Review- The Rules of Enchantment by Wendy Tardieu

The Rules of Enchantment on Goodreads

It had been a long time since I read a fantasy novel, so when the publishing house TCK Publishing contacted me about The Rules of Enchantment, I knew I had to pick it up because the summary sounded quite interesting. While I've been on a break from fiction for quite some time now, I thought it would be difficult for me to get into the book and while it did take me longer than usual to finish it, I must say that the minute I started reading this book, I was immediately drawn into a new world full of magic and madness. 

The Rules of Enchantment at its heart is a teacher student romance where Kyler, a scribe, is sent to change the fate of magic under her Master, the sorcerer Leith. While the tension between the two was quite obvious, the romance seemed to be ever so slightly sprinkled here and there. I wouldn't really call this a romance as other than a few sensual scenes, there really wasn't much of a romantic development between Kyler and Leith. 

Coming to the plot of the book, it was quite well thought of and written. Author Wendy Tardieu's writing is easy to follow and her storytelling has a very intriguing charm to it. A short read that'll keep the reader wanting to know more, this book is of the perfect length- not too long, not too short, it's just enough to keep the reader curious and solve all their doubts and problems. 

Overall, this book was a refreshing change from the books I have been reading recently. I did find it hard to stick to it, and at times, even keep a track of what's going on, but overall, the joy of getting into a new world provided an escape to reality, which pretty much fulfils the purpose of a fictional story. I would recommend this book to someone who wants to get into fantasy. A die hard fan of the genre has definitely read better, but this is a great one for a beginner! 

Review- Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

Exit West on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

In a country teetering on the brink of civil war, two young people meet—sensual, fiercely independent Nadia and gentle, restrained Saeed. They embark on a furtive love affair and are soon cloistered in a premature intimacy by the unrest roiling their city. When it explodes, turning familiar streets into a patchwork of checkpoints and bomb blasts, they begin to hear whispers about doors—doors that can whisk people far away, if perilously and for a price. As the violence escalates, Nadia and Saeed decide that they no longer have a choice. Leaving their homeland and their old lives behind, they find a door and step through. 

Exit West follows these characters as they emerge into an alien and uncertain future, struggling to hold on to each other, to their past, to the very sense of who they are. Profoundly intimate and powerfully inventive, it tells an unforgettable story of love, loyalty, and courage that is both completely of our time and for all time.

Release date: March 7th 2017

Published by: Riverhead

Page numbers: 231

REVIEW: 

How do I even begin writing this review? I remember I was completely floored by author Mohsin Hamid's writing when I read his The Reluctant Fundamentalist a few years ago. There was something very captivating about his writing and something very engaging about his storytelling that made me want to keep an eye on him as I was sure I wanted to read more by the author. So when I heard about Exit West, I did not even bother finding out what the book was about, but I got a copy for myself and began reading.

I was not prepared for the emotionally intense ride that was Exit West. In this book, Hamid begins with a very normal day in a very normal- albeit nameless- country, where two people, Saeed and Nadia, meet and keep meeting until the normalcy turns to crisis. With disaster striking their country and with the situation getting worse, they are compelled to move somewhere else through something called the "doors", which was the only fantastical- or as Hamid puts it "magical realism"- element in the book. This way, they keep moving through doors which take them from Greece to England to America.

While watching Hamid's interviews where he talks about Exit West, I noticed that what he insists on in each of them is that the book is not so much about how people move but more about what makes them move. And by move, he means leaving everything and everyone you know behind and just go somewhere hoping there is a better life there. Hence, the concept of these "doors" is not as important as compared to exactly why Saeed and Nadia take them.

What this book made me do is it made me understand the entire concept of refugees, immigration, migration and crisis that the world faces; which is something I was only vaguely aware of initially. I actually ended up doing heaps of research on this topic, and for me, that is a duty well done on the author's part because he created awareness and made me, as a reader, want to know more about the condition and situation that we are in right now. If could say one word to Hamid, it would probably just be a small but very true thank you that would come straight from my heart.

