Tag: Blog Tour

Blog Tour Review: Summer Vamp by Violet Chan Karim

Dini @ dinipandareads5 Comments

Hello, friends. ✨ Today I’m excited to be part of the blog tour for Summer Vamp by Violet Chan Karim! Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it.

Thanks to Random House Graphic for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

Summer Vamp
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Publication Date: 14 May 2024
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

What happens when a very human kid ends up at the wrong summer camp—FOR VAMPIRES?! This quirky and heart warming graphic novel about making friends and getting in trouble is perfect for fans of Witches of Brooklyn.

After a lackluster school year, Maya anticipates an even more disappointing summer. The only thing she’s looking forward to is cooking and mixing ingredients in the kitchen, which these days brings her more joy than mingling with her peers… that is until her dad’s girlfriend registers her for culinary summer camp! Maya’s summer is saved!… or not.

What was meant to be a summer filled with baking pastries and cooking pasta is suddenly looking a lot… paler?! Why do all of the kids have pointy fangs? And hate garlic? Turns out that Maya isn’t at culinary camp—she’s at a camp for VAMPIRES! Maya has a lot to learn if she’s going to survive this summer… and if she’s lucky, she might even make some friends along the way.

📚 BUY A COPY!

What happens when you realize you haven’t gone to culinary camp and ended up at not just any regular old summer camp, but a camp for vampires?! Well, it turns out you can have a whole lot of fun in the last place you’d expect to! 😂

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Blog Tour Review: Wrath of the Talon by Sophie Kim

Dini @ dinipandareads7 Comments

Hello, friends. ✨ Today I’m excited to be part of the blog tour for Wrath of the Talon by Sophie Kim! Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it.

Thanks to Entangled: Teen for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

Wrath of the Talons (Talon #2)
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Publication Date: 2 April 2024
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rep: Asian, Korean

Panda Rating:

(4.5 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

Everyone thinks the Reaper of Sunpo—eighteen-year-old assassin Shin Lina—is dead. The only ones who know the truth are her cherished little sister and Haneul Rui, the icily gorgeous Dokkaebi Emperor, who she was sent to kill…and kissed instead.

Now, with the potent Imugi venom surging in her veins, Lina’s returned to right all wrongs. Already her body is changing, growing stronger, stealthier, and more agile, with serpentine scales she can call at will. She is living vengeance, seeking retribution for the massacre of the Talons. She’ll become the sword who cuts down the rival Blackbloods gang, along with their ruthless crime-lord leader. And when she is through, she will take the kingdom as her own.

But there is a mysterious side to Lina’s growing power, a dark voice inside her that whispers and guides her as she slips through the shadows of Sunpo’s streets. One that warns her not to trust the Dokkaebi, especially Rui.

Because if her destiny isn’t to love him…it must be to destroy him.

The Talons series is best enjoyed in order.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Violence, murder, mild sex scenes (on page)

📚 BUY A COPY!

TL;DR: Holy wow, this was a sequel! That ending had me floored because no way was that the choice! Author!! The way you built up hope is illegal!!! I can’t remember the last time I was so thrilled by the second book in a trilogy but this, to me, did not suffer from that dreaded second/middle book syndrome. Perhaps it’s because I went in with lowered expectations having thought the first book was okay; however, I think the writing, plot, and character development were sharper and I’m happy to see that author growth. With such high stakes and a whole lot of tension and angst, this sequel got me invested in this series and after that ending, I can’t wait for the finale!

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Blog Tour Review: Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin

Dini @ dinipandareads8 Comments

Hello, friends. ✨ Today I’m excited to be part of the blog tour for Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin! Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it.

Thanks to Feiwel & Friends for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

Song of the Six Realms
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: 23 April 2024
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rep: Chinese mythology, LGBTQIA+, demisexual

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

Xue, a talented young musician, has no past and probably no future. Orphaned at a young age, her kindly poet uncle took her in and arranged for an apprenticeship at one of the most esteemed entertainment houses in the kingdom. She doesn’t remember much from before entering the House of Flowing Water, and when her uncle is suddenly killed in a bandit attack, she is devastated to lose her last connection to a life outside of her indenture contract.

With no family and no patron, Xue is facing the possibility of a lifetime of servitude playing the qin for nobles that praise her talent with one breath and sneer at her lowly social status with the next. Then one night she is unexpectedly called to the garden to put on a private performance for the enigmatic Duke Meng. The young man is strangely kind and awkward for nobility, and surprises Xue further with an irresistible serve as a musician in residence at his manor for one year, and he’ll set her free of her indenture.

