Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Review: The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb


 My Netgalley Review: 

Going into this, I had no expectations. I knew that it was a mystery and that was it. The first part of the book had me wanting to put it down. I just didn't like the tone of Ray and he sounded very naive and juvenile. It had me asking why was there a lawsuit and when I got tired of waiting for the reasoning for it, the second part started. Which has to be my favorite part of the book because it is Ray's teen self of him in high school and wanting to play violin and his mom berating him and the only person who supports his love for music is his grandmother.

There were some issues that I had and couldn't believe that the main characters didn't think of. 

Like, did Ray honestly think his family would be supportive after telling them that the violin was worth 10 million? How did he not think that his money hungry family wouldn't want to sell it.

I don't even understand why the professor told the University in the first place. It was not any of their damn business. She even said that the University would want to profit off it. Not so smart and just plan stupid."

That is like winning the billion dollar powerball and telling everyone surrounding you that you just won and not thinking about the consequences that would follow.

I was constantly annoyed by the constant naming of the music pieces that he played and the terminology and the speeds. I know nothing about classical music and instruments so I didn't care. Also, every white person that Ray encountered was "racist" and had blond hair blue eyes. The constant racism was hard to read especially the amount of times the author used the N word. 

The way he constantly disobeyed the officer who was over his case and did everything she told him not to do was very juvenile and disrespectful. Overall I give this a 3 out of 5 stars and even though I struggled to pick this back up at times to read it, I am looking forward to the author's next book. 


Monday, November 14, 2022

BLOG TOUR: Son of the Salt Chaser by A.S. Thornton

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the SON OF THE SALT CHASER by A.S. Thornton Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: SON OF THE SALT CHASER (Salt Chasers #2)

Author: A.S. Thornton

Pub. Date: (November 1, 2022

Publisher: CamCat Books

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 436

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, Audible, B&NiBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

The gift of magic may be a curse.

After her desert-transforming wish, Emel follows Saalim to Madinat Almulihi to reclaim all she has lost. But the seaside city is not what she expected. When she is tasked with assisting the palace healer, she is faced daily with the reminder that Saalim―focused only on seeking the revenge of those who killed his family―does not remember her at all.

Cursing the magic that destroyed her love and brought her to an unwelcoming city, Emel regrets her decision to leave her settlement. That is, until she meets Kas. Though inscrutable, he is the first person to help her forget her past, and the pull of finding happiness with him tempts her from the life she wished for with Saalim.

But darkness waits in the desert, and not all people in Madinat Almulihi are what they seem. When Emel understands she is entangled in the fate of the city―and of Saalim―she is faced with the realization that magic may be the most powerful card in her hand. It might be the only way to save all that she loves, but if she plays her hand wrong, it could destroy everything.

 

Grab book 1, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING now!

 

Review: Coming soon

 

About A.S. Thornton:

A. S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. She lives in Northern California, where she works as a veterinarian. Learn more about her on IG @as_thornton and visit her website asthornton.com.

Subscribe to A.S.'s newsletter

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon

 


Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of SON OF THE SALT CHASER, US Only.

Ends November 22nd, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/24/2022

Books and Kats

Guest Post

10/25/2022

A Dream Within A Dream

Guest Post

10/26/2022

Wottaread

Review

10/27/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post/IG Post

10/28/2022

Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf

IG Review

10/29/2022

@jennareadstuff

IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Two:

10/30/2022

Sadie's Spotlight

Excerpt

10/31/2022

Jenguerdy

IG Spotlight

11/1/2022

Wanderingwitchreads

TikTok Review/IG Post

11/2/2022

Karen Dee's Book Reviews

IG Review

11/3/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

11/4/2022

Books a Plenty Book Reviews

Review

11/5/2022

Fire and Ice

Review

Week Three:

11/6/2022

@booksrn_rashi

IG Review

11/7/2022

The.bibliophile.michelle

IG Review

11/8/2022

Book-Keeping

Review/IG Post

11/9/2022

Wonder Struck

Review/IG Post

11/10/2022

GryffindorBookishNerd

Review/IG Post

11/11/2022

@simplybeccamee

IG Review

11/12/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

Week Four:

11/13/2022

The Page Ladies @jacleomik33

IG Review

11/14/2022

Lifestyle of Me

Review

11/15/2022

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

11/16/2022

@thechattybookworm

TikTok Review/IG Post

11/17/2022

bookbriefs

Review/IG Post

11/18/2022

two points of interest

Review/IG Post


Saturday, November 12, 2022

Review: My Hero Academia Volume 3 by Kohei Horikoshi *SPOILERS*



 Thanks to my kid constantly bugging me about watching the first season of the show, I am flying through this series... not really but if it was up to me, I would have probably read this next year. I was interested in the story and was really looking forward to this volume but the beginning had me really bored.

