Tag: alix e. harrow

Books

Series Review: Into Shadow Collection

by Zaheerah1 Comment on Series Review: Into Shadow Collection
Series Review: Into Shadow Collection

In this collection, seven fantasy authors release their stories in collaboration with Amazon as part of their first Original Stories collection. 

The Garden by Tomi Adeyemi 

Years after her mother disappeared in search of a mythical place called the Garden, Yuliana is determined to uncover the truth. 

This was one of the weakest stories in the collection. The Garden follows Yuliana travelling in Brazil with a guide to a mythical garden, hoping to find what her mother couldn’t. It sounds promising, except all we’re given is a tourist misbehaving, as the writer tries to convince you otherwise. This story was meant for a bigger stage, but even within these pages, Adeyemi couldn’t convince me. I like the concept of alternating prose and poetry, but what does it say when the prose reads better than the poetry? 

Persephone by Lev Gossman

Young Persephone hides within herself, especially since her father’s disappearance five years ago, but when the school bullies go too far, she discovers a power that might be the key to everything. 

Without giving too much of the plot away, I was surprised by the turn this story took. But Persephone’s voice drips with the stereotypical behaviour of a Disney Channel teen protagonist. I found the plot rather intriguing, but the tone of voice felt dejected and separate from the girl we see on the page. 

The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow 

Spared from death to fulfil a destiny, can the girl who became a weapon find her worth under the watchful eyes of the Prince? 

You have probably already seen this short story makes its rounds through social media, and for once, a story lives up to the hype. Six Deaths is a beautiful short story, speaking directly into the desire of the girl who has been told repeatedly to sacrifice everything for the empire’s good. Harrow evokes every emotion possible in such a short amount of words; what a bitter-sweet tale for a girl who deserves so much more. 

“I would rather love a coward than mourn a legend.” It was 2 am, and I was on the floor. 

Continue reading “Series Review: Into Shadow Collection” →
Books, Lifestyle, Monthly Rewind

Monthly Rewind: September 2019

by Zaheerah2 Comments on Monthly Rewind: September 2019
Monthly Rewind: September 2019

B O O K S

During the month of September, I read 5 books.

I Wish You All The Best

” I Wish You All The Best is quiet but satisfying. A story about a nonbinary teen by a nonbinary author; this is a story that celebrates life amidst terrifying circumstances and is a shining example of what future contemporary YA literature has to offer.  “

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

“I adored the Ten Thousand Doors of January. A charming and magical adventure about a girl who persevers in the face of resistance. A story I didn’t know I needed, but I will appreciate for a long time.”

Piecing Me Together

“Piecing Me Together is a standout novel about a teen’s journey of awareness and self-empowerment through art. Readers will find Jade’s story thoughtful as she navigates the world as a Black girl. The microaggressions she faces in her everyday life is powerfully nuanced and incredibly realistic.”

The Surface Breaks

“The Surface Breaks is an interesting retelling of The Little Mermaid O’Neill has used the original tale brilliantly and adding her own flair and originality. I especially loved the added backstory to their mother. If you’re looking for a fairy tale with a touch of darkness and empowerment, this one is definitely for you.”

Defy Me (Shatter Me #5)

Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of the other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her—secrets that change everything. A full review to come!

M U S I C

Dumb Litty | Devil | Feel Special | Truth Hurts | Please Remember | 3 Nights | Hold On Forever

P O S T S

A feature section to highlight my favourite posts from my fellow bloggers that were posted this month. 

  • My Take on The Year’s Most Popular YA Debuts So Far – I really like the idea of reacting to popular books. I was considering doing this but I’ve only read like five of them this year. 😂
  • 6 Ways to Use Pinterest to Drive Traffic to your Book Blog – I’m really bad at using other sites to bring traffic to my blog, but I was interested to see how Pinterest could be used to help your blog!
  • FIVE TIPS ON HOW TO READ EVEN WHEN YOU’RE IN HELL (AKA WHEN YOU’RE BUSY)
  • AUGVOCACY2019 (EXTENDED): #OWNVOICES BOOKS & CROSS-CULTURAL IMMERSION
  • This one’s all the way from July, but I completely forgot to share it here. A while ago, Saajid (From Books Are my Social Life) reached out if I wanted to partake in a booktube video, and I strangely said yes! I don’t have time to do booktube which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, so I jumped at the chance when this offer came around. Check it out here for mine and a whole lot of other cool people’s recommendations of books with Muslim characters! Also, I apologise for my lack of energy, I had just submitted my final piece of essay for second year of uni when I filmed my part. I used one of the computer rooms at like 8am film because I didn’t feel comfortable filming at home, and I’d then have to explain what I was doing to my family 😂😂

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

Books, Other

Review: The Ten Thousand Doors of January

by Zaheerah3 Comments on Review: The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Review: The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*

After growing up under the watchful eye of her wealthy benefactor, Cornelius Locke, who employs her father to travel the world in search of unique oddities and treasures to add to his growing collection, January Scaller can’t help but feel part of the furniture: well kept but mostly ignored. However, when her father disappears, she discovers a book that sends her into the new worlds which lay behind secret doors. With an unlikely crew including the grocer’s son and a mysterious woman hired by her father, January begins her search which will ultimately question what she knows and the world around her.

It’s been a few days between finishing the book and writing the review you read now, and I’m kept thinking about it. So I’m not even sure how to explain what worked so well with this book. I didn’t even have any expectations for this book, and its cover mainly enticed me. However, when I finished reading, I was utterly enthralled. The open concept of the story seems so simple, but Harrow does such a great job at making it so unique, spinning a tale of love and loss and finding yourself after a long time. The characters stood so well on their own, but when they come together, they are a team to adore. This book is what I’d call a quiet read: nothing loud nor brutal. Harrow creates such an atmospheric tone that shone through this book entirely. As a child, a common daydream of mine was finding doors to new worlds, so January’s journey truly felt like a love letter to my own childhood dream. 

January is a young girl who feels lost until she accidentally discovers a book that opens her world beyond the Locke estate. Set in the early 1900s, January is aware of her privilege and her ability to live a life of wealth that most mixed-race girls would never have been granted. I also appreciated that the book didn’t shy away from racism, classism and sexism, especially for the period its set in. She discovers the existence of Doors that open into new worlds and learns about the true circumstance of her family history. Reading this book felt quite dreamlike, the writing so lyrical and immersive, a calling to those who wish to wander to lands beyond our wildest dreams. 

January as our protagonist is incredible, a fish out of water and must survive on her own for the first time in her life. I felt for her need to leave and discover life on her own terms. Jane, hired by January’s father, is equally compelling. Samuel, the grocer’s son, is lacking in characterisation but can’t really give it much fault as he isn’t as crucial to the story as the two leading ladies. The book also follows two others: Adelaide and Yule Ian, two people who cross many worlds to find each other, their story the most heartbreaking in my opinion. The villains are corrupted, faceless men who move in the shadows they have created, and are hellbent on making sure January doesn’t bring a flame to their power. 

Overall, I adored the Ten Thousand Doors of January. A charming and magical adventure about a girl who persevers in the face of resistance. A story I didn’t know I needed, but I will appreciate for a long time. 

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR