The Witch Collector

  

The Witch Collector

(Witch Walker, #1)
by Charissa Weaks

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Publication Date: Nov 2 2021
Publisher: City Owl Press
Pages: 343
ISBN: 9781648980442
Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult
Source: ARC eBook

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Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Every harvest moon, the Witch Collector rides into the valley and takes on the witches back to Winterhold to protect the immortal Frost King. Collection day is a day many families fear because the witches never return from Winterhold and their families never hear from them again. 

For 24 years the Witch Collector has passed Raina by, but not this year. Raina has one desire - to kill the Front King and the Witch Collector for taking her sister 8 years ago. But before Raina can kill the Witch Collector, an unexpected enemy sets fire to Raina's world, and the only way for Raina to save her sister and their empire is to help the Witch Collector save the Frost King. 

Raina sets out with the Witch Collector on a harrowing journey that tests her strength and determination but what Raina learns along the way is that sometimes the lines blur between good and evil and that people are not always as they seem and sometimes the villain is a hero in disguise - including the Witch Collector.

Review: This book!! Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. It was so captivating and Charissa instantly drew me into her worldbuilding. Initially, I came across this book and fell in love with the cover, knowing that I had to have it. I wasn't sure if the story would be good or not because at the time there weren't very many reviews about it and I've never read anything by Charissa Weaks. I am so glad that I decided to take a chance on this story.

I love how well everything is explained and that the backstory with the Gods and Kings/Queens is laid out throughout the story and not a huge info dump at the beginning - because oftentimes that is confusing for me and hard to follow. This book is so detailed that it is easy to imagine the world and the unbearable cold and ice.

Let's talk about the characters for a second - there are so many strong females in this story. So many!! Raina is such a strong powerful character and her best friend Helena- also strong and amazing! Huge shout to the author for having the main character be mute. Also - so many people of color and diversity and it's very subtle - the author doesn't obsess over talking about their skin color - it's just casually mentioned like no big deal and then on to the next thing. Can we also just swoon for a minute over the Witch Collector (Alexus)? Seriously, that man is legit boyfriend goals. He is the perfect companion for such a strong female and the way he pushes her and admires her instead of holding her back is just perfection.

“In another life, I would've tried to know her. I would've admired her and read her poems written by my own hand. I would've walked with her through fields of stardrops, danced with her in the stream.” - Alexus
― Charissa Weaks, The Witch Collector

Seriously, I am so glad this is a series because I need to know what happens next with Raina and Alexus! I'm just sad that I have to wait so long for the next one.

Overall I give this book 4.5 stars because the story is so powerful, the characters are complex and dynamic, and the cover art is beautiful.

Special thanks to City Owl Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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December Book Haul & Wrap Up

It's the end of a month which means a quick recap on my reading goal and book haul. There were so many books I wanted to buy this month but I held off on the hopes of getting a bunch for Christmas. I actually didn’t end up getting as many as I thought I would but I am so thankful for the ones I did get because they were the ones I wanted the most but also didn’t want to spend my own money on because they tend to be a bit pricer since they are large hardcovers. 

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Mistletoe Pact by Jo Lovett

Blame It on the Mistletoe by Beth Garrod

My reading goal for December was to read as many Holiday books as possible! I ended up having a disappointing reading month, I only finished two Holiday books and there were so many I wanted to read and just couldn't get to. 

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler

So, This is Christmas by Tracy Andreen

The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks

The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman

Winter Recipes from the Collective by Louise Gluck

How did you do with your monthly reading goal? Did you hit it or fall short? What about your December book haul? Did you get anything really awesome?

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December 2021 TBR

Happy first day of December, bookworms!

Just like last month my plan is to exclusively read holiday romance. There are still so many that I want to read so I am hoping I’ll be able to get to most of them this month.

Here's what I'm hoping to read this month:

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey

Mistletoe & Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall

The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo

Holiday Hotel by Poppy Minnix

Here's to hoping for a great reading month! What about you? What are you reading this month?

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November 2021 Book Haul & Wrap Up

It's the end of a month which means a quick recap on my reading goal and book haul. 

This was a huge book haul month for me because I was gifted so many great books for my birthday. Because of my birthday and a couple preorders, I was able to add 13 books!

