The idea behind this book is all I've ever wanted | Witch Hunter

Witch Hunter (The Witch Hunter #1) by Virginia Boecker

Published:  September 1st 2015 by Hodder & Stoughton (first published June 2nd by Little Brown Books for Young Readers)
Genre: young adult, fantasy, alternate history

Goodreads summary: The magic and suspense of Graceling meet the political intrigue and unrest of Game of Thrones in this riveting fantasy debut.

Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear.

Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.

Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him.

But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.

Virginia Boecker weaves a riveting tale of magic, betrayal, and sacrifice in this unforgettable fantasy debut.

REVIEW

To sum it up, I loved it. I read it in two days when I was in a reading slump and then I got a book hangover. I remember reading mixed reviews about this one, so I was hesitant to pick this up but it was SO. GOOD.

WHY I LOVED THIS BOOK TO THE MOON AND BACK AND WANT THE WORLD TO READ IT

* It's alternate history set in a 16th England. Witches are supposed to be bad and everything and are burnt. Because of that, the world is a dark place and no one is safe. There was a plague started by wizards that killed half the country. Because there are wizards, there is an Inquisition (I've always wanted to write that kind of book so I'm happy)! So of course, there is an underground organization of wizards to fight against all the system (and they're called the Reformists so it's a TRUE alternate history).

* The main character, Elizabeth Grey, is a witch hunter (hence the title). As soon as the first chapter, we got to see her fight the wizards. She's strong and has a hard time trusting people. Because of the time period, even if she lived in the palace, she got through big issues and I liked that (well not really) because it was realistic. We didn't actually see what happened but it was there.

* The plot involves a curse that needs to be broken. It is a fast-paced plot, set in the dark for the most part, it was an enjoyable story to read about. The characters go to parties with supernatural beings.

* I was scared there would be a love triangle, because in the beginning of the novel, there was an overprotective best friend. But because of the choices Elizabeth made, the love triangle didn't exist.

* There is an untrustworthy ghost character! He was so funny and had a relationship with a living character. There are also characters like a seer-child. There are also pirates and the characters travel by ship!

* I didn't see the plot twist coming. It's true that some things were weird but… I hadn't realised. That ending was kick-ass, selfless and a little creepy. Can I have the next book, please?

BUT IT STILL HAD SOME ISSUES

* I wanted a little more world-building. Like more on: why witches, more witch hunter-y scenes, etc.

* When I realized what the romance would be, I was a little disappointed because I didn't buy it? She just fell in love with the guy who saved her life, of course… Still, the author wrote swoony-worthy scenes with these two characters so it was okay.

Overall, I love that kind of books, with witches and alternate history and everything. It's been a while since I read one like that so my heart was pleased. I really enjoyed the main character who was tough and had hard choices to make. I didn't really like the romance, but I'm sure it will be better in the next book. Basically you need to read it and love it! 

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Have you read books like this one (I'd love some recommendations)?

Lair of Dreams | Book review

Title: Lair of Dreams (The Diviners #2)
Author: Libba Bray
Published: August 25th 2015 by Atom

Goodreads summary: The longing of dreams draws the dead, and this city holds many dreams.

After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O’Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. With her uncanny ability to read people’s secrets, she’s become a media darling, earning the title “America’s Sweetheart Seer.” Everyone’s in love with the city’s newest It Girl…everyone except the other Diviners.

Piano-playing Henry DuBois and Chinatown resident Ling Chan are two Diviners struggling to keep their powers a secret—for they can walk in dreams. And while Evie is living the high life, victims of a mysterious sleeping sickness are turning up across New York City.

As Henry searches for a lost love and Ling strives to succeed in a world that shuns her, a malevolent force infects their dreams. And at the edges of it all lurks a man in a stovepipe hat who has plans that extend farther than anyone can guess…As the sickness spreads, can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld to save the city?

In this heart-stopping sequel to The Diviners, Printz Award-winning andNew York Times bestselling author Libba Bray takes readers deeper into the mystical underbelly of New York City.

REVIEW

Every city is a ghost.New Buildings rise upon the bones of the old so that each shiny steel beam, each tower of brick carries within it the memories of what has gone before, an architectural haunting. Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of these former incarnations in the awkward angle of a street or a filigreed gate, and old oak door peeking out from a new façade, the plaque commemorating the spot that was once a battleground, which became a saloon and is now a park.Underground, it is no different.

