#Redemptor (Raybearer 2) by Jordan Ifueko

[due4amiracle]

new year...

...same old me.

It’s... been a little while since i last properly posted. hell, it’s been a while since i... did anything, really. It was a bit of a rough time, the end of the year, but thing are starting to round upwards, so that’s pretty nice.

But... honestly, i need to restart all my proper rituals to just get myself back on track. So, with that being said - let’s get that list, shall we?

Listo:

Laundry/cleaning, Reading, Watching, TTRPGThings.

Laundry/cleaning - Boxes need to get broken down, but things were sorted better.

Reading things - - Book: i am currently at 16 books for the year so far, with 1 DNF. Here’s what i’ve read, starting from the first of the year and ending with what i’m currently reading! - Tress of the Emerald Sea (The Cosmere) by Brandon Sanderson 5🌟 - Oh i dearly loved this book, it was so good! - Spirit Prophecy (The Gateway Trilogy #2) by E.E. Holmes 2🌟 - The Empress of Time (The Keeper of Night, #2) by Kylie Lee Baker 3🌟 - This  book disappointed me so deeply, the first book was SO good and this... oof. Not Good. - Spirit Ascendancy (The Gateway Trilogy #3) by E.E. Holmes 2🌟 - The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford 2🌟 - Critical Role: The Mighty Nein—The Nine Eyes of Lucien by Madeleine Roux 5🌟Long may he reign... - Spells Trouble (Sisters of Salem, #1) by P.C. Cast 3🌟 - Omens Bite (Sisters of Salem, #2) by P.C. Cast 2🌟 - Redemptor (Raybearer, #2) by Jordan Ifueko 3🌟 - He Who Fights with Monsters (He Who Fights with Monsters, #1) by Shirtaloon 4🌟 - Bad Cree by Jessica Johns 3🌟 - Living Dead Girl by Rachel Vincent 2🌟 - The Wicche Glass Tavern (Sam Quinn #3) by Seana Kelly 3🌟 - The Hob and Hound Pub (Sam Quinn, #4) by Seana Kelly 3🌟 - Biergarten of the Damned (Sam Quinn #5) by Seana Kelly 3🌟 - The Nightmare Man by J.H. Markert DNF🌟This was so... bouncy? Back and forth between groups, back and forth in time... just. No. No. - City of Nightmares (City of Nightmares, #1) by Rebecca Schaeffer 3🌟 - Wild Country (The World of the Others #2) by Anne Bishop 17%

 Watching things - - Anime: Haven’t started anything... yet. But i need to! i plan on it. Probably going to go with Lycoris Recoil.

#TTRPGThings - The sessions continue unabated, traipsing through this underground dungeon, it’s been a lot but also a ton of fun.

Other - Well, we got a new bed, it was very expensive but last night was the first good night’s sleep i’ve had in a while so, that’s pretty nice.

Food: A - Tasty Everyplate meals, very good. Liquid: A Pain: D - Migraine, left shoulder, wrists and fingers, just not great. Brain: C - A bit dissociatedey, floaty, but nothing too terrible.

Tomorrow: Laundry/cleaning, Reading, Watching, TTRPGThings.

Ever Onwards and Upwards!

[thequietesthing]

sometimes I think that pain and misery is all we have left in this world. we are on the brink of a precipice, wars, droughts, climate change, economic collapse, injustices all around and it really makes me wonder why I'm doing anything anyway because we are all doomed. but then I wake up each day, and there is a tree in front of my house with new flower buds, my mum smiles when she sees me and I saw a wide eyed newborn baby girl two days ago. people will be dancing in the streets soon and nights will be filled with laughter. the sand and the sea are waiting for me, and there is music and art and books that I haven't gotten my hands on yet. we may be going toward a terrible future, but we may still be in time to change it, because life is worth living no matter what comes next.

“I want to live, because life is... life is worth it. Because as long as we can imagine a better world, we should stick around to see it. Even if it doesn't exist yet. Even if we have to build it from scratch, brick by muddy brick.”

