Book Trailer: Aurora Rising - Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

I am a HUGE fan of both Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff and I absolutely LOVE their Illuminae Files series so I'm embarrassed to admit that I never got around to reading Aurora Rising when it published last year. Especially since I preordered the hardback and it was one of my most anticipated reads of the 2019! I actually ended up with a weird kind of reading paralysis for anticipated books last year though, I was so scared of being disappointed that I put off reading several books that I'd been super excited about.

I'm happy to say that I'm now about halfway through Aurora Rising and loving it just as much as I thought I would. What with everything going on in the world right now I'm finding it difficult to concentrate on reading so I have been buddy reading this book with a couple of friends. We're reading it very slowly (aiming for 3 chapters a day) just trying to get back into the habit of reading again and it's been working really well because this is a book I actually want to go back to each day. I hope to have a proper review of this book up soon for you but in the meantime I wanted to share the book trailer and an interview I found with the authors discussing the series.

From the New York Times and internationally bestselling authors of The Illuminae Files comes a new science fiction epic...

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch...

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm
A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates
A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy's biggest chip on his shoulder
An alien warrior with anger management issues
A tomboy pilot who's totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty's squad isn't even his biggest problem that'd be Aurora Jie-Lin O'Malley, the girl he's just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler's squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

NOBODY PANIC.

The Aurora Cycle:
Aurora Rising
Aurora Burning (May 2020)

Visit Amie Kaufman's website or Jay Kristoff's website for more information

Official Book Trailer:



Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff discuss Aurora Rising:



Have you already read Aurora Rising? If so I'd love to know what you thought of it so please leave me a link to your reviews in the comments. The second book in the series, Aurora Burning, releases in May so if you're new to the series you still have time to catch up!

Blog Tour: Twist of Fate - Jill Shalvis

We are beyond excited to be celebrating this release from Jill Shalvis with you today by participating in the blog tour! TWIST OF FATE is part of her Heartbreaker Bay series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. Check out the book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

Purchase your copy of TWIST OF FATE today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About TWIST OF FATE:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis comes a new story in her Heartbreaker Bay series…

When the one you want …

Daisy doesn’t believe love is ever-lasting, so it’s ironic as hell that she parlayed a business degree into a wedding planning business. More ironic still is her latest job bringing her back into contact with the man who’d taught her that love can’t last.

Is the one you can’t have…

To say Diego has been taught the hard way to bury emotions is an understatement. But when he’s called home to help the brother he hasn’t seen or spoken to in years, that’s one thing. It’s another entirely to also come face to face with the first woman he ever loved. First and only…

Can love conquer all?

Daisy’s learned to depend only on herself, and Diego is and always has been an island of one. And yet when they’re together, even when they’re bickering, still wary and haunted by memories of what was … it’s magic. The question is, how to find their way back to each other…?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Add TWIST OF FATE to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of TWIST OF FATE today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

BOOK TRAILER:

REVIEW QUOTES FOR JILL'S NOVELS:

“Readers will enjoy this return to the small-town-in-the-big-city atmosphere that Shalvis has honed to perfection.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Red-hot passion that promises to last longer than the holidays. Bringing readers a tough outsider heroine and a hero whose wounds run deep, Shalvis (Playing for Keeps) knows how to write characters readers adore and keep them coming back for more.” – Library Journal starred review

“Shalvis serves up another rewarding addition to her Heartbreaker Bay series with a contemporary romance that deftly pivots between snarky humor and sexy romance without missing a beat, while also celebrating the power of forgiveness, family, and friendship.” – Booklist

“Another amazing installment in an already fabulous series by Jill Shalvis. Great read at any time in the series. Each story reintroduces some fan-favorite characters but absolutely stands on its own merit. Never too late to join the band wagon of Jill Shalvis fans and Wrapped Up In You guarantees membership.” – Fresh Fiction

“An uplifting tale of two emotionally wounded and like-minded souls helping each other heal.” – Romance Junkies

About JILL SHALVIS:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect With Her:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Bookbub | Instagram

Release Blitz: Twist of Fate - Jill Shalvis

We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Jill Shalvis with you today! TWIST OF FATE is part of her Heartbreaker Bay series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

Purchase your copy of TWIST OF FATE today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About TWIST OF FATE:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis comes a new story in her Heartbreaker Bay series…

When the one you want …

Daisy doesn’t believe love is ever-lasting, so it’s ironic as hell that she parlayed a business degree into a wedding planning business. More ironic still is her latest job bringing her back into contact with the man who’d taught her that love can’t last.

