tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35216375166292170562024-03-18T14:53:12.043+00:00Readers Enjoy Authors' DreamsLauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.comBlogger628125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-54389439527870129742024-03-18T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-18T07:00:00.243+00:00Greek Myths Original vs Retelling <p>Hello Readers,</p><div style="text-align: left;">Today I thought I would share some of my favourite Greek
myths and if I prefer the orginal myth or the retelling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEQGj5dX_WK-fjaaLDM49GhjmVggWrY1RKYIzCjCbvw4VqhOqGHMXnPQAMnxrtItHMt5nQ7eGspk_xmSZqGbyVkPT1NYkCZApJ34_sCS-rSGxlotmv4TZHCwm6fzh14LugZYIK4ekhTdiZkbSIlGQF_YdyhFfKEmXVFqTDghlClOSZ49niM79UyqygMs2/s840/Greek%20Myths%20Original%20vs%20Retelling%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEQGj5dX_WK-fjaaLDM49GhjmVggWrY1RKYIzCjCbvw4VqhOqGHMXnPQAMnxrtItHMt5nQ7eGspk_xmSZqGbyVkPT1NYkCZApJ34_sCS-rSGxlotmv4TZHCwm6fzh14LugZYIK4ekhTdiZkbSIlGQF_YdyhFfKEmXVFqTDghlClOSZ49niM79UyqygMs2/s320/Greek%20Myths%20Original%20vs%20Retelling%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">The Myth of Medusa</span></b><br /> I think I prefer the retellings that have allowed Medusa
to regain her story. Without going into too much detail the story of Medusa as
it is not a nice myth. Medusa was raped by Poseidon in the temple of Athena
(Athene). Medusa was never a monster and I think this is one of the mountains I
am going to die on. Instead of enacting revenge of the perpetrator Athena
turned Medusa into a snake haired gorgon who could turn people into stone. Medusa
removed herself from being a problem she moved to a secluded island with her
sister’s so she wouldn’t turn anyone to stone, and you know what the Gods sent
people after her. Let the woman live in peace. At the risk of
angering the Goddess of wisdom and military victory but to add insult to injury
Athena gives Perseus her mirrored shield to use so he can look through the
shield at Medusa instead of directly upon her so he could chop of her head. So
not only did Athena turn Medusa to stone she helped behead her… like didn’t Medusa
suffer enough.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Hades and Persephone</span></b><br /> I prefer the retellings of this myth where it’s not so
kidnappy. In the orginal myth Hades fell in love with Persephone and decided to
kidnap her. The myth says that Persephone was very unhappy, but eventually she
came to love the cold-blooded Hades and lived happily with him. I am a Hades
groupie I adore this man in retellings. A couple of years ago I read the Hades
& Persephone Series By: Scarlett St. Clair and I was hooked I have read
countless Hades and Persephone retellings some smutty and some regular books
that I found on Kindle Unlimited. At one point I was like I need to move past
Hades this is a slight obsession. But then I think everyone was down the same
rabbit hole I was as more retellings were released from Her Dark Wings by
Melinda Salisbury to Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald. It wasn’t long
before I found myself back under the thralls of the King of the Underworld.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Jason and the Argonauts</span></b><br />I don’t think it matters how many retellings of this
story I read the original myth will always hold a special place in my heart. Determined
to reclaim his throne, Jason agrees to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Jason
assembles a team of great heroes for his crew, and they sail aboard the Argo. I
have tried to listen to the Argonautica, but I just can’t seem to get into it. I
have fond memories of watching the film from 1963 with Mother Goose on bank
holidays and I think it’s the nostalgia that would stop me enjoying a
retelling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /></span><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Orpheus and Eurydice</span></b><br /><span class="jpfdse">Orpheus</span> was a musician in
ancient Greek<span class="jpfdse"> mythology</span>. He went to the underworld to
fetch his wife, Eurydice, who had died. When Orpheus failed to follow the
instructions of <span class="jpfdse">Hades</span>, the god of the
underworld, he lost Eurydice forever. I have a little understanding about this myth,
but I am more familiar with the musical Hadestown. Hadestown is a retelling
that takes us to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories
that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and his wife
Persephone.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>What is your favourite Greek Myth? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-82669958830777642822024-03-15T07:00:00.000+00:002024-03-15T07:00:00.253+00:00Greek Myth Retellings on my TBR<p>Hello Readers,</p><div>Today I thought I would share some Greek mythology books
that are still on MY TBR pile. I have loved jumping back into Greek myths but
the books are good reads and I love them, but they are long. I will confess I think
I may have slightly over indulged but in the words of Anne Boleyn sorry not sorry.<br />
<o:p> <br /></o:p>For each book I have mentioned I am including the number
of pages, the blurb, and a link to goodreads in case you want to the add the
book to your TBR. I am using cover images I have found through google I do not
own any rights and am using the image purely for review purposes (Fair use
under the copyright act sections 29 and 30 under use for a review).<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Hera by Jennifer Saint</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHaPdqfxK9MraDSj0AxLAumud6KrLKH-Js3gjOTj-Yzv1GhylokrwSE-Ujktdx0k1vPYDoTBkHPFr5e4HWc95lxFrnhGMb-64fh2vVSafzDvHvSLTNtDHyx2q7ibBrTdbC5osTounEi1guvJdvxMLaE038w_X97BSCITrC5H1wY4VyrqNelI-Yw9TWpnC/s600/Hera%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="390" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHaPdqfxK9MraDSj0AxLAumud6KrLKH-Js3gjOTj-Yzv1GhylokrwSE-Ujktdx0k1vPYDoTBkHPFr5e4HWc95lxFrnhGMb-64fh2vVSafzDvHvSLTNtDHyx2q7ibBrTdbC5osTounEi1guvJdvxMLaE038w_X97BSCITrC5H1wY4VyrqNelI-Yw9TWpnC/s320/Hera%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><b><br /></b></span>When Hera, immortal goddess and daughter of the ancient
Titan Cronos, helps her brother Zeus to overthrow their tyrannical father, she
dreams of ruling at his side. As they establish their reign on Mount Olympus,
Hera suspects that Zeus might be just as ruthless and cruel as the father they
betrayed. She was always born to rule, but must she lose herself in
perpetuating this cycle of violence and cruelty? Or can she find a way to forge
a better world?<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Often portrayed as the jealous wife or the wicked
stepmother, this retelling captures the many sides of Hera, vengeful when she
needs to be but also compassionate and mostly importantly, an all-powerful
queen to the gods.<br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Publication Date:</span> May 23rd 2024 <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Pages:</span> 352 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205956482-hera">Goodreads</a><o:p><br /></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBzaXiZ652S0MaJuBZg1t52_K8yvEy2vrLH5HIX8N500zF8mwYpg-9B4S2wwKnrFIzrLPtbW_qS8g9wFV-_Ds7P0JE0d8oq1_va3AAUk4893Nm_XgOiyJQXi6LyB34aUMSgwUu015KPcZFVV1dw7HQgLY-4jaM9IU55KehxFKhKyh4yL5p0Nql6qrB75H/s400/A%20Thousand%20Ships.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBzaXiZ652S0MaJuBZg1t52_K8yvEy2vrLH5HIX8N500zF8mwYpg-9B4S2wwKnrFIzrLPtbW_qS8g9wFV-_Ds7P0JE0d8oq1_va3AAUk4893Nm_XgOiyJQXi6LyB34aUMSgwUu015KPcZFVV1dw7HQgLY-4jaM9IU55KehxFKhKyh4yL5p0Nql6qrB75H/s320/A%20Thousand%20Ships.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><b><br /></b></span>This was never the story of one woman, or two. It was the
story of all of them.</div><div><br />In the middle of the night, Creusa wakes to find her
beloved Troy engulfed in flames. Ten seemingly endless years of brutal conflict
between the Greeks and the Trojans are over, and the Greeks are victorious.
Over the next few hours, the only life she has ever known will turn to ash..<br />The devastating consequences of the fall of Troy stretch
from Mount Olympus to Mount Ida, from the citadel of Troy to the distant Greek
islands, and across oceans and sky in between. These are the stories of the
women embroiled in that legendary war and its terrible aftermath, as well as
the feud and the fatal decisions that started it all. . .</div><div><br />Powerfully told from an all-female perspective, A
Thousand Ships gives voices to the women, girls and goddesses who, for so
long, have been silent.<br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Pages:</span> 368 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53487148-a-thousand-ships?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=6istY0beWI&rank=2">Goodreads</a><o:p><br /></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6YgnQZGbJ-aH4RzZL7tqD__pOrtamC4kGFUHTu5wr9mHQhyphenhyphenHz-Ey8xemtUi4FDTy5ydkhoD6pH2EXj99ztlqhdIWesiOQk5dZG3dUUUQc5liREd5squF_uiqpKehIoZSilCrxdPvymQZLj6CmcZ6G3tKFd8KiBxXmjmi7t1oFYnzQY0x1_0ep_f8G8ag/s2339/The%20Song%20of%20Achilles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6YgnQZGbJ-aH4RzZL7tqD__pOrtamC4kGFUHTu5wr9mHQhyphenhyphenHz-Ey8xemtUi4FDTy5ydkhoD6pH2EXj99ztlqhdIWesiOQk5dZG3dUUUQc5liREd5squF_uiqpKehIoZSilCrxdPvymQZLj6CmcZ6G3tKFd8KiBxXmjmi7t1oFYnzQY0x1_0ep_f8G8ag/s320/The%20Song%20of%20Achilles.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of
the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift,
and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young
prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought
together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods'
wrath.</div><div><br />
They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but
when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of
Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise
of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and
fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates
will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.<br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;">
Pages:</span> 408 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58028296-the-song-of-achilles">Goodreads</a><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div> <o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66Mkc8y24Q1bjYQBkFbLbm0tWf2popBybp_U6-dd86a_czGZ2__w9DJ4Pk9PfG6AVBspQHpXML_JDVQjGTs6OH3rFWg21IQYJYQzbsVv5CSNENK7ZZlA4KhJVSbAKL08MklknxFosjA7dTGf5M2XeCnOe6Kcx-_NSveiejugBDqq45nX8u8Zrmr6jKvoK/s400/Herc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66Mkc8y24Q1bjYQBkFbLbm0tWf2popBybp_U6-dd86a_czGZ2__w9DJ4Pk9PfG6AVBspQHpXML_JDVQjGTs6OH3rFWg21IQYJYQzbsVv5CSNENK7ZZlA4KhJVSbAKL08MklknxFosjA7dTGf5M2XeCnOe6Kcx-_NSveiejugBDqq45nX8u8Zrmr6jKvoK/s320/Herc.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><b><br /></b></span>This should be the story of Hercules: his twelve labours,
his endless adventures...everyone's favourite hero, right? Well, it's not. This
is the story of everyone else:<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Alcmene: Herc's mother (She has knives everywhere)<br />
Hylas: Herc's first friend (They were more than friends)<br />
Megara: Herc's wife (She'll tell you about their marriage)<br />
Eurystheus: Oversaw Herc's labours (He never asked for the job)<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>His friends, his enemies, his wives, his children, his
lovers, his rivals, his gods, his victims. It's time to hear their stories. Told
with humour and heart, Herc gives voice to the silenced characters, in this
feminist, queer (and sometimes shocking) retelling of classic Hercules myth.<br /><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Pages: </span>384 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91274442-herc">Goodreads</a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-25382094357110183892024-03-14T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-14T07:00:00.354+00:00Atalanta by Jennifer Saint<div style="text-align: left;">Hello Readers,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> I am excited for Hera to be published in May and I can’t
wait to see the see the different sides of The Queen of the Gods. I thought I
would refresh my memory of Jeniffer’s writing style and reread Atalanta. I know
Atalanta isn’t on my goodreads for last year, but it was one of them books I
read while reacting and I didn’t want to publish a review that was just word
salad.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTXuoXjjqzrgBAY8fA4zl1idAP2zhXuJ3NyVRJ-CrgEVWM5ny-BbN7oEP7hCOEnxtIyMkZx21_Pq_FCudn59sEae_v0eH5tUSdV6m9u_LYqlZvhXZPS2ncPFnnn5Sz1RJ0lNhJHu_MXMtBeBRsWg_TvOXZXeftg2CPDzOOJ2vaWlHCEkpa5GJoH14posj/s4032/Atalanta%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTXuoXjjqzrgBAY8fA4zl1idAP2zhXuJ3NyVRJ-CrgEVWM5ny-BbN7oEP7hCOEnxtIyMkZx21_Pq_FCudn59sEae_v0eH5tUSdV6m9u_LYqlZvhXZPS2ncPFnnn5Sz1RJ0lNhJHu_MXMtBeBRsWg_TvOXZXeftg2CPDzOOJ2vaWlHCEkpa5GJoH14posj/s320/Atalanta%20by%20Jennifer%20Saint%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I grew up watching Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and it
was what inspired me get interested in Greek myths when I was younger, and it
wasn’t till I was an adult I realised there was a character missing not just
any old character but I kind of main character. Why did the film miss out
Atalanta. I was listening to podcast when I heard the name Atalanta mentioned
