Wednesday 19 December 2018

Skyward (Skyward Series, book 1)

By Brandon Sanderson


Blurb: 
Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible—assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul.

Review: 
I received this book in November's FairyLoot box, I have never read any of Brandon Sanderson books before so this was a first for me.

The book starts of with A prologue when Spensa first gets taken up near the space station to see the trash ring on the edge of the atmosphere with her dad. I may be using wrong terms for things but I read this book quite a while ago and can't properly remember the names.


The start of the book starts of with Spensa in high school trying to become a pilot and training to ensure she gets to do the pilots test. When she first sits the test she thinks that they have made her test difficult so that she doesn't become a pilot as her dad was seen as a coward to the flight school.


Spensa doesn't go party with the rest after completing the test because she feels like she is a failure, this is when we first come across Cobb when he gives her a pilots pin so she can start her training.


While Spensa is training she has to overcome some very difficult tasks, especially during the start because she still feels like she has to fight for her dad and prove who she is even though none of her flight mates know her past.


This made me feel sorry for her as she had to overcome many self confidence issues which is quite a hard thing to do, she doesn't get there but she does start to feel more confident and becomes more relaxed with her flight mates.


The friendships within this book were great, I loved how they all worked together as a group and to see their different personalities within it was really good. I also enjoyed reading the book from one persons point of view for once too as I've been reading a lot of 2 persons recently so it's a nice change.


The only thing that I didn't like about the book was the way that Spensa still thought she had to defend her dad up until the last moment and that she always tried to prove that she wasn't a coward. But I suppose that was the main story line of her character, I just found her quite annoying at times.


The ending of the book was quite good really but I just didn't really expect it to end like that, I was quite happy at part 5 I would have felt that was a decent ending and could have just been one book. But I suppose in the next book we will see what happens and how things turn out. I am looking forward to it but I have so many other books to read and catch up on.


I'd recommend this book to anyone that doesn't mind the topic of grieving being talked about, a lot of action, sci-fi, cool drawings, adventures and friendship.



Favourite Characters: Jerkface


Read: 25/11/18 - 12/12/18


5 stars out of 5



Written by Sammie
Check out Sammie's review of FairyLoot - November 2018.
Check out Sammie's review of Book 2: Starsight

Skyward (Skyward Series, book 1)

By Brandon Sanderson


Blurb: 
Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible—assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul.

Review: 
I received this book in November's FairyLoot box, I have never read any of Brandon Sanderson books before so this was a first for me.

The book starts of with A prologue when Spensa first gets taken up near the space station to see the trash ring on the edge of the atmosphere with her dad. I may be using wrong terms for things but I read this book quite a while ago and can't properly remember the names.


The start of the book starts of with Spensa in high school trying to become a pilot and training to ensure she gets to do the pilots test. When she first sits the test she thinks that they have made her test difficult so that she doesn't become a pilot as her dad was seen as a coward to the flight school.


Spensa doesn't go party with the rest after completing the test because she feels like she is a failure, this is when we first come across Cobb when he gives her a pilots pin so she can start her training.


While Spensa is training she has to overcome some very difficult tasks, especially during the start because she still feels like she has to fight for her dad and prove who she is even though none of her flight mates know her past.


This made me feel sorry for her as she had to overcome many self confidence issues which is quite a hard thing to do, she doesn't get there but she does start to feel more confident and becomes more relaxed with her flight mates.


The friendships within this book were great, I loved how they all worked together as a group and to see their different personalities within it was really good. I also enjoyed reading the book from one persons point of view for once too as I've been reading a lot of 2 persons recently so it's a nice change.


The only thing that I didn't like about the book was the way that Spensa still thought she had to defend her dad up until the last moment and that she always tried to prove that she wasn't a coward. But I suppose that was the main story line of her character, I just found her quite annoying at times.


The ending of the book was quite good really but I just didn't really expect it to end like that, I was quite happy at part 5 I would have felt that was a decent ending and could have just been one book. But I suppose in the next book we will see what happens and how things turn out. I am looking forward to it but I have so many other books to read and catch up on.


I'd recommend this book to anyone that doesn't mind the topic of grieving being talked about, a lot of action, sci-fi, cool drawings, adventures and friendship.



