An Education in Malice by S. T. Gibson

Pages: 288

Publisher: Orbit 

Released: 15th of February 2024 

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. 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.

What I Have to Say 

This book hooked me in and didn't let go until the end. It did everything that Dowry of Blood failed to do and honestly I have to wonder if it's because I read it in print instead of audio. 

The writing was sublime. It was poetic, it was enthralling, it was just deeply beautiful to read. I was captivated by the characters. Capricious nature of De Lafontaine, abusing her power and setting these girls against each other was just so interesting to see. None of the relationships in this book were in the slightest way healthy, but that was rather the point. 

I loved the dark academic setting so much. I enjoyed the poetry and the academic rivalry so much that honestly I wouldn't have missed it one bit if the vampires hadn't shown up. However, the vampires did add something to this enthralling story and I was happy to see it take place in the same universe as Dowry of Blood. 

I would recommend this book to anyone, especially if you like dark academia, but it's certainly one for the Vampire fans. 

5 stars 

My thanks goes to Orbit and Netgalley for providing me with this gifted copy for review. 

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

Pages: 352

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books 

Released: 22nd of February 2024 

From Hafsah Faizal, New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame, comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated new fantasy duology about an orphan girl and her crew who get tangled in a heist with vampires, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows.

On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it—and she can’t do the job alone.

Calling upon a band of misfits, Arthie formulates a plan to infiltrate the dark and glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not every member of her crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it. Dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy, this is Hafsah Faizal better than ever.

What I Have to Say 

With a vivid and detailed world and a ragtag cast of characters, this book is a gripping and fun to read. I enjoyed learning about White Roaring and the humans and vampires that make it home. I loved the idea of Spindrift, a teashop that turns it's hands to feeding vampires after dark and the Athereum, an elite club for White Roaring's vampire residents. 

As the title suggests, the is a theme of tea in this book. I was worried it would be lacking, but tea came up enough times to satisfy me. I enjoyed the tea snobbery that the characters in the books showed, as naturally they would know the correct way to brew tea. 

There were surprises in this book that I really didn't see coming. The twists and turns in this book really made it. There was one particular moment at the end that I didn't see coming at all but when it was revealed, a whole lot of things made sense. It was one of those moments that I love about reading. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Macmillan Books for providing me with a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

My Big Fat Desi Wedding ed. Prerna Pickett

Pages: 282 

Publisher: Hodder Children's Books 

Released: 18th of January 2024 

Romance. Drama. And plenty of spice. You are invited to . . . MY BIG, FAT DESI WEDDING.

A prophecy of disaster.

A world where your soulmate's thoughts appear on your skin.

A boy forbidden from attending his brother's wedding.

A supernatural love that spans centuries.

And one particular auntie who loves to meddle.

So, send in your RSVP, put on your best outfit, and take a front row seat as enemies become friends, friends become lovers, sceptics are convinced by the power of romance, and guests fall head over heels - even if they're not the ones saying 'I do'.

Lose yourself in eight swoon-worthy and dreamy stories guaranteed to bring out the hopeless romantic in every reader. With a never-ending buffet of mouth-watering food, extravagant outfit changes and lots of drama!

What I Have to Say 

This was such a lovely read. It was a short story collection where I enjoyed pretty much every story. It was very relaxing and romantic and it was honestly just such a joy to read. I don't know why but desi teen romance is one of my favourite genres to relax to, with most of the stories in this book revolving around teenagers or people in early adulthood. 

Two of my particular favourite stories were Fate's Favourites, which played very much with the idea of soul mates and the idea that the thoughts of your soul mate would end up manifesting on your body and A Very Bloody Halyanam, which brought vampires into the mix. 

I really liked exploring the mix of cultures and the differences and similarities between the different marriage ceremonies. 

In all, it was a good, fun, relaxing read. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Hodder Children's Books for providing me a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Shanghai Immortal by A. Y Chao

Pages: 352 

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton 

Released: 1st of June 2023 

This richly told adult fantasy debut teems with Chinese deities and demons cavorting in jazz age Shanghai.

Pawned by her mother to the King of Hell as a child, Lady Jing is half-vampire, half-hulijing fox-spirit and all sasshole. As the King’s ward, she has spent the past ninety years running errands, dodging the taunts of the spiteful hulijing courtiers, and trying to control her explosive temper – with varying levels of success.

So when Jing overhears the courtiers plotting to steal a priceless dragon pearl from the King, she seizes her chance to expose them, once and for all.

With the help of a gentle mortal tasked with setting up the Central Bank of Hell, Jing embarks on a wild chase for intel, first through Hell and then mortal Shanghai. But when her hijinks put the mortal in danger, she must decide which is more important: avenging her loss of face, or letting go of her half-empty approach to life for a chance to experience tenderness – and maybe even love.

What I Have to Say 

I loved the vibrant setting and the Chinese concept of the afterlife, but the character was so, so annoying. The character was meant to be approaching adulthood at 100 years of age, but half the time she acted like a five year old. It was a relief during the times when she actually decided to be responsible for stuff because we got a break from the brattiness. 

Despite that though, I really enjoyed the book. The setting was just really interesting and I was invested in seeing how everything worked. I loved the idea of the roosters coming into hell because it was popular to burn paper roosters for the dead so that hell was just infested with wild roosters. That really spoke to me. 

I enjoyed the stuff in the mortal world as well. It was nice to see Jing away from the pettiness of the court so that she could just relax and be herself. It didn't get rid of all of the brattiness, but it did help a lot. 

Read for Chinese culture and traditions and a really interesting world. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with this copy for review. 

 

Dowry of Blood by S.T Gibson

 Pages: 292 

Publisher: Orbit 

Released: 31st of January 2021 

This is my last love letter to you, though some would call it a confession. . .

Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things.

Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband's dark secrets. With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.

What I Have to Say 

This book was beautifully written, the language used was evocative and well thought out, but I felt the plot was a little too uneventful for my liking. The ending was wonderfully action based but everything else was just them travelling around and meeting one another. 

I loved the polyamory. The synopsis calls them rival lovers but all four main characters of this book are in love with each other. The relationship between Constanta, Magdalena and Alexi is perfect and beautiful and honestly relationship goals for anyone whether polyamorous or monogamous. They just could have done without Dracula in the mix. 

I really don't have more to say about this book. If you like beautiful writing and polyamory and don't mind a more sedate book, then it's perfect for you. 

3 stars 

My thanks go to Orbit and Netgalley for providing me with this copy for review. 

Whiteout by Gabriel Dylan

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 416 

Publisher: Stripes (Red Eye) 

Released: 10th January 2019 

‘She sat us all down and told us a story. About things that lived in the woods. Things that only came out at night.’

For Charlie, a school ski trip is the perfect escape from his unhappy home life. Until a storm blows in and the resort town is cut off from the rest of the world. Trapped on the mountain, the students wait for the blizzards to pass, along with mysterious ski guide Hanna. 

But as night falls and the town’s long buried secrets begin to surface, the storm is the least of their problems….

What I Have to Say 

A good old fashioned vampire story. I'm not ashamed of liking vampire romances, but I do feel this was a good way to start bring vampires back into YA. It's about time to get a few back in, in my opinion. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next. But I do think, that bringing back scary Nosferatu inspired vampires was the perfect start. 

I was a little disappointed this wasn't a bit more creepy. I have to admit, I was in this for scenes of vampires creeping around in the blank whiteness outside while the characters were hiding and hoping not to be found and there was less of that and more of vampires trying to break down doors, but it was still really gripping. 

I loved the characters. It was good that the characters thrown together by the events were people who didn't know each other that well. It created great tensions between the characters and watching them come together and get to know each other, when they had only before known themselves in passing. 

I loved the vampire mythology they used too. This is definitely a great point horror vampire book. 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Stripes for providing me with this copy for review. 

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa (a.k.a some thoughts on Trilogies)

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 393

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Released: 15th of April 2014
Other Books in the Series:

  The Immortal Rules

The Eternity Cure

Vengeance will be hers.

 Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer. 

Monster.

 Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

 In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.

What I Have To Say

I've adored this trilogy since the start, but this book? This book was something even more special. It made the whole trilogy more special. Because it didn't just wrap up the story and tie away the lose ends. It made the trilogy come together as one. 

Trilogies are very popular, especially at the moment. It feels like every book coming out is part of a trilogy. And that is the term for a series of books (or plays, films etc.,) but if you look at the best trilogies, they're more than just three stories told over three books. They are one story. A story which loops around and brings in very significant aspects of the start, into the finish. 

This is exactly what The Forever Song did. It finished off in a place that seemed to fit exactly with what happened in the first book. It felt almost like a circle with so much of the first book coming back to play important parts in the ending. It felt like Frodo going back to the Shire and having to free the hobbits. It felt like Luke seeing the spirits of Yoda and Obi Wan and Anakin. It felt like a trilogy. 

And it makes me wonder, is a trilogy any more than just a series of three connected books? Or should it be redefined to something more like the Blood of Eden? Are we doing it wrong? 

The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 419

Publisher: Indigo

Released: 3rd of September 2013

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. It's an eternal party, shown on TV 24 hours a day - gorgeous, glamorous, deadly! Because, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave...

