#katrina kwan

[allgirlsareprincesses]

I'm so disappointed in Ca*t. But proud of the Reylo fandom for standing with the impacted writers. It's not the first time we've had to respond to bad behavior in the fandom and unfortunately it's unlikely to be the last. But let's make sure to pre-order these debuts and read the other impacted books. Keep lifting each other up!

[jessread-s]

Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review

✩🐉🫖Review:

An enthralling adventure with a love that lasts lifetimes!

“The Last Dragon of the East” follows Sai, a matchmaker born with the ability to see the red threads of fate between soulmates, after he is thrust into the search for a dragon long thought extinct. As his own thread of fate, one that is gray and fraying, begins to move, he may be able to solve the mystery of his Fated One at the other end of the line. 

Kwan’s romantasy debut is captivating, weaving together her atmospheric writing and elements of Chinese mythology. I love how she incorporates the red threads of fate into her storyline to enhance the romance between San and Jyn. Their dynamic is such a breath of fresh air! Sai isn’t your typical MC, giving new meaning to the phrase “I’m a lover not a fighter.” His big heart perfectly balances Jyn’s more guarded personality. She initially tries to push him away when fate crosses their paths, but she soon comes to realize what I already knew from the start: their connection is undeniable. It manifests itself in their playful banter, their yearning glances, and the sacrifices they make for each other as the novel progresses.

Kwan is intentional about choosing to tell this story from Sai’s point-of-view and I could not get enough of his voice! She skillfully alternates between multiple different timelines to both build suspense and shed light on the mystery surrounding Sai’s unusual thread. The twists propelled me forward until I ran out of pages to read. While the end wrapped up a bit too quickly, I still found it satisfying. I hope there will be more to come from Kwan in this genre!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[ohmightydevviepuu]

ficbinding archive: Knives & Seasoning / Knives, Seasoning, and A Dash of Love

the story knives & seasoning by winona_wren published in 2023/2024 as Knives, Seasoning & A Dash of Love

fandom: Star Wars / Reylo

archive notes i was able to track down some fanart from the artist who went on to design the book cover. AO3 metadata included on title page.

the binding:

churchpaper warm white 24# paper

all interior text rendered in alegreya

dubletta bookcloth

siser red glitter HTV titles

rounded and backed casebinding

made endbands

[luminouslumity]

Here's a link to most of the authors Cait targeted, as well as Akana, Hana, Katrina, Thea, and Danielle!

[myhikari21things]

Read of The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan (309pgs) (2024)

[kblackship]

My Most Anticipated Reads of 2023

Before I was a full-time author, I was a voracious reader. Even now I miss the blissful abandon of curling up on the couch with a good book and losing myself between the pages. I don’t get as much time to read as I would like, but this year I’m making a concentrated effort to enjoy some fun reading as a reward for reaching my writing/publishing goals. Fortunately for me, I have a ton of author…

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

Inspired by Chinese myths of ancient dragon gods and threads of fate, Katrina Kwan’s dazzling fantasy debut is a propulsive adventure perfect for fans of Sue Lynn Tan and Hannah Whitten.

At the spry young age of twenty-five, Sai has led a quiet life, keeping the family teahouse up and running—even if that means ignoring the past-due notices—and taking care of his ailing mother. But he has a not-so-secret gift that he’s parlayed into a side career: he was born with the ability to see the red threads of fate between soulmates, which lends itself nicely to matchmaking. Sai has thus far been content not to follow his own thread, the only one he’s ever seen that’s gray and fraying.

But Sai’s ordinary existence is about to be turned upside-down by a pair of shining dragon scales. When his mother’s doctor sells them to him, claiming them as a miracle cure, Sai is pretty sure he’s being scammed. When the medicine actually works—and the terrifying, ruthless emperor catches wind—Sai is thrust into the search for a dragon long thought extinct that will lead him into the throes of a brewing war and deep into foreign lands, facing down challenges both magical and mortal on an unexpected adventure. And for the very first time, as his own thread of fate begins to move, he may be able to solve the mystery of his Fated One at the other end of the line.