Favourite Characters: Jerkface


Read: 25/11/18 - 12/12/18


5 stars out of 5



Written by Sammie
Check out Sammie's review of FairyLoot - November 2018.
Check out Sammie's review of Book 2: Starsight

Monday 17 December 2018

FairyLoot November 2018 

Theme: Battles & Galaxies 


Items: 
  • Galaxy Bath Bomb by Little Heart Gifts
  • Passport Cover by FairyLoot
  • Wooden Ornament by Catarina's Book Designs
  • Space Coaster Set by Miss Phi
  • Galaxy Straws by FairyLoot
  • Iron-on Patch by KDP Letters
  • Tote Bag by Evie Bookish
  • Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
  • Atlas Fallen by Jessica Pierce eBook
Review: 
So this book box seemed quite fitting for me as I do like to read quite a lot of sci-fi, I also have the majority of the series on my TBR so I thought I'd get it as I should like the items.

I received this box the same time as I got October's so I was generally quite excited to open it to see how it compared, when I first got the box though I did think that something was broken as it rattled. I'll now get onto actually reviewing the items.

The first item on the spoiler card is the galaxy bath bomb, this was quite a powerful smell and I didn't have to open the box to smell it. The smell is nice though and I think I will enjoy it, but I sadly don't have a bath in this current house so when I move in February I will try it out.

The next item was a passport cover, this was something different that I really wasn't expecting to have been included in a box. The design was quite snazzy really and I did like how it was like a girl thinking with the planets, moon and stars around her head. Well that's how I interpreted it anyways, someone else may have a different opinion.

The wooden ornament I didn't really like, it was just too plain, I wish it had some colour in it or didn't look so tatty. The quote was quite fitting though for the box, so I wouldn't really put the box down for this one item.

Space coaster set was really good, I loved the colours, and I loved the quotes. I can't wait to use them in my new house. The designs and art work on them are really cool too. It is nice to actually have more than one coaster too like other past boxes.



The galaxy straws were the item that made me think that one of the items were broken as they rattled when the box was moved. It was nice to have 2 different style straws so you could use them for different types of drinks, it was also really good to include a straw cleaner which were all in a nice little velvet bag. I didn't notice the quotes until I actually read the spoiler card. So I went hunting for them. 


The red rising iron on patch was good too, but I just found that most the items were mainly black and white with no colour so I wasn't really that attracted to it. I did like the quote on it though as I have with most items within this box.

The tote bag was really colourful and a weird material, but it was quite handy. It's a nice size and you can fit quite a lot of stuff in it, especially books. The only thing that I'd really like to change about the tote bags that have been included in past boxes is to have some sort of fastening so you can close it and don't see what's inside the bag, but that may be just how I feel.

The book was Skyward by Brandon Sanderson. I loved the sprayed edges as it was my favourite colour. I also really like the cover compared to the US one, I wasn't so bothered that it wasn't signed as a friend offered me a signed bookplate that she ordered. I have finished this book and the review will be up shortly.
Written by Sammie
Check out Sammie's review of Skyward by Brandon Sanderson


FairyLoot November 2018 

Theme: Battles & Galaxies 


Items: 
  • Galaxy Bath Bomb by Little Heart Gifts
  • Passport Cover by FairyLoot
  • Wooden Ornament by Catarina's Book Designs
  • Space Coaster Set by Miss Phi
  • Galaxy Straws by FairyLoot
  • Iron-on Patch by KDP Letters
  • Tote Bag by Evie Bookish
  • Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
  • Atlas Fallen by Jessica Pierce eBook
Review: 
So this book box seemed quite fitting for me as I do like to read quite a lot of sci-fi, I also have the majority of the series on my TBR so I thought I'd get it as I should like the items.

I received this box the same time as I got October's so I was generally quite excited to open it to see how it compared, when I first got the box though I did think that something was broken as it rattled. I'll now get onto actually reviewing the items.

The first item on the spoiler card is the galaxy bath bomb, this was quite a powerful smell and I didn't have to open the box to smell it. The smell is nice though and I think I will enjoy it, but I sadly don't have a bath in this current house so when I move in February I will try it out.

The next item was a passport cover, this was something different that I really wasn't expecting to have been included in a box. The design was quite snazzy really and I did like how it was like a girl thinking with the planets, moon and stars around her head. Well that's how I interpreted it anyways, someone else may have a different opinion.

