A Carol for Mrs. Dickens - Review

A Christmas for Mrs. Dickens

By: Rebecca Connolly

Publication: September 23, 2025 by Shadow Mountain Publishing

176 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christmas, Retelling

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Catherine Dickens, wife of Charles Dickens, experiences her own Christmas Eve transformation as she magically travels through her cherished memories to rediscover her lost love of Christmas.

By 1851, all of London has fallen in love with A Christmas Carol, heralding Charles Dickens as “the man who invented Christmas.” But for his wife, Catherine, Christmas is less of a reason for celebration and more of a burden. Between hosting lavish parties, decorating her home, and caring for her eight children—with one more on the way—she feels more like Scrooge than herself this year.

But everything changes after a chance encounter with a kitchen cook, who reminds her that Christmas can be a time of miracles and magic, if she is willing to open her heart.

Armed with a magical sprig of holly, Kate embarks on three transformative journeys into her past, hoping to reconnect with the love she once felt for the holiday—and with herself. But can these memories be enough to reignite her Christmas spirit? Or are such miraculous transformations only meant for the characters in her husband’s beloved tales?

Inspired by real individuals, A Carol for Mrs. Dickens reminds us that the true spirit of the holiday lies in love, faith, and the joy of giving.

I knew I was going a little out of my comfort zone with requesting A Carol for Mrs. Dickens. This is a retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. And I have found that some stories don't lend themselves to retellings as much as others. Cinderella has been done a million times, for example. But I find that I almost always dislike retellings based on Cinderella. And I guess A Christmas Carol falls into one that I don't think I'll ever love any retellings of.

Kate is Charles's wife. She is familiar with his love for Christmas, and his love has created traditions for their family. She's also very familiar with his popular book, A Christmas Carol. But Kate is feeling worn down. She's pregnant and, not long ago, actually lost a baby. So she's feeling fear over the upcoming birth. Her Christmas spirit has dimmed a bit. During this Christmas party she and Charles are hosting, Kate is visited by several of her own ghosts with memories that bring her full circle.

The story itself was sweet. But as I said, this is outside of my usual reading preferences. Kate and Charles have a good relationship, but there's nothing quite so spurring and interesting for me to read as new romance. A Carol for Mrs. Dickens felt honoring to the original, but it was hard for me to read long stretches at a time without falling asleep. At one point, I put it down for months before finally returning to finish it.

Favorite quotes:

-"“Life exhausts,” came the kind, soft rebuke. “It is the nature of being alive. It is our mortal experience. Would you resent the love, laughter, and warmth in your life because it also comes with fatigue, loss, and irritation? We take the good with the bad, Kate. And there is always good.”

-“We will gather our friends and our family, especially our children, and celebrate with love and gratitude for all that we have, even when times are troubling.”

-That joy and desire to celebrate in a time of year when hope and light and love were needed most.

-This was Christmas. This simple, poignant beauty, so understated and underappreciated, that captivated the heart and mind in ways that could not be denied and could barely be expressed.

-All was not perfect, but all would be well. And that was enough.

A Carol for Mrs. Dickens didn't blow me away, but I'm probably not the best reader for this book as it is outside of my normal reading preferences. Or at least outside of the books I favor the most. I found the retelling to be in line with the original. It's a great way to focus on what is important during Christmas or any time of year, but it wasn't very different from the original, making me wonder if it is necessary. Either way, A Carol for Mrs. Dickens gets 3 Stars. Have you read A Carol for Mrs. Dickens? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Miss Beresford and the Beast

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.

Miss Beresford and the Beast (Daughters of Somerset, # 1)

By: Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: August 4, 2026 by Perfectly Proper Press

? pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Retelling

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A spirited Victorian beauty with a fondness for fairytales unwittingly falls under the power of a beastly, scandal-plagued nobleman in the first book in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s new Daughters of Somerset series.

Charlotte Beresford has spent far too long under the iron rule of strict governesses and unflinching finishing school teachers. When she’s offered a brief window of freedom—an invitation to spend the summer with a recent acquaintance in a remote corner of Yorkshire, far from societal expectations—she jumps at the chance. Never mind that her new friend is odd, their chaperone questionable, and the village rumored to be cursed. Charlotte knows how to look after herself. All she must do is show a friendly face, keep her wits about her, and—above all—avoid the derelict manor house that stands on the edge of the moors…

Battle-scarred and bad tempered, Magnus Sterling never intended to return to England, let alone Yorkshire. But now he’s inherited the title, it’s his responsibility to settle his late father’s affairs. It should be simple enough to do without riling up the superstitious locals. Indeed, they don’t even need to know that the infamous son of the equally infamous Earl of Eversleigh is back on British soil. Magnus will keep to himself, and to the crumbling manor house, and for once in his miserable life avoid any cloud of scandal. A straightforward enough plan, or so he believes, until he catches sight of the bold, auburn-haired intruder infiltrating the grounds of his estate…

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

The House Saphir - Review

The House Saphir

By: Marissa Meyer

Narrated by: Rebecca Soler

Publication: November 4, 2025 by Macmillan Young Listeners

Duration: 12 Hours, 15 Minutes, 3 Seconds

432 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From the #1 New York Times bestselling "Queen of Fairytale Retellings" and author of Cinder and Heartless, this is the tale of Bluebeard as it's never been told before—a thrilling romantasy and murder mystery.