Review:

Dragons, fate, and a love that transcends lifetimes.... this book has it all. Sai is a thread reader, able to see people's red threads and find them their fated person... yet he has not been able to find his own soulmate since his own thread is oddly turned grey. Yet while buying illegal dragon scales to use as medication for his sick mother he catches the eye of evil emperor who blackmails him into hunting down this dragon as it is the last one in existence. Sai has no choice but to comply otherwise he'd be killed.... yet when he does meet said dragon its none other than a beautiful woman who seems oddly familiar.... whose own string of fate is connected to him. Sai's world is turned upside down as he begins to get strange memories of a past life with her... but she refuses to tell him how they are connected... but with the emperor hunting them both down can Sai find out the truth or will they both die before he can be with his soulmate? This was a stunningly romantic story filled with magic and love, I absolutely adored the romance in this. The relationship between Sai and his fated one was absolutely so well done and I loved every second of it. The slow buildup and reveal was fantastic and honestly I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys mythological romances!!!

Release Date: October 8,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[bookclub4m]

Episode 204 - Cozy Fantasy

It’s episode 204 and time for us to talk about the genre of Cozy Fantasy! We discuss what makes something cozy, romantasy, breakneck cozy fantasies, how much fantasy people need in their fantasy, and more!

You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray 🦇 | Jam Edwards

Things We Read (or tried to…)

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

Comparison between US and UK covers

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree 

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

Sorcery and Small Magics and Maiga Doocy

The Baker & the Bard by Fern Haught

Howl's Moving Castle by Dianne Wynn Jones

Howl's Moving Castle (film)

Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe

Other Media We Mentioned

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

Matthew meant “solarpunk” as the genre that this is often described as

Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

Episode 202 - A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (Wayward Children)

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

Canadian residential school system

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

LoadingReadyRun

The House Witch by Delemhach

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

Moonstruck, vol. 1: Magic to Brew by Grace Ellis and Shae Beagle

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

The Tea Dragon Society Card Game

Balatro

Links, Articles, and Things

What Counts as Cozy Fantasy?

In Defense of Low-Stakes Fiction

Iyashikei

“portraying characters living out peaceful lives in calming environments, and is intended to have a healing effect on the audience”

11 Cozy Fantasy by BIPOC Authors:

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

VenCo by Cherie Dimaline 

Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi

DallerGut Dream Department Store by Mi-Ye Lee, translated by Sandy Joosun Lee

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

The Fae’s Bride by R.L. Medina

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa, translated by Louise Heal Kawai

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

Give us feedback!

Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

Check out our Tumblr, follow us on Instagram, join our Facebook Group or Discord Server, or send us an email!

Join us again on Tuesday, December 17th it’s time for our “best books of the year” episode!

Then, on Tuesday, January 7th we’ll be discussing the genre of Cultural Studies!

[booksandboba]

Book Releases in 2024

(Last Updated: 12.23.2024)

May

(7) Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang, Volume 3, Priest (light novel)

(14) A Crane Among Wolves, Jane Hur (novel)

(21) Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 12, Kamome Shirahama (graphic novel, manga)

(21) Though I Am An Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court, Volume 5, Satsuki Nakamura, Ei Ohitsuji, Kana Yuki (graphic novel, manga)

(21) Oshi No Ko, Volume 6, Aka Akasaka, Mengo Yokoyari (graphic novels, manga)

June

(4) Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu, Volume 1, Tang Jiu Qing (light novel)

(11) The Eccentric Doctor of the Moon Flower Kingdom, Volume 6, Tohru Himuka (graphic novel, manga)

(11) Case File Compendium: Bing An Ben, Volume 2, Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou (light novel)

(18) The Remarried Empress, Volume 7, Alphatart, SUMPUL, HereLee (comic, unscrolled web comic)

July

(2) The Night Ends With Fire, K. X. Song (novel)

(9) Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu, Volume 5, Meng Xi Shi (light novel)

(23) Lullaby of the Dawn, Volume 4, Ichika Yuno (graphic novel, manga)

(23) Remnants of Filth: Yuwu, Volume 4, Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou (light novel)

