Caraval

Title: Caraval

Author: Stephanie Garber

First Published: January 31st 2017

Series: Caraval #1

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 407

My Copy: Physical copy

My Overall Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval… beware of getting swept too far away.

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Flame in the Mist

Title: Flame in the Mist

Author: Renée Ahdieh 

First Published: May 16th 2017

Series: Flame in the Mist #1

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 393

My Copy: Physical copy

My Overall Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary

The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.

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Happy Pride Month Everyone! (And 10 LGBTQIA+ Book Recommendations)

Hi everyone! As you all know, June is Pride Month of 2017. In honour of this celebration, I am going to list 10 books that have LGBTQIA+ themes in them. Some I've read, others I've only heard of. Most of the books listed here are gay couples, but I hope to find more diversity in the future! Also, the couples mentioned here range from being the main characters to minor side characters. I hope you enjoy this post and will get round to reading them!

P.S. Carrie made a similar post on The Butterfly Reader which actually inspired me to make my own list of recommendations, which you can read here if you're interested as well!

1.  Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

This book is one of my favourite books of all time. The friendship (which develops into something further) between Aristotle and Dante is so sweet and fluffy! I want to squeal every time I reread the book. It's written beautifully so that it really keeps your attention on the book. 

2. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

I quite enjoyed this book because I liked the slight mystery behind the true identity of who Simon was communicating with. It's an easy read which I quite liked, but for me, it just wasn't the type of book that really stuck in my memory. 

3. Half Bad by Sally Green

This was one of the first fantasy books I've read where the main character is gay. In most fantasy books, the LGBT+ character is often the side/supporting character. Nathan and Gabriel are so cute together but *major spoiler* I hate that Gabriel dies in the last book!! Why can't Nathan have something good? He deserves so much!! :( *spoiler over*

4. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Malec is my favourite ships in this series! They definitely trump Clace for me ;P I like how Cassandra Clare has but some diversity in this series as well as in The Dark Artifices as well. We definitely need more!

5. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Carry On is like the canon version of Drarry, just with different names. I really liked the idea behind the book and it was kind of funny to read Drarry fan fiction, just with subbed names and in the form of a real live book!

6. The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

Yay! Rick Riordan is beginning to include more LGBT+ characters in his books! Nico finally gets a boyfriend YAAAS SOLANGELO is like my OTP! Also, we have Apollo as being openly bisexual, which is pretty cool. 

7. Two Boys Kissing by David Leviathan 

This one I haven't read, but it seems very interesting :) 

8. If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

This one I thought is worth the read since it educated me on the topic of transgender, something which is usually shied away from in YA novels. It is an easy read, one that you would devour in one sitting. 

9. A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

There is a gay couple in this book that I hope to see more of in the next book: A Conjuring of Light. They seem like they are suited for each other, despite the fact that one of them keeps breaking the other's heart. :(

10. Release by Patrick Ness

I adore all of Patrick Ness' books, so when I heard of this new one, I was ecstatic. I haven't actually gotten round to reading this book yet, but I think it's definitely worth the read. 

So, this is my list! If you have read any of them, or have more recommendations for me, just drop a comment down below! I'd really appreciate it :) Happy Pride Month everyone!