Unravel the Dusk Blog Tour: Review + Moodboard + Favorite Quotes

Thank you to Caffeine Book Tours for this opportunity to showcase the beautifully written Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim. Unravel the Dusk is the sequel to Spin the Dawn, which is part of The Blood of Stars duology. If you are looking for an adventurous and fast-paced fantasy, look no further. This is the duology you need to pick up! I included some of my favorite quotes and a moodboard down below. Check out the rest of the #UnravelTheDusk blog tour for mood boards, favorite quotes, creative features, playlists and more!

Title: Unravel the Dusk
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date: July 7, 2020
Pages: 368
Source/format: ARC//Giveaway via Elizabeth Lim
Genre: YA, Fantasy

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Kobo

Rating: ☆☆☆☆1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

The thrilling sequel to SPIN THE DAWN, a magical series steeped in Chinese culture.
Maia Tamarin’s journey to sew the dresses of the sun, the moon and the stars has taken a grievous toll. She returns to a kingdom on the brink of war. The boy she loves is gone, and she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor’s bride-to-be to keep the peace.

But the war raging around Maia is nothing compared to the battle within. Ever since she was touched by the demon Bandur, she has been changing . . . glancing in the mirror to see her own eyes glowing red, losing control of her magic, her body, her mind. It’s only a matter of time before Maia loses herself completely, but she will stop at nothing to find Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her country.

YA fantasy readers will love the sizzling forbidden romance, mystery, and intrigue of UNRAVEL THE DUSK.

FAVORITE QUOTES AND MOODBOARD

"We were like the sun and moon, sharing the same stars and the same sky."

"If dying is this beautiful, then I wish I were a tree too. I'd be happy to die and be reborn in the spring."

"Plum blossoms are the first flowers to bud after winter," I remembered. "They're a symbol of hope and purity."..."And new beginnings," Edan said quietly.

Images from Pexels.com and Unsplash.com

ABOUT ELIZABETH LIM

Elizabeth Lim grew up on a hearty staple of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Her passion for storytelling began around age 10, when she started writing fanfics for Sailor Moon, Sweet Valley, and Star Wars, and posted them online to discover, "Wow, people actually read my stuff. And that's kinda cool!" But after one of her teachers told her she had "too much voice" in her essays, Elizabeth took a break from creative writing to focus on not flunking English.

Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, and even went so far as to get a doctorate in music composition. But she always missed writing, and turned to penning stories when she needed a breather from grad school. One day, she decided to write and finish a novel -- for kicks, at first, then things became serious -- and she hasn't looked back since.

Elizabeth loves classic film scores, books with a good romance, food (she currently has a soft spot for arepas and Ethiopian food), the color turquoise, overcast skies, English muffins, cycling, and baking. She lives in New York City with her husband.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

MY REVIEW

Unravel the Dusk is the sequel to Spin the Dawn. After Maia Tamarin completed Lady Sarnai's last tailoring request of sewing the dresses of Amana, Maia has unlocked a new version of herself that she did not know she would find. And no, it's not the Imperial Tailor position but something more powerful yet deadly. Not only does everyone know that she is not Keton Tamarin but she is battling a demon within her.

With Edan in hiding and Lady Sarnai unwell, Maia is A'landi's only hope for peace. However, things don't go as planned with the wedding and two kingdoms are at war. Although the love story between Edan and Maia is not as prevalent in this installment of The Blood of Stars duology, their bond is still strong. Readers do not encounter Edan in the flesh until the second half of the novel. Edan's and Maia's love for each other never wavers. Maia, however, becomes closer to Ammi. The female friendship between Maia and Ammi blossomed slowly and is an excellent addition to the novel. As Maia's only female companion, Ammi is able to help Maia in many ways that contrasts to Maia's other relationships. But Maia is worried that the demon within her will harm Ammi.

Unravel the Dusk emits a darker tone compared to Spin the Dawn. While the predecessor is a mask of wonders, Unravel the Dusk shows the true colors of humanity and what everyone is capable of. We see the character development of multiple characters. We see how vulnerable yet powerful Lady Sarnai is. She is a multi-faceted character that I would love to read a companion novel about. Readers see how Ammi forgives Maia even though it took a while for Ammi to regain trust between the two ladies. Seeing Maia with her family is heartfelt and warming. Readers can see how they care for each other deeply no matter what.

Of course, Maia shows the most development of all. She has changed a lot compared to when she was working in her father's shop to competing in the competition to become the Imperial Tailor to even crafting the dresses of Amana. However, the most important test of character is how she handles the demon within her. Every day passes by and the demon inside her grows stronger. Maia fights the fire inside consistently even though demons and ghosts beckon her name to return to the Forgotten Isles of Lapzur. Can Maia overcome the demon and gain control or does she embrace the demon within? The more magic she uses, the harder it is to resist the call of darkness. The war and chaos in the novel parallel with how Maia is at war with herself. She is trying her hardest to overcome the demon's desires of destruction.

