Medieval-a-thon Sign Up

Have you heard about the Medieval Readathon Holly Hearts Books has set up?! You can find out all the details on her Instagram post

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Welcome to Medieval-a-thon! 🛡 Who says Summer is for contemporary?! Nay I say! You’ve been invited to a month long ceremony beginning the first day of July where all will be decided where you stand! 🛡 Swipe to see the second image. The more you read the higher your nobility ranking. Read 1 book and be a lowly peasant working in the fields as a farmer. Read 6 books and become a king or queen to rule your own kingdom! Show your peers chivalry and honor and be rewarded with a lower TBR number! 🛡 Swipe to see the third and fourth images. Here you will build your armour set! All of these prompts are optional. If you want to run around nakey in the world by all means, go ahead. Just try to avoid the local guards. But if you want to protect yourself against your enemies, you should probably get yourself armor and some weapons. Hack, slash, and wack your way through July. 🛡 Want more details and specifics on the prompts? Be sure to watch my YouTube video where I run through them all, give advice, and prepare you for battle! Link is in my bio! 🛡 Be sure to use #medievalathon in your relevant posts so I can take a peek at what you’re reading and how your journey is coming along! Tag some friends below who you think may want to join the guild and share this with your fellow book warriors! 🛡 Also a huge thank you to Kat from @katsreadingcorner for helping me with some of these prompts! • • • #ilovereading #ilovebooks #booknerd #booknerdigans #bookish #bookaholic #booklover #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookobsessed #bookworm #read #reader #reading #bookblogger #booklife #readathon #medievalathon

A post shared by Holly 💛 Hufflepuff 🎥 YouTuber (@hollyheartsbooks) on Jun 15, 2019

Due to my recent reading slow down (not a slump just a slow down), I decided it was time to hunt down a good readathon to kick things back into gear.  When I came across this readathon I knew I had to join.  It is set up with level up rankings and add on clothing and weapons with challenges. 

So for a brief over view the levels are:

1 book - Peasant

2 books - Squire

3 books - Knight

4 book - Count/Countess

5 book - Prince/ Princess

6 books - King/Queen

Then you can clothe yourself with challenges:

Crown - Book where they characters fight for a throne

Helmet - Book with a Dragon on the Cover

Breastplate - Book with a Shiny Cover

Leggings - Thick paperback book

Boots - A book that has yellowed over time

Cloak - Red on the cover/dust jacket

And also get weapons with more challenges:

Sword - Book with something pointy on the cover

Double Daggers - Book with assassins

Bow and Arrow - Book with Elves

Battle Axe - Book with Mercenaries 

The best part about this readathon is that you can pick books in your genre and it lasts for a full month from July 1st through July 31st.

So I figured I would go for full Queen with a full suit of armor (because I have no desire to run around nakey).  I might also arm myself to the teeth! Here are the books I plan to read for this readathon, it is subject to my whims (because I will be queen).

The Storm Crow - 352 pages - For My Crown

The Beholder - 435 pages - For My Breastplate

Valor - 680 pages - For My Leggings

Trial of Joan of Arc (Published 1956) - 173 pages - For My Boots

Pirate Stories - 160 pages - For My Cloak

Lost Boy - 292 pages - For my Sword

 

Calen the Emerald (re-read) & Carne the Ruby - For My Bow & Arrow

Holy Sister - 353 pages - For My Battle Axe and/or Double Daggers

Well, that looks like a really fun reading list for this month! Thank goodness I can start soon because I am really excited to get going! I will of course be updating on my Instagram throughout the month.  Are you joining? What would be your weapon of choice?

Early Reader Bedtime Story: The Bike Lesson by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Read for: Early Reader Challenge

Synopsis: " Small Bear has a new bike, but before he can ride it, his dad insists on a teaching him about bike safety. From learning how to stop and turn to going down a hill and traveling roads you know, Small Bear has a lot to learn. And Father Bear has an unforgettable way of showing his son all the tricks of biking. The second in the beloved Berenstain Bears series, The Bike Lesson is the Tour de France of funny tales for early readers."

