Monday, 15 June 2020

Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston


In the third book in Ashley Poston's Once Upon a Con series, Beauty and the Beast is retold in the beloved Starfield universe.

Rosie Thorne is feeling stuck—on her college application essays, in her small town, and on that mysterious General Sond cosplayer she met at ExcelsiCon. Most of all, she’s stuck in her grief over her mother’s death. Her only solace was her late mother’s library of rare Starfield novels, but even that disappeared when they sold it to pay off hospital bills.

On the other hand, Vance Reigns has been Hollywood royalty for as long as he can remember—with all the privilege and scrutiny that entails. When a tabloid scandal catches up to him, he's forced to hide out somewhere the paparazzi would never expect to find him: Small Town USA. At least there’s a library in the house. Too bad he doesn’t read.

When Rosie and Vance’s paths collide and a rare book is accidentally destroyed, Rosie finds herself working to repay the debt. And while most Starfield superfans would jump at the chance to work in close proximity to the Vance Reigns, Rosie has discovered something about Vance: he’s a jerk, and she can’t stand him. The feeling is mutual.

But as Vance and Rosie begrudgingly get to know each other, their careful masks come off—and they may just find that there’s more risk in shutting each other out than in opening their hearts.

Sunday, 14 June 2020

Weekly roundup

Hi guy! Welcome to the weekly roundup. A quieter week as we headed back to work, but hopefully things will even out as we get used to it again. There's a busy period coming up with lots of new releases!

Saturday, 13 June 2020

Desa Kincaid Bounty Hunter by RS Penney


Desa Kincaid has spent the last ten years in pursuit of a man whose experiments have killed over a dozen people.

Blessed with the power to transform ordinary objects into devastating weapons, she journeys through trading ports, backwater towns, forests, deserts and the haunted remains of a dead city.

But can she stop her enemy before he unleashes something terrible on the world?

Friday, 12 June 2020

Childhood Favourites: When the Luvenders Came to Merrick Town, by June Considine

First in a new, extremely irregular feature! Every so often we will reread books we loved as children and see how they hold up now that we're adults. For the first one, we have an Irish childhood classic.


The Luvenders are spirits in the service of Solquest, the evil Zentyre, who has lost the secret of eternal youth and can only regain it by capturing 100 children. His plan is to mount an exhibition of beautiful old dolls in the pre-Christmas rush in Merrick town, steal real children, turn them into dolls, and replace them in their homes with living dolls.

Thursday, 11 June 2020

Anyone by Charles Soule


If you could be ANYONE, who would you be?

When a brilliant female scientist searching for an Alzheimer's cure throws a switch - and finds herself mysteriously transported into her husband's body, she will change her life - and the world - forever.

Two decades later, 'flash' technology allows individuals the ability to transfer their consciousness into other bodies for specified periods, paid, registered and legal. Society has been utterly transformed by the process, from travel to warfare to entertainment. But beyond the reach of the law is a sordid black market called the darkshare, where desperate vessels anonymously rent out their bodies, no questions asked . . . for any purpose.

Anami has her own reasons for using it, and they start with revenge.

Like BLADE RUNNER crossed with GET OUT, Charles Soule's thought-provoking work of speculative fiction takes us to a world where identity, morality, and technology collide.

Wednesday, 10 June 2020

Happy Book Birthday!



Good morning everyone! A busy week for us, with seven books on our review lists publishing. Unfortunately, although we enjoyed all of them a few of them were 'may not read again' - but several were 'will read again' and we're already working on next week's titles!

Midnight's Twins by Holly Race

Fifteen-year-old Londoner Fern is about to uncover a place that she could not have imagined in all her wildest dreams. Annwn is the dream mirror of our world, a place where Dreamers walk in their slumber, their dreams playing out all around them. An enchanted, mysterious place that feeds our own world - as without dreams, without a place where our imaginations and minds can be nourished, what kind of humans would we be?

But Annwn is a place as full of dangers as it is wonders: it is a place where dreams can kill you. Annwn and its Dreamers are protected by an ancient order known as the Knights - and when Fern's hated twin Ollie is chosen to join their ranks, Fern will have to do whatever she can to prove she is one of them too.