It was still focused on the fight scene with the villians and All Might had just arrived. The art style was so messy and jumbled together that I have no idea what the hell was happening. I also couldn't tell the characters apart. 

My favorite part of volume 3 was the U.A. Sports Festival. I loved the trash talk between Class B. Class A was not hesitant because they had already fought villians in the real world. I absolutely loved the introduction to the next event that will be in Volume 4 which is the Calvary Battle. I laughed so hard when Midoriya was given a 10 million point bounty for coming in 1st place during the first event, so now he is the main target for everyone..

I don't have any strong feelings toward any characters. Midoriya is still whiny and annoying. Ida needs to stop trying to being a control freak and comparing himself to his brother. I am highly confused between three characters because they seem like the same people to me, and they are Bakugo from Blass A and the two dudes from Class B. 

Friday, November 11, 2022

BLOG TOUR: Chupacarter by George Lopez and Ryan Calejo

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the CHUPACARTER by George Lopez & Ryan Calejo Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About the Book:

Title: CHUPACARTER

Author: George Lopez, Ryan Calejo, & Santy Gutiérrez (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: August 30, 2022

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 267

Find it: GoodreadsAmazonKindle, Audible, B&NiBooksKoboTBD, Bookshop.org

With his signature laugh-out-loud humor, world-famous comedian George Lopez launches a fantastical middle grade series inspired by his own colorful childhood and Latinx folklore.

In this illustrated contemporary fantasy, twelve-year-old Jorge is lonely and resentful after being sent to live with his grandparents. His first day at his new school doesn’t go well after catching the attention of his belligerent principal and the school bullies, so Jorge might be a little desperate for a friend.
 
But the only kid who shares his interest in junk food and games turns out to be a young chupacabra—a legendary monster whose kind is known for being bloodthirsty livestock killers. The truth is, Carter is anything but savage—he's kind, a good listener, and has great taste in sneakers. Being friends with a mythical creature should be amazing, but when local cattle turn up dead and his principal suspects the truth, Jorge is torn. Should he trust that his friend is innocent and protect him from exposure, or reveal his dangerous existence and change the world forever?

Reviews:

“ChupaCarter is an uproariously good time, full of humor, heart, and unexpected friendships.” 
—Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of Valentina Salazar Is Not a Monster Hunter

"A narrative punctuated with wisecracks and flavored with Spanish phrases and slang...Frights and fun in equal measure."—Kirkus Reviews

"Gutierrez’s lively b&w illustrations expertly render Jorge and Carter’s occasionally over-the-top, adrenaline-filled adventures. Actor/comedian Lopez and Calejo offer a rollicking tale brimming with Latinx folklore and culture about finding one’s home in the unlikeliest of places that never takes itself too seriously."—Publishers Weekly

"Some good and gross humor...in this fantasy-infused tale."—School Library Journal

 

Book Trailer:


Review: Coming Soon

 

About George Lopez:

George Lopez is a New York Times bestselling author, stand-up comedian, actor, and talk show host. He made waves as the star of the most successful English-language prime-time television series about Latin Americans in recent history. His successful stand-up comedy showcases his idiosyncratic point of view and impeccable comedic timing. He lives in Los Angeles.


Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

 



About Ryan Calejo:

Ryan Calejo is an award-winning author born and raised in south Florida. His critically acclaimed Charlie Hernández series has been featured on half a dozen state reading lists and is a two-time gold medal winner of the Florida Book Awards.

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @RyanCalejo.


Simon & Schuster Webpage | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

Giveaway Details: 

2 winners will win a finished copy of CHUPACARTER, US ONLY.

