I'm Dini (she/her) and I'm a thirty-something book lover based in Indonesia. I mostly read romance and SFF though I love to dabble in other genres but tend to stay away from horror and ghosty things because I'm The Ultimate Chicken™️. I'm always happy to meet other book lovers so feel free to chat with me!
If you’ve been on the blog lately you’ve seen that I developed a mild obsession with the Hidden Legacy Series by Ilona Andrews. I’ve finished the first three Nevada Baylor books in the series over the last two days and I’m already itching to read more! 😂 I do get wordy in these mini-reviews so… TL;DR:This series is amazing. With awesome world-building, a fascinating House magic system, and characters who are so easy to root for and who end up feeling like family, this is a series I would recommend to those who love their paranormal urban fantasies coupled with (a bit of) steamy romance!
Hello, hello and welcome back to another episode of WWW Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words, which means I’ll be answering these questions:
After the destruction of her entire Talon gang, eighteen-year-old Shin Lina—the Reaper of Sunpo—is forced to become a living, breathing weapon for the kingdom’s most-feared crime lord. All that keeps her from turning on her ruthless master is the life of her beloved little sister hanging in the balance. But the order to steal a priceless tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple incites not only the wrath of a legendary immortal, but the beginning of an unwinnable game…
Suddenly Lina finds herself in the dreamlike realm of the Dokkaebi, her fate in the hands of its cruel and captivating emperor. But she can win her life—if she kills him first.
Now a terrible game of life and death has begun, and even Lina’s swift, precise blade is no match for the magnetic Haneul Rui. Lina will have to use every weapon in her arsenal if she wants to outplay this cunning king and save her sister…all before the final grain of sand leaks out of the hourglass.
Because one way or another, she’ll take Rui’s heart.
Even if it means giving up her own.
⚠️CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Death of parent (recounted), cancer (parent of main character), homophobia
TL;DR: True Love and Other Impossible Odds was a solid debut. I loved the concept of this story and while the writing may have suffered from too much telling and not enough showing, I think the author did a good job addressing the heavier themes and with the overall execution. It’s a relatable and down-to-earth story about discovering yourself and shedding peoples’ expectations of you, choosing your path, growing up and finding love. It’s a college story that many will probably relate to, young adults and adults alike. Although I often felt emotionally disconnected from Grace, seeing her grow and find peace with who she is and loves was a wonderful journey.
We’re back with another Sundays in Bed With… meme! This meme dares to ask you what book has been in your bed this morning and is hosted by Midnight Book Girl. Come share what book you’ve spent your time reading in bed or wish you had time to read today!
I’m not currently reading anything as I finished two of my reads this weekend and sped through a historical romance ARC that I did not enjoy! 😂 I think I’ll pick up Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews. Their books are always a good time and I think it fits my current fickle mood the best.
The Only One Left Publisher: Hodder Pub Date: 20 June 2023 Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Panda Rating: (4 pandas)
📖SYNOPSIS
Everyone believes that Lenora Hope is a mass murderer.
When the Hope family was massacred decades ago, she was the only one left after that tragic night.
Mute, paralysed and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora has never been able to tell her side of the story.
Until her new live-in caregiver Kit brings her a typewriter.
And with one working finger Lenora begins to type:
I want to tell you everything.
⚠️CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Parental abandonment, infidelity, suicide by hanging, overdose, abortion mentioned, childbirth, teenage accidental pregnancy, blood, terminal illness, death of an infant discussed, death of parents (recounted), death of sister (recounted), death from a fall (recounted), death of a father, murder & attempted murder, knife violence
TL;DR: Long story short it was a good, good time. I know a lot of people have a love/hate relationship with Sager’s mysteries but it’s a genre I don’t read often and I find that I enjoy them quite a lot! This one was no different. THE TWISTS!! I loved it!!! 🤯
Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme created by Rukky @Eternity Books and hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits, and it’s where we get to discuss certain topics, share our opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts! Check out all the past topics if you want to join in the bookish discussion fun.
I haven’t seen the June 2024 topics posted yet so I’m going back and doing some past topics that I missed but have an interest in. This week’s topic is from April 2024:
Prompts: For this topic, Jillian wrote that she thought of this topic because of the situation with Cait Corrain, the author who lost her book deal after posting fake negative Goodreads reviews of other books in attempt to sabotage those authors. Did you hear about the Cait Corrain situation? Do you often keep up with or read about author/bookish controversies? Do situations such as this one impact your reading choices?
Voyage of the Damned Publisher: Michael Joseph Pub Date: 20 September 2022 Genre: Contemporary Romance
Panda Rating: (4.5 pandas)
📖SYNOPSIS
For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor’s ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain.
Aboard are the heirs of the twelve provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing.
Except one: Ganymedes Piscero – class clown, slacker, and all-round disappointment.
When a beloved heir is murdered, everyone is a suspect. Stuck at sea and surrounded by powerful people without a Blessing to protect him, odds of survival are slim.
But as the bodies pile higher, Ganymedes must become the hero he was not born to be. Can he unmask the killer and their blessing before this bloody crusade reaches the shores of Concordia?
TL;DR: Voyage of the Damned is an awesome debut and I didn’t want this story to end! While I can see that the mesh of snarky humour and slow-paced mystery might not work for everyone and our main character takes some getting used to. Luckily, I grew to love Dee and I found myself sucked into the slow-building murder mystery on a fantastical ship run by magic and amazing tiny sentient dragons. If you love your fantasy with a huge dose of corny comedy, secrets upon secrets, politicking, magic, murder (obvi), and found family then I would urge you to try this!
Hello, hello and welcome back to another episode of WWW Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words, which means I’ll be answering these questions:
This week’s topic is Bookish Wishes (List the top 10 books you’d love to own and include a link to your wishlist so that people can grant your wishes. Make sure you link your wishlist to your mailing address or include the email address associated with your e-reader in the list description so people know how to get the book to you. After you post, jump around the Linky and grant a wish or two if you’d like. Please don’t feel obligated to send anything to anyone!)
dinipandareads 