Shadow of the Fox(Shadow of the Fox #1)by Julie KagawaGenre: Young Adult, FantasyPublisher: Harlequin Teen Release date: October 2nd, 2018Format: ARCISBN: 9781488097225

☆☆☆☆☆

One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish—and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.

Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.

Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll.

There are many who would claim the dragon’s wish for their own. Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, is one such hunter, under orders to retrieve the scroll…at any cost. Fate brings Kage and Yumeko together. With a promise to lead him to the scroll, an uneasy alliance is formed, offering Yumeko her best hope for survival. But he seeks what she has hidden away, and her deception could ultimately tear them both apart.

With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko’s secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself.

BUY LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Book Depository
National Bookstore | Fullybooked

REVIEW

Another stunning novel by the YA fantasy queen and master of legendary creatures, Julie Kagawa.  After faeries, vampires, and shape-shifting dragons, now we have the Yōkai in Shadow of the Fox.

It felt ages since the last time I read a Julie Kagawa novel. I LOVE HER. She is one of my author idols and I was extremely excited when I found out that she was writing a new novel. I was always up to date with her novels but I kinda slacked during the Talon era. But when I heard that her new novel features everything about Japan and its culture, Japanese folklore and all, I just couldn’t wait for October to come too soon.

Related link: Check my review of Talon by Julie Kagawa

Japanese feudal period

If you guys don’t know, I’m a HUGE manga reader! In fact, I think I read more manga than novels. In my childhood years, it’s all about anime for me, but when I entered high school, I became head over heels with manga, and currently with webtoons as well.

My favorite type of manga are those set in historical Japan especially if they are fantasy. I love everything that has Yōkai in it, shinobi and kunoichi, shogun families, samurai, and anything that has to do with historical Japan and its rich culture. Japanese culture just extremely fascinates me.

If you’re like me, Shadow of the Fox is definitely THAT book for you. This novel is set one hundred years ago in the Japanese feudal period when daimyo and shogun families ruled Japan. It is infused with the classic Japanese folklore and legendary creatures that will take you back to days when you watch animes like InuYasha, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Nurarihyon no Mago with so much wonder and fascination. It also reminds me of the manga and game Geten no Hana when it comes to the samurai and shinobi stuff, and my current favorite webtoon, Kochou no Yumeji.

A journey that will leave you in awe

Shadow of the Fox is told in multiple POVs but mainly with Yumeko and Tatsumi‘s POVs. If you’re hungry for an Asian journey, this book won’t fail you.

Yumeko, the main heroine of this novel, is a sheltered half-human and half-kitsune (fox). She grew up with her adoptive family monks in the isolated Silent Wind temple somewhere in Iwagoto,  and she has never gone out to the outside world.

But when her home and her adoptive family were burned down to ashes and she was left all alone, she was forced to go on a journey to carry a crucial task that can potentially save the whole Iwagoto. This task is also a promise to her master Isao that she wants to keep.

Leaving the temple for the first time and going blind on a journey to the world she knows nothing, has left her both with so much pressure and excitement. Outside of her ablaze home, she met Tatsumi, a shinobi from the Shadow Clan that was tasked to acquire the dragon scroll. Knowing full well that she can’t go on a journey on her own, she asked Tatsumi to escort her to her destination. Here’s where the journey begins.

Each time they enter a village or a city filled with crowd, merriment, lights, and culture, it’s as if I am living inside Yumeko for I mirror the same awe she expresses in the book.

I never doubt Julie Kagawa when it comes to world building. I’ve seen her fey world in Iron Fey, the vampire city in Blood of Eden, and now we have a traditional Asian empire in Shadow of the Fox. The worlds she makes were always striking and vivid and it is not any different this time (if not more striking). Each stop along their journey is always breathtaking. And even though told with so much details and backstory, it never felt overbearing. Everything just glides smoothly through Kagawa’s writing.

An action-filled adventure with a well-balanced troop!

I loved Meghan, Ash, Puck, Grim, Iron Horse, and Razor. Their chemistry as a group is just so amazing. I got nothing less with the all-Asian party in Shadow of the Fox. It started with just Yumeko and Tatsumi, but ended with quite a handful of people in the group along the way (filled with bishounens if I may add).

The group is a combination of anything you may want. The cheerful and innocent girl in Yumeko, the smart aleck and irritating one called Okame, the calm, composed, and cold persona of Tatsumi, and the noble beauty of a swordsman in Daisuke.

Shadow of the Fox is not quite a reverse-harem if you ask me. There wasn’t really much romance in it which I think will spike in the sequel. Instead, it is more on building camaraderie within the group. It is also more on the action, epic battles, and bloody adventures and I’M LIVING FOR IT!

Yumeko is smart, cheerful, and a prankster yet innocent half-human and half-kitsune. She was smart enough to seek for help when she knows she can’t do anything on her own. She was a prankster by nature because of her kitsune blood, but she wasn’t stubborn and she weighs her actions rather quite well. She wasn’t strong and she’s well aware of it. She has a lot of room to develop, and that’s what I can’t wait to witness in the next books.

Tatsumi, on the other hand, is anything but expressive. He was raised learning how to completely shut his emotions. For he is the carrier of Kamigorosho, a sword vessel where a powerful demon called Hakaimono is sealed. He is a demonslayer from the Kage Clan – a shinobi born to kill – and 
any glimpse of emotion will set the demon free. He met Yumeko and was forced to join and protect her on her journey for his own purpose.