and jumped down the rabbit hole.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Turns out being born a princess isn’t always as fun as
you would think as Atalanta was left on the side of a mountain because she had
the audacity, nerve and the gumption to be born a girl… I know! She was then
raised by bears because why wouldn’t that be the next step. Atalanta was taken
under the wing of Artemis and the nymphs. Just a side note Artemis is a
demanding custodian and in my opinion is way too harsh with her expectations.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>However, thanks to this “character building” Atalanta
grows into a strong woman who in her adult life will take on a whole ship of
doubtful men on what she can accomplish. Atalanta becomes a skilled bowman and
huntress; Atalanta even takes a vow of chastity to Artemis who in turn gives
her the gift of swiftness and guides her arrows with accuracy. One thing I
loved that despite the forces against her Atalanta is always true to herself
and never apologised for who she is.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I liked Jennifer writing style; it was easy to follow and
inspired me to learn more about the characters. I know I’m a little bias as I
love running off and doing my own research. Jennifer does an incredible job of
knitting together all the myths about Atalanta. I couldn't put this book down
because the worldbuilding was gorgeous and Jennifer created a version of
Atalanta that reader can relate too. You can’t help but get invested in the overlooked
story that accompanies Jason on the Argo. I think this book not only appeals to
Greek myth fans, but to fans of mythological retellings, fantasy readers and
anyone who love a strong female character.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-12185449876609105752024-03-13T07:00:00.003+00:002024-03-13T07:00:00.164+00:00Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry<div style="text-align: left;">Hello Readers,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> Just a little note this book is just over the 15 free
hours you get free on Spotify premium for audiobooks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me there was no other option than to have Stephen
narrate this book to me, I think it might have been for the nostalgia.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeP040Frah9Boceoxp9mYpJZkWWn32mwkoE3ulHfLkgQyrAMVnVMQX81U1Nrc3jysQrsRZvrhEocaJmFj72lTs7od6jk5ezq5hpwVi0p_ohprtg3x1Ynwi9ZsfKDiIkoM98QADLguM8YGjPODQYF0opMkVNm1onMJK-v0tO7oVOBlBwSG0u78F77wqtw2/s1051/Mythos%20The%20Greek%20Myths%20Retold%20by%20Stephen%20Fry%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="643" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeP040Frah9Boceoxp9mYpJZkWWn32mwkoE3ulHfLkgQyrAMVnVMQX81U1Nrc3jysQrsRZvrhEocaJmFj72lTs7od6jk5ezq5hpwVi0p_ohprtg3x1Ynwi9ZsfKDiIkoM98QADLguM8YGjPODQYF0opMkVNm1onMJK-v0tO7oVOBlBwSG0u78F77wqtw2/s320/Mythos%20The%20Greek%20Myths%20Retold%20by%20Stephen%20Fry%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Stephen Fry’s narration was simply perfect for me, but I will
admit I am bias as I have a nostalgic love for his narration. There is no
denying that Stephen is a good narrator and he effortlessly it feels like you
are being read a simple story, and not just not having the myths told to you
with no character. Stephen’s narration makes these Gods, Goddesses, demigods,
and everyone they encounter come alive.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The book is witty and gripping but also extremely
interesting without getting too dumpy. Mythos is a beautiful retelling of a
couple of well-known myths. It’s pretty clear that Stephen is extremely knowledgeable
in the myths and history that you can’t help but feel his enthusiasm for these
myths, and it’s a little contagious. Stephen depicts each myth in a light and
easy-to-listen-to manner.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Let’s be honest the Greek Gods are known for being mean, vindictive,
and cruel. However, Stephen’s take on the Gods personalities of the gods made
the slightly less horrid. Greek myths are timeless tales of love, lust,
jealousy, power struggles and so much more. Stephen makes it clear that his
goal with this book is simply to relate the stories, not to interpret them,
but its obvious that he has thoroughly researched this book and has not undertaken
this project lightly.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The book takes us readers rapidly through the family tree
of Ouranos and Gaia, which is filled with Gods and Goddesses some you may
recognise as well as some well-known mythical beasties. I will honestly say I <u><b>NEVER</b></u> thought I would hear Stephen Fry say “Kronos had flung the Sky Father’s
junk” I don’t think I need I complete quote for you to want to read this book.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest
about ancient Greek mythology no matter their previous knowledge of Greek
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it will not be the last dear Reader. I will admit dear Reader I listened to the
audiobook of this on Spotify using the free audiobook hours you get allocated a
month. I loved that Natalie narrated the audiobook as you could tell how passionate
she was telling this story and it’s hard to not get as excited. In fact, I
loved the audiobook that much that I went out and got a physical copy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZYz9N2eRCW7wsltxbB3o3GGNiieOOLKh6tuWMzPUcdKtVJ8OY_zcnBDlwlrcpqHgSlOL_fcgFn0TLVxeMrCHtkOL6rPXeLSzaB2D6bB6VR6knbOd5LxXXBzTus3vJO06YQmVy3hyf9yb8mX0V2Vp0g5vwxt-uzCZYWgTWv1Fj5N65gppH4-OcZvNBrLG/s4032/Pandora's%20Jar%20by%20Natalie%20Haynes%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZYz9N2eRCW7wsltxbB3o3GGNiieOOLKh6tuWMzPUcdKtVJ8OY_zcnBDlwlrcpqHgSlOL_fcgFn0TLVxeMrCHtkOL6rPXeLSzaB2D6bB6VR6knbOd5LxXXBzTus3vJO06YQmVy3hyf9yb8mX0V2Vp0g5vwxt-uzCZYWgTWv1Fj5N65gppH4-OcZvNBrLG/s320/Pandora's%20Jar%20by%20Natalie%20Haynes%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Pandora’s Jar tells us the story of the women in Greek
myths who are often misunderstood or misrepresented and how their roles have
changed over the years and how their stories have changed though modern
interpretations. Each woman gets her own chapter, but many others get mentioned
due to the cross overs between their stories. I thought I knew my Greek Myth not
enough to give a whole lecture but enough to pass by, but I learnt so much in
this book.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Natalie starts with telling us the most popular version
of the myth and then goes back to the earliest available versions of these stories.
As Natalie discusses versions of the myths and how they changed overtime, she
also brings up how those changes reflect the dynamics in our society at the
time. Natalie also shares her depth of knowledge as she analyses the different
kinds of media that mentions the women from Greek myths.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Natalie gave a lot of interesting insights and was just
funny at points. Natalie referenced Jason and the Argonauts and The Clash of
the Titans, and I will say it is true it is mandatory viewing every British
bank holiday. My little black heart couldn’t take the nostalgia at the mention
of Bubo the owl. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>We are back talking about my favourite Gorgon. It wasn’t
until this book that I really thought about if Athena did the “Right” thing
turning Medusa into a Gorgon. Did Athena do this horrific thing to Medusa so no
man could ever hurt her again but then I remember she gave Perseus her mirror shields
to use so he didn’t turn to stone… even with this fact I do keep debating the
ifs, buts and what ifs. Natalie gave Medusa a long chapter and discussed the
many alternate Medusa portrayals, through history.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I honestly can’t wait to read more of Natalie’s work. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-10804486970754825832024-03-11T07:00:00.006+00:002024-03-16T21:30:11.883+00:00Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear (Gifted)<p>Hello Readers,</p><div style="text-align: left;">I would like to say thank you to Olivia, and Titan for
sending me a physical copy of Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear for free in
exchange for an honest review. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7ClUbeO7PlBEKwf2fZ2G65RS_cwr_5y2ETrzLaxVYeeLK0TcfdDZY4HrzhVdJa9d6wdD8_FehdIfinq3kBWs9lEEPVrVOlnqW-Cexm38ynWFM7FuEw0LO-F92GwezZPqrO4foD5Rv_Pa8NYnipbkMZvSK7j8HLA1DtUH7sTkFsAxyyD1Hgi2_B1tTVNR/s4032/Medusa's%20Sisters%20by%20Lauren%20J.A.%20Bear%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7ClUbeO7PlBEKwf2fZ2G65RS_cwr_5y2ETrzLaxVYeeLK0TcfdDZY4HrzhVdJa9d6wdD8_FehdIfinq3kBWs9lEEPVrVOlnqW-Cexm38ynWFM7FuEw0LO-F92GwezZPqrO4foD5Rv_Pa8NYnipbkMZvSK7j8HLA1DtUH7sTkFsAxyyD1Hgi2_B1tTVNR/s320/Medusa's%20Sisters%20by%20Lauren%20J.A.%20Bear%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>First off, this cover is stunning, and I still have the
book facing out on my bookcase. I am a little late reviewing this book, but I
am so happy I waited till I had stop reacting and had my brain back to full
power to read this book. As an adult I have gained a lot more respect for
Medusa and with my love of Greek mythology growing the past couple of months I
have realised how much not only Medusa, but her sisters have been stigmatised. <br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Medusa was never a monster and I think this is one of the
mountains I am going to die on. She raped by a God (Poseidon) in the temple of
Athena (Athene). Instead of enacting revenge of the perpetrator Athena took
away Medusas beauty and turned her into a snake haired gorgon and Athena made
it so anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was turned into stone. Medusa removed
herself from being a problem she moved to a secluded island with her sister’s
so she wouldn’t turn anyone to stone, and you know what the Gods sent people
after her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the woman live in peace.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>This is one of my favourite Greek retelling not only as
this book features Medusa but because Lauren brings Medusa lesser-known sisters
Euryale and Stheno to the forefront as the book is told from their point of
view. This book is beautifully written and full of heart, it was a delight to
watch the sisters grow and grieve together. I felt for Medusa and her
tragic tale, as well as her sisters for being “tainted” for simply being
Medusa’s sister. how can that be a crime? Due to Lauren’s writing style, it was
easy to grow close to each of the sisters and even though we know how medusa’s
story ends you can’t help but get attached them and wish you could change their
story.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>As much as I love the mythological retellings that focus
on the forgotten stories of women, at the expense of men. One thing I loved
more about this retelling is that Lauren brings up that women can be complicit
in these actions including Athena in the Medusa-Athena-Poseidon triangle, and
Euryale's involvement and jealousy. Athena’s motivations for cursing Medusa
made a little more sense in this story to me and how Lauren shows that women in
power can be as rotten as men.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>The storytelling, prose, characters, and plot in this
novel are beautiful and I was captivated from the very first chapter. Without
going into too much detail most of us know the story of Medusa and I brought up
what happened above, but I won’t be going into more detail than that, but I
will say the part in Athena’s temple… its truly gut wrenching in this story. One
of my favourite moments in this book is when Euryale steals Athena's shield
aegis and paints Medusa's likeness upon it. It might be petty, but this retribution
felt especially satisfying as it is a reminder for Athena's transgression and
the legacy she left for Medusa. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-86098259509392493132024-03-09T07:00:00.004+00:002024-03-09T07:00:00.134+00:00Rereading Percy Jackson as an Adult<div style="text-align: left;">Hello Readers,<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>I loved the Percy Jackson series on Disney+ that much I
had to reread the book series. I have not read The Chalice of the Gods yet as I
am waiting for it to be released on paperback. I did reread the first book just
before the series was released back in December, but I did end up reread the
first book again for this week’s reviews. I am also resharing this line from my
review of the tv series but another shout out for the episode titles being the
chapter titles.<br /> <o:p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrerr2XgWOJc5cV1vMlv22_0l6Yu-WzPW-iiV23BLfuAgQ-5fXJz2nwki2a5j4CTFONbBAsyB9o36J33G68SIBORCF0D6HvaDWuc5p3-ja_Wra9dIaEK7iO8kw-2MPvsr0wa8q6_1mJkWeTHwaX1Ko8IA-hjim2VMRTi6j8PdDw4g7SAGgJpnZn5qbulAZ/s2048/Re-reading%20Percy%20Jackson%20as%20an%20Adult%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrerr2XgWOJc5cV1vMlv22_0l6Yu-WzPW-iiV23BLfuAgQ-5fXJz2nwki2a5j4CTFONbBAsyB9o36J33G68SIBORCF0D6HvaDWuc5p3-ja_Wra9dIaEK7iO8kw-2MPvsr0wa8q6_1mJkWeTHwaX1Ko8IA-hjim2VMRTi6j8PdDw4g7SAGgJpnZn5qbulAZ/s320/Re-reading%20Percy%20Jackson%20as%20an%20Adult%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p>I originally reread this series back in 2013 and I still
remember hunting down The Last Olympian in the yellow cover (Hades, I feel OLD)
so it would match the rest of my book covers for my second set complete set.