My Review: Munchkin has been learning to ride his bike this past couple of weeks so I thought this would be a fun book to pick up from the library. This was interesting because it was clearly an early Berenstain Bears book, with an older illustration style and only Brother Bear and the writing was very simple compared to other books in the series. It was actually easier for Munchkin to read and it had a little rhythm to it as well. It was definitely full of lessons on what not to do while riding a bike and Munchkin pointed out how they weren't wearing helmets. It was a fun book to read while connecting it to real life.

My Rating: This was a fun and silly book, I think I like this older style of illustrations and story over the newer ones.  We give it a rating of Three Paws.

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Review of Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy

Read for: Recently Added & Audio Book Challenge

Synopsis: "I’ve been chased my whole life. As a fugitive refugee in the territory controlled by the tyrannical Mercer corporation, I’ve always had to hide who I am. Until I found Excalibur.

Now I’m done hiding.

My name is Ari Helix. I have a magic sword, a cranky wizard, and a revolution to start.

When Ari crash-lands on Old Earth and pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting place, she is revealed to be the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Then she meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Their quest? Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind.

No pressure."

My Review: I really love King Arthur re-tellings and adaptations so even though I am not a huge sci-fi fan I thought I would really enjoy this one. I do give the authors props for creating such a diverse cast of characters, both in sexual orientation and in race. Sadly, once you step outside of that representation, the story doesn't have a whole lot to offer. The characters really didn't flesh out beyond their race and orientation, that became so much of the focus of the story that everything else fell flat. There was a whole universe out there to develop but I only got little blips here and there; a lot was left undeveloped leaving the reader feeling like they missed some pages. There are also pacing issues, it didn't seem to build up, just as we reached a conflict and starting to develop some understanding and strategy, we would get drawn aside into who was kissing who and who was making gaga eyes at who, dropping all the potential build up. I had such high hopes for this book, and though I did make it all the way through, I doubt I will continue on. On that note, I do think that inclusive rep. is important, it is fantastic for everyone to find a character in a book that they can relate to, but the story also needs to have a great story to support those characters.

My Rating: I so wanted to enjoy this book, it was such an interesting concept, female King Arthur in space! Sadly, the story was under developed and reads younger that the YA target. The only part that I really enjoyed were Big Mama & her Kay, I felt like they were more developed than any of the main characters because there wasn't a need to focus on their orientation.  Unfortunately, I give this one a rating of One Paw and a Stump Wag!

Top 5 Wednesday: Books on My Summer TBR

Top 5 Wednesday is a group on Goodreads hosted by Sam from Thoughts on Tomes on Youtube.

Sam is currently on hiatus/vacation from Top 5 Wednesday this summer, but I thought I would come up with my own topic. I wanted to share with you some of the books I plan to read this summer, now that it is officially here!

I have heard many other readers rave about this series, and now I have a copy of this first book thanks to a surprise swap! I am looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about!

There is something about a purple book that really attracts me, so when I saw this book and found out it is a MG fantasy that revolves around food I had to pre-order! And because I pre-ordered I also received some recipes from the book and Munchkin is looking forward to testing some of them out!

I received a surprise gift copy of this one from Penguin Random house last week and it looks like a perfect summer beach read, and honestly who can resist a cat named Cap'n Bill!

For me summer means romance and what better book to read than a cupid inspired book?!

And in preparation for another Arrg-ust pirate month, I want to start getting into some pirate books!

What are you reading this summer?

Review of The Manticore's Vow & Other Stories by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley

Synopsis: "A vain assassin takes an assignment with dire consequences. An aristocratic lady fleeing her past is besieged by pirates. And a manticore princess sets out on a life-changing adventure.