Elizabeth Lim expands on the already fantastic world-building that was set in Spin the Dawn. The map included in both Spin the Dawn and in Unravel the Dusk helps readers understand where everything is located in correlation to one another. Lim's expansive details of each landmark are memorable in both novels. Unravel the Dusk is divided into three sections, one for each dress of Amana. This is important regarding how Maia unleashes the power of each dress and unlocks their true potential.

Unravel the Dusk is enrapturing and picks up a notch in The Blood of the Stars duology. Join Maia on a journey where she fights the demons within her and still stays true to herself. Warning, there is human possession in this novel.

There is still time to pre-order this Unravel the Dusk! Check out this pre-order incentive as well!

GIVEAWAY

Check out this awesome giveaway. The giveaway ends on July 7th (Philippine Standard Time). Nicole's Novel Reads is not responsible for books lost or damaged in the mail. Good luck!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here!

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Check out  Caffeine Book Tours for links to each blog.

Unspoken Takeover Tour

I am so excited to be part of the Unspoken Takeover Tour! Shifters and wolves are making a comeback within YA fiction. Also, how fitting for Unspoken to be published near the full moon! Unspoken is Celia McMahon's debut novel and it's the first book in a trilogy. I look forward to reading the next two installments in the series.

Title: Unspoken

Author: Celia McMahon

Publisher: The Parliament House
Release Date: September 17, 2019
Purchase here: Parliament House | Amazon Kindle | B&N Nook

Synopsis: 

Princess Isabelle of The New Kingdom has lived her entire life in the confines of her palace. She spends her time hunting for the poverty-stricken Voiceless-people of the Old Kingdom who warred with her kingdom and ultimately lost-and dreaming of a world beyond the walls of her home. As the only remaining child of the king and queen, she is to be married off by her eighteenth birthday.

When Izzy witnesses the use of forbidden magic in the woods outside the palace, she is attacked, and saved by an unknown man. Soon after she discovers her rescuer is a Voiceless servant in the castle named Fray, she befriends him to seek out the magic users who tried to kill her. Fray agrees to help, but not before Isabelle discovers the servant boy harbors a secret the king has tried to bury-that he is a Gwylis, people of the old Kingdom who made a pact with the demons of the underworld for the power to transform into giant ferocious wolves. But to shift into a beast, Fray must be able to speak the words to do so. If he is to thwart the attackers from killing her entire family, Izzy needs to cure the ailment that took away his voice.

But curing Fray holds more danger than she ever thought possible. The lies of her parents and the risk of putting her own life on the line deems as destructive as falling for the servant boy. If Isabelle is to save herself and Fray, she’ll need to face enemy Gwylis, cross paths with usurper kings and princes, and decide what side she is on-human or wolf-or lose her kingdom forever.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Isabelle Rowan is a princess of Stormwall but she defies what her mother says. With her father off beyond the Archway at war, a brother who passed away during the war, and an overprotective mother, Izzy finds solace in the little things. Izzy enjoys being in the company of her cousin, Lulu; talking to her brother, Henry, at his grave; and escaping through the servants' entrance to go hunting in the forest with a bow and arrow.

Izzy is snarky, speaks her mind and loves archery. Henry taught her archery, hand to hand combat and basic survival skills. However, Izzy can be annoying at times when she doesn't listen to anyone. When someone tells her no, she wants to do the things that are forbidden even more. At least she acknowledges this stubbornness. Izzy's mother matches her with Prince Ashe Paratheon of the Peek Islands and hopes Izzy will marry him. However, Izzy has a fondness for the Voiceless servant, Fray Castor.

What Izzy doesn't know is the harrowing secrets that her family holds. The House of Rowan has been conquering land for quite a while. When a group of people of the old kingdom dabbles in magic to overcome the House of Rowans, they are poisoned by the opposition. This group loses their voice and are now known as the Voiceless. The royal family sees the Voiceless or the Gwylis as a disgrace. However, Izzy falls in love with Fray and seeks redemption along with the creator of the poison.

Izzy's friendship with Lulu is strong. Lulu is Izzy's only female friend she confides in. Pyrus, a healer, is another one of her close friends who she often visits. Izzy is close with her bodyguard, Crim. She first learned to sign with the Voiceless through Crim. While others in the new kingdom avoid the Voiceless like the plague, Izzy tries to help them as much as possible.

Izzy knows there is magic in the air but she has no proof besides what she sees with her very own eyes. However, she soon finds out that people do know about the magic but often denies it exists. I assume they believe in the idiom, "out of sight, out of mind." Izzy feels betrayed when those close to her are harboring secrets. While her father seeks to conqueror all the lands and its people, others seek to take advantage of Izzy and the Rowan family.

The worldbuilding is definitely a strong point in Unspoken. The way the Gwylis transform into wolves is very unique. They must recite a certain phrase in order to shift into wolf form. However, without a voice, they remain human. I would have loved more intricate character development. However, since there are two more books in the series, I hope to see growth within the characters. I am not one for insta-love or love triangles but then again, everyone's loyalties lie differently. The pacing of the book started off slow but ramped up quickly at the end.