Yes, I am already side eyeing The Chalice of the Gods for not matching my
collection.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I will say rereading these books as a 31-year-old is
completely different experience also rereading these books after watching the
series was completely new as seeing <span class="heroprimary-text">Walker Scobell</span> as
Percy reminded me that Percy is a lot younger than how I pictured him during my
2015 reread as I pictured Logan Lerman the whole time. I think it might be my
age now but during this reread I think it really hit me that they are just
kids.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I love how Rick has written the whole series as the books
done in a way where you as the reader learn about Greek mythology without
realising it right away. It wasn’t till this reread that I really appreciated
the inside jokes for the people who are well-versed in Greek mythology that
doesn’t mean the books aren’t funny and just all inside jokes the books are
still hilarious at points.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>I think this series is worth a reread or even a first as
an adult the book are a good read, and they can act as a soft introduction to Greek
mythology.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Books<br /> <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-lightning-thief-by.html">Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief</a><br /> <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-sea-of-monsters-by.html">Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters</a><br /><a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-titans-curse-by-rick.html">Percy Jackson and The Titan's Curse</a><br /><a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-battle-of-labyrinth.html">Percy Jackson and the Battle of Labyrinth</a><br /><a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-last-olympian-by-rick.html">Percy Jackson and The Last Olympian</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-78472895764978711952024-03-08T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-08T07:00:00.136+00:00Percy Jackson and The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">We have made it to the last Percy Jackson book. I know The
Chalice of the Gods came out in September, but I am waiting for the paperback
copy or for the kindle copy to not cost as much as a book (Currently £8.99
while the hardback is £8.49 Side-eye). We also finally get to hear the prophecy
that has been haunting Percy since book one.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w9cqAb5AhtxyZwcMWCQ4QvQMUitgT07Hv1vklVO1bnHgYL2PA1pCDwADxTbBFMhcDtVcOgIYm98A7eoDtZiXYGjSBIIGzTGEAxvtX_5ii3NwBmzHIlyyXyrV7tQ1PYfDgbg5BQ3pTQpJnnLMlKIAV3p_DlLZFnvwCzbceRzPZwuLev59CSJczmNa3wvz/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20The%20Last%20Olympian%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w9cqAb5AhtxyZwcMWCQ4QvQMUitgT07Hv1vklVO1bnHgYL2PA1pCDwADxTbBFMhcDtVcOgIYm98A7eoDtZiXYGjSBIIGzTGEAxvtX_5ii3NwBmzHIlyyXyrV7tQ1PYfDgbg5BQ3pTQpJnnLMlKIAV3p_DlLZFnvwCzbceRzPZwuLev59CSJczmNa3wvz/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20The%20Last%20Olympian%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“A half blood of the eldest gods,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Shall reach sixteen against all odds,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And see the world in endless sleep,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A single choice shall end his days,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Olympus to preserve or raze.”</i></div><p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;">I mentioned during my review of The Titan's Curse that from
then on, the story gets much darker, and this is where we were heading to the
battle of Manhattan or as it is also known The Second Titan War and it is heart
breaking. I don’t know how I will cope if the TV series gets this far.<br />Once again, the way Rick interlinks Greek mythology with
modern world is truly magical and a big part of what makes this series so extraordinary.
One of the things I appreciate in this series is how Rick gets us as the reader
to see all angles and we discover why some of the demigods would choose side
with Kronos. Furthermore, we learn how nobody not even the Gods themselves are
free from blame.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>I know it was considered the last book in this series for
a long time but this book hits you in all the feels. I honestly couldn’t have
asked for a better ending to this series. This book is filled with action,
tough choices, betrayals, and heart, what more could you want for a finale. This
is the longest book in the series but not by much however this book was a quick
read. If I didn’t know the ending of the book, I think I would have read the
book in one go but you know I had to prepare for the emotional damage that I knew
was coming. Sorry for the spoiler but I cried again at the ending of this book
there are two bits that always break me in this book, and it is Silena
Beauregard and the quote "Family Luke, you promised!".<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>The book pretty much starts off with a bang and doesn't slowdown.
We finally get to see how the prophecy plays out, Luke's past, and many other
secrets are revealed. Olympus is under threat and Kronos' attack is imminent. However,
the Gods can't protect Olympus as they are preoccupied battling the Titian, Typhon.
So, Percy and his campmates try to protect Olympus. We are reunited with so
many people from the series that your heart can’t help but feel a little full including
The Hunters of Artemis and The Party Ponies to mention a few. The unrevealing of
the prophecy is heart breaking and its not what you think. The final show down
with Kronos hurts how Rick manages to pack so much of a punch this late in the
story is a testament to his writing and storytelling.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>The gods return to Olympus and reward the
heroes for their courage and valour. They promote Tyson to the rank
of General of the Cyclopes. They instate Annabeth as the official
architect for the redesigning of Olympus. They award Grover the empty seat in
the Council of Cloven Elders. The we get to Percy, the Gods offer Percy
immortality, but he declines and makes three requests.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Firstly, Percy makes the Gods swear on the River Styx
that they will claim all demigods they have sired as soon as they reach
thirteen or as soon as they have reached camp. Secondly Percy asks that Hades
and the minor gods are shown the respected they deserve and given a cabin for
their children at camp. Finally, Percy also asks for the Big Three Pact to dissolved
as its not worked and cause more hassle.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>There is something about Percy making the Gods claim all their
children that feels my little black heart with joy and I love how he hold the
Gods accountable for their roll in rise of Kronos. I know I need to read the
other books in this series and I think I will get round to it sooner rather
than later. Thank you for joining me on Percy Jackson week and I hope you enjoy
the rest of Greek Mythology March.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>From Greek Myths<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Prometheus </li><li>Hyperion </li><li>Typhon</li><li>Morpheus </li></ul> <o:p> <br /></o:p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Did you think we were done with prophecies? <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To storm or fire, the world must fall,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>An oath to keep with a final breath,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div></div></div>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-84686351394195626712024-03-07T07:00:00.009+00:002024-03-07T07:00:00.245+00:00Percy Jackson and The Battle of Labyrinth by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Poor little baby Nico… <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDqMbuPgzzbpmDb17iavMzeqOzeaBb9XCalRVjpqq-pOE6mMNTd6HZOgOoMB1HuY8mbDp9IBl056bneQSYShL6plEDVyjOE0JIiAqnzUDB-3TvtI40NltVSmGOxq3x_l3Sli7BKr0uJIaVhObBJ73osAZf0eIgvi0JfFM63AdtX0IEEZAcsebx5AiMhbu/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Battle%20of%20Labyrinth%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDqMbuPgzzbpmDb17iavMzeqOzeaBb9XCalRVjpqq-pOE6mMNTd6HZOgOoMB1HuY8mbDp9IBl056bneQSYShL6plEDVyjOE0JIiAqnzUDB-3TvtI40NltVSmGOxq3x_l3Sli7BKr0uJIaVhObBJ73osAZf0eIgvi0JfFM63AdtX0IEEZAcsebx5AiMhbu/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Battle%20of%20Labyrinth%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“You shall
delve in the darkness of the endless maze,<br />The dead, the
traitor, and the lost one raise.<br />You shall rise
or fall by the ghost king's hand,<br />The child of
Athena's final stand.<br />Destroy with a
hero's final breath,<br />And lose a love
to worse than death.”</i></div><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The opening of this book tries to lighten up the mood
from the events that happen at the end of Titans Curse. As the book begins
with Percy going to a freshmen orientation class at Goode High
School, a school where his mom's boyfriend Paul Blofis teaches. What
could go wrong for the Son of Poison well he bumps into Rachel Elizabeth Dare
and things just go downhill from there and of course the school ends up on
fire.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This time around Annabeth oversees the quest as the
oracle selected her. For their quest, they must find Daedalus, the creator of
the Labyrinth. Percy and Annabeth accidently stumble upon an opening into the
labyrinth while training at Camp Half-Blood. The labyrinth can lead you to
anywhere, however it is very easy to get lost. Now that Camp Half-Blood has a
vulnerable spot, the camp is in even more danger.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The labyrinth itself and Daedalus were remarkably
portrayed, and I loved the twists that both contain. I really liked how
the Labyrinth was designed in this book as without you really knowing, you could
be coming out of one of the Labyrinth’s entrances on the opposite side of the
world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also adored Mrs O'Leary the
hell hound and the new issue of having a giant dog such as giant chew toys. I
will quiet happily volunteer as tribute to walk Mrs O’Leary and Cerberus.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Poor little baby Nico… he is having a hard time grieving
the loss of his sister. Nico ran way at the end of the last book and has been camping
in the Underworld along the banks of the River Styx, with Minos.
Yes that Minos the one that was a King of Crete and son of Zeus. After his
death, Minos along with his brothers became Judges of the Dead. Minos is
taking advantage of Nico’s grief and the fact he is a Son of Hades. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Nico is still angry with Percy because he blames him for
Bianca's death, but when they raise the spirit of Bianca, she tells
him it was her own fault she died, and that Percy wasn’t to blame. Bianca had
warned Percy about Nico’s plan to try raise her from the dead by sending Percy
Iris messages.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I hope we get all the books adapted to the screen on
Disney+ but I’m not sure how I’m going to feel about seeing this book on the
screen. In the last book the whole mood of the books changed but for me from
here the books feel claustrophobic, I don’t know if its hindsight, being in the
Labyrinth or if it’s the writing.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">From Greek Myths <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Briares (Hekatonkheires)</li><li>Kampe </li><li>Telekhines</li><li>Sphinx</li><li>Geryon</li><li>Orthrus</li><li>Empousai </li><li>Antaeus</li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Happy World Book Day</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-91721517620486684242024-03-06T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-06T07:00:00.248+00:00Percy Jackson and The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This is the book where everything changes slight spoiler
dear Reader but from this book on the story is much darker. We do get to meet more
of my favourite characters we meet Rachel Elizabeth Dare and Nico di
Angelo or as he’s been referred to while reading poor little baby Nico.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6hxwM3qO_AQpUZleX68mOVxYX2EWTK2Tlmqrag-U7Li1Zqf6j1ra8yfMMuvjDWR963ksA3xNmNSbGIzYJqiWeR0Ho8pvZdNvxP-5pF5dlEqsj2VvWX2x41y2yi_2yeJUPPa5l-Yd3YfKsa8X5n_YSikGcGNezWaz01pSwpBHj6w8ZdiQp7FQv0aluNCk/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20The%20Titan's%20Curse%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6hxwM3qO_AQpUZleX68mOVxYX2EWTK2Tlmqrag-U7Li1Zqf6j1ra8yfMMuvjDWR963ksA3xNmNSbGIzYJqiWeR0Ho8pvZdNvxP-5pF5dlEqsj2VvWX2x41y2yi_2yeJUPPa5l-Yd3YfKsa8X5n_YSikGcGNezWaz01pSwpBHj6w8ZdiQp7FQv0aluNCk/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20The%20Titan's%20Curse%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“Five shall go west to the goddess in chains,</i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One shall be lost in the land without rain,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The bane of Olympus shows the trail,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Campers and Hunters combined prevail,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Titan's curse must one withstand,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And one shall perish by a parent's hand.”</i></div></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As I have already stated this is the book where
everything changes and with full spoilers this is the book our heroes luck runs
out and we not only have one death but two. Up until this book death is skirted
around and just mention as something that only happened off to the side of the story
or to the monsters.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I loved that in this book we get a proper introduction to
Thalia. At the end of Sea of Monsters, the Golden Fleece works a little too
well and Thalia is fully healed, and the books ends before we really get to
meet her. In fact, she only gets to say her name on the last line of the book. Thalia
is a daughter of Zeus, yes, the big three shouldn’t have kids but here we are
they are all full of rubbish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The story starts out like you would expect Percy,
Annabeth, and Thalia are trying to assist Grover as he is attempting to sneak
out two half-bloods from a private military school. Things obviously get messy
(I’m not pointing fingers, but Percy listen to Thalia) and during the battle
Annabeth is stolen away. Artemis and her hunters save the day. Not only do we
meet Artemis we meet her lieutenant Zoë who plays an important role as she is
the person given the prophecy by the oracle.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As you can tell from the prophecy the Hunters and the
campers must work together. As you can probably guess there is more than one
quest afoot the Goddess Artemis has been captured and something had happened to
Annabeth. It isn’t long till they realise that both Annabeth and Artemis have
been abducted by the same forces. Despite Zoë best efforts Percy ends up sneaking
his way to assist the quest.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In this book we get introduced to so many new characters,
but they are all distinct and unique with their own motives and distinct
personalities, and lovable in their own way. We algo get to meet Artemis and
her Hunters and we have appearances from Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Ares, and
Athena, among other gods and we even meet the Titan Atlas.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In my review of the Tv series I mentioned a cannon event
that was confirmation by showrunners when we can hear the name “Bianca” in “We
Take a Zebra to Vegas” this is the book where we as the readers find out that Bianca
and her brother Nico were at the lotus hotel the same time as Percy, Annabeth,
and Grover in the lightening thief.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">From Greek Myths <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Manticore </li><li>Ophiotaurus </li><li>Skeleton Warriors </li><li>Nemean Lion</li><li>Erymanthian Boar </li><li>Talos </li><li>Ladon </li><li>Atlas </li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Poor Little Baby Nico <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-39394907738951859692024-03-05T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-05T07:00:00.135+00:00Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">We are continuing my love for the Percy Jackson series
today by reviewing book two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love Sea
of Monsters and it is the book that made me fall in love with the character
more, I don’t mean any shade to the first book, but I think everyone develop
more in this book.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12KaXN0zCkpjR3Zsrv6kh9BJa80RY5OX0nDook-h6-XufE5uW9VGA3yCLJTewyL2D43P4jUeffAlX3W9ZvJbncjaLbvknE7jxeEP_ZKwmwMY9vijY82hTX6vlyk7ora9MeIQDJnQwuJOdy2UHEiZU33sbCevqxisPky4nbz1evrFReiKrVCx4JEQtI2yZ/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Sea%20of%20Monsters%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12KaXN0zCkpjR3Zsrv6kh9BJa80RY5OX0nDook-h6-XufE5uW9VGA3yCLJTewyL2D43P4jUeffAlX3W9ZvJbncjaLbvknE7jxeEP_ZKwmwMY9vijY82hTX6vlyk7ora9MeIQDJnQwuJOdy2UHEiZU33sbCevqxisPky4nbz1evrFReiKrVCx4JEQtI2yZ/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Sea%20of%20Monsters%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"You shall sail the iron ship with warriors of bone,</i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You shall find what you seek and make it your own,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But despair for your life entombed within stone,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And fail without friends, to fly home alone!"</i></div></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Camp half-blood is in trouble the magical boundary that
protects Camp Half-Blood is weakening and deadly monsters are breaching the
boarder. The boundary isn’t jutting a boundary the boundary was technically a
gift from Zeus. When Thailia’s daughter of Zeus was mortally wounded Zeus
transformed his daughter into a pine tree on Half-Blood Hill to
stop her from dying and the boundary was created to protect the camp.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thalia's Pine Tree has been poisoned and
the magical borders around camp are failing the camps only choice is to send a
hero on a quest to find the Golden Fleece. The Fleece is located in the Sea of
Monsters aka the Bermuda Triangle (Side eye). You would think that a child of
Poseidon would be the automatic choice for such a quest, but Tantalus and
Dionysus chose Clarisse La Rue… a child of Ares. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Percy wants to go on the quest for the Fleece as he has
been having dreams about his friend Grover the satyr, who has been captured by
a Cyclops that just happens to be living on an island in the Sea of Monsters.
