The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab Book Review (Contains Spoilers)| Carenza Bramwell

Title- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue 
Author- VE Schwab

Series- N/A

Published- 2020

Page Count- 560 pages

Publishing House- Titan Books

Genre- Historical Gothic Fiction
Rating- 4/5 stars 

About the Author

Victoria “V.E.” Schwab is the #1 NYT, USA, and Indie bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including Vicious, the Shades of Magic series, and This Savage Song. Her work has received critical acclaim, been featured by EW and The New York Times, been translated into more than a dozen languages, and been optioned for TV and Film. The Independent calls her the “natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones” and touts her “enviable, almost Gaimanesque ability to switch between styles, genres, and tones.”

Taken from VE Schwab's website

Plot

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever-and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore, and he remembers her name.

In the vein of The Time Traveler's Wife and Life After Life, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is New York Times bestselling author V. E. Schwab's #1 New York Times Bestselling Author genre-defying tour de force.

Taken from Goodreads

Opinions 

I have had a very mixed relationship with VE Schwab's books. I have read quite a few, and while I thought they were good, I didn't feel wowed by any of them. I even got rid of my signed copy of This Savage Song as I never saw myself continuing the series. I am now very annoyed at past me for being so ruthless with my collection. I saw Addie LaRue floating around and for a while I wasn't bothered, that was until I found it it was a Faust retelling. I knew then I had to give her another chance. It then doesn't come as a surprise that I have had my faith restored in her as a writer. 

Normally, the pacing of a book is a big factor in how much I enjoy it. I enjoy quite fast paced books. This was not a fast paced book, however the slower pacing really worked in it's favour. You could feel the agony that Addie was going through as you were almost going through it too. There were times when it bothered me a bit, but I found myself unable to put this book down and desperate to finish it. 

I've never been one to comment on or appreciate good writing, which is odd as I'm studying creative writing at university, but VE Schwab's writing was truly beautiful. She just has a way with words and I'm jealous as I don't have that way with words. The descriptions were beautiful without being too much. I cannot put into words how much I loved the writing in this one. I am now tempted to go back and read more of her work to see if it's just this book or if I have been stupid about her as a writer. 

I think the main reason I adored this book was the relationship between Henry and Addie. It was beautiful. I was rooting for it from the beginning. I'm not normally one to enjoy romance in books, but this one was so good. I think it might be a new favourite couple for me. It goes without saying that I have a lot of feelings about this relationship. 

This leads me on nicely to my final point in that I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I found it a bit underwhelming that Addie went with Luc. It was heartwarming that Henry wrote her story. I would have loved for them to have cheated Luc in someway and to find a way to stay together. I feel that would have been a more satisfying ending. Maybe there will be some kind of short story about Addie and Luc together or Addie destroying Luc as he deserves it. It was just sad that such a good book, which had potential to be a five star book, had a flop of an ending. 

Carenza :) x  

 

5 Books I Want to Read by the End of 2020| Carenza Bramwell

2020 may well have been the worst year any of us have had to live through in a very long time, but that doesn't mean we can't find the happy moments right now. For me, that has been finding comfort in books. I have been reading as much as I can. In this post, I will be sharing five books I am hoping to read by the end of 2020. 

The Angry Tide by Winston Graham 

If you have been a long time follower of my blog, then you will know that I adore the Poldark series. I have read almost all the books (well the ones I own) and followed the TV show religiously. The only book I haven't read out of the ones that I own is The Angry Tide, which I believe is the seventh book in the series. I want to finish 2020 knowing that I have caught up with the Poldark books I've read as I've been reading them over the last three or four years. 

The Familiars by Stacey Halls

A recent purchase of mine from before the most recent lockdown in the UK started was The Familiars by Stacey Halls. It is about the Pendle Witches in the 1600s in Lancashire. I decided to pick this up as Lancashire is my home county and despite living there for almost all my life, I have never been to Pendle. I am really interested in gothic witchy stories at the moment, so when I stumbled across this, I knew I had to pick it up. My mum and grandma are also really interested in reading this.  

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

A Romeo and Juliet 1920s Shanghai fantasy book? I think you sold me in a single sentence. The 1920s are my favourite historical period so I had to pick this up. I'm really sad as I accidentally got my copy sent home rather than to my university house, so I'll have to wait until I go home for Christmas to finally read it. I've heard nothing but good things about this one and I can't wait to dive into it. I have a feeling I'm going to really enjoy it. 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

A book I have meaning to read for quite some time is The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Both my mum and best friend have read this book so they're nagging me to read it. It is very high up my list because of them, but it's one I've just been meaning to get to. I have heard that it's quite a heavy read, so I think cushioning this with some lighter toned books would be best. 

