8 books I’d rescue if my house was burning down

Hello everyone!

I found this post about a months ago on Expresso Reads and I love the idea. So I pick up my phone, check my bookshelves and decided who win and who die in the game of thrones.

I cheated a little, because the original post was the 7 books to rescue, but I added one.

I’m not doing this post only to show my best books, or to create envy. I’m not an arrogant person, at all, I just want to share with you some of the stories behind my beloved books.

So, for the books:

Extinct monsters by Hutchinson: I found this book in a little bookshop in U.K., and now I tell you a secret. I collect old books, the one who attracts me, maybe with a strange title or beautiful illustrations, so most of the times are cheap and forgotten books, but I really love them. And I love dinosaurs too. This is a copy printed in 1893.

Here’s an illustration:

The other old book is on the right: How the plants grow by Gray, it’s a scholastic book from 1853 (american, I suppose) about botanic and plants. I love the illustrations too.

Most of the other books are signed, so they are really precious to me, or they are my fave books.

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters, Boo by Neil Smith and Il vangelo secondo Biff (Lamb) by Christopher Moore are 3 of my fave books of all the time. The first and the second had literally break my heart, the third one is a hilarious and dramatic book.

Yesternight by Cat Winters, 2012 la fine del mondo (2012 the end of the world) by Roberto Giacobbo and The Ocean at the end of the lane by Neil Gaiman are all signed books. I won the first one on a twitter giveaway; I partecipate in a tv show with the author of the second one; and I travelled from Turin, Italy, to Portsmouth, U.k., for the third one. One of the best memories I had.

And that’s all folks!! Have you read this books? What books you will save from your house?

The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell, review

The Twistrose key (The Twistrose key #1)

Author: Tone Almhjell

Pages: 366

Genres: Middle-grade, Fantasy, Adventure

Rating: 5/5

Add On: Goodreads, Amazon.

Synopsis:

When a mysterious parcel arrives at her family’s new home, eleven-year-old Lin Rosenquist has a curious feeling she’s meant to discover what’s inside.

Much to Lin’s surprise, the ornate key contained in the parcel unlocks a spellbinding world called Sylver, hidden behind the cellar door. Sylver is an enchanting land of eternal winter, inhabited by animals that shared a special connection with children in the real world, either as beloved pets or tamed wild animals. In death, they are delivered to Sylver, where they take on a curiously human-like form and still watch over the children they cherish. While Lin is overjoyed to be reunited with her beloved pet, Rufus, she soon learns that the magic of the Petlings and Wilders is failing, and snow trolls want to claim Sylver for themselves. Lin must discover a way to stop them and save this enchanted world.

Review:

I was walking through a bookstore near the Amsterdam’s Airport, a couple of years ago, when I found this book. I remember the title from goodreads, and when I saw the cover, I immediately buy it.

The Twistrose key is an amazing Middle-grade book. I know that I’m 31 y.o. but I really love Middle grade books with adventures in it. They are easier to me to read. But the greatest thing about this book it’s the setting.

The author (I think it’s the first time I read a fantasy book written by a norvegian author!) has created a wonderful winter world, with some reminescence of Narnia and The golden compass. There’s a little touch of North Europe, a little of U.K. as you can see at each chapter’s illustrations.

I didn’t read The Chronicles of Narnia, but The Golden compass is one of my fave books.

There is a map at the beginning of the book, but also the description, the clothes that all the characters wear, the food (omg the food!!!): all of these things are magical and heartwarming. I would love to visit the Sylver world. Or to live in.

The story is also very adventurous and emotional: every single person(adult or children) who has loved a pet in their life, will be touched by the story of Lin and Rufus.

Me loving Rufus

I love Rufus with all my heart, and the relationship between Rufus and Lin is so pure and touching. Yes, I cried at the end of the book.

And then, I discovered that there’s a second book in the series: Thornghost! I was so happy that I buy immediately a copy, and now I received it!! Omg I can’t wait to read it!!

Also, a special thanks to the author, who has liked and commented my photo of the book on Instagram.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Obviously I recommend it to children too: I can’t say that are trigger warnings in this book, and there isn’t a cliffhanger. I know I’m not the best at writing positive review, but honestly, this book deserves a lot more love and attention.