Clarisse doesn’t pick Percy or Annabeth and instead they go on a sperate
quest that is given to them by the God Hermes.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In this book we get to see how messy it is being part of
the Greek pantheon family. In this book we learn how easy it was for Luke to
give his allegiance to Kronos as the Gods treat their children terribly. It’s
heart breaking seeing how Hermes tried to reach Luke indirectly through Percy
to get him to turn back to the light. We got to see more of Luke's childhood and
understand how he feels the way he does and the reasoning behind his choices.
Seeing this different side to the Greek Gods' family was a refreshing.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Clarisse La Rue existence annoys me during the first book
she nothing but a bully and is just there in the way. However, in Sea of
Monsters she becomes a better fleshed out character and you understand her
more. This is also the same for our golden trio of Percy, Grover, and Annabeth.
In this book we are introduced to another one of my favourite characters Tyson
who is Percy's half-brother and a cyclops. Tyson is such a pure being and I am
all for helping a team protect him from everything.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I don’t know if it’s because I’ve read the Lighting thief
too many times or watched the movies too many time but for me the story picks
up better in book two. That doesn’t mean I hate the first book I just like it a
little less. The plot wasn't as predictable as the first book and we get
introduced to more Gods, new creatures from myths and multiple new characters. This
book is also slightly more hectic than the first, but I think that might be due
to the story being more of an epic adventure.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Join me tomorrow for my review of The Titans Curse</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">From Greek Myths <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Polyphemus </li><li>Tantalus</li><li>Laistrygonian Giants</li><li>Colchis Bulls</li><li>Stymphalian Birds</li><li>Charybdis and Scylla</li><li>Circe</li><li>Scythian Dracaena</li><li>Agrius and Oreius</li><li>Sirens</li><li>Hydra</li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div></div>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-42928903613948557162024-03-04T07:00:00.030+00:002024-03-04T07:00:00.132+00:00Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I loved the <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2024/03/percy-jackson-and-olympians-review.html">Percy Jackson series </a>on Disney+ that much I had
to reread the book series. I reread the first book just before the series was
released back in December, but I did end up rereading the first book again for
this week’s reviews. I am also resharing this line from my review of the tv
series but another shout out for the episode titles being the chapter titles.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xMsij8TmwgcdTF_LA7y2fdxWh3CGfGrfzW0D11ynVj4jDoYBEnYh3YfJ0KjwXZ2KmW2WArOXHDrPUtLDI0K3jts9HfhlWr1k8XctwUds-GlzFOl1zUtqe8jcrmlVGRZVTEcCFsVtXd32eXxo2AH_MkMr3iBCKZ3gJB7fjqFZs3cjKYgMOlYnJN-iH1bE/s4032/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Lightning%20Thief%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xMsij8TmwgcdTF_LA7y2fdxWh3CGfGrfzW0D11ynVj4jDoYBEnYh3YfJ0KjwXZ2KmW2WArOXHDrPUtLDI0K3jts9HfhlWr1k8XctwUds-GlzFOl1zUtqe8jcrmlVGRZVTEcCFsVtXd32eXxo2AH_MkMr3iBCKZ3gJB7fjqFZs3cjKYgMOlYnJN-iH1bE/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Lightning%20Thief%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>"You shall go west, and face the god who has turned,<br />
You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned,<br />
You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend,<br />
And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end."</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><br /></i></p></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Don’t get me wrong I love Greek mythology but one thing I
don’t love about the original Greek myths is how long winded they can be like The
Iliad is an epic poem in 24 books and takes a while to get going. The
Lightning Thief jumps right into action there isn't a long winded warm-up or introduction.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The Lightning Thief is beautifully written, we have
action, touching moments, plot twists, creatures from Greek mythology and Greek
Gods and Goddesses. Rick has created the book in a way where you as the reader learn
about Greek mythology without realising it right away.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I don’t know if it’s because I have recently watched the
TV series and the films, but it was hard to put this book down and I read it in
a day. One thing I will say that if you have only ever seen the films it was
during this reread that I realised how different the two are. Once again, I am
not saying the movie is bad in fact, I liked the movie but compared to the
source material its different.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There are so many lovable characters in this book and
great character development which can be hard to show with such young characters.
One think that I have always loved about this book is that Percy is not a
perfect kid or the perfect protagonist who gets everything right the first time.
He makes mistakes and he learns from them. As well as Percy our book follows
his friends Annabeth and Grover. Annabeth is a strong and knows her own mind I mean
what more do you expect for a daughter of Athena and Grover is the best friend
everyone wishes they had oh and he is a satyr.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I loved the references to famous landmarks in the USA and
the light-hearted humour between Percy, Grover, and Annabeth. I am nerdy enough
to say I created a map and crossed of the landmarks Percy wrecked during this series.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I don’t think I am ever going to get tired of this series. Check
back tomorrow for my review of The Sea of Monsters. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">From Greek Myths <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Furies</li><li>Chiron</li><li>The Fates</li><li>Minotaur</li><li>Hellhound</li><li>Medusa</li><li>Echidna</li><li>Chimera</li><li>Procrustes</li><li>Charon</li><li>Cerberus</li><li>Pit Scorpion</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-21237840546565869152024-03-01T07:00:00.003+00:002024-03-03T14:13:49.741+00:00Percy Jackson and the Olympians Review <p>Hello Readers,</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="pzpzlf">It’s been a month since the season
finally aired and this review is going to contain spoilers. I adored this
series it was everything I could have wanted in a screen adaption I think this
is because Rick </span>Riordan <span class="pzpzlf">was so hands on. </span>I
have no rights to the poster image below (Fair use under the copyright act
sections 29 and 30 under use for a review).</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="pzpzlf"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VGdUtMuFi_9-q5CCmP_41XvITndHmur77soTZ5o88HySfE_dgMLp2a7fmEO8yXyMLicAXRuYWRuRNZy5PO4Ozm2nCtX9haGwVwpaXRpOALuAr0sJLhbzae0ZgDXyKkygTHbUvX6GtJ1099ckP2-LGZmoJeAoNT9BCQmdZWy6HaH8MEeaLosP9BUW2Nji/s2223/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Olympians%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2223" data-original-width="1791" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VGdUtMuFi_9-q5CCmP_41XvITndHmur77soTZ5o88HySfE_dgMLp2a7fmEO8yXyMLicAXRuYWRuRNZy5PO4Ozm2nCtX9haGwVwpaXRpOALuAr0sJLhbzae0ZgDXyKkygTHbUvX6GtJ1099ckP2-LGZmoJeAoNT9BCQmdZWy6HaH8MEeaLosP9BUW2Nji/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20and%20the%20Olympians%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.webp" width="258" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="pzpzlf">This series has not only inspired me
to reread the Percy Jackson series reignited my love for ancient Greece to the
point I have read enough books to do a whole month of Greek Mythology books. I hope
you enjoy Greek Mythology March. I did reread the first book just before the
series was released and I am such a nerd that noticed the episode titles were chapter
titles and my little black heart couldn’t take it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="pzpzlf">I think it’s my age dear Reader but seeing
</span><span class="heroprimary-text">Walker Scobell</span> as Percy was a completely
different feeling to when I saw Logan Lerman. This isn’t shade to Logan or the
films as I like both of them but seeing <span class="heroprimary-text">Walker</span>
was like oh, he’s just a baby the poor thing is in for so much and as much as I
want to, I can't change his story. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slight spoiler
dear Reader but the cannon and confirmation by showrunners of hearing “Bianca”
in “We Take a Zebra to Vegas” just broke my heart poor baby Nico.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The books are steeped in family and friendship, and
without the right casting, all of that could’ve been lost and was a concern I had
when found out the books were getting a tv series. In my opinion I think that every
member of the cast is perfect for their role whoever cast <span class="heroprimary-text">Jason Mantzoukas as </span>Mr. D needs a raise. The main three of Percy, Grover, and Annabeth were
simply perfect and its clear they have great chemistry together which is
important for these rolls.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I know that some people haven’t liked this adaption of the
book and obviously that’s okay. For me this is kind of how book to screen adaptions
should be done. It’s clear this series has been made with love and care for the
source material and is a genuine retelling of The Lightning Thief that has been
updated slightly from when the books were published.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">While the writers have stuck closely to the source
material, the third episode (‘We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium’) marks the
biggest change. This is a change I am grateful for as this episode gives us a
fascinating glimpse at the tragedy of Medusa. I am over Medusa being a monster she
never was. I loved the change in her portrayal as her motivation in wanting to
‘aid’ Percy have changed and it better into the key themes of the series, where
we start to question the gods’ murky motives and morality.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There are so many bits from this series that live rent
free in my head <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cerberus</li><li>Mr D</li><li>Annabeth’s look of betrayal </li><li>Grover is my spirit animal</li><li>The box</li><li>Hermes </li><li>Hephaestus</li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-65091909704677111142024-02-29T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-29T07:00:00.138+00:00The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C L Miller<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank you, NetGalley for giving access to an eBook copy
of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C L Miller for free in exchange for
an honest review. As this is a publication day review my post will be spoiler
free. The eBook I received from NetGalley doesn't do the cover justice, so I am
using a cover image I have found through google (Fair use under the copyright
act sections 29 and 30 under use for a review). </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Happy Publication Day</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Title: </span></b>The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Author:</span></b> Murder by C L Miller<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Genre: </b></span>Mystery, Cosy mystery, Thriller, Crime
Fiction, Humorous Fiction<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Pages: </span></b>331<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Cover Image:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #45818e;"><b></b></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRvy0nMtFnB7SRoxFEsavS2vDQM_o75ntpL7X9h-OGXa0qttWL2QfTF07ESHUddP4RjRmsXnx7U2HtB84HX8DSmBgIq0J0RnbSAUcU-1UPhpALU7hmsZaZuBaOIXA3dYKjycUR6x2of0idl7sFxJKafRQreAK10t_vR1RHMCpXod-0Jtz98j5_iygOwLG/s392/The%20Antique%20Hunter's%20Guide%20to%20Murder%20by%20C%20L%20Miller%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRvy0nMtFnB7SRoxFEsavS2vDQM_o75ntpL7X9h-OGXa0qttWL2QfTF07ESHUddP4RjRmsXnx7U2HtB84HX8DSmBgIq0J0RnbSAUcU-1UPhpALU7hmsZaZuBaOIXA3dYKjycUR6x2of0idl7sFxJKafRQreAK10t_vR1RHMCpXod-0Jtz98j5_iygOwLG/s320/The%20Antique%20Hunter's%20Guide%20to%20Murder%20by%20C%20L%20Miller%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.png" width="208" /></a></b></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Synopsis:</b></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="a-text-italic">Freya, it’s down to you to
finish what I started . . .</span> Freya Lockwood has avoided the quaint
English village in which she grew up for the last 20 years. That is until news
arrives that Arthur Crockleford, antiques dealer, and Freya’s estranged mentor,
has died . . . and the circumstances seem suspicious.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="a-text-italic">You will uncover an invitation;
I implore you to attend . . .</span> But when a letter from Arthur is
delivered, sent just days before his death, and an ordinary pine chest
concealing Arthur’s journals are revealed, Freya finds herself sucked back into
a life she’d sworn to leave behind.<br />
<br />
<span class="a-text-italic">But beware, trust no-one. Your life depends on it . .
