The Wicked Deep

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

200 years ago, in Sparrow Oregon, three girls were accused of being witches and drowned in the harbour. Since then a deadly curse has befallen the city. Each summer the ghosts of these three girls, the swan sisters, return to Sparrow inhabiting the bodies of three innocent local girls. No male can resist the song of the sea and before the summer is over Sparrow's death bell will have tolled three times...

First of all, this book blew me away. It was a complete cover buy – I have to admit that much (after all I did get myself the special edition ;D) – but the story seemed interesting and I had heard only good things about this book. Naturally I went in with some high expectations, especially since my last few YA reads were all pretty good.
I am far from being disappointed.

Shea Ernshaw creates a wonderful atmosphere with her writing. I felt transported to the shores of my many north sea vacations and I could almost taste the salty waters of coming storms. She picked the perfect setting for an earie and darker plot. I am not a huge fan of the first person narrative, but this book, as it did with so many other tropes, blew me away with the perfect use of it and prosa that seemed more than poetic to me. I have always been a huge fan of the sea and I spend many days wandering on lonely sand beaches or on boats rocked by the tide, so it was important that she captured that feeling without overdoing it, otherwise it might have put me off completely. The author did succeed.

The book began, at least for me, with a quite intriguing story, but the usual YA characters. I thought I had it all figured out, but since the plot continued to be interesting and I was so captivated by the writing I continued to read a pretty good book. But as soon as the plot really took off... It turned into a truly awesome book. There was so much that I did NOT expect and that completely blew me away! (if you read this book you will know that there is one small sentence that changes everything and that left me SCREAMING at the page) It turned a pretty safe YA read into something entirely new and I was left with a lot of guesses but no real clue on how all of this would end. Even worse, I was not sure how I wanted all of it to end! No outcome I could imagine seemed satisfying enough, there was no good ending nor bad ending that could come out of this plot. There was only grey and a huge fear for the characters I had come to love throughout the story. I was hooked, until the last page.

Yes, this book has all the well used YA tropes like beautiful supernatural characters, a main character like a wallflower with that one thing that makes her special and of course the brooding male that swipes her into this one gaze - one true love - thing we all do not like. But it's YA, I did not expect anything else. Yet though The Wicked Deep starts off as a YA novel, just like you would except it, with a nice catch and a dark and twisted fairytale, it ended up being so much more. It has all a solid four stars needs, but that little extra bit, those twist and turns that are something you do not expect at all and that leave you at the edge of your seat... Combined with the great atmosphere of the writing that is what turns the book into one of my favourites this year, if not off all time.

So I am left here, waiting for news on another book by Shea Ernshaw, preferbly another stand alone. Already pumped for whats she might come up with next. This new chapter of YA literature with so many authors, changing the game... I am all in!

This review was also shared to my blog, amazon, and partially to Instagram.

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Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Before She Ignites takes place on the Fallen Islands, which live in a fragile peace, held together by the Mira Treaty. Mira, called the Hopebearer, was named after said treaty and has spent her life being groomed into the perfect example. But instead of looking nice at each and every gathering she prefers to spend her hours in the dragon century, protecting and caring for the creatures she loved and adores ever since her childhood. When the dragons go missing a terrible suspicion arises in Mira, which she – doing the right thing – voices in front of her home island's council. Betrayal stings sharply as Mira is suddenly faced with life-threatening changes and a battle she does not feel capable of, an adventure that will not only leave her own life in shambles but might shake the very foundations of the Treaty she was born to protect.

AND I LOVE THIS BOOK. I haven't written a review in ages and I fear I will spend this one just gushing about the amazing storytelling, the interesting characters, and the world I would love to visit in a heartbeat. Seriously, after Middle Earth and Faerie the Fallen Island are up there on the top of my fictional bucket list (And in comparison to the Hinterland and Faerie I might even have a chance of surviving longer than a day). I easily got lost in this world so well thought through and interesting, the concept of the gods alone left me in awe.