The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson

My final book on this list is the conclusion to the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson. I really enjoyed the first two books and I read the first book in one of her other series this year, also enjoying that one. I think I'm planning on rereading the entire series before getting to this one, just to refresh my memory. Who doesn't love a good murder mystery around Christmas? 

That concludes my list of books I'm hoping to get to before the year ends. Happy reading!

Carenza :) x

The Once and Future Witches Review by Alix E Harrow (Contains Spoilers)| Carenza Bramwell

Title- The Once and Future Witches
Author- Alix E Harrow

Series- N/A

Published- 2020

Page Count-528 pages

Publishing House- Orbit

Genre- YA Historical Fantasy

Rating- 4/5 stars

About the Author

I've been a student and a teacher, a farm-worker and a cashier, an ice-cream-scooper and a 9-to-5 office-dweller. I've lived in tents and cars, cramped city apartments and lonely cabins, and spent a summer in a really sweet '79 VW Vanagon Westfalia. I have library cards in at least five states.

​

Now I'm a full-time writer living in with my husband and two semi-feral kids in Berea, Kentucky. It is, I'm very sure, the best of all possible worlds.

Taken from Alix's website

Plot

In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters--James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna--join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There's no such thing as witches. But there will be.

Taken from Goodreads.

Opinions

I had seen The Once and Future Witches floating around for a while before I decided to pick it up. At the moment, I am very interested in feminist, gothic horror books and a book about witches in Salem in the 1800s sounded right up my street. Unlike most readers, I hadn't heard of Alix's other book, The Ten Thousand Doors of January. I decided to read this book around Halloween as it felt appropriately spooky for the season.

One of the main elements that I loved about this book was the three sisters featured. Their relationship felt very real and authentic. I also liked that they each had distinctive voices as each chapter was from the perspective of a different sister. All were going through their own issues and all had their own goals. I kept on feeling that I had to have a favourite sister, but they were all so different it was difficult to pick a favourite. Each was just as fierce and as loyal as the other. I really admired their relationship. 

It comes with no surprise then that this book was a very feminist strong book. Not only from the main characters, but from the themes being discussed. Harrow used the theme of witchcraft and paired it alongside the women's struggle to get the vote. It made for an exceptionally compelling read. As a feminist myself, I strongly resonated with some of the themes discussed in this book. It also didn't just tell one side of the story, it covered a wide range. From lower class women to high society women, white women to women of colour, international women. It even featured queer women through the relationship between Bella and Cleo. It felt well rounded and if it hadn't covered all these issues, it wouldn't have been the same book that it is. 

One of the reasons I had to knock off a star was because I found the pacing very slow. It took me a few chapters to get into. The first time I tried to pick it up, I couldn't make it through the first chapter, but I'm glad I tried a second time. Personally, I quite enjoy fast paced stories. This one sort of meandered along for a while. The pacing may have been slow, but I found the time jumps quite difficult to wrap my head around. Agnes, the eldest sister, finds out she's pregnant at the beginning of the book and by halfway through the book, she had already had her baby. I think finding a balancing between pacing and the timeline of the novel would have made it an amazing novel, but because in my opinion, it didn't do that, I had to take a star away. 

Another reason I was unable to give the book five stars was because at time the magic system was lost on me. As far as I'm aware, I believe it might be based on actual magic used at the time the book was set. I would have personally benefited from a bit more explaining as I just couldn't wrap my head around the magic system. I did love the way that words were powerful and that female magic was more powerful than male magic. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would consider reading more from Alix E Harrow in the future. I found this a fiercely feminist novel with some spooky elements thrown in. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in feminism and witchcraft.      

Carenza :) x

How to Deal With A Reading Slump| Carenza Bramwell

We've all been there as readers. The dreaded reading slump. The moment when we cannot read anymore despite our love of literature. Personally, I've felt like I've spent most of 2020 in one never ending reading slump. I'm going to share with you some tips for how I deal with reading slumps. I hope these tips help you!

Don't force Yourself to Finish a Book You're Not Enjoying

A crucial tip for when you find yourself in a reading slump is to not continue with the book you're not enjoying. If you aren't enjoy that book, either DNF or put it to one side for later. Continuing with a book when you're in a slump is going to make it even more difficult to leave the slump. It's okay to put a book to one side if now is not the right time to read it. Now is just not the time for you. The book will still be there when you decide it's time to reread it.  