Ends December 6th, midnight EST.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/1/2022

Mythical Books

Excerpt/IG Post

11/2/2022

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt/IG Post

11/3/2022

Author Z. Knight

Excerpt/IG Post

11/4/2022

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt/IG Post

11/5/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

11/6/2022

Jazzy Book Reviews

Excerpt/IG Post

11/7/2022

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt/IG Post

11/8/2022

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Review/TikTok Post

11/9/2022

YA Books Central

Excerpt/IG Post

11/10/2022

onemused

IG Post

11/11/2022

Lifestyle of Me

Review

11/12/2022

Log Cabin Library

Review

Week Three:

11/13/2022

Jeff_of_allmedia

IG Review

11/14/2022

Locks, Hooks and Books

Review

11/15/2022

@just_another_mother_with_books

IG Review

11/16/2022

The Page Ladies @jacleomik33

IG Review

11/17/2022

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review

11/18/2022

Nerdophiles

Review

11/19/2022

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Four:

11/20/2022

Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog

Review/IG Post

11/21/2022

Books With A Chance of Traveling

Review/IG Post

11/22/2022

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Review/IG Post

11/23/2022

@froggyreadteach

IG Review/Read Aloud

11/24/2022

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

11/25/2022

@ReadsReaders

YouTube Review/IG Post

11/26/2022

Emily Ashlyn

Review/IG Post

Week Five:

11/27/2022

@thebookishfoxwitch

IG Review

11/28/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

11/29/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review

11/30/2022

The Real World According To Sam

Review/IG Post


Thursday, November 10, 2022

Review: Lore Olympus Volume 2 by Rachel Smythe *SPOILERS*

 


My library FINALLY got their copies of volume 2 of this amazing webtoon series and I am obsessed. I have read the webtoon, but it doesn't count towards my goodreads and the enjoyment just hits different when I have the big ass book in my hands. The colors are way more vibrant and the smooth pages just give me a boost of happiness.

This volume is comprised of episodes 26-49. The book starts off with a late night phone call between Persephone and Hades and their is emotion and crying on Persephone's part. I remember my feelings the first time I read this episode because I was so pissed at Hades for calling her out for being melancholic and probably crying all the time. I would get just as upset as well because if I was melancholic all the time, I wouldn't want it thrown back in my face. Like no shit, I know I am upset.

The scene between Zeus and Hera was funny. Hera was pushing Zeus' buttons and he was trying to scare her and but she was not taking his shit and she keeps on running of at the mouth and being the badass she is. 

I am obsessed with Hecate basically calling Hades out for not being discreet and telling him about Persephone's real age and that they have been pen pals. Hades acts like a creepy teenager himself when he asks to read the letters and wondering if her handwriting is nice. 

Reading about a teenage Persephone is a little grating and cringy at times. Especially when she doesn't know anything about technology or how to set up her voicemail. Demeter never letting her have a phone or do anything remotely social is just inhumane and socially neglectful.

Apollo being a real asshole gave me the creepy crawlies and trying to control her in the car... I wanted to run away as fast as I could. Minthe sending Persephone to Tartarus is bitch level 100. 

I give this 4 out of 5 stars. I got really annoyed with how Persephone just amped up the whiny teenage girl attitude and constantly going my mom this and my mom that. 

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Review: The Walking Dead: Descent by Jay Bonansinga

 



I have recently finished the 8th season of The Walking Dead after watching it for almost 3 years. I think the burnout of watching the show and reading the novelizations and the graphic novels just got to be to much. I finished the 8th season and was in the mood to immediately start watching the 9th season. But I figured that I should continue the Woodbury series. 

I have given the first four books in this series a 3-4 stars and they were ok. This one had to be the best one so far in my opinion. I don't know why this one gripped me the way it did but I just did not want to put it down. The governor is finally gone and the Town of Woodbury is slowing becoming a peaceful place to live through the zombie era or end of the world. This book introduces a new villian and his flock. The new characters that were introduced in this are all religious, so there was A LOT of preachin' and raising hallelujah and blessing the Good Dude upstairs. I am not religious. I am agnostic and when I read anything that has heavy religious content, I get super uncomfortable and roll my eyes. I did get a little annoyed with the amount of sermons that was in this but it was part of the character and it just gave him more of that ick feeling. 

I ended up giving this a 4 out of 5 stars and I wanted to go straight into the 6th book. I highly recommend this series if you like The Walking Dead. Especially if you are feeling sad about the show ending and this would tide you over until the spin off shows air. 

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: 12 Series I Have Completed This Year!

 


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl

This weeks topic is series that you want to start, catch up on or finish. I have trouble every year of continuing series. I read the first book of a series and then wait months to read the sequel. Series I read, I try to read already completed ones or those that have a good amount of books already out and still being written. 

This year I made a goal to finish some of the series and duologies that I was in the middle of and I have completed 12 so far this year. I am beyond proud that I stuck with it. So here are the series/duologies that I have finished this year...so far. I will be showing the last book of each series to make it easier.

















Review: Is This A Cry For Help by Emily Austin

  DNF at 40%. I could not continue this whiplash. I was expecting some big drama surrounding the ex but finding out that she broke up with h...