– Redemptor (Jordan Ifueko - Raybearer #2)

[checkoutmybookshelf]

What Did I read This Year? A 2023 Retrospective

Ok, so this was a big year for my Tumblr blog, so I thought it would be fun to go over what I read this year! The rules for the retrospective are thus:

Only book reviews count, because I actually read or reread those books this year. First Lines, meme, and quotes do not require that, so they're not counting. Little reading updates and thought posts also don't count. So let's see what I read this year!

January 3: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

January 5: One for All by Lillie Lainoff

January 8: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

January 10: Shadowfell, Raven Flight, and The Caller by Juliet Marillier (trilogy, so counts for three!)

January 13: Raybearer and Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko (duology)

January 19: Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise, and Magic's Price by Mercedes Lackey (trilogy)

January 22: No Dominion by CE Murphy

January 29: Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

February 5: The Walker Papers by CE Murphy (series of 9 books because I'm counting by the original publishing order, not the rebrand and republish, where it's 10 books)

February 12: Wildwood Dancing and Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier (duology)

February 19: Shakespeare Saved my Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard by Laura Bates

February 24: The Cardinal Rule, The Firebird Deception, and The Phoenix Law by CE Murphy (trilogy)

February 27: The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter (seven book series)

March 3: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

March 6: Imzadi Forever by Peter David

March 17: The Bright and Breaking Sea and A Swift and Savage Tide by Chloe Neill (first two books of a series)

March 19: The Harp of Kongs, A Dance with Fate, and Song of Flight by Juliet Marillier (trilogy)

March 24: Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

March 26: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

March 29: Kenobi by John Jackson Miller

March 31: Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim

April 2: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

April 5: The Phantom of Pemberley by Regina Jeffers

April 9: The Blood Trials by NE Davenport

April 12: Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, and Arrow's Fall by Mercedes Lackey (trilogy)

April 19: Dracula by Bram Stoker

April 26: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

April 30: Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray

May 3: When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

May 7: Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis

May 14: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

May 17: Star by Star by Troy Denning

May 21: The Protector of the Small Quartet by Tamora Pierce (four books)

May 28: That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams

May 31: Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer

June 11: Through the Fire by CE Murphy

June 14: The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce (four books)

June 18: The Circle of Magic Quartet by Tamora Pierce (four books)

June 21: The Circle Opens Quartet by Tamora Pierce (four books)

June 25: Uprooted by Naomi Novik

June 28: The Immortals Quartet by Tamora Pierce (four books)

July 2: Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer

July 5: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

July 9: The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce

July 12: Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith

July 16: An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

July 19: Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce

July 23: Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

July 26: Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery

July 30: Melting Stones by Tamora Pierce

August 2: Claws and Contrivances by Stephanie Burgis

August 6: Gladiator Bear by CE Murphy

August 9: Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer

August 13: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casy McQuiston

August 16: Ten Thousand Stitches by Olivia Atwater

August 20: Long Shadow by Olivia Atwater

August 23: Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

August 27: Grave Peril by Jim Butcher

August 30: Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer

September 3: The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

September 6: It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn

September 10: On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

September 13: Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer

September 13: The Artemis Fowl Files by Eoin Colfer

September 20: Dark Water Daughter by HM Long

September 24: X-Wing: Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston

September 27: X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston

October 1: Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

October 4: Maskerade by Terry Pratchett

October 8: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

October 11: Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer

October 15: A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout

October 18: The Secret Shanghai Series by Chloe Gong (four books, two novellas)

October 25: Heat Wave by Richard Castle

October 29: Raven Heart and Polar Heart by CE Murphy (two books in a series)

November 1: A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout

November 5: The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma

November 8: Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

November 12: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

November 15: The Dragon Prince of Alaska by Elva Birch

November 19: The Dragon Prince's Librarian by Elva Birch

November 22: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

November 26: Wildfire by Hannah Grace

November 29: Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer

December 3: A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout

December 6: The Mask of Mirrors by MA Carrick

December 10: The Dragon Prince's Bride, The Dragon Prince's Secret, the Dragon Prince's Magic, and The Dragon Prince's Betrayal by Elva Birch (four of a series of six books)

December 13: Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri

December 17: Death Masks by Jim Butcher

December 20: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

December 24: A Christmas Like No Otter by Zoe Chant

That's about where I got to this year, and it has been a wonderful year in reading. I'm so looking forward to next year! Leave your favorite book from 2023 and your most anticipated 2024 book in the tags, and may you have a Happy New Year!

