๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐น๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐: Crescent City inspired characters illustrated by @arz28
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐น๐ฒ: illustrated by @sallteas
๐๐ผ๐ถ๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ featuring characters from ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป ๐จ๐, ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ณ๐๐น, ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐ป๐, and ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐: illustrated by @arz28
๐๐ฎ๐๐๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ๐: designed by @jezhawk
๐ฆ๐ฎ๐น๐ & ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐: designed by @noverantale
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ด ๐๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ป๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐น ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป: designed by @alchemyandink
๐๐๐น๐ผ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐: illustrated by @_saintdri
My Thoughts:
This is such a gorgeous box and upon opening this I actually gasped. Everything here was so gorgeous! ๐คฉโจ I was completely blown away with how gorgeous and cohesive the items were in this box. I honestly can’t get over how beautifully curated this box is.
Cost & Value: I believe this box really was worth the cost just alone with the book. However, the items included are not only gorgeous but useful, too. I love every item but my favourite would be the playing cards and socks. I’ll definitely use all the items.
Design: I am in awe with every item in this box. Everything is so cohesive with the theme and overall aesthetic. Also, did I mention how gorgeous the book is? Because the book is so gorgeous.
My Rating:
โญโญโญโญโญ
Rating: 5 out of 5.
๐๐จ๐ญ๐: Have you read Kingdom of the Wicked? Otherwise, whatโs your favourite romantic trope?
๐๐จ๐ญ๐: I love enemies to lovers but I love it even more when they must work together begrudgingly ๐ my absolute favourite is rival to lovers ๐ฅฐ๐
๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐น๐ ๐๐ป๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐น ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป: designed by @HeyAtlasCreative
๐ช๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐ ๐ผ๐ผ๐ป๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ๐: from Team @OwlCrate
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐น ๐๐ผ๐๐: designed by Janine Lecour
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ-๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ค๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ผ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ: designed by @LadyChubbLetters
๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐น๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฒ: by Team OwlCrate
๐ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ช๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐๐ต๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐๐ถ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฝ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ: created by @MotherlandEssentials
๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ถ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: complimentary from Libro.FM
With the limited sneak peaks for that month I was so excited for this box. Not only due to the theme and the book in question, but also how it exclusively features BIPOC sellers and inspired books. However, upon opening the box, I couldn’t help but feel… disappointed. I feel like this theme could have been explored further and be more creative in terms of design and items. I’ll be honest, I feel cheated with this box. I am a POC myself, so naturally, I want to support BIPOC sellers but I feel like this box doesn’t showcase the theme well. Plus, with the lack of BIPOC sellers… I just… SIGH
In terms of the theme, designs, and items, I felt like there was no cohesiveness. I don’t know how the items and design relate to the the inspired books and overall theme. The items feel so randomly shoved together and I suppose this may be due to the fact that I haven’t read some of the books. However, for the books listed that I have read, I don’t understand the choice of items. For example, I mean, one could do so much with Spin the Dawn. I feel like only the design relates the the book. And not to criticise the design or item–I do appreciate the item and design. The bowl cozy design is gorgeous and wonderfully made. However, I question how it relates to Spin the Dawn other than the cover of the book? I don’t know. Like, I do appreciate how useful the items are, but I don’t understand how they relate to each other and the theme?
Cost: I really do not feel like this box was worth my money. However, I am an international buyer so I understand that our currency is weaker than the USD plus shipping expenses, however, I feel like other than the soap, the items could be purchased on cheap websites like WISHand ALIEXPRESS for a fraction of the price. Friends, with the change of shipping, I pay approximately $77+ AUD for this box. I just feel like slapping quotes on items and claiming it’s exclusive… I don’t think I can justify paying over $77 for that… Also, other than the soap, I would not purchase any of this items for myself. I wouldn’t go as far as say that I’m a minimalist, but I don’t really like to purchase items I don’t use nor need. It’s a shame because since discovering OwlCrate last year I’ve always loved them. I enjoy their monthly picks and loved their items. Perhaps this particular month wasn’t for me.