But the world Fern discovers in Annwn, in this dream mirror of her London, is a fragile one, threatened by vicious nightmares. Nightmares that are harder and harder for the Knights to defeat. Something dark is jeopardising the peace and stability of Annwn, something that must be rooted out at all costs. And gradually, Fern realises that the danger lurking inside our sleep is more insidious and terrifying than any nightmare. Because if you can influence someone's dreams, you can control their thoughts ...

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

The Boundless by Anna Bright


When Selah found true love with Prince Torden of Norway, she never imagined she’d have to leave him behind. All because the Beholder’s true mission was a secret Selah’s crew didn’t trust her to keep: transporting weapons to the rebels fighting against the brutal tsarytsya, whose shadow looms over their next port of Shvartsval’d. A place Selah hoped she’d never go.

But gone is the girl who departed Potomac filled with fear. With a stockpile of weapons belowdecks and her heart hanging in the balance, Selah is determined to see the Beholder’s quest to its end.

Book Post, week ending 9 June 2020

Hi guys! Welcome to our first week back at work. It's been a slowish week, just four titles, but there are some more pending, so never say never!


Sunday, 7 June 2020

Weekly roundup

Hi everyone,

what a crazy, turbulent week it's been. We hope you're all staying safe and well and finding ways to be happy, whatever that looks like for you. For us it's books, so let's have a look at what we read and celebrated this week.

Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams


Agnes loves her home of Red Creek--its quiet, sunny mornings, its dusty roads, and its God. There, she cares tirelessly for her younger siblings and follows the town's strict laws. What she doesn't know is that Red Creek is a cult, controlled by a madman who calls himself a prophet.

Then Agnes meets Danny, an Outsider boy, and begins to question what is and isn't a sin. Her younger brother, Ezekiel, will die without the insulin she barters for once a month, even though medicine is considered outlawed. Is she a sinner for saving him? Is her sister, Beth, a sinner for dreaming of the world beyond Red Creek?

As the Prophet grows more dangerous, Agnes realizes she must escape with Ezekiel and leave everyone else, including Beth, behind. But it isn't safe Outside, either: A viral pandemic is burning through the population at a terrifying rate. As Agnes ventures forth, a mysterious connection grows between her and the Virus. But in a world where faith, miracles, and cruelty have long been indistinguishable, will Agnes be able to choose between saving her family and saving the world?

Saturday, 6 June 2020

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Yadriel's family don't understand him. Tradition is important in the brujx community, and Yadriel - born a girl, knows he's a boy - challenges everything they believe in.  He's determined to prove himself as a brujo - and at first things seem to go well. At first...

Friday, 5 June 2020

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

Samiah Brooks never thought she would be "that" girl. But a live tweet of a horrific date just revealed the painful truth: she's been catfished by a three-timing jerk of a boyfriend. Suddenly Samiah-along with his two other "girlfriends," London and Taylor-have gone viral online. Now the three new besties are making a pact to spend the next six months investing in themselves. No men, no dating, and no worrying about their relationship status . . .

For once Samiah is putting herself first, and that includes finally developing the app she's always dreamed of creating. Which is the exact moment she meets the deliciously sexy, honey-eyed Daniel Collins at work. What are the chances? When it comes to love, there's no such thing as a coincidence. But is Daniel really boyfriend material or is he maybe just a little too good to be true?

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Blog Tour: Queen to Ashes by Mallory McCartney

QueentoAshesBT
Are you ready for the next installment in the Black Dawn series? Check out Queen to Ashes by Mallory McCartney -- Read the excerpt and enter the giveaway to win a signed hard copy of the book!

Happy Book Birthday!

Hi guys! This week was busier, with several books on our review list publishing on different days. It was a good week, with most titles earning a 'will read again' from us!


Tuesday, 2 June 2020

Blog Tour: Forgotten Magic Anthology

ForgottenMagic

Welcome to the blog tour for the final installment from the Magic Underground trilogy, Forgotten Magic! Read on for an exclusive excerpt and a chance to win a paperback copy of the book!