The wooden ornament I didn't really like, it was just too plain, I wish it had some colour in it or didn't look so tatty. The quote was quite fitting though for the box, so I wouldn't really put the box down for this one item.

Space coaster set was really good, I loved the colours, and I loved the quotes. I can't wait to use them in my new house. The designs and art work on them are really cool too. It is nice to actually have more than one coaster too like other past boxes.



The galaxy straws were the item that made me think that one of the items were broken as they rattled when the box was moved. It was nice to have 2 different style straws so you could use them for different types of drinks, it was also really good to include a straw cleaner which were all in a nice little velvet bag. I didn't notice the quotes until I actually read the spoiler card. So I went hunting for them. 


The red rising iron on patch was good too, but I just found that most the items were mainly black and white with no colour so I wasn't really that attracted to it. I did like the quote on it though as I have with most items within this box.

The tote bag was really colourful and a weird material, but it was quite handy. It's a nice size and you can fit quite a lot of stuff in it, especially books. The only thing that I'd really like to change about the tote bags that have been included in past boxes is to have some sort of fastening so you can close it and don't see what's inside the bag, but that may be just how I feel.

The book was Skyward by Brandon Sanderson. I loved the sprayed edges as it was my favourite colour. I also really like the cover compared to the US one, I wasn't so bothered that it wasn't signed as a friend offered me a signed bookplate that she ordered. I have finished this book and the review will be up shortly.
Written by Sammie
Check out Sammie's review of Skyward by Brandon Sanderson


Friday 7 December 2018

The Princess and the Orrery (The Pathway Tree Series, book 3)

By F.D. Lee


Blurb: 
Some people think that if their wishes were granted, all their problems would be solved. These people have never encountered a genie...

Seven, the last surviving genie, is out for revenge. Betrayed by the woman he loves, kidnapped, tortured, and separated from the source of his power, his only goal is to punish the people who have wronged him.

That is, until he is forced to work with Amelia.

Amelia is bright, precocious and does not have time for his vendetta. She is working on a machine designed to map the planets, an orrery, and has been promised a permanent home with the Sisterhood of Cultivators if she succeeds. The only problem is, the orrery is a lot more than a simple machine - it is also a doorway. And when a door is left open, anything might come through…

So when Seven realises what it is Amelia is building and the danger it presents, he must make a choice - the hardest choice he has ever faced: to act selflessly.

Can Seven put aside his own wishes in order to play the hero and save the world?

And, more importantly, does he even want to?

The Princess And The Orrery is the third novel in The Pathways Tree series. It heralds the return of the ever-charming genie, Seven, along with fan favourites Bea, Melly, Hemmings, Joan, Mistasinon and Chokey as they pit themselves in a race against time to save the world. Set in the spaces between fact and fiction, myth and modernity, The Princess And The Orrery will have you turning the pages to find out what happens next!

Review: 
I received this book as an advanced reading copy. This book is based from when the genie left after the ball and the reaction department attacked the party.

Throughout this book we discover more about the genie Seven and we go through his kidnapped life with these new people. He isn't treated well as you really expect him too considering he can make wishes come true. But I suppose that's because people don't trust him, this makes me feel sorry for him slightly, but then at the same time I don't feel too sorry as he deserves it in a way, as he is sly and deceitful towards others. This is because he can tell what others want before they even really know.

I then slightly got confused throughout the book because it jumped to the future as Bea has been to the Academy and left after the incident. So I found it quite disorientating at times. Bea seems to still like the plotter quite a lot and carries on with their relationship after the second book was quite good but the way that Mistasinon feels about their relationship is quite complicated. But then at the same time it feels sort of relevant because he has gone through a huge change in such a short time, so things will be a bit a muddled.


With this book generally I did like it, I liked meeting the new characters and discovering how they all linked together near enough by the end of the third book. The only thing that I seemed to think that it was lacking was the plot really, it just didn't really seem to get going or anything interesting really happen. I think this is why the rating is low compared to the other books in this series. It is still a great book generally but I just don't think it is what I needed at this time in my life sadly.


Favourite Characters: Mistasinon

Read: 30/12/18 - 07/12/18

3 stars out of 5



Written by Sammie

The Princess and the Orrery (The Pathway Tree Series, book 3)

By F.D. Lee


Blurb: 
Some people think that if their wishes were granted, all their problems would be solved. These people have never encountered a genie...