Conclusion: I’m not too fond of the items but I do love this month’s book. I accidentally slipped up my dates and purchased the November box, so, I will see how that box goes and will determine whether I would like to continue OwlCrate or not. Which is a huge bummer because I usually love OwlCrate book picks and their items.
Growing up, my family always utilised the library. There’s something special about the library and I love them so much. The other day, I decided to ignore my unread books on my shelves and acquire more books without my wallet cursing and crying at me. As a result, I went to my local library.
One thing I love about my library is how it allows you to borrow ten books at a time. I tried to be realistic and borrow the maximum books I think I can read within two weeks, so I managed to pick five books. Here are my pics:
โข ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ by Justin A Reynolds
โข ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต by Elizabeth Acevedo
โข ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฒ๐ ๐ซ by Elizabeth Acevedo
โข ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป by Justina Ireland
โข ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ป by Samantha Shannon
A few of these books have book on my tbr for a while and now I can devour them to my hearts content ๐ Iโve already started Dread Nation and omgggg I stayed up so late and now Iโm hating/loving myself right now ๐ ๐ญ๐
(Ps please ignore how I forgot to showcase The Bone Season ๐)
๐๐จ๐ญ๐: Have you read any of these books? Do you use the library? Whatโs the last book you borrowed? Otherwise, whatโs the last book you bought?
๐๐จ๐ญ๐: Finally!!! There was some free Elizabeth Acevedo books at my library and you bet I swiped the books and ran out ๐๐๐ปโโ๏ธ๐จ๐จ๐จ
I originally made this as a reel for Bookstagram, however, I can’t play the music I added with this so let’s just pretend I’m singing in the background *Cue off-pitch singing and cats crying*
This is the most gorgeous book! Iโm so in love with this and Iโm so excited to start to read this.
Monthly Character Cards: Nevernight inspired characters illustrated by Katherine Britt
An Ember in the Ashes inspired Book Sleeve (Laia & Elias): designed by @monolimeart
Hunting Prince Dracula inspired Hardcover Notebook: by @noverantale with artwork by @taratjah
Aurora Rising Enamel Pin: designed by @ironandinkdesigns
Nevernight (Mia & Mr Kindly) Metal Bookmark: designed by @taratjah
Golden Egg Bath Bomb: created by @littleheartgifts
Scythe inspired Magnet: by @tararjah
Upon opening my box I actually gasped. This box left me speechless. Iโm so in love with everything ๐ญ๐คฉ FairyLoot definitely spoiled us with this book. One could say everything here was out of this world ๐โจ
Title: The Midnight Bargain Standalone Author: C. L. Polk Publisher: Erewhon Books Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance Rating: โ โ โ โโ Where can I get this?GoodReads | Book Depository | Booktopia | Barnes and Noble Recommended for: fans of historical fiction set in Regency era, themes of politically arranged marriages, and feminism CW: themes of misogyny (women wearing collars after marriage to subdue their magic and protect potential children)
โญโญโญ
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Check out the synopsis below!
Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who practices magic in secret, terrified of the day she will be locked into a marital collar that will cut off her powers to protect her unborn children. She dreams of becoming a full-fledged Magus and pursuing magic as her calling as men do, but her family has staked everything to equip her for Bargaining Season, when young men and women of means descend upon the city to negotiate the best marriages. The Clayborns are in severe debt, and only she can save them, by securing an advantageous match before their creditors come calling.
In a stroke of luck, Beatrice finds a grimoire that contains the key to becoming a Magus, but before she can purchase it, a rival sorceress swindles the book right out of her hands. Beatrice summons a spirit to help her get it back, but her new ally exacts a price: Beatriceโs first kiss . . . with her adversaryโs brother, the handsome, compassionate, and fabulously wealthy Ianthe Lavan.
The more Beatrice is entangled with the Lavan siblings, the harder her decision becomes: If she casts the spell to become a Magus, she will devastate her family and lose the only man to ever see her for who she is; but if she marriesโeven for loveโshe will sacrifice her magic, her identity, and her dreams. But how can she choose just one, knowing she will forever regret the path not taken?