Truthstone by Mike Shelton, Review

Truthstone (Truthseer archives #1)

Author: Mike Shelton

Pages: 283

Genres: YA, fantasy

Rating: 5/5

Add on: Goodreads, Amazon

Summary:

One little lie won’t hurt, will it?
When fifteen year old Shaeleen unexpectedly is given a TruthStone, every lie she hears or tells causes her immense physical pain. As she struggles to control her new power and curb the pain, she learns a powerful truth that could thrust an entire continent into civil war. She must choose: reveal the truth and stop the pain – or sacrifice her own well-being to protect her kingdom.
For two hundred years the five kingdoms of Wayland have been protected by the stones of power. Now those stones are failing and a darker power is trying to take control. With the help of her brother, Cole and a newfound friend, Orin, Shaeleen sets out to gather and restore the power of all the stones.
But will she succeed before the endless lies destroy her?

Review:

First of all, thanks a lot to Ya Bound Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Truthstone is a lovely fantasy, and I was totally hooked from the beginning to the end.

Do you know the feel when a really good book changes the way you look at the world?

That’s what happened to me with Truthstone. I spend the days when I was reading it thinking about “what I will do if I had a truthstone?” “What if everyone arounds me are telling me lies?”

Maybe the story doesn’t seems so original, right? But in this case is written so good.  There are all the descriptions of the surroundings, of the dresses and the characters; their emotions are well descripted, as well the differences between the class.

Shaeleen is a good main character: at the beginning she’s not sincere, but with the help of the truthstone, of her brother Cole and her friends, she grow up to a beautiful and honest woman.

The magic of the stones, the history and the geography of the different countries are well written, interesting and without plot holes. I appreciate it.

I really can’t find something that it’s wrong with this book: the writing style is good without long boring description; it’s not so difficult to read for me (english isn’t my first language); I love the characters and the world, and I think that the cover is lovely too.

There’s no violence or curse words in this book, so I recommend it to young readers too. There’s a sequel too, called Truthspell, and I can wait to read it!

 

 

March 2018 Wrap up

Hello everyone! How was your reading month?

I read a total of 10 books in March, but I DNF an italian one. ç__ç

How beautiful are the covers of this month? What’s your favourite?

I love the colours of How to be happy, but my steampunk heart is all for Nefertiti’s Heart.

If you want to read my review, click on the title of the book.

The last days of night by Graham Moore: my biggest disappointment of the month. So boring.

How to be happy by Eva Woods: a book about life and death, about happiness and sadness. I really like it!

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson: well, I like it but not as much as everyone do. Sorry, I know I’m a weird. But I’m happy to have read it, finally!

Art in the blood by Bonnie MacBird: I love Sherlock Holmes, but I can’t stand boring books, I’m sorry. And this book was sooo boring! But look, a Sherlock GIF in my review!

The chess queen enigma by Colleen Gleason: this is the third book in the Stoker and Holmes series, one of my fave! I love Steampunk so much, and Colleen Gleason has created a beautiful world. Review to come.

Nefertiti’s Heart by A.W. Exley: as I said before, I love steampunk, but I really hate male MC in Christian Grey Style and not required romance/s*x scenes.

There’s a book that catch your attention?

 

The Last Necromancer, C.J. Archer, review

The Last Necromancer (The Ministry of Curiosities #1)

Author: C. J. Archer

Pages: 270

Genre: YA, Historical fiction, steampunk

Add on: Goodreads, Amazon, BookDepository

Summary:

Victorian London: For five years, Charlotte (Charlie) Holloway has lived as a boy in the slums. But when one theft too many gets her arrested, her only means of escape lies with a dead man. Charlie hasn’t raised a spirit since she first discovered she could do so five years ago. That time, her father banished her. This time, she brings even more trouble upon herself.
People are now hunting Charlie all over London, but only one man succeeds in capturing her.
Lincoln Fitzroy is the mysterious head of a secret organization on the trail of a madman who needs a necromancer to control his newly “made” creatures. There was only one known necromancer in the world – Charlotte – but now there appears to be two. Lincoln captures the willful Charlie in the hopes the boy will lead him to Charlotte. But what happens when he discovers the boy is in fact the young woman he’s been searching for all along? And will she agree to work for the man who held her against her will, and for an organization she doesn’t trust?
Because Lincoln and his ministry might be just as dangerous as the madman they’re hunting.