Tatsumi’s cold and emotionless characteristics are quite common in the shinobi world as far as my knowledge takes me. I have met quite a few characters with similar traits from some of the manga I have read before.  Even in Naruto, one of my ultimate favorite manga, it was mentioned that ninjas follow these specific code of conducts or shinobi rules to “kill their emotions”. Getting too emotional prevents them from failing missions. Uzumaki Naruto can’t relate.

The interactions between Yumeko and Tatsumi are quite interesting. Even with Tatsumi’s chilling and dangerous aura, he was never harsh toward Yumeko. Yumeko also never showed fright whilst knowing the danger in her life by having Tatsumi on her side. It got even more amusing when the party added the loud ronin, Okame, and the noble samurai, Daisuke. It was an odd yet fascinating overall combination.

Final verdict

To be honest, reading Shadow of the Fox took me more time than what I have expected. Not because it felt dragging for me or anything, but because I was so engrossed to the world and writing that I was so eager to get all the details, even the tiniest ones. I even got my books filled with so much sticky flags!

It was quite a long journey throughout the novel, and I think reading this calls for patience and extreme eagerness especially if you are new to the theme of the story. I have always love this theme, and I wouldn’t mind reading this over and over again.

I also don’t usually draw fan arts in the middle of reading a book, but I did for this one and hat shows how much I love the book. I will give this book a million stars if I can.

The ending was not a hardcore cliffhanger so I think I can live for the waiting game. And to wrap up my review, finishing this book gave me that really nice feeling of content.

“The future is an ever changing stream. Every choice, every decision we make, sends it down a different path. To glimpse the fortune of another is to see hundreds of possibilities at once. It is never a task to be taken lightly or in haste.”

Shadow of the Fox, Julie Kagawa

Disclaimer: I’d like to thank Nikki of Book Allure for granting my #BookishWish  of an ARC of Shadow of the Fox. <3

The post ARC Review: Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.

What The Flower Says of Deathby Danielle KosteGenre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Death and Suicide, Family and RelationshipsPublisher: IndieRelease date: September 25th 2018

☆☆☆☆☆

Violet Holt has already met Death once.

After a failed suicide attempt, she finds herself dumped by her callous mother on the doorstep of her family’s desolate oceanside estate. With only the company of her estranged grandmother, comatose grandfather, and the monsters in her head, at least there was no one to interfere with her plans to try again on her eighteenth birthday.

No one, except maybe Jack: a skeleton of a boy who says he’s there to rake her grandmother’s leaves, yet seems more experienced at stalking than grounds-keeping. She knows he’s keeping a secret behind his gentle smiles and aloofness, but it’s difficult for Violet to be put off by his untimely thin-air appearances when figuring out the mystery of his true identity makes for such a good distraction.

Violet’s trauma is deeper than the wound on her wrist though, and it cannot be simply whisked away in a whirlwind of guessing games and pleasant gestures. She struggles to reconnect with her grandmother, find forgiveness for her mother, and closure with her grandfather’s dire condition, all while battling the strain of it all on her family. Even with a flicker of something hopeful blossoming within herself, Violet knows her birthday plans must be inevitable.
Death wouldn’t be there for her if it wasn’t.

BUY LINKS

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Google Books | iBooks | Kobo | Book Depository

Happy release day to Danielle Koste’s new book, What The Flower Says of Death!

Be sure to add this gorgeous book on your TBR piles. Get the book through the buy links above.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danielle Koste

Danielle Koste is a born and raised Canadian, but currently lives with her significant other in the equally snowy and cold Stockholm, Sweden. While working a day job and learning the language of the locals, she spends her free time honing the craft she’s always had a passion for.

When procrastinating, Danielle likes to enjoy other forms of rich story-telling, besides the obvious abundance of novels filling up her apartment and Kindle. Movies, music, and video games are among her favorite time-wasters.

The post Release Blitz: What The Flower Says of Death by Danielle Koste appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.

The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen Genre: Young Adult, FantasyPublisher: Audible Originals, LLC  Release Date: October 16th 2018

☆☆☆☆☆

What if you fell in love with the one person you’d sworn to destroy? 

Lara has only one thought for her husband on their wedding day: I will bring your kingdom to its knees. A princess trained from childhood to be a lethal spy, Lara knows that the Bridge Kingdom represents both legendary evil – and legendary promise. The only route through a storm-ravaged world, the Bridge Kingdom controls all trade and travel between lands, allowing its ruler to enrich himself and deprive his enemies, including Lara’s homeland. So when she is sent as a bride under the guise of fulfilling a treaty of peace, Lara is prepared to do whatever it takes to fracture the defenses of the impenetrable Bridge Kingdom. 

But as she infiltrates her new home – a lush paradise surrounded by tempest seas – and comes to know her new husband, Aren, Lara begins to question where the true evil resides. Around her, she sees a kingdom fighting for survival, and in Aren, a man fiercely protective of his people. As her mission drives her to deeper understanding of the fight to possess the bridge, Lara finds the simmering attraction between her and Aren impossible to ignore. 