โYou will dance. You will eat cake. You will see starlight. You will have a kiss by midnight, and then our bargain is done.โ
I liked how this book explores and woven the themes of gender equality, womenโs freedom, and independence into the novel. However, I felt like this novel lacked nuance in some areas. I appreciated the rhetoric regarding equality, however, at times it felt too heavy-handed and on the nose, thereby affecting my reading experience towards the 80% mark of the story. In saying that, I do agree that the discussion regarding equality and independence is crucial, and whilst I may find it a bit on the nose at times others may not find it so.
Also, I liked how driven and determined the protagonist (Beatrice) was throughout the story. My two favourite characters were Beatrice, Nadi, and Ysbeta. I particularly liked Beatrice and Nadiโs dynamic. And I liked how Beatrice and Ysbeta grew together, fostering a great friendship.
However, unfortunately, I could not come to love the love interest (Ianthe). I felt like the romantic interest was too perfect in the sense that he was consistently understanding, open-minded despite living in and taking part in a world that constantly benefited him. It felt unrealistic. From the top of my head, I canโt think of any flaws. I mean, the love interest is even good looking and rich.
Despite the constant focus on the romance, the romance felt underdeveloped and rushed. I didnโt feel emotionally invested nor understood the romantic connection between the characters. I feel that there was no romantic build-up for me to really cheer for the two characters.
In terms of the world-building and magic system, I liked how intriguing the magic system was. However, this could be due to my lack of understanding, but I found the magic system vague. Despite that, I did find the magic system fascinating and enjoyed it.
Without getting spoiler-y, I both liked and not-so-liked the ending. I found it unrewarding in the sense of how it opposes certain themes presented throughout the novel regarding marriage, children, and Beatrice pursuing her passion. I felt the ending felt too convenient to be believable. Despite that, I did like how Beatrice chose and paved her own path for both career and family (Iโm trying to be as vague as possible here).
GUSH:
ย Gripping, I devoured this book in one sitting –
Interesting world and magicย
Determined protagonist wanting to pursue their passion and a strong sense of women empowerment
GRIPE:
I didnโt feel too invested in the romance
Not enough information regarding the world-building and magic –
Title: How to Break an Evil Curse Series: Chronicles of Fritillary #1 Author: Laura Morrison Publisher: Black Spot Books Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy Where can I get this?Goodreads | Booktopia | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble Rating: โ โ โ โโ Recommended for: people looking for a different take on fairy-tales, fans of satire, fantasy parodies, and snarky narrators
If youโre looking for a fairy-tale parody, this may be for you.
In โHow to Break an Evil Curseโ, the Kingโs firstborn is cursed to die if touched by sunlight. Princess Julianna, the unfortunate firstborn to the King of Fritillary is confined in darkness and dreams of a life of freedom. Disgruntled but also determined, Julianna decides to fight fate and live her life by escaping the somewhat nicely redecorated dungeon.
But first, how does one break an evil curse? Simple, really. The evil Wizard Farland admits there is a cure. All Julianna needs is to fall in love with a person that: 1. spent their whole life at sea, 2. whose parents are part of a travelling theatre troupe, 3. said person can play the banjo, accordion, and harpsichord, and 4. is allergic to asparagus.
โIt is not impossible for such a person to exist, only improbable.โ
Writing: Firstly, I must state this: approach this with a light-hearted mind. The narration style may not be for everyone. Rather, it may come across as sarcastic to some, with fourth wall breaks, witty comments, and interesting footnotes. However, I feel the narration is a stylistic choice to add to the humorous tone and I find that it works well with the story.
Characters: There is a large cast of characters in this book, however, they add to the story and itโs quite easy to follow. Although one may find certain characters to be shallow and two-dimensional, I feel like this story doesnโt take itself too seriously for you to do so.ย Although I must say, I appreciate how Julianna has initiative. Once she wants something, she goes after it.