Is the one you can’t have…

To say Diego has been taught the hard way to bury emotions is an understatement. But when he’s called home to help the brother he hasn’t seen or spoken to in years, that’s one thing. It’s another entirely to also come face to face with the first woman he ever loved. First and only…

Can love conquer all?

Daisy’s learned to depend only on herself, and Diego is and always has been an island of one. And yet when they’re together, even when they’re bickering, still wary and haunted by memories of what was … it’s magic. The question is, how to find their way back to each other…?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Add TWIST OF FATE to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of TWIST OF FATE today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Excerpt:

Wearing nothing but a pair of jeans and a bad ‘tude, Diego Stone lay on the sky bridge of his boat and stared up at the San Francisco sky. It was butt-ass cold, turbulent and moody, all of which suited him just fine.

He had no idea why he’d left sunny, warm, sexy San Diego.

Oh, wait, he did.

He’d received a text asking him to show up for his brother’s important, all-hands-on-deck wedding planning lunch that, as Rocco’s best man, Diego was required to attend. A text. And not from Rocco, but from his fiancé, Tyler.

Hands behind his head, feet crossed, Diego purposely relaxed his body one inch at a time. It was a technique he’d learned early on during a childhood as tempestuous and unstable as the sky above him.

A childhood he’d spent right here in San Francisco.

When he cleared his head the best he could, he rose to get things over with. Being back in town for the next week was going to suck hard, but he knew of only one way to get through shit, and that was to plow straight ahead.

As far as command performances went, he could’ve tried a little harder to muster up some enthusiasm, but after ten years of being an island of one, he was out of practice at the whole family thing.

The French House at one p.m., the text had said. And, apparently, his presence was both needed and required. Funny, because once upon a time when Diego had desperately needed and required Rocco’s presence, he hadn’t gotten it.

Damn. And here he’d told himself that he was over the past.

BOOK TRAILER:

REVIEW QUOTES FOR JILL'S NOVELS:

“Readers will enjoy this return to the small-town-in-the-big-city atmosphere that Shalvis has honed to perfection.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Red-hot passion that promises to last longer than the holidays. Bringing readers a tough outsider heroine and a hero whose wounds run deep, Shalvis (Playing for Keeps) knows how to write characters readers adore and keep them coming back for more.” – Library Journal starred review

“Shalvis serves up another rewarding addition to her Heartbreaker Bay series with a contemporary romance that deftly pivots between snarky humor and sexy romance without missing a beat, while also celebrating the power of forgiveness, family, and friendship.” – Booklist

“Another amazing installment in an already fabulous series by Jill Shalvis. Great read at any time in the series. Each story reintroduces some fan-favorite characters but absolutely stands on its own merit. Never too late to join the band wagon of Jill Shalvis fans and Wrapped Up In You guarantees membership.” – Fresh Fiction

“An uplifting tale of two emotionally wounded and like-minded souls helping each other heal.” – Romance Junkies

About JILL SHALVIS:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect With Her:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Bookbub | Instagram

Book Trailer: When We Caught Fire - Anna Godbersen

I know I'm not the only blogger who struggles to read all the books on their to read mountains, there are just so many amazing books out there and not enough hours in a day to actually read them all. Anyway, I want to continue highlighting a few that are on my radar but I haven't quite managed to get to yet.

When We Caught Fire by Anna Godbersen isn't a book I've heard a lot about but I stumbled across the trailer on YouTube and it caught my eye. It's a bit different to my normal reads but it's got some pretty good reviews so I'm curious enough to want to give it a try.