If you are looking for a light read and a book that makes you escape reality for a while, Exit West is not the one for you. The book hits you in the face with reality and is emotionally splendid.

Mohsin Hamid's interview with Wall Street Journal on YouTube

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Review- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

J.K. Rowling's screenwriting debut is captured in this exciting hardcover edition of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay.

When Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when his magical case is misplaced and some of Newt's fantastic beasts escape, it spells trouble for everyone…

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, author of the beloved and internationally bestselling Harry Potter books. Featuring a cast of remarkable characters, this is epic, adventure-packed storytelling at its very best.

Whether an existing fan or new to the wizarding world, this is a perfect addition to any reader's bookshelf.

Release date: November 8th 2016

Published by: Arthur A. Levine Books

Page numbers: 293

REVIEW: 

Any book of the Harry Potter franchise always makes me happy. Always.

When I read J.K. Rowling's library collection, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander a long, long time ago, I was always curious to know more because it developed in me, a greater love for the incredible magical creatures. Then when a movie based on the book came out last year, I had the most magical time revisiting my home and the place that I belong in- the magical world. So when I saw that there was a Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay written by the Queen herself, I had to get a copy and read it. 

Reading the screenplay after months of watching the movie was one the coolest ideas I've ever had because not only did I read and get to experience the written world which Rowling does so bloody brilliantly, but I also got to revisit the movie, which I loved to bits. One of the biggest advantages of reading the screenplay is all the side action that is, albeit in brief, explained meticulously which sometimes doesn't portray so particularly well on screen because it's not explicit. Revisiting the movie and meeting the wonderful Newt again was just so amazing. 

Aside from Newt, however, I loved how close a look I got into the life of this dark but very poor and likeable child, Credence, who is one of the most important characters of the movie. It was also beautiful meeting curious and funny Jacob, sweet and sexy Queenie and lovely and strong Tina again. Not just that, but visiting the American wizarding world again was a fantastic experience. I could imagine everything so perfectly and it felt good to go back.

As always, with any magical world book by Queen Rowling, I find myself incapable of doing her writing and storytelling justice, so I will leave it up to you to buy a copy, read and devour the screenplay of which we have the privilege of reading.

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Review- A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York and Rowan Altwood

A Light Amongst Shadows on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

James Spencer is hardly the typical “troubled youth” who ends up at Whisperwood School for Boys. Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends and indulging in his love of writing, while contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher.

The rumours about William’s sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years. Rumours that only further pique James' curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath all that emotional armor. And, when the normally collected William stumbles in one night, shaken and ranting of ghosts... James is the only one who believes him.

James himself has heard the nails dragging down his bedroom door and the sobs echoing in the halls at night. He knows others have, too, even if no one will admit it. The staff refuses to entertain such ridiculous tales, and punishment awaits anyone who brings it up.

Their fervent denial and the disappearance of students only furthers James’s determination to find out what secrets Whisperwood is hiding... Especially if it means keeping William and himself from becoming the next victims. 

Release date: June 1st 2018

Published by: x-potion designs

Page numbers: 

REVIEW: 

In case you did not know, I am a huge, huge, huge fan of Kelley York. She is one of my favourite authors, who has given me some of my favourite reads like Hushed and Made of Stars. I missed her collaboration with her wife, Rowan Altwood the last time when they wrote Other Breakable Things, so when I heard about A Light Amongst Shadows, I was super excited to read it. I was also so glad to be finally reading something by Rowan Altwood, and it was truly worth the wait. 

A Light Amongst Shadows started out as a very magical book as it reminded me of Hogwarts with the grand description of the boys school, Whisperwood. Discovering the school with the protagonist James was incredible because with time, I formed a bond with him. Going to the dining hall from the dorms to the secret tunnels, the graveyard and the forest was an adventure and I literally felt as if I was there with James. 

James was a very typical Kelley York character who I loved. He had a dark past and he worked hard towards a bright future. His friendship with Oscar, his roommate, reminded me so much of previous friendships Kelley has written about. And his relationship with William was incredibly well done. For two boys to be so comfortable and confident with and about each other at a time when such stuff was out of the question, was magnificent to see. 

The story of A Light Amongst Shadows revolves around James and his extremely sharp mind which starts discovering really odd stuff at the school. He takes it in his hands to find out exactly what happened to his roommate when he disappears one day. I would have liked to know more about the whys behind the discovery that James makes at the end, but the how of it was sad but satisfactory. I also found the story to be slightly slow in terms of pace, but it was something I could pass as I didn't want the book to end anyway. 

Overall, A Light Amongst Shadows came as a pleasant surprise because it's very different from what I'm normally used to from Kelley York. There is no doubt that she does LGBTQ really well, but now I know that she does historical really well, as well. So when the two came together here, it was a win win situation. I would definitely recommend this one, but if you are a regular Kelley York reader like me, this isn't like the author's previous works, so just be prepared for that. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the Kelly York in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN)

Review- Marly's Ghost by David Levithan

Marly's Ghost on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Love and I once had a great relationship, but I fear we've broken up. It cheated on me.

When Ben’s girlfriend, Marly, dies, he feels his life is over and the prospect of Valentine’s day without her fills him with bitterness. But then Marly arrives – or at least, her ghost does – along with three other spirits. Now Ben must take a journey through Valentines past, present and future – and what he learns will change him forever.

A remix of Charles Dicksons's A Christmas Carol with a Valentine's twist and the Levithan magic.

Release date: January 8th 2015

Published by: Electric Monkey

Page numbers: 176

REVIEW: 

I literally go mad when I see David Levithan books in Indian bookstores and whenever that happens, I just have to buy the books. That's how I came across Marly's Ghost, which, very shockingly and disappointingly, I hadn't even heard of until I saw it and just couldn't resist purchasing a copy for myself. When I released that the book was less than 200 pages long or short, I decided to give it a go.

In its essence, Marly's Ghost is a very David Levithan-esque book, and by that I mean that it portrays very complicated and deep but daily thoughts in a very simple manner. When Ben's girlfriend Marly dies, her ghost pays him a visit followed by three more spirits who end up teaching Ben practically everything he needs to know to move on. Like every male character by the author, Ben was also very cool, smart and extremely likeable.

While I did really like this short, simple and stunning book, I have to admit that I do have some mixed feelings about it, because I wish it were longer and I also wish it were more complex. I'm not saying that the book wasn't great, because it was, but I just wish it gave me more. Other than that, however, the story was very intriguing and unique, which I thoroughly admire.

Overall, Marly's Ghost is a nice read for young readers. It definitely doesn't live up to the other books by King Levithan, but it still managed to leave an imprint on my heart because of the very lovely and clean message that it came with. And as usual, the writing made the book and the story more stunning.

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- The Raven and the Rose by Kevin McLaughlin

The Raven and the Rose on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

"Northshield University was never, ever boring. I nearly blew myself up facing the apparition in October. But I survived, and found my magic had grown in strength. The new power was exhilarating - and a little scary.

But I was about to get a lesson in the use of power, and in humility, and why power never, ever comes without responsibility. The story started with some missing roses, and got more weird from there..."


(This is a short story set between the novels "By Darkness Revealed" and "Ashes Ascendant".)

Release date: November 24th 2013

Published by: Role of the Hero Publishing

Page numbers: 22

REVIEW: 

I got a couple of free short stories just by being a newsletter subscriber of author Kevin McLaughlin. The Raven and the Rose is one of those stories, and because I love and believe in magic, this story was extremely interesting. In very few pages, the author manages to tell a really nice and unique story that's fun to read.

The Raven and the Rose is actually book number 1.5 of the Blackwell Magic series. Even though this book isn't a prequel to the series as such, I never felt that something was missing or that I wasn't getting it somehow. Everything flowed so smoothly even in book 1.5 that I felt like I was familiar with it even though I was reading the story for the very first time.