Enjoyment: I can appreciate this book for what it offersโa unique take on classic fairy tales. The humour may not be for everyone as itโs sarcastic and sometimes nonsensical. However, if you enjoy such humour, you may thoroughly enjoy this.
This book may serve well as a โpalate-cleanserโโwhen youโre looking for a book that is light-hearted, entertaining, and easy to read. Iโd recommend those who pick this up to not take it seriously, and enjoy for what it is. Overall, I find this book to be a quirky and amusing read.
Recommended for: people looking for a different take on fairy-tales, fans of satire, fantasy parodies, and snarky narrators
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Kingdom of Sea and Stone Series: Crown of Coral and Pearl #2 Author: Mara Rutherford Publisher: … Release Date: October 6th 2020 Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Where can I get this?Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Indigo
Check out the synopsis below!
Ever since Nor was forced to go to a nearby kingdom in her sisterโs place, sheโs wanted nothing more than to return to the place and people she loves. But when her wish comes true, she soon finds herself cast out from both worlds, with a war on the horizon. As an old enemy resurfaces more powerful than ever, Nor will have to keep the kingdom from falling apart with the help of Prince Talin and Norโs twin sister, Zadie. There are forces within the world more mysterious than any of them ever guessedโand theyโll need to stay alive long enough to conquer themโฆ
Review
Rating: โ โ โ โ โ Recommended for: fans of YA Fantasy, sea settings,
Writing: Like the first novel, Kingdom of Sea and Stone was a delight to read. I found the writing style straightforward and engaging. Rutherford describes scenes well without weighing the narrative down with too many descriptions. I liked how I could read both books in a single sitting.
Characters: First and foremost, this novel is solely told in first POV of Nor and I appreciated Norโs character growth depicted here. As we journey through the story we witness as she takes action and courage whilst remaining the same empathetic and kind-hearted she was in the first book. This book takes a shift and explores themes such as freedom, purpose, and love.
However, akin to the first book I found Norโs internal struggle to take centre stage (romance in the first book and self-discovery in the second). I appreciate it when books explore a characters internal struggle, however, I found the increased focus on that aspect to downplay other aspects (such as the war, etc.) in the book thereby affecting the pacing. Despite it being slower paced, I appreciate how this book went into great length into Norโs journey both physically and mentally.
Also, one major aspect I loved in the first book was the twinโs relationship. I adored their strong love for each other and I rejoiced to see them reunite here. Luckily, we get to witness more of Zadie and her interactions with Nor (as well as Zadie/Nor/Sami but the three best friend dynamic wasnโt as depicted as I wouldโve liked it). I liked how
There were few recurring characters and some new faces. I quickly grew fond to a few of the new characters and liked how they spiced the story up. There were hidden agendas, unclear motivations, and unexpected twists and I was here for all of them.
Romance: Whilst some may disagree with me, stating the romance was lacking in comparison to the predecessor, I preferred the romantic resolution presented in this novel. Perhaps I wasnโt as invested in the romance due to it being a little too convenient for me in the first book. However, I did get frustrated at some parts of the book where I feel that a simple straightforward conversation wouldโve prevented certain situations but hey, I did enjoy the drama of it all so… ๐๐ Anyway, I canโt complain with how the romance ended (but mind you some may find it lacking).
Setting & World-Building: I liked how this book explores further than Varenia and Ilara, journeying to a land named Galeth. Rutherford described the scenery well, incorporating little details of the land and culture throughout the story which helped grounded me into this fantastical world. Galeth was refreshingly different to Varenia in various ways (ruling, customs, expectations, etc.). I initially fell in love with how Rutherford depicted Varenia so exploring different lands was quite fun (though I missed the sea).
Overall, this was a pleasant conclusion to the highly anticipated sequel. There is a different shift in terms of pacing and themes compared to the previous book and I did enjoy the thoughtfulness and depth that went behind it all. Be prepared to meet new faces, see new places, and a fun ride!
