5/5 stars

Woven in Moonlight is a compelling tale set in a rich fantasy world with an amazing cast of characters. I absolutely adored this book and could not stop reading it! 

"Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.

When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.

She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa."

One of my favourite things about this book was the politics of the world. The fantasy world was full of nuance. The story begins as a clear-cut tale of a girl seeking revenge for 10 years of wrongdoing against her people. But as the story develops, right and wrong becomes a lot less distinct and both the reader and Ximena begin to question everything they've believed thus far. It led to a very interesting discussion on justice and right and wrong and I loved seeing Ximena's opinions and beliefs change throughout the book as she learnt more about Inkasisa's past. 

I also adored the characters in this one. As i previously mentioned, Ximena has so much character development throughout the book and it's really wonderful to watch her grow and change and figure out what she truly believes. I also really enjoyed some of the side characters, particularly the princesa and Rumi. They were so interesting and fun to read about. I just loved this whole cast of characters and really wish I could read more about them. 

This fantasy world was also so rich and magical. Everything from the clothes and foods to the plants and animals feels so real and developed. When reading the book it just felt like I was living in Inkasisa. 

Overall, I absolutely adored this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loved the politics of The Winners Kiss and the magic in Spin the Dawn. You will absolutely not be disappointed in this book. 

~

As part of my tour stop for The Gravity of Us with Pride Book Tours I did an interview with Author Phil Stamper! 

Carry on reading to learn more about the author of this fantastic book

What was the first book you ever wrote and how old were you when you wrote it?

I didn’t start writing books until late 2012, when I was 24. I’d always been a big reader, but I never had dreams of being an author growing up. I studied music in college, so that had been my main creative outlet. I worked in non-profit public relations after college, and I loved that I got to write and tell stories for a living... but what I was writing (press releases) got boring after a while. At the time, I had been reading dozens of YA dystopian novels, so I decided to write my own, and I immediately fell in love with writing YA. 

Ultimately, it took almost eight years and four manuscripts until my debut came out. So it was a long journey, but it was definitely worth it in the end!

What was your favourite scene to write in “The Gravity of Us” and why?

Hey guys! We're halfway through 2020 now so I thought it would be a fun time to do the Mid Year Freak Out Tag!
This tag was created by EarlGreyBooks and IsThatChami

1. Best book you've read so far in 2020? 

This question is SO HARD because i've read so many amazing books this year so far. I think if I had to choose one favourite i'd probably go for The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller because I honestly just had such a good time reading it. 

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2020? 

For this one I would definitely have to say A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer. I absolutely adored this sequel! It went in such a different direction to what I was expecting and I ended up loving all the new characters so much. 

3. New release you haven't read yet but want to? 

I'm really looking forward to reading You Should See Me in A Crown by Leah Johnson. I've heard such incredible things about it and the plot just sounds like so much fun!! 

I love it when a book surprises you.
When you've heard mixed reviews and you end up being one of the few who loved it.
Or when a book really doesn't sound like your cup of tea but it blows you away! 

So in this blog post I thought I would share some books that I really did not expect to love. I'm going to talk about why I didn't expect to love them and what it was about them that just hooked me in! 

Another reason I was hesitant about this one was that I had previously read a couple of Holly Black's books and really not enjoyed them. However, those books hadn't contained faeries and after reading this book I really think that faeries are what Holly Black does best! 

Whilst reading the cruel prince I was a little intrigued. I definitely didn't hate it but I really couldn't tell where it was going. Then the book hit the halfway mark and i became obsessed. And there really wasn't any going back from there. 

I devoured the rest of the book and couldn't read anything else until my copy of the wicked king came through the post. Then the AGONISING wait for Queen of Nothing to be released. 

I ended up loving every single book in this series. The characters were wonderfully complex and the world building was impeccable. I just loved it so much. 

I definitely don't think this book is for everyone but I think if it's something that sounds somewhat interesting to you, you should give it a go and see for yourself. 

Full Review | Goodreads | Book Depository



Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

This was a recent read for me and I absolutely ADORED it. I have previously tried to read Six of Crows three times and have never got past chapter two. That second chapter is SO hard to read and just dumps a load of names on you. Honestly, I still hate it. But anyone who feels the same way as me you absolutely MUST push through because this book is amazing.