I can see that certain scenes might be triggering for people dealing with claustrophobia or a fear of the dark. I never struggled with either but the tension in this book made my heart race. I wonder how much time the other herself spend looked up in a dark dungeon to capture the feeling so well and compassionate (I hope none at all tbh)

Before She Ignites has been the first book I read by Jodi Meadows, though I saw her previous stories on several platforms and in several bookstores. I am very happy that I was introduced to this author for her writing style is easily readable, even for a non-natural speaker of the English language, and I was able to race through the entire book within days (I would not have survived waiting for the ending much longer if I am honest). But even on a second read the little details and her clear writing are more than enjoyable at a slower speed. I definitely intend to reread the entire book before the second one, As She Ascends, hits shelves later this year.

I must admit that Mira wasn't my favorite kind of protagonist at first glance, which turned out to be a rather good thing. We have seen thousands of strong and capable women, dealing with her own foes and shadows, gaining that so dearly desired and truly deserved happy ending. And while there is nothing wrong with it, I was delighted to see such a vulnerable character as a POV (and POC if I am not mistaken now ;) ), a character that slew her own demons in some ways, while still being relatable. (view spoiler)[Mira did not turn from princess into knight overnight, but with one step after the other, sometimes closer to failure, and it was a joy and an inspiration to see her on that journey. (hide spoiler)] Am I throwing around too many happy words? I honestly cannot come up with anything bad about this book except for the fact that it ended and I still need to wait for the second one...

Yes, I admit it. This was a full five star read and though I always try to be not too fangirly in my reviews I can do nothing but fangirl when it comes to this book. It has been, by far, my favorite read of the last year!

For me, this book was very helpful when it came to dealing with stress. The characters deal with stress in their own ways, I for one am easily moved to tears when stressed – especially when patients and colleagues at work go crazy on me again – so „Strength through Silence“ has become some kind of mantra that truly helps me in these moments to remember: deep calm breaths!

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The Glass Spare Review

The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Glass Spare. What can I say about this book?

It is the first book by Lauren DeStefano that I ever read, though a few of hers have been sitting on my TBR list for quite some time and I follow her on twitter for even longer (hilarious content, wonderful cats, and so much wisdom). I heard only good things about this author beforehand and I must admit... She did not disappoint.

I was intrigued by this book, not only because of the beautiful cover but also because of the interesting sounding story. I hadn't read much YA in the fantasy genre lately, and I am always a sucker for both.

I flew through this book.

Seriously.

I loved it. And I don't know what else to say. I just want to sit here for a while, admire the beautiful writing, and enjoy the magic happening between the pages. I could fill an entire page with how much I loved this book. The world was so wonderfully well build, the stories, the myths, the wars. It felt real, like something that has been brewing for a long time, almost every piece fitting into the puzzle, sprinkled with enough ripped edges to make it feel real. Right from the beginning, I loved free-spirited Wil and her protective brothers. I could smell the romance before it happened, nothing surprising on that page, and yet I adored every bit of it.

This book gave me exactly what I wanted, the Steampunk-elements and the magic were woven together perfectly, the dialog was intense in most parts and I was ready to wrap all my favourites into blankets at any given moment. I am not disappointed, for Lauren DeStefano's writing is beautiful, yet easy to read. I would have given this book five out of five stars.

But now let us look a little further. For The Glass Spare is something more than just a well-crafted fantasy YA, with just the right amount of love, suspense, and potential book-boyfriend material.

It hit a few sensitive spots. Books dealing with mental illness are never easy, neither to write nor to read. And Lauren DeStefano did it so well. It was hidden beneath the surface, deep inside her characters, and yet it showed so clearly. It often felt like this in real life for me. You are trying so hard to hide some part of yourself, something that you cannot quite control, and yet you feel as if it is spilled out into the open at every giving turn. And the longer you live with sadness inside your heart, with compulsive "ticks" the better you spot them in others. Sometimes it feels like birds of a feather flocking together, like cursed hearts meeting. I loved how The Glass Spare showed the beauty of it, I never saw beauty in it before, and it did it in such an honest way, not romanticising any part of it. It made me feel as if I am not alone, all though I was completely aware of the fact that I was reading about fictional characters living in a world of magic. I can't explain to you how she did it. But it touched me in a way not many books do. Curses and gifts. Strength through silence. It was a strong advocate for awareness, for realising that everyone has a burden to bear, for "if you are going through hell, keep going". And it reminded me of "Before She Ignites" in that way. I am thankful that YA is giving us realistic heroines, heroines that struggle, not just against the odds, but against their own demons. It gives us hope. And now, in my mid-twenties, looking back at all the Bellas of my Vampire-crazy-youth, I am sure books like that would have helped me immensely once I met my own demons. I am thankful that women like Lauren DeStefano are writing these kinds of books, for one must be very brave and very strong to do so.