Recommend for: fans of YA fantasy with political intrigue, character growth depicted in first POV
CW: violence, death
Some of my favourite quotes:
Please note: the quotes listed here are cited from an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) and may be subjected to change upon publication.
Father kissed my forehead. โMy girl, take heart. No journey worth taking was ever easy.โ
I loved this. Iโm a sucker for a good parent/child dynamic and this interaction highlighted a tender moment between Nor and her father. Little do we know how much this quote really sets our story!
โHope is like a kite. Hold on to it tight enough, and even the fiercest storm canโt claim it.โ
A great nod to book one! I adored this!
โBecause that was what it meant to be free: I could choose.โ
โCeren had said love was my weakness, once. But I knew now that love was the strength that would sustain me out there in the world, and it was the bond that would ensure I always came back.โ
MARA RUTHERFORD
Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. Originally from California, Mara has since lived all over the world along with her Marine-turned-diplomat husband. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara holds a Masterโs degree in Cultural Studies from the University of London. When sheโs not writing or chasing after her two sons, she can usually be found pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone, whether at a traditional Russian banya or an Incan archaeological site. She is the author of CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL (2019), its sequel, KINGDOM OF SEA AND STONE (2020), and LUMINOUS (2021).
Hello Everyone and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Faithless Hawk by Margaret Owen hosted by TBR and Beyond. This stop includes an exclusive Q&A with the author and I am so excited to share it with you.
Title: The Faithless Hawk Series: The Merciful Crow #2 Author: Margaret Owen Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Release Date: August 18th 2020 Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Where can I get this?Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble |Indigo
Check out the synopsis below!
Kings become outcasts and lovers become foes in the thrilling sequel to Margaret Owenโs The Merciful Crow.
As the new chieftain of the Crows, Fie knows better than to expect a royal to keep his word. Still sheโs hopeful that Prince Jasimir will fulfill his oath to protect her fellow Crows. But then black smoke fills the sky, signaling the death of King Surimir and the beginning of Queen Rhusanaโs merciless bid for the throne.
With the witch queen using the deadly plague to unite the nation of Sabor against Crowsโand add numbers to her monstrous armyโFie and her band are forced to go into hiding, leaving the country to be ravaged by the plague. However, theyโre all running out of time before the Crows starve in exile and Sabor is lost forever.
A desperate Fie calls on old allies to help take Rhusana down from within her own walls. But inside the royal palace, the only difference between a conqueror and a thief is an army. To survive, Fie must unravel not only Rhusanaโs plot, but ancient secrets of the Crowsโsecrets that could save her people, or set the world ablaze.
Can you share with us something about The Faithless Hawk that isnโt in the blurb?
Margaret: There is a DRASTIC increase in the number of cats involved!
Without revealing too much, what was your favourite scene or moment to write in The Faithless Hawk,ย and why?
Margaret: I always enjoy writing the endings, the big final clashes and the dust settling. It’s when all the dominos you’ve set up get to fall, and the pattern you’ve been building finally reveals itself!
What song would you choose as the theme song for The Faithless Hawk?
Margaret: “The Bleeding of Mercy” by the Telepathic Teddy Bears! The first time I listened to it, I was really captivated by the mournful yet hopeful tone. In particular, the line,ย “Don’t mourn the setting sun, for it will rise again”ย struck me as particularly close to home for this book.
I adored your charactersโespecially how Fie is so unapologetic, unafraid, and full of grit and determination. How did you choose the names for your characters?
Margaret: Thank you so much! For Fie, I wanted her name to evoke a sense of both spite and mischief, and the word “fie” seemed perfect. I wound up compiling a list of old-timey insults for the other Crow names, according to their customs, and I tried to match them up with their personalities the best. The rest of the names I made up, though there’s a bit of a naming convention for the ruling families to adhere to, where the firstborn child’s name is based on the name of one of their parents. (For example, Jasimir’s mother was named Jasindra, and we learn Rhusana’s son is named Rhusomir.)
Looking back, what was the most difficult and what was the most enjoyable part of the whole process of writing and publishing your books?