Celia McMahon has penned a fantasy novel with a dash of magic, a dash of paranormal and forbidden love. If you are looking for a novel about a princess, a prince, messenger crows, and wolves, check out Unspoken.

Although this quote is not one of Izzy's, I find it quite memorable:

"A woman may be forgotten. But a queen lives on forever."

ABOUT CELIA MCMAHON

Celia McMahon is a devourer of books and coffee. She lives in Italy for the time being as a full time author and mother to a strapping young knight. If she’s not busy buying more books than she can read or discovering new ways of being tired, you can find her scouring the world for book ideas.


Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Permanent Record Blog Tour

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for inviting me to be part of this amazing blog tour! Not only am I excited to share more about Permanent Record with everyone reading this post, but I hope you are able to read Mary H.K. Choi's debut, Emergency Contact, as well. Choi's novels are character-driven and are the perfect reads if you are looking for YA/NA novels. It's very hard to find books about college-aged individuals and I am happy to see that Choi is closing the gap.

Title: Permanent Record
Author: Mary H.K. Choi
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 3, 2019
Pages: 400
Source/format: e-ARC//Publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Emergency Contact, which Rainbow Rowell called “smart and funny,” comes an unforgettable new romance about how social media influences relationships every day.

On paper, college dropout Pablo Rind doesn’t have a whole lot going for him. His graveyard shift at a twenty-four-hour deli in Brooklyn is a struggle. Plus, he’s up to his eyeballs in credit card debt. Never mind the state of his student loans.

Pop juggernaut Leanna Smart has enough social media followers to populate whole continents. The brand is unstoppable. She graduated from child stardom to become an international icon and her adult life is a queasy blur of private planes, step-and-repeats, aspirational hotel rooms, and strangers screaming for her just to notice them.

When Leanna and Pablo meet at 5:00 a.m. at the bodega in the dead of winter it’s absurd to think they’d be A Thing. But as they discover who they are, who they want to be, and how to defy the deafening expectations of everyone else, Lee and Pab turn to each other. Which, of course, is when things get properly complicated.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Permanent Record is a coming-of-age story that is relatable. This contemporary novel seamlessly blends the woes of young adults. Readers encounter financial struggles, family expectations, how social media affects lives, life after high school and how to live a meaningful life.

Mary H.K. Choi includes a male POV in Permanent Record which I am grateful about. I love reading from a male perspective in YA novels because YA is dominated with female voices within the novels. Diversity is important in this novel as finding your identity. Pablo Rind is half Korean and half Pakistani and he learns what it means to be mixed. He conquerors who he is and who he wants to become. I enjoyed reading his internal monologues even though he may be uncertain about himself. He struggles regarding what to do with his life. This is exactly what we see in young adults today! There is too much pressure for young adults to make the "right decision." However, sometimes, they need a break from societal expectations and they need to focus on self-care.

Pablo meets Leanna Smart, who is half Mexican and half White, at the bodega and they click despite their many differences. Pablo is currently working a graveyard shift in order to pay back student loans and credit card debt. He drops out of college in order to take care of his debt but is debating whether to go back to NYU. Leanna, on the other hand, is a celebrity who is social media famous. Sometimes opposites attract. Although this pairing is not common in the real world, this can meeting can happen.

Choi writes about financial struggles which I enjoy seeing in a book because nowadays, young adults are struggling to make ends meet. Cost of housing, food, college loans, etc. are rising to the point where young adults are willing to work more hours, cut down on meals and make huge sacrifices but at what cost?

Permanent Record is the perfect read for those who want to know more about the time bridging high school and college. If you are a fan of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell or Emergency Contact by Mary H.K Choi, you will enjoy this novel.

ABOUT MARY H.K. CHOI

Mary H.K. Choi is a writer for The New York Times, GQ, Wired, and The Atlantic. She has written comics for Marvel and DC, as well as a collection of essays called Oh, Never Mind. Her debut novel Emergency Contact was a New York Times bestseller. She is the host of Hey, Cool Job!, a podcast about jobs and Hey, Cool Life!, a podcast about mental health and creativity. Mary grew up in Hong Kong and Texas and now lives in New York. Follow her on Twitter @ChoitotheWorld.

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

August 26th– Vicky Who Reads

August 27th– Adventures of a Book Junkie

August 28th– Utopia State of Mind

August 29th– Read by Tiffany

August 30th– Rich in Color

August 31st– Your Tita Kate

September 2nd– Books on Pointe

September 3rd– Andi’s ABCs

September 4th– Book Scents

September 5th– Twirling Pages

September 6th– Bookshelves & Paperbacks

September 9th– YA Bibliophile

September 10th– Mary Had A Little Book Blog

September 11th– Chasing Faerytales

September 12th– Nicole’s Novel Reads

September 13th– Mel to the Any

Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows Blog Tour

Thank you to Rockstar Book Tours and Ryan Calejo for hosting this wonderful blog tour. If you love middle grade novels, this is one not to miss! Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows is the first book in the series. Definitely check out the second installment, Charlie Hernández & the Castle of Bones, which comes out on October 22, 2019.