I loved how mother and daughter were so similar, yet so afraid of the other being just like them, as if they could see their mistakes, their fears, right in front of them. The family dynamic felt real. Every part of it. From the overprotective brother to the outcasted black sheep that doesn't really fit in.

So I would love to give this book more than just five stars. I enjoyed every page and read it within six days, I will read it again before the second book comes out and I will savour every minute of this gem.
And now on to the spoiler part (And beware! There are huge spoilers ahead!)
(view spoiler)[
As an aspiring author, I always try to see the books I enjoy from a storytelling angle. My favourite scene in the entire book was, therefore, please don't punch me for this, Owen's death. I still remember reading it, all though it has been more than a month now. I had an annoying and exhausting day and decided to curl up in the hot bathtub, and drift away on the scent of my favourite flowers while reading this gem of a book. And then it happened. She started climbing, he went after her as her pulse quickened with every shaky step and I was at the edge of my seat (well, I almost jumped out of the bathtub) these few pages made my own heart run for its life. I knew what would come, I could feel it in my bones, but with every fiber of my being, I refused to believe it. And then it happened. I felt Wil's shock, the despair that held her tight and while I fought actual tears the book almost slipped from my hands and drowned in pink rose water. I saved it. Then I thought to myself "Maybe I should indeed drown it. This is too much." But that thought quickly passed, for from that point on one thing was more than clear: I needed to know how it would end. And I am so not disappointed!

My second favourite scene was Wil trying to steal the ship and how she ended up not doing it. It was so amazingly build up, I loved the suspense followed by her inner turmoil.


Predictions and Theories for The Cursed Sea:

- Phan lied about the whole love thing and you cannot convince me otherwise. This ship sailed a long time ago and I shall root for it until the end of my days.

- There might be two people in Northern Arrod able to cast these curses, for I am not sure if the person that cursed Wil is now doing all the damage to the royal family. Something feels off. I cannot quite put my finger on it yet, but I am getting there.

- I honestly believe that the King is dead by now, cast down by whoever cursed Wil. I do think Gerdie was untouched by any curse (keeping my fingers crossed for him, hopefully we will see the day of his coronation, as I see Barren more as a new Antagonist, or as someone ready for a 180° flip ;D) (hide spoiler)]

-- And now the one prediction that will 100 percent come true: This book will be awesome!


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OwlCrateathon TBR

It is February 10^th over here in my time zone and that means one thing: it's Owlcrateathon! happy dances The Readathon runs from February 10 to 23 and the goal is to get some of those Owlcrate books off of my tbr. Up until now I have enjoyed every owlcrate book that I got in my mail, but sometimes I wasn't able to read them right away, so I too am guilty of having a few owls on my tbr. Here is my TBR for this readathon:

The first challenge is to read two books in two weeks but since I really need to step up this year's reading game I have decided to double up on that goal. Let's see how that goes.

The first book I intend to read is Wild Beauty by Anna – Marie McLemore. I do not count it for any challenge, since I have already read around half of it during December, but wasn't able to pick it up again. I really enjoy the setting and the backstory of the book, but so far I was not really able to delve into it. I hope to change that now.

The second one is The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones. I am counting this for the „Book you earned the longest“-challenge. Technically it is not my first Owlcrate book (That was The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue and I LOVED IT), but it is the one that's been sitting longest on my TBR.

Number three is „foolish hearts“ by Emma Mills. I must admit that contemporary romance is the genre that I read the least, but since reading out of the box is always good for a nice surprise I am already looking forward to starting this book, I count it for the challenge to read at least two different genres, since it is so clearly out of the fantasy genre.

And last but not least book number four, which is the one I am most excited for and am therefore putting at the back of the list (so I HAVE to read the rest ;D). It is „The Cruel Prince“ by Holly Black and gosh it sounds so amazing! I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since I unpacked it and the few pages I was able to read so far just sound amazing!! I hope I can stay motivated and focused and reach this book! ♥

What's on your TBR for this challenge and have you read any of my picks? Tell me in the coments below and let's stay motivated together!