[tigger8900]

Redemptor, by Jordan Ifueko

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the second book in the Raybearer series. This review will contain spoilers for the first book! Please see my review of Raybearer #1 if aren't familiar with the series.

Faced with the truth of the crimes committed against the children of Songland, Tarisai has made a bargain: she will descend into the underworld as one final redemptor, and in exchange the spirits will stand down, requiring no further tribute to quell their appetite for conquest. But to fulfill her end of the bargain she will need to anoint her own council comprised of the leaders of all the lands of Aritsar, a quest that thrusts her into the forefront of diplomacy. But even as she strives to form her council, she's haunted by the spirits of all the dead children who perished in the underworld. To form her own council is one impossible task and to satisfy the spirits another, leading Tarisai to wonder if it's even possible to prevail.

I loved Raybearer so much when I read it earlier this year. In some ways the sequel disappointed, as it wasn't the story I'd wanted. But, upon reflection, I don't believe the story we got was bad for being different. Whether it was the events of 2020 that derailed an original plan or if it had been planned out this way all along, while it might not be my favorite, I do believe it was a solid ending to Tarisai's story.

What I'd been hoping to find was another exploration of the council bond, teasing the limitations and maybe even digging into the potential dark side of the bond. I believed this was coming due to Tarisai's impending separation from both her original council and the new one she had yet to form, as she would have to traverse the underworld alone. Instead, we found the requirement to remain with your fellow council members largely handwaved, which I admit was disappointing to me. The drawback was part of what made the concept of the council bond so compelling. I was also disappointed that the vast majority of her original council siblings took such a backseat, especially the way Sanjeet was pushed aside for plot reasons that, frankly, felt pretty unnecessary to me.

What I hadn't been expecting from this novel was a full-on treatise about self-care and how to avoid burning out, or losing yourself in despair of not being able to immediately fix everything that's wrong. I picked up on the theme pretty quickly, and I love that it was a thing. This is something talked about a lot more over the past 2-3 years, which leaves me wondering what this book might have been like if it had been published at the same time as the first volume, written before our most recent major protest movement kicked off. I was satisfied by the finale of the story, and felt that the sequence in the underworld — fairly brief, comprising less than 20% of the page count of this volume — was very well done, in terms of atmosphere and tension.

All in all, I was satisfied with this sequel, though I liked the first volume more. There was a lot that could have been, but that's what fanfiction is for, right? If you only loved Raybearer for the family Tarisai finds this might fall flat for you, particularly if you're a massive Sanjeet fan. But if you found yourself invested in the bigger picture, I recommend finishing the duology.

[myupostsheadcanons]

(Audio) Books for December

War of Posers, Skull and Thrones (Bad Guys, books 3 & 4) - Eric Ugland

The Novice, The High Lord (Black Magician Trilogy, Books 2 & 3) - Trudy Canavan

Redemptor (The Raybearer, Book 2) - Jordan Ifueko

Tongue Eater (Mage Errant, Book 6) - John Bierce

Search the “#myu reads” tag on this blog to find other books and series that I have read. If you feel like I have not talked enough about a series, feel free to drop an ask or poke me in chat.

[blackchildrensbooksandauthors]

✨NEW August YA Book

📖Redemptor (Raybearer Bk. 2)

Jordan Ifueko

Amulet Books

The highly anticipated sequel to Raybearer, the instant New York Times bestselling fantasy sensation that set the world on fire

For the first time, an Empress Redemptor sits on Aritsar's throne. To appease the sinister spirits of the dead, Tarisai must now anoint a council of her own, coming into her full power as a Raybearer. She must then descend into the Underworld, a sacrifice to end all future atrocities.