.</span> Joining forces with her eccentric Aunt Carole, Arthur’s staunch best
friend, Freya follows both clues and her instincts to an old manor house for an
‘antiques enthusiasts weekend’. But not is all as it seems; the antiques are
bad reproductions, and the guests all have something to hide. <span class="a-text-bold">Can Freya and Carole solve the mystery and unearth the killer
before they strike again?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="color: #45818e;">Miniature Review</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I absolutely loved this murder mystery story. This is a brilliant
debut its incredibly clever set in a country house mansion. Where are my Saltburn
fans at. This book is well-written even hilarious and out right sassy at points,
well plotted and not everything is as it seems.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The pacing was perfect for me, the clues were clever, and
nobody could be trusted. This book was exceptionally structured and didn’t get
muddy at any point. A lot of whodunnits cosy crime novels have been published recently
and it can feel like they are all becoming a little bit samey, but that thought
didn’t even cross my mind while reading this book. Without giving too much away
this book has an edge which helps it stand out.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This book is filled with forgeries, past histories, and
murders have to be solved. I am stupidly excited that this is the first book in
this series, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for C L Miller and she is now
on the auto buy list. We all know the antiques world can be worth a fortune,
but there is a darker side to the antiques business.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Our main protagonist Freya is a former antique hunter who
has kept herself to herself and avoided her past and the village of Little
Meddington for over two decades. Freya is braver and smarter than she thinks,
and I enjoyed seeing her confidence start to bloom and seeing her reclaim her
identity. The story is mostly told from Freya's point of view, however there
are occasional chapters that are told from the points of view of other
characters. This was a clever tool used by C L Miller as it gave us as the
readers the chance to know what was going on without having to know a great
deal about antiques and antiquities.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I can't wait to see what happens next. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-34006087903955465262024-02-28T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-28T07:00:00.134+00:00York Ghost Merchants <p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Last weekend I was lucky enough to go to York and visit
the Ghost Merchants. The main shop is currently shut but I was lucky enough to
visit the dispensary please don’t be mad Dear Reader I forgot to take photos
inside of the Dispensary itself. The Shambles shop is currently closed for
maintenance and will re-open on the 29th of February and currently the Dispensary
is open 10am-5:30pm till the main shop reopens.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ1ue_ml8K6XWE68s1jJKQ9zFmocFRF_epiaE_9HZmz3W5s3lW70VmG_K9zC_Jdz3MDh7iOK5W6ZY0eDQ2A2p-R4F1T-KVLYhnleELszUJ7EeexESrXNH3GaNEnKfOmkVCEoorZz4nt3SEMgwVTKG_914HrugEJA1ahderhYNXV8d0Oqewm4N4V7hboCl/s2167/428409440_936870624713877_1818828092908183300_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2167" data-original-width="2043" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ1ue_ml8K6XWE68s1jJKQ9zFmocFRF_epiaE_9HZmz3W5s3lW70VmG_K9zC_Jdz3MDh7iOK5W6ZY0eDQ2A2p-R4F1T-KVLYhnleELszUJ7EeexESrXNH3GaNEnKfOmkVCEoorZz4nt3SEMgwVTKG_914HrugEJA1ahderhYNXV8d0Oqewm4N4V7hboCl/s320/428409440_936870624713877_1818828092908183300_n.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;">What is The Ghost Merchants?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The ancient city of York is well known for its ghosts and
has a reputation for being the most haunted city in Europe, perhaps even the
world. A turbulent and torturous past has given rise to a collection of ghostly
happenings across various locations in York and have become a huge part of
York’s legacy like the Vikings and Romans. Or Dear Reader it could be that there
is a rich tradition in York of telling ghost stories that stretch back for centuries.
There is no denying that ghosts are an integral part of York's history.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This is where the Ghost Merchants comes in, they are the
makers and sellers of the original York Ghosts. Each ghost is handmade in their
workshops either above the shop on the Shambles or around the corner at the Georgian
townhouse on St Saviourgate. The ghosts are handmade to ensure that each York
Ghost is unique, and each ghost is completed with an embossed maker’s mark.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;">What is The Dispensary?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The Dispensary is a trading booth sited in St Anthonys
Garden just 5 minutes’ walk from the main shop on the Shambles. The Dispensary was
created to try and help reduce waiting times during busy periods away from the
hustle & bustle of the Shambles. The Dispensary stocks a smaller selection
of the Original and Little York Ghosts, and they only take card payment. Just a
quick note usually The Dispensary isn’t usually open every day and they don’t keep
regular hours.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-o7peqVT_EtaZAKKL7QUV47AlUq12SUDViXJ4BDU-u8Alj6cyP6VwGV3fxvvOZCVTuoN5SLO_mwTzHHq-mKcdXjV385Z2K4MyL57K3g2lj05_LjyO0_PA-Juuni6PQ3PegzbbXAzhEPNYW0-eUMoh_qLjkwU5JXyox5ulAUIIeVMOeCMbazFY1p-tJ-0/s4032/428433745_1371442203575823_3107563122924869203_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1962" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-o7peqVT_EtaZAKKL7QUV47AlUq12SUDViXJ4BDU-u8Alj6cyP6VwGV3fxvvOZCVTuoN5SLO_mwTzHHq-mKcdXjV385Z2K4MyL57K3g2lj05_LjyO0_PA-Juuni6PQ3PegzbbXAzhEPNYW0-eUMoh_qLjkwU5JXyox5ulAUIIeVMOeCMbazFY1p-tJ-0/s320/428433745_1371442203575823_3107563122924869203_n.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">A lot of thought has gone into everything at The Ghost
Merchants and The Dispensary. I know I didn’t go into the Ghost Merchants but
from the shop window I could see everything was themed perfectly to fit the aesthetic
of being down the shambles. While the Dispensary is in the shadow of a 15th
century church, a medieval guild hall and the city walls. Both locations also have little photo booths where you can photograph the ghost you have chosen to take home.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As well as being set in a perfect location the Ghosts Merchants
packaging is exquisite. The boxes feature a hand drawn Ghost Merchants shop, the
Original York Ghost is wrapped in an 1852 map of York. While the Little York
Ghost comes in the “Boo” box with an oval gilt-edged viewing window which I have
seen on social media, and it looks so cute. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4ovEemJDo1dvzRYOZRONIjGhq-rS4aRwWIwEnaMd1DlIrBA-3UMPQRKWojgiF2cVtVhqMXCbllGuQRT0nSf6eptejE7WX-TBX3VeJlyLQPNY12pDTfHOB4iDPThiDrfOtfSOpDyq6wfbmIfZOb9A3PLdNnIc8uJszlQoeyzROBw-vrfFSjwvFfxqwdi-/s3656/428478761_1119370095741447_5024723033803282531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3656" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4ovEemJDo1dvzRYOZRONIjGhq-rS4aRwWIwEnaMd1DlIrBA-3UMPQRKWojgiF2cVtVhqMXCbllGuQRT0nSf6eptejE7WX-TBX3VeJlyLQPNY12pDTfHOB4iDPThiDrfOtfSOpDyq6wfbmIfZOb9A3PLdNnIc8uJszlQoeyzROBw-vrfFSjwvFfxqwdi-/s320/428478761_1119370095741447_5024723033803282531_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-22587905581737625172024-02-27T07:00:00.005+00:002024-03-07T14:59:39.998+00:00Books on my Goodreads TBR<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today I thought I would share some books on my Goodreads to
be read list. I have gone on a bit of an adding binge dear Reader. For each
book I have mentioned I am including the number of pages, the blurb, and a link
to goodreads in case you want to the add the book to your TBR. I am using
poster images I have found through google I do not own any rights and am using
the image purely for review purposes (Fair use under the copyright act sections
29 and 30 under use for a review). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Evocation by S.T. Gibson </b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5roIAfbnt-wfoIbBS9HObEictHVZuBWh_Z6KMIUy-xDhmloXPIkFgP-NUHHoj_YGu_IhSc07F4UPCC5VZNC3xG0QsW3WyV-DYZaRJpeODpEhiMX6Tsp1-PqSPziriuMB_vjPKT5L_gau776jr9x1Yep9LytOkhJR7JKuwL2QOhZFlZdaSkZOyD7ddbd4/s1500/Evocation%20by%20S.T.%20Gibson%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="981" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5roIAfbnt-wfoIbBS9HObEictHVZuBWh_Z6KMIUy-xDhmloXPIkFgP-NUHHoj_YGu_IhSc07F4UPCC5VZNC3xG0QsW3WyV-DYZaRJpeODpEhiMX6Tsp1-PqSPziriuMB_vjPKT5L_gau776jr9x1Yep9LytOkhJR7JKuwL2QOhZFlZdaSkZOyD7ddbd4/s320/Evocation%20by%20S.T.%20Gibson%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="209" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a teen, David Aristarkhov was a psychic prodigy,
operating under the shadow of his oppressive occultist father. Now, years after
his father’s death and rapidly approaching his thirtieth birthday, he is
content with the high-powered life he’s curated as a Boston attorney,
moonlighting as a powerful medium for his secret society. But with power comes
a price, and the Devil has come to collect on an ancestral deal. David’s days
are numbered, and death looms at his door. Reluctantly, he reaches out to the
only person he’s ever trusted, his ex-boyfriend and secret Society rival Rhys,
for help. However, the only way to get to Rhys is through his wife, Moira.
Thrust into each other’s care, emotions once buried deep resurface, and the
trio race to figure out their feelings for one another before the Devil steals
David away for good… <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 400 - Publication Date: May 28 2024 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123288408-evocation">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa-bgohGLknhR1zm7DO8HpGu_tOnrnGU2wrdUu8M7-ksUF5XlUheUz6Ozr0UbJnUmu2DZN0U5xXsF24J_VN1zmWRAoUdU3ZxTAKQ64JX7izceI9f0AaVmKU99d0t_hPYTMOokPUycmnKoa86i5_9m0RSBvUKFLhSkKopnoUGd023hH1j3ZKX18mdUYd48/s1511/Sleep%20Like%20Death%20by%20Kalynn%20Bayron%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa-bgohGLknhR1zm7DO8HpGu_tOnrnGU2wrdUu8M7-ksUF5XlUheUz6Ozr0UbJnUmu2DZN0U5xXsF24J_VN1zmWRAoUdU3ZxTAKQ64JX7izceI9f0AaVmKU99d0t_hPYTMOokPUycmnKoa86i5_9m0RSBvUKFLhSkKopnoUGd023hH1j3ZKX18mdUYd48/s320/Sleep%20Like%20Death%20by%20Kalynn%20Bayron%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="212" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Only the truly desperate - and foolish - seek out the
Knight, an ancient monster who twists wishes into curses. Eve knows this
first-hand: one of her mothers was cursed by the Knight and trapped in the body
of a songbird. With the unique abilities to communicate with animals and
conjure weapons from nature, Eve has trained all her life to defeat him. With
more and more villagers harmed by the Knight's corrupt deals, Eve believes
she's finally ready to face him. But when Queen Regina begins acting strangely -
talking to seemingly no one, isolating herself, and lashing out at the
slightest provocation - Eve must question if her powers are enough to save her
family and her kingdom. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 352 – Publication Date: July 2 2024 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195391717-sleep-like-death">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">The Madness by Dawn Kurtagich <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLUuE5oXywWYrG0Z3zVl_XLSJLDL1szPqaoKhtaCek06g1_7aT0IxR_oVTQEUBpGLSpBDvz9XbzjjNZimuNUrVn0b3zTZI8B4EQwwv8bzGNkPKoZ0rR48Jj7PwWiZr89IfYwVIDBmNpzfR_gP4osEOvbeNzKS3bH4YKJOIHLrLDSWk84-epaDtkdgQpd-/s1500/The%20Madness%20by%20Dawn%20Kurtagich%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="991" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLUuE5oXywWYrG0Z3zVl_XLSJLDL1szPqaoKhtaCek06g1_7aT0IxR_oVTQEUBpGLSpBDvz9XbzjjNZimuNUrVn0b3zTZI8B4EQwwv8bzGNkPKoZ0rR48Jj7PwWiZr89IfYwVIDBmNpzfR_gP4osEOvbeNzKS3bH4YKJOIHLrLDSWk84-epaDtkdgQpd-/s320/The%20Madness%20by%20Dawn%20Kurtagich%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="211" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With one unexpected email from her estranged best friend,
Lucy, Mina Murray’s carefully curated life is turned upside down. Leaving
behind her psychiatric practice in London, along with her routine and the calm
it brings, she returns to the windswept shores of Wales. Faced with everything
she’s left behind, she soon discovers that Lucy’s symptoms mirror those of her
mysterious patient with amnesia hundreds of miles away. With nothing but an
untreatable sickness connecting the two women, and with Lucy’s life on the
line, Mina finds herself asking questions and being drawn ever-deeper into a
web of secrets, missing girls, and the powerful, nameless force at its
center—one that has been haunting her for years. As terrible, ancient truths
begin to reveal themselves, Mina prepares to confront her own darkest secrets,
and with them, an evil beyond comprehension. Together with a group of smart,
savvy women, Mina seizes one last, desperate chance to stop the cycle that
began so long ago. But there are dangers to inviting the attentions of what
might not be a man, but a monster… <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 288 - Publication Date: August 27 2024 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199292215-the-madness">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Lucy Undying by Kiersten White</b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0uc7K389LTu8wafweGE5tCmoy8TxJllFrEX5Bm9sqJ_z3N5AauG5LpzawOqidn0omeY8BaK-Ymc-s-26EmBQ6xfY0j0AFdo-qhmtPe21IBZm4nx9FH0n-Hpspn4nF7q6g9GJUi5MmedWeQLwFVT8q9zTmy_TpMHEt6Q0g05iomKmbGlAOMp42CS_Emhr/s1786/Cover%20Coming%20Soon%20Lucy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="1276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0uc7K389LTu8wafweGE5tCmoy8TxJllFrEX5Bm9sqJ_z3N5AauG5LpzawOqidn0omeY8BaK-Ymc-s-26EmBQ6xfY0j0AFdo-qhmtPe21IBZm4nx9FH0n-Hpspn4nF7q6g9GJUi5MmedWeQLwFVT8q9zTmy_TpMHEt6Q0g05iomKmbGlAOMp42CS_Emhr/s320/Cover%20Coming%20Soon%20Lucy.png" width="229" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this epic and seductive gothic fantasy, a vampire escapes
the thrall of Dracula and embarks on her own search for self-discovery and true
love. Her name was written in the pages of someone else's story: Lucy Westenra
was one of Dracula's first victims. But her death was only the beginning. Lucy
rose from the grave a vampire and has spent her immortal life trying to escape
from Dracula's clutches--and trying to discover who she really is and what she
truly wants. Her undead life takes an unexpected turn when, in
twenty-first-century London, she meets another woman who is also yearning to
break free from her past. Iris’s family has built a health empire based on a
sinister secret, and they’ll do anything to stay in power. Lucy has long
believed she would never love again. But she finds herself compelled by the
charming Iris, while Iris is mesmerized by the confident and glamorous Lucy.