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts, which is rarely as useful as one would think. She and her sister have maintained the family business, eking out a paltry living by selling bogus spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of the infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place.

Mallory is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir—otherwise known as Monsieur Le Bleu—who brutally killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet Bastien's great-great grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy, and convinced that the Fontaine Sisters are as talented as they claim. The perfect mark. When he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his ancestral home of Le Bleu's ghost, she can’t resist. A paid vacation at Armand’s country manor? It’s practically a dream come true, never mind the ghosts of murdered wives and the monsters that are as common as household pests.

But when murder again comes to the House Saphir, Mallory finds herself at the center of the investigation—and she is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of cashing in on the payment she was promised, she’ll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.

But that all sounds relatively easy compared to her biggest learning to trust her heart. Especially when the person her heart wants the most might be a murderer himself.

I have an up-and-down relationship with Marissa Meyer's books. I loved the Lunar Chronicle series. And I enjoyed the first book in the Gilded series. I never finished book 2. I wasn't sure about The House Saphir, but I decided to take a chance and check it out. And I am glad that I got the audiobook version so I could do that.

The House Saphir is about a girl who is pretending to be a witch in order to trick people into paying for haunted house tours, seances, trinkets, potions, and various other things. She and her sister are simply trying to survive by whatever means necessary. Specifically, she is using a local mansion in disrepair where the owner is known to have killed his four wives before he himself died.

Mallory is approached on one such tour by the descendant of Count Bastian Saphir who wants to use her services to expell the ghost of the count from the house. Mallory and her sister move into the house hoping to milk the experience for all the time and money they can. Only Mallory begins to develop feelings for Armand, the man who hired her. And things aren't quite as they seem all around.

I am so thankful that I listened to this book on audio. I have nearly zero experience with French. And many, many words would have been horribly butchered or skipped entirely had I been reading this book myself and not listening to it. The narrator did a wonderful job.

I can't say that anything about the story itself, plot wise, was a surprise. Things played out pretty expectedly. The creatures and the magic were fairly unique at least to my knowledge. Again, I'm not up on any French folklore if these beasts were inspired by anything or completely fictional created by Marissa Meyer.

There was enough of a romance to satisfy me. I don't usually enjoy reading if that's entirely missing. I don't remember much cursing. And there are no spicy scenes to worry about.

The House Saphir was better than I was expecting. Yet I wasn't expecting a lot given that I was on the fence about this book. I've liked Marissa Meyer in the past, but the description didn't seem entirely something that I would normally gravitate towards. Unless you're familiar with French, I do suggest listening to the audiobook. The House Saphir gets 3 Stars. Have you read or listened to The House Saphir? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for To Charm a Dark Prince

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.

To Charm a Dark Prince (The Iron Crystal, # 1)

By: Kathryn Ann Kingsley

Expected Publication: December 10, 2024 by Forever

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Retellings, Fae

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--To save a kingdom, she must charm a monster.

Transported to the magical realm of Avalon, Gwen finds herself in the hands of its dark and beautiful ruler— Mordred, the Prince in Iron .

The prince holds total power in Avalon, trapping his rivals in an enchanted crystal prison. But he shows a strange gentleness to Gwen.

Seeing no other way to escape, Gwen strikes a deal with Mordred’s enemy. If she can break the crystal, she will be free to go home.

Gwen joins Mordred’s court with a plan to steal his heart and destroy his prize.

Desire sparks between them at once. But Mordred is a dangerous host. As they draw closer, his passion and anger burn brighter.

Gwen would be foolish to trust him.

And even more foolish to betray his trust…

A gripping dark fairy tale and a seductive fantasy romance, with slow-burning attraction, enemies-to-lovers banter and an alluring villain. The Iron Crystal series will enchant fans of Sarah J. Maas, Elisa Kova and Danielle L. Jensen.

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

All Things Halloween Review - The Glass Queen

The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil, # 2)

By: Gena Showalter

Publication: September 29th 2020 by Inkyard Press

324 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( 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--Once Upon a Time meets Game of Thrones in book two of New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter’s magical, romantic dark fantasy series, in which the fairy tales we know and love are prophecies of the future. Welcome to the Forest of Good and Evil, where villains may be heroes and heroes may be villains…it all depends on who you ask.