But the Duke’s motives become increasingly more suspect when he and Xue barely survive an attack by a nightmarish monster, and when he whisks her away to his estate, she discovers he’s not just some country He’s the Duke of Dreams, one of the divine rulers of the Celestial Realm. There she learns the Six Realms are on the brink of disaster, and incursions by demonic beasts are growing more frequent.

The Duke needs Xue’s help to unlock memories from her past that could hold the answers to how to stop the impending war… but first Xue will need to survive being the target of every monster and deity in the Six Realms.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Death of parents (off page), grief, death of Fantasy Animals

📚 BUY A COPY!

TL;DR: In Song of the Six Realms, Lin draws us into a richly developed world inspired by Chinese mythology and lore. Following Xue’s journey, we explore the concepts of fate and what it means to be human experiencing the highs and lows of life. With writing that flows, characters that are easy to root for, and a mysterious turn of events that will make you question the trustworthiness of everyone you meet, it was easy to immerse myself in the story. While not the fastest-paced nor the most action-packed (at least in the beginning), I found myself thoroughly enjoying this story and exploring the mythology that’s woven into its pages. If you enjoyed Lin’s debut, I think it’s safe to say you’ll probably enjoy this one too!

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Blog Tour Review: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao

Dini @ dinipandareads10 Comments

Hello, friends. ✨ Today I’m excited to kick off the blog tour for the concluding book of an exciting Chinese mythology-inspired duology: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao! Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it.

Thanks to Delacorte Press for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White (Song of the Last Kingdom #2)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: 2 January 2024
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rep: Chinese

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

The epic sequel to the book Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, is a fast-paced, riveting YA fantasy inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.

Years ago, the Elantian colonizers invaded Lan’s homeland and killed her mother in their search to uncover the Last Kingdom’s greatest the location of its legendary four Demon Gods. Lan’s mother devoted her life to destroying the Demon Gods, and Lan is determined to finish her mission. Yet, there are others searching for the gods, too.

Zen knew his soul was forfeit the moment he made a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise, but he’s willing to lose himself if it means saving the Kingdom–and the girl–he loves. But to crush the colonizers who have invaded his land he needs more power than even a single Demon God can provide. He needs an army. And he knows exactly where he can find it–in the undead army his great grandfather lead decades ago.

The Elantians may have stolen their throne, but the battle for the Last Kingdom has only begun.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Violence, blood, death of loved one, colonial themes. Also, see romance spoiler below for younger readers.

📚 BUY A COPY!

TL;DR: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White was a satisfying conclusion to this duology. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think at the start because it took a direction that I wasn’t expecting. I thought there would be more action but this is a slower-paced fantasy that includes more intricate world-building and in-depth exploration of historical and thematic concepts. That said, the culminating battles and the way the threads tie together in the end are bittersweet but no less rewarding. Lan and Zen were great leading characters who were easy to root for and made me love the story of the Last Kingdom.

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Blog Tour Review: A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli

Dini @ dinipandareads8 Comments

Hello, friends. ✨ Today I’m excited to kick off the blog tour for A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli! Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it.

Thanks to Union Square & Co. for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

A Bright Heart
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Publication Date: 17 October 2023
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rep: Chinese Rep

Panda Rating:

(3.5 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

What if you could avenge your own murder? A brilliant young woman gets a second chance at life in this debut YA tale of vengeance, court intrigue, and romance, inspired by classic Chinese tropes.

Mingshin outsmarted three princes to help the man she loved become king. But she doesn’t see Ren’s betrayal coming, not until she’s lying in a pool of her own blood on the palace steps.

As she’s dying, Mingshin makes a desperate plea to the gods to turn back time and give her a chance to make things right.

Mingshin wakes up two years earlier, her prayer granted, and swears two things: Ren will never become king, and she will never fall in love again.

But the timeline in this life has changed: a dignitary gifted with dark magic is threatening her kingdom’s peace, and Ren’s thirst for power runs deeper than Mingshin could have imagined.

She finds herself allying with Jieh, another contender for the throne. Mingshin knows better than anyone not to give her heart to a prince. But in the viper’s nest of the royal court, she and Jieh prove a phenomenal team. Can Mingshin avert the catastrophe of her past by once again learning to trust…and maybe even love?

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Death, attempted murder, mentions of blood, drowning, violence, loss of limbs

📚 BUY A COPY!