Seven, the last surviving genie, is out for revenge. Betrayed by the woman he loves, kidnapped, tortured, and separated from the source of his power, his only goal is to punish the people who have wronged him.

That is, until he is forced to work with Amelia.

Amelia is bright, precocious and does not have time for his vendetta. She is working on a machine designed to map the planets, an orrery, and has been promised a permanent home with the Sisterhood of Cultivators if she succeeds. The only problem is, the orrery is a lot more than a simple machine - it is also a doorway. And when a door is left open, anything might come through…

So when Seven realises what it is Amelia is building and the danger it presents, he must make a choice - the hardest choice he has ever faced: to act selflessly.

Can Seven put aside his own wishes in order to play the hero and save the world?

And, more importantly, does he even want to?

The Princess And The Orrery is the third novel in The Pathways Tree series. It heralds the return of the ever-charming genie, Seven, along with fan favourites Bea, Melly, Hemmings, Joan, Mistasinon and Chokey as they pit themselves in a race against time to save the world. Set in the spaces between fact and fiction, myth and modernity, The Princess And The Orrery will have you turning the pages to find out what happens next!

Review: 
I received this book as an advanced reading copy. This book is based from when the genie left after the ball and the reaction department attacked the party.

Throughout this book we discover more about the genie Seven and we go through his kidnapped life with these new people. He isn't treated well as you really expect him too considering he can make wishes come true. But I suppose that's because people don't trust him, this makes me feel sorry for him slightly, but then at the same time I don't feel too sorry as he deserves it in a way, as he is sly and deceitful towards others. This is because he can tell what others want before they even really know.

I then slightly got confused throughout the book because it jumped to the future as Bea has been to the Academy and left after the incident. So I found it quite disorientating at times. Bea seems to still like the plotter quite a lot and carries on with their relationship after the second book was quite good but the way that Mistasinon feels about their relationship is quite complicated. But then at the same time it feels sort of relevant because he has gone through a huge change in such a short time, so things will be a bit a muddled.


With this book generally I did like it, I liked meeting the new characters and discovering how they all linked together near enough by the end of the third book. The only thing that I seemed to think that it was lacking was the plot really, it just didn't really seem to get going or anything interesting really happen. I think this is why the rating is low compared to the other books in this series. It is still a great book generally but I just don't think it is what I needed at this time in my life sadly.


Favourite Characters: Mistasinon

Read: 30/12/18 - 07/12/18

3 stars out of 5



Written by Sammie

Sunday 2 December 2018

FairyLoot - October 2018

Theme: Beautiful Deceptions

Items: 
  • Aelin Candle by Nerd Poured Candles
  • Faerie Deck of Cards by Emily Haynes and Fiction Tea Designs
  • Deceptive Queen Socks by FairyLoot
  • Stories Keychain by KDP Letters
  • Mourners Beanie by Fiction Tea Designs
  • Wren's Secrets Tea by The Tea Leaf Company
  • Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
  • Poppy War Bookmark
  • Grisha Pin Badges Set
  • Sawkill Girls Postcard
Review: 
For some reason I didn't order this book when it was released, I had all intentions to and I was really looking forward to the book but I'm not sure what happened. But anyways thankfully when people started getting their boxes I realised I hadn't actually ordered a box as I went on FairyLoot's website and noticed they still had some in for single purchase, the only downside was that it would get shipped with November's box. Which turned out great as I've ended up with both boxes at once.

I'd already seen people unboxing this box so I knew I'd like it straight away. The first item I will talk about is the aelin candle, it smells quite nice but not as citrusy as I was expecting I like the little touch of blue glitter on the top, I thought it made it look a lot nicer. The item was based on Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J Mass which I haven't got round to reading yet, but I do intent to read one of her series at some point. 

The next item was faerie deck of cards based on Cruel Prince by Holly Black. These had a really nice design in them with a beetle in the front and then a few of the cards had characters on them based from the book. I haven't personally read this book before and I don't intent to. I will use these cards as they add a touch more excitement. 
Then this is possibly my joint favourite item, it was the Deceptive Queen socks, based on the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard. I loved the design and the colour of them and they feel quite soft so I expect them to feel nice on your feet. But I will soon find out, I was in need of some socks, so they will definitely come in handy. I also have this series on my TBR pile and has been for the past year, I will get round to reading this series next year hopefully.

