Review - Shadowed Heart by Candace Wondrak

Title: Shadowed Heart
Author: Candace Wondrak
Series: A Death So Sweet
Pages: 337
Release Date: February 1^st 2021
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads
 
My Review: I read this book as my good friend Alice was starting a book club and this was the chosen book, it sounded like it would be something I would really enjoy so I voted for it but I actually didn’t really enjoy it at all.
 
After the death of her parents, Lola becomes a killer she is known as the Night Slayer as she stalks the clubs and kills anyone who harasses her while she’s having a good time only she end up killing the wrong guy, the son of a crime lord.
 
The Luciano family track her down and kidnap her and make her their pet where she has to do their bidding she actually fits into the family and helps them out on ‘jobs’.
 
To be honest the books was okay but I didn’t think that a murderous lunatic like Lola would be someone who got along with the mob, sure she fits in and enjoys helping them with their ‘jobs’ but surely she would rather just keep doing what she was doing before they captured her.
 
Currently Reading: Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin and Sky's Story by Louise Allen
Read in 2022: 14/40

Review - Elbow Grease: Teamwork Wins by John Cena

Title: Elbow Grease: Teamwork Wins
Author: John Cena
Series: Elbow Grease
Pages: 32
Release Date: January 5^th 2021
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads
 
Synopsis: It's up to Elbow Grease, the little blue monster truck who never gives up, to help his brother and his whole monster truck family in this Step 1 reader from superstar entertainer and #1 New York Times bestselling author John Cena!
A fun and fast-paced leveled reader from multitalented mega celebrity John Cena! Elbow Grease and his four monster truck brothers love to race--but even the fastest racers have to slow down every once in a while, whether it's to stop for a tune-up, tire change, or some extra gas. Except Crash is having so much fun, he doesn't want to stop! Can Elbow Grease and his brothers work together to reel Crash in? Young readers will love Elbow Grease and his monster truck family in this Step 1 reader based on John Cena's Elbow Grease picture book series!
Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyming and rhythmic text paired with picture clues will help young readers decode the story.
 
My Review: This story is written by the WWE wrestler and film star John Cena for children who are just starting to read, it follows a monster truck named Elbow Grease and his family as they take part in a race, when one of the brothers does not stop the others must work together to help him out. The monster trucks all have different personalities and all look different so the children will be able to recognise the monster trucks on sight.
 
Currently Reading: Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Read in 2022: 14/40

Review - Elbow Grease: My Monster Truck Family by John Cena

Title: Elbow Grease: My Monster Truck Family
Author: John Cena
Series: Elbow Grease
Pages: 32
Release Date: January 7^th 2020
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads
 
Synopsis: Meet the little truck who never gives up--Elbow Grease--and his four monster truck brothers in this Step 1 Step Into Reading leveled reader from superstar entertainer and #1 New York Times bestselling author John Cena!
A fun and fast-paced leveled reader from multitalented mega celebrity John Cena! Elbow Grease has four big brothers--each one special and unique in his own way. Meet tough Tank, fast Flash, smart Pinball, brave Crash, and of course Elbow Grease, who never gives up, in this Step 1 reader based on John Cena's Elbow Grease picture book series! 
 
My Review: This story is written by the WWE wrestler and film star John Cena for children who are just starting to read, it follows a monster truck named Elbow Grease and his family and we get to know each of the monster trucks. The monster trucks all have different personalities and all look different so the children will be able to recognise the monster trucks on sight.
 
Currently Reading: Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Read in 2022: 14/40

Review - Elbow Grease: Get Out and Play by John Cena

Title: Elbow Grease: Get Out and Play
Author: John Cena
Series: Elbow Grease
Pages: 32
Release Date: January 7^th 2020
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Join Elbow Grease, the little truck who never gives up, as he plays with his monster truck brothers in the rain and sun in this Step 1 Step Into Reading leveled reader from superstar entertainer and #1 New York Times bestselling author John Cena!
A fun-filled leveled reader from multi-talented mega celebrity John Cena! Elbow Grease loves to race, splash and play with his four monster truck brothers: Tank, Flash, Pinball and Crash! The brothers enjoy a play day in this Step 1 reader based on John Cena's Elbow Grease picture book series!

