Follow Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee’s View and Alison at Alison Can Read. To join and learn more, look here: Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Q. What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favorite character?

Definitely the House of Night series. And for the cast, I'd love to see some new faces, discovered specially for this series, that would be great.


Happy Follow Friday!

Petra

Review: Immortal by Gillian Shields

Immortal by Gillian Shields

Goodreads  Book Depository

 

5/10
Genre: YA, Paranormal

"Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness. Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.
Gillian Shields's electrifying tale will dazzle readers with suspense, mysticism, and romance."

                                                                                                                                                                                            Taken from Goodreads.com 

I rather start with what I didn't like that much while reading this book, and then I move to the aspects I absolutely loved.
Well, I didn't feel any particular connection with the main character, Evie. I mean she was alright and I liked to discover things about Wyldcliffe through her. It's just that I didn't care much what's going to happen to her. And so I didn't even enjoy her romance. It was ok, but again, I didn't care that much. The only powerful moments I had with Evie were the ones connected with Agnes, and also the few parts concerning her grandmother.
On the other hand, the other important character, Agnes, was the one I loved! Her story was powerful, dark, and sad. It was her story that made me cry. Several times. She was a complex, gentle, yet strong character. Other characters I really liked were Sarah and Helen, especially Sarah was very likeable (I love horses :)).
Sebastian was quite complex as well, at first very selfish and arrogant, then slowly realizing how much he messed up.
When it comes to the story behind the Wyldcliffe Abbey School, and the mood and atmosphere, that was the thing I enjoyed the most about this book. It was mastered perfectly! The moors of northern England. The old boarding school that used to be a Victorian manor, which was built in the place where a medieval nunnery used to be. The apparitions. The mysticism. The old diary. Oh, it all worked together so well!
So I'm slightly unsure about the rating now, because there were many things and characters that I enjoyed and loved. Only the main character, and her love story didn't move me. But chances are that it's just me, and that you would love this book's every aspect.

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can join, just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Once A Goddess by Sheila R. Lamb

Goodreads

Elatha spoke first. "Brigid, forgive our rudeness." He shifted his eyes toward his son. "You were our enemy for many months. Do you expect us to trust you?"

Hope you like this teaser,

Petra

Banned Books Week and Giveaway/Closed

I'm sure you know that the Banned Books Week is happening right now! And as I'm quite new to book blogging, I didn't manage to join this Week Giveaway Hop. For more info look here and here.
Anyway, I still feel like making a small giveaway to show some support as well, because banning books is a horrible idea. Why?

I guess this is primarily about banning some books from libraries in the US. But did you hear about burning books by Nazis for example? And we all know that burning books in this case was only a harmless beginning. Did you know that people who owned the wrong books during the totalitarian regime of the USSR were sent to prison? Then they were marked as political prisoners, enemies of the state, which basically means they were treated much worse than murderers and other really dangerous people? Did you know that in China the alphabet was simplified, so that people nowadays, who don't know the original one, can't read the old texts that capture the rich culture of China? Did you know that?
So you see, I think that banning books is not only wrong because it takes away from you the freedom of choice, it might also be the first step to similar events I just mentioned.

Now to the fun part. I'm a big Harry Potter fan, so I decided to give away this lovely set called Classic Books from the Library of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry including Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them.
Goodreads  Book Depository

The giveaway is international, just check this to make sure your country is on the list. There will be one winner who'll receive this lovely set.

It starts now and it'll end next Tuesday at 8 p.m. of London time.

All you need to do is to be a follower of Hazel the Witch and leave a comment below with all the info.

For extra entries you can do this, each one is +2:

1) Follow Humble Peacock

2) Follow me on twitter

3) Tweet about this giveaway

Good luck! :)

Petra

In My Mailbox

IMM is a meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

Both of these books tell the story of Bram Stoker's Dracula from Mina's point of view.

Dracula In Love by Karen Essex

Goodreads  Book Depository

Dracula, My Love by Syrie James

Goodreads  Book Depository

I'm quite excited!


Petra

Review: Tales of Terror from the Tunnel's Mouth

Tales of Terror From the Tunnel's Mouth by Chris Priestley

Goodreads  Book Depository

9/10
Genre: Horror, Children

"Robert Harper is going back to school, and it is the first railway journey he has ever made alone. And it is not a very usual sort of railway journey. The train stops at the mouth of a tunnel and in order to help while away the time a strange woman dressed in white tells Robert stories. But these are not the kind of stories normally told to a child. soon Robert is both entranced and terrified by the strange woman and the macabre stories.  Prepare to be chilled to the bone as Robert discovers just how frightening it can be to be alone on a train with only strangers to keep company." 

                                                                                                                                                                                            Taken from Goodreads.com  

Although I bought and read this book last year, I still think about it from time to time, and I believe that it deserves a review here, because it is an amazing book! And it might be a great book to read if you are taking part in this Readathon!

I stumbled upon it in Waterstone's in Bath without previously knowing anything about he author. But I loved the cover and the annotation so much that I bought it. Only later I realized this is the third installment book in the trilogy of  Tales of Terror. The first book is Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror and the second Tales of Terror From the Black Ship.

And what can I say about the book itself? What a creepy book! Even though some of the stories were slightly predictable, it didn't hurt their scariness. I had goosebumps all the time, seriously. My favourites are 'A New Governess' and 'The Little People'. Also, I love how all the stories are framed in the end. 