I liked this story much more than another story I read by the same author, so I'm definitely more curious about the Blackwell Magic series, which I'm sure must be super cool. Whether you read it as a short story or as book 1.5, I'd definitely recommend The Raven and the Rose because it's a short, interesting and very unique read that's fun as well.

Review- Another Day by David Levithan

Another Day on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Every day is the same for Rhiannon. She has accepted her life, convinced herself that she deserves her distant, temperamental boyfriend, Justin, even established guidelines by which to live: Don’t be too needy. Avoid upsetting him. Never get your hopes up.

Until the morning everything changes. Justin seems to see her, to want to be with her for the first time, and they share a perfect day—a perfect day Justin doesn’t remember the next morning. Confused, depressed, and desperate for another day as great as that one, Rhiannon starts questioning everything. Then, one day, a stranger tells her that the Justin she spent that day with, the one who made her feel like a real person…wasn’t Justin at all.

In this enthralling companion to his New York Times bestseller Every Day, David Levithan tells Rhiannon’s side of the story as she seeks to discover the truth about love and how it can change you. 

Release date: August 25th 2015

Published by: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Page numbers: 327

REVIEW: 

I started 2016 by reading Every Day, so it only seemed fitting that I end the year with Another Day. While Every Day is still my favourite because it was such a unique, interesting and really mesmerising read, Another Day wasn't bad at all. What I liked most about the latter was that, in spite of it being the exact same story, although from another point of view, it was never even slightly boring.

Another Day is basically Every Day from the female lead Rhiannon's point of view. Now I really liked Rhiannon when I read about her from A's point of view, but in her own book, she really got on my nerves more than once simply because even when she knew she deserved better, she kept herself stagnant. In spite of people banging on her door and generously offering help, she just kept going the same old same old way. Now I'm not saying that at 16, she should have everything figured out, but all I'm saying is, she is smart and if only she used her brain...

When it comes to A however, I don't suppose it's ever possible to dislike A. A is such a unique character and that makes me fall in love with A more and more each time. While Rhiannon wasn't exactly my favourite person, the person she was with A was so accepting, kind, warm and welcoming which I really admired and rooted for. It was really interesting to read about A from another, innocent and vulnerable point of view.

Overall, I'm super glad I read this book because it took me back to Every Day, which like I must have said a dozen times already, was superb. Another Day, in terms of the writing and storytelling (where David Levithan never goes wrong) was just as nice, but I just had some problems with the main character, which I feel is okay, because I'm not supposed to like everyone and everything anyway. But definitely pick up this series, because it's mind-blowing, and I'm dying to know what happens next.

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN)

Review- Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

 BOOK SUMMARY:

A standalone companion book to the internationally bestselling Shiver Trilogy. 

Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole's story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole's darkest secret -- his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel's life. Can this sinner be saved?

Release date: July 1st 2014

Published by: Scholastic Press

Page numbers: 357

REVIEW: 

I was extremely excited to read Sinner from the moment I saw that Maggie Stiefvater was writing a story for Cole St. Clair. I absolutely love her The Wolves of Mercy Falls series. I read the books at a time when I didn't write reviews, so I will take the opportunity to say now what I couldn't at that time. Although I barely remember much, what I do remember is that this series had me absolutely, completely and totally engrossed. I didn't just read it, but I lived it. I felt so much while reading it. The powerful impact of the author's writing made me fall in love with the characters and the story and The Wolves of Mercy Falls is undoubtedly at the top of my most favourite Young Adult paranormal reads list. So it was but obvious that I was eager for Sinner and I had high expectations from it. 