It’s 1871 and Emmeline Carter is poised to take Chicago’s high society by storm. Between her father’s sudden rise to wealth, and her recent engagement to Chicago’s most eligible bachelor, Emmeline has it all. But she can’t stop thinking about the life she left behind, including her childhood sweetheart, Anders Magnuson. Fiona Byrne, Emmeline’s childhood best friend, is delighted by her friend’s sudden rise to prominence, especially since it means Fiona is free to pursue Anders herself. But when Emmeline risks everything for one final fling with Anders, Fiona feels completely betrayed.

As the summer turns to fall, the city is at a tipping point: friendships are tested, hearts are broken, and the tiniest spark might set everything ablaze. Sweeping, soapy, and romantic, this is a story about an epic love triangle—one that will literally set the city ablaze, and change the lives of three childhood friends forever.

Visit Anna Godbersen's website for more information



If you've already read When We Caught Fire I'd love to know what you thought of it so please do leave me a link to your review in the comments!

Book Trailer: The Tiger at Midnight - Swati Teerdhala

I know I'm not the only blogger who struggles to read all the books on their to read mountains, there are just so many amazing books out there and not enough hours in a day to actually read them all. Anyway, I want to continue highlighting a few that are on my radar but I haven't quite managed to get to yet.

I've been hearing fantastic things about Swati Teerdhala's debut novel The Tiger at Midnight and it sounds exactly the kind of book that I love to read but I've had a lot of trouble over the last few years trying to keep up with all of the trilogies that I've started reading. I find that by the time books 2 and 3 release I've forgotten what happened in the first book and I don't have time to reread every series before each new instalment so I'm tending to wait until all of the books are published before I start reading it. I know I miss out on a lot of fantastic books that way though so I've really got to figure out a better option!

Anyway I really wanted to spotlight The Tiger at Midnight because it sounds fantastic and I'm hoping to read it as soon as I get a chance.

The first book in an epic heart-pounding fantasy trilogy inspired by ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology, perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir and Renée Ahdieh.

A broken bond. A dying land. A cat-and-mouse game that can only end in bloodshed.

Esha lost everything in the royal coup--and as the legendary rebel known as the Viper, she's made the guilty pay. Now she's been tasked with her most important mission to date: taking down the ruthless General Hotha.

Kunal has been a soldier since childhood. His uncle, the general, has ensured that Kunal never strays from the path--even as a part of Kunal longs to join the outside world, which has only been growing more volatile.

When Esha and Kunal's paths cross one fated night, an impossible chain of events unfolds. Both the Viper and the soldier think they're calling the shots, but they're not the only players moving the pieces.

As the bonds that hold their land in order break down and the sins of the past meet the promise of a new future, both the soldier and the rebel must decide where their loyalties lie: with the lives they've killed to hold on to or with the love that's made them dream of something more.

Visit Swati Teerdhala's website for more information



What do you think? Does this sound like your kind of read? If you've already had the chance to read it I'd love to hear your thoughts so hit me up with a link to your review in the comments :)

Review: Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros - Matthew Reinhart

Inspired by the Emmy Award–winning title sequence that opens each episode of the hit HBO series, Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros is guaranteed to thrill the show’s legions of fans.

Featuring stunning pop-up recreations of several key locations from the series, including the formidable castle of Winterfell, the lavish capital city King’s Landing, and the Wall’s stark majesty, this book takes readers into the world of the series like never before.

Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros features five stunning spreads that fold out to create a remarkable pop-up map of Westeros, as well as numerous mini-pops that bring to life iconic elements of the show, such as direwolves, White Walkers, giants, and dragons. All the pops are accompanied by insightful text that relays the rich history of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond, forming a dynamic reference guide to the world of Game of Thrones.

Visually spectacular and enthrallingly interactive, Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros sets a new standard for pop-up books and perfectly captures the epic scope and imagination of the series.

Review:
I actually bought and first read this book several years ago but reviewing Matthew Reinhart's Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts recently made me realise I never got around to posting pictures of Westeros. These books are both just so much fun to look through. Each page has so much detail and there are lots of little additional pop outs showing things like the Iron Throne and things like the Direwolves and White Walkers. Let's face it this is never going to be the kind of book you look through regularly and it's a bit too bulky to display but it's still enjoyable to pull out and flip through occasionally.

