The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Eighteen-year-old Mererid is the last living water diviner. Many would kill for her power, and she has spent the last several years running from the prince who once used her powers to destroy his enemies. One night, Mer's old handler returns with a way they can bring down the prince who used them both: destroy the magical well that keeps the prince's lands safe. If all goes according to plan, they and their allies may finally be able to gain freedom and peace ... but things rarely go according to plan.

346 pages. 

Julie read some books

 

Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking.

To unravel the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour dusk-till-dawn shift. In the dead of the night, they’ll patrol the empty showroom floor, investigate strange sights and sounds, and encounter horrors that defy the imagination.

Pages: 248

It's 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma's reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she's been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence's most powerful girls—and their foray into the spiritual world—lead to?

Pages: 403

Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma’s visions intensify–visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain...

But all is not well in the realms–or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma’s willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother’s greatest friend–and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task.

Pages: 548

What's it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, and Miracles.

In short, it's about everything.

Pages: 429

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Will Parry's father entrusts him with a mission: deliver the powerful and dangerous knife in his possession to Lord Asriel. A war is brewing, and it is essential he deliver it soon. But how can he do so without Lyra?  Lyra is missing, and Will knows he must find her before the two great powers of the worlds unleash open warfare.

465 pages. Book #3 in the His Dark Materials trilogy.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Lyra is seeking hurried passage to the freezing North, land of witch clans and armored bears, where her friend Roger has been taken hostage by Gobblers. Her brilliant, formidable uncle is also far North, attempting to build a bridge to a parallel world. There is a link between all the children who have suddenly disappeared and this bridge, and only Lyra can put a stop to all of it. 

399 pages. Book #1 in the His Dark Materials trilogy. 

Julie's Reads: The Graphic Novel Edition

 

Shows all panels of the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the events around William the Conqueror's taking of England in 1066 while providing a nice comic book style narrative. 

May be the nerdiest thing I have ever bought, and I'm so happy I did. 

Pages: 52

That’s right, your favorite princess, demon, and elf-hybrid-thing from Matt Groening’s popular animated series DISENCHANTMENT is now available in comic form! 

Pages: 224

I read more books!

 With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

I'll give it a "meh"

pages: 342

Percy Jackson, modern-day son of Poseidon, is just trying to get through high school. After saving the world multiple times by battling monsters, Titans, and giants, Percy is now settling in at Alternative High School in New York, where he hopes to finally have a normal senior year.

Unfortunately, the gods aren’t quite done with him yet. Poseidon breaks the bad news that if Percy expects to get into New Rome University, he will have to fulfill three quests in order to earn the necessary three letters of recommendation from Mount Olympus.

It was glorious and pure fun!

Pages: 268

Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare

 

After having preordered this sucker and it sitting on my shelf for about a year I finally got around to reading it! It didn't disappoint. 

Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter.

After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel, and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell, Belial.

Belial’s plan is about to crash into the Shadowhunters of London like a deadly wave, one that will separate Cordelia, Lucie, and the Merry Thieves from help of any kind. Left alone in a shadowy London, they must face Belial’s deadly army. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.

pages: 778

All Kinds of Things

 

Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie’s work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can’t refuse. She’s excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn’t expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent, and unyielding formality.

Malcolm Hudson has worked for the Queen for years and has never given a personal, private tour—until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling.

Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy affair come New Year’s Day. . .or are they?

Pages: 304

Plenty of historians can tell you which president had the most effective economic strategies, and which president helped shape our current political parties, but can any of them tell you what to do if you encounter Chester A. Arthur in a bare-knuckled boxing fight? This book will teach you how to be better, stronger, faster, and more deadly than the most powerful (and craziest) men in history.

Pages: 255

A collection of tales to invade and paralyse the mind as the safe light of day is infiltrated by the shadows of the night. As you read, the clutching fingers of terror brush lightly across the nape of the neck, reach round from behind to clutch and lock themselves, white-knuckled, around the throat.

This is the horror of ordinary people and everyday objects that become strangely altered; a world where nothing is ever quite what it seems, where the familiar and the friendly lure and deceive. A world where madness and blind panic become the only reality.

