Book Haul (#110)

This is my book haul for the last two weeks. I've been able to buy some books on Facebook Marketplace and I am loving secondhand book-buying life. 

Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross - ARC (Release: June 23, 2020)

Thank you Harper Teen for the eARC on Edelweiss! This book sounds and looks like my dream. It's a story with a twist on Greek gods and humans with magic. 

Defiance (Defiance #1) by C.J. Redwine - Bought

Deception (Defiance #2) by C.J. Redwine - Bought

Deliverance (Defiance #3) by C.J. Redwine - Bought

I bought this beautiful US hardback trilogy and I cannot wait to dive in. I actually read Defiance and Deception previously and rated them highly but cannot for the life of me remember the story. I think it will be interesting to give these a re-read six years later to see if I think they're still just as awesome. And it will also be good to finally finish it after all these years! I must not have been able to get my hands on the finale, but I am so excited to get back into this world again. If you have not heard of this trilogy it's a YA fantasy/dystopian. 

If you have a book haul this week link it in the comments and I would love to check it out! Also if you've read any of the books that I've shown let me know what you think. 

Waiting on Wednesday (166)

This week I am waiting for:

The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant

Release Date: June 2, 2020

In the violent urban jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, the French Revolution has failed and the city is divided between merciless royalty and nine underworld criminal guilds, known as the Court of Miracles. Eponine (Nina) Thénardier is a talented cat burglar and member of the Thieves Guild. Nina's life is midnight robberies, avoiding her father's fists, and watching over her naïve adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie). When Ettie attracts the eye of the Tiger--the ruthless lord of the Guild of Flesh--Nina is caught in a desperate race to keep the younger girl safe. Her vow takes her from the city's dark underbelly to the glittering court of Louis XVII. And it also forces Nina to make a terrible choice--protect Ettie and set off a brutal war between the guilds, or forever lose her sister to the Tiger.

This book has been described as a Les Miserables meets Six of Crows so I am very intrigued. It's set in Paris during the French revolution. It's giving me historical criminal extravaganza! I don't think I've come across anything like it in a while and I truly hope that the story is just as good as the cover. 

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Book Haul (#109)

Recently I have been able to get back into reading, which has felt amazing. Maybe it's because of lock-down or maybe it's because I'm in my final term of university completing my degree and exams from home and every cell in my body is screaming for me to procrastinate. Either way, I can't be sure. Here are a few books I've picked up in the last few weeks.

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo - Bought 

I have wanted to read this book for the longest time as it sounded like an amazing twist on The Little Mermaid. I have indeed finished it since I bought it as it wasn't a very long read and I did thoroughly enjoy it. I will aim to have a review up soon. 

Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove #2) by Shelby Mahurin - ARC from Edelweiss

I read Serpent & Dove about two weeks ago and I absolutely adored it (check out my review here). It's a witch meets witch-hunter, enemies(ish) to lovers kind of book that I found myself finishing at 4am when I only sat down to read for 20 minutes! Massive thank you to Harper Teen on Edelweiss for access to this ARC. I am so freaking excited for more Lou and Reid! And Ansel and Coco... and all of them, I miss everyone.

The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1) by Kiera Cass - ARC from Edelweiss

Another thank you to Harper Teen for this ARC. I enjoyed The Selection series by this author and this book seems to be a similar type of royal romance! Can't wait to get started on it.

My previous reviews: The Selection (#1), The Elite (#2), The One (#3), The Heir (#4)

Leave a comment with a link to your book haul or let me know which books you're excited about! 

Review: Serpent and Dove

Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin

Release Date: September 3, 2019
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Book Depository

Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all.

Serpent & Dove gave me ALL the feels. It had everything I never knew I needed and made me laugh so hard. It is a perfect blend of magic, mystery, and romance. If you're looking for a story to sweep you off your feet witch-hunter style then you need this book!

Lou is a witch that has had to hide her powers as her kind are hunted and burned at the stake by the Chasseurs (aka witch hunters) of the Church. In a sudden twist of fate involving an incident that could reflect badly on the Church, Lou is forced to marry Reid, a chasseur. You can see where this story is going right? Witch and a witch hunter get married but he doesn't know she's a witch. Lou is also one of the funniest and most loveable characters I've ever had the pleasure to read about, which made this such an enjoyable read. The overarching plot of this story involves exploring the war between the Church and the witches. The way it unfolds just had my jaw on the floor, my heart racing, my palms sweating, I was totally HOOKED! Another aspect I enjoyed this story is that it's set in Belterra which has French vibes. The author has an amazing way of describing the vibe of the city and all of the glorious food it has to offer. My mouth was truly watering at some of the descriptions. 

The enemies-to-lovers romance in this book was everything I could have wanted. I had just finished The Folk of the Air trilogy by Holly Black and was feeling a bit underwhelmed by Cardan and Jude, but Lou and Reid picked me right up off the floor. I don't think I can describe how entertaining this book is. I loved all the characters and created so many combinations of ships by the end of the book. Reid has stolen my heart and I can't wait to read the next book for him to take my soul.

I would completely recommend Serpent & Dove to anyone who is looking for a unique and fun take on witches and witch hunters with a glorious cast of characters. It has an amazing blend of magic, friendship, romance, and betrayal. This is really a book that you sit down with thinking you'll just read the first few chapters, but then suddenly it's 5am and you finished the whole book! I cannot wait to devour Blood & Honey (book #2) just as fast as I devoured this one. A definitely recommend from me as it put a massive smile on my face.

Rating

5 Falling Books