Beer, Books and Boos

What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo Series: N/A Rating:  4.5 Recommend:   Yes Synopsis: Eleanor has not seen or spoken with her family in years, not since they sent her away to Saint Brigid's boarding school. She knows them only as vague memories: her grandfather's tremendous fanged snout, the barrel full of water her mother always soaked in, and strange hunting trips in a dark wood with her sister and cousins. And she remembers the way they looked at her, like she was the freak. When Eleanor finally finds the courage to confront her family and return to their ancestral home on the rainy coast of Maine, she finds them already gathered in wait, seemingly ready to welcome her back with open arms. "I read this in the cards," her grandmother tells her. However, Grandma Persephone doesn't see all, for just as Eleanor is beginning to readjust to the life she always longed for, a strange and sudden death rocks the family, leaving Eleanor to manage this difficult new dynamic wit...

Lore by Alexandra Bracken Series: N/A Rating: 4.0 Recommend: Yes Synopsis: Her name will be legend Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality. Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family's sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt's promises of eternal glory. For years she's pushed away any thought of revenge against the man--now a god--responsible for their deaths. Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods. The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and, at last, a way for Lore to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore's decision to bind her fat...

  A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik Series: The Scholomance  Rating:  ★★★★✰ Recommend: Yes Goodreads Synopsis: A Deadly Education is set at Scholomance, a school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death (for real) — until one girl, El, begins to unlock its many secrets. There are no teachers, no holidays, and no friendships, save strategic ones. Survival is  more important than any letter grade, for the school won’t allow its students to leave until they graduate… or die! The rules are deceptively simple: Don’t walk the halls alone. And beware of the monsters who lurk everywhere. El is uniquely prepared for the school’s dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out millions. It would be easy enough for El to defeat the monsters that prowl the school. The problem? Her powerful dark magic might also kill all the other students. Sold yet? Review: This has to be one of my favorite bo...

  Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco Series: Kingdom of the Wicked #1 Rating: ★★★ Recommend: Maybe Goodreads Synopsis: Two sisters. One brutal murder. A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself… And an intoxicating romance. Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden. Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems… Review: I enjoyed this boo...

  “Cohoe transmutes the legend of the Philosopher's Stone into a dark, intoxicating tale of ambition, obsession, and sacrifice. Prepare for a magic that will consume you.” - Rosamund Hodge, New York Times bestselling author of Cruel Beauty and Bright Smoke, Cold Fire I want to start off by saying I am in love with this cover, it is what drew me to the book. Then I read the synopsis and it hooked me even more. Once I started reading I could hardly put it down but I do have to say that the main character Thea Hope was a little too arrogant for me. She did grow on me through out the book along with the others. I was fine with the pacing for the book and it kept me entertained, and it was easy to keep up with what was going on. Towards the end it started to feel a little rushed but it didn't take away much from the story. I just wish there was more, That is why I only gave it three stars, I will be picking up more from this author. I will also be recommending this to my friends cau...

  The narration was very easy to follow along, though I did have some trouble keeping up with the characters at some points in the story. I do wish that I knew more about the world Soraya and why people acted the way they did. I just wished there was more and it was a little longer. I did really enjoy the characters even if I hated some. They made the story more interesting and I will be picking up a physical copy of this book very soon.

  It took me about a week to finish this book, because I kept losing my interest. The author's writing wasn't bad, but I didn't really like the characters. I feel like I read the story before and felt the same. I do think this is good for people just getting into fantasy especially children 12 and younger. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have never seen nor read Les Misérables maybe that is why I really wasn't connecting to any of the characters. I didn't mind the writing but the time jumps were a little confusing at times. Maybe later down the road I will give this book anything chance. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

  I enjoyed this book and it was a good book to read on a rainy day. What I didn't like was one of the main characters Queen Vivian and I couldn't place my finger on why I didn't like her. The other main character Carina was a little more likable than Queen Vivian. I did love the side characters a lot better Max and the two princes. Now the story starts off with Queen Vivian becomes queen but soon is infected by the Immortality Virus by a would be assassin. Her and her brothers set off to find someone to save her. Then we meet Carina and her sister living at a brewery in the mountains with 'Sister' (Like nuns). They were brought there when their parents died. Carina can't control her magic and soon is on the run. I really liked the world building but I just wish there was more about the characters that I liked. The magic system was really interesting and maybe the next book we can learn about it more. I will be buying a physical copy of this book and I will be r...

  It was the tagline that made me want to pick up the book A YA feminist mash up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft. How could I resist a book that is a mash up two of my favorite movies? I couldn't really see The Craft in the book but I did love all the references to TLB. I had a huge grin on my face when the Frog brothers showed up in the story. I think there was enough of the references that they didn't take away from the story. They helped add something familiar to the story. The lore around the Brayburns was really well written and very believable. As a character Mayhem Brayburn worked really well and I loved her growth. I enjoyed the darker theme in this book with the murders and magic. I would say there are a few trigger warnings for this book rape, drug abuse, abuse and murder. I have already have recommended this to few of my friends even before I was done reading it. This has to be in my top 5 books I have read so far in 2020 if not my top read this year. Disclos...