Don't forget to check out a chance to win a signed hardcopy of Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows at the bottom of this post.

Title: Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows
Author: Ryan Calejo
Pub. Date: October 23, 2018
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 330
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, The Book Depository

Synopsis:

Charlie Hernández has always been proud of his Latin American heritage. He loves the culture, the art, and especially the myths. Thanks to his abuela’s stories, Charlie possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the monsters and ghouls who have spent the last five hundred years haunting the imaginations of children all across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and South America. And even though his grandmother sometimes hinted that the tales might be more than mere myth, Charlie’s always been a pragmatist. Even barely out of diapers, he knew the stories were just make-believe—nothing more than intricately woven fables meant to keep little kids from misbehaving.

But when Charlie begins to experience freaky bodily manifestations—ones all too similar to those described by his grandma in his favorite legend—he is suddenly swept up in a world where the mythical beings he’s spent his entire life hearing about seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Hispanic folklore and into his life. And even stranger, they seem to know more about him than he knows about himself.

Soon, Charlie finds himself in the middle of an ancient battle between La Liga, a secret society of legendary mythological beings sworn to protect the Land of the Living, and La Mano Negra (a.k.a. the Black Hand), a cabal of evil spirits determined to rule mankind. With only the help of his lifelong crush, Violet Rey, and his grandmother’s stories to guide him, Charlie must navigate a world where monsters and brujas rule and things he couldn’t possibly imagine go bump in the night. That is, if he has any hope of discovering what’s happening to him and saving his missing parents (oh, and maybe even the world).
No pressure, muchacho.

ACCLAIMED PRAISE

“This is a perfect pick for kids who love Rick Riordan’s many series, particularly for those eager for mythologies beyond Greek and Roman stories.” —Booklist (starred review)

“A winner for all kids, but it will be especially beloved by Latinx and Hispanic families.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The Lightning Thief meets the Story Thieves series in this middle grade fantasy inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America.

ABOUT RYAN CALEJO 

Ryan Calejo was born and raised in south Florida. He graduated from the University of Miami with a BA. He’s been invited to join both the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Golden Key International Honour Society. He teaches swimming to elementary school students, chess to middle school students, and writing to high school students. Having been born into a family of immigrants and growing up in the so-called “Capital of Latin America,” Ryan knows the importance of diversity in our communities and is passionate about writing books that children of all ethnicities can relate to. His first novel was Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows.

Simon & Schuster Webpage| Twitter| Goodreads

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Move over, Percy Jackson. Charlie Hernández is here with a story for you all to hear. For those readers who like to read about mythology, you will love reading Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows. Charlie's parents disappear all of a sudden and his house burns down. He starts to see he has sprouted a set of horns and a coating of feathers. What can this mean?

Charlie always enjoyed listening to his abuela's stories about creatures and monsters. Little did he know that the Latin American and Spanish folklore and myths are based on reality. Charlie and his friend, Violet, hop on an adventure to locate his parents.

Ryan Calejo's writing is fun to read and full of action. Charlie's voice actually sounds like an authentic middle schooler's voice which is great! With twists and turns, Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows is chock full of adventure. Calejo introduces readers to a plethora of folktales they have never heard before but readers will be immersed.

Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows is relatable. With the We Need Diverse Books movement, I am delighted to see more books that more people can see themselves in. Calejo does just that with this novel.

GIVEAWAY

1 winner will win a signed hardcover of CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS, US only. Nicole's Novel Reads is not responsible for books lost or damaged in the mail. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Week One:

8/19/2019- BookHounds YA- Interview
8/20/2019- Savings in Seconds- Excerpt

8/21/2019- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt
8/22/2019- Country Road Reviews- Review
8/23/2019- Lifestyle Of Me- Review

Week Two:

8/26/2019- Rhythmicbooktrovert- Review
8/27/2019- Wonder Struck- Review
8/28/2019- Two Chicks on Books- Interview
8/29/2019- Aunt Addie's Bookshelf- Review
8/30/2019- The Desert Bibliophile- Review

Week Three:

9/2/2019- The Layaway Dragon- Review
9/3/2019- Random Bookish Banter- Review
9/4/2019- Eli to the nth- Review
9/5/2019- Novel Novice- Guest Post
9/6/2019- Fyrekatz Blog- Review

Week Four:

9/9/2019- Nicole's Novel Reads- Review
9/10/2019- Marshmallow Pudding- Review
9/11/2019- Nerdophiles- Review
9/12/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review
9/13/2019- two points of interest- Review

An Affair of Poisons Blog Tour: Review + Playlist + Favorite Quotes

Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club and Page Street Kids for the opportunity to take part of this wonderful blog tour! I absolutely adored An Affair of Poisons by Addie Thorley. I hope readers enjoy my review, favorite quotes and the hand picked songs for the playlist!