Each page can be looked at separately or you can unfold the entire book to create a huge pop-up map which reminds me a lot of the opening credits from the TV show. It's a bit fiddly to fold out so you need to be careful as you do it but although there are easy to follow instructions it really can be opened out by feel. The only downside of having the entire map unfolded is that it's so big it makes it hard to focus on the smaller details from each page so I think on balance I'm unlikely to open it out very often no matter how cool it looks.

King's Landing

The Eyrie

Winterfell

The Wall

The Continent of Essos

The entire map unfolded

This book trailer shows the book in a even more detail including how to open it out into the giant map:



Source: Purchased

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Review: Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts - Matthew Reinhart

A 3D masterpiece celebrating Harry Potter's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from New York Times best-selling pop-up engineer Matthew Reinhart.

Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts is an exhilarating, interactive guide to the iconic school of witchcraft and wizardry. This book features spectacular pop-up re-creations of key locations inside and outside Hogwarts castle, and it opens flat to form a pop-up map of the castle and its grounds - including the Quidditch pitch, the Forbidden Forest, and beyond.

In addition to large pops on each spread, numerous mini-pops will bring to life beloved elements from the Harry Potter films, such as the Marauder's Map and the Flying Ford Anglia. Each pop will include insightful text about Hogwarts as seen in the films, making for a must-have collectible for fans of the Wizarding World.

Harry Potter Series:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: 20th Anniversary House Editions
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Play Script written with John Tiffany & Jack Thorne)

Pottermore Presents:
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Short Story Collection)
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Short Story Collection)
Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (Short Story Collection)

Incredibuilds:
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Erumpent (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Niffler (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Swooping Evil (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Thunderbird (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Aragog (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Buckbeak (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Hedwig (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Express (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: House-Elves (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Quidditch (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Sorting Hat (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Stag Patronus (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Thestral (Deluxe Book and Model Set)

Other Harry Potter Books & Products:
Funko Pop 2019 Harry Potter Advent Calendar
Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts - Matthew Reinhart
Harry Potter - Creatures: A Paper Scene Book
Harry Potter Hedwig Owl Kit and Sticker Book (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: Magical Film Projections: Patronus Charm (Activity Book)
Harry Potter Talking Sorting Hat and Sticker Book: Which House Are You? (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: The Character Vault - Jody Revenson
Harry Potter: The Marauder's Map Guide to Hogwarts - Erinn Pascal (Activity Book)
Harry Potter: Winter at Hogwarts: A Magical Colouring Set (Colouring Book, Gift Tags & a build your own 3D Firebolt in a Keepsake Box)
J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World: Magical Film Projections: Creatures (Activity Book)
Metal Earth: Harry Potter Gringotts Dragon (3D Puzzle)
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter: The Official Guide

Visit J.K. Rowling's website or the Pottermore website for more information

Review:
Harry Pottter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts is exactly what it sounds like, an interactive 3D pop-up model of Hogwarts Castle as well as locations like the Quidditch pitch, the Forbidden Forest and even part of Hogsmead Village. There are five large models that can be opened separately or if you're very careful you can fold out the entire book into one huge map. Although it was fun to open the book out fully once I found that when you've done that it's so big that you can't really appreciate all of the little details so I actually prefer to look at the models separately so I can fully enjoy what I'm seeing.

This is the kind of book that you never get tired of because there are just so many little hidden doors and windows to open, additional pull tabs that bring out new pop-ups or move characters around etc, that every time you look at a page you find your eyes drawn to a new detail that you didn't spot before. Honestly, the amount of detail is insane and if you have a torch on hand for looking inside the models you'll find even more. Spot Hagrid baking rock cakes in his house or Harry and his friends having a Herbology lesson in the greenhouse, you can even help Harry catching a golden snitch on the Quidditch pitch!

This book isn't cheap so I was hesitant to make the purchase at full price but it was well worth the money when I found it going cheap on Amazon. As lovely as it is I still think it's over priced at £50 but for around £20 I think Harry Potter fans will be very happy with it.

I found it really difficult to take decent pics of the pop-ups but hopefully these photos should give you some idea of the amount of detail included:

Hogwarts Castle part one where you can peek inside the dormitories

Dumbledore's Office

Hogwarts Castle part two with the classrooms and greenhouses

The Quidditch Pitch

Hogsmead Village with an interactive Marauders Map

The Forbidden Forest & Hagrid's Hut

The entire map folded out 

(with a bonus curious kitty who wanted to know what I was up to!)