The Manticore’s Vow collects three stories set in the world of Magic of Blood and Sea, all exploring the origins of some of its most memorable characters: Naji, the scarred assassin, Marjani, the pirate queen, and Ongraygeeomryn, the man-eating manticore. Explore a world of dangerous magic and thrilling adventures with this trio of gorgeous, swashbuckling tales.​

This collection includes: 

The Manticore's Vow

The Automaton’s Treasure

The Witch’s Betrayal"

My Review: Last year I read the Assassin's Curse series but I didn't manage to read any of the novellas, which this book has now combined into one collection. Having already known the characters from the book it was a pleasure to go back and get to know some of their back story. The first story, Manticore's Vow follows Ongraygeeomryn, who I ended up loving in the series, as she decides to travel from her world to the human world and all that befalls her, landing her on an island far away from all she knows. The second story Automaton's Treasure was probably my favorite of this book. We find out a bit of Marjani's backstory, but Safin, a steamworks little crocodile thing, really takes the spotlight! I loved their hunt and discovery of the Great Treasure! The final story Witch's Betrayal follows Naji before he meets Ananna and in his early years in the Order. In this story we discovered the origins of his scars and some of his anger and distrust, it really gives us a lot of insight into his character and where his values came from. All in all I like that we get all these novellas combined into one book and they really do add to the main books in the series!

My Rating: I really enjoyed getting the backstory on some of my favorite main characters of the Assassin's Curse series, I do think that these should be read after the series as some of it may spoil some of the mysteries.  I give this one a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

 I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. The above is my honest review and opinion.

You can find out more about Cassandra Rose Clarke and her book on her Goodreads Page or Website.

The Manticore's Vow was just released on June 6th, so you can now obtain your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or ask for it at your library!

Monday Reading List

It is Monday again, and time to update with what I read last week, what I am currently reading and what to look forward to next week.

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Proud: Living My American Dream by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio (Bedtime Story)
The Iliad by Gareth Hinds (Graphic Novel)

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Irresistible Force
Once and Future
Manticore's Vow
The Case of the Missing Moonstone

Currently Reading:

Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen - Print - on page 28 of 368

Pages Read/ Time Listened
337:52 Hours Listened (10:55 listened this week)
16,409 Pages Read (661 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR
The Snow Gypsy
WarDance
Warsong

Lost Boy
Year One
Girl Who Drank the Moon
King of Scars
Dactyl Hill Squad
The Darkdeep
Lord of the Fading Lands

 Crown of Feathers

 Argos: The Story of Odysseus as told by his Loyal Dog

Shadow of Doubt
Gates of Stone
A Conspiracy of Truths
Viper
Vortex Visions
Through the White Wood
Descendant of the Crane
Holy Sister
The Emperor of Evening Stars
Dark Harmony
We Rule the Night
The Sea Queen
The Mountain of Kept Memory
Metamorphica
Misfits of Avalon Vol. 1
Misfits of Avalon Vol. 2
The Sea King
Ride Hard
Ride Rough
Ride Wild
Irresistible Force
Force of Attraction
Primal Force
Rival Forces
A Rogue by Any Other Name
A Scot in the Dark
The Day of the Duchess
The Pirate Bride
Pirate Stories
Man Made Boy
This Monstrous Thing
The Case of the Missing Moonstone
Dear Santa
An Endless Christmas
Christmas Magic
Falling Softly
Christmas Town
The Christmas Star
Crazy Rich Asians
Once and Future
Highland Crown
Gris Grimly's Frankenstein
The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals
The Case of the Perilous Palace
The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter
The Beholder
Lovestruck
We Hunt the Flame
Romanov
Dark Shores
Dreaming the Bear
A New Hope
The Trial of Joan of Arc
Midsummer's Mayhem
Monsters
The Monsters We Deserve
Strange Star
Hephaistos: God of Fire
Ghostly Tales from the Lost Summer of 1816
Till There Was You
Sea Sirens

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Almost back to normal life!! Hubby goes back to work today, Munchkin starts summer camp today and my parents are leaving tomorrow.  Our house construction project is still going on and we hope to have the first phase complete in the next couple of weeks. So I am really hoping that as a result of all this I can get back to my normal reading plans! I have so many books I still want to read this year and it is already almost half over!! What I really need is a good day off by myself to read as much as I want!


Do you ever take a day off randomly to just read?