My Review: This story is written by the WWE wrestler and film star John Cena for children who are just starting to read, it follows a monster truck named Elbow Grease and his family as they play together in the rain getting muddy. The monster trucks all have different personalities and all look different so the children will be able to recognise the monster trucks on sight.

Currently Reading: Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Read in 2022: 14/40

 

Review - The Dinosaur that Pooped a Pirate by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Pointer

Title: The Dinosaur that Pooped a Pirate
Author: Tom Fletcher and Dougie Pointer
Series: The Dinosaur that Pooped
Pages: 32
Release Date: August 20^th 2020
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads
 
Synopsis: Danny and Dinosaur sailed out to sea on a ship that was crooked and old.

With a map in Dan's hand of a faraway land, where a pirate had buried his gold . . .

So begins this hilarious, swashbuckling adventure for Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter's much-loved characters Danny and Dinosaur!

This poop-filled extravaganza is brought to life by the preposterously talented illustrator Garry Parsons, and the brand new sea-shanty rhythm is perfect for reading out loud.

Join Danny and Dino on this rollicking, rhyming delight, packed with action and adventure, pirates and peril...plus some very silly surprises!

My Review: I really love these Dinosaur stories, in this story Danny and his Dinosaur go in search of buried treasure and as usual Dino starts to eat everything in sight until Danny and the Dinosaur are eaten themselves, How will Danny and Dino escape?
 
This story is really entertaining even to adults.
 
Currently Reading: Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Read in 2022: 14/40

Books Read in 2021

So 2021 was just as bad a year as 2020 because of COVID-19 and because of me being ill but I was able to surpass my goal of reading 40 books and I read 46. A lot of my reads in 2021 were rereads due to not being able to go to the library and me not wanting to buy more books until I had read the ones I already own.

Here's what I read in 2021:

1. Gravity Happens Lizzie James
2. Elbow Grease: Teamwork Wins! by John Cena
3. Wintercraft Jenna Burtenshaw
4. Blackwatch by Jenna Burtenshaw
5. Legacy by Jenna Burtenshaw
6. In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It by Lauren Graham
7. Addicted to Love by Alice La Roux
8. Claws that Catch by Alice La Roux
9. Paint it Red by Alice La Roux
10. Good Girl by Alice La Roux
11. Breeding Lilacs by Alice La Roux
12. Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
13. Shadowed Heart by Candace Wondrak
14. Point of Extinction by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
15. Layers of Extinction by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
16. Brink of Extinction by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
17. Spread of Extinction by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
18. Escaping Extinction by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
19. Surviving Extinction by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
20. Myths and Legends by Laura Greenwood
21. Die for Me by Amy Plum
22. Summer Hollow by Jennifer Malone Wright
23. Keeper Vs Reaper by Jennifer Malone Wright
24. Keeper of the Peace by Jennifer Malone Wright
25. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
26. Oi Aardvark by Kes Grey
27. Another Forgotten Child by Cathy Glass
28. Hidden by Cathy Glass
29. Damaged by Cathy Glass
30. Cut by Cathy Glass
31. Will You Love Me? by Cathy Glass
32. Daddy's Little Princess by Cathy Glass
33. The Saddest Girl in the World by Cathy Glass
34. Pool House by Melissa Lozada-Oliva
35. The Brick Slayer by Harold Schechter
36. The Pied Piper by Harold Schechter
37. Little Slaughterhouse on the Prairie by Harold Schechter
38. Beauty Slain in Bath by Harold Schechter
39. The Veil by Rachel Harrison
40. Addie Bell's Shortcut to Growing up by Jessica Brody
41. City of Villains by Estelle Laure
42. Fated by Alyson Noel
43. Payback by Natalie Y Moore
44. A Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
45. Isabella the Warrior Queen by Kirsten Downey
46. Missing: A Boy and the Evidence Against His Accused Killer by Joaquin Sapien

My goal for 2022 is 40, I know I can read that as I've done it before but with life going back to being 'normal' again means I will be going back to work after my operation as well as having my final year of university starting later this year.

I hope you all get to do plenty of reading in 2022 and you all keep safe x

Happy New Year

I would just like to wish everyone a very happy New Year

Remember to read lots of books and be nice to each other

Have a great New Year love Annamarie

Happy Christmas

I would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, I hope that Father Christmas brought you lots of nice new books.