Book Post! Week ending 2 June 2020

Howdy all! It's been a very quiet week, with just one new title, but it looks fantastic! It's maybe just as well we're bringing our numbers down, as we're all heading back to work over the next few weeks.

Monday, 1 June 2020

New competition!

Hi guys! There's a fantastic new competition for you to enter today! Find the link at the end of the entry.

Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard

Peyton is running. She's not sure what from, or where to. She just knows she can't stay where she is. Told in two timelines, this is the story of how far you sometimes have to go to find home.

Sunday, 31 May 2020

Weekly Round Up!

Hi all! We had a busy week here at Read and Reviews, enjoying the last few days before we head back to work!


Saturday, 30 May 2020

Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver

Norah knows she doesn't belong at Chelsea High. This is a school for the uber rich; she grew up on a houseboat in perpetual dock. But once her father clears up this whole misunderstanding of a law suit, they can go back home, where she fits in.

Friday, 29 May 2020

The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant

The Court of Miracles
In the violent urban jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, the French Revolution has failed and the city is divided between merciless royalty and nine underworld criminal guilds, known as the Court of Miracles. Eponine (Nina) Thénardier is a talented cat burglar and member of the Thieves Guild. Nina's life is midnight robberies, avoiding her father's fists, and watching over her naïve adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie). When Ettie attracts the eye of the Tiger--the ruthless lord of the Guild of Flesh--Nina is caught in a desperate race to keep the younger girl safe. Her vow takes her from the city's dark underbelly to the glittering court of Louis XVII. And it also forces Nina to make a terrible choice--protect Ettie and set off a brutal war between the guilds, or forever lose her sister to the Tiger.Paris in the wake of the failed July Rebellion of 1830 is a hard, cold place. No one knows it better than Nina. When her sister is sold to a brothel, she is determined to win her back, no matter what it takes.

Thursday, 28 May 2020

Happy Book Birthday!

Happy Book Birthday! It's been a fairly light week, with only two titles from our review list releasing.

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

The Challenger by Taran Matharu

Trapped on an alien world, Cade and his friends have been waiting for the next round of the life or death Contest to begin. When they leave their safe haven to train for it, their paths diverge wildly...

Tuesday, 26 May 2020

Book Post! Week ending 26 May 2020

Hi everyone! Hope your week has gone well. We've had a good week, with eight new books between us!

As always, you can click on the cover to visit the goodreads page for each title.

Monday, 25 May 2020

Blog Tour: After Darkness by JF Johns


AfterDarkness
I'm thrilled to share the first of an exciting new dystopian duology by J.F. Johns, called After Darkness! Read on for an exclusive excerpt, book details, and a chance to win a print copy of Eternal Darkness, the first book in her exciting dystiopian series of the same name!

Sunday, 24 May 2020

Johnny Ball, Accidental Football Genius by Matt Oldfield

Johnny is desperate to show his family that he's just as good at football as they are. Sadly - he just isn't. He can't kick, pass, or head the ball as well as they can. But he is great at one part of the game...

Saturday, 23 May 2020

Friday, 22 May 2020

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

Saoirse is reeling from a breakup a few months ago. So when she meets a cute new girl who's only in town for a couple of months, she suggests a free and breezy, no strings attached relationship. That'll work, won't it?

Thursday, 21 May 2020

New Publisher Announcement!

PM Press, a new publishing imprint, are on the hunt for new books to publish! Have a look to see if they might be a home for your novel. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Tuesday, 19 May 2020

Book Post!

Hi all! With things starting to get back to something that vaguely approaches normal, we want to get the blog back on track. Starting with a thank you to all the publishers, agents and authors who sent us books while we were isolating! There are far too many to put up pictures like normal, so instead we've listed them with links to Goodreads (or the publisher's site, a couple of times.) These are NOT in any particular order.

