Arcana Academy

 Hi Bookworms!

Today another 'on time' review. Arcana Academy book 1 written by Elise Kova. Book will be available to buy on July 22nd, 2025.

Description from Netgalley:

Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards—a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy.

Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy’s enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape—for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time.

In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be.

Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world—and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?

Solid start of the story, 4 stars here. Fast-paced with lots of twists, enjoyable read. Kinda similar to Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass, so if you like this kind of stories you will love it. 

Cliff hanger situation on the end is just brill :)

Till next post peeps!

The Bewitching

 Hiya Bookworms!

Today The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Book will be available for buy July 15th, 2025.

I do like this author, so when I saw it on Netgalley, I just wanted to have it in my hands.

Description of the book from there:

“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”: That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva—stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that’s why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales.

In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay’s most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay’s manuscript, she begins to sense that the malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch.

Minerva suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved.

What I can say about the book? Absolutely brilliant! 5 stars from the start to the end! I love it! Great storytelling as expected from Ms Moreno-Garcia. And the story??? You just have to read it, honestly!

The Treasure Hunters Club

Hi Bookworms!

Early post timewise, cause this time in the morning is rather quiet here. My partner already went to work and our son is still sleeping (midterm break so no rush LOL). 

Today my rather late review as The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan was published in October 2024 and I had chance to read it and reviewed it for Netgalley in ... yes, February 2025. Still have few like this one on my plate - late reads/reviews... eh. But, better late then never ;)

Description of the book from Netgalley:

WELCOME TO MAPLE BAY, NOVA SCOTIA

For nearly a century, people have ventured to the idyllic seaside town of Maple Bay in search of a legendary lost pirate treasure, but locals know there’s more than just gold buried in the sand. As the paths of three strangers converge in Maple Bay, the truth is about to be blown wide open. But not before the bodies start to pile up.

Peter Barnett is rapidly approaching 40 with little to show for it when a mysterious letter invites him to Maple Bay and the mansion his estranged family has called home for generations.

Seventeen-year-old Dandy Feltzen is isolated and adrift following the death of her beloved grandfather, until his final request and a tantalizing clue sets her on a mission to solve the mystery he spent his entire life chasing.

Cass Jones has given up on her dream of being a successful author when an unexpected opportunity lands in her lap: a housesitting gig in remote Maple Bay, where she stumbles on the perfect subject matter for her breakout book—and the handsome sailor who might be just the person to help her research it.

Peter, Dandy and Cass have never met, but they’re on a collision course with each other and the mystery that has defined Maple Bay for two centuries, and none of them are prepared for the shocking truths that may or may not still be buried there.

Some people can like it, some people not - we are not discussing reading tastes. I gave this book 4 stars with note that is good for young readers. Why? Rather interesting characters, good story, easy to follow writing style plus few twists gave quite enjoyable read.

Till next post!

Nahia

 Hi bookworms,

One of my February reads is Nahia written by Emily Jones, which I had from Netgalley. This book will be available to buy from April 15th, 2025.

Description from Netgalley:

Spain, 8,000 years ago. As Headwoman’s daughter, eighteen-year-old Nahia was born to lead. But when she speaks aloud a forbidden truth—that her people are facing a growing threat of invasion—her expectations are shattered when she’s punished with exile and apprenticed to the enigmatic shaman Eneko instead.

With her sister Izara made the new heir and her world upended, Nahia is sent away with a young man she barely knows. Deep in the wilds, however, she uncovers a shocking talent for divining messages from the spirits and channelling their turbulent powers. But these visions come to show her that her people are in terrible danger. . . and they need her. Nahia will have to use every advantage she has to save her beloved people—and her sister.

In this powerful upper YA with crossover appeal, archaeologist Emily Jones transports us to a rugged world of pine forests, frothy beaches, and wild magic, and masterfully depicts passionate first love, conquest, green sorcery, the unbreakable bond between sisters, and untamed, unashamed female power. Utterly unique and shockingly good, this is a knockout debut, perfect for fans of Jean M. Auel, Adrienne Young, Chloe Gong, Claire M. Andrews, and Rachel Griffin.

What I can say about this story? I gave it solid 4 stars as in my opinion is nicely written, easy to follow, fast read. Great for young readers, with very likeable main character with all the dilemmas of young person.

So if you know a youngster who likes stories with sort of ancient/prehistoric background, this one will be nice read for him/her.