I'm Back

So I haven't posted much over the last 12 months even though I have been reading a lot due to COVID and but it's been because of 3 things 1) University is hard now I'm almost on my final year and 2) I've been in hospital with Kidney stones and I'm awaiting and operation and 3) I've mainly been re-reading my favourite books of the last 10 years of blogging and I have to say that most of these books are still just as good, if not better the second time round.
 
Now that I have finished college and I'm not volunteering due to being ill I plan on catching up on reviews over my Christmas break and lining up some author interviews. Below are some of the books I need to review and post, these will go live as soon as I can pull myself away from my books.
 
1) Shadowed Heart by Candace Wondrak
2) Point of Extinction series by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
3) Myths and Legends by Various Author's

4) Graveyard Guardian's by Jennifer Malone Wright

5) Various Cathy Glass books

 
Happy Reading and Keep Safe x

Blog Birthday

Today is the blogs 11th birthday to Annamarie's Book Reviews.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my reviews for the last 11 years as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

Saturday Review - The Good Girl by Alice La Rou

 

Title: The Good Girl
Author: Alice La Roux
Pages: 216
Release Date: April 5th 2021
Format: eBook
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Nothing can describe the town of Silvercrest better.

This seemingly charming, sleepy town is ruled by The Society. An elite organization swimming in Old money that originates back to the founding families. But money cannot hide the stench of death and deceit which lingers amongst the sweet smelling hydrangeas that surround white picket fences.

Tristan Radcliffe might be my fiancé, but not through choice. Nothing in my life is a choice.

I am always a good girl, obeying my family as expected because I am Elena Montgomery, a child of The Society.

And this was the life we lived.

My Review: I loved this story in The Society anthology and I was really glad that it got extended.

The Society will do anything to protect their way of life, even if that means forcing Elena to marry Tristan. Elena is a perfect student who loves to dance and tries way too hard to please her father even when he doesn’t have her best interests at heart. Tristan on the other hand would rather smoke weed and paint.

Elena doesn’t want to marry Tristan she wants to go to college but her father is having none of it he won’t have her ruin his look as Mayor, the only person who sees the real Elena is Tristan.

Tristan spend the whole book pushing Elena trying to remove the strings put in place by her father, he wants her to be free and be herself but all Elena wants to do is please her father and be a good girl.

During this extended version we got to see more of the background characters throughout Elena and Tristan’s chapters and I LOVED Tabitha and how she looks out for Elena and Elena’s mother who helps Elena to finally be herself even if Elena thinks the mother-daughter time is a test.

Can Tristan win Elena round or will her father push her too far?

Currently Reading: Brink of Extinction by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
Read in 2021: 11/40

Review - In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It by Lauren Graham

Title: In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It
Author: Lauren Graham
Pages: 64
Release Date: 3rd April 2018
Format: Hardback
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Advice for graduates and reflections on staying true to yourself from the beloved Gilmore Girl acctress and New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Talking as Fast as I Can and the novel Someday, Someday, Maybe.

"If you're not where youwant to be on this day - don't worry about it. Because the spotlight aspect of life? That's not the satisfying part."

In this expansion of her 2017 commencement speech at her hometome Langley High, Lauren Graham reflects in her hilarious, relatable voice, on growing up, pursuing your dreams, and living in the here-and-now. "Whatever path upi choose, whatever career you decide to go after, the important thing." She reminds us to be curious and compassionate, no matter where life takes you, "Whether you hope to be an actop or a politician ot a mathematician, I've learned that empathy and kindness are your most vauable tools." Grounding and inspiring, this is Graham's roadmap to a happy life; "Be a fan, not a theater critic."

My Review: This is a short and sweet book about the commencement speech that Ms Graham made at her old high school in 2017 that her dad signed her up for with some awesome advice. The things that she talks about are relatable and motivational.

She talks about life and how no matter what you go on to do after high school don't stress about what comes next as you never know where life will take you even if you think that you have it all figured out.

The message of the story is that if you don't know what you want to do with life after high school then that's fine you have time to decide later in life and it will all be okay, as long as you embrace the present and do not worry about the future.