Her goal nearly within reach, Lara will have to decide her own fate: Will she be the destroyer of a king or the savior of her people?

You all know that Danielle L. Jensen is one of my all time favorites. I previously worked with her with The Malediction Trilogy character portraits. I love her books, and I love her as a person.

This is why, I am extremely excited when I found out that she’s going to have a new book! But this time it’s different than the conventional published materials we have. Danielle’s new book, The Bridge Kingdom, is an Audible original! Yes, an audiobook!

From Danielle L. Jensen:

I’m so excited to share the cover of THE BRIDGE KINGDOM, which was illustrated by the talented Richard Anderson! This novel was pure enjoyment to write because I was able to create a story that blends intrigue, adventure, and LOTS of steamy romance, all of which takes
place in a fantastical setting. THE BRIDGE KINGDOM was written specifically for audio, and with the exceptional narration of Lauren Fortgang and James Patrick Cronin, it truly is an incredible listening experience!

I can’t wait to share with you the STUNNING cover of The Bridge Kingdom, so without further ado…

PRE-ORDER LINKS

Audible | Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danielle L. Jensen

Danielle L. Jensen is the USA Today bestselling author of The Malediction Novels: Stolen Songbird, Hidden Huntress, Warrior Witch, and The Broken Ones. Her upcoming novels are THE BRIDGE KINGDOM, which will be released by Audible Originals in October, 2018 and DARK SHORES, which will be released by Tor Teen in May, 2019. She lives with her family in Calgary, Canada.

GIVEAWAY

An Epic The Bridge Kingdom–themed goody box (including all items pictured below). Open International.

• Exclusive Ithicana Candle from A Court of Candles
• Hand Cream from The Body Shop
• Sea Salt from The Body Shop
• Tea Tins
• The Bridge Kingdom Pen
• The Bridge Kingdom Postcard + Audiobook download on release date

That’s it! What do you think of the cover? Don’t forget to add this to your TBR!

Cover reveal hosted by: MTMC Tours

The post Cover Reveal: The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen + INTL Giveaway appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.

Kingdom of The Blazing Phoenix(Rise of the Empress #2)by Julie C. DaoGenre: Young Adult, Fantasy, RetellingPublisher: Philomel Books (Penguin Random House)Release Date: November 6th 2018ISBN13: 9781524738334

☆☆☆☆☆

This fairy tale retelling lives in a mystical world inspired by the Far East, where the Dragon Lord and the Serpent God battle for control of the earthly realm; it is here that the flawed heroine of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns finally meets her match. An epic fantasy finale to the Rise of the Empress novels.

Princess Jade has grown up in exile, hidden away in a monastery while her stepmother, the ruthless Xifeng, rules as empress of Feng Lu. But the empire is in distress and its people are sinking into poverty and despair. Even though Jade doesn’t want the crown, she knows she is the only one who can dethrone the empress and set the world right. Ready to reclaim her place as rightful heir, Jade embarks on a quest to raise the Dragon Lords and defeat Xifeng and the Serpent God once and for all. But will the same darkness that took Xifeng take Jade, too? Or will she find the strength within to save herself, her friends, and her empire?

Set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world filled with breathtaking pain and beauty, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is filled with dazzling magic, powerful prose, and characters readers won’t soon forget.

Fans of Stealing Snow, Red Queen, and The Wrath and the Dawn will hungrily devour this page-turning read.

 

BUY LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Book Depository
National Bookstore | Fullybooked

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie C. Dao

Julie C. Dao (www.juliedao.com) is a proud Vietnamese-American who was born in upstate New York. She studied medicine in college, but came to realize blood and needles were her Kryptonite. By day, she worked in science news and research; by night, she wrote books about heroines unafraid to fight for their dreams, which inspired her to follow her passion of becoming a published author. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is her debut novel. Julie lives in New England. Follow her on Twitter @jules_writes.

THE BLOG TOUR

The Royal Polar Bear Reads and I have partnered with Penguin Random House to host a PH blog tour for Julie C. Dao’s forthcoming book, Kingdom of The Blazing Phoenix.

The tour will run from  November 5th to November 10th 2018 with two (2) review blog stops, and 1 to 2 promo stops each day. Physical copies will be sent to reviewers prior to the tour date. You must agree to the terms and conditions upon signing up to the tour. This includes shouldering shipping expenses, taking extra care of the copies, posting on time, sharing on social media and including the giveaway Rafflecopter on your post (check complete details on the sign-up form).

This is open to Philippine-resident book bloggers only. There will be a total of twelve (12) review stops and eight (8) promotional stops for the tour, including my blog and Raf’s. There’s no guarantee in having a spot since there’s only limited stops and physical copies. If you’re not chosen, please don’t get discourage because there will be more blog tours in the future.:)

The sign-up will close on September 23rd or until there are enough sign-ups.

For interested bloggers, fill up the form below.

The post PH Blog Tour Sign-Up: Kingdom of The Blazing Phoenix by Julie C. Dao appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.

Wildcard(Warcross #2)by Marie LuGenre: Young Adult, Science FictionPublisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers Release date: September 18th 2018 Format: ARCISBN:  9780399548017

☆☆☆☆☆

Return to the immersive, action-packed world of Warcross in this thrilling sequel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu

Emika Chen barely made it out of the Warcross Championships alive. Now that she knows the truth behind Hideo’s new NeuroLink algorithm, she can no longer trust the one person she’s always looked up to, who she once thought was on her side.