Ages: 12+

Grades: 7th

Pages: 336

Available Now👉🏿 | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Follow💻Subscribe: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter

If you believe BCBA provides a valuable service, please take a few minutes to donate here or via Cash App ($BCBooksA) and support our mission to promote awareness of children’s and young adult literature by Black authors. Thanks for your support!

[bookaddict24-7]

New Young Adult Releases Coming Out Today! (August 17th, 2021)

___

Have I missed any new Young Adult releases? Have you added any of these books to your TBR? Let me know!

___

New Standalones/First in a Series:

How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao

Dagger Hill by Devon Taylor 

Ashfall Legacy by Pittacus Lore 

(Me) Moth by Amber McBride 

The Endless Skies by Shannon Price 

Phantom Heart by Kelly Creagh

New Sequels: 

Redemptor (Raybearer #2) by Jordan Ifueko

Cazadora (Wolves of No World #2) by Romina Garber 

___

Happy reading!

[richincolor]

New Releases

Happy early book birthday to the following books out this week:

Redemptor (Raybearer #2) by Jordan Ifueko [Out August 17] For the first time, an Empress Redemptor sits on Aritsar’s throne. To appease the sinister spirits of the dead, Tarisai must now anoint a council of her own, coming into her full power as a Raybearer. She must then descend into the Underworld, a sacrifice to end all future atrocities.

Tarisai is determined to survive. Or at least, that’s what she tells her increasingly distant circle of friends. Months into her shaky reign as empress, child spirits haunt her, demanding that she pay for past sins of the empire.

With the lives of her loved ones on the line, assassination attempts from unknown quarters, and a handsome new stranger she can’t quite trust . . . Tarisai fears the pressure may consume her. But in this finale to the Raybearer duology, Tarisai must learn whether to die for justice . . . or to live for it. [Image and summary via Goodreads]

(Me) Moth by Amber McBride [Out August 17] Moth has lost her family in an accident. Though she lives with her aunt, she feels alone and uprooted. Until she meets Sani, a boy who is also searching for his roots. If he knows more about where he comes from, maybe he’ll be able to understand his ongoing depression. And if Moth can help him feel grounded, then perhaps she too will discover the history she carries in her bones.

Moth and Sani take a road trip that has them chasing ghosts and searching for ancestors. The way each moves forward is surprising, powerful, and unforgettable. Here is an exquisite and uplifting novel about identity, first love, and the ways that our memories and our roots steer us through the universe. [Image and summary via Goodreads]

Cazadora (Wolves of No World #2) by Romina Garber [Out August 17] In Cazadora, the follow-up to Lobizona, Romina Garber continues to weave Argentine folklore and real-world issues into a haunting, fantastical, and romantic story that will reunite readers with Manu and her friends as they continue to fight for a better future. [Image and summary via Goodreads]

Empress of Flames (The Girl King, #2) by Mimi Yu [Out August 19] Princess Lu knows that the throne of the Empire of the First Flame rightfully belongs to her. After all, she is the late Emperor’s firstborn and has trained for the role all her life. And she can’t forget made a promise to shapeshifter Nok, the boy she came to love, to win justice for his now powerless people. But even with an army at her side, Lu will need to face down a major obstacle: the current sitting Empress, her once beloved younger sister, Min.

Princess Min used to live in Lu’s shadow. But now she can control a powerful, ancient magic, and she’s determined to use it to forge her own path and a strong future for the Empire, even if that means making enemies in court. But Min’s magic isn’t entirely under her control, and she must learn how to tame it before it consumes her . . . and the entire realm.

Lu and Min are set for a confrontation that can’t be stopped. But the Empire faces threats greater than their rivalry, and even if they choose to stand together, it could cost them both the throne-or their lives. [Image and summary via Goodreads]

The Upper World (The Upper World #1) by Femi Fadugba [Out August 19] ‘Believing is seeing, Esso . . .' Esso is running out of time and into trouble. When he discovers he has the ability to see glimpses of the future, he becomes haunted by a vision of a bullet fired in an alleyway with devastating consequences.