Ashleigh Anskelisa may be called the Glass Princess due to her weak heart, but Saxon, king of the Avian, knows she is more dangerous than broken glass, in this Cinderella retelling that sweeps readers into the magical land of Enchantia, filled with treacherous enemies, unexpected allies, forbidden love, and dangerous magic! Can destined lovers find their way to each other, or will evil win the day? Everything changes at the stroke of midnight as one determined princess fights for her legacy, her love, and the crown that is her destiny.

The majority of The Glass Queen takes place shortly after The Evil Queen . The only real exception is the very beginning. There is a scene from Ashleigh's birth and then another from 14 years later when her mom died. And then the rest takes place in the present-day.

Ashleigh plays the role of Cinderella in this retelling. She was born with a weak heart (physically) and her father never wanted her. Only her mother's love saved her, but her mother died when Ashleigh was 14. She meets Prince Saxon at her mother's funeral and he immediately begins to glare at her with hatred in his eyes. The two have a short confrontation that Ashleigh doesn't remember involving fire being shot at Prince Saxon. Outraged, he vows she will pay reparations. Her father then exiles her to a temple where she works as a servant until called back to her father's side to work as "palace liaison" to Prince Saxon in a tournament to win her stepsister's hand in marriage. Saxon is determined to use this opportunity to make Ashleigh pay for her past sins. More sins than she even realizes she's committed.

The players of The Glass Queen were much more obvious than The Evil Queen. At least in that Ashleigh never questions that she plays the role of Cinder in the prophecy and Saxon the role of the "marriage-minded prince." The two are drawn to each other despite having a more complicated history than Ashleigh knows in the beginning and despite appearing to be doomed. I found it enjoyable to not feel 100% confident in who was who when I read The Evil Queen, but I think I enjoyed it even more in The Glass Queen to feel confident in knowing who each character represented.

One of my complaints about The Evil Queen was the maturity levels of the characters. Each of the main characters had a retaliation mindset. You hurt me now I have to hurt you worse. And Saxon had that attitude as well. At least in the beginning. But Ashleigh was leagues above this mindset. She was the type of character that endures true hardships and remains positive, remains hopeful, and refuses to attack those who have harmed her in the past. Even when she has the power to do so. I like rooting for this type of character.

Because Saxon and Ashleigh started off in such a rocky place, I enjoyed their journey very much. Hate to love relationships often turn out to be some of my favorites. Theirs was no different.

Favorite quotes:

-Noel polled a bunch of random strangers about our situation, and asked if it was all right to hurt an innocent girl in order to kill an evil phantom. Apparently, polling random strangers is the best way to make a decision in the mortal world...

-“Stop being ridiculous, boys. For the lastish time, I’m betraying you both.”

-“From my vantage point, I don’t think fate has ever helped me.” “Then you aren’t paying attention.”

One thing I did find contradictory...The characters seemed a little hypocritical when it came to their feelings about death and killing. They didn't seem to mind fighting in a tournament that including much killing. Roth and Saxon were doing a large portion of that. And the tournament was really just a ruse. Yet when it came to Ashleigh's father or even other major characters at the end, they couldn't bring themselves to kill out of punishment or justice. Yet for sport...as a distraction...didn't seem to bother them. And actually, Ashleigh comments about how attractive Saxon is multiple times after he battles others resulting in his killing them during the tournament. It just felt a little disjointed and contradictory to me.

I read The Glass Queen really quickly. I didn't want to put it down even when I had to. As a matter of fact, I had to force myself not to read a couple of times in order to get things done around the house. I enjoyed Ashleigh and Saxon's relationship journey as I tend to do with hate-to-love relationships. I also appreciated knowing who each character represented in the retelling. The Glass Queen gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Glass Queen? What did you think? Let me know!

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

Can't Wait for Beholden

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.

Beholden (The Fairest Maidens, # 1)

By: Jody Hedlund

Expected Publication: September 22nd 2020 by Northern Lights Press

194 pages

Genre: Christian Fiction, Fantasy, Retelling

( 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 a land where being the fairest maiden is a curse . . .

A beautiful noblewoman with a terrible secret, and a prince subjected to slavery.

Upon the death of her wealthy father, Lady Gabriella is condemned to work in Warwick’s gem mine. As she struggles to survive the dangerous conditions, her kindness and beauty shine as brightly as the jewels the slaves excavate. While laboring, Gabriella plots how to avenge her father’s death and stop Queen Margery’s cruelty.

Prince Vilmar of Scania enslaves himself in Warwick’s gem mine as part of a royal test to prove himself the most worthy of three brothers to become the king’s successor. Amidst the hardships, he doesn’t anticipate his growing compassion for the other slaves, especially tenderhearted Gabriella.