Margaret: There was a period of time last year when I felt like if I wasn’t making everyone happy, I was failing. That meant if people didn’t like my book, or if I wasn’t able to deliver things on time, or if I wasn’t able to provide cool incentives to preorder my book, I was going to fail as an author, and my career would be over. Needless to say, I was struggling quite a bit to write at that point. There’s a phrase I wound up writing on masking tape and pasting on my desk, which isย “The only way out is through,”ย which was true but a little bleak, so underneath I added,ย “but you can make it.” And I did!
I’d say the most enjoyable part has been seeing howย The Merciful Crowย andย The Faithless Hawkย have touched people, especially when it inspires them to create something themselves. When people reach out to me to say “I loved this part!” or “those monsters were so gross!” or “I HATE this character so much!”, it’s a similar feeling as when your friend texts you as they watch a movie you really love, and they’re super into it. But it’s even better, because I made that movie! (Kind of.)
The Merciful Crow was such an intense and enthralling read. What can fans expect from you in the future? Can you tell us about any future projects?
Margaret: Thank you so much!ย The Faithless Hawkย wraps up the duology, so there aren’t any plans for more books in that universe at the moment, but I never say never. However, I do have a third book due out, likely sometime next year. It’s a loose retelling ofย The Goose Girl,ย from the perspective of the fairytale’s villain, a wicked maidservant who stole the princess heroine’s identity. When we meet our narrator, she’s spent the last year or so using the princess’s identity to make it into high society parties and pull off a string of jewelry heists. Then she steals from the wrong family, crosses a local deity, and winds up cursed to turn into jewels herself… unless she can make up for everything she’s taken. It’s a lot of weird magic, scammers scamming scammers, and unorthodox uses of breakfast foods, so all in all a good time! Well, for everyone but our narrator.
Quick-fire questions:
Thereโs a zombie apocalypse! Which four YA protagonists would be on your team and why?
Katniss from The Hunger Games, she’s got all the outdoor survival knowledge of a Girl Scout on steroids, plus she’s killed before and will kill again.
Jane McKeene from Dread Nation,ย she isย literallyย trained to kill zombies.
Amaya from Scavenge the Stars,ย because she can sail a boat, and honestly zombies are less of a problem at sea, I feel.
Nina Zenik, so someone can help me hold down the waffle situation. (And heal the wounded, and possibly control the zombies? But waffles first.)
What would be your supervillain name and powers?
Margaret: Margaret Owen, and making people cry, probably.
Okay, okay, it would probably be something like Her Majesty, because I would 100% be down to do a hivemind-type situation and make people do things like recycle and wear masks and, if we can rope Bezos into this, donate their massive amounts of money to charity.
And finally, whilst there is an endless amount of writing resources online, if you could share one unique piece of advice to aspiring writers, what would it be?
Margaret: I would say a lot of the time you hear “eyes on your own paper”, and to a certain extent, that’s solid adviceโeveryone’s publishing journey is different, and you really can only control your own work. That said, I would say don’t be afraid to look around the room, actually. Don’t be afraid to compare notes with people you trust. I can guarantee that the discrepancies revealed by #PublishingPaidMe are neither the first nor the last, and that opacity is not for your benefit, but for that of the publishing industry. The only way that changes is by making informed decisions, so don’t be afraid to seek out that information yourself.
A huge thank you to Margaret for your time!
Born and raised at the end of the Oregon Trail, Margaret Owen first encountered an author in the wild in fourth grade. Roughly twenty seconds later, she decided she too would be an author, the first of many well-thought-out life decisions.
The career plan shifted frequently as Margaret spent her childhood haunting the halls of Powellโs Books. After earning her degree in Japanese, her love of espresso called her north to Seattle, where she worked in everything from thrift stores to presidential campaigns. The common thread between every job can be summed up as: lessons were learned.