Till next post!

Carrick Hall series

 Hi peeps,

Today another series which I had a chance to read thanks to Netgalley.

Carrick Hall series written by Sarah Arthur

Book 1: Once a Queen

I was bit behind with my review with this one. I enjoyed reading it, reminded me Chronicles of Narnia a bit. I gave it solid 3.75 star with note it is rather solid read for youngsters. I did like characters in it and I can say without few of them this book could be kinda waste of time to read.

Book 2: Once a Castle

This one I read month and a bit before publication. I was hoping for bit more after first book, overall good sequel, but slow-ish with too many characters running through the pages... felt bit messy in places. Nice plot ideas and writing style compensate this a bit. I gave it 3 stars only... but I think 3.5 could be more adequate.

That's all for today..

Till next post!

My fave reads

 Hi bookworms,

We all have our faves, books we back to, over and over again...

I do love Alexander Dumas and Agatha Christie and can back to their books every year since... ages really.

 

Few years ago, 2020 if I'm not wrong for the first time I read All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness and I kept them books on my 'fave reads bookshelf'. Never saw movie, but I don't need it, books are totally brill. Read each of them at least 3 times since.

I have few more authors I'm coming back to from time to time, ones I'll trying to read all they wrote and still missing few of their works, like Robin Hobb, Joe Abercrombie, Paul Doherty, Susanna Gregory, Ewa Bialolecka, Ben Kane or Stephen King.

Who is your fave author? What is the book you coming back as often as you can?

Till next post peeps!

When you are behind reviewing schedule...

 Hi bookworms,

As I mentioned in previous post I'm reading/reviewing books for Netgalley.

I don't think I'm good book reviewer specially when I'm trying hard to avoid giving spoilers.

I'm massively behind reviewing at the moment (trying my best to catch up tho), so I'll write here about 2 books from the same series, one I reviewed last year (long after publication date) and one I reviewed in January this year (also past its publication date).

Series: Kingdom of Three

Author: Joan He

Book 1: Strike the Zither

I gave this instalement 3.75 star. Rather nicely written story, with interesting characters, but... as I remember I couldn't really feel attached to any of characters, there was missing something. I did hope book 2 will be kinda clearer.

Book 2: Sound the gong

This one finished with I would say very generous 3.5 star as was more chaotic then previous one, still missing something.

With both I wasn't sure what feels wrong in them... still I don't really know. Overall both are ok-ish read and I bet some people would enjoy them.

Just... not my cup of tea if I can use this expression.

That's all for today...

See you all soon!

Little Bookworm beginnings

 Hi bookworms,

I was thinking for months if no longer about starting this blog... why? Why not :) I am bookworm since I remember.

My adventure starts with silly rhymes and childrens' books my parents read for me before I learn to read, so first books were mainly their choices, later... I was partially influenced by what we had at home, what was given to me at school library and then my exploring of both school and our public library.

Theoretically I'm reading anything and everything, but in truth I'm not touching some books cause I don't like writing style or theme. 

As a child and tomboy I was in action/adventure/fantasy books - Charles May, Jack London, James Fenimore Cooper, Alfred Szklarski, Edmund Niziurski, Zbigniew Nienacki. I read Ferenc Molnar, Alexander Dumas (both father and son), Jules Verne and many more I don't remember now.

In some point I did read Lucy Montgomery, Danielle Steel, Jayne Ann Krantz, Steven King, Graham Masterton, Erich von Daniken, Thor Heyerdahl, Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, William Sheakspear, Lord Byron, Adam Mickiewicz, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Aleksander Puszkin...

So... as you can see lots of different genres and periods in literature. I'm big fan of history and historical novels, I love good fantasy, steam-punk and light contemporary/romance books. 

I can live without TV (hell of too much nonsense in it), but I can't live without book. My only addiction except good dark chocolate LOL!

I love physical book in hand, but since 2019 I also read on Kindle (Xmas gift from my other half).

Twitter/X gave me a chance to 'meet' few writers and thanks to one of them - lovely Lizzie Chantree -  I'm reviewer on Netgalley since 2021. So far reviewed 89 books for them.

I have profile on Goodreads and trying my best to read around 200 books a year since few years :)

If you want to know a bit more about my reading adventure, you are welcome to check my posts, follow me on Instagram or Goodreads :)

Enjoy your day bookworms!!!