Sunday Post - 11/02/25

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.

We got rained out of a field trip on Monday. So it was rescheduled to tomorrow. Honestly, I probably needed a mental day. We did end up doing some school work, but not a full day. Big Girl went back to pitching practice. It was her first lesson back. I'm proud that she still did pretty well after three weeks off. Monday night, Little Boy went to sleep at 7:20 and didn't get up until 7:40 the next morning. Tuesday, we spent the day with my parents, and then the Big Boy went to martial arts. Tuesday evening, Little Boy ran fever. Wednesday was a normal school day, except Little Boy was home with us instead of at his school since he'd been feverish. He still played really well and basically had no other symptoms. Wednesday afternoon, Big Girl and I took some Amazon returns back. Then we went to Target for her to spend a birthday gift card. This girl is so thoughtful that she bought a book for herself (a girl after my own heart), a bag of candy to share, a candybar for Big Boy and a hot wheels car for Little Boy. Oh and a dog toy. So out of everything she bought with her birthday money, she only bought one thing for herself. Then we went back Krispy Kreme to pick up donuts for Big Boy's birthday. Thursday was Big Boy's 8th birthday. We woke up early enough to do presents and have donuts for breakfast. Big Girl had a doctor appointment. Her toe is healed, and she is released back to normal activity. My parents came by after we got home to give Big Boy his birthday present. They stayed until lunch. We had a short school day that day. And then after lunch we made and decorated cookies for Little Boy's school Halloween party. The Big Kids went to martial arts. And I picked up KFC for dinner (the birthday boy's choice). Friday, we had a normal school day, which surprisingly went really well and they finished quickly. Little Boy was back to school and got to wear his costume and had a party. We had our cousins from Georgia come trick or treat with us, and we ate dinner at Grammy's before we headed out. Saturday, we went back to Grammy's to celebrate October birthdays with Husband's side of the family. And then we went to a birthday party for another cousin at a working farm. It has been an absolutely packed week. This week will be busy too but not nearly as packed as this week.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: All Things Halloween Review - House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, # 1) by Sarah J Maas (4.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Burn of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 4) by Penn Cole
Thursday: All Things Halloween Review - One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, # 1) by Rachel Gillig (4 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Lewis and Clark Go West by McKay Pierce (5 Stars)

My annual "All Things Halloween" event has ended. 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.

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Against a Crescent Storm (The Balkan Legends, # 3) by AL Sowards
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Thursday: Review of Lacey's Story (A Puppy's Tale) by W Bruce Cameron
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Juniper's Christmas by Eoin Colfer

NEW BOOKS:

The Last Wish for Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 2)

By: Mary E Pearson

Expected Publication: November 13, 2025 by Tor

480 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fae

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--Everyone needs something to hold onto, even if it’s a lie.

After Bristol Keats nearly loses her beloved King Tyghan to the monsters her mother had unleashed, their love deepens to a whole new level. Together, Bristol and Tyghan work to understand and reconcile their differences, moving forward with their common goal of saving Elphame. But when a daring rescue attempt turns into a disaster, and a beloved knight dies, Bristol is forced to confront the fact that her mother is more powerful than she could have ever imagined—and more dangerous. Meanwhile, Tyghan’s heart is laid bare when he encounters his former best friend and betrayer again, Bristol's own father, and must wrestle with a new secret that throws everything he thought he knew about his past into question.

Bristol is Elphame’s last chance for survival, but where do her loyalties truly lie? If she fully embraces the magic that has always been her birthright, she could become a different kind of monster from her mother. Is she willing to risk losing the people she loves most, if it means keeping them safe?

Brimming with dark secrets, lush world-building, and addictive romance, The Last Wish of Bristol Keats is the unforgettable conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Mary E. Pearson's first adult series.

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!

Homeschool Friday - Lewis and Clark Go West

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

Lewis and Clark Go West

By: McKay Pierce

Illustrated By: Kateryna Rohotova

Publication: January 1, 2022 by The Good and the Beautiful, LLC

47 pages

Genre: Children, Picture Book, Christian, Level-1

Source: Own/Personal Library

( Goodreads )

Goodreads description--Have you ever heard of Lewis and Clark? Long ago, they took a trip to see the land, animals, and people in the West. Look inside to learn more about what they saw and who they met!