What I Have To Say 

It has taken me far too long to fall in love with Holly Black. I know it has. A lot of people have told me it has. And finally I can say that it has happened. I am in love with Holly Black and now have to read everything she's written.

The vampires were so dark. Brutal, backstabbing, manipulative and completely out of control. A lot of authors have been trying to get over the influence that Twilight had on vampires and now, finally, Holly Black has managed. With so much darkness, it is far more natural to compare Black’s vampires to those of Ann Rice than those of Stephanie Meyer.

Though I liked all the vampires and their showyness, I think Gavriel was my favourite. His madness makes him much more interesting than the other characters. In the end any character that has a level of predictability that not even they can predict is one to watch.

Just everything about this book was interesting and exciting and just so different from most of the vampire books that are around at the moment. I cannot wait to read more from this world.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 565

Publisher: Walker Books
Released: 19th of March 2013
Other Books In The Series:
                                       Clockwork Angel
                                       Clockwork Prince



London 1873 shape-shifter Tessa Gray 16 is engaged to Jem Carstairs 17, dying of addiction to demon drug, all bought up by evil Mortmain. 

The "clockwork prince" controls an army of automatons to abduct Tess, kill the Shadowhunters, and blackmail Charlotte Branwell, head of London Institute. Will and Tessa hide their love, for love of Jem.

What I Have To Say

There is so much to say about this book, but it's a little hard to express without a whole lot of fangirling, squealing and as usual with the books I like, weeping. I'm filled with a lot of emotions, but most of them are sadness about this series being over. 

I didn't really get into the Mortal Instruments series. It may have just been the first book that didn't quite feel special to me, so I'm going to try reading the rest of the series. But this series, the Infernal Devices caught me from the first book. I feel in love with Will and Jem and Tessa and with their whole world, their whole lives. 

With this book I fell in love with new characters. Cecily, who is so like Will and so her own character in just the right ways. And with Gabriel, who I never expected to like, but ended up liking anyway. 

I just wish that I had more books to read about the London institute. That the series hadn't just ended at three books. I know that we may see some of the characters again in other books, but it just won't be the same. 

That said, if you haven't read this trilogy yet, you have to. The characters are witty and funny and so lifelike and it is just a series where you can fall in love with everything and everyone.

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 434

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Released: 30th of April 2013

Other books in the series: The Immortal Rules

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning - New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally. 

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she's never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike. 

What I Have to Say 

Julie Kagawa breaks my heart with every single book she writes. I don't know how she does it. And I love it. 

I really love any conversation between Allie and Jackal. They're so sassy to each other and very wary. It was interesting to see how they developed when they were put together for so long. Although Zeke and Jackal weren't quite as cool together. They just didn't have the same feel as Allie had. 

As with the first book, I love Zeke so much. He and Allie just go together so well. Though it was really interesting to see him so far out of his comfort zone in this book, especially as it goes well with the last book where Allie was surrounded by humans.

This book was just heartbreaking and wonderful. Perhaps not quite as good as Immortal Rules, but still a really, really good read. I can't wait for the next book. 

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 352
Publisher: Harper Teen
Released: 3rd of July 2012

Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

What I Have to Say

 This book was incredible! I'd heard loads of good things about it, but that didn't prepare me for just how amazing it was! 

It was the perfect answer to Twilight and all the other vampire romances that came with it. I don't think many people have read Twilight and not wanted to shake Bella and ask her what the hell she was thinking!

Well Team Human does exactly that! The main character watches her friend falling for a vampire and wants to do whatever it takes to talk her out of it. And for anyone who's had to cope with a best friend going on and on about this guy she's completely head over heels in love with, it's very relatable. 

The other thing that I really loved about this book, was the humour. The main character's slightly mad sense of humour and the way she thinks in general really fitted for me. Plus the authors obviously had a great time writing her and had real fun doing it. 

I also really liked Kit. He was such a cute character, especially when Mel first meets him and talks about him lighting up when she laughs. This, added to how interesting his character is! I mean, a human child, raised by vampires! How cool is that! 

All vampire fans should read this book as a must. And even if you don't like vampires then you should read it. There's not much blood and gore and it really is a great book! 

I look forward to the next book!!