While Sinner didn't live up to the first three books of the series, in its own way, it was a great read. Maggie promises on Goodreads that the book is "very full of Cole and Isabel" and obviously, she knows what she's saying and she's absolutely right. From the first page to the last, this story is about that destructive, unimaginable and almost I-hate-that-I-love-you pairing. We met a bunch of people before, but this book only focuses on two individuals. Of course there are other people involved and they were all lovely in their own way. Also, in a way, they were all needed to make Cole and Isabel realise that they were, in fact, contrary to thier own belief, meant to be. 

I was slightly disappointed with Sinner since- and I can say this on the part of the many fans of The Wolves of Mercy Falls series- it didn't make me feel what the series made me feel. I wasn't into it, you know? The writing wasn't as magical and poetic as it was before but yes, it's Maggie and she writes beautifully. It's just that it wasn't as beautiful as what I've read previously from her. Also, I found myself getting frustrated with Isabel more times than one. My simple point was if she's so intent on being indifferent, there was no need to care even the slightest bit. And if she did care, then she could have done it without pretending to be indifferent. Another thing was the epilogue. For me, an epilogue provides a kind of a closure- if not to the characters, then to the story at least- but clearly, this epilogue left me wondering what even happened there. It all ends well, yes, but I didn't "get" the epilogue. 

What I did love about the book was Cole. It was all about Cole and I loved every bit of it. He is fighting a battle between his past and present to make his future and it was portrayed beautifully. Isabel wasn't always with him, but when the two were together, they made for a fire-crackling pair. While there are quite a few aspects that get a bold and bright tick from me, there are also many aspects that get a simple and straight cross. My loyalty to the series and Cole St. Clair are the two things that have made me wrap up and say that Sinner was a great read, although not all that great. 

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Review- Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Summary-

Passage, n.
i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.
ii. A journey by water; a voyage.
iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them—whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are playing, treacherous forces threaten to separate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home... forever.

Release date: January 5th, 2016

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Page numbers: 486

Review-

What intrigued me about Passenger by Alexandra Bracken was the cover and the blurb. I have read less than a handful of books regarding time travel and Passenger had time travel in it so I became even more interested. I surprisingly did end up enjoying Etta and Nicholas' journey in Passenger. It had a little bit of history and these two travel to so many places. It was interesting.

Let's start with Etta. Etta is our heroine. She loves to play the violin but has somehow suffered from stage fright. One night in New York, present day, when she is to perform a strange incident happens which pushes her back through time. Like, centuries back. Now she's on a ship and she has to figure out what's going on and how she can get back to the life she knew. I really liked Etta. She was thrown into a world she had no clue about and still she managed to remain sane. I loved how determined she was and I overall liked her personality.

On the ship, Etta meets numerous characters. Some know what's going on more than the others and Etta has to decide whom she can trust. The book is not a romance but I loved the romantic thread going on. Nicholas was a great hero. What I loved was that he was African American and we hardly get to see inter racial romances. It was also an eye opener how difficult things were for people of colour in the olden times. But Nicholas was strong and he wanted to make something of himself.

Nicholas and Etta were great together. Their relationship grows slowly but there is always a connection between them. But aside from the romance there is a the whole riddle that Etta has to solve by travelling to various countries in various times to save her mother. Passenger takes complicated family to a whole new level as every single person has an agenda of their own.

You need a little bit of patience while reading Passenger. The book is almost 500 pages long and it takes time for things to build up where they are. I can see why the author took time and effort to build up the settings because all that time travel could give anyone a whiplash and the reader had to orient themselves with that particular time and place as well. Passenger does not end on a note where everything is sorted. There are many more things left to do and many questions left unanswered. But I am curious to know more in Wayfarer which is the next book in the series. With the perfect combination of time travel, romance and action Passenger was a good read for me.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Hachette India in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- Purple, Silver, Olive, Orange: A Short Story by Helen Smith

Purple, Silver, Olive, Orange: A Short Story on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

An entertaining short story set in a futuristic England, Purple, Silver, Olive, Orange is a bite-sized introduction to Helen Smith’s writing. 

Sarah wanted a sensitive, poetic, romantic boyfriend who would bring her flowers. Ryan ticks all the boxes. So why isn’t Sarah happy? 