Monday, 18 May 2020

The World Without Flags by Ben Lyle Bedard

Ten years after the disease that brought the human race to its knees, the survivors are just about on an even keel. But the world outside their little haven is teetering on the edge of war and they can't ignore it forever.

Sunday, 17 May 2020

Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell

The best game ever! ...is not so much fun for Arthur, Ren and Cecily, accidentally swept into the largest RPG ever conceived. The kids must work together to solve puzzles and rescue historical heroes before time runs out!

Saturday, 16 May 2020

The Ballad of Ami Miles by Kirsty Dallas Alley

It's an honor to live in the Compound, the only safe place left after the barren plague swept the world. Ami knows that, just as she's always known her destiny is to procreate as soon as she's able. But when the time comes, she finds it hard to allow it.

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

The Names We Take by Trace Kerr

Left all but alone after a plague takes 95% of humanity, Pip has promised to never leave someone who needs help again. But in this strange new world, that promise might be a death sentence.

Tuesday, 12 May 2020

Dear Child by Romy Hausmann

A young woman has escaped her captor's shack in the woods. The child with her insists that her name is Lena, and a young woman by that name did go missing - fourteen years before. Is this really her? Where has she been and who is the child?

Saturday, 9 May 2020

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

Good Desi girls are not gay. Good Desi girls don't get into trouble at school. Good Desi girls don't let other girls steal their culture.
Nishat isn't feeling like a Good Desi girl these days.

Thursday, 7 May 2020

Burn by Patrick Ness

Sarah's father has sunk to the low of hiring a dragon for his farm. It's not exactly illegal, but only a few ever risk it. But the dragon that turns up is Russian. And this is 1957, the middle of the Cold War.

#famous by Jilly Gagnon

Rachel has approximately twelve followers on Flit, the best social media platform around. So she doesn't feel guilty about snapping a quick photo of the hottie at the burger counter. No one's ever going to see it, after all. It's just harmless fun!

Wednesday, 6 May 2020

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

Family is complicated, but some things never change. Bea keeps track of them in her notebook. It's something to hold on to when she starts worrying. But Dad's wedding isn't something to worry about - right?

Friday, 1 May 2020

Adventure Duck Series by Steve Cole and Alexei Bitskoff

Gifted with great powers by a stray meteor, Adventure Duck is sworn to take down Power Pug, his arch nemesis, and his revolving army of hench beasts. 

Thursday, 30 April 2020

The Mother Code by Carole Stivers

Bio warfare goes wrong and dooms the world. Scrambling for an answer, a military group create immune fetuses and entrust them to robotic Mothers, programmed with the personality of the children's mothers. As these children mature, they have to deal with the remnants of our world as well as the beginning of theirs.

Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Running by Natalia Sylvester

Mari has never really thought about her father's policies. He's always been in politics in one way or another. But now he's running for President of the United States, the whole family is under intense scrutiny. Forced to learn more about the issues, Mari is dismayed to realise she doesn't always like what he stands for.

Tuesday, 28 April 2020

Roxy & Jones by Angela Woolfe

Roxy isn't really enjoying living with her stepsister, but it's her only choice. She doesn't want to make things difficult for her, but she's somehow got caught up in Jones' mission to maybe save the world, possibly. Well, the country. Definitely at least the city.

Monday, 27 April 2020

The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton

Kit knows she can be a knight at the cheesy medieval style restaurant she works at. She knows all the moves, having practised with her brother, the Red Knight. But the manager, her uncle, is clear. Only males can be knights. Kit is determined to turn things around, with the help of her fellow wenches. But life isn't kind to people who want to change their stars.

Sunday, 26 April 2020

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

Hollis has spent most of her life trying to catch the eye of Jameson, the young king. Her hard work is finally paying off as he begins to seek her out, showering her with gifts and compliments and raising her above the rest of the court. But is it really what she wants? Being raised so high, there's a long way to fall...

Saturday, 25 April 2020

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valour by Ally Carter

April has spent all her life in foster houses. But this time she might finally have a home. If she can deal with the sword wielding presumed dead billionaire living in the cellars, stay on the right side of Ms Nelson and avoid the SadieMatic8, that is...