These beautiful sentences are the beginning of this book. It shows how Libba Bray has magical writing and you will love every bit of it. However, I found this book to be hard to read, because it was so long, and that this magical writing was a bit heavy. To be honest, it took me more than two weeks to read this book; I had to read other books in between. I’m pretty sure I’d have enjoyed it more if it was shorter.

This book is centred on a sleeping sickness that takes people as they dream. The plot was compelling and when everything was revealed, I was so surprised and loved every part of it. The epilogue felt like the biggest of cliff-hangers, because it showed there is much we still don’t know about the Diviners, and that what they loved was just the beginning. I’m intrigued but at the same time, I’m a little concerned: when will the next book be released? I’m afraid that when it’ll be, I’ll have forgotten everything about Lair of Dreams and will be less interested in the mystery surrounding the Diviners.

Even though the plot was interesting, having so many points of view made me forget it at some point in the story. Sure, some points of views were essential to this plot, but it wasn’t the case for all of them. A lot of different storylines were developed and it was really interesting, but I was losing my focus on the main plot, I regretted that. I have the feeling the characters were linked to the plot 60% in the story (and it wasn’t every of them)…

The cast of characters was diverse, just like in the first book. Evie O’Neill is now famous in New York and has her own radio show, which means she goes to parties instead of hanging out with her friends. Sam is still investigating Project Buffalo and flirting with Evie. Jericho is trying to save Will’s museum with Sam and Mabel’s help. Unfortunately, Mabel was pretty useless in this book in my opinion; she was just here as Jericho’s love interest. Theta wasn’t really a main character either but she’ll be in the next book, judging on the end of this book. However, she was Memphis’ love interest and it was really interesting, because they have so many obstacles to go through with their relationship because they’re not from the same world. Henry was truly in the middle of this book, because of his ability to sleep walk. I enjoyed learning about him; he is now one of my favourite characters. A new character came along, Ling, who is also a dream walker. It is mainly these two characters who had to deal with the sleeping sickness because of their abilities, even if the other characters helped a lot in the end.

The mystery around the Diviners thickened and I’m definitely intrigued now, because we know who was involved… I really hope it will be revealed in the next book, because I think there will still be two books in this series and I don’t want to wait years again. I know that when the next book comes, I’ll need a recap of Lair of Dreams…

This book was highly enjoyable but a little too long; it made me lose focus on the main plot. Everyone’s point of view wasn’t necessary, like Mabel, she appeared rather late in the book anyway… However, I’m looking forward to see what Libba Bray has in store for us in the next books.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Beastly Bones | Book review

Title: Beastly Bones (Jackaby #2)

Author: William Ritter

Published: September 22nd 2015 by Algonquin Young Readers

Goodreads summary: “I’ve found very little about private detective R. F. Jackaby to be standard in the time I’ve known him. Working as his assistant tends to call for a somewhat flexible relationship with reality.”

In 1892, New Fiddleham, New England, things are never quite what they seem, especially when Abigail Rook and her eccentric employer R. F. Jackaby are called upon to investigate the supernatural.

First, a vicious species of shape-shifters disguise themselves as a litter of kittens, and a day later, their owner is found murdered with a single mysterious puncture wound. Then in nearby Gad’s Valley, now home to the exiled New Fiddleham police detective Charlie Cane, dinosaur bones from a recent dig mysteriously go missing, and an unidentifiable beast starts attacking animals and people, leaving their mangled bodies behind. Charlie calls on Abigail for help, and soon Abigail and Jackaby are on the hunt for a thief, a monster, and a murderer.

REVIEW

I really enjoyed the first book that I found whimsical and peculiar, because of the characters, but also because it was a reimagined Sherlock Holmes’ novel, with paranormal creatures. The second book went to the same way than Jackaby, which was really enjoyable.

The plot focuses on weird shapeshifters that take the form of the creature they are eating.

(and is in fact frowned upon in most societies)

Then, Jackaby and Abigail Rook are investigating missing fossils and a farmer wife’s death in the countryside, where Charlie now lives. The plot was fun to read about and the resolution was amazing, even if I had figured it out at some point *sighs* However, this plot had a hard time grabbing my attention, it was slower toward the middle but it picked right before the end.

New characters were introduced; a trapper and a journalist. The journalist was a very bold women, I was impressed by her character because she wanted to do everything by herself, even if social rules wanted to stop her. Meeting her had a great impact on Abigail, who aspires to be more like her and have control over her life. We didn’t see a lot of character development for the other characters – mainly because Jackaby is so peculiar – I regretted it a little.

There was more romance than in the previous book, but it was still really light, because Abigail didn’t want to need a man, like Nellie said. She took the relationship in her hands and I really enjoyed that about her, even if I don’t know if it’s realistic for that period.