A generation later, fifteen-year-old Rhia is desperately searching for answers – and a catastrophic moment from the past holds the key to understanding the parents she never got to meet. Whether on the roads of South London or in the mysterious Upper World, Esso and Rhia’s fates must collide. And when they do, a race against the clock will become a race against time itself . . . [Image and summary via Goodreads]

Living Beyond Borders: Stories About Growing Up Mexican in America by Margarita Longoria [Out August 21] Twenty stand-alone short stories, essays, poems, and more from celebrated and award-winning authors make up this YA anthology that explores the Mexican American experience. With works by Francisco X. Stork, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, David Bowles, Rubén Degollado, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, Diana López, Xavier Garza, Trinidad Gonzales, Alex Temblador, Aida Salazar, Lupe Ruiz-Flores, Sylvia Sanchez Garza, Dominic Carrillo, Angela Cervantes, Carolyn Dee Flores, René Saldaña Jr., Laura Perez, Justine Narro, Daniel García Ordáz, and Anna Meriano.

In this mixed-media collection of short stories, personal essays, poetry, and comics, this celebrated group of authors share the borders they have crossed, the struggles they have pushed through, and the two cultures they continue to navigate as Mexican American. Living Beyond Borders is at once an eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and hopeful love letter from the Mexican American community to today’s young readers. [Image and summary via Goodreads]

[smalltownfae]

Favourite Quotes of the Year

Everyone always mentions the best books of the year, but what about the best quotes from the books read in the year?

“You can‘t go around building a better world for people. Only people can build a better world for people. Otherwise it‘s just a cage.”

"You'd have done the same," said Lily. "No," said Granny. "I'd have thought the same, but I wouldn't have done it."

- "Witches Abroad" (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett

“He’d faced trolls and dwarf and dragons, but now he was having to meet an entirely new species. The rich.”

- "Men at Arms" (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett

YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES. “So we can believe the big ones?” YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING. “They’re not the same at all!” YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET—Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME…SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED. “Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what’s the point—” MY POINT EXACTLY.

- "Hogfather" (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett

"It is sometimes easier to be punished for something than it is to be a victim of random cruelty. As long as Ingeth can tell herself that her voice was taken from her because she committed some sin, then she has some control of it, you understand? Otherwise it was simply a terrible thing that happened. And if terrible things are allowed to happen to people that don’t deserve them, then the world is terrible and random and cruel. Which it is,” she added, pointing the spoon in Rhea’s direction, “but there’s not much comfort in that.”"

- "The Seventh Bride" by T. Kingfisher

“I'm trying to speak--to write-the truth. I"m trying to be clear. I'm not interested in being fancy, or even original. Clarity and truth will be plenty, if I can only achieve them.”

- Parable of the Sower (Earthseed) by Octavia E. Butler

“That’s something I think peasants understand better than nobles. For them, the way down matters, whether you are skewered by a dozen guardsmen or thrown in a silk sack to drown or allowed to remove your robe and walk down to the shores of the lake before you gut yourself. Peasants understand that dead is dead.”

- "The Empress of Salt and Fortune" (The Singing Hills Cycle #1) by Nghi Vo

“Only one thing is more powerful than a wish, and that is a purpose.”

“No, we don’t deserve the burdens that our parents gave us, but we can’t defeat monsters we won’t face.”

“You didn’t make me who I am. I am not the sequel of your story.”

- "Raybearer" (Raybearer #1) by Jordan Ifueko

“Do not ask how many people you will save,” I said. “Ask, To what world will you save them? What makes a world worth surviving in?”

- "Redemptor" (Raybearer #2) by Jordan Ifueko

‘I ain’t interested in politics.’ Shy wasn’t interested in anything might bring trouble. 'Most of us aren’t,’ said Clay, 'but sometimes politics takes an interest in us all the same.’

