#booksandbricks

[booksandbricks]

Just finished reading The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen- Much wilder and darker than expected! It was Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Berlinker Philharmoniker, specifically at 1:57 onwards PERSONIFIED. The prose reminds me of I, Coriander by Sally Gardner, but this is of course far more adult and chilling. There were moments where I felt almost creeped out all alone in my room this night. Top 2 nutcracker retellings and I feel scared to turn off my bedside lamp now :”)

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Just finished the truants by kate weinberg and it’s such a good piece of dark academia. The psychology behind the characters. The deftness in justifying their unjustifiable actions

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Books of pellinor honestly warms my heart like hot broth. I feel as though I’ve journeyed for ages in the murk, finally resting at a hearth, warming my hands at a fireplace. I‘m at home

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sigh just finished reading a closed and common orbit by Becky chambers and it’s so ❤️❤️❤️❤️ wildly imaginative, furiously intelligent and filled with love, acceptance and positivity even while broaching hard topics.

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‪Ah finished Legendary by Stephanie Garber and it’s so rare that the second book of a series outshines the first. I’m in love!!!!! Such a magical, luscious world and idk I could rly relate to Donatella. The plot was tight but there was space for breath, for one to take time to sink into the pages and learn the world. And again, I’m weak for such antagonistic romances which doesn’t bode well for reality. Dante and Jacks ugh!!! How do I even choose.

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Omfg I just read the cruel prince by holly black and it’s the best book I’ve read in months. I love carden so much I can’t help it, it’s terrible but I’ve always gravitated to such toxic romances (which is fine as long as it’s fiction) and I love his feelings for Jude and the twists at the end!!!!!!!!!!!! Didn’t see that one coming omg when’s the next book coming I need it ASAP. And holly black has always written so convincingly of faerie it really feels like she’s been there...the world is fleshed out perfectly, wo much elaboration as well (great for those who read a lot of faerie books) to make it seem so commonplace. the characters flawed and darkly beautiful for it. I love it. And of course. Jude. I want to be her. I want to be so cold and clever and realistically tough and surprising and loving and see- many authors always fail in their quest to make their protagonists the typical tough gurl fighter who lusts for bloodshed etc etc- this fails cos they flatted they into 2 dimensional cartoons. You gotta have nuance. Jude is a gem. She is gritty. She is that but subtly so, and the imagery of her being so tired that she’s dragging the sword behind her back to her bedroom is so perfect and so telling, I adore it. She’s that, but she’s also slightly naive and so loving. I also love that she’s morally ambiguous

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Just finished Disenchanted, The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison and I'm so thankful that I've read it!!! My heart is brimming from the goodness and honestly after a series of really poorly written/unengaging books I just want to throw my hands up and weep in happiness.

Already, I had some apprehension about the book given that I simply, wholly loved Grounded, The Adventures of Rapunzel. I was fairly sure that if she wrote again it wouldn't be able to beat it, but this book really stood its ground against such an exemplary story.

Clear, discerning characterisation, wisdom in such realistic dilemmas, and realistic and graceful endings. Every part of the plot was relevant, no character wasted for the lol of it, and okay honestly I'm very pleased and impressed by the sheer wisdom that Morrison is gifted with. It is evident in her writing. For example, the lessons Ella learns...criticism of Ella as well to show that no protagonist is completely without fault. There is a great growth, a maturity, a character progression here not only in Ella but in the prince as well, and in the relationships of characters in the book.

And!! For once, a fairytale/ fantasy novel that doesn't revolve around reclaiming a throne (I've never seen that as a noble thing, more of a selfish thing, really)- instead, it's about doing the right thing, providing fair rights and opportunities to the people. Good governance! A great model for us, this book is indeed satire of the world.

You can tell I'm gushing can't you but I really love this I simply must! Read grounded again!!! I really hope Morrison publishes another book soon ❤️

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‪Trying my best to read Assassin's Fate slowly but it's wholly gripping but it's the last book 😭😭😭 I need to absorb EVERYTHING‬