Not only had I failed to finish this one before, but I'm really not a big fan of heist books. I always find them kind of boring so i really didn't have high hopes for this one.. However six of crows had enough variety and drama and i found it really entertaining.
It was told from plenty of points of view which I liked because every character was so different it was fantastic to hear from them all. Also, Leigh Bardugo through in lots of flashback scenes where we learn about the characters pasts and what led them to them becoming who they are. I really liked this because it broke up the action sequences a bit and made for a really intriguing read.

Goodreads | Book Depository



One of Us is Lying - Karen McManus

I expected to enjoy One of Us is Lying but not half as much as I did. I often find that two things happen for me when i'm reading a murder mystery:
(a) the characters aren't interesting
(b) the solution is way too far fetched

So I was a little hesitant to start this one.
But neither of these things happened in this book. I found all the characters to be engaging and interesting and I really cared about them by the end of the book. The solution was plausible and could be worked out from the clues (i didn't work it out at the time though). I found that i just could not stop reading this one!

Another worry I had with this book was that it has four, first person P.OV'S! (I really hate book with more than two first person P.O.V's). However, this book is the exception to the rule. Point of view was utilised really well in this one. Each character had a distinct voice and I definitely think it was necessary to hear from the P.O.V of all four characters.

This one is definitely a fantastic mystery that really surprised me! (I also loved book two btw - so if you've read this one and haven't read book two then go read it!!)

Goodreads | Book Depository



Vicious - V.E. Schwab 

There were a few things that made me initially hesitant to read this one.

First of all, there was NO ROMANCE. I absolutely love romance in books, it's one of the things that gets me invested in a book very quickly. One of the reasons I wanted to pick this up is because I wanted to try and read a little out of my comfort zone and go for something that didn't have romance. I'm really glad I did because this book definitely didn't need romance to get me invested. I was pretty much hooked from the first page and the platonic character dynamics in this one are absolutely fantastic.

Secondly, this was another book with morally grey characters and I was pretty sure it was gonna be a lot darker than the cruel prince. I was absolutely right about that one but I think it really added to my enjoyment of this book as well. Neither of the main characters in this book were morally clean, but they both had their reasons for what they did and both of them thought that what they were doing was right.
I think that aspect of the book really made for an interesting read because it was definitely up to the reader to decide for themselves who the "villian" of the story was.

Unfortunately I was a little disappointed with the sequel of this one because I really expected to love it as much as Vicious but it was a little bit slow for my liking.

Full Review | Goodreads | Book Depository



Come talk to me! Have you read any books that you really didn't expect to like?
I think for me it just goes to show that sometimes its good to go outside of my reading comfort zone <3

Due to current events, lots of books that were due to be published in may have been delayed to later months.

Therefore, i think it's extra extra important to support the books that are still coming out in May! 

There are still many exciting books coming out this month (new the hunger games!!) so without further a-due, here is my list<3. 

Aurora Burning - Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

First, the bad news: an ancient evil—you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal—is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They’ve just got to take care of a few small distractions first.
Like the clan of gremps who’d like to rearrange their favorite faces.
And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri.
Then there’s Kal’s long-lost sister, who’s not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted.

When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it’s time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago, the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them. But time is short, and if Auri can’t learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV.

Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits, and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion’s most unforgettable heroes—and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well.

Release Date May 5th

By the Book - Amanda Sellet

As a devotee of classic novels, Mary Porter-Malcolm knows all about Mistakes That Have Been Made, especially by impressionable young women. So when a girl at her new high school nearly succumbs to the wiles of a notorious cad, Mary starts compiling the Scoundrel Survival Guide, a rundown of literary types to be avoided at all costs.

Unfortunately, Mary is better at dishing out advice than taking it—and the number one bad boy on her list is terribly debonair. As her best intentions go up in flames, Mary discovers life doesn’t follow the same rules as fiction. If she wants a happy ending IRL, she’ll have to write it herself.

