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Title: These Impossible Things
Author: Salma El-Wardany
Release Date: June 7th, 2022
Page Count: 401
Format:  Audiobook                                           
Start Date: October 2nd, 2023
Finish Date: October 7th, 2023

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:

This book far exceeded what I would ever expected. I went into it blindly like I did most books. I’m glad I did. I feel like going into it that way made the story even more special to me. I feel like I got to learn about a culture that I don’t feel I read enough about. I also feel like it shows that there are things in the world that everybody struggles with. It doesn’t matter who they are or what they look like or how much they make.

This book was told in multiple points of view. I think it was best that way. We got to experience each of their lives and their struggles. They didn’t go to anybody about their problems because they thought they deserved them, or they thought that nobody would understand. They all dealt with shame and guilt. They all just wanted to make the ones they love proud and happy.

I do want to say that people should check any potential triggers. There are some very dark topics in the book. There’s abuse of various forms. I know topics like those are really sensitive to many people. Other people use them as therapy. Either way, I want anybody who needs to be aware to know about the situations.

I would love to read this again. I was happy that I found an audiobook and listened to it as soon as I could. I’d love to actually read it in ebook or physical book. I’d also love to see this as a movie. I think it would be inspiring and beautiful. I kind of feel like it’s Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants but the girls are all from the same religion.

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Title: Grave Peril
Author: Jim Butcher
Release Date: November 4th, 2008
Page Count: 465
Format: Audiobook
Start Date: October 1st, 2023
Finish Date: October 4th, 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

I’m going to say this up front. This book gets a full star rating because I really love the series. I love the characters in it. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I can’t say this was my favorite of the three books I’ve read in this series. There are things that I really didn’t agree with that I just can’t get into. I’m never going to be the person that spoils a book for anybody. Unless they ask me to of course.

Now that I got the negativity out of the way, there are many things I enjoyed about the book. I feel like this book really introduces more characters that are in the wizard’s life. I also really enjoyed seeing more of the reporter. The only way I would have enjoyed this if I got some points of view from her.

Actually I am curious on how this series would differ if it was told in multiple points of view. Would it add to the story? Would it take away from the story. This isn’t a criticism against it being in first person. I really enjoy first person. I like the feeling of being that person while reading. It’s hard to explain. It’s more of a curiosity on how things would be different.

I’m not exactly sure how I feel about the ending of the book. I didn’t really love it, but I didn’t hate it either. I’m very conflicted about it. It doesn’t make me want to stop reading the series. I see that as a good sign. I’ll be starting on the next book as soon as I can!

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Title: Velvet Was the Night
Author: Silvia Morena-Garcia
Release Date: August 17th, 2021
Page Count: 281
Format: Hardback/Audiobook
Start Date: September 17th, 2023
Finish Date: October 2nd, 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

This book was told in two points of view. Each of them are looking for the same person, but for different reasons. One of the main characters actually became a part of the entire fiasco by chance pretty much. The girl who went missing asked that she watch her cat. Then she disappeared.

I learned after the fact that the event that happened in the first part of the book is from an actual event in history. I took the time to look it up after I read that part in the afterwards. The event happened in the 70s if I remember correctly. It’s an event that I’d love to read more into when I have more time.

I actually juggled between reading this and listening to the audiobook. I loved the audiobook portion of it. It gave the book more character in my opinion. The narrator also had a very soothing voice. I was able to completely escape my normal life and live in the story with these characters because of it.

This isn’t the first book that I read by this author. The first book I read was Mexican Gothic. I have other books that are written by her that I have on my reading list. All of the covers to her books are just so attention grabbing. I’m actually going to be rereading Mexican Gothic here soon! I’ll probably read this book again in the future.

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Title: Witchlings
Author: Claribel A. Ortega
Release Date: April 5th, 2022
Page Count: 344
Format: ebook
Start Date: September 14th, 2023
Finish Date: October 1st, 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

I found this book through a friend. She was interested in it and wanted to know if I had read it. We decided to read it together. The cover was just too cute to pass up on! I was worried at first. I really didn’t care about the main character at all. I thought she was a little rude and judgmental. To be fair, she’s just a kid. I’ll admit to that. I got so annoyed that I almost put the book down. I didn’t though. I’m glad I stuck with it.

There were some things that happened in the book that I predicted. I was sad about some of my predictions and happy about others. That being said, I can also say there were many parts of this book that I didn’t see coming until they hit me in the face. One of which made me so mad at myself because all of the signs were there. I’ll leave it at that.

I’m really happy with how the book ended. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel. I was able to pick up an ebook from my library. I think this book would make the cutest adaptation. I think it would make a better television show than a movie. Especially since it looks like this will be a series. I’m sure there will be other books released in the future. I’m looking forward to every single one of them.

Favorite Quotes:

“If we have to bankroll our own death, I’m coming back as a ghost and suing the Town Gran,” Seven said. “I want to see if your shop has anything else on the Cursed Toads.”

Any witch can be a friend, if you just give them a chance.

Seven scoffed. “You’re too nice. Have you seen how they treat Spares? Spares … we, are the most vulnerable witches in this town because we don’t have powerful magic. We can’t protect ourselves against big threats. We’re at a disadvantage, so they should help us because we’re supposed to be a community, like we’ve been taught since we were littles. The same way we help make sure elderly witches are warm on the coldest winter nights, how we protect baby witches like Beefy. Spares are pushed to the sides and not protected because people on the Hill are more concerned with being able to treat their assistants like goose poop and to pay them only a handful of coins. They won’t let go of that power, so we have to pay the price. We have more than enough magic and potions to help all Ravenskill residents live comfortably, but they just won’t, for no good reason other than hate. I wouldn’t put anything past witches like that.”

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