Listen on Spotify, Apple, Google. Out now.

Just a couple of gals reading books and drinking wine, but with microphones.  

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Check out the latest episode of @outtafivestarspodcast now https://open.spotify.com/episode/5IcljNgKR9Oz9jlsXNPiSJ?si=8SOYbtPgSU-ptERcghl9wg

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I couldn’t help myself! Loved the first season of #shadowandbone though!  Just couldn’t not think of this during the episode 6!  

Check out part 1 of our chat on the first 4 episodes of Shadow and Bone, out now everywhere you listen to podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5IcljNgKR9Oz9jlsXNPiSJ?si=8SOYbtPgSU-ptERcghl9wg

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What’s in your book nook?

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I do try to be a good booklr, but I am camera shy so I TRY to get Pollo to help out, but he gets a lil wild. 

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A little preview of our special 500 download episode!

Get to know your hosts!

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Do you like stories about a mousey shy gal who goes through a portal and is also the chosen one?  Then do we have a series for you!

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Book Quote of the Week!

[bookwormingparty]

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I’m in this picture and I don’t like it

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Yikes, I for sure have one of these, which one... I won’t tell!

Which are you getting on a trip to Ireland?

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The Awakening is done!  We just finished the first in the Dragon Heart series and we are both hooked!  We are so bummed that we have to wait a WHOLE BLOODY YEAR for the next one! arg.  

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💫GET TO KNOW US!💫 We are the faces behind Outta Five Stars Podcast and today we have an episode answering all of your questions and some that we made up as well. Jess and I tell you all about why we started the podcast, how we met a whole bunch of other fun facts about us! Check out the 🔗 in or bio to take a listen!! We had a great time recording this episode and we hope you enjoy listening to it as well ♥️. . . . #bookclubsofinstagram #bookstagram #bookishpodcast #bookish #podcast #podcaster #podcastlife #aboutus #outtafivestars #bookporn #igbooks #ilovereading #instabook #bookphotography #booklover #anchorpodcast #podcasting (at Louisville, Kentucky) https://www.instagram.com/p/CL-RHyEAFt3/?igshid=m84rm381cmkd

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Which one are you?!📚 Over here at OFS we are NOT spines in people. We like to see what books we have in our stacks. Tell is in the comments below 👇🏽👇🏽 and don't forget tomorrow we are releasing our "Get to Know Us" episode on on podcast. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss it! . . . #bookish #bookstack #bookshelfdecor #bookishpodcast #bookish #outtafivestars #bookstagram #instabook #bookporn #podcast #booklover #bookpictures #bookphotos #bookmeme #meme #podcaster #bookcommunity #bookclub #booknerd https://www.instagram.com/p/CL7lT8oApoa/?igshid=tdfurv4wdq6m

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How many banned or challenged books have you read?

[bookwormingparty]

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How are they all me?

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My kind of self care

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If you liked, Alias Hook, Once Upon a Time, Harry Potter, Cinder or The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe you’ll love The Crowns of Croswald.

Anyone who has been itching for another magical world full of whimsy to get lost in will love Ivy's story. The realm is uniquely its own; the creatures are exciting and new (but feel familiar) so it won't feel like a retelling of the Harry Potter story. The matriarchal society of the story is another plus for me. I was happy with the flow of the story although the supporting characters lost me at times. Mid-level to YA readers will enjoy this one and be excited about the upcoming sequels!

*Light spoilers ahead*

Ivy Lovely does possess quite a few similarities to Harry Potter and I can see where this would get in the way for some readers. But, you know what else had a lot of similarities - Harry Potter and Star Wars - and that never stopped me from enjoying either one. 

The Crowns of Croswald really did transport me to a special place, as Harry Potter did for me back when I was a kid, which is hard to do as an adult reader so I applaud D.E. Night.  I do think this series could become the next magical craze for this generation.  Ivy’s story is very similar to Harry’s - they both grew up in tiny closets, hidden away from the dark powerful wizard, witch in Ivy’s case, and then brought to a magical school by a caring guardian.  Not to mention they are both the chosen ones.  

It is difficult to write a super unique coming of age magical story without people reading into the similarities, but this didn’t stop me from devouring the book in a weekend.  It was such a fun read.  Ivy is smart and does most of the work to progress the story on her own (no smart friend helping her through everything or teachers bending over backward for her).  Quite the opposite to Harry, she is a tough girl who is extremely brave and is constantly going out of her way to help others and doesn’t wait for someone to tell her what to do!

I do wish we got more interaction with her friend and love interest as well as some of the magical creatures who show up in short spurts and then seem to disappear from the storyline. But the delicate sensory descriptions of the castle and world make up for it. 

I will most definitely be reading the series as it comes out.  I was so excited for Ivy by the end of the book, and I wish the next one were already out. 

Overall I gave the book 3.5 outta five stars as it entertained me. I enjoyed the regal and bookish aspects of the story and I was hooked by the end of the first chapter.  

*I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.  Thank you to the publisher.