- "Red Country" by Joe Abercrombie

“Vanity, a loud voice and a loose relationship with the truth,” whispered Zuri. “All the qualities of a successful politician.”

“The thing about history is you don’t know what the right side is till long afterwards, and by then it hardly matters.” “That’s the sort o'thing you hear from folk who know they’re on the wrong side.”

- "The Wisdom of Crowds" by Joe Abercrombie

“I am alive because of the blood of proud people who never scraped or begged or apologized for what they were. They lived asking only one thing of this world - to be allowed to be. And I learned through the blood of these people that black isn’t beautiful and it isn’t ugly - black is! It’s not kinky hair and it’s not straight hair - it just is.”

“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it’s all over.”

- "The Women of Brewster Place" by Gloria Naylor

"You can weave your life so long – only so long, and then a thing in the world out of your control will tug at one vital thread and leave you patternless and subdued."

“I heard you. Sometimes, in silence, at night, I hear the voices of things beyond eyesight, like echoes of ancient songs. I heard your voice, lonely in my dreams—it woke me, so I came. You see, I know how it is when you speak a name into an empty room with no one on earth to answer to it.”

“What do you think love is- a thing to startle from the heart like a bird at every shout or blow? You can fly from me, high as you choose into your darkness, but you will see me always beneath you, no matter how far away, with my face turned to you. My heart is in your heart. I gave it to you with my name that night and you are its guardian, to treasure it, or let it whither and die. I do not understand you. I am angry with you. I am hurt and helpless, but nothing will fill the ache of the hollowness in me where your name would echo if I lost you.”

- "The Forgotten Beasts of Eld" by Patricia A. McKillip

"When you open your mind and hands and heart to the knowing of a thing, there is no room in you for fear.”

- "The Riddle Master of Hed" (Riddle-Master #1) by Patricia A. McKillip

“Acquaintances who understood each other, that’s what the man and I had become. But when he and I had settled into a comfortable relationship, fate intervened to change everything. And fate hurt like hell.”

- "The Travelling Cat Chronicles" by Hiro Arikawa

"Too bad. I am exactly the kind of ice-blooded, rotten-hearted girl he fears I am. And I am fine with that. May he stay unsettled."

“In hindsight, I was such a fool to have assumed Qieluo would stand by me just because she’s also female. It was my grandmother who crushed my feet in half. It was my mother who encouraged me and Big Sister to offer ourselves up as concubines so our brother could afford a future bride. It was always the village aunties who’d sit around gossiping about which girl hadn’t been married off yet, despite complaining nonstop about their own husbands. And then they’d congratulate new mothers for being “blessed” to have a boy, despite being female themselves. How do you take the fight out of half the population and render them willing slaves? You tell them they’re meant to do nothing but serve from the minute they’re born. You tell them they’re weak. You tell them they’re prey. You tell them over and over, until it’s the only truth they’re capable of living."

- "Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhao

“Mr Capaldi believed there was nothing special inside Josie that couldn’t be continued. He told the Mother he’d searched and searched and found nothing like that. But I believe now he was searching in the wrong place. There was something very special, but it wasn’t inside Josie. It was inside those who loved her.”

- "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro

“When we're afraid, we lose all sense of analysis and reflection. Our fear paralyzes us. Besides, fear has always been the driving force behind all dictators' repression.”

"In life you'll meet a lot of jerks. If they hurt you, tell yourself that it's because they're stupid. That will help keep you from reacting to their cruelty. Because there is nothing worse than bitterness and vengeance... Always keep your dignity and be true to yourself."

- "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi

I need to keep track of good quotes more often because these are based on what I wrote here on tumblr. Please share your favourite quotes of the year if you wish :D

[kattitudereads]

Mini Review: Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Raybearer was freaking phenomenal and far surpassed the hype, omg. I already miss Tarisai and this vivid, intricate world Jordan Ifueko built. Is it August yet?! I need Book 2, Redemptor, yesterday!! I listened to Raybearer on audio (Joniece Abbott-Pratt was a fantastic narrator and I highly recommend the audiobook if you haven’t listened yet) and I loved this book so much that I may have gone…

[myupostsheadcanons]

Looks like it is time to do another “(Audio)books I’ll get to... eventually” lists.