I really loved the little doodles that she included in with the book.

Currently Reading: Something, Something, Maybe by Lauren Graham
Read in 2020: 5/40

Review - Addicted to Love by Alice La Roux

 

Title: Addicted to Love
Author: Alice La Roux
Series: 
Pages: 57
Release Date: 5th February 2021
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Motherless and living with a father who would rather get high, than move off the couch and get a job, Tammy Reuben has always been trailer trash. And she's never been ashamed of that fact, until now.

Rich boy Luke Anderson is everything she hates. Privileged, arrogant and completely unaware of life on the other side of the tracks.

So when he strides into the record store she works in, why does he make her feel uncomfortable in her own skin?

And why does he make her feel like she has potential to be something more?

Put that Aqua Net away and slip into something a little more comfortable with one of twelve couples as they fall in love in Pine Grove.

My Review: I really enjoyed this story, I loved Luke as he took care of Tammy even though she was plenty capable to look after herself especially once she had gotten rid of the toxic people in her life and had gotten herself out from under her dads roof.

Tammy is really smart and is really good at turning something cheap into something cute and looking like it's not actually from a charity shop.

This book is really up there with my favourites by this author.

Currently Reading: Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham

Read in 2020: 5/40

Review - Gravity Happens by Lizzie James

 

Title: Gravity Happens
Author: Lizzie James
Pages: 167
Release Date: 16th December 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: A friends-to-lovers Christmas stroy

Lauren

He was there, Through all the good times, and the bad, when my world collapsed and me family passed away, he was there. He picked me up and gave me a reason to keep going. He just never saw that the reason was him.

Thomas

My best friend started oulling away. The girl who has always been by my side was now too busy for me. Suddenly, the revolving door of my bedroom no longer held my attention, and I wasn't sure why.

Would Thomas finally wake up and see what he'd been missing all this time?

Find out if this crazy pair finally take a chance and allow their love story to unfold this Christmas.

My Review: Thomas and Lauren have been friends for years, his mum took her in after her parents died and Lauren has loved Thomas for a long time but he never noticed her as anything but a friend, he always seemed to have a girl and this annoyed Lauren to the point that she decided to move on and get on with her life.

Lauren starts to date in an attempt to move on and Thomas decides that he doesn't like it and even stops seeing girls himself and he starts to notice Lauren and finally starts getting the hints that his friends and family have been giving him about Lauren liking him.

Thomas didn't like the fact that Lauren was dating and he starts to make a move on her and Lauren pushes him away until eventually they both decide to give love a chance.

Overally I liked this book, I was a quick read and had plenty to keep you going.

Currently Reading: Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
Read in 2020: 5/40

Read in 2020

So 2020 was a crap year for many reasons one being COVID-19 however because of COVID-19 I was able to surpass my goal of reading 35 books and I read 50. Most of my reads in 2020 were rereads due to not being able to go to the library and me not wanting to buy more books until I had read the ones I already own.

Heres what I read in 2020:

1. Flashpoint by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
2. Web of Lies by Elizabeth Knox et el
3. The Dark Kingdom Anthology by Krissy V et el
4. Lady and the Biker by Glenna Maynard
5. Blush For Me by M. K. Moore
6. Kickflip Summer by Danielle Jacks
7. Smoulder by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
8. Hide and Seek by AJ Everheart
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
10. Grandad's Girl by Emma Louise
11. Can I Let You Go? by Cathy Glass
12. Fallout by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
13. Evermore by Alyson Noel
14. The Society by Michelle Brown
15. Decay by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
16. Empowerment by Alice La Roux
17. Girl on Point by Chloe Lukasiak
18. Convergence by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
19. Master by Alice La Roux
20. Mercy by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus
21. Barren by Yolanda Olson
22. Matus by Jason Hes
23. Matatus by Ally Vance
24. Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
25. Inhuman Behavior by Faith Ryan
26. Shadowland by Alyson Noel
27. Pins and Needles by Ashleigh Giannoccaro
28. Coquette by A. A. Davies
29. Dark Flame by Alyson Noel
30. Night Star by Alyson Noel
31. Everlasting by Alyson Noel
32. Radiance by Alyson Noel
33. The Orphans by Martina McAtee
34. Shimmer by Alsyon Noel
35. Shade by Mere Joyce
36. The Friendship by Alison Croggon
37. Wicked Mourning by Heather Boyd
38. Haunted by Willow Cross
39. The Vampire Hunter's Daughter by Jennifer Malone Wright
40. The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas by Tom Fletcher
41. The Dinosaur that Pooped a Pirate by Tom Fletcher
42. Dreamland by Alyson Noel
43. Elbow Grease: Get out and Play by John Cena
44. Elbow Grease: My Monster Truck Family by John Cena
45. 52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody
46. Heist Society by Ally Carter
47. Whisper by Alyson Noel
48. Double Crossed by Ally Carter
49. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
50. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