The next item that was in the box was a key ring it was a stories key ring brought to us by KDP letters, it is a nice design and I love the tassel that sets it off. The quote is pretty fitting too, the only downside of this item is that it is quite chunky and heavy, so I possibly won't be using it for my everyday keys, maybe I will just put it on a bag or something, I haven't decided yet.

Then this is the other favourite item, it is a Six of Crows beanie, I didn't realise I would actually need another beanie until this box came, I ended up losing my Rattle the Stars beanie in a taxi coming home from night shift one week. It is quite tight on my head but it does keep my head a lot warmer than the last beanie, plus it isn't itchy.


There was Grisha badges in this box, they are quite nice and I love the vibrant colours. 

The final item that was in the box other than the book was Wren's secrets tea inspired by beautiful deceptive characters. I have tasted it and I really enjoy it, it makes me relax, so I may try this blend again if I can find it. It is peppermint with green tea.

The book was called The Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan. The cover was beautiful, and the pink sprayed pages were definitely fitting for the book. I have already read this book so you should be able to see my review up on the blog. I wanted this box because I have read her other work before and I really enjoyed it. 



written by Sammie





FairyLoot - October 2018

Theme: Beautiful Deceptions

Items: 
  • Aelin Candle by Nerd Poured Candles
  • Faerie Deck of Cards by Emily Haynes and Fiction Tea Designs
  • Deceptive Queen Socks by FairyLoot
  • Stories Keychain by KDP Letters
  • Mourners Beanie by Fiction Tea Designs
  • Wren's Secrets Tea by The Tea Leaf Company
  • Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
  • Poppy War Bookmark
  • Grisha Pin Badges Set
  • Sawkill Girls Postcard
Review: 
For some reason I didn't order this book when it was released, I had all intentions to and I was really looking forward to the book but I'm not sure what happened. But anyways thankfully when people started getting their boxes I realised I hadn't actually ordered a box as I went on FairyLoot's website and noticed they still had some in for single purchase, the only downside was that it would get shipped with November's box. Which turned out great as I've ended up with both boxes at once.

I'd already seen people unboxing this box so I knew I'd like it straight away. The first item I will talk about is the aelin candle, it smells quite nice but not as citrusy as I was expecting I like the little touch of blue glitter on the top, I thought it made it look a lot nicer. The item was based on Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J Mass which I haven't got round to reading yet, but I do intent to read one of her series at some point. 

The next item was faerie deck of cards based on Cruel Prince by Holly Black. These had a really nice design in them with a beetle in the front and then a few of the cards had characters on them based from the book. I haven't personally read this book before and I don't intent to. I will use these cards as they add a touch more excitement. 
Then this is possibly my joint favourite item, it was the Deceptive Queen socks, based on the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard. I loved the design and the colour of them and they feel quite soft so I expect them to feel nice on your feet. But I will soon find out, I was in need of some socks, so they will definitely come in handy. I also have this series on my TBR pile and has been for the past year, I will get round to reading this series next year hopefully.

The next item that was in the box was a key ring it was a stories key ring brought to us by KDP letters, it is a nice design and I love the tassel that sets it off. The quote is pretty fitting too, the only downside of this item is that it is quite chunky and heavy, so I possibly won't be using it for my everyday keys, maybe I will just put it on a bag or something, I haven't decided yet.

Then this is the other favourite item, it is a Six of Crows beanie, I didn't realise I would actually need another beanie until this box came, I ended up losing my Rattle the Stars beanie in a taxi coming home from night shift one week. It is quite tight on my head but it does keep my head a lot warmer than the last beanie, plus it isn't itchy.


There was Grisha badges in this box, they are quite nice and I love the vibrant colours. 

The final item that was in the box other than the book was Wren's secrets tea inspired by beautiful deceptive characters. I have tasted it and I really enjoy it, it makes me relax, so I may try this blend again if I can find it. It is peppermint with green tea.

The book was called The Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan. The cover was beautiful, and the pink sprayed pages were definitely fitting for the book. I have already read this book so you should be able to see my review up on the blog. I wanted this box because I have read her other work before and I really enjoyed it. 



written by Sammie