Determined to put a stop to Hideo’s grim plans, Emika and the Phoenix Riders band together, only to find a new threat lurking on the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Someone’s put a bounty on Emika’s head, and her sole chance for survival lies with Zero and the Blackcoats, his ruthless crew. But Emika soon learns that Zero isn’t all that he seems–and his protection comes at a price.

Caught in a web of betrayal, with the future of free will at risk, just how far will Emika go to take down the man she loves?

In this explosive sequel to the New York Times bestselling Warcross, Marie Lu delivers an addictive finale that will hold you captive till the very last page.

BUY LINKS

REVIEW

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t affect my opinion of the book in this review in any way. This is also in participation for The Royal Polar Bear Reads‘ blog tour.  My review is a little late due to some personal circumstances and I want to thank Raf for giving me a chance to post past the schedule.

Wildcard, the most anticipated sequel of the best-selling gaming and sci-fi novel Warcross by Marie Lu, picks exactly right where the first book has left readers hanging with many unanswered questions.

I’ll just go straight to the point. I didn’t love Wildcard as much as I did love Warcross, BUT I liked it enough for me to still surely grab it from the bookstore when it comes out.

More into the Neo-Tokyo

We were once again back to the colorful and vivid Neo-Tokyo with Emika Chen, Hideo Tanaka, Zero, and the rest of the Warcross players.  One thing I noticed is even though expressed so colorfully and screaming with neon, Wildcard on the contrary seems to be in a much darker world compared to Warcross’s seemingly vibrant one.

Marie Lu gave us more tour into the streets of the futuristic Tokyo which is surely a delight for everyone who loves Japan and its culture such as myself.  

There’s no doubt about Marie Lu’s ability to engage readers when it comes to world-building. That, I initially experienced in Warcross, and was once again proven with Wildcard.

However, I personally think that the first half of the book talked too much about the world to the point that it dragged down a little. Emika was mostly down the streets of Tokyo and everything around her were always told in full details. That kind of took too long to the point that I have to look forward for something more interesting to happen.

But while it felt a little dragging for me in the first half of the book, it slowly picked up in the middle until towards the end.

NeuroLink Algorithm and Artificial Intelligence

Readers were left with wonder and different stands after Warcross. Emika found herself caught up in a cobweb situation after finding out about Hideo’s NeuroLink algorithm and getting directly involved with Hideo and Zero. We were all left wondering who to trust. I am part of the majority who are against Hideo’s idea of utopia and in full support of Emika in stopping him. 

Related link: Check my review of Warcross by Marie Lu

This is the part where Wildcard, I think, got more technical. There are parts that left me confused, and there are parts that made me excited. 

When answers are starting the get uncovered one by one, the certain topic about Artificial Intelligence (AI) got me all worked up. I have written outlines and articles for work with topics about Artificial Intelligence and human nature (the cross between these two or how they will work together). And I personally find this topic really interesting.

I’ll try my best to go from here without spoiling too much about the book, but AI and human emotions were tackled in Wildcard. Once when I was doing my research about AI for work, I stumbled upon several articles that talked about how AI is becoming more and more human through the years.

Do you know Sophia the AI robot that once said it will “Destroy human”? This robot still creeps the hell out of me. So, yeah, well, you’ll get the picture when you read Wildcard.

Which leads to me saying that, even though I’m no expert with AI and all these techy programming stuff, I know for sure that Marie Lu did an extensive research about AI and all the technical things she talked about in the book. She was brilliant!

Final verdict

After Warcross, I looked forward the most to getting answers mainly about Zero, and Hideo’s brother situation. Getting more into details with this will leave me spoiling everything to you reading this, so I’ll just leave it like this:

Did I get what I want reading Wildcard? Yes, I did.

Did I get answers? Yes, certainly so.

Was I satisfied with the ending? Yes. Sort of.

While I did find some parts dragging, there are parts that certainly still got me absorbed. I liked how the Warcross duology was wrapped up overall. Not the one that left me with a remarkably satisfied and happy sigh, but I think it was able to justify the things that need to be justified. Well, at least for me.

My final rating is 3.5 stars.

Emika Chen Fan Art

I’ll also just leave my watercolor fan art of Emika Chen here.

Check what other blog tour participants think about Wildcard

September 3
Rafael @ The Royal Polar Bear Reads
Shaine @ Wanderer in Neverland

September 4
Danica @ The Hogsmeade Reader
Mary Jane @ She is a Dude

September 5
Nikki @ Book Allure
Avy Marielle @ The Reading Fangeek

September 6
Soleil @ Queen Soleil

September 7
Floricci @ Wanderlust Reader
Bianca @ The Ultimate Fangirl

September 10
Kat @ Kat Reads PH
Beatrice @ Confessions of a Pinay Bookaholic

September 11
Imo @ Amidst the Pages
Jonathan @ Wander with Jon

September 12
Jenny @ Levicorps Blog
Joel @ Descendant of Poseidon Reads

September 13
Carmel @ Bookable Reads

September 14
Myrth @ Cliste Belle

Tour organized by The Royal Polar Bear Reads

The post PH Blog Tour: Wildcard by Marie Lu (Review + Fan Art) appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.