TL;DR: A Bright Heart was an enjoyable YA fantasy debut with a lot of potential! Mingshin was a fierce, determined and easy to root for character and I loved her story of vengeance and justice. Even though I’m not very familiar with Wuxia stories, I appreciated how the author brought the popular second-chance revenge story trope to a wider audience and I think she delivered an intriguing story full of court intrigue, mystery, a bit of magic and mythology, as well as a sweet slow burn romance. This is a great introduction to Chinese fantasy and mythology and I’m already looking forward to the sequel!

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Blog Tour Review: Alex Wise vs. the End of the World by Terry J. Benton-Walker

Dini @ dinipandareads7 Comments

Hello, friends! I’m back with a blog tour review + my favourite quotes for Alex Wise vs. the End of the World by Terry J. Benton-Walker. Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it!

Thanks to Labyrinth Road for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

Alex Wise vs. the End of the Road
Publisher: Labyrinth Road
Publication Date: 26 September 2023
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Rep: Queer, Black, Non-binary

Panda Rating:

(4.5 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

Welcome to the summer of the apocalypse. One 12-year-old boy is up against the forces of evil as he tries to stop the Four Horsemen from taking over the world in the start to a wildly funny and addictive fantasy series about accepting yourself and finding your inner hero.

Alex Wise feels like his world is ending. His best friend Loren is leaving town for the summer, his former friend and maybe sort of crush Sky hasn’t spoken to him since he ditched Alex on first day of sixth grade, and now his mom is sending him and his annoying younger sister, Mags, on a cruise with the dad who abandoned them. And, as if things couldn’t get worse, a creepy shadow monster may or may not be stalking him.

But none of this could prepare Alex for the actual end of the world. Too bad that is exactly what’s coming, after the definitely-real Shadow Man kidnaps Mags and she is possessed by the ancient spirit of Death–one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Luckily (depending on who you ask), Alex is possessed as well by a powerful god who imbues Alex with their powers in an effort to stop the Horsemen…if he can figure out how to use them. So begins an epic battle between good and evil: Alex, Loren, a grumpy demi-god and Alex’s fourth grade teacher vs. Death, Pestilence, Famine, War, and the waves of chaos and destruction they bring to LA and soon the rest of the globe. Just your average summer vacation.

Alex is more used to being left behind than leading the way, but now he’s the only one who can save his sister–and the world. That is, if he can unlock his new powers and and see himself as the hero he is.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Divorce (recounted), abandonment (by parent and friend), queerphobia, bullying (off-page), trauma, death, mild violence

📚 BUY A COPY!

TL;DR: Alex Wise vs. the End of the World was an emotional, action-packed and engaging MG fantasy. From start to finish, I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the exploration of difficult family relationships, sibling bonds, and best friendships. The found family vibes were great and I also adored how the author explored identity and self-love. Alex’s journey toward loving and accepting himself made me feel sad at times but ultimately, so happy for him. For those kids who never saw themselves in books, especially being the heroes of said books, this one is definitely for you. A great read and recommendation for young readers but also readers of all ages!

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Blog Tour Review: A Prayer for Vengeance by Leanne Schwartz

Dini @ dinipandareads5 Comments

Hello, friends! I’m back with a blog tour review for A Prayer for Vengeance by Leanne Schwartz. Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it!

Thanks to Page Street YA for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

A Prayer for Vengeance
Publisher: Page Street YA
Publication Date: 19 September 2023
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rep: Neurodiverse, plus-sized, LGBTQIA+ (side characters)

Panda Rating:

(3 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

An orphan out to find the truth within a warped religion turns his poetry into prayer―a prayer that awakens a cursed girl hungry for revenge.

Centuries after a miracle vanquished Tresttato’s monsters and turned the soldiers fighting them to stone, Milo lovingly tends to the statues of those who protected the city. Raised with devout templars and scholars, autistic temple ward Milo wants nothing more than to be accepted into their ranks. When his prayers admiring her heroic sacrifice accidentally free Gia from stone, she wakes with a fury to kill the man Milo owes his life to, Primo Sanct Ennio.

Gia claims that the immortal holy leader Milo lives to serve is the same man who betrayed her and transformed her into a statue―and what Milo always believed was a miracle was actually a curse that Gia will stop at nothing to break. Even if she has to kill his followers to do it. Even if she must kill the boy who woke her.

📚 BUY A COPY!