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon 

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon 

A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore 

How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days by K.M. Jackson 

The Fates Divide by Veronica Roth 

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover 

Holiday Hotel by Poppy Minnix 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo 

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo 

Kingsbane by Claire LeGrand 

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey 

The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo 

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler

I was honestly hoping to read a lot more than I did and I am a little bummed that I only had enough time to read four. My average seems to be around four or five books so I am not sure why I thought I would be able to read closer to ten.

Eight Days of Christmas by Starla DeKruyf

The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews

The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

So, This is Christmas by Tracy Andreen

How did you do with your monthly reading goal? Did you hit it or fall short? What about your November book haul? Did you get anything really awesome?

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Eight Days of Christmas

Eight Days of Christmas

(Pineridge, #1)
by Starla DeKruyf

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Publication Date: Oct 19 2021
Publisher: City Owl Press
Pages: 308
ISBN: 9781648980992
Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Holiday
Source: Own

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Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Isabella Whitley hasn't been back home to Pineridge, Colorado in over ten years, but must return to celebrate the family's Eight Days of Christmas tradition along and her younger sister's Christmas day wedding.  But when a snowstorm grounds Isabella's flight, her only options are to wait out the storm until the morning or to get a rental car. That's when Isabella's high school sweetheart, Leo, enters the picture. Turns out Leo is also on his way back to Colorado because his younger brother Landon, is the groom in the upcoming wedding. By the time Leo and Isabella get to the car rental, there is only one car left so they reluctantly agree to share the ride to Colorado.

Being in close proximity to each other brings up a lot of past feelings and resentment and both Isabella and Leo must learn to navigate those feelings if they are going to survive the Whitley's Eight Days of Christmas, Norah and Landon's wedding, and then go on their separate ways once again.

Review: This book is legit holiday magic! Right from the beginning I couldn't help but get Hallmark movie vibes. Can I also just swoon over how absolutely perfect the cover is? It's definitely in the top 10 of all-time favorite covers - shoutout to whoever did the cover art! Also, can I please be a member of the Whitley family? A family that does the eight days of Christmas, every single year? Yes, please! I want to make gingerbread houses, go sledding, bake sugar cookies, and string popcorn. The Whitley family is the quintessential holiday family that everyone wants to be and reading about them doing all those adorable holiday traditions just makes readers want to celebrate the holidays that way as well.

I will admit that bits of the story are a bit cheesy and at times I wanted to smack both Izzy and Leo and tell them to get over themselves. However, that's what I love about romcoms and Hallmark movies, they are all so cheesy but in the most delicious way possible. Everybody loves a feel-good story and I enjoy reading about characters that aren't perfect, that make mistakes, that say or do stupid things because that's what makes it more realistic. 

“Shouldn't all of this be easier? If two people love each other, shouldn't that be enough?”
― Starla DeKruyf, Eight Days of Christmas

Overall I give this book 4 stars because the story is adorable, the characters are fun, and the cover art is charming.

Special thanks to City Owl Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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November 2021 TBR

Happy first day of November, bookworms!

Now that October is over, I am ready for Christmas! Starting today I will be reading Christmas books for the next two months and I can’t wait! I’ve also been recording the Hallmark Christmas movies and now that it’s Nov 1st I can start watching them. Bring on Christmas!

Here's what I'm planning to read this month:

Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall

The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

So, This is Christmas by Tracy Andreen

Eight Days of Christmas by Starla DeKruyf

Special shout out to Viking Books (So, This Is Christmas) and City Owl Press (Eight Days of Christmas) for the gift copies. Look for my reviews coming soon! 

Here's to hoping for a great reading month! What about you? What are you reading this month?

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October 2021 Book Haul & Wrap Up

It's the end of a month which means a quick recap on my reading goal and book haul. Did you add any books to your collection this month? I feel like I added so many! I’m so excited about all the holiday books, I can’t wait to read them, there are so many good ones this year!

Special thanks to both Viking Books (So, This Is Christmas) and City Owl Press (Eight Days of Christmas) for review copies. Look for my review coming soon!

The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper

Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall

So, This is Christmas by Tracy Andreen

Eight Days of Christmas by Starla DeKruyf

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

There were so many books I wanted to read to celebrate Halloween but I was only able to finish four. Not too bad since it’s been a very busy month but I am a little bummed I didn’t get to all of them.

Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

How did you do with your monthly reading goal? Did you hit it or fall short? What about your October book haul? Did you get anything really awesome?

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The Last Graduate

The Last Graduate

(Scholomance, #2)
by Naomi Novik

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Publication Date: Sep 28 2021
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780593128862
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: eBook

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Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Senior year is finally here which means it's time for El, Orion, and the other seniors at Scholomance to prepare for graduation - a deadly ritual that historically leaves only a few survivors. Instead of preparing for graduation by building enough mana to get through the graduation ceremony, poor El is spending all her time fighting off mals that seem to be focused entirely on her. It's clear the school is out to get her because she gets straddled with the worst class schedule, in the farthest classrooms, and is grouped with freshmen. How is El supposed to store up enough mana to graduate when she has to keep using it to fight off mals and save herself from becoming a delicious snack to all the mals? 

Review: Usually second books in trilogies are the worst because they just act as a gap between the first and third books. The Last Graduate is not one of those, in fact, I loved it even more than the first book. How is that even possible? That rarely happens, in fact, I am having a hard time recalling another series where the second book was better than the first. 

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I just absolutely adore El. I have found her so relatable, even from the very beginning. She is introverted, sarcastic, and often pessimistic. You can actually see the growth between junior and senior year because the character that closes out the second book is not the same girl we met at the beginning of book one. She is so honest and raw and that makes her likable and relatable, and even though she has a prickly personality she finds friends that love her for who she is, even if she is in an inner battle with herself to not go malificer. 

Novik has a gift to create vivid worlds, relatable characters, action-packed adventure, and gut-wrenching endings - wait what? Yes, you read that correctly! Seriously, what the actual f with that ending?! I'm pretty sure I just sat there staring at the screen for several minutes, slowly blinking, thinking - "wait, what just happened?" 

“I think everyone else felt as I did, secretly and irrationally, that if we could only succeed, if we could only destroy the whole place, we could save ourselves from ever having been in here.”
― Naomi Novik, The Last Graduate

Overall I give this book 4.5 stars because the story is that fantastic, but don't just take my word for it, read the series for yourself.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey Books (Random House Publishing/Ballantine) for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The Love Hypothesis

  

The Love Hypothesis

by Ali Hazelwood

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Publication Date: Sep 14 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780593336823
Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 
Source: Own

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Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: Olive, a third-year Ph.D. candidate, finds herself in a predicament when her best friend Anh falls in love. Anh is apprehensive about dating because she doesn't want to hurt Olive's feelings so to convince Anh that Olive is ok with Anh dating, she fakes a relationship with the first person she sees. Ironically that first person is a young professor who is a well-known ass on the campus.

Shockingly Adam agrees to go along with Olive's fake-dating scheme but things take an interesting turn during a big science conference and Olive begins to wonder if there is more to Adam than his hard exterior lets on.

Review: I put off reading this book for a month because everyone was talking about it and everyone was saying how great it was and in my mind, I was like "yeah right". Don't get me wrong, it looked cute and I did have it on my TBR list but I couldn't figure out why everyone was going so nuts over this book. Seriously, it was all over Bookstagram and even my coworker was talking about it.

I finally decided to read it because a majority of the book is set in the fall so it fit into my need to read seasonal reads only, even though it wasn't about witches or anything spooky and Halloween-ish. I could not put this book down!! It was soooooo good! I totally understand all of the hype now because wowzers! I'm a little annoyed that it was so good and everyone else was right about it because now I am on the bandwagon and the rebel inside of me does not want to be on the bandwagon.

“I wish you could see yourself the way I see you”
― Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis

Heavy sigh. Ok, so the characters are fun and fabulous. I love the witty banter. I love the grumpy sunshine trope. I love the fake dating tope. I love the nerdy science vibe. I love how fun and sparkly Olive is. Seriously, she is the best! Can I please be her when I grow up? Then there is stoic Adam with his rigid personality. But then wonderful Hazel comes along and the rest is just absolute perfection.

I can't even put into words whole thoughts and sentences regarding this book. Every single thing about it was perfection. From here on out I will preorder any Ali Hazelwood book and bump it to the top of my pile. 

Obviously, I give this book 5 stars because there isn't one single thing wrong with it, other than it being only 352 pages. It's rom-com gold.

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October 2021 TBR

Happy first day of October, bookworms!

A brand new month means a brand new stack of books to read. I had a hard time choosing which books I wanted to read this month. I think I am going to try some season reading and focus on either thrillers, autumn romance, or books with magic/witches/werewolves/vampires. There are a lot of fantastic fantasy books out this month so it’s hard to pick just a couple.

Here's what I'm reading this month:

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

The Neighbor's Secret by L. Alison Heller

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

Here's to hoping for a great reading month! What about you? What are you reading this month?