Recommended for readers who enjoyed Alison Wonderland by Helen Smith. 

This story is free to borrow with Kindle Unlimited or Amazon Prime.

Release date: December 26th 2014
Published by: Tyger Books Quick Reads
Page numbers: 50

REVIEW: 

Previously, I have read two of author Helen Smith's short stories, Real Elves: A Christmas Story and The Memory Man: A Short Story. While both stories were interesting, they weren't very captivating and being really short stories, there wasn't more when I really wanted it. When I picked up Purple, Silver, Olive, Orange: A Short Story, I didn't keep any expectations. It was an interesting read all right, but again, too short to get the whole point of it. 

From what I understood, Purple, Silver, Olive, Orange: A Short Story is set in the United Kingdom of the future where the person you need in your life is designed for you as per your requirements. So we have Sarah who wants a man who will bring her flowers and write poetry for her and whom she gets in the form of Ryan. One morning, just as Sarah is telling Ryan how his ways seem to smother her, an inspector comes to note down if everything is going well with the two. The hint of drama that happens then was okay, not too great.  

The story kicks off in Sarah and Ryan's little apartment which was a very cute start up and set up as well. Ryan's dialogues were supposed to be in verse, but I had to reread a few of his lines to get the poetry in it. When I did get it though, his lines started looking very beautiful. I didn't understand Sarah's character however; she seemed manipulative to me, and I'm sure there was more to her than what was portrayed. 

Overall, Purple, Silver, Olive, Orange: A Short Story could pass as a pointless story that easily can be skipped, but I really enjoyed reading about the brief descriptions that were shown in the beginning. I read this book when I hadn't read anything at all during the day, but I had to read something to make it seem like a productive day. Maybe you can too. 

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- The Cupcake Witch by Poppy Lawless

The Cupcake Witch on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

They say the course of true love never runs smooth.
That’s nothing a magical cupcake can’t solve.

Julie

Buttercream. Vanilla. Fondant. Dark chocolate. Brown sugar. Molasses. Baking has always been my true love, but it wasn’t until my mother’s death, and the unexpected inheritance of Serendipity Gardens, that my bliss called me. Bittersweet. But Serendipity Gardens has more to offer than just a potential shopfront. An unusual recipe box left to me by a distant relative might be the key to unlocking my dreams.

Too bad the most powerful family in Chancellor has plans that could turn those dreams to ruins—literally.

Too bad the son of that powerful family is just the kind of guy I’ve been looking for.

Horatio
I suppose being heir to the Hunter family’s Blushing Grape Winery should make me happy, but nothing could be further from the truth. With my mother gone, my father has taken me under his wing, and I despise everything about the way he does business. Sour grapes, indeed. Instead of raising money for charitable causes, my true passion, I’m chasing my father’s manifest destiny.

Too bad his dream includes paving paradise.

Too bad the property owner is the sweetest woman I’ve ever met.

The Cupcake Witch is a stand-alone sweet romance and book 2 of The Chancellor Fairy Tales series. 

Release date: November 24th 2015

Published by: Love Potion Books

Page numbers: 106

REVIEW:

The Cupcake Witch sounded extremely intriguing because how could food- desserts, at that- and magic not make for a good combination? This book is actually the second in a series of novellas, but each of the stories can be read as a standalone. An extremely enjoyable read, The Cupcake Witch was a short, sweet and superb read. 

Julie lost her mother to cancer and so did Horatio. While on the one hand, Julie's dad is extremely supportive of her wish to start her own dessert and tea shop with an array of organic products for sale; on the other hand, Horatio's dad is very controlling and demanding and wouldn't have no for an answer. Julie and Horatio meet in a rather bumpy way, but once everything is understood between the two, the relationship between sweet Julie and dashing Horatio was the cutest. 