As the annual summer ball looms nearer, Gabriella sets into motion her plan to end Queen Margery’s evil. When Vilmar learns of Gabriella’s intentions, he resolves to come to her aid and fight against Warwick’s queen. But doing so may require him to give up his chance of becoming Scania’s next king, perhaps even cost him his life.

The real Cinderella story.

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

Can't Wait for The Raven and the Dove

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 Raven and the Dove (The Raven and the Dove, # 1)

By: Kaitlyn Davis

Expected Publication: March 9th 2020 by Amazon Digital Services LLC

506 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

( 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--Four fates collide in this avian-inspired, epic fantasy retelling of Tristan and Isolde perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo!

A princess longing to be free...

On the dawn of her courtship trials, Princess Lyana Aethionus knows she should be focused on winning her perfect mate, yet her thoughts wander to the open sky waiting at the edge of her floating kingdom. One final adventure calls. Upon fleeing the palace, the last thing she expects to find is a raven prince locked in a death match with a dragon.

A bastard aching to belong...

Reviled son of a dead king, Rafe would do anything for his beloved half-brother, Prince Lysander Taetanus, including posing as him in the upcoming courtship trials. When a dragon interrupts their secret exchange, he orders his studious sibling to run. After suffering a fatal blow, Rafe is saved by a beautiful dove who possesses forbidden magic, just like him.

Fate brought them together, now destiny will tear them apart...

Unknown to the world above, on the foggy sea ten thousand feet below, a young king fights a forgotten war. He believes Lyana is the queen prophesied to save the world, and with the help of his favored spy, hidden deep in the highest ranks of the dove royal house, he will stop at nothing to have her.

Three shocking betrayals. Two star-crossed lovers. One unforgettable journey. If you like fierce heroines, brooding heroes, forbidden romance, and action-packed magical adventures with twists you'll never see coming, don't miss The Raven and the Dove!

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

The Guinevere Deception - Review

The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising, # 1)

By: Kiersten White

Publication: November 5th 2019 by Delacorte Press

352 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( 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--From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution--send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name--and her true identity--is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old--including Arthur's own family--demand things continue as they have been, and the new--those drawn by the dream of Camelot--fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

*THE FIRST BOOK IN THE CAMELOT RISING TRILOGY*

The problem with retellings is that readers may have both knowledge of the story you're retelling as well as strong attachment to specific pieces of the original. Think of it like this, in music let's say there's a famous song that everyone loves. But if an artist comes in to do a cover of this song there might be specific melodies or notes or inflections that if changed would leave the audience unsatisfied and wishing for the original. That's kind of how I felt about The Guinevere Deception. Granted, I haven't delved extensively into King Arthur's stories and what I have read was like ten or fifteen years ago. So not everything is fresh in my mind. However, there are certain key things that I knew I didn't want messed with or had been hoping Kiersten White would go in a specific direction. And well...she did not.

I was all for bringing some strong(er) female characters into this world, but one of the things that I'm coming to find is that oftentimes this is done at the expense of strong male characters. That's not always the case, but it does happen. And I was a little conflicted with how Kiersten White chose to go about her changes to the females in this story.

First there Guinevere who is not Guinevere. We still don't learn her real name, and honestly, I'm not sure she even remembers it by the end of the book. She's Merlin's daughter and thus can use magic. She believes she's sent to Camelot by Merlin to protect Arthur from an unknown magical threat. To remain close to him, they marry and she becomes queen. Even though she's active in trying to find the magical threat against Arthur, I was a little disappointed that her biggest accomplishment (from Camelot's view) is planning and executing a tournament. I feel like there could have been some better uses of her within the story and in Camelot that might defy the traditional role of a woman and/or a queen from that time period beyond the magical. My issues with this are complex and would take a great deal longer to discuss than I want to do here in this review.

Brangien is Guinevere's maid. She also becomes her closest friend. She came to Camelot with Sir Tristan when he was banished for his love affair with Isolde. Only Tristan wasn't the one in love with Isolde. So while I loved Brangien as a character, Tristan and Isolde's story is one of those pieces of the source material that I wasn't fond of being twisted. It's like taking the high note out of I Will Always Love You as sung by Whitney Houston.

Dindrane...I couldn't decide how I felt about her. She's one of those characters that most people would hate but Guinevere saw beyond the surface and took on as a friend. I guess knowing that the things she says are mostly her attempts at protecting herself emotionally helps, but at times she could appear delusional. Thankfully Dindrane knew that Guinevere wasn't really buying what she was selling and so her comments became comical where they could have been more grating. I wasn't sure she was fleshed out enough. Or maybe Kiersten White knew her well enough but the reader doesn't get to understand her as much as I would have liked. I was excited to see her have the possibility of a romance though.

Rhoslyn was fine. Nothing really to complain about there.