What The Flower Says of Deathby Danielle KosteGenre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Death and Suicide, Family and RelationshipsPublisher: IndieRelease date: September 25th 2018Pre-orders: August 31st 2018Not yet read or reviewed

☆☆☆☆☆

Violet Holt has already met Death once.

After a failed suicide attempt, she finds herself dumped by her callous mother on the doorstep of her family’s desolate oceanside estate. With only the company of her estranged grandmother, comatose grandfather, and the monsters in her head, at least there was no one to interfere with her plans to try again on her eighteenth birthday.

No one, except maybe Jack: a skeleton of a boy who says he’s there to rake her grandmother’s leaves, yet seems more experienced at stalking than grounds-keeping. She knows he’s keeping a secret behind his gentle smiles and aloofness, but it’s difficult for Violet to be put off by his untimely thin-air appearances when figuring out the mystery of his true identity makes for such a good distraction.

Violet’s trauma is deeper than the wound on her wrist though, and it cannot be simply whisked away in a whirlwind of guessing games and pleasant gestures. She struggles to reconnect with her grandmother, find forgiveness for her mother, and closure with her grandfather’s dire condition, all while battling the strain of it all on her family. Even with a flicker of something hopeful blossoming within herself, Violet knows her birthday plans must be inevitable.
Death wouldn’t be there for her if it wasn’t.

PRE-ORDER LINKS

Signed Copy | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

EXCERPT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danielle Koste

Danielle Koste is a born and raised Canadian, but currently lives with her significant other in the equally snowy and cold Stockholm, Sweden. While working a day job and learning the language of the locals, she spends her free time honing the craft she’s always had a passion for.

When procrastinating, Danielle likes to enjoy other forms of rich story-telling, besides the obvious abundance of novels filling up her apartment and Kindle. Movies, music, and video games are among her favorite time-wasters.

GIVEAWAY

The post Blog Tour: What The Flower Says of Death by Danielle Koste [Excerpt + Giveaway] appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.

Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes   by Holly BourneGenre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mental HealthPublisher: Usborne PublishingRelease date: August 9th, 2018Format: Finished copyISBN: 9781474933612Source: Publisher

☆☆☆☆☆

Welcome to Camp Reset, a summer camp with a difference. A place offering a shot at “normality” for Olive, a girl on the edge, and for the new friends she never expected to make – who each have their own reasons for being there. Luckily Olive has a plan to solve all their problems. But how do you fix the world when you can’t fix yourself?

BUY LINKS

Usborne | Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | Book Depository | Waterstones
The book is also available at National Bookstore

REVIEW

Disclaimer: I partnered with Usborne Publishing in organizing a PH-based blog tour for  Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes by Holly Bourne. Huge thanks to Usborne Publishing for providing a copy for review. This didn’t affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Reading Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes is like being held up in a room of explosives, waiting for them to blow up on me.

Trigger warning: This book talks about sensitive topics about mental health,  mentions self-harm, childhood abuse, and  suicide ideation.

Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes is painfully real and honest. Holly Bourne never sugarcoated anything about this book. It’s pure, raw and blunt. This, by far is probably the most challenging for me to absorb among all the books I have read from Holly Bourne… in a good way.

Olive’s character, the MC of this book, wasn’t meant to be likable. Don’t expect a lovable character, because you’ll get extremely disappointed. Getting into terms with Olive requires a lot of patience, understanding, and empathy.  She’s having a hard tie dealing with her mental issues because she doesn’t want to get “labeled”. She doesn’t want to know her diagnosis, so it wasn’t mentioned until later in the book.

She had an episode early in the book, which resulted for her to get into Camp Reset, a teen residential camp for brain wellness. At the camp, she met other teenagers that also deal with their mental health issues. Sophie and Hannah are both experiencing OCD, Jamie is struggling with substance addiction, Gabriella with an abusive childhood experience, and Lewis, the math geek, who often feels left out.

Related book review: Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne book review – A book that tackles OCD.

A very informational YA book about mental health

This shouldn’t be a news. Because if it’s Holly Bourne, she doesn’t hold back with the technical stuff and well-researched information about mental health. I won’t talk about what type of mental disorder is the main focus of this book because it will be a spoiler. But the way Bourne expressed it through Olive’s character is intense. And that’s how it should be. There’s no other way to put it, but be real about it. I’ll be honest, this book may have made me frustrated and has kept me on edge so many times that I had to put it down for a moment and take a breath. It was so intense, that I have to take a moment to absorb things. 

Mental illness can be terrifying especially for someone who suffers it. I even told my friend how afraid I am to be like Olive, or just by thinking about having a messed up brain like Olive. I personally know someone who struggles with mental health issues, and Olive reminds me of her at some points. She always beats herself up by saying how bad of a person she is, and how everything is her fault. And this is one of the most important lessons on this book: BE KINDER TO YOURSELF.

There’s one quote that struck me.

You don’t have to stop looking after yourself just to help the world. In fact, sometimes it’s better for the world if you put yourself first. That’s not being selfish, in fact, looking after yourself is the greatest act of kindness you can give the world. Loving yourself first is the best way to spread love.

This is book is important.