Review:

London, 1889. Charlie Holloway is a young boy of 13 years old that lives on the street, a skinny thief with his little gang. But the real name of Charlie is Charlotte, a young woman of 18, whom father has abandoned when she has try to reclaim her mother’s soul with her necromancer powers, that she doesn’t know to possess.

Now that she has manifested her powers in a police station, mysterious men are chasing her.

Charlie is now at the Ministry of Curiosities, in a big and elegant house with Cook, the cook obviously; Seth and Gus the handymen and Lincoln Fitzroy, the leader. But living in a house full of men is not a problem, if they all thinking that you are a man too.

“I wanted him to touch me, to hold me, to see me as a woman. Yet being discovered terrified me. The devil’s daughter was only good for doing the devil’s work.”
In this first volume, the action and the revelations are all in the beginning and in the ending, and all the book is about the interactions and the friendship between the characters. I can’t put it down!
Charlie is not the same MC of all the YA: she has a terrible past, but she is strong; she lives in the fear of her father, of her powers, and the fear of been discovered as a girl, but she’s also intelligent and brave.
The romance is little, there’s not instalove or love triangle! Lincoln is a dark character, fascinating and mysterious, but I adore Seth and Gus: Seth is sweet and gentle, and Gus seems to be rude and not polite, until the revelation. They are fantastic character!
I love the location and the setting too. It’s a dark London, divided between Necromancy and luxury, with a little touch of steampunk and kick ass girls.
Maybe the idea behind a ministery of curiosities, or paranormal activities is not the most original idea on the planet, but here is really well executed, and I can’t wait to read the other books in the series!
Oh, and we can’t forget about the one thing: finally in a YA book, someone (the author of course) reminds that the girls normally has periods. You know what I mean? Finally a main character that seems more human!

P.s.: the ebook is free on amazon!

Rating: 5/5

Beauty and Beastly by Melanie Karsak, Review

Beauty and Beastly (Steampunk Fairy Tales Series)

Author: Melanie Karsak

Pages: 162

Genre: Steampunk, romance

Rating: 5/5

Add on: Goodreads, Amazon

Summary:

In this tale as old as time, Isabella Hawking must tinker a solution to a heartbreaking mystery.

When Isabelle and her papa set out from London on a sea voyage, Isabelle was thrilled. Visiting foreign courts, learning from master tinkers, and studying new ways to manipulate mechanicals sounded like a dream. But an unexpected gale turns the waters violent, and the ship is lost. Isabelle survives the tempest only to be shipwrecked on a seemingly-deserted island. Dotted with standing stones, faerie mounds, and a crumbling castle, the haunting place hints of a magical past. Isabelle may be an unwitting guest, but her arrival at the forgotten citadel heralds a new beginning for the beastly residents inside.

Beauty and Beastly is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast fairy tale set in 1814 Regency England.

Review:

I can’t express how much I loved this book!

I read a lot of retelling in the past years, I even partecipate in a challenge based on retellings, and I never found one that I really really like. For example: I like the idea of Dorothy Must Die, but I didn’t like the MC.

But Isabelle Hawking is a great main character! She’s strong, and intelligent, she doesn’t despise the other girls, and she creates wonderful creations made of metal and music.

“How dare you presume to pick my rose. A rose by any other name would still spell damnation for us all.”

First of all: some of the chapters title are the same of the famous songs from the movies! I don’t know you, but I sing those songs a lot. No, I’m not a good singer.

Second: the author has turn down the Stockolm syndrome tipically associated with this tale. So we don’t have a Beast very angry, and bad and violent with Isabelle, and she isn’t a passive character. This is so important to me, because Melanie Karsak spread a great message with that: violence is not love.

Obviously, there is romance in this book, and drama and adventure, all mixed. I’m not a romantic girl, but I found it so cute!

The world that the author has written is beautiful: I have a special place in my heart for steampunk settings, and this is incredible. Just imagine the castle where the beast live, like in the last movie, but all made in metal, and clockwork. To this world, add some airship, fairies and Celtic folklore.

All the female characters in the book are great: the fairy that has cast the spell on the castle, Isabelle, and Lily, an amazing airship’s captain that has her own adventure in another book, “Chasing The Star Garden”.

 

Other books in the series:

Curiouser and Curiouser

Ice and Embers