my-fair-fiction

[my-fair-fiction]

This book began as a fantasy woodland tale then later morphed into a world of metal and steel. Complaints? None.

Not gonna lie, I had my doubts in the beginning. Hell I almost DNF-ed the book at a time. But the story was too damn interesting to not pursue. (And pursue I did the way fangirls do Robert Downey Jr.)

Callie was my favourite character. She's taken 'action speaks louder than words' a tad too seriously. Because friends, Callie only speaks to deliver either a) quote with a deep, meaningful message behind it. Or b) to let the bad guys know that she's gonna whoop their butts.

There were many mystical creatures involved so there's that. And there were also cities based on machinery. I've never read steampunk before so the genre is lost on me. But hey, hello machines.

Asher, I believe was the hero of the story. He's kind of like, what I fear I'll be as a biologist. He's extremely smart, and actually concotes all these bio-stuff and while he does it with good intention, it's science. It's gonna be misused anyhow. There was an unusual amount of chemistry talk to the point where I was forced to look up Derek Paul. I was right, man's in research. (I see you Derek)

There were twists, secret societies, genetically improved humans, a university, a cool fictional game, fantasy creatures, c0caine-adjacent berries, hate crimes against a community and like 350 pages. Which I enjoyed nonetheless.

Man I really liked Nico. Idk hopefully he gets a deserved smack in the head in the next books. My favourite character is Liam. Thank you very much.

Hate Roman with a passion. The jury is out on the Autumn character. But hey I enjoyed all the long talks on spirituality, immortality and religion specifically between Prof. Redding and Asher

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I've been kidnapped and taken to ancient Greece and, while I expected some oiled-up, muscular men (sans clothing, because well, ancient Greece) I was taken on one hell of a ride.

Bonnie Callahan is my favourite author and you must all know that because I threaten you to read her previous book time to time. Anyway, about this book, an absolute freaking 5 stars because WHAT THE HELL.

Here's the gist, olden times weren't that much of a fun for women (not enough d®ugs, drinks or sex in those time and parties were strictly for men and that's kinda gay but who am I to judge) and an early marriage. Our girl Clia doesn't want that life. Ironic because she has the world's greatest crush on her neighbour, Phylas. You'd think he'd be the world's oldest 'boy next door'. Here's the deal, Clia wants to be sworn in as a fancy nun (Priestess or some sort) and she does join a temple. And behold, there's a prophecy on her head and everyone except herself knows it (#calledit)

If Clia wasn't so smart, admirable, thickheaded and adorable, I'd call her a YA protag. Thank Bonnie she's not. She's wildfire. Although I'm still mad I didn't get a scene where Phylas and Clia have fun under the stars because, there was in fact so much scope for it.

Bonnie's writing is always rich, detailed and Greek (or Italian like in Remy vs Rome) and you don't get the book right the first time. Every read post the first leads to newer discovery and before this, I thought only Tolkien had that talent. I would be wrong folks.

I'm team #needabook2 but it's up to Bonnie. All I can do is spam her with texts, send an occasional owlpost, or let Uncle Satan conduct a friendly check in. That being said, I love her. This book made me tear up and scream (at the end, for valid reasons) and then it made me weep as well (at the end, but farther), the acknowledgements had me wailing. I honestly didn't know she went through all that. Life's not always easy and I'm going through a tough patch myself. And Bonnie wrote a brilliant book thru all that. She's WONDERFUL.

I want you to read it bcz, if you don't read it Uncle Satan (my BFF and occasional aide) will come fck you up.

To be cntd

#books #ancientgreece

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Tatiana Obey is a Goddess. I say that because, Bones to the Wind, her debut had changed my life FOREVAH. She's amazing and now she's wrote this awesome Novella too.

Sistah Samurai is a Champloo novella that takes place in a demon infested village. The writing is rich in the Samurai way and Japanese culture down to the roots of your cherry blossom. The events in the novella takes place entirely in a day. It's a commendable feat and like we've already established, Tatiana is a Goddess.