I (mostly) liked how Kiersten White chose to write Lancelot. I never have liked the love affair between Lancelot and Guinevere in the original legends. Lancelot probably accomplishes the most (beyond Guinevere) of what Kiersten White was trying to accomplish with her approach to this retelling. However, there's one line that becomes a Mountains Out of Molehills issue for me.

I definitely appreciated how Kiersten White chose to write Arthur. He is no less captivating than he should be. The way that he's written is supposed to keep you guessing as to his feelings and intentions toward Guinevere, but I found everything about him to be the exact reason for me pressing on and continuing this book when at multiple times I thought about putting it into the DNF pile. If anything, I am curious to see the continued development of Arthur as things move forward, but to be honest, I'm not sure I'll finish the series as further books are published. I'll see how I feel after some time has passed and what the descriptions look like for the remaining two books.

Mordred kept me guessing the most. Was he an enemy? An ally? In love with Guinevere? Would he expose Guinevere if he found out about her use of magic? So many of my questions revolved around him. And I bounced back and forth between whether I liked him or not.

Kudos to whoever designed the cover for this one because it is stunning in my opinion.

All in all, I felt like Kiersten White didn't just want to write an empowering, female-strong version of King Arthur and his court so much as a politically correct, LGBT friendly one which resulted in her twisting some of my favorite pieces of the original stories. In some areas, I enjoyed the twists, and in others, I felt like she strayed too far. The analogy I used above was of someone covering a Whitney Houston song without hitting the high notes or changing the melody. Some pieces of the original are too ingrained and left me feeling unsatisfied with the changes she decided to make. I bounced around so much with my enjoyment of the book. At times I was dying to get back to it, and other times I was considering DNFing it. I had to go back to my rating scale which lands me at 2.5 Stars. I can't say it was completely "ugh" but I don't think I can give it a "pretty good" either. Have you read The Guinevere Deception? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Guinevere Deception

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 Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising, # 1)

By: Kiersten White

Expected Publication: November 5th 2019 by Delacorte Press

352 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

( 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--From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution--send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name--and her true identity--is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old--including Arthur's own family--demand things continue as they have been, and the new--those drawn by the dream of Camelot--fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

*THE FIRST BOOK IN THE CAMELOT RISING TRILOGY*

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

Can't Wait for Blood Heir

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.

Blood Heir (Blood Heir Trilogy, # 1)

By: Amélie Wen Zhao

Expected Publication: November 19th 2019 by Delacorte Press

496 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

( 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--This hot debut is the first book in an epic new series about a princess hiding a dark secret and the con man she must trust to clear her name for her father's murder.

In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are unnatural—dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, has a terrifying secret. Her deadly Affinity to blood is her curse and the reason she has lived her life hidden behind palace walls.

When Ana’s father, the emperor, is murdered, her world is shattered. Framed as his killer, Ana must flee the palace to save her life. And to clear her name, she must find her father’s murderer on her own. But the Cyrilia beyond the palace walls is far different from the one she thought she knew. Corruption rules the land, and a greater conspiracy is at work—one that threatens the very balance of her world. And there is only one person corrupt enough to help Ana get to its core: Ramson Quicktongue.

A cunning crime lord of the Cyrilian underworld, Ramson has sinister plans—though he might have met his match in Ana. Because in this story, the princess might be the most dangerous player of all.

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

Can't Wait for Scavenge the Stars

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.

Scavenge the Stars (Scavenge the Stars, # 1)

By: Tara Sim

Expected Publication: January 7th 2020 by Disney Hyperion

336 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

( 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--When Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of Moray, where old-world opulence and desperate gamblers collide. Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of deception—and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she’s plotting to bring down—the more she uncovers about the truth of her past. And the more she realizes she must trust no one…

Packed with high-stakes adventure, romance, and dueling identities, this gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is the first novel in an epic YA fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo.

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

Can't Wait for Last of Her Name

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.

Last of Her Name

By: Jessica Khoury

Expected Publication: February 26th 2019 by Scholastic

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling

( 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--Sixteen years ago, rebellion swept the galaxy known as the Belt of Jewels. Every member of the royal family was murdered--down to their youngest child, Princess Anya--and the Union government rose in its place. But Stacia doesn't think much about politics. She spends her days half-wild, rambling her father's vineyard with her closest friends, Clio and Pol.

That all changes the day a Union ship appears in town, carrying the leader of the Belt himself, the Direktor Eminent. The Direktor claims that Princess Anya is alive, and that Stacia's sleepy village is a den of empire loyalists, intent on hiding her. When Stacia is identified as the lost princess, her provincial home explodes into a nightmare.

Pol smuggles her away to a hidden escape ship in the chaos, leaving Clio in the hands of the Union. With everything she knows threading away into stars, Stacia sets her heart on a single mission. She will find and rescue Clio, even with the whole galaxy on her trail.

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

Can't Wait for My Plain Jane

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.