Friday, 24 April 2020

Hope Island by Tim Major

Nina has - reluctantly - brought her daughter to her inlaws' home for a stay. Her mother in law has never approved of her, but things are even stranger than usual on the little island. Why are all the adults so loud and children so quiet and solemn? Why does it feel like her daughter is slipping through her fingers?
(Possible spoilers in my review, depending on whether you understand my reference.)
I Understood That Reference | Know Your Meme

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

Last Girls by Demetra Brodsky

Trained to survive whatever comes, Honey is aware when her compound starts sliding out of control. Threats are rising everywhere she turns and the most important mission of her life, protect her sisters, looks to be impossible...

Tuesday, 21 April 2020

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L. D. Lapinski

Flick's new town is turning out to be much, much worse than her new one. Until she stumbles upon the Strangeworlds Travel Agency. A meeting place for the multiverse, where every case brings you to a new and fascinating world. And every world is in danger...

Monday, 20 April 2020

Gargantis by Thomas Taylor

Herbie and Violet are back to solve another Lost & Found mystery. This one threatens everyone in Eerie-on-Sea; if they can't figure out what's happening, the whole town will quite literally slide into the sea...

Sunday, 19 April 2020

Five Sisters by Stephanie Campisi

A husband and wife live happily in the forest, tending to it faithfully. When the forest decides to repay that debt they begin a new, exciting life.

Saturday, 18 April 2020

To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters

In the English upper classes, talking about one's feelings is Not Done. So when Violet and James have a screaming row, they settle in for years of silence and polite ill feeling. Eventually Violet decides she's Had Enough Of This and begins a campaign to  make James understand his mistakes...

Friday, 17 April 2020

The Switch by Beth O'Leary

Leena's working herself into a breakdown in the city. Eileen is looking for love , but her tiny village doesn't offer much hope. Swapping for two months only makes sense!

Doesn't it?

Thursday, 16 April 2020

We Just Clicked by Anna Bell

Izzy's developing her Instagram following. Maybe she lies a little every now and then. But everyone does it, don't they? Filters, hashtags - it's no big deal. Until it is...

Sunday, 12 April 2020

Thursday, 9 April 2020

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Married to a demon to pay for her father's bargain, Nyx has dedicated her life to training to kill him. But not everything is what it seems in his strange, magical castle. Drawn to the demon lord as well as his strange shadow servant, Nyx must use her long buried heart to understand and break his curse.

Tuesday, 7 April 2020

Saturday, 4 April 2020

Q (Master Class) by Christina Dalcher

This title is sold as Master Class in the US and Q in the UK, but it is the same novel.

The Q has become the most important number in anyone's life. Every tests, every leson, every interaction adds or subtracts from your Q in various forms. Drop too low, and the yellow bus will come for you...

Thursday, 2 April 2020

Logging Off by Nick Spalding

Andy is addicted to tech, and it's causing physical problems. His doctor recommends a complete digital detox, and Andy is forced to agree. Kept on the straight and narrow by his journalist best friend in the name of well-written soft news, he's amazed when his crusade actually seems to connect with people. Can he make real connections in an analog world?

Sunday, 29 March 2020

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Tarisai longs for a family, after being raised by indifferent tutors in a hidden compound. But when she finally has the chance to find that family, the reason for her upbringing becomes clear; her mother expects her to kill her new found family and has used powerful magic to ensure she complies. Tari must find her own power in time to save her emperor and her entire world...

Saturday, 28 March 2020

Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Last Lesson by James Goodhand

Ollie's had a rough year. His schoolmates are determined to make it worse. But he has a plan to teach them a lesson. They won't mess with him again.

Slight Change

Hi all. Things are crazy at the moment; we're variously working from home, self isolating or work has closed down. Although we plan to keep posting reviews, we're going to skip #Bookpost - as we're not receiving physical books now anyway - and possibly #BookBirthday, unsure as yet.

We still want to talk about brilliant books and fantastic reads, so keep tuning in! We'll have a massive #Bookpost session when this is all over.