It has a lot of important messages about mental health that shouldn’t be ignored. Personally, it helped me understand more things about mental health issues especially about the mental disorder that was highlighted on this book. It also gave me a clear view of how a person’s brain who suffers with mental illness works. Yes, it can be really messed up and in haywire, but this made me realize how hard it is for them more specifically.

People with mental health problems will do things that “normal” people may not understand or may come off as illogical, but for them, it’s the most logical thing. It was discussed in the book how the mental illness of some teens from the Camp Reset were caused by their surroundings (childhood abuse, bullying in school, family issues, etc.). It was then pointed how it is easy to judge other people without really knowing  them or what they’re going through. Olive did it with the other teens, and soon when she learned more about them, she realized her mistake about judging them.

Related article:  4 Important Messages From Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes? by Holly Bourne

#KindnessIsContagious

Olive was so firm about the idea of being able to fix herself that she refused professional help so many times. She was so afraid to be labeled so she kept it going on until she crashed. If you feel like there’s something wrong with you, don’t be afraid to seek for help.

Please be kinder to yourself. Life is hard enough, and recovery is hard enough, without you beating yourself up for being you.

Final verdict

The overall message of this book is outstanding. It can impact many people’s lives, that’s for sure. The ending was a bit lacking for me personally, but it didn’t affect the message of the book, and lessen my feelings about this book in general.

Holly Bourne never disappoints.

PS, PROTECT. SOPHIE. AND. LEWIS. AT. ALL. COST!

Selfish isn’t always a bad thing, Olive. It gets a bad rep. Being selfish can sometimes be the most selfless act there is. It gives you the strength to really help. Sometimes you need to put you first and get fit and strong so you can go out and save the world when you’re in the best shape to.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Holly Bourne

Holly Bourne writes YA novels and blogs about feminist issues. Her favourite things to complain loudly about are: the stigma of mental health, women’s rights, and the under-appreciation of Keanu Reeves’ acting ability. Holly’s first two books, Soulmates and The Manifesto on How to be Interesting, have been critically acclaimed and translated into six languages. The first book in the ‘Normal’ series, Am I Normal Yet?, has been chosen as a World Book Night book for 2016 and has inspired the formation of Spinster Clubs around the country.

Before becoming a full-time author, Holly was editor and relationship advisor for a charity website.

GIVEAWAY

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

August 8th

The Nocturnal Fey – Erika (REVIEW)
Rurouni Jenni Reads – Jennilyn (REVIEW)
Tesairie’s Book Reads – Desyerie (Promo post)

August 9th (RELEASE DAY)

The Ultimate Fangirl – Bianca (REVIEW)
Bibliophile Soprano – Fay (REVIEW)
eirareads – Eira (Promo post)

August 10th

Merv Reads – Mervilyn (REVIEW)
Amidst the Pages – Imogene (REVIEW)
The Reading Fangeek – Avy (Promo Post)

August 11th

That Bookshelf Bitch – Shealea (REVIEW)
Wanderer in Neverland – Shaine (REVIEW)
The Royal Polar Bear Reads – Rafael (REVIEW)

August 12th

Wander with Jon – Jon (REVIEW)
Diary of an Avid Reader – Areli (REVIEW)
Novel Thief – Joefel (Promo post)

If you or someone you know is going through a mental health crisis, please don’t be afraid to seek for help. To my fellow Filipinos, you can call 804-HOPE (4673) or 0917-558-HOPE (4673). For international suicide prevention hotlines visit suicide.org. 

The post PH Blog Tour: Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes [Review + Giveaway] appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.

Libraries have played pivotal part in my student life. In high school, whenever we join interschool competitions, we use the library to review or train on whatever we’re competing for. In college, library is always our go-to place during vacant classes, exam weeks, and when we just want to read or borrow a good book. Now that I think about it, I haven’t gone to the library since I was a student. That’s like 3 years ago, and I really miss the feel and the quietness of it!.

Filipino readers are very passionate! You can see it with the long line of readers on book signings (be it local or foreign author), the growing number of Filipino bookstagramers, packed book fairs and book sale conventions, and more.

* Related article: Check JM of Book Freak Revelation’s post about  10 Reasons Why Filipino Bibliophiles Rock the Bookish Community

Unfortunately, even with that being said, it is evident that many readers are still struggling to access reading materials. For one, reading materials are not cheap! They are hella expensive, and even I mostly resort to used book and book sales.

This is why public libraries exists. There are numbers of public libraries in the Philippines, and you’ll be surprised by the number of books they house! You don’t own Lord of The Rings or the Harry Potter series? Try visiting the nearest public library in your area and check their selections.

I’ve listed down a couple of public libraries within the different part of the Philippines as part of the #Augvocacy2018, an advocacy about fostering a culture of reading in the Philippines. This is started by Shealea of The Bookshelf Bitch and you can visit her page to know more about this awesome advocacy.

Now, let’s dive in to the list!

National Library of The Philippines

Located at 1000 Kalaw Ave, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
Open from Monday to Friday 8AM to 5PM

I have gone to National Library of The Philippines when I was doing my feasibility studies, probably in late 2013 or 2014. I haven’t gone since then, so I’m pretty sure that many things have already changed and improved including the facilities and selection of books.

NLP houses 1,678,950 items which includes collected books, journals, newspapers, magazines, databases, maps, sound and music recordings, prints, drawings, manuscripts, and more. This number was from 2008, so imagine how much more they’ve acquired 10 years later!