But their intense connection and blossoming love is threatened by forces from
without. Iris's mother won't let go of her without a fight, and Lucy's past
still has fangs: Dracula is on the prowl again. Lucy Westenra has been a
tragically murdered teen, a lonesome adventurer, and a fearsome hunter, but
happiness always eluded her. Can she find the strength to destroy Dracula once
and for all, or will her heart once again be her undoing? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 480 - Publication Date: September 10 2024 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203608430-lucy-undying">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Inkheart by Cornelia Funke </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3zEliay53aUwHRS_PRNLiRVyKS8lhlvuvDnkHswz66qjt7W6nRYES1tFUjFyE8gP0dadq-PvaF3QZOVsjhlY_Z6DrPHoY46_k3-eLyNiIS5K2d5mAtjRzzWr5CXeaokENvzrW6M8GTsiIh_U7M6ucrwPekxfLBeBKv6UX1O46CqqyuF3lt4XdUYxDYx1/s461/Inkheart%20by%20Cornelia%20Funke%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3zEliay53aUwHRS_PRNLiRVyKS8lhlvuvDnkHswz66qjt7W6nRYES1tFUjFyE8gP0dadq-PvaF3QZOVsjhlY_Z6DrPHoY46_k3-eLyNiIS5K2d5mAtjRzzWr5CXeaokENvzrW6M8GTsiIh_U7M6ucrwPekxfLBeBKv6UX1O46CqqyuF3lt4XdUYxDYx1/s320/Inkheart%20by%20Cornelia%20Funke%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="221" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">One cruel night, Meggie's father
reads aloud from a book called INKHEART and an evil ruler escapes the
boundaries of fiction and lands in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie is smack
in the middle of the kind of adventure she has only read about in books. Meggie
must learn to harness the magic that has conjured this nightmare. For only she
can change the course of the story that has changed her life forever. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pages: 563 – <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28194.Inkheart">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-69763293756790548742024-02-26T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-26T07:00:00.130+00:00The Dead Podcast – Rebirth Full Review <p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Just like I have said for the past four week I would like
to say this post is not sponsored I am just sharing the love of a friend’s
work. It’s also no secret I adore Pixies writing but this is just a whole new
level of awesome. There are going to be SPOILERS in this review.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjn9taewAgum3VrDmewWm_6AeaZiMHMk03QA3qGPy2lrsiaSfXqvmzUWFvxdSF-mvb6LilIbl7-gCWLAX-xbTioZB7PkOvIsnLYnQ6d5e0us38E5Fjk4h_GlGqSoVK0gh7RfFl32aSS4uzXw_v27MnFSBRv8unnierNAC2q3CXWy9C1I-a34KeJ7I9fap/s2048/The%20Dead%20Podcast%20%E2%80%93%20Rebirth%20Full%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjn9taewAgum3VrDmewWm_6AeaZiMHMk03QA3qGPy2lrsiaSfXqvmzUWFvxdSF-mvb6LilIbl7-gCWLAX-xbTioZB7PkOvIsnLYnQ6d5e0us38E5Fjk4h_GlGqSoVK0gh7RfFl32aSS4uzXw_v27MnFSBRv8unnierNAC2q3CXWy9C1I-a34KeJ7I9fap/s320/The%20Dead%20Podcast%20%E2%80%93%20Rebirth%20Full%20Review%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There is something about giving birth in a zombie
apocalypse that most people shy away from where Pixie gave us a more realistic representation
of what happens after birth. However, it isn’t until episode two that we learn
that the zombie apocalypse starts while our protagonist is at the hospital
having an appointment to check everything is okay at the 8-month mark of her
pregnancy.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There are a realistic thought-provoking path Pixie takes
us down in this story and it’s that our protagonist first experience with zombie’s
starts in hospital to the point a line even states there are no doctors, and
they have to leave. I am quite happy that this series was dark and I’m sorry,
but I like how the people in this series haven’t all magical become expert in
everything and how a doctor or in some case even a vet doesn’t magically appear
just as the protagonist is about to give birth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a trope that majorly gives me the ick
Dear Reader I’m sorry, but life doesn’t happen that way.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Can you imagine having to face the reality of the zombie apocalypse
starting 8 months into your pregnancy but then also having your best friend
steal your baby. Imagine looking for your kidnapped baby straight after birth without
having the luxury of postpartum care or a peri bottle or postpartum pads.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In my review for part three, I mentioned that there is an
underlining horror that I think is being revealed under pinning each episode
and I was in the right ballpark was Eve planning on stealing the baby all along
and the zombie apocalypse just added a slight hiccup on her plans.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The story was a little darker than I originally thought
and that isn’t a bad thing it was a realistic addition and not a cheap way to
add tension to the story. It’s not hard to feel the unease during this story it
really does make the hairs on your neck stand up. That’s added layer I mentioned
last week were Pixie stuck another layer onto it in this final episode I really
don’t know what is scarier knowing that Eve was going to take the baby no
matter what or the fact that zombie Eve can still somehow recognise a baby and
try to care for it. Intelligent zombies have always been a guilty pleasure, but
this is a dark path I have been looking down for the past week.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As I said last week I would a full book following this story
in these four episodes I was fully enveloped in the story as it was fully
thought out and well plotted. I know I’ve just stated that I want more from
this story and I am just being greedy as Pixie has done a wonderful job brining
story to a close and tied up the loose ends.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-25190669210975665332024-02-23T07:00:00.002+00:002024-02-23T07:00:00.242+00:00The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold <p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I listened to this book in December last year and I will
put my hands up and say I was wrong about the five. I was part of the group who
would state “they were prostitutes.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_POdmrXPBUMKcrY8L9V0JlZiUYhXUdej9A4gMZmFo1NAj1QxJdCZH4ccpNnKE1EJRTEuLGM1WcBaNsmzCVf1BgOgwSQC-O2eEYBVS0TB91WTuwzZ72x2GHLASy7WRakMjzkj34Fd4sErHnlwk8Qd8q4Byg5bFxNux8VSSd0sR6Dl-M7runR32V7xX1erd/s1275/The%20Five%20The%20Untold%20Lives%20of%20the%20Women%20Killed%20by%20Jack%20the%20Ripper%20by%20Hallie%20Rubenhold%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_POdmrXPBUMKcrY8L9V0JlZiUYhXUdej9A4gMZmFo1NAj1QxJdCZH4ccpNnKE1EJRTEuLGM1WcBaNsmzCVf1BgOgwSQC-O2eEYBVS0TB91WTuwzZ72x2GHLASy7WRakMjzkj34Fd4sErHnlwk8Qd8q4Byg5bFxNux8VSSd0sR6Dl-M7runR32V7xX1erd/s320/The%20Five%20The%20Untold%20Lives%20of%20the%20Women%20Killed%20by%20Jack%20the%20Ripper%20by%20Hallie%20Rubenhold%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In fact, Mary Ann, Polly- Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth
Stride and Catherine- Kate- Eddowes could not be prostitutes the term can only
be used for Mary Jane Kelly but that doesn’t mean she deserved her fate. The
Five points out there is little to no evidence suggests that the other four participated
in the sex trade at all. Even in 2024 we still feed off the narrative that the
newspapers immortalised back in 1888 thanks to the attitudes towards 'down on
their luck' women in the Victorian era and the rumour mill.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
What we are reminded of in this book is that these women were just not the
five. These women were mothers, sisters, friends, lovers, and wives. I love how
Hallie tells the story of each woman separately so these women can finally be
given the time and respect they deserve. Each of the women’s stories overlap in
many ways they all had hard lives, bad luck, and little choice or opportunity
to change their circumstances. Sadly, alcoholism dominates their lives and so
does the obstacles and limitations that Victorian women faced.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Their lives have sadly been reduced to very little other
than then five murder victims of Jack. Just because of the sensationalism
surrounding the Jack the Ripper, the legend that was born and because they were
thought of as ‘just prostitutes’. It is time we left behind this judgement in
the Victorian era. I loved that Hallie didn't dedicate any time to describing
the murders of these women and didn’t dehumanise them further. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">These women have been little more than numbers in a
sequence for little over a century. It’s a bleak and sad read, but so
incredibly informative and well-researched This is a wonderful educational
book, depicting real history and enlightening people on the lives of women at
the time. This book is not about Jack the Ripper and there are no theories
tossed about as to his identity. Hallie instead tells the story of these forgotten
women and I think has made an attempt to restore their dignity. With this book Hallie
has given Mary Ann, Polly- Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine-
Kate- Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly lives and their identities back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-27667857487348217062024-02-22T07:00:00.006+00:002024-02-22T07:00:00.352+00:00Hazbin Hotel<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I recently watched Hazbin Hotel on Prime and I will put my hands up
and say I had a huge moment of dumbassery as I didn’t really take note it was a
musical. Completely my fault but it made me love the series more and I easily binged
all 8 episodes in one night. This is not a kid’s cartoon. I have no rights to
the poster image below (Fair use under the copyright act sections 29 and 30
under use for a review).</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5EypNFqm3d8cp9b2imjbc1-nUYNLC_5ZKfRXoEFY12QnVVCe6fLdNk1p1ZbKdNZdk6hWI-cDJnIzV5pgGMAl6713aZvo9N9jdtsZDiFmTTOGiDrByF8LY9AG-xoYhsUzLp1yfeymDUIRvU6I7zvdNm4efwwMFqf4KgV0xwuTU9cFQR8h3NpMnDHEMiuV/s1200/Hazbin%20Hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5EypNFqm3d8cp9b2imjbc1-nUYNLC_5ZKfRXoEFY12QnVVCe6fLdNk1p1ZbKdNZdk6hWI-cDJnIzV5pgGMAl6713aZvo9N9jdtsZDiFmTTOGiDrByF8LY9AG-xoYhsUzLp1yfeymDUIRvU6I7zvdNm4efwwMFqf4KgV0xwuTU9cFQR8h3NpMnDHEMiuV/s320/Hazbin%20Hotel.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I don’t know if it might be a me thing, but the animation
style reminded me of classic Cartoon Network, and I felt a little nostalgic. I really
liked the animation it was gorgeous. The entire show was so ridiculously absurd
and full of life, and I loved every second of it. In fact, I’ve had the soundtrack
on repeat for the past week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a
lot of references to biblical lore, can I have a round of applause for showing biblically
accurate angels.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Just looking at the musical stars in this show fills me