My goal for 2021 is 40, I know I can read more that that I proved it this year but I'm hopinglife goes back to being 'normal' again which means I will be going back to work as well as having college and university this year.

I hope you all get to do plenty of reading in 2021 and you all stay safe x

Happy New Year

I would just like to wish everyone a very happy New Year, I hope you all have a great 2021

Don’t forget to set yourself a reading challenge.

Have a great New Year love Annamarie

Happy Christmas

I would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, I hope that you all have had a great day and got lots of nice presents.

Review - Shade by Mere Joyce

 

Title: Shade
Author: Mere Joyce
Series: Oracle of Senders #1
Pages: 283
Release Date: April 10^th 2018
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old Callum Silver sees dead people. It’s not a gift. His family thinks he’s crazy. Sometimes he thinks he’s crazy. He has no friends. He’s forced to live his life surrounded by nothing but the searing pain, sickening smells and desperate moans that accompany the murdered ghosts who seek him out.

When he’s offered a place at Camp Wanagi, the ten weeks in the French countryside isn’t a vacation, it’s a lifeline. A way to meet others like himself and prove his ability can offer more than years of loneliness and expensive therapy bills.

Run by a mysterious group known as the Oracle of Senders, Camp Wanagi brings together teens from around the globe who all possess the unique ability to see the dead. While Cal is relieved to find others like him, he learns quickly that not everybody experiences the spirits as he does. Some of the campers revere their abilities and don’t understand his hesitation, while others—like quiet bookworm Meander Rhoades—have good reason for wishing they could get rid of their ‘gifts’.

While researching their final project, Cal and Meander find an unmarked grave which reveals aspects of their abilities neither knew existed, forcing Cal to decide if the torture of seeing ghosts is worthwhile and, more importantly, if being a part of the Oracle of Senders is necessary, dangerous…or both. 
 
My Review: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
 
This is another new to me author. This book tells the story of a teenage boy wo is attending a summer camp for people who have special paranormal gifts.
 
Each of the ten new recruits have different gifts though some overlap, the main character Callum see’s the spirits of people who have been murdered. His parents thought he was scrazy and sent him to therapy but the Senders know different, they believe he has a gift that he should embrace. He isn’t sure why he’s at camp he accepted the invite because he wanted to be around people like him even though he believes his ‘gift’ is a curse because of how it makes him feel then he sees the spirit.
 
Callum makes friends with the other kids in his group, but he is closer to some more than others and I hope in the future we get to read more about the other kids and their gifts.
 
This kind of book is my type of book, I love all types of supernatural books, witches, vampires and even ghosts.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - The Orphans by Martina McAtee

Title: The Orphans
Author: Martina McAtee
Series: Dead Things #1
Pages: 198
Release Date: May 1^st 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Welcome to Belle Haven where the paranormal is normal and being human is a liability.

Kai Lonergan is struggling through math class when he gets a new charge to cross over. It's just another day for a reaper until he sees the name. November Lonergan. Before he can question how he's supposed to cross over a soul who's been dead for years, his twin sister, Tristin, screams. No big deal, that's what banshees do. Except, Tristin lost her scream the day November died.

Mace is a mercenary monster who hunts other monsters, so when he's hired to trail one ordinary girl, it seems like overkill. Until Mace witnesses her powers firsthand and he realizes there's nothing ordinary about Ember Denning. He finds himself unnaturally drawn to her, which might be a problem since he just threatened to kill her.