Jenny’s storyline intrigued me and I’m looking forward to learn more about it in the next book. Moreover, the villain Abigail and Jackaby will have to fight against was introduced – I mean we know he exists – which makes me looking forward to read the next book. 

Have you read this book? Are you interested by this series?

Creatures of the Night | Book Tag

This tag was created last year by the Booktuber Katytastic, I thought it would be a great time to do it, because you know, Halloween is coming and everything. I must resist the urge to post Nightmare before Christmas' gifs but it's HAAAAARD. This tag is really easy to do, because you just have to pick a book for a paranormal creature. 

VAMPIRES

When I think about it, that's all I was reading back in the day, but now, vampire books aren't working for me anymore (like The Coldest Girl in Coldtown). But, two years ago, I read Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead and this is the best vampire series I've ever read! Even if it took a lot of dedication (it is six books long and Bloodlines also has six books), it was totally worth it! I love the turn took on the vampire, it's inspired by folklore and it was SO GOOD. The main character is totally kick-ass, you will swoon over her love interest, aaaaand... There is Adrian Ivashkov so you should be sold!

WEREWOLVES

IDK why but I don't really remember werewolves books I read (yes one but it's spoilery^^) except for Twilight obviously. I'm gonna cheat a little and choose the Need series by Carrie Jones because there are shapeshifters and a werewolf among them! There are a were-tiger, a were-bear, so that's pretty cool! In fact, there are all sorts of paranormal creatures because there are pixies and even Norse mythology! I never read the last book because I spoiled myself BUT this book was cool because it had a list of phobias.

ZOMBIES

I've read one zombie book in my life and I finished it about... Yesterday (I'm not kidding guys). Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard is set in 19th century Philadelphia and it was amazing!!! I still haven't gathered my thoughts about it so I can't tell you more except that I was soooo stupid for not reading this sooner! Also, I tweeted to Susan Dennard after I finished the book and she thanked me for reading it, she's so adorable! I'm becoming a Hungry and will eat this series 'til the end of times. Also, the next book is set in Paris, so there's that! :D

GHOSTS

I read Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake two years ago and it's a must-read for Halloween! The atmosphere is totally creepy, I looooooved the way it was an urban fantasy and the main character was a ghost hunter! The cover is stunning, I have the UK edition so it's part of the Books with Bite collection, which makes me laugh so much.

WITCH/WARLOCK/SPELLCASTER

HARRY POTTER! MAGNUS BANE!

It's so obvious I had to mention it, of course... More seriously, the magic system of Cinda Williams Chima's Seven Realms is on point, they have a magic academy near the military academy, there are amulets and everything... And of course there's Han who is a great main character who also happens to be... A thief. So yes, the spellcasters in these books are GREAT.

FAIRY/FAE

I was brainstorming when I remembered... *suspens* A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (how did I forget?). This book had such a great world-building with the Courts (Winter, Fall, Summer, Spring, Day and Night), I loved it. It was a really good book anyway, the last part of it took me by surprise because it was less "Beauty and the Beast" than the beginning, but it was as amazing. I can't wait to see the characters when A Court of Mist and Fury is released.

DEMONS

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent is a dystopia with demons. Oh God, this book was so great and took me by surprise. People that are believed to be demons are burnt in front of the all town so that's quite gruesome and scary and awful. 

ANGELS

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand has a special place in my heart because it was such a cute series. I was such a Clara/Tucker shipper (because Carrots ♥), I cried sooooo much (I cry for every single book she wrote anyways). No but honestly it was such a beautiful book with hope within it... *sighs dreamily*

ALIENS

I haven't read a lot of books with aliens in it, like there is The 5th Wave (mixed feelings for the second book), Alienated (ugh) and the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I adored the Lux, I know it was cheesy and everything but I loved it about these books! Compared to JLA's other paranormal books I didn't like (White Hot Kiss), the plot was important and so was the world-building. Of course, it was also a lot about Daemon and Kathy's relationship but I was rooting for them! And she was a book blogger so it excuses everything! 

SUPERPOWERED HUMANS

I thought about The Flash and then X-Men and then Heroes, but that's not books! Anyways The Darkest Minds features kids that have superpowers. The adults are actually scared of them and send them to camps, apparently to cure them, but in reality they never come back because no one knows what's happening. The part about the camps was absolutely dreadful, but in the second book, an organization works with the characters as a team and it was soooo X-Men I loved it!

Tell me your list for this tag, I'm always looking for more recommendations :)