Stay strong, everyone.

Monday, 16 March 2020

Teen Writer's Guide by Jennifer Jenkins

A well written, easy to follow how to for budding authors.

The Burning by Laura Bates

Anna and her mother have fled the rumours circulating her school, gone to the other end of the country. She dares to think she can start a new life here. But nothing is ever forgotten, and the people she left behind are determined to remind her she is never free of them.

Sunday, 15 March 2020

Thorn by Intisar Khanani

In this retelling of the Goose Girl, Thorn must learn to find her power while trapped under a vicious magic spell.

Weekly round up!

We had no #Bookpost or #Bookbirthday this week, as it happened, but we did manage to post several new reviews!

Saturday, 14 March 2020

The Vikings by John Farrelly

You know all about the Vikings, right? Horns, fighting, Valhalla? Think again. You're about to learn some amazing new facts...

Midnight Wings by Ariele Sieling

In a futuristic city-ship, El is trapped in her stepmother's home, forced to work for her keep. A city wide contest is her only chance of escape...if her stepmother doesn't stop her from going.

Friday, 13 March 2020

Monstrous Devices by Damien Love

Alex collects toy robots, an interest started and encouraged by his grandfather. The latest one in his collection is a little bit different, though. A little bit strange...

Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan

Kateri promised her mother that she would protect their people. It's a promise made harder by the ongoing drought and the rebel group known as the Desert Boys. When she finds her father has arranged a marriage for her, she runs into the desert to try to keep that promise.

Thursday, 12 March 2020

Mouse in Training by Emer Stamp

Stix, a tiny mouse who lives behind the washing machine, has always followed his grandmother's rules to avoid contact with the mans who live in the flat. But, separated temporarily from his grnadmother, he makes friends with some of the other creatures in the house and sets out to make a real PEST of himself...

Wednesday, 11 March 2020

All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban

Amber desperately needs a win right now. Her college plans are in danger, her boyfriend is focused on his own plans, her oldest friend has abandoned her and her newest friend may not be a real friend at all. When she's called to a scholarship dinner she's thrilled. Until she realises that the whole thing was staged. And now it's kill or be killed, very literally...

Damsel by Elana K Arnold

Everyone knows the story. A brave prince defeats a dragon, rescues a beautiful maiden and marries her. That must be what's happened here. Even though the maiden has no memories, craves heat, and her bethrothed is oddly off putting...

Tuesday, 10 March 2020

Monday, 9 March 2020

BookChat: The Fortress by SA Jones

Welcome to our first ever three person BookChat! It happened that all three of us got this book, so we coordinated our reading and now we're bringing you our review.

BE AWARE: This book contains mentions and depictions of rape, including rape of children, and mentions of suicide and self harm.

Sunday, 8 March 2020

Weekly round up!

A much quieter week this week, as some of us are very busy and some are affected by the spread of the corona virus. None of us have caught it, luckily. How are you all doing?

Let's see how we did this week.

Friday, 6 March 2020

The June Boys by Court Stevens

The Gemini Thief takes three boys in June. They're held until the next July and then released unharmed. Always three. Always unharmed.

This year, Thea is convinced her cousin is the fourth...

Thursday, 5 March 2020

Happy Book Birthday!

I'm so late with this post! I don't have an excuse, I'm afraid, only that it's been manic in work. But I'll try to do better for you, my beauties!

It's been a quieter publishing week, but a few titles came out, so let's have a look.

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

Bookpost! Week end 3rd Mar

Ebooks coming out our ears this week! Some highly anticipated reads and favourite authors in this selection.

As always, you can click on the cover to be taken to the book's Goodreads page.

Monday, 2 March 2020

The Loop by Ben Oliver

An AI controlled prison is inescapable for the teenagers inside it. There's no contact with the outside world, but rumours still filter through - and those rumours are very dark.

Sunday, 1 March 2020

Weekly Round up!

Welcome to March! Things are a little quieter around Read and Reviews at the moment. Looking at the diary, they'll start getting busy again pretty soon! For now, here's everything we did this week.