(30) Peerless: Wushuang, Volume 1, Meng Xi Shi (light novel)

August

(1) Nine Tailed: Realm of Four Kingdoms #1, Jayci Lee (novel)

(6) Spy x Family, Volume 12, Tatsuya Endo (graphic novel, manga)

(6) Father, I Don't Want This Marriage, Volume 1, Hong Heesu, Roal, Yuri (comics, unscrolled web comic)

(6) The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish: Canji Baojun De Zhangxin Yu Chong, Volume 2, Xue Shan Fei Hu (light novel)

(13) Guardian: Zhen Hun, Volume 3, Priest (light novel)

(20) The Husky and His White Cat Shizun: Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun, Volume 6, Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou (light novel)

(27) You’ve Got Mail: The Perils of Pigeon Post: Fei Ge Jiao You Xu Jin Shen, Volume 1, Blackegg (light novel)

(27) Oshi No Ko, Volume 7, Aka Akasaka, Mengo Yokoyari (graphic novels, manga)

September

(3) When Haru Was Here, Dustin Thao (novel)

(3) How to Survive As a Villain, Volume 1, Yi Yi Yi Yi, Wang Yi (comic, web comic unscrolled)

(10) The Eccentric Doctor of the Moon Flower Kingdom, Volume 7, Tohru Himuka (graphic novel, manga)

(17) Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang, Volume 4, Priest (light novel)

(17) The Remarried Empress, Volume 8, Alphatart, SUMPUL, HereLee (comic, unscrolled webcomic)

(24) KinnPorsche, Volume 1, Daemi (light novel)

(24) Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu, Volume 2, Tang Jiu Qing (light novel)

October

(8) The Last Dragon of the East, Katrina Kwan (novel)

(8) Divine Mortals: Divine Mortals # 1, Amanda M. Helander (novel)

(22) Case File Compendium: Bing An Ben, Volume 3, Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou (light novel)

(29) Peerless, Volume 2, Meng Xi Shi (light novel)

(29) Don't Let the Forest In, C.G. Drew (novel)

November

(5) Dinghai Fusheng Records, Volume 1, Fei Tian Ye Xiang, Qian Er Bai, LV FEI (comic, manhua)

(12) ENNEAD, Volume 4, Mojito (comics, webcomic unscrolled)

(19) Remnants of Filth: Yuwu, Volume 5, Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou (light novel)

(19) Oshi No Ko, Volume 8, Aka Akasaka, Mengo Yokoyari (graphic novels, manga)

(26) You’ve Got Mail: The Perils of Pigeon Post: Fei Ge Jiao You Xu Jin Shen, Volume 2, Blackegg (light novel)

(26) Lullaby of the Dawn, Volume 5, Ichika Yuno (manga)

December

(3) The Husky and His White Cat Shizun: Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun, Volume 7, Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou (light novel)

(10) Noragami: Stray God, Volume 27, Adachitoka (graphic novels, manga)

(10) The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish: Canji Baojun De Zhangxin Yu Chong, Volume 3, Xue Shan Fei Hu (light novel)

(17) Though I Am An Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court, Volume 6, Satsuki Nakamura, Ei Ohitsuji, Kana Yuki (graphic novel, manga)

(24) The Ancient Magus' Bride, Volume 20, Kore Yamazaki (graphic novels, manga)

(24) KinnPorsche, Volume 2, Daemi (light novel)

[wolfreader]

november 2024 wrap-up - adult fiction

this month i read three (3) adult novels and one (1) adult novella.

the frugal wizard's handbook for surviving medieval engalnd by brandon sanderson 📖 🌟🌟🌟🌟

brandon sanderson has got to stop writing protagonists who are sad pathetic little losers with no friends. i end up relating to them way too heavily and i'm starting to feel personally called out.

i think this is a contender for "best first brandon sanderson book", because it's not connected to the cosmere but it still carries all of the hallmarks of sanderson's writing and worldbuilding style. especially his penchant for blending scifi and fantasy - that's something that will show up in most of his works, so if you want to get into sanderson this might be a great place to start to see if you vibe with it.

