First Book Review of 2021: The Witch’s Heart

Hey Bookworms, sorry for 2 posts in one day, but the more I sat here the more I needed to write this and had to bite the bullet and post it right away! I wasn’t going to write a review on here, but then I thought what better way to shove a book on people by writing a review on my actual blog? I haven’t done this in a very looooooooooooooooong time, so please try and be gentle, as I try to make this screaming fangirlness make sense among the mythology and other thoughts zooming through my head. So let’s get started and hopefully it will go okay.

First Book Retrospection of the Year: The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

 

Title: The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Publishing Date: February 9th 2021

Format: Audiobook from Libby App

Date Started: 26 February 2021

Date Finished: 1 March 2021

Rating: 5 Million out of 5 Stars (but GR only goes to 5 Stars)

Opening Thoughts

I think I ran across the news of this book from a Facebook ad, and from the second I saw the cover, it was an instant rush to the Libby App to put it on hold. It also pertained to mythology, so I know this book was destined, or at least hoped it would get me out of my slump/funk of a mood and God was I right. I was lucky that I didn’t have to wait too long from putting it on hold until I got it. Then the reading began as it dug it’s claws in me.

What I Loved

Can I say, everything? The world building had me traveling with Angraboda every step. It had you looking at these well known and even if you didn’t know them instantly and in different lights. This book shows you the truth of there is two sides to every story and even the characters history or myths tend to forget. Evil becomes good and Good becomes selfish, but it all comes down to motives that make them all alike. What drives these characters in there deeds. The LGBTness of this book and several characters makes me feel less alone. The stories and tales within the novel itself had me laughing in a way I hadn’t all month. Honestly there is so much I could say, but I don’t want to spoil anything.

This book is about perspective and I don’t mean changing between characters as it stayed with Angrboda. I also adored it stayed with our character but was also in third person. I tend to get tried of reading in first person and I think it is an overdone lately.

It weaves so many Norse mythologies throughout the main story, so you’re constantly learning without leaving or losing the main thread or story which is what the cover hints at.

I wish I had my own copy, so I could share my favorite quotes with you all, but I definitely know this is what I will be treating myself to for my birthday. This is a book I will be rereading again and again.

What I Hated

Honestly, other than the fact that it had to end? Nothing and it is very very rare that I say this. I wanted to cling to all of these characters and never let them go which I think was the main purpose and theme of this book to not let the legends, myths, and stories die, that we have to keep passing them on.

Final Thoughts

If you loved Circe by Madeline Miller, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, or anything by Rick Riordan you need to read this book. I just can’t express enough of what it will do for your sense of perspective. If you listen to anything I say this year, please let it be this. Read this book. It is amazing for a debut novel and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.

Please let me know if you read this book, your thoughts sans spoilers if this review made any sense as it may help me get over my insecurity of writing reviews, and if you would like to see me brave my fears enough to write another. Happy Reading all and Stay Safe!

January Wrap-Up: Better Late Than Never

Hey Bookworms! I promise one day I will get better at this. By “this” I mean blogging and working, or even expressing myself creatively. I also plan on writing a scene today for my story. It’s just working in a call center and staring at screen all day does not make it easy to want to come home and stare at a computer, or sometimes have the energy with 2 hour bus rides at times. I also am going to get glasses even if I don’t want to, I’m hoping it will help my creative and work life plus hopefully will kill the headaches… I wonder if writers that used typewriters had these problems? But anywho onto the to the topic at hand what I read last month!

January Wrap-Up

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

the-rosie-effect

I gave this book a 3 out of 5 stars although most of it was enjoyable Rosie’s behavior pissed me off and sometimes hit too close to home. It was a great listen though and the narrator kept my attention.

The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle

the-accident-season

I was accepting this to be more paranormal, but it ended up being more of a magical realism book which normally I love, but this one I guessed the plot twist early on and thus it made it a 3 out of 5 stars for this one as well.

Symptoms of being Human by Jeff Garvin

symptoms-of-being-human

This book helped me find my need to write and express myself and it was a really inspiring story of self acceptance. I give this one a 4 out of 5 stars!

Born Wicked by Jessica Scottswood

born-wicked

This whole first book felt too rushed from the love triangle to the way it ended. I did like the parts that kept me guessing and it did make me curious to give book 2 a shot. I don’t know how soon though. I gave this one a 3 out of 5 stars.

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

a-dogs-purpose

It was a really sweet endearing novel that made me love my dogs past and present. It gave me hope. I really wanted to cry when reading it, but I think so many people telling me I would made it hard to. Overall since the last bit dragged I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.

