Can't Wait for The Binding

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The Binding

By: Bridget Collins

Expected Publication: April 16th 2019 by William Morrow

448 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--In the tradition of Sarah Waters, Helene Wecker, and Jessie Burton, an atmospheric and mystery-laden historical novel set within a magical world where books are not stories but the repository of individual lives.

Imagine you could erase grief.
Imagine you could remove pain.
Imagine you could hide the darkest, most horrifying secret.
Forever.

Young Emmett Farmer is working in the fields when a strange letter arrives summoning him away from his family. He is to begin an apprenticeship as a Bookbinder—a vocation that arouses fear, superstition, and prejudice amongst their small community, but one neither he nor his parents can afford to refuse.

For as long as he can recall, Emmett has been drawn to books, even though they are strictly forbidden. Bookbinding is a sacred calling, Seredith informs her new apprentice, and he is a binder born. Under the old woman’s watchful eye, Emmett learns to hand-craft the elegant leather-bound volumes. Within each one they will capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If there’s something you want to forget, a binder can help. If there’s something you need to erase, they can assist. Within the pages of the books they create, secrets are concealed and the past is locked away. In a vault under his mentor’s workshop rows upon rows of books are meticulously stored.

But while Seredith is an artisan, there are others of their kind, avaricious and amoral tradesman who use their talents for dark ends—and just as Emmett begins to settle into his new circumstances, he makes an astonishing discovery: one of the books has his name on it. Soon, everything he thought he understood about his life will be dramatically rewritten.

An unforgettable novel of enchantment, mystery, memory, and forbidden love, The Binding is a beautiful homage to the allure and life-changing power of books—and a reminder to us all that knowledge can be its own kind of magic.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter, # 8)

By: JK Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany

Publication: July 31st 2016 by Little, Brown

343 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

Source: Own/Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

Husband bought me Harry Potter and the Cursed Child when it published. However he bought me the hardback copy (which I would have told him is the version I wanted had he asked, but he surprised me). Yet reading a physical copy of a book is just about impossible for me right now. What reading I do is mostly done on my phone a page here and there throughout my day, 15 minutes here while nursing the baby, and another 15 there before bed. And that's why I put off reading this book for so long. I actually ended up borrowing this from the elibrary just so that I could read it on my phone. And it feels good to have finally read this finale.

I didn't have high expectations for this continuation. That's mostly because I always worry that a series that has ended doesn't always need to be revisited (even the ones I loved the most). Sometimes the original ending is where things need to stay and let our imaginations fill in the rest. So I just went in with low expectations and that being said I really ended up enjoying Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

The old gang was much more involved in the story than I originally expected. While I assumed they would be present in the parental nature, I didn't expect the roles to be as prominent as they were. The story is as much about Harry's relationship with his son Albus as it is anything else. I enjoyed the fan service included throughout. I was pleasantly surprised with Draco's role and how much his character has changed since we last saw him. While I did enjoy this change if I'm being honest it is hard for me to imagine him this far changed from who we're used to seeing. In the same way I was surprised with how much of a role the old gang had in the story, I was also surprised with how little of a role Harry's other kids (James and Lily) and even Ron and Hermione's kids had.

Albus and Scorpius form the other main section of story. It isn't easy being the son of Harry Potter. Nor the son of Draco Malfoy. These two bond over their lack of other friends. I was quite concerned that the writers were going to turn the friendship between these two boys into more but I'm so glad that wasn't the case. They do have a bit of a David and Johnathan kind of closeness between them which I really appreciated seeing. I love stories about deep friendship.

I was also unsure about the villian of this story. Because this is a single story, the writers didn't have time to build up an evil to rival Voldemort who was complex and slowly revealed over the course of seven books. I didn't want old V to be the villian of this story also considering everything our characters did to defeat him in the original 7 books. I was happy with how things worked out even if they weren't completely unpredictable.

The most important part ofHarry Potter and the Cursed Child was the father/son relationship between Harry and Albus for me. There were parts that had me concerned about the direction of this story and the characters but in the end I was happy with how all the pieces played out. Throughout the majority of the book I was thinking I'd probably only give this 3 Stars, but the ending brought it up to 4 Stars for me. Have you read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Sunday Post - 10/14/18

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Tuesday was fall break for Little Girl so I took her to the park. Wednesday was Husband's birthday so Little Girl and I made him cupcakes. It rained all day due to Hurricane Michael. We weren't close enough to be in any danger, but it did rain the entire day. Praying for all of those who suffered damage or injuries. I've spent all my free time this week (and next) cleaning house as we're having a party on Saturday.

My annual "All Things Halloween" event started Monday. This is my month-long event where I feature reviews from Halloween-y genres (fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, sci-fi, horror, mystery, thriller, and suspense). Over the last few years I've had mostly fantasy books as I just haven't been in the mood for much horror, but still...these are books that can get you in the mood for Halloween.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: All Things Halloween Review of The Last Star (The 5th Wave, # 3) by Rick Yancey (3 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten Longest Books I've Read
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Crown of Feathers (Crown of Feathers, # 1) by Nicki Pau Preto

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: All Things Halloween Review of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child (Harry Potter, # 8) by JK Rowling
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2018 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2018 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Crown of Feathers

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Crown of Feathers (Crown of Feathers, # 1)

By: Nicki Pau Preto

Expected Publication: February 12th 2019 by Simon Pulse

496 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--I had a sister, once…

In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders—legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire—until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart.

I promised her the throne would not come between us.

Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders—even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks.

But it is a fact of life that one must kill or be killed. Rule or be ruled.

Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. And meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders’ return and intends to destroy them once and for all.

Sometimes the title of queen is given. Sometimes it must be taken.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Ten Longest Books I've Read

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Longest Books I've Read.

1. The Holy Bible by God - I'm going on my 7th year in a row reading the Bible through. Depending on which version you choose, you're looking at 1500ish pages.
2. A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, # 3) by George R R Martin - 1177 pages
3. A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, # 5) by George R R Martin - 1125 pages
4. A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, # 4) by George R R Martin - 1061 pages
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, # 5) by JK Rowling - 870 pages
6. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, # 1) by George R R Martin - 848 pages
7. Winter (The Lunar Chronicles, # 4) by Marissa Meyer - 827 pages
8. A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, # 2) by George R R Martin -784 pages
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, # 7) by JK Rowling - 759 pages
10. Breaking Dawn (Twilight, # 4) by Stephenie Meyer - 756 pages

Which books are the longest that you've read? Let me know!