The writing is superb, and the British sense of humour is a bonus.
It was my first book by Chris Priestley, and already I've read The Dead of Winter, and Uncle Montague is waiting for me on my bookshelf! :)

I wish you a happy autumnal equinox! :)

Petra

Things That Go Bump In The Night

October Readathon hosted by Psychotic State Book Reviews!

 

As you already know I love autumn, and anything gothic, so it only makes sense that I joined this one! The book I'm currently reading fits the theme perfectly. If you like ghosts, vampires, werewolves, spooky mysteries, horrors etc., join this readathon as well, spread the word, and have fun! :)

Petra

In My Mailbox

IMM is a meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

Bought:

  

 

 

Typhoon and Other Stories by Joseph Conrad

Goodreads  Book Depository

Well, this is obviously not a YA book, and I know IMM is mostly about YA, but I got this book, and I like it. It belongs to (modern) classics, so why not to share it? :) This is collection of short stories. I'm currently reading Amy Foster, and quite enjoying it.

Immortal by Gillian Shields

Goodreads  Book Depository

 

This is supposed to be a gothic romance, and I love anything gothic!

The Unicorn by Iris Murdoch

Goodreads  Book Depository

 

 

Another modern classic!

 

Given for review:  

Once A Goddess by Sheila R. Lamb

Goodreads

I'm excited about this one, as I love mythology/folklore, all things pagan, and Ireland!

What did you get? :)

Petra

100 followers giveaway! Ghost stories! Giveaway is closed!

I can smell the autumn in the air, can't you? It's my favourite time of the year, because I can wrap up in my blanket and read, read, read! Also, it is time of Halloween, Samhain, All Souls' Day, in one way or another the time of ghosts. And I thought what would be a better giveaway prize than a box full of ghost stories, right? So here it is, I think it looks amazing!

A Boxful of Ghosts by various authors, such as Charles Dickens, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde... 

Goodreads   Book Depository

The giveaway is international, just check this to make sure your country is on the list. There will be one winner who'll receive this wonderful collection.

All you need to do is to be a follower of Hazel the Witch and leave a comment below.
For extra entries you can do this, each one is +2:
1) Follow Humble Peacock
2) Follow me on twitter
3) Tweet about this giveaway

So please in the comment below let me also know whether you followed Humble Peacock and me on twitter, and copy there the URL of your tweet. Thank you!

Once I reach 100 followers the giveaway will be closed, and I'll announce the winner. Good luck to all of you! :)

Have a great weekend,

Petra

In My Mailbox

IMM is a meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

Incubus by Carol Goodman

Goodreads  Book Depository

‘This is where all stories start, on the edge of a dark wood…’

The first novel in the Fairwick Chronicles series by one of the authors of Black Swan Rising.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Goodreads  Book Depository

A YA fantasy book.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins  

Goodreads  Book Depository

  

The first novel in the Hex Hall series with witches and vampires!

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Goodreads  Book Depository

A debut novel, it seems pretty good and creepy!

‘The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company...’
 

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can join, just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser from I, Coriander by Sally Gardner :

"As it turned out, it was not the alligator that I should have been scared of, but the silver shoes. They came from a land no ship can sail to, a place that is not marked on any map of the world. Only those who belong there can ever find it."
p.14

Reading Challenges

So I decided to join two reading challenges now, in the second half of the year, but better late than never :)



The first one is the Gothic reading Challenge - The Darkness Within: 5 novels with Gothic elements.

The list of books I've read so far:
1) The Dead of Winter by Chris Priestley
2) The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
3) My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier
4) Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll
5) 


The second one is the Victorian Literature Challenge - Sense and Sensibility: 1-4 books.

The list of books I've read so far:

Review - Black Swan Rising

Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll

7/10

Genre: Urban fantasy

"When New York City jewelry designer Garet James stumbles into a strange antiques shop in her neighborhood, her life is about to be turned upside down. John Dee, the enigmatic shopkeeper, commissions her to open a vintage silver box for a generous sum of money. Oddly, the symbol of a swan on the box exactly matches the ring given to her by her deceased mother. Garet can’t believe her luck and this eerie coincidence until she opens the box and otherworldly things start happening. . . "
                                                                                                                                 Taken from Goodreads.com

Lee Carroll is a pseudonym for the collaboration between writer Carol Goodman and her poet husband, Lee Slonimsky. I can't imagine to write a book with someone else, it seems impossible to me, but Black Swan Rising proved me wrong. This book was very atmospheric, with a gothic feel, and highly enjoyable. I loved how Lee Carroll brought together vampires, fairies, alchemy, demons, and most importantly, watchtowers! :) It reveals a very rich world around us that has been here for a long, long time, and is hidden for normal people. In this aspect it reminds me a bit of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, and that's a good thing! The story itself was fun, some might say it could be shorter and less descriptive at times, but I liked that, it made it different from most of the books you read nowadays. I also enjoyed the language, it was quite poetic.
Garet, the main character, was likeable, maybe because she's very close to my age :) She is smart and sophisticated. She's not a kick-ass character, but not a clumsy and helpless character either. She seems to be balanced in this aspect. Also, her attitude to everything seems like a perfect balance between logical thinking and being intuitive.
All in all this book is a good choice if you are looking for a slightly unusual urban fantasy.