Try Rereading a Favourite

Something it might be worth trying if you're not enjoying reading is to pick up a book you know you love. If you know you love it, then you're going to want to read it. It acts as the perfect antidote for if you're not in the reading mood. I'm sure we all have our favourite books or our comfort books. Pick up one of those and watch the reading bug come back.

Step Away From Books Altogether

Alternatively, if that doesn't work for you. Take some time away from books. Give your brain a bit of a break and then come back rejuvenated. As someone who loves reading and TV, I find having a break from one of them for the other always makes me miss the other. Find something else to do until you're ready to come back to reading. Forcing yourself to read is only going to lengthen the slump and make it worse. Like I mentioned earlier, books and reading will always be there to welcome you back when you're ready.  

Try a Different Format   

Whatever your usual or prefered reading format is, when in a reading slump, maybe try something that's a bit outside your comfort zone. Personally, I prefer physical books. I find I engage a bit more as I have to focus on the text in front of me. However, when in a slump, I listen to more audiobooks. I like to put them on when I go for walks or when I'm doing something like tidying or cleaning. I just let to story wash-over me without the effort of having to read myself. I find that this makes me want to pick up my usual reading format afterwards as I'm back in the reading mood.  

It's Okay Not to Read All the Time

My last tip is more of a reassuring statement and that's it's okay to not read all the time. It doesn't make you any less of a reader. It can be hard when we see everyone smashing their reading goals on Instagram, but remember everyone reads at their own pace. We should all be proud of what we achieve with our reading. 

That concludes my tips for if you find yourself in a reading slump. I hope this helps if you're in a reading slump!

Carenza :) x

The End of Year Book Tag 2020| Carenza Bramwell

The end of 2020 is slowly approaching. Soon we can leave this hellish year behind and prepare for whatever 2021 has installed for us. With the end of the year approaching, it is time to reflect on various things, including the books we have read. Today's post is going to be the End of the Year Book Tag. I've seen this on various content creators sites, but I found the questions on Kristin Kraves Books Blog.   

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

The book I'm hoping to finish by the end of the year is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JKR. I started this as a part of a reread during lockdown before the whole JKR fiasco happened. I am only finishing it to finish the series and then I plan on distancing myself from the series for quite some time. I think I'm almost halfway through the audiobook, narrated by the legendary Stephen Fry.  

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

I would consider my most recent read, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab, an autumnal book that transitioned to the end of the year. It had some spooky vibes to it, which was perfect for this time of year. I'm not one that usually reads transitional books, but Addie LaRue is an incredible book for this time of year when it's dark and cold outside. 

Is there a new release you're still waiting for?

All the books I was waiting for to be released have been, but I am waiting for my copy of These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong to be delivered. It's a 1920s retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in Shanghai with some fantasy elements in. I cannot wait to read it when my copy finally arrives. Another book that I haven't order is This Winter by Alice Oseman, a Solitaire/Heartstopper novella. It's a Christmas novella about Charlie and Nick. I'm going to pick it up closer to Christmas. 

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

It's very difficult to pick only three books! But if I was forced to I would have to pick The Secret History by Donna Tartt, The Familiars by Stacey Halls and The Angry Tide by Winston Grahame. These are books I can see myself picking up before the year ends. 

Is there a book you think could shock you and become your favourite book of the year?

Quite possibly! To be honest, I don't think I have a favourite book of 2020. I have read some good books, but none have wowed me. There's only one book I'd consider coming close to wowing me. Understandably, 2020 has been a very difficult and it has impacted my reading quite severely. I have been finding solace in my books, but I don't know if I've enjoyed them as much as I normally would. 

Have you already started making reading plans for 2021?

A goal of mine for 2020 is to tackle as much of my TBR pile as possible. I feel I made a good dent in it this year, but I know I can make an even bigger dent next year. I also plan on being just as strict with book buying as I was this year as I cut my book buying habit back quite significantly. I also really want to be more selective with the releases I buy as there have been quite a few that I haven't enjoyed this year. 

That concludes my answers to the End of Year Book Tag! What are your hopes for your reading by the end of 2020?

Carenza :) x 

Blood and Honey Fairyloot Collectors Box Review| Carenza Bramwell

If you saw my Chain of Gold Fairyloot box review, then you will know that I was interested in their Blood and Honey box. Well, the time has come for me to unbox it. Be warned, there are detailed spoilers for what is inside this box. 

What Is A Fairyloot Box?

Fairyloot is a UK YA book box that sends out monthly boxes with a new release and a bunch of bookish goodies. In the past year, they have branched out into collectors boxes for certain releases. For more information, click here.

How Much Did this box cost?

This box cost £35 plus postage and taxes. Normal boxes cost £26 plus postage and taxes. These boxes are much bigger than the normal ones.

The Controversy

If you, like me, have been following this box for a while, then we have to address the controversy surrounding this box and Fairyloot at the moment. This box was supposed to go on sale to both active subscribers and members of the public in July. However it was revealed that Fairyloot were having problems with their website and with fraud allegations. The fraud allegations were quite serious, with a number of customers having their online banking details stolen. I believe I was a victim of this myself as I experienced this issue. This resulted in them pushing back the sale for the public and them having a second subscriber sale. This didn't occur until September, after the book had been published. I feel that Fairyloot handled the situation very badly and have left a lot of people disappointed with them. It has certainly made me think about if I want to buy from them again. The boxes then weren't shipped until the end of October, with people finally receiving them almost two months after the book was released. Compared to other companies in similar positions, Fairyloot has been struggling and attitudes towards them have changed. I hope they improve their communication with their audience and fix these issues going forward. Enough about that, let's get on with reviewing the box! 

The Box

This box was designed by Team Fairyloot and in collaboration with Shelby Mahurin herself, who approved each item for this box. 

The first item is quite possibly my favourite and that is the cosy blanket they included. This was one of the items they announced that they would be including. I have been using this every day since I got my box and it is amazing. It keeps me warm and it looks pretty. I couldn't get a photo with the whole design in, which was a shame as I wanted to do it justice. It has a quote from the series and the outlines of the two central characters, Lou and Reid. It also has the iconic serpent and dove on it. It was designed by @noverantale. 

The next item in the box was a favourite of mine to get and one I have gotten many times from Fairyloot, and that was a candle. Inspired by La Foret Des Yeux from Blood and Honey, it smells divine. The scents are wild patchouli, distressed leather and fruits. For the first time ever, I have a candle with a wooden wick, which is meant to crackle as it burns. It smells so nice I'm not sure I'll ever burn it. The label was designed by @blanca.designs and the candle was made by @bookishburns. 

I had been looking at items very similar to this one, so I was so happy when they included a enamel pin set. Designed by @jezhawk, it features key elements from the series, alongside the iconic quote "love makes fools of us all, darling". I plan on getting some display for my pin badges at some point as I have some very pretty ones. I had never received a double pin set before so this was extra special. 

Fairyloot then included a very unique item and that was a storage tin. I will say with these collectors boxes you get items you are unlikely to get in an average subscription box. It was designed by @chattynora. My one complaint with this item is that I think there is a typo on the tin as I cannot read one of the words as it says "hre". Aside from that, this is a stunning item and I'm going to have to find something to put in it. 

Another item Fairyloot announced they would be included was a 22 gilded tarot deck. I have to admit I know nothing about tarot cards, let alone what an arcana deck is. There are 22 cards, each with a different portrait from the series. This made me realise that I don't know who half the characters are so I probably need to reread this series again. They are stunning and it has made me want to learn more about tarot cards. Fairyloot will be explaining each card on their community section of their website at some point. They were designed by @oblivionsdream.

The final item, similar to the Chain of Gold box, is an art print. I have received some very stunning art prints over the years from Fairyloot. It features our four main characters, Lou, Reid, Coco and Ansel. I have been dying to get my hands on some Serpent and Dove character art. It goes without saying that I adore this and will be finding a very special place to display this.  The illustration is by Katherine Britt. 

Lastly, there is the book itself. From the exterior, it looks like an average copy of Blood and Honey. But it isn't! It has shimmery metallic edges. If you got the add on of Serpent and Dove, then you will have a matching edition. Inside, it has exclusive end pages that have been signed by Shelby. Finally, under the dust jacket is some stunning art. I am seriously considering getting this framed as it is absolutely gorgeous.  

Despite the set backs this box faced, I was thoroughly pleased with it. I hope they release a matching edition for Gods and Monsters, the final book in the serious. Fairyloot do make their boxes worth it, with every item being hight quality. I would give this box 4/5 stars. 

