Tag: daughter of the burning city

Daughter of the Burning City – Amanda Foody

October 4, 2017

I received this book Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve fallen in love with this book and it’s magical and mysterious characters and storyline! Right from the very first page, we are transported to the wonderful yet dark world of Gomorrah and I didn’t want to leave it. At the beginning of the year I read ‘Caraval’ by Stephanie Garber and I’ve been obsessed with books about festivals, circuses, and carnivals ever since and this book was perfect. It had everything I wanted and more! The concept is what got me really excited and interested in this book; a girl with no eyes who can see and create illusions that are being murdered!

Sixteen-year-old Sorina has spent most of her life within the smouldering borders of the Gomorrah Festival as an illusion-worker, creating illusions that others can see, feel and touch, with personalities all their own. Her creations are her family, and together they make up the cast of the Festival’s Freak Show. But no matter how lifelike they may seem, her illusions are still just that—illusions, and not truly real. Or so she always believed until one of them is murdered. Desperate to protect her family, Sorina must track down the culprit and determine how they killed a person who doesn’t actually exist. But as the killer continues murdering Sorina’s illusions one by one, she must unravel the horrifying truth before all of her loved ones disappear.

Usually, when I read books regarding a murder I turn into Inspector Clouseau and I end up figuring it out. However, this time I literally had no idea who the murder was and I think it was because I was so captivated by the festival and its characters that I didn’t have a chance to analyse every detail.

Foody has created a cast of bizarre yet wonderful characters especially Sorrnia’s illusions, all with their unique and quirky appearance and talents that I began to fall in love with, and it wasn’t until they were starting to be murdered did I realise how much I had begun to care for them despite the fact that they weren’t real! Sorrina as a protagonist was so determined, strong and compassionate and I’m in love with her and Luca as a couple. He’s witty, arrogant but at the same time kind and lovable.

 

I’ve fallen in love with this magical yet dark mystery adventure and even more so with its unique characters and storyline. If you’re looking for a detailed and mysterious fantasy book then this book is perfect for you, and like me, you’re not going to want to put it down!

My Recent Net Galley ARC Approvals – September 2017

September 15, 2017

NG

I’ve been very lucky recently as I’ve been approved on Net Galley for some seriously exciting reads all of which I freaked out about when I got the confirmation email! For those who don’t know Net Galley is a service that enables publishers and authors to upload books to its website prior to publication and allows “professional readers,” such as reviewers, to request copies.

I’ve been a member since 2015 but I’ve never used it as much as I should, however now that I’m a student it’s perfect as it allows me to request and read books in exchange for an honest review. I’ll be posting my ‘Tips for New Net Galley Users’ post soon so come back and check that out to see how you can make the most out of Net Galley. I only requested four books this month as I didn’t want to overwhelm myself and I wanted to make sure I read and posted all my reviews on time. Anyway, these are the books that I was recently approved and expect honest reviews for all of them soon!

Invictus by Ryan Graudin – For those who read my ‘Most Anticipated Autumn Releases’ post you’ll know how excited I am for this book and how much I love Ryan Graudins series ‘Wolf by Wolf’. I’m so grateful that I don’t now have to wait to the end of September to read this book, however, my TBR and review pile is massive so knowing my luck it’ll be October by the time I get round to reading it!

‘Farway Gaius McCarthy is the son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD but after failing his final time-traveling exam Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past. During a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with the knowledge that will bring Far’s very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.’ 

Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody – I’ve heard really good things about this book and after reading ‘Caraval’ by Stephanie Garber at the start of the year, I’ve been obsessed with books about festivals, circuses, and carnivals. I’ve also just ordered ‘The Night Circus’ because I need more!

Sixteen-year-old Sorina has spent most of her life within the smoldering borders of the Gomorrah Festival. Sorina’s rare talent allows her to create illusions that others can see, feel and touch, with personalities all their own. Her creations are her family, and together they make up the cast of the Festival’s Freak Show. But no matter how lifelike they may seem, her illusions are still just that—illusions, and not truly real. Or so she always believed…until one of them is murdered.

The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee – I read the first book in this series at the end of last year and fell in love with all the drama and mystery. I enjoyed all the different perspectives and can’t wait to see where the story continues as we were left on some serious cliff hangers at the end of the first book!

Leda is haunted by nightmares of what happened on the worst night of her life. She’s afraid the truth will get out – which is why she hires Watt, her very own hacker, to keep an eye on all of the witnesses for her. When Rylin receives a scholarship to an elite upper-floor school, her life transforms overnight. But being here also means seeing the boy she loves: the one whose heart she broke, and who broke hers in return. Avery is grappling with the reality of her forbidden romance and then there’s Calliope, the mysterious, bohemian beauty who’s arrived in New York with a devious goal in mind – and too many secrets to count.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon – I’ve been seeing this book around but I had absolutely no idea of the plot when I requested it but I’m so glad that I did because it sounds really intriguing and creative! If you’ve read this book then I’d love to hear your opinions on it so feel free to leave a comment below!

The year is 2059. Nineteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London. Her job: to scout for information by breaking into people’s minds. For Paige is a dream walker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing. However Paige gets kidnapped and transported to Oxford – a city kept secret for two hundred years, controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. Paige is assigned to Warden, a Rephaite with mysterious motives. He is her master. Her trainer. Her natural enemy. But if Paige wants to regain her freedom she must allow herself to be nurtured in this prison where she is meant to die.