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Synopsis (From the Waterstones Website)

Pages: 304
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Released: 10th of May 2011

Against all odds, 17-year-old Gene has survived in a world where humans have been eaten to near extinction by the general population. The only remaining humans, or hepers as they are known, are housed in domes on the savannah and studied at the nearby Heper Institute. Every decade there is a government sponsored hunt. When Gene is selected to be one of the combatants he must learn the art of the hunt but also elude his fellow competitors whose suspicions about his true nature are growing

What I Have to Say 

I heard so many good things about The Hunt so I was prepared for something amazing. It didn't disappoint! It was very original and well thought out, which is really hard to do with a vampire book. Completely disgusting, but a whole unique take on vampires, which is really hard to do because so much vampires stuff has been done already!

Reversing the myth was a really cool idea too. Having the humans as the ones that are hiding in society, rather than the vampires was a really great idea.  It also meant that he could explore a world of vampires which had already been fully formed.

So, basically, this book isn't for people who get grossed out easily. Whether it's by gore or by bodily functions, if that stuff puts you off, this isn't for you. But if you can handle that sort of thing then go for it! It's an excellent read.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Synopsis (from the Waterstones Website)

Pages: 512
Publisher: MIRA Ink
Series: Blood of Eden (Book 1)
Release Date: 4th of May 2012 (US: 24th of April 2012)

In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity. Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who killed her mother and keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked - and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters. Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must work with her vampire creator and learn the rules of being immortal. Including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad. When Allison is separated from her creator, she flees into the unknown, the world outside her vampire city, beyond the wall. There she joins a ragged band of humans who don't know what she is, seeking a legend - a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

What I Have to Say

 First up, I want to say that I am eternally indebted to Sophie at So Many Books, So Little Time for sending this copy my way. I am so, so grateful for so much that she's done for me and this blog (without her it wouldn't exist xD) and this is just the latest and best thing she has done to help me.

Another thing I just want to get out of the way before I start my proper review, is the fangirling. I can't possibly write this review without turning into a squeeing pile of goo. So I'm just going to just let it all out so that I can be reasonably calm and intelligent. Just bare with me a moment (feel free to skip the next paragraph):

Oh my god! This book was so incredibly amazing and I love Julie Kagawa so much and would read her grocery list if she were to publish it! She's just has such a beautiful way with words and I just love all of her books, but this one was even better and- and it's too much *excitable squeeing*

*breathes a few times* Okay. I'm calm. Everyone still here? Great! Thank you for your patience with that. ^^

Basically, the main thing I have to say is that this is the best book I have ever read. It has gone straight up to the position of my favourite book and I think will stay there for a long time. It was so well constructed and beautifully written that I just loved every word of it. I think every single one of you reading this right now should stop what you're doing and go pre-order this book (or just buy it if you're reading this later on). This is how much I recommend this book.

Honestly though? I knew that I would love this book since the moment I heard of it. A Vampire Dystopia written by Julie Kagawa? I'm in! Add in the surname Sekemoto and a katana and it was like the book was written especially for me ^^

Vampires have got a bad name recently. The whole Twilight thing got out of hand and brought in a string of books with soft, cowardly vampires who didn't drink blood (although it must be said that I do love a lot of the vampires who don't drink blood), but Kagawa has attempted to bring back the really evil, twister monster vampires!!! And she's done it cleverly too. Not only has she got the really messed up ones who run everything and treat humans as cattle, but she's also kept the Dark Fantasy angle going by having a vampire- main character who we can sympathise with and love.

There are some very, very sad bits though. The relationship between Zeke and Allison is very tragic. I've never really felt that a relationship between a vampire and a human couldn't work out before. Maybe it's because I know of too many examples where it has all turned out fine. But this just broke my heart.

I'm also amazed by how much I cared about the character too. There are some characters that I really care for in books and I'm scared they're going to die. But Allison is a tough character, I never really worried about her not being able to face off any danger that she faced. The thing I worried about was that she'd lose control of herself and be revealed as a vampire. But that worry was so intense. I was just willing her to have some blood and get herself out of danger every time she went too long without any!! It's the first time, I think, that I've cared for a book character more like the way I would care about a friend, with concern and worry rather than the more common I-hope-she'll-be-okay kind of worry.

The last point I want to make is about the YA tag. I don't think that Young Adult books are only for Young Adults. In fact, I don't think any book is only for a specific audience. But this book especially I think is one that can be enjoyed by adults as well as teenagers. It is gritty and it is dark and it's really just an amazing world to read about. Plus the cover isn't too YA looking so you won't be looked at weirdly if you read it on the bus ;)

So yes. I have so much more I can say about this, but I feel I should stop before it gets too long a post! If you would like to hear more of my thoughts, then leave a comment and maybe I could do a Part 2 or something. Also, I'm sure that if you know me or follow me on Twitter then you will hear much, much more of me babbling on about how great it is.

And in absolute seriousness, if you're only going to take one of my recommendations then make sure it's this one.