Release Date: May 12th

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Suzanne Collins

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the 10th annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to out charm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined - every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Release Date: May 19th





Date Me, Bryson Keller - Kevin van Whye 

Everyone knows about the dare: Each week, Bryson Keller must date someone new--the first person to ask him out on Monday morning. Few think Bryson can do it. He may be the king of Fairvale Academy, but he's never really dated before.

Until a boy asks him out, and everything changes.

Kai Sheridan didn't expect Bryson to say yes. So when Bryson agrees to secretly go out with him, Kai is thrown for a loop. But as the days go by, he discovers there's more to Bryson beneath the surface, and dating him begins to feel less like an act and more like the real thing. Kai knows how the story of a gay boy liking someone straight ends. With his heart on the line, he's awkwardly trying to navigate senior year at school, at home, and in the closet, all while grappling with the fact that this "relationship" will last only five days. After all, Bryson Keller is popular, good-looking, and straight . . . right?

Release Date: May 19th

Read with Pride - Lucy Powrie 

Olivia Santos is excited for her last year at secondary school. But when a parent complains about LGBTQ+ content in one of the books, the library implements a new policy for withdrawing books. Olivia is distraught - she's demisexual and knows how important it is for all readers to see themselves represented.

Luckily, she's the mastermind behind The Paper & Hearts Society book club, and she knows exactly what to do: start a new club, find ways of evading the system, and change the policy for good!

With two book clubs to run, exams to prepare for, and a girlfriend, just how long will it be before Olivia burns out? After all, creating a book club and trying to get the #ReadWithPride hashtag to get noticed is going to take a lot of energy.

Sometimes, when you're in too deep, it's up to your friends to look out for you 

Release date: May 28th 

What May releases are you looking forward to?<3 

Let me know in the comments

wow. just wow. I thought the first book in this series was good, but this one was EVEN BETTER. It kept me hooked the entire time and went in a completely different direction to what I was expecting. I could not put it down! 

*this review could contain minor spoilers for book 1 in this series* 

A Heart So Fierce and Broken is the second book in the cursebreakers trilogy and is told from the P.O.V of Commander Grey and a new character, Lia Mara, who is from Shyl Shallow. 

The book picks up a few months after the ending of A Curse So Dark And Lonely, Grey is on the run. There are rumours that he could be the heir of Emberfall and that Prince Rhen is looking for him even though 

Grey has no desire to take the crown for himself. When Grey meets Lia Mara, the daughter of Karis Luran, he begins to question everything. 

Would standing against Rhen benefit Emberfall? 

When I picked up AHSFAB I was a little nervous because I knew that we wouldn't see much of Harper or Rhen in this book and I didn't know whether I was going to like the new characters. But honestly, I LOVED the new P.O.V's we got in this book. Especially Lia Mara, who's main goal is to bring about peace.

I adored her. She just wanted everyone to get along & be happy. She is also smart, strong and would rather sit and read than go to social events (relatable). 

It was also fantastic to see more from Grey in this book. I liked him in ACSDAL but he definitely wasn't one of my favourite characters - he was just very mysterious. It was great to read from his P.O.V. and really understand him as a character more in this book. 

The romance between Grey and Lia Mara was also so sweet! I was rooting for them sO BAD throughout the whole book! They had soooo much chemistry and they were so well suited to eachother<3. I cannot wait to see more of them together in book 3 :'). 

This book also did a really good job of expanding the world that was introduced in book 1. I loved the fact that we got to see Shyl Shallow and it wasn't just this 'unknown threat' that needs to be defeated. I think it really gave the world depth and raised the stakes. I now definitely care about what happens between the two countries and am a little bit torn between them! I want the best for Grey and Lia Mara but I also want Rhen and Harper to be happy! 

I can't wait to see where Brigid takes this story in book 3! 

Finally, AHSFAB was much more fast-paced than the first book which i LOVED. The book dove right into the action from page one and there wasn't a dull moment! I absolutely could not put this book down. 

Overall, if you enjoyed the first book in this series then I don't think you will be disappointed by this one! It was filled with action, intrigue, loveable characters and swoon-worthy romance. 

If you read the first book and haven't picked this one up yet I would highly suggest that you check it out!