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September Book Haul & Wrap Up

It's the end of a month which means a quick recap on my reading goal and book haul. September was a big book haul month for me. I found some great deals on some older books and then there were just a few must haves that I thought I couldn’t live without. 

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Night Country by Melissa Albert

The Neighbor's Secret by L. Alison Heller

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo

Blueberry Love by Cynthia Graubart

September was a really good reading month for me, finally! I was able to catch back up and be on track for my yearly goal. My favorite reads of the month were Anchored Hearts and The Stranger In the Mirror. 

The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras

Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani

No Shame by Dr. Lea Lis

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

The Stranger in the Mirror by Liv Constantine

Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

Stone Fruit by Lee Lai

How did you do with your monthly reading goal? Did you hit it or fall short? What about your September book haul? Did you get anything really awesome?

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September 2021 TBR

Happy sixth day of September, bookworms!

Did you have a good reading month in August? The first few days of September have flown by! I was so preoccupied with back to school and dance that I haven’t had a chance to post my TBR pile for the month. I’m not sure how much time I’ll actually have to read this month but I’m hoping to read all four of these.

Here's what I'm reading this month:

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras

Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani

No Shame by Dr. Lea Lis

Here's to hoping for a great reading month! What about you? What are you reading this month?

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August Book Haul & Wrap Up

It's the end of a month which means a quick recap on my reading goal and book haul. I was able to add four books to my collection this month. I found two books at Books-A-Million earlier this month that I just had to have. Both have been on my TBR list for a while now so I snagged them before it was too late. Then for my Book of the Month Club pick I had a hard time trying to pick which book I wanted so I just got both. 

Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

It was a slow reading month for me. I always say, if you’re only going to read one book- make it a good one! Forbidden was such a fun romantic read. Even though it’s fourth in the series, I started with it after seeing an ad for it on Facebook. I loved all of the characters and definitely recommend it. 

Forbidden by Karla Sorensen

How did you do with your monthly reading goal? Did you hit it or fall short? What about your August book haul? Did you get anything really awesome?

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August 2021 TBR

Happy first day of August, bookworms!

Did you have a good reading month in July? I can’t believe it’s already August! The summer has been flying by. I’m not sure exactly what I will end up reading but these are a few books that I am hoping to get to this month.

Here's what I'm reading this month:

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

Here's to hoping for a great reading month! What about you? What are you reading this month?

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July Book Haul & Wrap Up

It's the end of a month which means a quick recap on my reading goal and book haul. I had another kinda small book haul month. Super excited about them all though and I can’t wait to get to them in my pile never ending pile of books. 

One by One by Ruth Ware

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory

This month I was able to read four books! I know it’s not much compared to many other readers but after only finishing one in July it feels like a huge accomplishment, ha! 

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey

Sunkissed by Kassie West

The Paper Solution by Lisa Woodruff

What Happened To You by Bruce D. Perry

How did you do with your monthly reading goal? Did you hit it or fall short? What about your July book haul? Did you get anything really awesome?

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July 2021 TBR

Happy first day of July, bookworms!

Did you have a good reading month in June? I can’t believe it’s July already and the year is half over! I really struggled with what to put on my TBR list for the month. I haven’t been reading as much and when I do it’s based on my mood so I never quite know what type of mood I will be in. I am planning to read 5 books this month, but hopefully I’ll read more!

Here's what I'm reading this month:

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey

Sunkissed by Kassie West

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Here's to hoping for a great reading month! What about you? What are you reading this month?

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June Book Haul & Wrap Up

It's the end of a month which means a quick recap on my reading goal and book haul. June was a good book haul month for me. I am loving all the new books I was able to add to my collection this month. 

Sunkissed by Kasie West

The Duke & I by Julia Quinn

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod

Did you reach your reading goal for the month? What was your favorite book? I wasn’t even close to reaching my goal. I try and read 4-5 books a month but only managed to read 1 in June. I guess that makes it easy to pick my favorite book of the month though.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

How did you do with your monthly reading goal? Did you hit it or fall short? What about your June book haul? Did you get anything really awesome?

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June TBR

Happy first day of June, bookworms!

Did you have a good reading month in May? My pile is kind of short this month because I’m not sure what I’m in the mood for. I’m hoping to read these three and then hopefully a couple others. 

Here's what I'm reading this month:

Tools of Engagement by Tess Bailey

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Here's to hoping for a great reading month! What about you? What are you reading this month?

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