Hercule Poirot (The Complete Short Story Collection) - Agatha Christie

Roxy - Neil Shusterman

Flowers in the Attic - V. C. Andrews

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service - Ian Fleming

Provenance - Ann Lickie

Slewfoot - Brom

Stormbringer (Elric Saga, Vol. 2) - Michael Moorcock

The Second Story Man, Skull And Thrones, War of the Posers (Bad Guys Series, Books 2, 3, and 4) - Eric  Ugland

A Case of Possession (Charm of the Magpies, book 2) - K. J. Charles

N0S4A2 - Joe Hill

Vampire Hunter D - Hideyuki Kikuchi 

Footwizard (The Spellmonger, Book 13) - Terry Mancour

The Novice, The High Lord (Black Magician, Books 2 & 3) - Trudi Canavan

Noble Roots (Spells, Swords, and Stealth, Book 5) - Drew Hayes

Travel By Bullet (The Dispatcher, Book 3) - John Scalzi

God of Neverland - Gama Ray Martinez

Redemptor  (Raybearer, Book 2) - Jordan Ifueko 

Ex-Purgatory, Ex-Isle (Ex-Heroes, Books 4 and 5) - Peter Clines

Conspiracy, Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor’s Edge, Books 4 and 5) - Lindsay Buroker

I’m pretty much set up for the next 5 months or so....

[smalltownfae]

The Mid Year Book Freakout Tag

This is a tag that always goes around on booktube around this time but I don’t want to make a video so I will just make a tumblr post.

Original Creators: here and here

1. Best book you’ve read so far this year.

“Piranesi” by Susanna Clarke. I keep thinking about it and overall it’s the less flawed of the bunch. It’s super short so it’s easy to reread, it has great themes, a good main character and excellent writing. The cover is also beautiful, which never hurts. There are other books that I really liked but I think this one is my favourite so far.

2. Best sequel you've read so far this year.

I read very few sequels this year so I will have to go with “The Dragon Republic” by R.F. Kuang. This book isn’t perfect, but it has some of the best scenes in the trilogy.

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to.

“The Mask of Mirrors” by M.A. Carrick because it sounds interesting and I own the ebook now.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

“The Wisdom of Crowds” by Joe Abercrombie, of course. But, also, “Redemptor” by Jordan Ifueko. I thought this book had already come out but it seems like it’s only in August. I haven’t even finished the first book but I want it. “The Witness for the Dead” by Katherine Addison is another one.

5. Biggest disappointment.

“The Twisted Ones” by T. Kingfisher. I was sure I would really like everything the author wrote under this name but it was not the case :(

6. Biggest surprise.

“The Poppy War” by R.F. Kuang, “Silver in the Wood” by Emily Tesh and “Raybearer” by Jordan Ifueko (even though I am only 60% into the book) because I wasn’t expecting to like them to the extent that I do.

7. Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you)

Octavia E. Butler and T. Kingfisher. I need to read at least 2 books from an author to put them on my favourites and it can’t be from the same trilogy so... I finally read more than 2 books these authors and I can safely say they are favourites. Even though I was disappointed by 2 of T.Kingfishers’ books. Butler has yet to disappoint me but I don’t think that is possible.

8. Newest fictional crush.

I only had 2 of those in my entire life. Is not a thing that usually happens to me.

9. Newest favourite character.

I don’t have a favourite character that has entered my absolute top but I really liked Rin and Kitay from the Poppy War trilogy and I am really liking Tarisai, Dayo and the Lady from “Raybearer”.

11. Book that made you happy.

“The Seventh Bride” by T. Kingfisher because it was so wonderful and funny. I am hoping the book she has coming out next year will be similar to that.

12. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

Damn I haven’t been buying physical copies lately... I guess the uk Poppy War books (?) I like them...

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I tried to make plans before, but I never follow them so I rather not say or think about it XD