mistress of lies by k. m. enright 📖 🌟🌟🌟🌟

i don't know what i expected from this book. i first heard about it from the cait corrain scandal, and put it on my "24 books to read in 2024" list because the description interested me. then as it got close to release i started seeing it described as a romantasy (rather than a fantasy), which is a genre i really don't enjoy, and seeing it compared to books i hate or blurbed by authors i dislike. so that kind of put me off. but it was on my list and it was on sale at my b&n, so i picked it up.

and i quite liked it!! i think it was maybe a little too long - it started to drag a bit at the end - but i found all three main characters really compelling. usually with multi-pov book i end up liking one character way, way more, and while i definitely still have a favorite the gap between them and the second favorite isn't nearly as wide as it normally is for me. really excited to see where this series goes.

i will say, the back of the book says that this is a book about vampires. the goodreads page lists it as a book about vampires. my initial interest was because it was advertized as a book about vampires. there are no vampires in this book. i don't even think they use the term "vampire" once. so don't pick this up if you're wanting a vampire book, regardless of what the marketing says.

the last of dragon the east by katrina kwan 📚 🌟🌟🌟

i have never read a book that felt more like fanfiction in my life. even books that i know were literally once fanfiction, or books that draw obvious heavy inspiration from things i have watched / read, have felt less like fanfiction.

unlike those books, it's not that it feels like it can be tied to a specific other piece of media. like, i couldn't tell you for certain what this is fanfiction of (though i have a guess, based off the author's previous work and the other authors that appear to be in her circle), but it reads like fanfiction even more than those other books.

the short pagecount, the length of the chapters, the oddly juvenile writing style and light tone that clash with the scale of the story, the odd pacing that swaps between breakneck in some areas but painfully slow in others, the soulmates, the insta love, the circular plot, the flat villain. this reads like dozens of completed multi-chapter fics i read on ao3 when i was 15. if you had put this in a shitty self-published-esque cover, handed it to me, and told me it was printed and bound fanfiction of show or book series i'd never heard of, i'd believe you.

a fine read i guess, but completely forgettable.

the way home: two novellas from the world of the last unicorn by peter s. beagle 📚 🌟🌟🌟

another item knocked off of my "24 books to read in 2024" list!

less vague than the last unicorn was, to be sure. it's more clear exactly what's happening (at least in the first novella). there was a weird and, in my opinion, tasteless sexual assault plot point that added nothing adn didn't seem to have any reason for being there... but other than that it was fine.

[allbookedupblogstuff]

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan

TL;DR: This one was a surprise in many ways, all lovely. Source: NetGalley and a physical copy via the publisher Plot: Sai ends up forced on a journey by the Emperor to find the last dragon and along the way he finds a lot more. Characters: I enjoyed all these characters and could see them vividly. I genuinely felt for them as well. Setting: A beautiful Asian inspired world, I will keep a lot of…

[oppvenuz4456]

Book Film Stars for Weddings in India

Booking film stars for weddings has become an exciting trend in India, adding glamour, entertainment, and a touch of Bollywood magic to the celebration. Whether you envision a star-studded performance or a celebrity appearance to wow your guests, involving a film star can make your special day truly unforgettable. Here’s a guide to help you understand the process, costs, and logistics of booking celebrities for weddings in India.

Visiit For More Info Oppvenuz

Why Book Film Stars for Your Wedding?

Memorable Entertainment: Celebrities performing or attending your wedding create unforgettable moments.

Glamour and Prestige: A Bollywood presence elevates the event, making it unique and luxurious.

Social Buzz: Celebrity appearances generate excitement and enhance the wedding’s social media appeal.

Popular Choices of Film Stars

Bollywood Actors:

Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Katrina Kaif, and Deepika Padukone are highly sought-after for their charisma and fan following.

Singers:

Artists like Arijit Singh, Neha Kakkar, and Mika Singh can perform live, energizing the audience with their chart-topping hits.

Regional Stars:

South Indian film stars like Allu Arjun and Tamil icons such as Vijay add regional appeal. Punjabi celebrities like Diljit Dosanjh are popular in North Indian weddings.