My Plain Jane (The Lady Janies, # 2)

By: Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, & Cynthia Hand

Expected Publication: June 26th 2018 by HarperTeen

464 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Retellings

( 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--You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love—and, Reader, she marries him. (!!!)

Or does she?

Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Bronte, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.

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

The Lost Letter - Review

The Lost Letter

By: Mimi Matthews

Published: September 19th 2017 by Perfectly Proper Press

204 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Retellings

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( 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--England, 1860. An impoverished Victorian beauty is unexpectedly reunited with the now beastly earl who once broke her heart. Will they finally find their happily ever after? Or are some fairy-tale endings simply not meant to be?

A PROUD BEAUTY

Society beauty Sylvia Stafford is far too pragmatic to pine. When the tragic death of her gamester father leaves her destitute and alone, she finds work as a governess in a merchant's household in Cheapside. Isolated from the fashionable acquaintance of her youth, she resigns herself to lonely spinsterhood until a mysterious visitor convinces her to temporarily return to her former life--and her former love.

A SCARRED BEAST

Colonel Sebastian Conrad is no longer the dashing cavalry officer Sylvia fell in love with. Badly scarred during the Sepoy Rebellion, he has withdrawn to his estate in rural Hertfordshire where he lives in near complete seclusion. Brooding and tormented, he cares nothing for the earldom he has inherited--and even less for the faithless beauty who rejected him three years before.

AN UNEXPECTED REUNION

A week together in the isolated Victorian countryside is the last thing either of them ever wanted. But when fate intervenes to reunite them, will a beastly earl and an impoverished beauty finally find their happily ever after? Or are some fairy-tale endings simply not meant to be?

I was reluctant to request The Lost Letter for review because I was unfamiliar with the author. But the description ultimately won me over. It's a beauty and the beast retelling essentially. And I'm glad that I took a chance.

The Lost Letter jumps right into the story. And I suppose with only 204 pages this was necessary. But that had me basically interested and invested from the very beginning, and since I've been struggling through one of my worst reading slumps ever getting hooked early is essential.

The description basically tells you everything you need to know. Sylvia's father committed suicide. His suicide not only leaves her alone but unearths massive gambling debts. The whole thing is quite scandalous. She has no other real choice but to seek work as a governess. I admired her because Sylvia never really took on the victim mentality. After all that she's experienced, sure she grieved, yet she took action and made constant efforts to better her situation both physically and emotionally.

Sebastian thought he'd won Sylvia's affections before he was sent to war in India, but she never wrote to him (or at least he never received any of her letters) and his own letters were returned to him unopened. After receiving an injury that scars him brutally, he returns home a bitter and angry man. Despite Sebastian's tendency to play the victim with Sylvia and even his sister, I found him likeable. He's brutally honest and even at times mean. But I knew he wouldn't remain so.

One of my biggest...I don't know, not really frustrations, but struggles for lack of a better term with this time period while reading is that so much can often be cleared up by simple communication between the two parties. Yet because of the customs and what's considered inappropriate, so often characters dance around this misunderstanding with each other. I appreciated that Mimi Matthews chose not to really take this course. Because Sebastian is so angry, he chooses to be quite direct at times, and because Sylvia assumes that Sebastian has already been witness to her impropriety through the letters she wrote to him these two discover sooner than I expected that each never received the other's letters. However that being said, the author did go down this route with Sylvia misunderstanding Sebastian's current intentions toward her. So I went from applauding Mimi Matthews for this decision to dropping my head and letting out a sigh for that being the ultimate conflict that these two had to overcome.

I can't say that The Lost Letter completely blew me away, but it did hook me from early on. I connected to the characters and their feelings and struggles with each other. I even teared up (blaming it on the pregnancy hormones) at one point for Sylvia's sake. The ultimate conflict was one that wasn't surprised and consequently fairly easy to overcome. Yet, I found this book refreshing from some of the others I've read based on the same time period. In the end, The Lost Letter gets 4 Stars from me. Have you read The Lost Letter? What did you think? Let me know!

Waiting on RoseBlood

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

RoseBlood

By: AG Howard

Expected Publication: January 10th 2017 by Amulet Books

432 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

( 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 this modern day spin on Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera.

At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn—an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks. As the two discover an otherworldly connection and a soul-deep romance blossoms, Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light and he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known.

A. G. Howard brings the romantic storytelling that Splintered fans adore to France—and an entirely new world filled with lavish romance and intrigue—in a retelling inspired by a story that has captivated generations. Fans of both the Phantom of the Opera musical and novel, as well as YA retellings such as Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, will devour RoseBlood.