Ember Denning prefers the dead. She spends her days skipping school in the cemetery and her nights working at a funeral home to avoid her alcoholic father. But that won't be a problem anymore. He's dead, and Ember is about to learn her life until now has just been a series of carefully crafted lies and her real life...well, it's a lot stranger than she'd ever imagined.

Reapers, witches, shifters, and fae all converge in a town in the middle of the Florida panhandle where Ember must learn a hard to swallow, terrifying truth. She's not a human, but a supernatural ticking time-bomb, and figuring out how to disarm her means reconnecting with people she can't remember, trusting a family she never knew existed, and accepting that the only person who can save her is the beautiful boy who just tried to kill her.
 
My Review: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
 
This book was by a new to me author and I really enjoyed the story.
 
I liked that all of the characters, they all have different personalities which is great as it gives the story diversity. My favourite character so far is Quinn, he’s the only human amongst the group but he's every ones friend. I also liked Tristin she seems to be the only one worried about Ember being there and she is worried for her brother who didn’t complete his job like he was supposed to.
 
Although I’m not a fan of shifter books I did enjoy this story, maybe because it focused more on the powers of the Reapers than on the shifters.
 
I’m curious as to how Mace managed to find out where Kai and Tristin took Ember and how he managed to get into Bell Haven with it having a magical barrier so to speak to keep people out. I am looking forward to the next book so I can find out if this is answered.
 
If you’re a fan of Magic, Witches and Shifters then this is one I recommend.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Conquette by A. A Davies

 

Title: Conquette
Author: A. A Davies
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #7
Pages: 78
Release Date: July 6^th 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: The lights flickered. The crowd turned silent. Then all eyes were on me.

They watched me every night. Captivated by each layer of clothing I removed.
They salivated at the sight, but only one lucky man would get the chance to have me.

I’d been trapped in the confines of slavery for as long as I could remember. My body hadn’t been my own, not until I came here.

This freakshow was my home.
The only place I felt safe.
And the only way I could regain my control.

I’d served men for years, but now it was my turn.

With a flick of my hair and a purse of my lips, I caught them in my web.
I let them have my body because I needed their souls.

My beauty knew no bounds, and neither did I. 
 
My Review: This was the final book in the series and I have to say I had been wondering how Alina fitted into a Carnaval for freaks as in the other stories it didn’t really give any information as to why she was there, she was just referred to as the Circassian Beauty.
 
Alina performs her act using her beauty at the Carnaval while trying to supress her haunted past, and one day Xero joins and Carnaval and changes her life for the better.
 
Alina is determined to get revenge on the people who hurt her but she ends up finding a new friend who is happy to do anything she wants including combining their act.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Pins and Needles by Ashleigh Giannoccaro

 

Title: Pins and Needles
Author: Ashleigh Giannoccaro
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #6
Pages: 59
Release Date: June 29^th 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: It’s that perfect tingling feeling just beneath your skin, the one you can do nothing to fix. She’s the needles to my pins, she gives me that feeling. When I saw her I felt it and I knew — mine.

Needles, my quiet packrat, my sweet seamstress, she thinks I have a heart inside this hollow chest. I stick a knife through it everyday just to show her I don’t. Still she won’t believe me, leaving me notes sewn into my clothes, and touching me when no one is looking.

No matter what I stab into myself, it doesn’t take away that feeling, the skin crawling, needle pricks that scuttle just below the surface whenever she’s too close. I love it — it’s mine.

I will be her pincushion, she pins the pieces of me together so softly with her quiet smile and shimmering eyes. I don’t need her words, I have her and I’ll never let her go.

My Review: Pin’s the Human Pincushion spends his time at the Carnaval inflicting pain upon himself but he heals up quickly and Needles fixes him back up, she is the Carnaval’s seamstress, she makes costumes for all the other freaks but she never speaks.

This story was nice and romantic, Pins is mean to Needles and she speaks to him by sewing words into his pillow. They both have trauma in their lives but they manage to find comfort in each other

Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Inhuman Behavior by Faith Ryan

 

Title: Inhuman Behavior
Author: Faith Ryan
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #4
Pages: 136
Release Date: June 15^th 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Animal. Pet. Dog. Freak.

Entertainment.