They also have a Library for the Blind Section  which aims to help visually impaired researches. Computers, braille, and large print collections of books and audio books are free to use! Researches are also allowed to load out resources upon the approval of Division Chief.

Back then, a library card was needed in order to enter the library which costs P50 (membership). But in 2016, NLP has officially opened its doors to public for free. They also have an online catalog if you want to check their selection first before visiting.

Quezon City Main Public Library

The main is located at Quezon City Hall Compound Complex, Mayaman, Diliman, Lungsod Quezon, 1100 Kalakhang Maynila. The library has several branches around the city including Project 7, Project 8, Batasan Hills, Novaliches, Lagro, Pasong Tamo, Payatas, and more.
Open Monday to Friday 8AM to 5PM and Saturday 8AM to 4PM

Quezon City Main Public Library houses 18,131 books and 71 computers for public use (both Quezon City residents and non-residents) as of May 2017. Last year, photos of the newly renovated library circulated online which made buzzed because of the beautiful structure. interior, and well-lit facilities. Just by looking at the photos alone, I already feel cozy.

It kinda looks like a coffee shop on some spaces, and it’s surrounded by greens. I haven’t gone to this library, but I surely will. I want to think that it will make me feel like I’m one with books and nature. Ah! That feeling!

An online catalog is also available so you can check what they have in shelves.

Pasig City Library and Science Discovery Centrum

Located at Caruncho Ave, Pasig, Metro Manila
Open Monday (8AM to 5PM), Tuesday to Friday (8AM to 6PM)

Pasig City Library and Science Discovery Centrum houses 40,000 items including 50 computers that are open for public use. There are different sections in the facility.

First is the library which is also divided in three categories (children, high school, and college). I think this is really cool because that the items are organized based on students and age group. The facilities are also designed based on the student and age group (kids will enjoy their stay than get bored). Then, there’s the computer and internet section which can be used for an hourly fee (For Pasig residents, P10 per hour usage, P2 per print)

The Audio-Visual Multi-Purpose Hall can be used for different functions. You’ll need to send them a request letter to scheduled time and date. (P500 half day or less, P1000 whole day or less)

Finally, the most interesting part is The Science Discovery Centrum which is open to public viewing from Monday to Friday 8AM to 5PM, except holidays. 

Educational tours are scheduled and facilitated by a tour guide. Saturday tours are also accommodated upon prior request and approval. It reminds me of the science field trips we made in elementary school. Surely, visitors will enjoy this place. Fee are the following:

For Pasig residents:

• P30/day for adults (18 and above)
• P10/day for children (17 and below)
• P20/person for a group of 20 or more adults
• Less 20% in total fee for a group of 20 or more for children
  

For non-Pasig residents

• P50/day for adults (18 and above)
• P30/day for children (17 and below)
• P40/person for a group of 20 or more adults
• P20/person for a group of 20 or more for children.

For more information, you can visit their website: https://pasigcitylibrary.wordpress.com/

Ortigas Foundation Library

Located at 9, F Bldg. Ortigas, Ortigas Ave, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Open Open from Monday to Saturday 8AM to 6PM

Do you love history? If yes, then you should visit Ortigas Foundation Library. This cozy place houses more than 20,000 items including books, periodicals, graduate theses, manuscripts, maps and loose documents relating to Philippine history, and more. It is one of the popular privately owned libraries in Metro Manila which is open to public. The entrance is free of charge, so schedule your visit now if you are close by.

Cebu City Public Library

Located at G/F, Rizal Memorial Library and Museum Bldg, Osmeña Blvd, Lungsod ng Cebu, 6000 Lalawigan ng Cebu
Open for 24 hours Monday to Sunday

When you search for public libraries in the Philippines online, it’s always a list of libraries only in Metro Manila. Provincial libraries are often left out and information is little to none. Now, moving outside Metro Manila, I found out about the first ever 24/7 open public library in the Philippines – the Cebu City Public Library. Also considered as a provincial branch of National Library of the Philippines.

Established in 1919,  the library closed during the Second World War. Japanese Army turned the building into their headquarters. Books were either dumped, destroyed or stolen (heartbreaking!). But in 1953, it was reopened due to the uproar of public. In March 9, 2018, the library started its 24-hour operations, and became the first ever library to do so in the entire Philippines.

I can’t find any information about how many items it houses, but everyone can come for free, and there’s even a free WiFi access. That’s not only it! Coffee is allowed inside!

Angeles City Library & Information Center

Located at Santo Entiero St, Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines
Open Monday to Friday 8AM to 5PM

Angeles City Library & Information Center is situated in the heart of one of the busiest cities in Pampanga, a province in Central Luzon. In 2009, the library received 3rd place in country’s outstanding public libraries. In 2016, Philippines’ Outstanding Public Libraries awarded it 2nd place at the  with Special Programs on Culture and the Arts by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and National Library of the Philippines. This city library also houses tourist and other cultural information about the city and the province. Numbers of galleries found inside that illustrates the Kapampangan culture and the notable Kapampangans.

Internet ng Bayan also provides a good one hour free internet access available to students who are conducting researches. There is an open air access in the library good for viewing heritage area, and a Chess Training facility in case you want to enjoy playing chess with other citizens.