This trailer shows detail of the two main castle pop ups:


This one includes the Quidditch pitch and Hogsmead:


The final trailer is of the Forbidden Forest as well as showing you how to fold out the giant map at the end:


Source: Purchased

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Book Trailers: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Illustrated Edition - J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a HUGE Potterhead so it won't surprise many people that I've been deseperately waiting for the Illustrated Edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ever sine Prisoner of Azkaban published 2 years ago! The books are fabulous on their own but adding Jim Kay's gorgeous illustrations just makes them even better. Anyway, we only have a few days left to wait (the book publishes next Tuesday WOOHOO!) but in the meantime I thought I'd share the little teaser videos that Bloomsbury has been posting.

An extraordinary creative achievement by two extraordinary talents, Jim Kay's inspired reimagining of J.K. Rowling's classic series has captured a devoted following worldwide. This stunning new fully illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire brings more breathtaking scenes and unforgettable characters to life - including Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum. With paint, pencil and pixels, Kay conjures the wizarding world as we have never seen it before. Fizzing with magic and brimming with humour, this full-colour edition will captivate fans and new readers alike as Harry, now in his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, finds himself competing in the legendary Triwizard Tournament and facing death-defying tasks, dragons and Dark wizards.

This was the original cover reveal video:



Here we have the Durmstrung ship:



and finally the Beauxbatons carriage:



Who else is as excited for this book as I am?

Review: Harry Potter - Creatures: A Paper Scene Book

Hippogriffs, dragons, Thestrals and merpeople - discover the magical creatures of the Wizarding World through a series of bewitchingly beautiful paper-cut scenes. This carefully crafted gift book contains four intricate, multi-layer paper-cut scenes showcasing magical creatures from the Harry Potter films in stunning silhouette. Each paper-cut scene is followed by essential information about the creatures and behind-the-scenes facts from the films.

This unique new book is a glorious gift for both ardent Harry Potter fans and younger readers discovering the magic of the Wizarding World, with high production values and irresistibly inventive content.

Harry Potter Series:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: 20th Anniversary House Editions
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Play Script written with John Tiffany & Jack Thorne)

Pottermore Presents:
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Short Story Collection)
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Short Story Collection)
Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (Short Story Collection)

Incredibuilds:
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Erumpent (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Niffler (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Swooping Evil (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Thunderbird (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Aragog (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Buckbeak (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Hedwig (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Express (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: House-Elves (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Quidditch (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Sorting Hat (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Stag Patronus (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Thestral (Deluxe Book and Model Set)

Other Harry Potter Books & Products:
Funko Pop 2019 Harry Potter Advent Calendar
Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts - Matthew Reinhart
Harry Potter - Creatures: A Paper Scene Book
Harry Potter Hedwig Owl Kit and Sticker Book (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: Magical Film Projections: Patronus Charm (Activity Book)
Harry Potter Talking Sorting Hat and Sticker Book: Which House Are You? (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: The Character Vault - Jody Revenson
Harry Potter: Winter at Hogwarts: A Magical Colouring Set (Colouring Book, Gift Tags & a build your own 3D Firebolt in a Keepsake Box)
J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World: Magical Film Projections: Creatures (Activity Book)
Metal Earth: Harry Potter Gringotts Dragon (3D Puzzle)
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter: The Official Guide

Visit J.K. Rowling's website or the Pottermore website for more information

Review:
All of my friends know I'm a huge Potterhead so I often get HP themed presents but not many of them are as lovely as this book of intricate and detailed paper cut scenes from the series that I was given for my birthday. The book contains four different scenes, all made with two layers of paper cutouts over a detailed background scene and then each are followed with a two page spread full of information about the different types of creatures found in that location.

The four scenes are:

The Forbidden Forest - which has Harry and Hermione in the forest surrounded by Thestrals with a unicorn in the background. I believe this scene is from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The Forbidden Forest

Dragons - this is a scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire where Harry is facing off against the Hungarian Horntail with only his wand and broom to save him.