Title: An Affair of Poisons
Author: Addie Thorley
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Release Date: February 26th 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Kobo

Rating: ☆☆☆☆1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

After unwittingly helping her mother poison King Louis XIV, seventeen-year-old alchemist Mirabelle Monvoisin is forced to see her mother’s Shadow Society in a horrifying new light: they’re not heroes of the people, as they’ve always claimed to be, but murderers. Herself included. Mira tries to ease her guilt by brewing helpful curatives, but her hunger tonics and headache remedies cannot right past wrongs or save the dissenters her mother vows to purge.

Royal bastard Josse de Bourbon is more kitchen boy than fils de France. But when the Shadow Society assassinates the Sun King and half the royal court, he must become the prince he was never meant to be in order to save his injured sisters and the petulant Dauphin. Forced to hide in the derelict sewers beneath the city, any hope of reclaiming Paris seems impossible—until Josse’s path collides with Mirabelle’s, and he finds a surprising ally in his sworn enemy.

She's a deadly poisoner. He's a bastard prince. Together, they form a tenuous pact to unite the commoners and former nobility against the Shadow Society. But can a rebellion built on mistrust ever hope to succeed?

ABOUT ADDIE THORLEY

Addie Thorley spent her childhood playing soccer, riding horses, and scribbling stories. After graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in journalism, she decided “hard news” didn’t contain enough magic and kissing, so she flung herself into the land of fiction and never looked back.

She now lives in Princeton, New Jersey with her husband, daughter, and wolf dog. When she’s not writing she can be found gallivanting in the woods or galloping around the barn where she works as a horse trainer and exercise rider.

AN AFFAIR OF POISONS is her debut novel.
Website | Goodreads | Twitter

MY REVIEW

An Affair of Poisons is loosely based on the real La Voisin and real affaire des poisons which was a massive murder scandal back in the late 17th century during the reign of King Louis XIV in Paris, France. From the first line, An Affair of Poisons's atmospheric descriptions tantalize all five senses.

Mirabelle is the daughter of one of the most influential Shadow Society members. Her mother is an alchemist who brews poisons during the age of King Louis XIV in France. Mira is her mother's assistant along with Gris, an orphan a couple years older than Mira. Mira is tested in an initiation to the Shadow Society by proving herself with small tasks like poisoning the Duc de Barra, who is a vile man, but her mother and fellow Shadow Society peers fail to tell her that she is actually formulating a poison to kill the Sun King.

Mira is distraught that she has murdered someone she doesn't plan to kill. Her mother has deceived her. Mira finds out that the Shadow Society is plotting to overthrow the aristocrats and to take over the city. Mira's older sister, Marguerite, is always held on a pedestal while Mother treats Mira like a mere laboratory assistant compared to a daughter. Mira misses her father, who died in an explosion when she was younger. Her father loved alchemy. He said, "You will be a great alchemist one day, he used to tell me. Greater than I was." Mother despises Mira for following the footsteps of her father.

Josse is the bastard illegitimate son of the Sun King but a lot of people do not know he is the son of a maid compared to his sisters and brother who are born out of royalty. Josse tries to lead his siblings to safety after his parents are murdered. The unlikely pair of a prince and a poisoner eventually join forces. They are on the opposite tracks. One grew up in luxury and the other one in poverty.

Mira is kept hostage by Josse and his friend Desgrez. They want to use her to barter with the Shadow Society but no avail since Mira's mother doesn't give into the demands. Josse goes against the Dauphin in order for Mira to heal the sisters. Josse and Mira escape in hiding from the Shadow Society. Mira creates tinctures and curatives to help the poor. Readers see how Mira is caught in the middle to do what is right for the people or do obey the wishes of her mother despite the deadly results. Mira has great strength where she finds a way to prevail. She becomes La Vie and brews remedies to the awful poisons La Voisin distributes. Mira becomes the driving hope for the rebellion against the Shadow Society.

The chapters of the novel alternate between Mira's and Josse's point of views. Addie Thorley penned a story with a lot of socio-economic and political issues during 17th century Paris where readers see the differences between the rich and the poor. You feel the struggle of the common people while they fight for their lives. Even Josse has the idea to try to unite the nobility and the common people to overthrow La Voisin and the Shadow Society. With La Vie and Josse at the lead of a rebellion, they win the loyalty of the people.

Gris is definitely an understated character within the novel but without him, Mira would have not succeeded with the rebellion. He is able to play a part on two sides. The most heartbreaking scene in the novel is when Gris makes a sacrifice at the end of the book. I was in awe. Without his detailed planning, the Shadow Society would have won and Mira and Josse would have been heavily punished. Perhaps there is an underlying love and mutual respect between Mira and Gris. I would love to read more about Gris's point of view.

Thorley's research regarding the real events provided her a canvas to tweak history and it allowed her to weave in new personalities within her novel. Many of the characters are based on people that were involved with the murderous events that took place in France. Some names were changed in order the streamline the key characters. Although the real La Voisin only had one daughter who was stuck in the middle between two sides, Thorley decided to include two daughters in her novel. One daughter supports La Voisin and one defies La Voisin to lead a rebellion.

An Affair of Poisons is an intoxicating historical fantasy full of deceit, a test of loyalty and treachery. This book is highly recommended for readers who enjoyed reading Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Enchantée, Stalking Jack the Ripper and/or Les Misérables.