University and College Libraries

If you are a student, you should check your school’s library (and maybe take advantage of it). When I was still a student, the library in my college department in University of the East Caloocan is always packed!

When my friends and I are part of the unlucky ones without seats inside, we just take a space outside the library near the staircase. We could have gone to another part of the school or look for an empty classroom, right? Yes, we do that sometimes when we know that we’re just going to hang out or tambay. But when we’re studying (for real), there’s something about the presence of the library that makes you want to stay because you know you can focus more in there. And of course, we also get to borrow fiction novels like Harry Potter series or Lord of The Rings!

Mostly, university and college libraries are open only to students and alumni. However, there are also university libraries that are open to public for a fee like University of San Carlos’ Josef Baumgartner Learning Resource Center which is also located in Cebu.

Provincial and City Libraries

In my research, I found out that almost every city in Metro Manila has an available city library, and each province a provincial library. I would have listed more specific libraries, but the sad thing is there is close to none information about these said small libraries.

The good thing is National Library of The Philippines’ website has a list of all the libraries in the Philippines. And believe me when I say there are TONS across the country.

If you want to check the nearest library in your area, just visit this link from NLP’s website. Your library quest begins here!

GIVEAWAY

As part of #Augvocacy2018, Shealea is hosting a giveaway of a copy of The Land of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly, open to PH and international participants. Join through the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you gone to any of these libraries or any public libraries in your area? Let me know your experience in the comments!

Check the complete Augvocacy schedule below:

The post #Augvocacy2018: Public Libraries in The Philippines That You Should Visit Today + Giveaway appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.

What The Flower Says of Death by Danielle Koste Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Death and Suicide, Family and Relationships Publisher: Indie Release Date: September 25th 2018 Pre-orders: August 31st 2018

☆☆☆☆☆

Violet Holt has already met Death once.

After a failed suicide attempt, she finds herself dumped by her callous mother on the doorstep of her family’s desolate oceanside estate. With only the company of her estranged grandmother, comatose grandfather, and the monsters in her head, at least there was no one to interfere with her plans to try again on her eighteenth birthday.

No one, except maybe Jack: a skeleton of a boy who says he’s there to rake her grandmother’s leaves, yet seems more experienced at stalking than grounds-keeping. She knows he’s keeping a secret behind his gentle smiles and aloofness, but it’s difficult for Violet to be put off by his untimely thin-air appearances when figuring out the mystery of his true identity makes for such a good distraction.

Violet’s trauma is deeper than the wound on her wrist though, and it cannot be simply whisked away in a whirlwind of guessing games and pleasant gestures. She struggles to reconnect with her grandmother, find forgiveness for her mother, and closure with her grandfather’s dire condition, all while battling the strain of it all on her family. Even with a flicker of something hopeful blossoming within herself, Violet knows her birthday plans must be inevitable.
Death wouldn’t be there for her if it wasn’t.

I already did a cover reveal for one of Danielle Koste’s books before.  You can view it HERE. And today, I am so excited to share with you another cover for Danielle Koste’s upcoming book!

BUY LINKS

Signed Copy | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danielle Koste

Danielle Koste is a born and raised Canadian, but currently lives with her significant other in the equally snowy and cold Stockholm, Sweden. While working a day job and learning the language of the locals, she spends her free time honing the craft she’s always had a passion for.

When procrastinating, Danielle likes to enjoy other forms of rich story-telling, besides the obvious abundance of novels filling up her apartment and Kindle. Movies, music, and video games are among her favorite time-wasters.

GIVEAWAY

That’s it! What do you think of the cover? Don’t forget to add this to your TBR!

The post Cover Reveal: What The Flower Says of Death by Danielle Koste + Giveaway appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.

Title: Ragis (Gemeta Stone #1)
Author:  Donna Migliaccio
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Release Date: August 28, 2018
Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing, LLC

BLURB

Kristan Gemeta is teetering on the brink of madness.

His sister Melissa has defied him. His friend Olaf has betrayed him. The Wichelord Daazna’s ghostly laughter mocks him when he’s awake and robs him of his sleep at night. Even the protective powers of his legendary Stone are turning against him.

And now his companions, his ship and its precious cargo have been taken hostage. Kristan must give chase, in an unseaworthy vessel manned by an angry centaur crew. Ahead lie unfriendly waters, an ominous destination and a confrontation Kristan dreads.

In his despair, Kristan longs for the one person he has always trusted: his beloved Heather. But she’s far away, about to step into a trap that will endanger not just her command, but Kristan’s life.

Check out below the lovely cover of the 4th book from the Gemeta Stone series.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donna Migliaccio is a professional stage actress with credits that include Broadway, National Tours and prominent regional theatres.

She is based in the Washington, DC Metro area, where she co-founded Tony award-winning Signature Theatre and is in demand as an entertainer, teacher and public speaker.

Her award-winning short story, “Yaa & The Coffins,” was featured in Thinkerbeat’s 2015 anthology The Art of Losing.

Author Links:

Website│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

That’s it! What do you think of the cover? Don’t forget to add this to your TBR!

Cover reveal organized by:
Fiery Seas Publishing

The post Cover Reveal: Ragis by Donna Migliaccio + Giveaway appeared first on The Nocturnal Fey.