TL;DR: A Prayer for Vengeance was a historical fantasy that had an interesting premise that delivered on some of it and fell short on some of it. The world was interesting and the characters had great moments that had me rooting for their success in overthrowing this “first saint” megalomaniac. I also really appreciated the representation of Gia’s and Milo’s characters! Ultimately, while I liked enough of it to want to keep reading, I also wished that the writing had been stronger and we had more character development.

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Blog Tour Review: Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale

Dini @ dinipandareads10 Comments

Hello, friends! I’m back with a blog tour and I’m excited to share a review for Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale. Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it!

Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

Wrapped with a Beau
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Publication Date: 26 September 2023
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Rep: Indian American Rep, LGBTQIA+ (side characters)

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

In its heyday, Piney Peaks and its beloved Christmas House were made famous by Sleighbells, a romantic holiday movie. 50 years later, the small town is ready for a new love story.

As a successful film liaison, Elisha Rowe has her heart set on one thing and one thing only: putting her hometown back on the map. So, when she gets the chance to secure a sequel to Sleighbells, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everything goes smoothly. Unfortunately, that includes claiming to have already secured permission to film at the historic Christmas house—permission she was very much denied by the gorgeous new owner.

Ves Hollins is only back in Piney Peaks long enough to sell the house he inherited from his great-aunt. The holidays have always been tough for Ves, and it’s not any easier when he’s distracted by memories of a Christmas long, long ago, and the undeniable charm of neighbor Elisha. Ready to return home to New York as quickly as possible, he has no plans to put down roots or fall in love…even if Elisha unravels his hesitations like a bad Christmas sweater.

There’s no question the two are oppposites in every way. Ves is unquestionably frosty. Elisha is brimming with warmth. He doesn’t do commitment. She never runs from a challenge. But as the two grow closer, they quickly realize that the growing spark between them may be just what the season calls for.

📚 BUY A COPY!

TL;DR: If you’re a fan of holiday romances with small-town settings, quirky residents, loveable big families and all the warm fuzzy feel-good vibes, then you’re bound to enjoy Wrapped with a Beau. If you want a book that will give you the same cosy and joyous feelings that you get when watching your favourite holiday movie, look no further because this book will make you wish it was Christmas right now or like, every day. The romance was sweet, the main characters were easy to love and they were accompanied by supporting characters who made the story even better.

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Blog Tour Spotlight: Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson

Dini @ dinipandareads5 Comments

Happy Monday, friends! Today I’m excited to shine a spotlight on Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson as part of the blog tour hosted by The Write Reads! As always, thanks for having me on tour. Don’t forget to check out the other bloggers on tour via Instagram and Twitter. ☺️

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Blog Tour Review: Academy Arcanist by Shami Stovall

Dini @ dinipandareads7 Comments

Happy Saturday, friends! Today I’m excited to share my review for Academy Arcanist by Shami Stovall as part of the blog tour hosted by The Write Reads.

Special thanks to the tour organisers for having me on tour and to the author for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

Academy Arcanist (Astra Academy #1)
Publisher: Capital Station Books
Publication Date: 23 August 2022
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

Hopes. Dreams. And literal nightmares out to kill a young boy.

Gray Lexly, son of a candlemaker, wants to escape his life of old-world technologies and study at the prestigious Astra Academy, a school for arcanists—those who can wield magic. But Gray has a major problem. Every night, as he sleeps, he’s visited by monsters. When they injure Gray in his dreams, he wakes with the same wounds in real life…

On the night Gray might finally die in his nightmares, he is saved by the kind and mysterious Professor Helmith, a powerful arcanist. She offers to protect Gray and invites him to attend Astra Academy.

Before that can happen, Gray must bond with a mystical creature to become an arcanist himself. Will he bond with a unicorn? A pegasus? A kitsune? Whatever he bonds with will determine his magical abilities, so he must choose wisely.

And when trouble finds Professor Helmith, Gray must become powerful enough to help her and fend off the terrible nightmares, before it’s too late…

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Blood, gore, death

📚 BUY A COPY

TL;DR: Academy Arcanist is a fast-paced YA fantasy that’s a little bit dark and filled with a lot of magic! If you love magical creatures/companions in your fantasies then there’s no doubt that you will love this world and the magical system linked to forming a life-long unbreakable bond with a supernatural animal. The characters were intriguing, the plot was mysterious (if not a little predictable) and I adored the found family vibes that always come with starting a new life in a magical academy. Although I struggled with the main character and his perspective at times, there was never a moment I didn’t root for his success. This is a great start to a series and I can’t wait to see where this goes next!

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