Dragons

Double page spread with information about dragons

The Black Lake - another scene from the Triwizard Tournament in Goblet of Fire, this time we see Harry underwater surrounded by Grindylows.

The Black Lake

Dark Creatures - the final scene shows the Dementors gathered over the Quidditch pitch in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Dark Creatures

This really is a lovely book for any Harry Potter collector, I just wish I could figure out a good way to display the artwork.

My cover is a different colour to the one in this trailer but the inside of the book looks the same.



Source: Gift from a friend

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Book Trailer: Kingdom of Souls - Rena Barron

Last week was the UK release for Rena Barron's debut novel Kingdom of Souls. I've been hearing fantastic things about this one from other bloggers so I was already looking forward to reading it but then I stumbled across the US trailer on YouTube and that just made me even more excited about it!

First here's the blurb and cover info:

THERE’S MAGIC IN HER BLOOD.

Arrah is a young woman from a long line of the most powerful witch doctors in the land. But she fails at magic, fails to call upon the ancestors and can't even cast the simplest curse.

Shame and disappointment dog her.

When strange premonitions befall her family and children in the kingdom begin to disappear, Arrah undergoes the dangerous and scorned process of selling years of her life for magic. This borrowed power reveals a nightmarish betrayal and a danger beyond what she could have imagined. Now Arrah must find a way to master magic, or at least buy it, in order to save herself and everything she holds dear.

An explosive fantasy set in a West African world of magic and legend with a twist you will never see coming.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas, Tomi Adeyemi and Black Panther.

Visit Rena Barron's website for more information



Doesn't it look fab! I'm definitely going to be reading this soon so keep an eye out for my review.

Just out of interest what do you think of the two different covers?

UK Cover / US Cover

I love how different the two versions are and to be honest part of me kind of wants to buy both of them. It's hard to pick a favourite really but I think the UK one possibly just beats the US for me. Which is your favourite?

Book Trailer: The Deathless Girls - Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Today is the release day for The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. I only caught wind of this one recently but one look at that blurb and I had to add it to my wish list! I love retellings, especially when they bring something new to the story and I think this will be Dracula like we've never seen it before.

Gothic, intoxicating, feminist and romantic - this is the breathtakingly imagined untold story of the brides of Dracula, by bestselling author Kiran Millwood Hargrave in her much-anticipated YA debut.

They say the thirst of blood is like a madness - they must sate it. Even with their own kin.

On the eve of her divining, the day she'll discover her fate, seventeen-year-old Lil and her twin sister Kizzy are captured and enslaved by the cruel Boyar Valcar, taken far away from their beloved traveller community.

Forced to work in the harsh and unwelcoming castle kitchens, Lil is comforted when she meets Mira, a fellow slave who she feels drawn to in a way she doesn't understand. But she also learns about the Dragon, a mysterious and terrifying figure of myth and legend who takes girls as gifts.

They may not have had their divining day, but the girls will still discover their fate...

Visit Kiran Millwood Hargrave's website for more information



Doesn't it sound fabulous?! I'm planning on buying a copy as soon as I can but if you've already had the chance to read it I'd love to check out your review so please leave me a link in the comments!

Book Trailer: This Savage Song - Victoria Schwab

I know I'm not the only blogger who struggles to read all the books on their to read mountains, there are  just so many amazing books out there and not enough hours in a day to actually read them all. Anyway, I want to continue highlighting a few that are on my radar but I haven't quite managed to get to yet.

I love Victoria Schwab's writing, her Shades of Magic, Archived and Villains series are all fantastic but I just haven't had time to read the Monsters of Verity yet. I love how different all of the worlds she creates are though so I have no doubt I'll enjoy This Savage Song when I get around to it.

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

Visit V.E. Schwab's website for more information



Have you read This Savage Song yet? If you have leave me a link to your review and I'll drop by your blog to check it out.

Book Trailer: The Beautiful - Renee Ahdieh

I'm a huge fan of Renee Ahdieh so I'm really looking forward to reading her upcoming book, The Beautiful, which publishes on the 8th of October. This trailer just has me even more excited!

New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans is a safe haven after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent in the middle of the carnival season, Celine is quickly enraptured by the vibrant city, from its music to its fancy soirées and even its danger. She becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's enigmatic leader, Sébastien Saint Germain.