The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough

the-game-of-love-and-death

For fans of The Night Circus  by Erin Morgenstern (which by now I hope you all know by now is my all time favorite book), while we all hopes she will write a sequel, this book will fill your cravings for a similar book. It is another game with 2 players who seemed doomed and yet destined. I also loved the personification of love and death as humans. They weren’t what you usually think of when you usually think of those figures. There were parts where it lost my attention near the end though, but I loved the use of music and singing in the audio book. I really recommend it, and I gave it a 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Bright Smoke Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodgewp-1461022830033.jpg

It makes me sad to say especially because I was so looking forward to this book, but it was my first DNF of the year. It was just every one seemed weak in this book not strong enough to fight their own battles. I gave it a 2 out of 5 stars because the concept still intrigued me.

Rain is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith

rain-is-not-my-indian-name

This was a cute and sad coming of age series. It was about not only accepting grief but also also accepting yourself and your heritage. I though it was truly sweet and I think I would’ve enjoyed it more younger. It was a 3 out of 5 stars.

Well bookworms that is what I read in January. What did you start 2017 with? Let me know in the comments down below. I miss you all and I promise at some point I’ll figure out a work and blogging life. In the mean time I will try to post as often as I can. Anywho hope you all are reading good things! Happy Reading!

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My January TBR: The Books I am Beginning My Journey in 2017 With

(Banner By: James Fenney) Hey bookworms! Since I left off my last post with the books that made last year better, I wanted to share with you some of the books that will be accompanying me into the new one. … Continue reading

Life Update and Weekly Reads

Hey Bookworms! Miss me??? I know I’ve been MIA, but I’m still adjusting to the working world… Honestly my days off aren’t used for much more other than sleep and maybe a trip to the grocery store. I’m hoping I’ll have more energy this week though because my schedule got changed to 8-5 pm Tuesday-Saturday, but long story short I get more sleep and I don’t have to wake up at 3 am to get ready for work. I can’t tell you where I’m working, but it is a call center job and most days besides the cranky callers I love helping people.

As for other stuff although having a job is a good thing it may mean longer to save for my own place because I will have to pay for medical insurance now… Which also means adding to how long it takes for Grad School. Every day is still a bit of a struggle for me but I’m trying to take it day by day and week by week and trying to see some bright spots.

Like I’ve made a new friend who lives close to me and I love that she’s bookish! I can pile books on her bit by bit.

But anywho lets get on to the books. Since I probably won’t get to do a Friday Reads with my schedule the way it is for a few weeks. I decided to do a Weekly Reads, so I can still share with you all what I’m trying to read this week. So let’s get started!

Weekly Reads

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, Jack Thorne

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

This is slow reading for me because my post office held it hostage for 2 days, so I’m reading it in between resting, and I plan to read it on my lunch hour too. No spoilers please because I’m only on page 80ish.

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

A Thousand Pieces of You

This will be my audiobook listen for the bus for the first half of the week. I’m enjoying the concept so far, but very few books have left a mark on me this year with my mood, so we’ll see most books have earned a 3.5 (aka a 4 stars on Goodreads from me) I am glad I am reading it after the hype though

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

Crimson Bound

This will be my other audiobook. I do have high hopes for it since Cruel Beauty was my favorite of last year. Hey I can hope!

Well that’s all for now Bookworms! It is time for me to head to bed although I am a little nervous for tomorrow since it’s our first day without our wonderful mentors. I am just taking this week day by day and doing my best to help each person. Anywho have you read any of these books? What were your thoughts? Any tips for how to blog around working? Let me know in the comments down below. I need all the help I can get please! Happy Reading!

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Potterhead July: One Girl, Two Ships

(Banner made by Aentee) Hey Bookworms! It’s time for an awesomely post on here! If you can’t tell, I joined an awesome event host by Aentee/ Read at Midnight! A bunch of us bloggers are getting together for Potterhead July (click … Continue reading

Top 10 Tuesday: 10 Books I MUST Read This Summer

Hey bookworms! It’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday! For those of you who don’t know this is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish in which we are given a theme or question in which we … Continue reading

Book Talk: Does Your Mood Affect Your Rating?

Disclaimer: before I start I’m not looking for sympathy with this post, but a little empathy never hurts. Thank you =) Hey bookworms! So I wasn’t planning on posting this tonight, but I feel this discussion will come out better … Continue reading

Armchair BEA Day 4: Diving into&Surviving Fictional Worlds

Hey bookworms! I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend. It’s time for Day 4 of this event, if you missed Day 3 feel free to give it a click! This week has gone beyond quick. Well Today’s Topic: Which … Continue reading

Armchair BEA Day 1: Getting to Know Me!

(borrowed from the site) Hey Bookworms! It’s time for Armchair BEA! YAY! What a great thing to get my mind off of things. I did post an announcement post if you are still looking to sign up all the info … Continue reading

Movie Monday Discussion: You’re Hooked till They Go TOO Far… When Do You Leave?

Hey bookworms! I hope you’re all having a wonderful start to your week! It’s been a while since I’ve done a Movie Monday, so if you don’t know what this lovely feature is: It is where I take the opportunity … Continue reading