Pages: 409

I don't think it needs an introduction, plus that description is way too long. 

Pages: 835

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Tairn rage is my favorite.
Andarna's rage is also my favorite.
Xaden. Heart eyes. That's attractive.


It's the MMC feeding the FMC for me.
ALEXA PLAY END GAME.
Tairn going to see Sgaeyl:
Help I'm crying.

everyone reacting to their pda is either:
or 
Violet:

How I imagine that scene happening

Me: 

Heart of a rider.
*me until they announce the next book or give us any update.

623 Pages

Stephanie Garber Shenanigans

Legendary
When Jacks shows up.
451 Pages

Finale
When Evangeline shows up in a cameo
478 Pages

Once Upon a Broken Heart
I once again want to have bright colored hair. Blue or Rose colored.
Pages

The Ballad of Never After
The relationship growth. The weird cabin place. I can't.
The fact that Jacks room is just....covered in apple cores. I love it. It's a choice.
*starts crying.
403 Pages

A Curse for True Love
I'm not crying. You're crying.
WE GET JACKS PERSPECTIVE. I love him.
Apollo Apollo Apollo
448 Pages

Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer Armentrout

Kind of slow paced for most of the book.
*laughs uncomfortably. Yeah this is adult fantasy.
Am I comparing it to FBAA... A little bit.
It was cool.
432 Pages

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

Did someone say Dred Pirate Roberts.
So like....This felt like it was a lot of set up/exposition heavy.
No shade, but you can tell she's trying to make it new adult.
The concept is cool, but I feel like I've read it already
604 Pages

The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin

If this is a love triangle. I can't.
Reid's just trying his best. Poor boi.
The reason why men shouldn't be in charge: they don't listen and they stupid.
No proof until there's a body.
640 Pages

TS Song: YOYOK, Champagne Problems, You're Losing Me

After the Forest by Kell Woods

Me IMMEDIATELY knowing what's up with the bear.
It's the scary talking book that gives me Hocus Pocus + horcrux vibes
Greta making magical gingerbread from a book she stole from the witch in the gingerbread house.
This is my favorite kind of book and I love it.
384 Pages

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

I am unwell. Adrienne Young continues to kill me with her magical realism books.
I'm fine. Everything's fine.
I love Amin. (spelling?) I'm dying alone.
Alexa play no body no crime
336 Pages

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker

It has some of the vibes of A Magic Steeped in Poison...but darker
The number of Fullmetal jokes I want to make.
It's the ducks being named after vegetables for me.
must find duck memes
*Stares into the abyss until next October.
416 Pages

Starling House by Alix E Harrow

So apparently it's spooky season in my reads... And by spooky I mean gothic.
One of my favorite hyper-specific tropes--the caretaker of a house/place that is dangerous...No we're not going to look at that in therapy.
THE CAT THE CAT THE CAT THE CAT.
also I love Arthur and the cat together.
like...he has a sword.
Can we just appreciate Opal trying her best. Because like.
Is this commentary greed and the environment and slavery in the past and now. Yes it is. Love it.
400 Pages

A Prayer for Vengeance by Leanne Schwartz

So I love Milo. I am Milo. Must Protect.
Could I overthink about the symbolism of changing in and out of statue form.. yes.
But also it's hecka cool.
368 Pages

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

It's the rivals to lovers and the spooky house by the sea.
"You don't have to pick up a sword. Survival is bravery too."
There's fae and a fairy king
It's not sorcery of thorns, but like... they share some flavors.
I just love the character chemistry and the concept and the magic.
When a specific scene reminds me of The Rescuers.
Pretty sure this is going on my 2023 Favorites
*When a character is called pedantic and you realize that's what you are.
376 Pages

Cage of Dreams by Rebecca Schaeffer

**It's a sequel**

"....not independence, it's isolation" quote... like... boof.
The number of therapy quotes about healing and fear and growth and trauma I want to underline.
It's the open conversations about fears and worries for me.
The last chapter/epilogue. Like...Don't do that to me. Like... that's hinting.
368 Pages