FAVORITE QUOTES

"You will be a great alchemist one day, he used to tell me. Greater than I was."

"I always imagine Hell would be hot—a lake of fire and brimstone and all that. But Hell, it turns out, is being trapped in these dank, freezing sewer tunnels, helpless to stop the eerie green specks from spreading like ink beneath my sister's skin."

"In a whirl of lace and stain, Francoise and Anne turn. We raise our hands, and I know the instant they spot us. It’s like the moment herbs coalesce inside a cauldron—coming together to form something greater, something stronger, something whole. Their eyes spark with recognition, and their squeals of delight are more healing than any antipoison, more fortifying than any elixir or draught.

PLAYLIST

I put together this playlist as I read An Affair of Poisons. In fact, I had quite a lot of songs for this playlist but I had to make some cuts to hone on the true essence of the book. The selection of songs contain some oldie classics, some contemporary songs, some instrumentals and some eccentricities. I hope you enjoy the playlist!

1. Ashes - Radical Face

2. Belladonna - Siouxsie and the Banshees

3. Killer Queen - Queen

4. Royals - Lorde

5. Under Your Spell - The Birthday Massacre

6. The Healing - Bloc Party

7. Hiding - Florence + The Machine

8. My Enemy - CHVRCHES

9. Hunger - Of Monsters and Men

10. Barricade - Interpol

11. Imperfection - Evanescence

12. Haunted - Poe

13. Head Above Water - Avril Lavigne

14. Alchemy - Johnny Hollow

GIVEAWAY

Check out this awesome giveaway. Giveaway ends on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Nicole's Novel Reads is not responsible for books lost or damaged in the mail. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Check out the official tour schedule below or at this link.

MARCH 5th

The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club - Welcome Post

MARCH 6th 

Paws and Paperbacks - Review

Tale Out Loud - Review + Favourite Quotes

Moonlight Rendezvous - Review

MARCH 7th

GingerSnapHattie - Review + Dream Cast + Playlist

Nicole's Novel Reads - Review + Playlist + Favourite Quotes

Wishful Endings - Promotional Post

MARCH 8th 

Dazzled by Books - Review + Favourite Quotes

A Book Addict's Bookshelves - Review

Bibliobibuli YA - Promotional Post

MARCH 9th

Magical Reads - Review + Dream Cast

String of Pages - Review

Confessions of a YA Reader - Promotional Post

MARCH 10th

Book Princess Reviews - Review + Favourite Quotes

The Clever Reader - Review + Dream Cast + Favourite Quotes

A Dream Within A Dream - Promotional Post

MARCH 11th

Camillea Reads - Review + Favourite Quotes

Girl in the Pages - Review

Adventures Thru Wonderland - Review

Letting Go of Gravity Blog Tour: Interview with Meg Leder

Thank you to Rockstar Book Tour for this wonderful opportunity to interview Meg Leder, author of Letting Go of Gravity! I am a big fan of Meg Leder's debut novel, The Museum of Heartbreak and I absolutely enjoyed Letting Go of Gravity. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the blog post and check out the other tour stops! Also, you can check out my review for the novel here.

Title: Letting Go of Gravity
Author: Meg Leder
Pub. Date: July 17, 2018
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 432
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD

Synopsis:

Twins Parker and Charlie are polar opposites.
Where Charlie is fearless, Parker is careful.
Charlie is confident while Parker aims to please.
Charlie is outgoing and outspoken; Parker is introverted and reserved.
And of course, there’s the one other major difference: Charlie got leukemia. Parker didn’t.

But now that Charlie is officially in remission, life couldn’t be going better for Parker. She’s landed a prestigious summer internship at the hospital and is headed to Harvard in the fall to study pediatric oncology—which is why the anxiety she’s felt since her Harvard acceptance is so unsettling. And it doesn’t help that her relationship with Charlie has been on the rocks since his diagnosis.

Enter Finn, a boy who’s been leaving strange graffiti messages all over town. Parker can’t stop thinking about those messages, or about Finn, who makes her feel free for the first time: free to doubt, free to make mistakes, and free to confront the truth that Parker has been hiding from for a long time.

That she keeps trying to save Charlie, when the person who really needs saving is herself.

ACCLAIMED PRAISE

“A gorgeous, sad, funny, and wise book about letting go and finding your place in the world. Meg Leder has written a story about a brother and sister that will break your heart and have you whispering 'I got you' long after you've closed the book.” –Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces

“For readers who love and appreciate a good coming-of-age story, a realistic romance, and a novel where every character gets to be a hero.” –Kirkus

“A poignant and carefully crafted story…. A compelling coming-of-age novel sure to appeal to those who love realistic fiction.” –School Library Journal

“Effectively shows how illness affects families and how a person can get stuck acting out a persona and end up knowing very little about herself.” –Publishers Weekly

INTERVIEW WITH MEG LEDER

1. Letting Go of Gravity contains a lot of relatable issues that many teens go through such as anxiety, supporting a seriously ill loved one and even living to society's expectations to do well in life. It's also a heartfelt and emotional novel. How long did it take from conception to final draft to complete the novel? Did it take many drafts to hone in on each character's story and issues they face every day?