Fortunately, it turned out that fourth-grade Margaret was onto something. She now spends her days wrestling disgruntled characters onto the page, and negotiating a long-term hostage situation with her two monstrous cats. (There is surprisingly little difference between the two.) In her free time, she enjoys exploring ill-advised travel destinations, and raising money for social justice nonprofits through her illustrations.
Oh no. I think I developed a new bad habit and it’s in the form of constantly requesting titles on Netgalley. What’s Netgalley? Netgalley is a website where you can request Advanced Reader Copies (ARC) of books in exchange for reviews and raising awareness/sharing the love. My little eager heart has been requesting all these amazing books and I know there are various posts recommending you to NOT request away. And yet, here I am…
I am unsurprised and unimpressed with myself haha. (Why am I like this?)
Does anyone have any specific criteria as to what they do and don’t request? Because I need an adult.ย How do I control myself?
I like to read broadly as much as I can, so I’m always open with genres but I can see myself falling into a hole of continuously requesting for books (and I kind of am already?). There are so many great books out there! I don’t want to overwhelm myself with all these commitments (but let’s be honest, I’m always overwhelmed haha). Also, I like to keep my ratio above 80% because lol it tells you to and my vanity likes the badge.
Anyway, I’m a temperamental mood reader, so here’s the plan: I’m going to join #ARCAugust. Or at least, attempt to.
In actuality, I had been planned to binge read all my ARCs and I happened to see a friend post they’re taking part in #ARCAugust so why not join?
Chosen Ones โ April (the publishers threw a wishbone at me???? thank you??)
The Girl and the Stars โ 30 April (currently reading)
Dark Skiesย โ 5 May (writing review help)
Santiago’s Road Home โ 20 June *date changed (writing review help)
The Midnight Bargain โ 13 October (just go accepted??? wow thank you)
The Tea Dragon Tapestry โ 13 October (currently reading)
How to Break an Evil Curse โ 13 October (currently reading)
The Stitcher and the Mute โ 12 November (my foolish self didn’t realise this was a SEQUEL; currently reading the first one)
The City of Zirdai โ 21 June 2021 (AGAIN my foolish self didn’t realise this was a SEQUEL; currently reading the first one)
TO DO LIST:
โ Read book โ write review โ post review close to the published date
There are three steps!! Three!ย Yet why is this so difficult? Why am I like this???
Anyway, how’s your reading going? Do you read any ARCs? Otherwise, how do you organise your reading?
I was pleasantly surprised upon seeing a FairyLoot box on my doorstep. And this month did not disappoint! This was such a gorgeous box and I’m so glad to be subscribed to FairyLoot. And now, for the unboxing…
Featured Book: Girl, Serpent, Thorn: by Melissa Bashardoust
A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse…
There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, itโs not just a story.
As the day of her twin brotherโs wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if sheโs willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isnโt afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.
Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming…human or demon. Princess or monster.
Blurb from Goodreads
With an exclusive pink cover, green sprayed edges, reverse artwork in the dust jacket illustrated by @orikye, and signed by the author, this book is my favourite cover change yet from FairyLoot! This edition is absolutely gorgeous.
Monthly Character Cards: Throne of Glass inspired characters designed by @Gabriella.bujdoso
City of Brass inspired Tea Towel: designed by @eviebookish
Dessert Bath Salts: made by Little Heart Gifts
An Ember in the Ashes inspired Tribal Desert Candle: by Wick and Fable
The Forbidden Wish inspired Sunglasses Pouch: designed by @kitstercronk
Hero of the Fall inspired Wooden Spoon: designed by @kdpletters
We Hunt the Flame inspired Bookish Tin: designed by @chattynora
This box arrived earlier than my other boxes so I was surprised when it turned up. Also, my tracking wasn’t updated. Yes, my boxes had been shipped with Hermes…
Anyway! Other than the book, I absolutely loved the Bookish Tin! I love the design and how useful it can be. I’m not sure what I’d put in the tin right now (probably tea, or something) but I’ve already placed it on my shelf. Overall, this was a gorgeous box and again, I was thoroughly impressed.
What are your thoughts on this box? Like any of the items?
