The Wiccan Waltz By: Pragya Vishnoi

Synopsis:

Anika is a young, impulsive girl who hopes to solve the mysteries of life by following Wicca. On this path, she encounters the joy of first love, the fear of uncertainty and the power of complete surrender. This is not as simple as it seems, hidden in the shadows are conspiracies, secrets and betrayals. Will Anika be able to survive in this mysterious world?

Rating:★★½ 😩

Review:

     I was sent this book by the author in exchange for my honest review and I was a little disappointed since I am very interested in hearing stories revolving around witch craft because it can be such a magical topic. The author had the right idea and had the right makings of a good book but could use some work on a few things.

     First, I absolutely hated the scene transitioning! At the beginning for example; one chapter we were following Anika in her home as she was wondering what her parents would think if they knew she wanted to practice Wiccan then in the next chapter we jump to her in college and living in a hostel all of a sudden, with no explanation in between. This lost me a few times and I found myself just trying to catch up with everything that "may" have happened in between chapters. I didn't really care for the vampires and wolves in this story but I guess I must face the fact that where there are witches there will always be vampires and some kind of wolf. I also didn't care for the love triangle which unfortunately is what the whole story was centered around, so much so to the point that I honestly believe that if there was no triangle of love there would be no story. 

     The plot had potential as well as the character relationships. I just wish the plot wasn't relying on the love triangle to survive and I wish the relationships between the characters were a little more developed. There were a lot of action and the plot twist was really good and unexpected.

     It was sort of like reading a low budget version of The Underworld.

I won't be continuing with this series but I am thankful for the opportunity to review this book.    

A Torch Against the Night By: Sabaa Tahir (Bk. 2)

Synopsis:

Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.

Rating:★★★★★😍

Review:

     There is not much that I can say about this book being that it is the 2nd book in a series but I will say I loved this so much and I'm feeling so many different emotions right now that its ridiculous. So far this series is doing more than great in my eyes. Not only did the characters deliver up to my expectations but the plot delivered as well. The action kept my mind running in circles, the plot twist just blew my mind, and even though I was on an emotional roller coaster the whole book, I was not disappointed at all. I just need book 3 and a novella about Izzy and I should be well fed and satisfied. 

"Failure doesn't define you. It's what you do after you fail that determines whether you are a leader or a waste of perfectly good air." 

April 3-in-1

The topic for April's 3-in-1 is Books With 500 Pages or More. The 3 in 1 series was started in a Goodreads group called Booktubers from around the world created by Cherrie Walker.

Booktubers From Around The World ⇨ https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/195015-booktubers-from-around-the-world

1. The Book Thief by: Marcus Zusak
          Total: 552pgs.


   This was an absolutely phenomenal read, way better than I thought it would be. I was so emotional and I love that its a book is not told from a Jew's point of view because you never hear this kind of story told from a German's point of view. I love you Rudy!

2. Jane Eyre by: Charlotte Bronte
          Total: 507pgs.


   Okay, so I'm cheating with this one because technically I didn't READ it but I LISTENED to it as an audiobook. I really loved this one as well and I think I love it more because this was the first classic I've ever read of my own free will. I love the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester and all of the ups and downs in Jane's life. This was just amazing and I will reread this at some point.

3. Nevermore by: Kelly Creagh
          Total: 543pgs.


   I read this book a very long time ago and I believe I may have been in middle school when I read it. I love this so much and I want to continue with this trilogy. I love how so much of Edgard Allen Poe's works are sewn into this story and I'm guessing the whole trilogy. I want to recommend this because I feel that this book is under appreciated and lesser known than most books on the market today.