joy not only do we have Mr B himself Alex Brightman we have <span class="heroprimary-text">Jeremy Jordan and Stephanie Beatriz.</span> Okay musical
theatre fans I don’t think you’re ready for who else appears in this cast…
Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Darren Criss, James Monroe Iglehart, Erika
Henningsen, Jessica Vosk, Kimiko Glenn, Lilli Cooper and I am sorry if I have
missed anyone. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="heroprimary-text">How can you not see
that cast list and not get excited. </span>There is one song on the soundtrack “Poison”
that hits like “All you want to do” from Six the song by itself is okay however
when you add the context of what happening on screen at the same time the song
hits differently.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The characters are likable and entertaining, and this
series tackles more issues than just sinning and redemption. There is a clear
emotional centre to this series, and it was nice to see an adult show that
wasn't ONLY cantered on raunchy comedy and dick jokes. The writing was also
spot on. This series is a perfect blend of lovable characters, sprinkled with absurdly
catchy songs and focused world-building and I cant wait for season two. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-33613983461577484812024-02-21T07:00:00.002+00:002024-02-21T07:00:00.138+00:00To Cage a God by Elizabeth May (Gifted)<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank you, Jamie and Black Crow PR for sending me an arc of
To Cage a god by Elizabeth May for free in exchange for an honest review. I helped
with the cover reveal for this book back in <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2023/09/to-cage-god-by-elizabeth-may-cover.html">September </a>and have been so excited
to share my thoughts with you. As it is publication day this review will be spoiler
free. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Happy Bleated Book Birthday</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><b>Content warnings from Elizabeth May copied from Goodreads</b></span><br />
To Cage a God depicts violence and the impacts of imperialism against the
backdrop of a budding war and revolution. The ruling class in this book is
ruthless, ableist, and openly practices eugenics. There is frank reference to
grim eugenics practices. One character manages chronic pain and disability and
is forced to keep her illness invisible because of this. In addition, another
character is bonded to a god that demands self-harm, so please be aware of this
if cutting is a trigger for you.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><b>List of additional CWs:</b></span><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>
Violence: murder, immolation, explosions, injuries, gore, death</li><li>
Self-harm: alcoholism, suicide, stabbing (self-inflicted and not), cutting</li><li>
Abuse: emotional abuse, manipulative relationships (parental)</li><li>
MISC: self-medication, eugenics, frank depictions of living with chronic pain,
PTSD</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Title:</b></span> To Cage a God<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Author: </span></b>Elizabeth May<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Genre:</span></b> Fantasy Fiction, Romantic fantasy, Dark
fantasy <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Pages: </span></b>384<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Cover Image:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl-CRk2JsdcQXMeo0-RJcNEgXvorpLm_rOmn0jdS-LM5HM4wK8gG3bwGE1YLf70L7wyBvnn45-qM9_EBq4PZFjve9dR6xvoLb1WWTQMW6dLIYTjnQ6DiaxaekRs6ulBcChWZRPLDV22l691WJ2j4n5nMudjA2qBu8JvIpgxQgHSzVGn6fSUwzI8_Dx2VZ/s1148/To%20Cage%20a%20God%20by%20Elizabeth%20May%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1148" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl-CRk2JsdcQXMeo0-RJcNEgXvorpLm_rOmn0jdS-LM5HM4wK8gG3bwGE1YLf70L7wyBvnn45-qM9_EBq4PZFjve9dR6xvoLb1WWTQMW6dLIYTjnQ6DiaxaekRs6ulBcChWZRPLDV22l691WJ2j4n5nMudjA2qBu8JvIpgxQgHSzVGn6fSUwzI8_Dx2VZ/s320/To%20Cage%20a%20God%20by%20Elizabeth%20May%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Synopsis:</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">To cage a god is divine. To be divine is to rule. To rule
is to destroy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Using ancient secrets, Galina and Sera’s mother grafted
gods into their bones. Bound to brutal deities and granted forbidden power no
commoner has held in a millennia, the sisters have grown up to become living
weapons. Raised to overthrow an empire—no matter the cost.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">With their mother gone and their country on the brink of
war, it falls to the sisters to take the helm of the rebellion and end the
cruel reign of a royal family possessed by destructive gods. Because when the
ruling alurea invade, they conquer with fire and blood. And when they clash,
common folk burn.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">While Sera reunites with her estranged lover turned
violent rebel leader, Galina infiltrates the palace. In this world of deception
and danger, her only refuge is an isolated princess, whose whip-smart tongue
and sharp gaze threaten to uncover Galina’s secret. Torn between desire and
duty, Galina must make a choice: work together to expose the lies of the
empire—or bring it all down.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="color: #45818e;">Miniature Review</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This is a dark romance fantasy that has been inspired by imperial Russia. I enjoy
the politics in this book we all know how much I love a bit of fictional
political drama but add a sprinkle of a great villain like Elizabeth did I am
here for it. In this story society is divided between a god-like elite, commoners,
and is filled to the brim with rebellion. Two of my favourite things in this
story are the worldbuilding and the magic system. It was a given I was going to
lap up the political drama, so it doesn’t count.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">To Cage a God is beautifully written and had me hooked from
the start from the pacing to the storyline everything was precisely done. The
book is written in multiple POVs with multiple romances, including sapphic and
high-stakes romance. Elizabeth does an amazing job at making a clear distinction
between Sera and Galina personalities and at no point did I get confused at who
POV I was in.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It’s not only the sister point of view we see as we see multiple
POVs of characters who play an important role to the story. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself getting attached to almost every
single character we met. There was no throw away characters in this book I found
everyone interesting, loveable, and even occasionally morally questionable. I can’t
wait for the sequel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-11433551694068911942024-02-20T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-20T07:00:00.290+00:00The Dead Podcast – Rebirth Part Four <p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Just like last week I would like to say this post is not
sponsored I am just sharing the love of a friend’s work. It’s also no secret I
adore Pixies writing but this is just a whole new level of awesome. There are
going to be some slight SPOILERS in this review.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Before we get too deep into this review, I am going to
say I loved the four parts of Rebirth. The story was fully fleshed out and well
plotted but I would be lying if I said I didn’t want more. Pixie could tell me
there are 10 more episodes coming and I would be lined up ready on the front
row. The story was a little darker than I originally thought and that isn’t a
bad thing it was a realistic addition and not a cheap way to add tension to the
story.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In my review for last week’s episode, I mentioned that
there is an underlining horror that I think is being revealed under pinning
each episode and it’s hard to discuss without full blown spoilers. Well, I was
in the right place BUT Pixie stuck another layer onto it in this final episode
and I can’t wait to release my full review including full spoiler next week.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I know I’ve stated that I want more but this episode
really did bring the story to a close that tied the lose ends together and I
think I’m being slightly greedy, but I would also read a full book on this story.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Come back next week for my review on the whole story. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDptNNs3wZ7SFfmDuElHRCtEGd4j6C6bO0OnC9hHr4zluXobQ02EjMhHRcx-vO39aZxu90NOybSxZLuUhSvGVX9llJMa2_7oEq38g1ZOYZGiRI68dQf0Ao6CoFVWxhAeli12JiRpMYzNJhOWFIvqky40w5v_z3Knm5h576imxKC_IpMZMO6cmnMkC_PMb/s1920/thumbnail_ep4_FNL%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDptNNs3wZ7SFfmDuElHRCtEGd4j6C6bO0OnC9hHr4zluXobQ02EjMhHRcx-vO39aZxu90NOybSxZLuUhSvGVX9llJMa2_7oEq38g1ZOYZGiRI68dQf0Ao6CoFVWxhAeli12JiRpMYzNJhOWFIvqky40w5v_z3Knm5h576imxKC_IpMZMO6cmnMkC_PMb/s320/thumbnail_ep4_FNL%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-80921703468506952932024-02-19T07:00:00.042+00:002024-02-19T07:00:00.135+00:00Books I am Rereading This Year<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I thought I would share with you some books that I will
be rereading this year. There is a collection of books I try to reread at least
once a year, but these are book’s I loved lasted year or have another reason to
such as restarting a series.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Once I read <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2023/04/when-woman-were-dragons-by-kelly.html">When Women Were Dragons </a>last year I knew I would
need a physical copy to tab and highlight. I will try not rehash my review for
you as I have it linked however this book has lived rent free in my head since I
read it. This is a brilliant book about the changes we go through to become
ourselves, talking about uncomfortable things, and accepting ourselves and
those around us as they are. I honestly think of this book’s ending a couple of
times a month and still feel the emotions as raw as the first time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAenwTYV7R_hz7Ioi5slnr_vfTljrgJ0FyUpr0XijFtJKt6Eu4tS8fQmMTYcTHICYWocApYRF8yIExWd61WYvmFaA7LpS8lq7DTRA3TfVGQtzusI270fr_n5ujzLQ18MOyHkayrK7nR9Xnn4fhLuWTMgSpn09Pcxqsy3DdN2j5_FuPH1047DEIPRt0DMmG/s4032/When%20Women%20Were%20Dragons%20by%20Kelly%20Barnhill%20Hardback%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAenwTYV7R_hz7Ioi5slnr_vfTljrgJ0FyUpr0XijFtJKt6Eu4tS8fQmMTYcTHICYWocApYRF8yIExWd61WYvmFaA7LpS8lq7DTRA3TfVGQtzusI270fr_n5ujzLQ18MOyHkayrK7nR9Xnn4fhLuWTMgSpn09Pcxqsy3DdN2j5_FuPH1047DEIPRt0DMmG/s320/When%20Women%20Were%20Dragons%20by%20Kelly%20Barnhill%20Hardback%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan (Five Books)</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I have become complete obsessed with the myths and legends
of ancient Greece again thanks to watching the Percy Jackson series on Disney+.