Our girl belongs to a category of warriors called the Sistah Samurais. Unfortunately they fell due to a demon attack and the world is in chaos. But Sistah doesn't care. She has things to do, places to be. She doesn't have to carry the weight of others on her shoulder. She's BADASS in every sense of the word.

Sistah has faced everything. Self-doubt, self-hate, a demon Armageddon, looters, Warlords, woes of the domestic life. She reminded me of Melinda May from Agents of Shield (mostly because I'm rewatching it. Again)

Anyway, this book is so loud, I can hear it three days after reading it in my head. Black women, the power they have, the power they are and the possibility of a world where they're free to unleash their potential.

There's a lot of katana-violence too in this book because WHY NOT.

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And here we have a book I won't conventionally read but I did and here we are.

New Eden and New Babel Dark Epoch (the names quite a handful) is a book whose genre is as foreign to me as the Italians are. It's a prequel to F. M. Gomez's New Eden and New Babel. The book speaks about power positions and imbalance in a fairly futuristic society. There's a biological weapon thrown into the mix too. To keep things interesting of course.

Our MC, Sassafras (what a name really) hates the Machinists and he's a hero in his own right. This book has a healthy dose of futuristic society vs the ancient oldies, Gods and whatnot. I liked it.

Both the books are short and simple, easy to read. Thought provoking and well, we already live in a dystopia, wouldn't kill us to read about one.

My only criticism, I couldn't feel as connected to the characters and the cause as I much as I wanted to.

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If you can't compare him to a guy who walked off Taylor Swift's video, I don't want him. It's a mantra every girl should live by.

🔹💙🔹

Heath is a good boy. We know that because he's spending his time trying to honor his grandma (who is still very alive and hitting country bars and line dancing) instead of watching alpha m@le videos. Heath is a star.

Ivy is a coder who built herself a successful company in a male dominated field for a male (Nick Stafford also male) to bring it all down. Ivy got burned so like any self-respectable woman she stays off the D for a while. The promise doesn't last long because Heath walks into her life like he's getting off a Taylor Swift video (in a good way, Ivy's words, not mine). The Taylor Swift reference is all that's needed for y'all to fall for this man but I digress, this gal has to list out all the qualities.

For one he LOVES his grandma, is polite, understands women (is this guy for real?!), knows how much Ivy loves to eat (bcz the way to a woman's heart is thru the alimentary canal or something like that). Heath is, well, he's a man you'd want to have babies with. He's the kind you go to a Taylor Swift concert with. He's, well, he's the MAN.

Also Ivy, I love her and love how her metric system involves Tacos (just like someone I know cough @kdmillerauthor cough, cough) Ngl I am BEGGING Lexi for a book on Darnell because that guy, he deserves his own 900k worded novel that isn't finished.

The side characters are awesome and everything about this book is cozy although I don't understand Ivy's relationship with her mum. It's a me problem, sometimes I just don't understand any relationship.

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Imogen, a quite nice name for a protagonist is a straight white gal with a queer sis and that's about it. Interestingly enough she (after hanging out with her queer friend's queer friends) begins questioning her sexuality. Because straight girls don't spend time convincing themselves they're straight (yeah, it's from Red White and Royal Blue, sheesh let a girl breathe)

•Tessa is a tomboy kind of lesbian (a butch lesbian. Unlike me who is a bitch bisexual. It's not a thing but it should be) anyway, Imogen develops a crush because Tessa is well, Tessa.

•Imogen, like every bi gal before 'the awakening' goes down the rabbithole of doubt, uncertainty, tears and anxiety before reaching a conclusion (you'll know what that is)

•I love love love, Tessa. And I kinda feel robbed of more Tessa content because most of the book is a big a** Imogen monologue which is coincidentally similar to the one I had when I was doubting my bi-ness.

•What I'm saying is. Imogen is me. I'm also pretty insecure, pathological people pleaser who wouldn't survive a day without external validation. Mostly because no one's told I'm enough and as sad as that sounds, of late I have some people who tell me I'm enough so it's working out.

