 Empress of All Seasons
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November 6th
In a palace of illusions, nothing is what it seems. Each generation, a competition is held to find the next empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the palace’s enchanted seasonal rooms. Conquer Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Marry the prince. All are eligible to compete—all except yōkai, supernatural monsters and spirits whom the human emperor is determined to enslave and destroy. Mari has spent a lifetime training to become empress. Winning should be easy. And it would be, if she weren't hiding |
a dangerous secret. Mari is a yōkai with the ability to transform into a terrifying monster. If discovered, her life will be forfeit. As she struggles to keep her true identity hidden, Mari’s fate collides with that of Taro, the prince who has no desire to inherit the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human, half-yōkai outcast.
Torn between duty and love, loyalty and betrayal, vengeance and forgiveness, the choices of Mari, Taro, and Akira will decide the fate of Honoku in this beautifully written, edge-of-your-seat YA fantasy.
Torn between duty and love, loyalty and betrayal, vengeance and forgiveness, the choices of Mari, Taro, and Akira will decide the fate of Honoku in this beautifully written, edge-of-your-seat YA fantasy.
I don’t think I’ve read a book so heavily inspired by Japanese folklore and fairy tales, and this book sounds like the perfect starting point for me. I love the incorporation of the seasons into the competition; it creates a unique take on a classic trope. I’m also excited because this fast-paced fantasy is a standalone story! Usually, books similar to this are part of extensive series, so I’m interested to see if the independent format distinguishes it from other novels in its subgenre.
Girls of Paper and Fire
by Natasha Ngan
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November 6th
Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It's the highest honor they could hope for...and the most cruel. But this year, there's a ninth girl. And instead of paper, she's made of fire. In this lush fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most oppressed class in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards still haunts |
her. Now, the guards are back, and this time it's Lei they're after--the girl whose golden eyes have piqued the king's interest.
Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king's consort. But Lei isn't content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable--she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.
TW: violence and sexual abuse.
Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king's consort. But Lei isn't content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable--she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.
TW: violence and sexual abuse.
I’ve been seeing this book on Bookstagram for a while now, but I didn’t know it was coming out so soon. There have been so many people raving about it, so I’m excited to dive in and see what it’s all about. The synopsis kind of reminds me of The Selection, but it seems a lot darker and more fantastical than that series. What I’ve heard about the story has been vague, so I’m ready to dive in and meet the characters and discover the world of this new trilogy.
The Resolutions
by Mia Garcia
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November 13th
New Years are for fresh starts, but Jess just wants everything to go back to the way it was. From hiking trips, to four-person birthday parties, to never-ending group texts, Jess, Lee, Ryan, and Nora have always been inseparable—and unstoppable. But now, with senior year on the horizon, they’ve been splintering off and growing apart. And so, as always, Jess makes a plan. Reinstating their usual tradition of making resolutions together on New Year’s Eve, Jess adds a new twist: instead of |
making their own resolutions, the four friends assign them for each other—dares like kiss someone you know is wrong for you, show your paintings, learn Spanish, say yes to everything.
But not even the best laid plans can take into account the uncertainties of life. As the year unfolds, Jess, Ryan, Nora, and Lee each test the bonds that hold them together. And amid first loves, heart breaks, and life-changing decisions, beginning again is never as simple as it seems.
But not even the best laid plans can take into account the uncertainties of life. As the year unfolds, Jess, Ryan, Nora, and Lee each test the bonds that hold them together. And amid first loves, heart breaks, and life-changing decisions, beginning again is never as simple as it seems.
I love all things bucket lists and resolutions, so it’s a given this book is on my list this month. The concept is unusual; most friends don’t make resolutions for each other, but I’m excited to see where these dares lead the characters as their high school years are drawing to a close. I haven’t heard anything about this book before now, so I’m going to be reading this one with no preconceived notions. Sometimes those books end up being the best because they shatter your expectations; I can’t wait!
Your Own Worst Enemy
by Gordon Jack
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November 13th
Three candidates, three platforms, and a whirlwind of social media, gaffes, and protests makes for a ridiculous and hilarious political circus in Gordon Jack’s second highly satirical novel. Perfect for fans of Andrew Smith and Frank Portman. They say that with great power comes great responsibility. Unless you’re student body president at Lincoln High School. Then you get all the responsibility but none of the power. And the three candidates running for president know all about that. |
Stacey Wynn is the front-runner, but she didn’t count on Julia Romero entering this race. Julia is challenging Stacey for the title while also putting the moves on Stacey’s campaign adviser and only friend, Brian. And then there is Tony Guo, the way outsider. Tony is usually oblivious to the school’s political campaigning, as he’s oblivious to anything that isn’t about getting high and drinking all the Space Cow chocolate milk he can stomach. But when his favorite beverage is banned at school, a freshman political “mastermind” convinces Tony to become the voice of the little guy. But what kind of voice is that, really?
If this were an ordinary high school election, the winner would be whichever candidate was the most popular. But this year, each candidate may have to sink to a new low to win an election that could change the course of...very little.
If this were an ordinary high school election, the winner would be whichever candidate was the most popular. But this year, each candidate may have to sink to a new low to win an election that could change the course of...very little.
This book sounds like the perfect book to read for fun and laughs. The plot follows a high school election with all of its crazy antics and drama, which seems just ridiculous for me to pick up. Sometimes we all need a book that is written for a cozy day inside with a few laughs, and this book fits that bill perfectly. I can’t wait to explore all the chaos of this election and see what the author brings to the table humor-wise.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The Original Screenplay
by J.K. Rowling
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November 16th
At the end of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured in New York with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escapes custody and sets about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists Newt, his former Hogwarts student, who agrees to help once again, unaware of the dangers that lie |
ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
This second original screenplay from J.K. Rowling, illustrated with stunning line art from MinaLima, expands on earlier events that helped shaped the wizarding world, with some surprising nods to the Harry Potter stories that will delight fans of both the books and films.
This second original screenplay from J.K. Rowling, illustrated with stunning line art from MinaLima, expands on earlier events that helped shaped the wizarding world, with some surprising nods to the Harry Potter stories that will delight fans of both the books and films.
I just had to include this as a little bonus because who ISN’T excited about the new Fantastic Beasts movie?!?! I’m always up for something new in the Harry Potter Universe, so even though I don’t plan on getting the book, I will go see the movie in theaters, of course. (Although, it’s been a while since I’ve watched the first one...I might need to do a quick rewatch. Maybe I can turn it into a double feature. :)
Are any of these books on your November TBR? Let me know what is so we can discuss them!
Your thankful reader,
Ashton
(P.S. - Sorry I've been MIA recently. I'm still figuring out how to balance my blogging/reading life with school this year. I think I've got it most of the way figured out, and I have some new posts lined up for you guys. If you have any ideas on what kind of posts you want to see from me, please let me know so I can get them out for you. xo Ashton)
Your thankful reader,
Ashton
(P.S. - Sorry I've been MIA recently. I'm still figuring out how to balance my blogging/reading life with school this year. I think I've got it most of the way figured out, and I have some new posts lined up for you guys. If you have any ideas on what kind of posts you want to see from me, please let me know so I can get them out for you. xo Ashton)
It was November--the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul.
— L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
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Ashton is a high school girl with a passion for books. She also participates in other activities such as sports and musical groups.
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