Slade House by David Mitchell

Title: Slade House
Author: David Mitchell
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Warnings: Horror of a supernatural nature
Rating: Did Not Finish
Goodreads | Book Depository

An ebook copy of this book was provided to me via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I do not read horror frequently. In fact, it is possibly one of the few genres I avoid, but after reading David Mitchell’s The Bone Clocks, I was so sure that his spinoff novel would work for me too.

April Wrap Up // Badass Girls and Raven Boys

This month I stress-watched too many cartoons and prepared myself for The Raven King by going back to the beginning and rediscovering my love for The Raven Cycle.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater // the series that just gets better and better

Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Mythology
Warnings: mentions of past child abuse, blood, death
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

The world of Henrietta and Cabeswater becomes more and more fascinating with each book. I've changed my mind: this is my favourite book in the series (although, with book 4 finally being released this is probably due to change again).

My Theories About The Raven King

TRK is by far my most anticipated release of the year. It's been a while since BLLB was released, and so this has given me time to gather a few little thoughts and theories about the possibilities that could happen in the series finale. I HAVE NOT READ THE RAVEN KING YET SO THERE ARE NO SPOILERS, BUT THERE WILL BE SOME SPOILERY STUFF FOR BOOKS 1-3, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THEM, RUN AWAY AND DON'T READ UNDER THE CUT.

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell (Mini Review)

Title: Kindred Spirits
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Genre: Contemporary
Warnings: -
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads Review

Kindred Spirits is short but sweet story about what it's like to be a nerd. I love Rainbow Rowell because she has the ability to make every one of her stories so relatable through her humour and voice. You don't even have to like Star Wars to enjoy it, because in the end it isn't what you're a fan of or why you are a fan, it's about the enjoyment of the thing in itself.

Diversity Note: Vietnamese protagonist

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When the Movies Were Better

Rule number 1 of book lovers everywhere: the book is always better. Or is it?

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater // intoxicating language and beautifully tragic characters

Title: The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Mythology
Warnings: mentions of child abuse, blood, suicide, death
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

I stand by my original claim that The Dream Thieves is my favourite book in this series so far, although I change my reasoning. I previously put my love for this book down entirely to the characters - it is, after all, a highly character driven story. But the reality is that what makes this book so incredible is an amalgamation of things.

10 Favourites in 10 Words or Less

Want to find interesting books to read but don't want to read through a whole review? I'm going to give you a super mini review of 5 of my favourite books that I hope will intrigue you enough to pick them up.

Paper Girls, Vol 1 // Beautiful Art for a Creepily Good Story

Title: Paper Girls (Paper Girls #1-5)
Story: Brian K. Vaughan, Artist: Cliff Chiang, Colourist: Matt Wilson
Genre: SciFi, Graphic Novel
Warnings: blood, violence, death
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

Set in 1988, four girls deliver papers to a suburban neighbourhood the morning after Halloween. When the people in the town begin disappearing, the girls find themselves tangled in paranormal activity, time travel, and otherworldly creatures, the likes of which they cannot even begin to comprehend.

Books Every Fantasy Fanatic Should Read

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater // Re-Read in Preparation for The Raven King!

Title: The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1)
Author: Maggie Steifvater
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Warnings: child abuse, mentions of blood, death
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

I wanted to re-read this series before the release of the final instalment, The Raven King, and I'm so glad I did. Not only did it refresh my memory of the story, but I was able to fall in love with these beautiful characters all over again.

Blue is the only non-psychic in a family full of psychics. She longs for something more than her not-so-ordinary life, and that's what she gets when she is visited by the ghost of a stranger. There are only two reasons a person with no psychic abilities would see a ghost before the person's death: either he is Blue's true love, or she killed him.

Why you should be Listening to these 4 Podcasts

Podcasts have quickly become one of my favourite media forms. They are like TV for your ears! There are so many different formats - documentary, Q&A, comedy, stories - you name it. I've been listening to various podcasts for 3 years or so, and here are 4 that I've stuck with:

Music Match Monday // The Deathly Hallows

Music Match Monday is a feature hosted here at Astronomical Books where on the first Monday of every month I match the lyrics of a song to a book and explain why they go together so perfectly.

Long Live // Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Song: Long Live by Taylor Swift
Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Goodreads | Book Depository

Long live the walls we crashed through
How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you
I was screaming long live all the magic we made
And bring on all the pretenders
One day, we will be remembered

Long Live has always been my Harry Potter nostalgia song. Harry, Ron and Hermione were the Golden Trio and their adventures were the start of an era, both for the characters and for the people reading about them.

I can just imagine them looking back on their memories of Hogwarts in the future - how they won the Quiddich games or how they battled evil and broke all the rules. They'd pass around pictures of their youth and hope that their children have the time of their lives just like they did.

We will be remembered.

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A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab // New favourite author alert!

Title: A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2)
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure
Warnings: blood, violence
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

It takes a really good author for me to fall in love with their characters, their words, and their world in the way that V.E. Schwab had me fall in lover with hers.

The Element Games are nearing - an event where magicians all gather in Red London to showcase their abilities in a competition of skill and ability. But all Kell can think about is the weight now on his shoulders, as well as a young woman with a habit of cross dressing and theivery. As Red London finds itself in celebration, another London rises from the grave.