As I am typing up this post, I am rereading the series. I knew when the series was
announced I would want to reread the series before it aired but my allergy
disorder had other plans so now after the ending of series one, I am catching
up. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLUQQEqGulL3xgfCnN2CGSEX9ebO8tRAE3ILq22IFPUp49gIvBybWO2hQA11Aucv9c93TXWdp5evurcljn8HCp4CrI7VVjtDLjysplSSQx34yfFoMrJLeFDiI6xuPeRD6MkrrOhbLhI9lxHJEY0o1jsA_wXrhGEN-rgfiLyquH3se8MXXaMA6B3VKfMIN/s2701/Percy%20Jackson%20Series%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2701" data-original-width="2533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLUQQEqGulL3xgfCnN2CGSEX9ebO8tRAE3ILq22IFPUp49gIvBybWO2hQA11Aucv9c93TXWdp5evurcljn8HCp4CrI7VVjtDLjysplSSQx34yfFoMrJLeFDiI6xuPeRD6MkrrOhbLhI9lxHJEY0o1jsA_wXrhGEN-rgfiLyquH3se8MXXaMA6B3VKfMIN/s320/Percy%20Jackson%20Series%20by%20Rick%20Riordan%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Death-Cast Duology by Adam Silvera </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I have been putting off reading the sequel book The First
to Die at the End because I loved <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2023/06/they-both-die-at-end-by-adam-silvera.html">They Both die at the End </a>so much, but I think
this year I might read them order. Did this book make me cry yes it did, did it
matter there was a huge ass clue with all the bells and whistle in the title
apparently not. I will admit I underestimated how much this book was going to
hurt. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t love this book because as much as
it hurts its full of heart and it tackles friendship, mortality, and most
importantly, what it truly means to live in the moment. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTL6Py0H3eE5YCK5h0XGV79J1pk2Lfu6et352wMNcdQYQ90UUBlhdRu9TZN1ciJ89oAuHsNGL2t-jf45n6xfgtbJMuJfSh4T_7Zq12LhuRpe2sfEwjHS6V0Vt7fbp8ktvm5biWTahax52ACz9hLZWO_y0mCdXimLwnOvlF5O4wpTFQC50R0QM9ACwekURI/s3496/Death-Cast%20Duology%20by%20Adam%20Silvera%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3496" data-original-width="2480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTL6Py0H3eE5YCK5h0XGV79J1pk2Lfu6et352wMNcdQYQ90UUBlhdRu9TZN1ciJ89oAuHsNGL2t-jf45n6xfgtbJMuJfSh4T_7Zq12LhuRpe2sfEwjHS6V0Vt7fbp8ktvm5biWTahax52ACz9hLZWO_y0mCdXimLwnOvlF5O4wpTFQC50R0QM9ACwekURI/s320/Death-Cast%20Duology%20by%20Adam%20Silvera%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Hades x Persephone series by Scarlett St. Clair (Three
Books Released)</span></b><span class="a-size-extra-large"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="gr-metatext">I can wait to get my hands on the last book in this series. I have previously reviewed <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2022/01/a-touch-of-darkness-hades-persephone-1.html">book one</a>. I haven’t read any of the books from Hade’s point of
view yet</span>. I have had a lot of reactions and read a lot of books since I read the first three books and I would like to refresh myself on the story before I jump into the final book
<span class="a-size-extra-large">A Touch of Chaos which comes out </span>Tuesday,
12 March 2024.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7waPQK2d4TJ2MhsuUj3CbTZsRCurUoG8OxXXMisrke4RhAA8j6wtbderP7Ccq8dddY_TU8JeW2et5_SuEpafgCmzLLEKKOU6I3IGhu-TBJA48sxr4vTOFkHqYg5tl_eghjAoJX7wtZUqQso8CVrW34jo_frJetunDUtjTSqoP5roEh6hPLo4sDiDYI-1/s2048/Hades%20x%20Persephone%20series%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7waPQK2d4TJ2MhsuUj3CbTZsRCurUoG8OxXXMisrke4RhAA8j6wtbderP7Ccq8dddY_TU8JeW2et5_SuEpafgCmzLLEKKOU6I3IGhu-TBJA48sxr4vTOFkHqYg5tl_eghjAoJX7wtZUqQso8CVrW34jo_frJetunDUtjTSqoP5roEh6hPLo4sDiDYI-1/s320/Hades%20x%20Persephone%20series%20by%20Scarlett%20St.%20Clair%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">
Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">When I originally read <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2020/08/cinderella-is-dead-by-kalynn-bayron.html">Cinderella is Dead</a> back in 2020,
I was lucky enough to join a tour with Tandem Collective and Bloomsbury, so my
copy of the book was gifted. Since reading You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight, I
have been itching to jump back into Kalynn worlds. Imagine a world where
instead of any holy literature there is the tale of Cinderella, her Prince
Charming and horrible stepmother and stepsisters. What if that tale is now law
and a lie? I loved the effortless way Kalynn turned this classic fairy-tale on
its head to make it a modern anthem of feminism and empowerment. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoodVUyB-vDYiXx-SZ1kwKISYIdjlvzo2hACJ25gGJSu5UDUllfeJQC7C3s1nNTq2v10ifTr0aGSa0_oxl0tkLYBTvWO0XI5vm4HNveAoGkkF0fDIhSlosLadgNdmzfaQu8iA2Zbg_c2dJSQwzzl1hyphenhyphenG5Ktpe5wykizMtYkHIvgnzGBVtubiczZ0gpSUuj/s512/Cinderella%20is%20Dead%20by%20Kalynn%20Bayron%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="389" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoodVUyB-vDYiXx-SZ1kwKISYIdjlvzo2hACJ25gGJSu5UDUllfeJQC7C3s1nNTq2v10ifTr0aGSa0_oxl0tkLYBTvWO0XI5vm4HNveAoGkkF0fDIhSlosLadgNdmzfaQu8iA2Zbg_c2dJSQwzzl1hyphenhyphenG5Ktpe5wykizMtYkHIvgnzGBVtubiczZ0gpSUuj/s320/Cinderella%20is%20Dead%20by%20Kalynn%20Bayron%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-65593658295177715572024-02-16T07:00:00.002+00:002024-02-16T07:00:00.348+00:00The Queen of Poison by Robert Thorogood (The Marlow Murder Club #3) Gifted<p>Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank you, HQ stories, for sending me a physical copy of The
Queen of Poison by <span class="contributorlinkname">Robert Thorogood</span> for
free in exchange for an honest review. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O31Gyc1joYsOt_oyqMWEl0Qni0dCmiyANpP7_Hw77SsP4UYfw-le916-AuF8ro-7t3kDadfyKH7KA0XRLk03v4JzkxJba3mjNq03N6gVOKU8SjBXT1hN9VmH1k-6bktZCTYEwxmm7H8aTd7lFZKVJITn-_I4exDZVDweiucnZgwsto8AQCbsMQuLOPcr/s4032/The%20Queen%20of%20Poison%20by%20Robert%20Thorogood%20(The%20Marlow%20Murder%20Club%20%233)%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O31Gyc1joYsOt_oyqMWEl0Qni0dCmiyANpP7_Hw77SsP4UYfw-le916-AuF8ro-7t3kDadfyKH7KA0XRLk03v4JzkxJba3mjNq03N6gVOKU8SjBXT1hN9VmH1k-6bktZCTYEwxmm7H8aTd7lFZKVJITn-_I4exDZVDweiucnZgwsto8AQCbsMQuLOPcr/s320/The%20Queen%20of%20Poison%20by%20Robert%20Thorogood%20(The%20Marlow%20Murder%20Club%20%233)%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Why change the habit of my blog lets jump in at book three. This
is the second book in this series that I have read but the first I have reviewed
on my blog. Don’t worry dear reader I think this book could be read as a
standalone book.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I really enjoyed that the three main characters, Judith,
Suzie, and Becks have such contrasting personalities, but they work well
together and complement each other wonderfully. It adds a personal and realistic
layer to the story, and it was something I enjoyed. I thoroughly enjoyed their
sarcasm and found myself sniggering out loud at points. Judith, Suzie, and
Becks are working for the Police as civilian detectives as a local Mayor has
been poisoned at a committee meeting.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In this book Suzie takes centre stage unlike the first
two books where we focused more on Judith’s point of view. I enjoyed getting to
learn more about Suzie and her ideas. I’m not forgetting Becks as she faces her
own difficult challenges in this book in the form of her mother-in-law.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The writing flows nicely and it keeps you guessing as the
story is full of red herrings. Unfortunately, this isn’t a nice simple ride as not
all clues fit where they should, and our three sleuths learn this as they try
to solve the crime. There is no shortage of suspects when it comes to trying to
work out who could have murdered the local mayor. I will admit I didn't guess
who. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-71054317403379907102024-02-15T07:00:00.006+00:002024-02-15T07:00:00.343+00:00An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson (Gifted)<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Hello Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank you, NetGalley for giving access to an eBook copy
of An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson for free in exchange for an honest
review. The eBook I received from NetGalley doesn't do the cover justice, so I
am using a cover image I have found through google (Fair use under the
copyright act sections 29 and 30 under use for a review).</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Happy Belated Publication Day</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Title:</b></span> An Education in Malice <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Author: </span></b>S.T. Gibson<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Genre: </span></b>Fantasy Fiction, Gothic fiction, Dark fantasy <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Pages: </span></b>368 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Cover Image:</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Mz_1RyB3JHY5deOUKc-VvMQZwrXBLl57hfMK1rdh7k6cRg9bhMtOcFPOqPg3BQxIsRFuloiJeojCpkGMAWI2wxBUcVIPo-b4M4GdZdJQSNp73hZI5DaFtLqzymYnMr4E4j25EV3k125mWEz3MtLjIeVNTWyaMqRPB3nFamBw1XsvxAp6DoVYXBilRCpg/s392/An%20Education%20in%20Malice%20by%20S.T.%20Gibson%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Mz_1RyB3JHY5deOUKc-VvMQZwrXBLl57hfMK1rdh7k6cRg9bhMtOcFPOqPg3BQxIsRFuloiJeojCpkGMAWI2wxBUcVIPo-b4M4GdZdJQSNp73hZI5DaFtLqzymYnMr4E4j25EV3k125mWEz3MtLjIeVNTWyaMqRPB3nFamBw1XsvxAp6DoVYXBilRCpg/s320/An%20Education%20in%20Malice%20by%20S.T.%20Gibson%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.png" width="208" /></a></div> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Synopsis: </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">'Love is sacrifice. One of us was always going to bleed
for the other.' <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">Deep in the forgotten hills of Massachusetts stands Saint
Perpetua's College. Isolated and ancient, it is not a place for timid girls.
Here, secrets are currency, ambition is lifeblood, and strange ceremonies
welcome students into the fold. On her first day of class, Laura Sheridan is
thrust into an intense academic rivalry with the beautiful and enigmatic
Carmilla.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Together, they are drawn into the confidence of their
demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who holds her own dark obsession
with Carmilla. But as their rivalry blossoms into something far more delicious,
Laura must confront her own strange hungers. Tangled in a sinister game of
politics, bloodthirsty professors and dark magic, Laura and Carmilla must
decide how much they are willing to sacrifice in their ruthless pursuit of
knowledge. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Sumptuous and addictive, An Education in Malice is a dark academia tale
of blood, secrets and insatiable hungers from Sunday Times bestselling author
S.T. Gibson, author of the cult hit A Dowry of Blood.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Miniature Review</span></b></u></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Two of my favourite worlds from last year have collided
into one book and it was everything I wanted. Last year I finally read (well
listened) to <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2023/04/carmilla-by-sheridan-le-fanu-review.html">Carmilla </a>and I buddy read <a href="https://www.readersenjoyauthorsdreams.com/2023/09/a-dowry-of-blood-by-st-gibson.html">A Dowry of Blood</a> with the other Lauren.
Lauren and I and were both so excited when we learnt S.T. Gibson had another
book coming out. This is one of my anticipated reads of the year even though I
technically read it last year. I can’t wait to get my hands on my physical copy
and reread it.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">An Education in Malice is a delightfully Gothic Carmilla
retelling that takes place in the backdrop of an all-girls college in the
1960's. Saint Perpetua's College in Massachusetts is the perfect dark academia
setting for this story as it is a desolate and ancient estate. Laura Sheridan
has been sent to study poetry and Carmilla is forming an unhealthy bond with
her poetry professor. It’s not long till Laura and Carmilla are thrown into a
passionate academic rivalry.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Having read Dowry I kind of knew what I was getting into
with this retelling but S.T. Gibson is one of the few authors who can write
about dangerous love and about the seduction of death and make want to be part
of its world. But not only that S.T. Gibson has you giggling one second and
then sitting at the edge of your seat the next.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not ashamed to
say I still love vampire books and S.T. Gibson's vampires are high up on my
list of my favourite fictional vampire’s. One thing I will mention that just
like a Dowry, S.T. Gibson has used vampirism as a tool to discuss abusive
aspects of relationships. Just like Dowry we can see how cruel obsession and
how cruel a power imbalance can be. The story also shows how cycles of abuse
can continue in relationships.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S.T. Gibson has
once again created, a lush and atmospheric, haunted, and tragically romantic
page turner that lives up to its dark academia label. I was completely hooked
on the story and couldn’t read the book quick enough. The world building and
setting were the perfect level of cosy and frightening and I know as soon as I
get my hands on the book, I will reread it, but I really can’t wait to back to
back read dowery and this in autumn. Can it be spooky season yet?<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521637516629217056.post-85788783726341649162024-02-14T07:00:00.003+00:002024-02-14T07:00:00.253+00:00Disaster Dates & Lucky Escapes by Tess Smith-Roberts (Gifted)<p>Happy Valentines/Galentines Day Readers,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank you, Rosa, and Octopus Publishing for sending me a
copy of Disaster Dates & Lucky Escapes by Tess Smith-Roberts for free in
exchange for an honest review.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdusT4D1Y4axm0W7j3oo35xwciac4WEJRvNvzvqoyP_mOJiglbKJwnRDJ0gAzN2MRaBTQ0LnaUAHK_bWI8Md1Nf1xtebKU5qDD2cOZmf3IRRHpSfLvHVOmqWRkBIh1We_Ys3USUGMZKT757Mf0ZOIyImgCOfG9A1GMJT5L9iAipq4gRnJnAjlx7_vMCHt0/s4032/Disaster%20Dates%20&%20Lucky%20Escapes%20by%20Tess%20Smith-Roberts%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdusT4D1Y4axm0W7j3oo35xwciac4WEJRvNvzvqoyP_mOJiglbKJwnRDJ0gAzN2MRaBTQ0LnaUAHK_bWI8Md1Nf1xtebKU5qDD2cOZmf3IRRHpSfLvHVOmqWRkBIh1We_Ys3USUGMZKT757Mf0ZOIyImgCOfG9A1GMJT5L9iAipq4gRnJnAjlx7_vMCHt0/s320/Disaster%20Dates%20&%20Lucky%20Escapes%20by%20Tess%20Smith-Roberts%20LaurenatRead%20Readers%20Enjoy%20Authors%20Dreams.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I am a little late reviewing this book thanks to my
allergies but what book would be better to recommend on this Valentines/Galentines
Day. The story follows Olive as she navigates the ups and downs of online dating
and dating in general. I hope this becomes a series as I would love to read more.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">You would think a book called Disaster Dates & Lucky
Escapes that you would be lucky to not be able to relate to our protagonist. But
Dear Reader buckle up despite the story being a little “wacky” it’s completely
relatable, I think we've all had dates that have been the same as Olive's or we
know a friend who has. I will be brave enough to say that most of us could
easily share our own experience with Olive over decent food and a drink. I
think you can’t help but feel-good while reading this book as its funny and it
can help you realise that you’re not on your own with disaster dates.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The illustrations were wonderful and are well drawn. This
is a quick and enjoyable read that will have you laughing out loud throughout. I
hope that others have had as much fun reading it as I have as it really does
feel like you’re having a chat with that friend who has no luck in their love
life. I will be honest Dear Reader I have never tried speed dating, but I can imagine
some of the potential horrors. This book laugh-out-loud funny, I even snorted at points and this book is genuinely so heart-warming.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">L x<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenatRead">Twitter </a> . <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenatread">Instagram</a></p></div>Lauren Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785415399863267656noreply@blogger.com0