•This book has so many brainstorming sessions about queer identity, the closet, and biphobia because let's face it biphobia real. You're either not gay enough for the straights or either very straight for the gays to be considered bi. And that's a problem. Everyone's lived queer experience is different and everyone's valid.

•Imogen obviously has made me cry, laugh, question my sexuality, find answers, cry again and everything in between. It's amazing. A fucking phenomenon if you will and I will read it again.

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THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING 🤎

Jeff Sikaitis and Jake Wheeler are such creative geniuses, I'm not even joking.

The GullFather is a comic book about seagulls. So imagine a port-town Shoretown where Birdsy, a seagull is basically the acting Godfather of gulls. So we set sail from page one and watch the Gullfather have his little adventures.

The characters are so lovely! Each of them contribute to the book's birdpower. There's birdnapping, prison-break, there's bird-rebellion and scaring away tourists, basically the whole damn deal.

I loved EVERY SECOND of this book and I've read it, and it's not a joke, exactly 15 times in the last week. I cannot seem to get enough of it.

I WANT, DEMAND (read as I'm begging) both Jeff and Jack to please continue the series and get me book 2 soon. It's a request. A need. A plea.

[my-fair-fiction]

🎸My man Vince can play me like a special edition acoustic guitar any time of the day (and twice on Sundays as his schedule allows)

🎸Bristol (yes like that place in England) is a single mum, doing it all, like any mum in America (sorry but not a big fan of the country's policy on, well. Everything) yeah so, she's juggling school, job and a sweet little baby I would k!dn@p if she'd let me (of she wouldn't. And I shouldn't be keeping babies that don't belong to me just because I thought they were cute)

🎸Vince and Bris are old lovers, both of them scorned in their own way except I think Vince could've grovelled some more. (He's not my favourite K. Bromberg Man but he's okay I guess. Judging from the sex department :)

🎸Yeah so, Bris and Vince have an insane chemistry and well the story is stunningly unique because WHAT IN THE SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE WAS THAT?!

🎸I reread spicy bits about five times because I'm weird like that.

🎸I love Bristol and Vince. And their backgrounds and past afflictions. Vince isn't in the wrong, he's childhood trauma has clearly leached into his personality but, THERE IS GROWTH and that's enough for me.

🎸 This book has made me fall in love with my most hated trope. Secret baby.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (half a star I took away because I wanted some more groveling from Vince. He acted like a douche for half a page and I'm cross)

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I don't think I've read a book like this before. This is a Witchy read and would've done me good if I read it in the witchy season but I'm glad I didn't wait.

The Sisters Solstice is an amazing read (I've yet to finish book 2 but I'm already loving it)

There's a dark gothic theme (first timer) but me likey. Agatha (such a witch name) is a strong but sometimes weird FMC who is well, as powerful as they come.

ENEMIES TO LOVERS Y'ALL ENEMIES TO LOVERS.

can't wait to read book 2 and give an even detailed review.

[my-fair-fiction]

See, there was a lot of *eggplant* activities in this book.

Is that a complaint? You wish.

First off, that's a big name for a book. Like very big. Just as big as my man Declan Hardy's D.

This book had deep emotional elements that I completely overlooked because I was busy admiring somebody's big phallus. I know my priorities. You can't shame me for it.

Declan Hardy, my man my man, buys entire menu because he doesn't know what his woman wants. Declan Hardy who is an undoubted feminist and trans ally we need despite being pocessive, demanding and downright sexy. You're not allowed to do that, sir.

The man's rich too. Which is a plus. Absolutely.

Evie was FUN except for the part where she wanted to sleep with Wes. Because I don't think the same women would want to sleep with subpar men. I know I don't.

The smut starts somewhere on page 5 and goes on and on and on until the last one. They do it in the floor, they do it on the hood of his very very expensive car. They do it inside said car. They do it in the bedroom. They do it in a garden. They do it over and over again.

This is my type of book, i'm telling ya.

In this house we love retired NFL stars who is your father's bestie and clearly too old for you (except in the bedroom department. Man has stamina. And that's saying something)

Anastasia can suck D.