That’s all I’ll ever be to those outside of Carnaval des Ténèbres.
So I perform for them.
I fetch, roll over, and stay.
I fulfill their demented need to see me as an animal, as something beneath them. But underneath the hair, I’m just a man.
A human being with human needs and emotions.

Now I’m trapped in a cage.
He’s taken me away from the only family I’ve ever known and if I ever want to see them again, I need to play the part.

I’ll be his pet.
I’ll play his games.
I’ll be the best damn show dog in the world.
I just pray I still have my humanity when it’s all over.
 
My Review: Inhuman Behavior is the forth book in the Carnaval des Ténèbres, this story is about Wren the Dog Boy and Uri.
 
Uri sees Wren perform at the Carnaval and wants him as a gift for his wife so he kidnaps Wren and treats him just like a dog, he is kept in a cage and made to drink and eat from a dog bowl and then made to play fetch.

Uri has every intension of giving Wren to his wife but he wants to train Wren first and now Wren is in a strange world and is made to play along with Uri’s requests in the hopes that he will eventually be able to escape.
 
However Wren discovers the truth about Uri’s wife and everything changes and Wren likes his new life with Uri, he likes it so much that he returns to the Carnaval with Uri.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Mutatus by Ally Vance

 

Title: Mutatus
Author: Ally Vance
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #3
Release Date: June 8^th 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Family. Friends. Freaks.

I'm a little person, but more than that I'm a fairy. It’s not by birth, or by choice. These people who surround me every day accept me for who I am, and what I was transformed into. Yet, none of them truly understand the weight I'm carrying on my breaking body.
I'm running from a past that's riddled with pain. It haunts me. Every single day, every time I look in the mirror, it feels like he's there too, looking over my shoulder.
I was born a freak. He turned me into a monster.
 
My Review: I was so excited to read Maia’s story from the get go. Maia had spent her life in pain in one way or another and I felt sorry for her. Maia was born a little person and her parents gave her to an evil man.
 
Maia put her trust into the wrong person, he ended up causing her so much pain by turning her into his own little Thumbelina, luckily for Maia she managed to run away and found a place at the Carnaval de Ténèbres for several years amongst other freaks until her nightmare came true and the evil man who turned her into his own little fairy found her and took her hostage.
 
Maia was so kind for someone who had been through what she had been through. Each and every time she performed she was in pain and she used this pain to overcome what happened to her and to help the other freaks.
 
This story would have been rated higher but Vance killed Maia off in the end, I really loved Maia and she was my favourite freak.
 
Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel
Read in 2020: 35/35

Review - Malus by Jason Hes

Title: Malus
Author: Jason Hes
Series: Carnaval des Ténèbres #2
Pages: 224
Release Date: June 1st 2020
Format: Kindle
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: BEAU
I hate the Carnaval. The freaks and wide-eyed visitors make my flesh crawl. They are lower than my brother and I. We are gods amongst monsters. As they say, two heads are better than one. Everyone else is dirt. But Nox is all that matters. He’s not just an extension of myself. He is more than flesh and blood. To me, he’s all I need. The only man I’ve ever loved. And if anyone dares hurt my brother… I’ll make the whole world bleed.

NOX
The Carnaval is my home. These are my people. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with the troupe and Beau right beside me. The two of us spent years aching to see the world, and now we live the dream every day. Almost. What will it take to truly win over a Beauty? And what lengths am I prepared to go to in order to make sure she stays by our side?

MINERVA
Elysium is in sight. So close I can almost taste it. The two-faced god is the gateway to our true home. He will take us there, that much I’ll make sure of. Even if it means spilling the blood of a thousand pathetic mortals, which I’ll do with a grin upon my face.

My Review: Malus is the second book in the Carnaval des Ténèbres series, it follows Beau and Nox who may share the same body but they are complete opposites, one is happy at the Carnaval the other hates being there and Minerva is just pure crazy and because Beau and Nox are complete opposites it helps with the stories conflict.

Minerva believes she has been told by unseen Gods that the twins are a God named Janus and they are key to helping her and the other Gods to open a portal so that they can return to Elysium.

While trying to get the twins Minerva has the twins kicked out of the carnaval for something that they never did so she can manipulate them to go with her.

Currently Reading: Dreamland by Alyson Noel

Read in 2020: 35/35