honey by Shelby Mahurin was also included. This copy of the book came with shimmery sprayed edges and art work under the dust jacket. There was also a bonus chapter that is exclusive to the Fairyloot edition. I was also lucky enough to get the Serpant and Dove add on which also came with sprayed edges and a signed book plate.

This was my first special editon box for Fairyloot and its very well done. I love most of the items and I can tell that a lot of thought was put into each item.

FaeCrate: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars Mini Hangover Recovery Kit

On By AllieS.In Book Box, Fae CrateLeave a comment

FaeCrate is a young adult book subscription box that also does special edition boxes that they call Hangover Recovery kits. These are suppose to help you get over the book hangover after you have finished the book the box is focused on. Eragon and the Inheritance Cycle was one of my favorite series growing up and I knew I would pick up Christopher Paolini’s next book.

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is an adult Science Fiction novel focusing on Kira, a young woman who ends up being involved in first contact with an alien species. That’s all I need to know that I wanted to read this book and that I would be interested in any book boxes for it.

The items included in this box where a signed copy of To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, an enamel bookmark, a led lamp, and a set of art dust jackets for Eragon and the Inheritance Cycle. Though a smaller box I loved all the item in it which is rare for me and I think I prefer smaller boxes

October 2020 Fairyloot

On By AllieS.In FairylootLeave a comment

Fairyloot is a Young Adult book subscription box focusing on fantasy based out of the UK. Each month you receive a new Young Adult hardback book and 5-6 bookish goodies. Like most book boxes the hardback are special editions and the items are a combination of both practical things and more decorative items. October’s theme is Wicked Hearts.

The bookish items included this month are Kingdom of the Wicked salt and pepper shakers, foiled playing cards with character art from multiple fandoms, an enamel pin inspired by The Young Elites, a puzzle featuring the character Jacks from Carval, Castlevania socks, a Kylo Ren sticker sheet, and tarot cards with characters from the book House of Earth and Blood. These are the type of items that I like the most both useful items that can be used again and again and some more decorative items/fandom items.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers and are signed by the author. The box also includes and author letter for each book. This months book is Kingdom of the Wicked by Keri Maniscalco. This book also has stenciled and sprayed edges, reversible art work on the dust jacket, and a foil design on the hard cover. The story follows twin sisters, Vittoria and Emilia, witches who live in secret. But when Vittoria is murdered Emilia vows to find her sisters killer and get vengeance.

November’s theme is Enemies to Lovers.