Category: Books

A category for all things bookish on my site!

Books, Lifestyle, Monthly Rewind

Monthly Rewind: October 2016

by Zaheerah5 Comments on Monthly Rewind: October 2016

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Looking back on this month, it was pretty boring. I read very little, wrote very little and worked most of this month. Aside from deciding to go on holiday to Morocco in December with my family, October was a quiet month.  I was overwhelmed with now having to work from home and having to go through UCAS on my own again, so I didn’t get much done this month, unfortunately!

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I read 5 books this month! Eek! It was such a slow reading month for me. Might be the same again because of NaNo.

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That’s it for this month! Tell me what went on in YOUR life this month! What sort of things were important for you this month? New obsessions? New TV shows? Or book? Any new song recs (I’m always open for new music!)? Best books you read this month?

Books, Graphic Novels

Comic Review: Ms Marvel: No Normal (Volume One)

by Zaheerah3 Comments on Comic Review: Ms Marvel: No Normal (Volume One)

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Rating: ★★★★☆

No Normal is Kamala Khan’s origin story. The story of how she suddenly finds herself with the power to shift into anyone she wants and can enlargen her own body parts. In the first volume, it’s mainly Kamala spending time coming to term with her new powers while struggling to hide it from her real life, where she struggles to fit in with her friends while trying not to disappoint her family.

I loved this from start to finish. Kamala is so relatable, quirky and adorably funny! And the way Wilson incorporated her family and religion was done so well. She made it feel natural and added truth depth to Kamala.

Adrian’s artwork is so gorgeous and funny, I loved it so much. The way he draws the dramatic and comedic artwork is so good and nice. I loved the style and the colours, it works well with the story and made it more memorable for me. I definitely need to see more of his art.

Continue reading “Comic Review: Ms Marvel: No Normal (Volume One)” →

Books, Contemporary, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: We Awaken

by Zaheerah1 Comment on Book Review: We Awaken

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Rating: ★★★★☆

We Awaken is a very quiet story compared to the very dramatic book description. Since her father died in a car accident and her brother in a coma from the same accident, Victoria Dinham lives only for dance and is holding on to being accepted into the Manhattan Dance Conservatory. Until one night, in her dreams, she counters a girl who holds a message from her brother. Higher stakes and a fuller plot would’ve definitely given this five stars.

We Awaken is sweet and happy. And that’s what I loved about it. Lynn creates this romance that is so cute and adorable between Victoria and Ashlinn. We Awaken is a mix of fantasy and magic in the real world. While I thought the beginning was a bit off once I hit the halfway mark, I was hooked and rooting for Victoria for the rest of the way. It’s much more character-driven so I can tell some people may be disappointed with the lack of explanation of the magic in this but the journey of these two girls is so magical and amazing. They help each other in so many ways. Ashlinn helps Victoria understand her sexuality, who later comes out as Asexual. The representation the book gives which allows younger readers to understand more about it within the comforts of a book makes this book even more important. Victoria learns that nobody but her can decide who she is, and she doesn’t need to explain her choices to anyone.

We Awaken is the kind of book that you easily read in one sitting. And in that one sitting, you read a novel that is dreamlike and enjoyable.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | THE BOOK DEPOSITORY | BARNES & NOBLE
Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas #1)

by Zaheerah2 Comments on Book Review: Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas #1)

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Rating: ★★★★☆

* I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  This in no way affected my opinion of the book.

Labyrinth Lost follows Alex, born and raised in Brooklyn, in a family that’s not like many others. Alex descends from a long line of brujas or witches. Unlike her sisters, she doesn’t want to embrace her powers and all that comes with it. So she plans to stop it. On her Deathday, she attempts to eradicate it but ends up banishing her entire family to another realm – known as Los Lagos, a limbo-like dimension to save her family before it’s too late.

Labyrinth Lost has one of the best and most intriguing premises I’ve read this year. It was so fun to read! Cordova drew from Latin-American culture and created such a rich and imaginative world. The mysticism and the way the mythology was interwoven which was brilliant to read.  The magic system is also so interesting. From what I understand is that everyone has their own special abilities but there’s a recoil every time you use it. For example, one of Alex’s sister has healing capabilities but everything she uses it, it harms her. It’s that kind of balance that really adds to the story.

Overall, Labyrinth Lost was a great read. There’s amazing magical elements, creepy scenes, and characters I know loads of people will love. I definitely recommend this if you want a magical adventure in a pretty magical universe.

you can find the book at:
GoodReads | Author’s site | Amazon | BookDepository

Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: The Novice

by Zaheerah2 Comments on Book Review: The Novice

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Rating: ★★★★☆

Well, I actually quite liked The Novice. A lot. Considering I started this series with not the highest expectations possible. Recently I’ve taken a step back from YA high fantasy but since reading The Novice, I definitely want to come back in.

The Novice follows young blacksmith apprentice Fletcher when he learns how to summon demons and finds himself joining, by chance, the Adept Military Academy. At the academy, those with the gift to summon are trained in the art of summoning and become a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire’s war against orcs.

The Novice was an exciting high fantasy novel that was really enjoyable! This series is basically a mix of LotR, GoT and HP, which felt more aimed towards the younger side of the YA book spectrum. I had so much fun reading this novel and its concept was so cool. It has politics, war, clashes between the commoners and nobles with orcs and elves. While the pacing slowed for me in the middle, the rest of the flow was great. All the characters were so wonderfully likeable. Ignatius was basically a mini-Toothless from HTTYD. All the demons just came across as adorable, even the large dangerous ones. It also has a great cast of characters, my favourite being Gen or Sylva.

The world-building is one of my favourite parts of this series. I was so hooked on learning about spells, demons and the Ether from which they originate from. There is so much creativity to it which made is so much more enjoyable. But that ending though… What a cliffhanger. It’s a promising start to a series I know I want to continue.

you can find the book at:
GoodReads | Official site | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

book tags, Books, Other

The Great British Bake Off Book Tag!

by Zaheerah30 Comments on The Great British Bake Off Book Tag!

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Everyone is probably most likely well aware of the British programme Great British Bake Off. If you’re not, The Great British Bake Off, often referred to as Bake Off or GBBO, is a television baking competition which selects from amongst its contestants the best amateur baker. And it’s one of the best things that have graced our screen here in the UK. This is my first attempt at a book tag. During my initial search, I hadn’t found a GBBO book tag and, therefore, created this one. But with a little more digging (well for me, clicking google page 2) I found out that ReadingWithJack on YouTube had already made one. I considered not to post my one but then I saw his and realised his ones are actually really different to mine. (And I didn’t want to let the graphics go to waste….)

Rules:

  • Link back to my blog is appreciated but optional. Feel free to use my graphics. TBH it is horrendous so I wouldn’t expect anyone to use them
  • Tag people, don’t tag people, whatever. Just have fun.
  • Ready, get set, Bake! (or tag)

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Continue reading “The Great British Bake Off Book Tag!” →