How to Book Film Stars for a Wedding

Identify Your Needs:Decide if you want the star to perform, make an appearance, or host a segment of the wedding. This will impact your choice of celebrity and overall budget.

Contact Talent Management Agencies:Leading agencies manage celebrity bookings and ensure a smooth process. Some renowned agencies include:

Kwan Entertainment

Wizcraft International Entertainment

TOABH Talent Management

Consult Professional Event Planners:Many wedding planners have direct contacts with celebrity managers and can negotiate better deals. They also handle logistics and contracts.

Negotiate the Contract:Ensure the contract covers all details, including the star’s role, appearance duration, and payment terms. Transparency is key to avoiding last-minute surprises.

Cost Considerations

The cost of booking a film star varies based on several factors:

Celebrity’s Popularity: A-list actors command higher fees, ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore or more. Mid-tier celebrities or TV stars may charge ₹20 lakh to ₹1 crore.

Performance vs. Appearance: A live performance costs significantly more than a simple appearance.

Duration and Travel: Costs increase if the star needs to travel or stay overnight. International bookings involve higher fees.

Logistical Requirements

Accommodation and Travel: Luxury arrangements, including flights and five-star hotel accommodations, are usually required.

Security: High-profile stars often need a dedicated security team to manage crowds and ensure safety.

Technical Support: For performances, detailed specifications for sound systems, lighting, and stage setups must be met.

Key Tips for a Smooth Experience

Book Early: Popular stars often have busy schedules. Secure your booking well in advance.

Have a Backup Plan: Celebrities might face last-minute schedule changes, so prepare alternative entertainment options.

Maintain Confidentiality: Avoid leaking details about the star’s appearance to prevent large crowds or media interference.

Conclusion

Booking film stars for weddings in India can turn your special day into a glamorous, star-studded affair. With careful planning, the right contacts, and attention to detail, you can ensure a seamless and memorable experience that leaves your guests talking about your wedding for years to come.

[ohmightydevviepuu]

fanbinding: a bookbinding archive, of sorts

i'm learning a new style of bookbinding and struggling with it and decided to play with an obsession of mine, which is finding pulled-to-publish fics. my goal is eventually to re-bind the trade paperback versions to match.

here are my first three:

decided to start with some big names in publishing--the office eventually became Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren; head over feet became The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood; knives & seasoning was recently published as Knives, Seasoning & A Dash of Love by Katrina Kwan.

these books were completed as part of BINDERARY 2024 hosted by the renegade publishing guild. these are flat-back casebindings covered in homemade bookcloth. the covers are printed vinyl and are taken from the original fanart(s) that accompanied the fics in their heyday(s). you can see that in the case of TLH and KS&D that the authors stayed with their favored fanartists in the published works:

i'm not sure if the office reflects the published cover version or vice versa, since i am not 100% sure who created the cover art that was part of the copy i found.

[bucolicbook]

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan

US pub date - 10/8/24

4.5 stars, rated up 

*dragons 🐉

*Chinese mythology - red string of fate 

*a romance for the ages 

Those three things - that’s all it took for me to want to read this. 

***********

Vivid, beautiful, and an absolute recommendation from me. 

Thank you to S&S/Saga Press and NetGalley for the DRC 

[beckysbook5]

Knives, Seasoning & a Dash of Love by Katrina Kwan - ARC Review!

Alexander Chen is one of the most talented chefs to ever grace the culinary world of French haute cuisine. He rules his kitchen with an iron fist and fiery temper, so it’s no secret that if you can’t handle the heat, he’ll gladly toss you out with the trash. As one of the first Chinese-American chefs to claw his way to the top, he has a lot to prove and a massive chip on his shoulder. But he…

[elaine-white-author]

#SocialSunday: Take A Chance: Katrina Kwan

On Take A Chance posts, I’ll be showcasing authors I love to read, but who I don’t have contact with, for things such as interviews and teasers. I will be sharing their bio, some of the works I loved best, and a showcase of up to 5 books, if they have a larger back catalogue, as well as their social media links. ~ Katrina Kwan Katrina Kwan is a Vancouver-based author and actress. After…