Meg: I worked on Letting Go of Gravity for four years, the last three of those in earnest. I have a full-time job as an adult nonfiction editor at Penguin Books, so I don’t write as quickly as I’d like. But I spend every Saturday and Sunday writing for 5-7 hours a day, and use the week to think about my characters, what they’ve done and what they’re going to do next. I don’t remember what exactly sparked the idea for this book—it’s a very personal project, so maybe the spark for it has always been in me! But once I knew I wanted to explore anxiety and expectations and how those play out in families, things started to take shape pretty quickly.

I did a lot of revising on my own before my editors saw the manuscript, and then once they came on board, we did a lot more! I worked with a fantastic team of three editors at Simon Pulse, and they each brought something really magnificent to the table. They pushed me and this manuscript beyond what I knew I was capable of, and as a result, I think the characters really breathe on the page. In particular, Charlie’s arc grew a lot from where I first started—they really encouraged me to go deeper with his character.


2. Your characters are very memorable. Who is your favorite character to write about in Letting Go of Gravity and why? Which character was the most difficult to write about?

Meg: I love all these characters so much, this is harder to answer than I expected! But I really loved writing Parker the most because she’s so much like me, but also because she’s eventually braver than me. She figures out who she is at a much younger age than I ever did, and even though it’s not an easy process, I’m kind of in awe of her for that.

The hardest character for me to write was Charlie. I love Charlie, but when I started this book, I didn’t always like Charlie. In early drafts, he came off as really angry and unlikeable, and I feel so protective about Parker, it was making me mad! But I didn’t want him to be a villain, and for me, the key to opening him up was digging into why he was angry. Once I started exploring that (and introduced him to Ruby, who is able to bring out a better side of Charlie), I started to discover the really wonderful parts of him.

3. When Parker rekindles her friendship with Finn, she ends up discovering her true passion and does some soul searching. When did you find your passion for writing? Also, what are some of your other interests?

Meg: I’ve always been a huge reader, and I’ve spent the last twenty years working in publishing, so I like to think that it all eventually just rubbed off on me! But it wasn’t until I was having lunch with my agent (who was repping me for some nonfiction projects) and he suggested I might have a voice for young adult that I began to consider what it might mean to write a novel. That was about ten years ago, and since then I’ve been hooked. It’s not easy, but I like creating something on the page and seeing where it takes me—I get a lot of joy out of that.

As for other interests, it will not surprise anyone who’s read Letting Go of Gravity to know I’m also a big fan of both pottery and street art. I’ve taken pottery classes on and off throughout the years, and I love the feeling of throwing clay on the wheel, and then pushing that into a finished shape. As for street art, one of my favorite ways to spend time is to wander a city and to discover its street art. Right now, I’m really into Invader, a French artist who posts video game images in tiles all over cities. There’s even an app you can use to record where you find them, sort of like a scavenger hunt.

4. Are you a plotter or panster?

Meg: I fit somewhere in-between. I always compare my writing process to a road trip. I know where I’m starting and I know roughly where I want to go, but I haven’t planned the route just yet. I like to head off and leave room to take side roads and to recalibrate my destination as I go!

5. So far you've written contemporary YA novels. Can you give readers some hints about your current work in progress?

Meg: I’m working on a few different things right now, and I’m not sure if either will bloom into a novel—it’s still too early too tell, I think! One is contemporary YA, one is trying something a little new. It’s like planting seeds—I hope one or both of them takes!

6. What are some of your favorite YA books that you would recommend?

Meg: Oh man, I could go on and on for this one! Some of my absolute favorites in the past few years: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow, Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi, The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood, all of the Charlotte Holmes novels by Brittany Cavallaro, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, anything by VE Schwab (Darker Shade of Magic is so fantastic), the Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir… again, there’s so much stuff I love! I’m a sucker for any book with a romance, and I have a soft spot for fantasy. And I cannot wait to read Janet McNally’s The Looking Glass and Deb Caletti’s A Heart in a Body in the World, because I have heard such amazing things about both books already, and of course, am practically counting down the days for Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas.

Thank you Meg Leder for this splendid interview! 

ABOUT MEG LEDER

Meg Leder is the author of Letting Go of Gravity and The Museum of Heartbreak, and the coauthor of books including The Happy Book and The Book of Me. A former bookseller and teacher, she currently works as a book editor in New York City. She spends her free time reading, looking for street art, and people watching. She lives in Brooklyn with her cat Tim Riggins.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

3 winners will win a finished copy of LETTING GO OF GRAVITY, US Only. Nicole's Novel Reads is not responsible for books lost or damaged in the mail. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/23/2018- A Dream Within A Dream- Excerpt

7/24/2018- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

7/25/2018- The Pages In-Between- Review

7/26/2018- 100 Pages A Day- Review

7/27/2018- Never Too Many To Read- Review

Week Two:

7/30/2018- Book Princess Reviews- Review

7/31/2018- Nicole's Novel Reads- Interview

8/1/2018- The Reading Corner for All- Review

8/2/2018- Do You Dog-ear?- Review

8/3/2018- BookHounds YA- Interview

Hunting Prince Dracula Tour: Traveling Etiquette and Tips for Victorian Women

I am fortunate for this opportunity to participate in the Hunting Prince Dracula Tour as part of the Knights of White Chapel. Today, I am showcasing traveling etiquette and tips for Victorian Women. I came up with this idea when I read the first chapter of Hunting Prince Dracula. Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell are traveling to Romania on a train. Back in the day, women had less rights than the women of the modern day.