Most of the Level-1 readers we have are from publishers like Random House and Scholastics. But we use a homeschool curriculum company called The Good and the Beautiful for a lot of our curriculum. The Good and the Beautiful has its own books written by several authors. Jenny Phillips, the company's creator, writes many of the books herself. And the company emphasizes good and beautiful literature that has strong moral values. I cannot appreciate this more. Most of the "normal" level-1 reader books are about 32 pages long with one or two short sentences per page or opening. Lewis and Clark Go West is a little longer with 47 pages and usually, one or two sentences per opening.

Lewis and Clark Go West begins with a challenging words page that includes 9 words used in the book that might be a little beyond the child's reading level, but I like that this is included at the beginning of the book so that you can go over these words with your child before they come to them in the book. This way maybe they will already recognize the words and be able to read them from memory already. Or if they get to one of these words while reading and can't sound it out phonetically or remember it, they will at least not be surprised and feel discouraged for not being able to read a challenging word.

Lewis and Clark Go West is exactly what you would think it is--a level-1 version of the events of Merriwether Lewis and William Clark's journey west to map the country and claim the territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean for America. The book talks about Sacagawea and her help as some things they saw along the way.

Lewis and Clark Go West is a 5-Star level-1 book. (The Good and the Beautiful technically rates this book as a level 1A.) The morals and messages often included in the books by The Good and the Beautiful weren't as present. But what makes this book a 5 Star book is the brief bits of history a child can get. Level-1 readers don't always have be entertaining only. We need more companies that focus on making quality content for young kids. Have you or your child read Lewis and Clark Go West? What did you think? Let me know!

*Note: Lewis and Clark Go West is no longer available for purchase through The Good and the Beautiful's website.

All Things Halloween Review - One Dark Window

One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, # 1)

By: Rachel Gillig

Publication: September 27, 2022 by Orbit

432 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Gothic

Source: Borrowed from the e-library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.

Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.

Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

I listened to One Dark Window on audio, so that means spellings are a struggle. Also, I don't have any quotes to guide me, refer back to, or share with you in my review.

This world was unique but not explored in depth. There are Providence Cards that reminded me of tarot cards in their description. Except, instead of fortune telling, the Providence Cards provides the possessor/user of the card with supernatural powers of various kinds. Each card has a specific power. Elspeth has a unique ability that we don't learn about until later, but that ability has basically allowed her to absorb a Monster into her mind.

The king's nephew that the description stated was the highwayman who attacked Elspeth is trying to collect all 12 providence cards. He believes that collecting all of them will cure the mist that is trapping the kingdom. However, very few Nightmare cards exists. And Elspeth is having to keep a few secrets in the process.

If I remember correctly, Ravyn is the nephew in question. There were other family members, and another name that was similar (Hawk maybe???, or did it start with an R also?) that causes confusion in my memory, and I don't have the paper book to refer back to. Ravyn is supposed to be the love interest, but I feel like I heard something spoilerish that has kept me from connecting to him. I think I would have connected to him without the unsolicited knowledge I stumbled upon. But I will have to continue the series to see how things play out.

I was a little frustrated with how predictable the plot was. Things that felt like they should have been plot twists were glaringly obviously. Maybe this was designed for the next book to have a bigger impact, assuming the spoilers I heard were real. But at this point in the story, I find myself mildly caring about the characters where they are right now because I know a good bit must change in order to get where we end up if the spoilers I heard are true. Even still, I found myself enjoying the journey. It wasn't until I stopped to analyze it that I realized some world building was missing.

One Dark Window still gets 4 Stars. Have you read or listened to One Dark Window? 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 Burn of the Everflame

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.

Burn of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 4)

By: Penn Cole

Expected Publication: July 14, 2026

550 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Dragons

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--War has overtaken Emarion. In the north, Ophiucae and his army of bloodthirsty mortals seek to eradicate all Descended from the continent. In the south, the Guardians of the Everflame lie in wait, plotting a rebellion generations overdue.

In Lumnos, Realm of Light and Shadow, the Crowns are gathering. Caught between two deadly foes, they must form an unlikely alliance to save their people.

But the Crowns have a secret—and a heart without its mate will burn the world down to fulfill its fate.

Hatred reigns. Hope seems lost. With the future in darkness, can a flame emerge to bring the light?

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

All Things Halloween Review - House of Earth and Blood

House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, # 1)

By: Sarah J Maas

Publication: March 3rd 2020 by Bloomsbury Publishing

648 pages

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy

Source: Borrowed from the e-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--Half-Fae, half-human Bryce Quinlan loves her life. By day, she works for an antiquities dealer, selling barely legal magical artifacts, and by night, she parties with her friends, savouring every pleasure Lunathion—otherwise known as Crescent City— has to offer. But it all comes crumbling down when a ruthless murder shakes the very foundations of the city—and Bryce’s world.

Two years later, her job has become a dead end, and she now seeks only blissful oblivion in the city’s most notorious nightclubs. But when the murderer attacks again, Bryce finds herself dragged into the investigation and paired with an infamous Fallen angel whose own brutal past haunts his every step.

Hunt Athalar, personal assassin for the Archangels, wants nothing to do with Bryce Quinlan, despite being ordered to protect her. She stands for everything he once rebelled against and seems more interested in partying than solving the murder, no matter how close to home it might hit. But Hunt soon realizes there’s far more to Bryce than meets the eye—and that he’s going to have to find a way to work with her if they want to solve this case.

As Bryce and Hunt race to untangle the mystery, they have no way of knowing the threads they tug ripple through the underbelly of the city, across warring continents, and down to the darkest levels of Hel, where things that have been sleeping for millennia are beginning to stir...

I picked up House of Earth and Blood twice before, and I had the hardest time getting into the story. Bryce and Danica start off the book as party girls. I don't support drug use. Clubbing has never been on my agenda. Relating to these characters was difficult. People said to keep pressing on, but sheesh...at 800+ pages, you have to press on a LONG time before action picks up. So much of this book is world building. And world-building takes a long time. Thankfully, I got this on audio from the library. I can tell you that is the only way I made it through this story. That being said, I can see myself re-reading this book and actually reading it instead of listening to it. Now that I know what happens, I think I could dive deeper into it. But I just had to experience it in as quick of a method as possible to begin with.

So much happens! The gist is that a pack of wolves is slaughtered. Bryce is friends with all of these wolves. One was her best friend. And one was a guy she was dancing around the idea of dating. Bryce is a shell of herself for about two years after it happened. But then someone else in the city is murdered in the same way. And Bryce is enlisted to help backtrack her friend's last steps in the week leading up to her death to see if she can help find who the real killer is.

Hunt is an angel who was part of the rebellion that failed. As such, he's now a slave. The city's governor, Micah--an archangel--owns him and uses him to assassinate his enemies. Hunt hates being a slave, but he's offered a deal that will bring his debt to next to nothing. All he has to do is solve the murder of Bryce's friend and who is doing the killings now. Hunt was a police officer of sorts who was part of the investigation into the original murder. He and his superior, Isaiah, were first on the scene.

Hunt and Bryce start out antagonistic. They aren't really enemies to lovers, but they don't fully get along at first. It takes a while for each one to see beneath the surface level that the other is trying to portray. Of course, they grow closer as they work together. But can each of them really be trusted, or are they both keeping secrets?

The biggest side character is Rhune, Bryce's half-brother. Bryce is half human, half fae. Rhune is all fae and in line to the throne. Their father is the Autumn King. However, Bryce hasn't been claimed--both because she's only half fae and because she has little magic. There are also witches, sprites, chimeras, and other species. Rhune and Bryce used to be closer, but they have drifted apart from each other after a fight of sorts. Both hate their father. The Autumn King has specific designs and plans for Rhune as his successor. But Rhune's fortune told him that his path isn't what his father hopes it will be. Rhune is keeping that fortune a secret.

Honestly, there is so so much that happens, and I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. Not to mention that I won't really know what all pieces will connect until I continue the series. But Sarah J Maas is a master of plot and weaving all of the little pieces into bigger details over the long haul. I will definitely continue the series. Since I listened to this on audio, I don't have any quotes to share with you.

House of Earth and Blood gets 4.5 Stars. Language and some spice is present, but I think more innuendo is used than actual scenes in this book as the relationships are so new. Poor Bryce has been through so much. Have you read House of Earth and Blood? 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.