The Cupcake Witch is set in a small town where everyone knows everyone. These setups always give warmth to stories, and make them very welcoming. It was wonderful meeting the town folk and especially getting to know about the bazaars, festivals and entertainment there. Everything just seemed cosy and cute. The townspeople were so wonderful and seemed almost too good to be true. 

The most interesting part of The Cupcake Witch was the way the whole aspect of wizardry was introduced. Just when I started questioning the "witch" in the book title, I got the answer I was looking for. The best part of the book, however, was the many delicious desserts and food items that were described in a sumptuous and mouth-watering manner by the author, whose writing was somehow very pretty and her storytelling, quite magical. 

*Note: This book was provided by YA Bound in exchange for an honest review. We thank them for the book. 

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN) / AMAZON (COM)

Review- Every Day and Six Earlier Days by David Levithan

Every Day (Every Day #1) on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

Release date: August 28th 2012

Published by: Knopf Books for Young Readers 

Page numbers: 322 

REVIEW:

After reading almost half a dozen books by David Levithan, I can finally identify and make out the author's writing style. Every book he writes is so unique, creative and astounding that it seems like it's a different person writing each time. Every Day was no exception. Once again, David Levithan has proved that he is the most brilliant contemporary writer of our times. And this time, he has shown that he is brilliant even when he deviates from contemporaries. He doesn't just write. He creates magic. Author Jodi Picoult is so right in her blurb for the book where she says that she didn't just read Every Day- she inhaled it. 

A book like Every Day is difficult to explain. It's easy to read. Easy to understand. Easy to follow Easy to live. But very difficult to explain. Reading this book was an experience that I wish to experience every time I read a book, but that's not possible. Because the magic that David Levithan creates is unparalleled and unbelievable. He goes so deep in the head of his characters that they start to seem more real than the author himself. He doesn't just create characters- he becomes them, and in becoming them, he takes the reader along and the reader becomes the character too. And that is truly special. 

I don't want to say that I was lost in Every Day. I want to say that I was found in it. I was left speechless by the end of it, and all I managed to get out was a silent but heartfelt wow once I closed it. It was so special and interesting to read about a new individual, a new personality, a new body, a new life but the same head. Every time. It never ceased to amaze me how intimate and magical it was. I thought I was reading this book because it as so well written and so well made, and it was only after I was done reading it that I realised that there's so much more to it than just that. It's a book that connects and touches people because one of the lives portrayed in the book could very well be the reader's life. 

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN) / FLIPKART

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Six Earlier Days (Every Day #0.5) on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In Every Day, New York Times bestselling author David Levithan presented readers with his most ambitious novel to date: Every morning, A wakes up in a different body and leads a different life. A must never get too attached, must never be noticed, must never interfere. 

The novel Every Day starts on Day 5994 of A’s life. In this digital-only collection Six Earlier Days, Levithan gives readers a glimpse at a handful of the other 5993 stories yet to be told that inform how A navigates the complexities of a life lived anew each day. 

In Every Day, readers discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day. In Six Earlier Days, readers will discover a little bit more about how A became that someone.

Fans of Levithan’s books such as Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, co-written with Rachel Cohn, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson, co-written with John Green, will not want to miss A’s adventures in Every Day and Six Earlier Days.

Release date: November 26th 2012

Published by: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Page numbers: 47 (ebook)

REVIEW:

The edition of Every Day that I read came with Six Days Earlier, a prequel that has six chapters. I read the prequel before starting the book, so it gave me a glimpse into Every Day and the very unique and special life of A. It also helped me in knowing what was in store for me in the first book of the series. While on the one hand, Six Days Earlier was really nice; on the other hand, I do believe that it was slightly unnecessary, especially if I were to read it after Every Day, because the first time was sufficient. More than sufficient, it was enough. And it was breathtaking in every way possible. Giving me six chapters is great- I'll take it, but I'd rather start from Day 1 and never stop reading about A, because he is that intriguing, exciting, special, magical and unique. To sum it all up, if you are giving me more, I want everything, David Levithan; and not just peeks, I want the whole damn life of A.