I haven't read any other AG Howard books yet. I love the covers, but to be honest I'm not the biggest fan of Alice in Wonderland. However, Phantom of the Opera is a different story. I'm so intrigued by this description. What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

Waiting on Heartless

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Heartless

By: Marissa Meyer

Expected Publication: November 8th 2016 by Feiwel and Friends

416 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

( 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--Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

I still need to read Winter, but I've loved Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series. So reading her next book is a given. What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - A Thousand Nights

A Thousand Nights

By: EK Johnston

Expected Publication: October 6th 2015 by Disney Hyperion

336 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( 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--Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister's place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin's court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time.But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.

Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.

Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect from A Thousand Nights. It seems that Aladdin retellings and Arabian stories have hit a surge lately. And I really think that might go back to Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little. That was the first Mesopotamian/desert themed book that I can remember. While it got mixed reviews, I do think it was popular enough to spark this trend. I personally enjoyed it and A Thousand Nights was just similar enough in setting to give me the same vibe as Forbidden but quite different in story.

Do you guys know how many times I read a book, get finished with it, go to write my review, and think “what was that main girl’s name?” Well that happened to me in A Thousand Nights and the more I looked and looked to find her name I started to think myself crazy. But then I came across someone else’s review (simply browsing for her name) that says the main character doesn’t have a name. At least not one that the reader knows. Her name is never mentioned in the book. And by George once I read that, I slapped myself on the knee and said “She sure doesn’t.” Not once is her name mentioned. She is called sister, daughter, Lady-Bless, wife, and a couple of other names, but never once is she given a formal name. I didn’t even realize it. And you know, I kind of think that this is brilliant. Because here’s the thing, when we read don’t most of us put ourselves into the main character? Now I didn’t go about reading this book thinking that her name was Sandy just because mine is, but I love this idea of keeping her anonymous. I mean think about books where no real physical description is given to the character and yet when asked to describe the character often times people end up describing someone very similar to themselves? Brilliant, I tell you. (But rather difficult for me to write a coherent review without being able to tell you guys her name.)

Like the description says, Lo-Melkhiin is king and as such, he needs to have a wife. But somehow his previous three hundred wives have all died. Everyone knows that Lo-Melkhiin kills them or has them killed, but no one really knows the details. While most stories have all noble men trying to marry their best daughters off to the king, Lo-Melkhiin’s subjects didn’t want to “waste” their best daughters just to die. Yet he must have a bride. So a law was decreed that Lo-Melkhiin would hand-choose his wife from each village and not repeat a village until one girl from every village has been his wife. When he comes to the village of our main character, she just knows that he will choose her sister as his wife. But her sister is meant for so much more than that. And so she sacrifices herself to become Lo-Melkhiin’s newest wife. I found this a little confusing. The book states that Lo-Melkhiin no longer goes into each village and picks the “best” girl. He seems to pick at random. So I have no idea how she was so sure her sister would get chosen. But I won’t analyze that too much.

Our main character does get picked to be the new wife and her sister vows to mourn her and turn her into a god of sorts—creating an altar for her, offering up gifts and prayers on her behalf and to her. And it’s just because of that our main character survives the night. Supernatural elements come into play with both Lo-Melkhiin and his new wife, yet even though these elements were present throughout and central to the story, I didn’t feel like they overwhelmed or made the story un-relatable to those who might not enjoy these aspects.

I read A Thousand Nights pretty quickly (in 24 hours I think). I was so curious to see if our main character could cause Lo-Melkhiin to fall in love with her and thus change all of his monstrous ways. If she’d be killed like all of the previous wives before her? What’s the cause of all of the deaths of each wife? Is Lo-Melkhiin really a monster or is there something else behind all of these deaths? I needed to know these answers and the questions drove me to read further faster.

I will say that I was nearing very close to the end of the book without as many of the questions answered as I would have liked. And I was starting to wonder if I was going to be happy with the ending. Ultimately, I was okay with how things ended, but I think the ending could have been stronger. I don’t really want to go into the whys or hows because then we really get into spoiler territory.

Although our main character is part of what we would consider an unorthodox family, I loved the connection and love between all of the members—especially the sisters. While they didn’t seem to have the petty, sisterly fights that the Song sisters had, I was still reminded of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and PS I Still Love You for the strong ties between these sisters.

I also want to address that I really loved the language of this book. It wasn’t poetic in the way that Michelle Hodkin, Maggie Stiefvater, or Tahereh Mafi tend to write, but the wording and cadence felt so authentic to the character, the setting, etc. I did end up highlighting a good bit. Here are my favorite quotes:

-Whatever was coming, our father wanted my sister and me to see it, to know it, and to be safe from it when it came again. This was how I learned that he loved us.

-It was the sound of death and wet and green. It was the sound of cost and worth. But if I could find something like the hem of our father’s robe, if I could find something to hold on to, then it would be the sound of hope.

-“There is a fire in my sister,” I said to him, “and I did not want you to have it.”