Upper and upper-middle class women were able to travel for leisure and for political reasons. It was a way for women to gain some sense of freedom and independence of their own. Some women would travel for missionary work while others wanted to explore lands they have never traveled to. All women had to abide to certain etiquette rules during the early 18th century to early 19th century.

Also, check out my review for Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince Dracula. You can also check out my posts about Stalking Jack the Ripper Exclusive Chapter Thoughts and Stalking Jack the Ripper Tea Pairings.

Sources: Traveling Etiquette and Tips for Victorian Women, Victorian Women Travelers in the 19th Century, 9 Rules For Female Travelers From The Victorian Era

Traveling Etiquette and Tips for Victorian Women

1. Ladies always give themselves at least an hour of ample time to get ready for preparation in the morning.

2. Wear appropriate modest clothing. Dress plainly in an outfit similar to a morning gown and don't dress too showy. To avoid robbery, don't adorn yourself with jewelry and expensive high quality clothing.

3. Ladies should limit their luggage to one carpet bag or traveling satchel for an overnight stay. Grooming items, reading material and possible food should be packed along with clothing (shawl, night clothes, clean linen, night cap).

4. Because women traveling alone are prime targets of robbery, most of a lady's money should be held by her male driver or escort. This will decrease the amount of monetary items that a robber might take from a traveling lady. A lady should also have a pocket in her upper petticoat to hold money.

5. A male escort shall not enter a lady's compartment.

6. If a woman travels alone, find a seat next to another woman or near an elderly gentleman. This is to lessen the chances of being robbed.

7. Don't pester the escort or the companion. You don't want to be a burden to others. 

8. Be polite at all times. Never return rudeness with rudeness. Hold back and bite your tongue if you don't have anything good to say. 

9. Always be punctual. There is no excuse for being late. Remember, early is on time, on time is late and late is well unacceptable. 

10. A lady never checks herself into at a hotel or inn. The driver or escort will take care of all the lodging arrangements.

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Publication date: September 19, 2017
Pages: 448
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Find it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again. 

***

PRAISE FOR HUNTING PRINCE DRACULA

“There are plenty of suspects and red herrings as well as tense escalations….A scenic, twisty mystery.”

―Kirkus Reviews

“Readers of the previous mystery will be thrilled to have more of this likable duo. [A] delightful romp into an 1888 Gothic mystery with a hint of romance.”

―School Library Connection

ABOUT KERRI MANISCALCO

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.

Follow Kerri on Social media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Tumblr | Pinterest

GIVEAWAY

Nicole's Novel Reads is not responsible for books lost or damaged in the mail. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Week One

August 21: Paper Cuts: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
August 22: Literary Legionnaire: Review of Hunting Prince Dracula
August 23: Books & A Cup of Coffee: Character Mood Boards
August 24: Artic Books: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
August 25: 21st Century Once Upon A Times: A “Drink Your way through SJTR: Tea Edition”

Week Two

August 28: Hiver Et Café: History of Prince Dracula
August 29: Justice Reads: Review of Hunting Prince Dracula
August 30: Nicole’s Novel Reads: Travelling Etiquette and tips for Victorian Women
August 31: Sophie Reads YA: Favourite Stalking Jack the Ripper Fanart
September 1: LILbooKlovers: Top Ten Quotes from Stalking Jack the Ripper

Week Three

September 4: One Way or An Author: Hunting Prince Dracula Phone Backgrounds
September 5: A Blinding Book: Hunting Prince Dracula Aesthetic
September 6: Rants & Raves: Review & Snacks
September 7: Rattle the Stars: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
September 8: A Gingerly Reviews: Hunting Prince Dracula Review

Week Four

September 11: The Plot Bunny: Hunting Prince Dracula Trick or Treat Customer Ideas
September 12: Blame it on The Books: Hunting Prince Dracula Review
September 13: The Reader & the Chef : Hunting Prince Dracula’s Menu
September 14: Books, Tv, and More…Oh MY!!: Top Ten Favourite Traits of Audrey & Thomas
September 15: Unquenchable Reads : GIF, GIFS, and more GIFS

Week Five

September 18: Rattle the Pages : A Glimpse Back in Time: Vlad The Impaler edition
September 19: Beyond the Book Reviews: Character Wears of the 21st Century
September 20: The Heart of a Book Blogger : Hunting Prince Dracula Mood Board