😈Sizzling boss

😏Forced proximity

💍Arranged marriage

🏈Retired NFL star

[my-fair-fiction]

This book had me going through a really weird emotional turbulence. I'm still confused, do I like this book or do I hate it.

It all worked in the end, sure but Radhika, my friend, needs to stop seeking male validation (it's not something we do here). I mean, look Radhika was an educated, corporate woman. She can't even say 'omg I'm brainwashed into believing i need male validation' because one, her mother is a determined, psychologist and her grandmother, reeling from a trapped marriage.

This book follows the life of three generations of women, who have their own experiences when it comes to the Arranged Marriage Virus (it's a real threat to the Indian diaspora, trust me) Gayatri Khurana, Rad's grandma is such a great character, but it really sucked when she tried to play along Radhika's tune because WHO THE HELL DOES THAT? woman, you know better than anyone else how fked up arranged marriages can be. But no you wanna set aside your happiness to make sure Radhika ends up in an unhappy marriage.

My feminist hormones are suffering. Idk what I've done to deserve this.

IT WORKS OUT tho

On the flip side, this book has a really witty, really good, strong language. Something which is hard to come by in books. So I can't say I haven't enjoyed it because I have.

The author has portrayed how well to do, educated corporate women fall in trap of this marriage drama.

PS: I don't think I'm ever getting married

[my-fair-fiction]

Another historical romance? Heck yeah.

This one even has a Playboy Romany king.

To be frank, it was much like every historical romance I've read before (there is a guy. There is a girl.) JK. The King's Mistress was a really nice read.

Lydia is on the run from the English aristocracy as a whole, her father is an old ogre who has clearly lived a life longer than he deserves. And then there is Earl of Basingstoke, another old ogre, a close associate of Lydia's pops. I hate them both.

Now Lydia, smart as always uses a disguise and an alias. She claims herself to be the mistress of the Romany king, Valkin Brishen. Three things about Valkin, he's amazing in bedrooms, he's kind and he's famous for providing English women with 0rgasms. No wonder she used that alias.

Whatever whatever. They meet, stuff happens. Initially everyone's angry, but then everyone's horny. It's a nice read. And well, the ending gives a person like me closure.

My only problem was, Lydia should've disclosed her identity sooner. It wasn't smart of her to keep it a secret when it wasn't required. But Valkin was hot, not gonna lie and I was looking forward to his pov. He's an amazing character. And Lydia needs to have some self-esteem. She's cool, she needs to accept the fact.

I read it in a day

[my-fair-fiction]

Alert: the contents of this book bleeds emotions. Underneath the binding and the cover of a scene (taken by the author himself) is a creature that is so alive, and so real, it trembles in your hand.

This book is everything.

Close your eyes by Chris Tomasini is something I can't quit thinking about. It's been three days. I ought to be over it, but I'm not.

The story goes like this- Samuel (a smart, rather talented dwarf, a Peter Dinklage if you will) is this story and this story is of a storyteller. (Which is something I've never come across before) set in early 1400s Gora is a kingdom that exists because of this smart and deviously cunning but caring king, Pawel. Pawel and his family form the heart of the story. Agnieszka the cook, Samuel the jester, Tycho the storyteller, Ahab the astrologer are all tellers of their own story.

I don't think this is a fairy tale. I think this is a tragically beautiful story of love of every kind (and there are many). I don't think any book has touched me so deeply before. And read hundred books per year. Page after page, this book kept me alive and breathing. Words won't do justice. You'll have to read it to feel the magic.

I love the characters so much. I think I would love a book on Samuel. He was very witty and well generally smart.

Overall this has been an enriching read. I think I'm not the same person anymore and I think I'm okay with that.

There is an awesome Christmas story in there two.

I believe Chris Tomasini to be a wizard or something.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ For everything, everything.