-“My sister is no fool and she is not tender-hearted,” I said. “My sister fights for her home, and takes what risks she must. That is why I put myself before her today—why I would not let you have her. My sister burns, and she does not burn for you.”

-A wise man, it was said, followed his goats. A fool was led by his sheep. A master, though, picked his own way…

-“It is not fair to ask a price I cannot pay.”

-“I do not waste my fear”…

-You should not believe everything you hear. Good men fall to monsters every day. Clever men are tricked by their own pride or by pretty words.

When it was all over, A Thousand Nights was better than I was expecting it to be. It’s left me feeling like I might want to read more books in a similar setting. I’m glad that I read Forbidden when I did because it helped me get into the right mood and frame of mind for A Thousand Nights even though the books have nothing really in common as far as the stories go. A Thousand Nights had some aspects that were really spot on such as the writing style (for me) and how our main character was never given a formal name. Other parts didn’t blow me away, like the ending that felt a little too quick. In the end, I’m giving A Thousand Nights 4 Stars. Have you read A Thousand Nights? 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.

Top Ten Fairy Tale Retellings

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Fairy Tale Retellings.

I’m not even sure I’ve read 10 retellings—much less specifically fairytale retellings. But these are my favorite retellings the only retellings I’ve read period.

1. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer – Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White
2. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge – Beauty and the Beast
3. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers – Hosea
4. Darcy’s Story by Janet Aylmer – Retelling of Pride and Prejudice but from Mr. Darcy’s POV
6. The Fall by Bethany Griffin – The Fall of the House of Usher
7. Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge – Little Red Riding Hood & The Girl with No Hands

What are your favorite retellings? Let me know!

Waiting on A Thousand Nights

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

A Thousand Nights

By: EK Johnston

Expected Publication: October 6th 2015 by Disney Hyperion

336 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

( 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--Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister's place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin's court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time.But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.

Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.

Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster.

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

Crimson Bound - Review

Crimson Bound

By: Rosamund Hodge

Published: May 5th 2015 by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen

448 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( 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--When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.

I listened to Cruel Beauty on audio a while back, and I enjoyed it. But I also think I enjoyed it as much as I did because it was on audio. It had more of a slow progression than I typically enjoy, so I was a little concerned about reading Crimson Bound over listening to the audio version. But sometimes you don’t really get much choice in the format, so I was just happy to have the opportunity to read and review Crimson Bound. And well, Crimson Bound was a little slow. And truthfully, I might have liked it better had I been listening to the audiobook versus reading it. But I did enjoy it.

Crimson Bound is kind of a combination of two fairytales: Little Red Riding Hood and The Girl With No Hands. Personally, I know nothing about The Girl With No Hands, and so I wasn’t able to really look for how all the pieces of that fairytale fit into Crimson Bound. The ins and outs of the world Rosamund Hodge created in Crimson Bound are fairly complicated to describe. It was easy to understand while reading, but to break things down for you here would be a bit much.

As the description says, Rachelle makes a bad decision that ends up with her being bound to the evil she was trying to figure out how to defeat. Even as a young girl, Rachelle never wanted to sit idly by as the world around her suffers. Now she’s faced with carrying the guilt of her decisions with her or die trying to redeem herself and save those who she was seeking to save from the beginning.

The description isn’t quite accurate when it says that Armand—who Rachelle is charged with guarding—is the man she hates most. She hates the Devourer. She hates the forestborn who turned her bloodbound, and she hates the bishop. Armand…well he falls in line definitely after these three. Armand survived what Rachelle could not. When a forestborn approached him to turn him bloodbound, Armand was able to resist completeing the process and Rachelle hates what that means. It means that she might have been able to resist too. And that’s what Rachelle hates. Herself.

Like Rachelle, I wasn’t fully sure who to trust or who to root for in the beginning. And even when the emotional connection began to develop with Rachelle, I had a hard time connecting to her choice fully. I didn’t really have all of the twists figured out beforehand, but I also didn’t feel the need to try. The ending felt a little clean for me. But this is based off a fairytale afterall.

Favorite quotes:

-“I grow impatient, little girl.” “Then learn to wait,” she bit out..

-“Do you think that doing the right thing will always be pretty?”

-“I think sometimes there is no right thing.”

-…”my mother used to say that if we all got what we deserved, we’d all be dead. And yet somehow God refrains from smiting us.”

-She was bloodbound, after all, and being bloodbound meant knowing how easily I could never turned into Yes, I will.

In the end, I enjoyed Crimson Bound. I wanted to keep reading and was more invested than I thought I would be. Yet at the same time, Crimson Bound was also easy to put down when I needed to. When I finished Crimson Bound I realized that it was a good book, but not exceptional. There wasn’t much for me to complain about, but I wasn’t blown away either. Crimson Bound gets 3 Stars. Have you read Crimson Bound? What did you think? Let me know!