Carenza :) x

What I've Been Reading Recently- Autumn Edition| Carenza Bramwell

The year is slowly, but surely coming to an end. The leaves have turned from green to gorgeous autumnal hues. With the end of another month and another season, comes another what I've been reading recently post. Ever since I returned to university at the beginning of September, my reading has gone downhill. I miss the amount I was reading during the summer. I'm hoping this was just a blip and I'll be back to reading in no time.  

September

In September, I read a total of six books. The majority of these were rereads for series with new books coming out in September. 

The first on my list was one I started in August and that was Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin. Any longtime reader of my blog will be sick to death of me talking about this book. It was an absolute favourite of mine in 2019. With the sequel, Blood and Honey coming out in September, I needed a refresh as it had been almost a year since I read it. While I still loved this book, I did spot this time round that there were problems with the writing. The pacing was also something I had issue with as it seemed to jump quite quickly. Lou and Reid are still some of my favourite characters of all time. Compared to when I read it in 2019, I gave it 4.5/5 stars, taking off half a star after spotting all my issues with the book.

Then I reread Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by JK Rowling. Earlier in the year, before the JKR scandal happened, there was a community readalong on Instagram that I joined in on. It was a fun way to feel like a community during lockdown. However, once the news about JKR hit, the readalong was cancelled and I felt I could not continue rereading the series. I have since decided to continue rereading as I hate stopping in the middle of a series. I've made it very clear my feelings on JKR and no longer wish to be associated with her. I am only continuing because of the reason stated. I will no longer be giving her a voice on my platform. I will also not be rating her books anymore. 

Finally, after two months, I finished the Diviners series by Libba Bray with The King of Crows. This was the final instalment in this series. I was a bit disappointed with this book as it felt very dragged out and not much happened at the same time. The ending was not as satisfying as I think fans were hoping for. I have a whole review of my thoughts on this book, which you can read here. I gave it 3/5 stars.    

Another reread for me was The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu. This is the Magnus and Alec spin off series they've been working on. Again, the latest instalment in the series was due out in September so I decided to reread the first one as I couldn't remember what happened. It was a good refresher before the newest release and meant I was ready when it came out. I'm very happy that Magnus and Alec are getting their own series as they deserve it. I gave it 4/5 stars.

I then read one of my most anticipated releases of the year, which was Blood and Honey by Shelby Mahurin. I had seen some comments before it was released that it was a bit disappointing as a sequel and sadly I have to agree. I was so excited to read it, but it fell flat for me. I found the lack of communication frustrating and at times it was a bit repetitive. I still enjoyed it, but it wasn't what I had hoped it would be, which has left me a bit unsure where I stand with this series. I have a review of this if you want to read my full thoughts here. I gave it 4/5 stars.    

Lastly in September, I read The Lost Book of the White by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu. I found this to be an enjoyable read and I was glad to be back with these characters. I'm not sure what this adds to the original series, but I'm happy these characters are getting their own series. I gave it 4/5 stars.

October

October was a very poor reading month as I only read four books. This is the least amount of books I've read in one month in the whole of 2020. I had a lot going on with uni, but I'm still very sad about it.

The first book I read was A Single Man by Christoper Isherwood. It was a short book that I decided to read after watching Fosse/Verdon, which uses some of Isherwood's work and turns it into Cabaret the musical. It was a surprisingly moving book and has made me want to pick up more Isherwood. I gave it 4/5 stars.

My next read was Magnus Chase and the Swords of Summer by Rick Riordan. It had been over four years since I last read a RR book. It was also the last one I owned as I decided to get rid of my other ones. Personally, compared to my other experiences with RR's books, I didn't enjoy this one that much. It felt very dragged out and I didn't like any of the characters. Maybe if I had been younger, I might have enjoyed it, but I just don't feel that Rick's books are for me anymore. I have no interest in continuing the series anymore. I gave it 3/5 stars. 

Then I read The Confession by Jessie Burton. I have a bit of a hit and miss relationship with Jessie's books. I've read her other two this year and I loved the Muse, but not the Miniturist. I decided to pick this one up to see if I could enjoy this one. I flew through it. I found it very easy to read and didn't want to put it down. It was very similar to the Muse. It has restored my faith in her as a writer and I would read more from her in the future. I gave it 4/5 stars. 

My final read for October was The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow. I plan on writing a full review of this one as I have a lot of thoughts on it. While I found it very slow to read, I did really enjoy it. I loved the feminist elements and would love to read more like this in the future. I also want to read more from her in the future. I gave it 4/5 stars. 

That concludes my most recent episode of what I've been reading recently. What have you been reading recently?

Carenza :) x