When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in Sébastien's own lair--the second dead girl to turn up in recent weeks--Celine battles her attraction to Sébastien and suspicions about his guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.

After a third murder, New Orleans becomes gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose--one who has now set Celine in his sights. As the murderer stalks her, Celine finally takes matters into her own hands, only to find herself caught in the midst of an age-old feud between the darkest creatures of the night, where the price of forbidden love is her life.

At once a sultry romance and a decadent, thrilling mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet.

Visit Renee Ahdieh's website for more information



Who else has this book on their wishlist? Or were you lucky enough to get an arc? If you've already had a chance to read it I'd love to hear all about how fantastic it is!

Blog Tour: The Girl the Sea Gave Back - Adrienne Young

Today I'm excited to be taking part in the blog tour to celebrate the UK release of The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young. This is the second book in a fabulous viking style fantasy series that I've really fallen in love with. Make sure you check back later today to read my full review but in the meantime I have a fab excerpt to share with you.

The Girl the Sea Gave Back:

For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again--a home.

Sky in the Deep Series:
Sky in the Deep
The Girl the Sea Gave Back

Visit Adrienne Young's website for more information

Excerpt from Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young:

TOVA

I hooked my fingers into the leather string around my neck and lifted the purse from inside my tunic. I hadn’t cast the stones since the night Vera died, and the memory slicked my palms with sweat, my stomach turning. I opened it carefully, letting them fall heavily into my open hand. The firelight glimmered against their smooth, black surfaces where the runes were carved in deep lines. The language of the Spinners. Pieces of the future, waiting to be read.

Jorrund unrolled the pelt and my palms pressed together around the stones.

“Lag mund,” Vigdis whispered.
“Lag mund,” the others repeated.
Fate’s hand.
But what did these warriors know about fate? It was the curling, wild vine that choked out the summer crops. It was the wind that bent wayward currents and damned innocent souls to the deep. They hadn’t seen the stretch of it or the way it could shift suddenly, like a flock of startled birds. Fate’s hand was something they said because they didn’t understand it.

That’s what I was for.

I closed my eyes, pushing the presence of the Svell from around me. I found the darkness—the place I was alone. The place I had come from. The call of the nighthawk sounded again and I pulled my thoughts together, sending them into one straight line. My lips parted, the words finding my mouth and I breathed through them.

“Augua ór tivar. Ljá mir sýn.

“Augua ór tivar. Ljá mir sýn.

“Augua ór tivar. Ljá mir sýn.”

Eye of the gods. Give me sight.

I held my hands out before me, unfurling my fingers and letting the stones drop until they were scattered across the pelt in a pattern that only I could see, reaching out wide to either side. The silence grew thick, the crackle of fire the only sound as I leaned forward, bringing my fingers to my lips.

My brow furrowed, my eyes moving from one stone to the next. Every single one was facedown, the runes hidden. Except for one.

I bit down hard on my lip, looking up to see Jorrund’s eyes locked on mine.

Hagalaz, the hailstone, sat in the very center. Complete destruction. The storm that devours.

For more than ten years, I’d cast the runes to see the future of the Svell. Never had they looked like this.

But the stones never lied. Not to me.

My eyes drifted over them again, the pace of my heart quickening.

“What do you see?” Jorrund’s voice was heavy when he finally spoke.

I stared at him, the weight of silence pushing down on me in the hot room until it was hard to draw breath.

“It’s alright, Tova,” he said, gently. “What lies in the future of the Svell?”

My eyes cut to Bekan, who stared into the fire, his gaze as hollow as the night his daughter died.

I reached out, the tip of my finger landing on Hagalaz before I answered.

“In the future, there are no Svell.”

Sky in the Deep:

In case you're new to the series here is some more information about the first book, Sky in the Deep:

Part Wonder Woman, part Vikings - and all heart.

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights for her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield - her brother, fighting with the enemy - the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, Eelyn is captured and must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbour is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

If that isn't enough to get you excited about this series I don't know what is! Don't forget to stop by later to read my full review and in the meantime you can check out the rest of the stops on the blog tour below: