Thursday 14 March 2024

The Seven Sisters' Series Pt. 2

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And even though it's been a while since I've finished this series, I still want to post this, as I still have a fair few thoughts. 

I know a lot of you won't want to read this, because you haven't read the books, but those that do, I hope you enjoy this. 


The Moon Sister

The Moon Sister- From the past four books, a lot of the time, the POV that I was anticipating the most, was the ancestor. Surprisingly, it was the opposite with The Moon Sister. 

In the fifth book in the series, we follow Tiggy, who spends her days experiencing the raw beauty of the Scottish Highlands, taking care of the wildcats that roam in the exhibit. But when the sanctuary is forced to close, she takes a position of a wildlife consultant in the isolated estate of doctor and laird, Charlie Kinnaird. When she takes this whirldwind position that will be changing her life for the forseeable future, she has no idea how much it'll help her to understand her past. At the estate she meets Chilly, a gypsy that fleed Spain no less than seventy years ago. He tells her that not only does Tiggy possess the gift that has lived in her family for generations, but that he know her grandmother. With this he begins to tell Tiggy the tale of her origin. 

Now, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy hearing about the lifestyle of the flamenco dancers, which is what Lucia (her grandmother) was- it was wondering to read about the events that took place in the 1950s in Spain, I just didn't particularly love Tiggy's grandmother a huge amount. Tiggy's POV, bringing the estate back to working order, and getting the animals to interact, protecting the wildlife, as well as reading about her relationships with the new characters that were introduced, were where I enjoyed the book the most. Tiggy was one of my favourite sisters to read about, with her intelligence, her curiousity, her kindness, and her instinct were enough to fall in love with her character every time I picked the book up. 

The Sun Sister
Electra's book is very different from the others. She faces challenges none of the others ever have a possibility of encountering. A lot of this is because she is a figure in the public eye- she's a global supermodel- known to most people in the world- which can bring about a certain amount of pressure. She feels very much like she could fit in today's world, with everyone obsessed with social media, and being noticed, where it's really easy to become addicted to bad habits, (if you've read the book you'll know what I'm talking about), and because of that, it's very easy to relate to her as a character. 

If anything, the fact that she's easy to relate to almost makes you want to root for her recovery, and for her to use her platform to make a difference. 
From the amount of that I've talked about Electra, you can probably tell how much I enjoyed her POV. 
I haven't even mentioned her ancestor, Cecily either. With her, it isn't actually the case of Tiggy's ancestor- I really like reading about Cecily. I did like reading Electra's POV more, but I'm not taking away from Cecily, for sure. 
Cecily wants a life of exploring, a life of adventure and learning- not a life of being married to a rich husband. So when the chance to escape to Africa with her godmother arrives, she grasps it with two hands. Cecily's story covers several decades, and takes her to africa, to marrying in unusual circumstances, to even more unexpected circumstances. This happens in all of them, and I've been surprised and overjoyed at the events that take place, but I found myself becoming sad during this one. 
(Because I knew this would be the last time I read a book in this series that was set in this manner), but still, I was eager and excited to see what happens next. 

I won't say that this one was my favourite, they all won me over in different ways. But this honestly felt like the end of the series. 


The Missing Sister
And then I picked up this one. I'd sneaked a peak at some of the feelings that some of my fellow readers were expressing over this book, and although I don't think their thoughts coloured my own, I shouldn't have been surprised to find that my review mirrored theirs. 
In The Missing Sister, all six sisters come together and try, each in their own individual way of trying to contact the seventh and final sister- based on a piece of jewellery that Georg has been trying to find since before Maia was adopted that he believes was the seventh sister. 
I'm not saying this book was unnecessary, but I wish it had played out differently.  I enjoyed Mary Kate's parts, as she told the story of her past and found out things about herself, but after following these sisters for six books, I just feel like their parts could have been better. 

Atlas
Such a great end to the series. It didn't matter that this was a co-written book between Lucinda Riley and her son Harry, the ending was perfect. Finally, we got to find out how Pa Salt came to meet all of the girls' ancestors, and why he decided to adopt them. 
I also loved reading about him as a young boy, going from homeless, penniless, to the man determined to make a life for himself and his girlfriend. He was such a wonderful character to read about, like all of the sisters before him. All in all, I'm glad I managed to get through The Missing Sister so I had the pleasure of meeting Pa Salt as more than just a father & a mentor to the sister. 

Thankyou Lucinda Riley, for writing such a wonderful series, that had me gripped from beginning to end. It's been a pleasure. Rest in peace. 


Okay! So that is my review of the second part of the Seven Sisters series. 
I hope you enjoyed it, (and if you stuck with it through to the end), thankyou. 

I hope you have a wonderful evening and I'll see you all soon (hopefully for my anticipared releases for the next three months). 
Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx




Monday 4 March 2024

February Wrap Up & March TBR (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I can finally find the time to post! 

Sorting house took priority of course, but I can't tell you how much I missed doing this! 

So happy to be back! 

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy my February Wrap Up & March TBR (2024)!


~February Wrap Up (2024)~

I ACTUALLY READ EVERYTHING I SET OUT TO READ THIS MONTH! 

I genuinely can't remeber the last time that happened. 

I read: 

1. The Poppy War (The Poppy War #1), by R.F. Kuang

After I failed to finish this for the end of January, I gave myself the kick up the butt that I needed, so I could finish this quickly. I am absolutely amazed at how well this book was written, and how much happens in it. Rin goes from being a lowly girl, about to be married off, to getting into Sinnegard, the most elite school in the country, to a valued member of a crazy powerful clan. I of course, can't really share what happens more than that, but I'm so glad I finally managed to finish this book and make a dent on what promises to be a phenomenal series. 

2. Good for a girl: A Woman Running in a Man's World, by Lauren Fleshman 
After struggling with The Poppy War, I really needed a change of pace. And because all my books were still in a million boxes, my choices were limited. Thus, I turned to audiobooks. 
Despite having had The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks on my audible shelf for about 3 years, I knew I didn't want to start reading a book from a series (planning a full series re-read soon, I promise) so I picked Good For A Girl up, full of intrigue. 
If you didn't know, Lauren Fleshman is a retired track athlete, coach, spokesperson, and now author of Good for a girl. This book discusses her journey from a child, dreaming of being an olympian, collegiate athlete, her struggles with eating disorders, the lack of research and courses for women's health in sport, amongst a whole load of other things that take place in the competitive enviroment that is track. 
So, if you're interested in that sort of thing, I would definitely give this a read. 

3. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, by Matthew Perry 
I don't know what to say about this. I feel I know Matthew a little better now, and I commemorate him on his candor, his honesty, when writing this memoir. 
Even writing this now, some of the things he said are swimming around my brain. 
I was not expecting this to be what it was. I knew he had a drug issue, but I had idea how extensive. 
Honestly, now that I've read this, I just want to give him a hug. 
If you're at all interested, come and get it, or read the audiobook, which is narrated by Matthew himself. 

4. Icebreaker (Maple Hills #1), Hannah Grace
I've been wanting to get to this for the longest time, and I'm so happy I finally got to it!   
This was just what I needed. There was plenty of sport, plenty of romance, hate to love romance, feminism, character development, and smut by the bucketload (maybe a tad too much for my liking, but that's just my preference). 
I loved both POV's, I never got bored, I was hooked from the get go, and I'm already thinking about when I'll be picking up book 2. 
If you don't know what this is about, it's about Anastasia and Nate, a figure skater that has her heart set on an olympic medal, and the captain of the Maple Hills hockey team. They're thrown together after a prank makes the team's ice rink unavailable- for the forseeable future. 
What exactly can go wrong? 

Extremely lovable, fleshed out characters and a funny, lighthearted (yet handles some serious subjects) and an engaging read. I loved it. 


5. The Dragon Repiblic (The Poppy War #2), by R.F. Kuang
The drive was most definitely there with this book. I did not want my reading progress with this to be the same as The Poppy War. I had 8 days to read a 650 page book and I was determined to finish in time for the end of february. 
I've always boded well with novels that have a clear goal, an endgame that they wanted to achieve, and this was no exception. 
In The Dragon Republic, Rin has one goal: to destroy the one person that brought about everything she held dear. But people and armies are manipulating her, her fellow soldiers look to her for guidance, and everybody has secrets. 
I don't know whether I enjoyed this more than the first book. What I do know is that I am ready for the third and final book. (But of course, not emotionally ready at all.) 



~March TBR (2024)~

1. The Grasmere and Alfoxden Journals, by Dorothy Wordsworth 
I don't know why I decided to put this book forward as an option for my next read. All I knew was that I needed a change of pacing from The Dragon Republic, so as not to dive headlong into a reading slump with The Burning God
This definitely isn't my typical reading taste, much like with Lyrical Ballds, but I'm hoping a journal will be more acquited to my liking, especially as they've been written by Dorothy. 


2. I Invited Her In, by Adele Parks
Yes, it's on another TBR. 
I will get to it this month or I'm giving it back to my auntie. 
My mum has even recommended it this evening. 

3. Sheltering Rain, by JoJo Moyes
Since putting off I Invited Her In, I haven't really even thought about picking this up (got it at the same time). 
Reading the synopsis, this doesn't sound a lot like the type of JoJo Moyes book I'm used to reading. But that's not to say it isn't at all. I always love a story that revolves around family drama, and this one spans over several decades. It tells the story of of twenty-one-year-old Joy, as she unexpectantly falls in love with a handsome naval officer in Honk-Kong in the 1950s. They quickly wed, but she soon discovers that married life isn't quite what it seems. Fast forward to 1980, their daughter Kate mysteriously flees their home to find her grandparents. When she locates them, secrets that have remained hidden threaten to surface... 
Sheltering Rain sounds dark and intriguing, and based on how much I love JoJo Moyes' writing, I know I'm bound to love this. 



4. The Burning God (The Poppy War #3), by R.F. Kuang
The third and final book in The Poppy War series! I have no idea what I'm in for, but I'm so excited to see what happens! 
Honestly, I've seen mixed reviews (most love, but there are a few that felt let down). I have no doubt that I'm going to love this last book, but I'm so very nervous for the ending. If you've read this, let me know in the comments what you thought (but no spoilers please). 
I really hope I love this (and none of my favourite characters die). 


Okay! That is my February Wrap Up & March TBR (2024)! 
I hope my reading is as succesful this month as it was last month. 
As always, feel free to comment below what you all are planning on picking up this month! 
I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all soon! 
Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx













Sunday 4 February 2024

January Wrap Up & February TBR (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

I know I haven't been prioritising blog posts (or reading, come to that), but honestly, moving out is taking priority, and I'm really not sorry. 

So, I'm quenching my wrap up and TBR into one- because there really isn't much on the wrap up side. 

I hope you enjoy it. 


~January Wrap Up~

Read a total of two books. So that went well. 

Rest assured, I have now finished The Poppy War

Yesterday. So that'll be on my February Wrap Up at least. 


1. Clementine: Book Two (Clementine #2), by Tillie Walden 

This novel changed my opinion of this series for me. After the first volume, I was liking it, but not completely in love with the continuation of the legendary game series. But volume 2 brought intense moments, emotional moments, moments of clarity. I loved it, and I cannot wait for the third and final graphic novel to be released so I can read all three novels again. 


2. The Deal of A Lifetime, by Fredrik Backman 
I read this in the space of a morning- I nearly wept upon finishing this. It's a 65 page story about a man that receives terrible news. He can change fate, but it would mean being fogotten by all who knows him- even his son, who thinks he's been a disappointment to his dad. 
Devastatingly heartbreaking, wonderfully written, I loved this short story with all my heart- even though it took me an hour to read. 


~February TBR~

1. Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man's World, by Lauren Fleshman 
I'm so invested in this. Started this morning, reckon I'll be finished on tuesday, the amount I've been listening to the audiobook. 
For those that don't know, Lauren Fleshman is an running athlete turned coach, that has written this part memoir, part menifesto novel about her love of running growing up, the pressures she was put under, injuries in unhealthy environments, everything to do with body dismorphia and eating disorders. Just everything to do with track and field, growing up as a woman in that industry. 
I really do love this book already. 

2. Icebreaker (Maple Hills #1), by Hannah Grace
Sportish romance! 
There's more detail on last month's TBR about this book, but long summary short, Icebreaker is a hate to love romance about an olympic hopeful ice skater and an ice hockey player that are forced to share a rink after a double booking. I was drawn in by this because there are so few ice-skating books, much less with potential olympic try-outs, so of course I had to have it. 

3. The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War #2), by R.F. Kuang
I'm adding this to the list because I genuinely want to get to this sometime in February (and I really hope it doesn't take me a month to read it, despite it being a bit larger). As much as it might seem unlikely, I really did enjoy The Poppy War, and I can't wait to see what happens next. I've seen nothing but five stars reviews for this book, so I can't wait to join the masses and experience the 2nd book in this trilogy, for what it is: a well-written, dramatic, epic fantasy book that has the world crying tears of vengence. 


4. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, by Matthew Perry 
I'm putting this on the list because... well, I'm putting it on the list. 
It'll be handy to have another audiobook on the plan to get to this month, in case I want to read when organising the hole that is my house this month, and it's this one that I was most drawn to on audible. This might change, dependant on if I get my spare room into a more organised area, and I find I have the free time to pick up a paperback. But right now, it's Matthew Perry's voice I want to hear from an audiobook. 


Okay! That's my January Wrap Up & February TBR! I hope you enjoyed it and, as always, feel free to comment what you read in January, or want to pick up in February! 
I will try and get a post or two to you guys this month, but since my broadband isn't installed until mid February- don't hold your breath. 
I hope you have a wonderful evening and I'll see you all soon! 
Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx