Tag: 2024 Reads

Book Review: Black Water Sister by Zen Cho

Dini @ dinipandareads7 Comments

Black Water Sister
Publisher: Macmillan
Pub Date: 11 May 2021
Genre: Speculative Fiction

Panda Rating:

(4.5 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

A reluctant medium discovers the ties that bind can unleash a dangerous power in this compelling Malaysian-set contemporary fantasy.

Jessamyn Teoh is closeted, broke and moving back to Malaysia, a country she left when she was a toddler. So when Jess starts hearing voices, she chalks it up to stress. But there’s only one voice in her head, and it claims to be the ghost of her estranged grandmother, Ah Ma. In life Ah Ma was a spirit medium, the avatar of a mysterious deity called the Black Water Sister. Now she’s determined to settle a score against a gang boss who has offended the god–and she’s decided Jess is going to help her do it.

Drawn into a world of gods, ghosts, and family secrets, Jess finds that making deals with capricious spirits is a dangerous business. As Jess fights for retribution for Ah Ma, she’ll also need to regain control of her body and destiny. If she fails, the Black Water Sister may finish her off for good.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Gang violence, attempted kidnapping, sexual assault and attempted rape, attempted murder, murder, racism, homophobia

TL;DR: I’m so glad that I finally read my first book by Zen Cho. I’ve heard many great things about Cho’s work and even though this was well outside my comfort zone with all the paranormal activity (ghosts, possessions, etc.), I’m so glad I gave it a chance because I ended up loving it! There was so much to appreciate in Black Water Sister from the strong characters and themes to the simmering rage thrumming through these pages. On a more personal level, the sociocultural elements and parts of Jess’s story were so relatable as they are also part of my experience, which made the story more impactful for me as a reader. I would highly recommend this if you are looking for speculative fiction with non-Western roots, a flawed yet relatable main character, and a thrilling story about revenge, forgiveness, family, and belonging.

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2024 End of Year Book Survey: Part I

Dini @ dinipandareads29 Comments

It’s become an annual tradition for me to post this End of Year Book Survey broken down into three parts (but I’ve combined the last two parts into one). I find this ‘survey’ is an easy way to summarise my year of reading and blogging and I look forward to making it by the time December rolls around. 2024 was frankly a blur and while I started the reading year on a high, I ended it on a lower but still satisfying note. I’m keen to see what 2025 has in store but I sure hope there’ll be more highs than otherwise!

Before I digress any further, let’s get to this survey. If you want to check out my previous years, I’ve linked them all up below. Here’s to an amazing year ahead, friends! 🌟

This survey was originally created by Jamie @The Perpetual Page Turner.

2019

Part I
Part II
Part III

2020

Part I
Part II & III

2021

Part I
Part II & III

2022

Part I
Part II & III

2023

Part I
Part II & III
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2024 Spotify Wrapped Book Tag

Dini @ dinipandareads17 Comments

Hello friends! As it’s the second-to-last day of 2024, I thought I would do the Spotify Wrapped Book Tag, which I did for the first time last year! I remember having a lot of fun doing this last year, so let’s see if it’ll be just as fun now. I also hope it’s easy to find good book matches for my favourite 2024 songs! 🎶 Let’s get to it 🎶

This tag was originally created by Rosina @Lace and Dagger Books!

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Book Review: Big Nick Energy by Morgan Elizabeth

Dini @ dinipandareads7 Comments

Big Nick Energy (Season for Revenge #4)
Pub Date: 24 October 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

When Connor Finch insists his one-time Tinder match, Shae, comes to his dad’s house for Thanksgiving with her two daughters, it’s because he refuses to let them be alone on her first-holiday post-divorce.

But when she arrives at the Christmas tree farm and ranch he grew up on, she meets his father—the crazy tall, built, golden retriever cowboy who tells her girls all about the magic of the stupid elf on a shelf.

Of course, when she later corners him and tells him thanks a lot for nothing and that she’s way too overwhelmed to have to deal with yet another responsibility, he feels terrible.

So terrible, he finds himself driving two hours every night just to deliver an elf, move him about, and create some Christmas magic for her girls.

But what happens when he decides meeting her the way he did was some kind of Christmas miracle, and he needs to convince Shae to give him a shot?

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Abusive relationship (recounted), on-page threats and intimidation by abusive ex

I’ve seen this holiday romance everywhere in the past couple of weeks and I can see why everyone recommends it! Aside from the fun puntastic title and the holiday vibes that make it a perfect fit for the season, it was also one of the most heartwarming and feel-good romances that I’ve read in a while. What starts as a slightly awkward and tension-filled first encounter (with lots of dubious side-eyeing) turns into a beautiful, healing romance full of incredibly sweet and thoughtful moments! If you love the grumpy x sunshine and single parent tropes and where he falls first and falls hard for her and her kids, chances are you’ll really enjoy this romance.

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The End of Year Book Tag – 2024 Edition

Dini @ dinipandareads14 Comments

I put this off for as long as I could out of fear I’d miss my next new favourite but with two weeks to go until the year ends, the time has finally come to do the End of Year Book Tag — 2024 edition! I still can’t believe we’ve reached the end of another year and I’m almost terrified to know how quickly 2025 will fly by! But I digress.

Let’s get on to the book tag now and see what my 2024 reading year was like…

Check out the End of Year Book Tag in previous years:
2019 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023

This tag was originally created by booktuber Ariel Bissett.

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

I was doing so well with cleaning out my “currently reading” shelf all year but I’ve got five books on there now. I’m hopeful about finishing at least 4 of these before the year ends but I’m not sure about the chonkiest one of the lot.

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz, Rare Blend by Michelle Naomi Mosley, Whisky Business by Elliot Fletcher, How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

I’m not much of a seasonal reader nor do I often re-read so I don’t have a “go-to” book to transition into the end of the year. I did read a few this year that were wonderfully atmospheric options though:

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, Starling House by Alix E. Harrow, The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli

Is there a new release that you’re still waiting for?

I honestly didn’t have a clue about what was being released in December before this book tag. The only book on my radar was A Cruel Thirst and I was lucky enough to read an ARC (I recommend it if you’re looking for a fun historical paranormal romance romp—you can check out my review here). Here are a couple other titles that piqued my interest… 🤭

A Series of Rooms by A.J. Barlowe, Bourbon & Secrets by Victoria Wilder, The Cure for Women by Lydia Reeder

What are three books you want to read before the year ends?

Of the titles that aren’t on my “currently reading” shelf, these are three titles I hope I can squeeze in before the year ends.

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson, Black Water Sister by Zen Cho, Somone You Can Build A Nest In by John Wiswell

Is there a book that you think could still shock you and become your favourite of the year?

Oh gosh, this is tough because I’m really not sure what I plan to read for the rest of the year… I’m going to leave this blank for now because I really can’t think of anything that I plan to read that could end up as a top favourite. 🫣 (oop, boring answer—sorry!)

Have you already started to make reading plans for 2025?

Surprisingly, yes! I tend to kind of wing most things but I’ve been thinking a lot about the reading challenges that I want to take part in next year. I was also emailed about a few YA releases that sound incredible and I’m keen to check out. I’m also making plans for buddy and group reads to tackle the backlist and Owlcrate editions (plus, I’m thinking about doing an Illumicrate editions buddy/group read if there’s interest for it). Lots of exciting things in the pipeline! 😊

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson, Divining the Leaves by Shveta Thakrar, I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang, If We Were A Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal, The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed

I’m not tagging anyone but I’d love to see your answers if you do it! How was your reading in 2024? Are there any books that you hope to get to before the year ends? Any that could possibly be a new favourite?

Book Review: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Dini @ dinipandareads12 Comments

Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle #1)
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Pub Date: 1 April 1986
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Panda Rating:

(3.5 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

“How about making a bargain with me?” said the demon. “I’ll break your spell if you agree to break this contract I’m under.”

In the land of Ingary, where seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, Sophie Hatter attracts the unwelcome attention of the Witch of the Waste, who puts a curse on her. Determined to make the best of things, Sophie travels to the one place where she might get help – the moving castle which hovers on the nearby hills.

But the castle belongs to the dreaded Wizard Howl, whose appetite, they say, is satisfied only by the hearts of young girls . . .

TL;DR: I’m not sure I know where to begin with this review. Let’s start by saying that the Ghibli movie is one of my all-time favourites. It’s comforting and familiar and I rewatch it (along with the other Ghibli’s) several times a year. I’m so glad that I knew in advance how different the book would be because that also helped me manage my expectations. Howl’s Moving Castle fits perfectly under the category of “I loved this book but I can’t begin to tell you why”. Many elements normally would not have worked for me but I found myself enjoying it regardless. Diana Wynne Jones sweeps you along for the ride before you even know it and what a ride it was!

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Blog Tour Review: A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

Dini @ dinipandareads9 Comments

Hi friends, as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours I’m excited to share my thoughts on A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya. Thanks to the TBR team for having me on tour and to Joy Revolution for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click the banner above or here to check out the other incredible bloggers on the blog tour!

A Cruel Thirst
Publisher: Joy Revolution
Publication Date: 17 December 2024
Genre: Young Adult Historical Paranormal Romance

Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

A fledgling vampire and a headstrong vampire huntress must work together–against their better judgment–to rid the world of monsters in this irresistible romantic fantasy.

Carolina Fuentes wants to join her family in hunting the bloodthirsty vampiros that plague her pueblo. Her father, however, wishes to marry her off to a husband of his choosing, someone who’ll take her away from danger.

Determined to prove she’d make a better slayer than wife, Carolina vows to take down a monster herself. But when she runs intoun vampiro that is somehow extremely attractive and kind, herplan crumbles.

Lalo Villalobos was content leading a perfectly dull life until un vampiro turned him. Now forced to flee his city, he heads to the pueblo where he believes the first vampiro was made. Surely its residents must know how to reverse this dreadful curse. Instead of finding salvation, Lalo collides with a beautiful young woman who’d gladly drive a dagger through his heart.

Fortunately, Lalo and Carolina share a common enemy. They can wipe out this evil. Together. If his fangs and her fists can stay focused, they might just triumph and discover what it feels like to take a bite out of love.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Blood, death of loved ones (recounted, on page), murder, gun violence, knife violence, death of animals (off page), misogyny

📚 BUY A COPY

TL;DR: A Cruel Thirst was a great romp of a read! This YA historical paranormal romance had engaging characters who were easy to root for and an entertaining action-packed plot that kept me turning the pages. I loved Carolina and Lalo and enjoyed their enemies-to-reluctant partners-to-lovers dynamic so much. Despite recognising certain flaws in the story that would’ve normally irritated me, the humorous writing and witty banter made this such an enjoyable laugh-out-loud read, that the flaws didn’t seem to matter! I would recommend it to those looking for a relatively light-hearted but action-packed story featuring an interesting vampire x vampire hunter dynamic that’s heavy on fun, romance, and banter!

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