🔸💗🔸

#christomasini #closeyoureyes #festivals #historicalfantasy #fantasybooks #readnow #yabooks #stories #storyteller #historicalfiction #bookstagram #books #booklover #bookworm #bookish #bookstagrammer #fiction #bookreview #booknerd #bibliophile #historicalromance #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #historicaldrama #authorsofinstagram #romance #amreading #novel #fantasy

[my-fair-fiction]

Book Review!

Regrets by Hema Chettri

•I found the summary a little confusing (okay very confusing) but the book turned out to be okay.

•The book was very relatable. I mean, this is loosely based on the author's experiences so on that front the book has performed successfully.

•Halfway through the book, it becomes incredibly investing. Hence it was a solid two-day read for me.

•It's a short book with a "not-so-happy-ending"

•The author speaks immensely of regrets, something we feel on a daily basis. It wasn't all fiction.

• Personally, I found the characters to be more or less one-dimensional.

•I wanted something to feel connected in a way to the main characters.

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The Alice Project by @satwikgade 📚

Summary: Alice's greatest pleasure in life is hanging out with his friends Nitin, Iyengar and Bakchod, mostly at the chai shop outside their old college. He has a job he doesn't hate, friends he likes and a life that is vaguely happy. Sure, it might be time for him to embrace adulthood, and yes, he can't quite visualize his future clearly, but none of these concerns are big enough to push him out of his comfort zone. Until a series of events - the death of a college friend, a budding romance - start to shape his personal life, and Alice is forced to reckon with the fact that his life will.

📚🧡

A stunning book that I can't put in a definite box.

Mostly, I'm confused. But like in a good way. This book was refreshing, the character names were eerily weird (something I actually liked)

Satwik has a humorous style of writing. His characters are quippy, witty. I like it. It has elements of suspense and mystery.

The book was a breeze. One day is all it takes to get through because it was investing. There wasn't much emotions attached to the book, other than the relatable mentions of college days and college romance.

All in all. It was fun

(Note the illustration/cover is so beautiful. I'm gone)

📚🧡

Thank you @harpercollinsin for the opportunity!

🧡📚

#harpercollins #satwikgade #thealiceproject #bookhaul#readabook #readstagram #totalbooknerd #bookcommunity #bookishlife #bookpassion #bookreviewer #booksandbooks #amreading #bookaddict #bookaesthetic

[my-fair-fiction]

When is a Rachel Van Dyken book not a five star read? I'll answer it for you. NEVER.

🔹This is the epic conclusion for Eagle Elite series and in case you're wondering, no, the OGs haven't grown boring in this. They're still every inch of premature-funny dudes with good taste in whiskey, women and wiolence (i dunno man, it just had to match)

🔸Santino Sinacore is one nasty mofo with a face like an angel and D like the devil. Yeah, I really said that.

🔹I've always loved Rachel's mafia gals, but Katya was something else. She even has the saddest backstory. (But if it meant she'd end up with a certain Italian, I'd take it)

🔸The story starts with our gal Kat in a prison cell (I mean chill,this is a Mob-story not a Sob-story) with her bro. Sht happens. Then we meet Satino who hates love which is ironic cause 60 pages is all it takes for the man to change ships.

🔹The spice is enchantingly original. It screams RVD (you'll know when you'll read her books)

🔸Agreed, this is SanKat story (yeah I made it up) but since this is like the last book in eagle elite, this book had so many of those previous heroes. Had me swooning over them again.

🔹 I'll admit I've never read the series timeline-wise so I had some difficulty what age Chase and the boys were but that's no excuse. Apparently, Serena and Junior are still kids in this. Hope that helps.

🔸Home depot scene is pure magic.

🔹I need a book on Chase and Alice's chronicles in Home Depot.

🔸Chase Abandanato's relationship with the Avian class needs to be studied scientifically. Seriously, what is with that man.

🔸🖤🔸

Read this book and ensure a long life. Otherwise my pet dragon Jörmungandr will be at your doorstep.

🔸🖤🔸

•General question -why are all gangsters either Italian or Russian? I'm not complaining tho. I love them both. But if you're willing to give me a Desi gangster, I'm game, authors