dearrivarie: August 2022

"I loved weaving, but the fabrics I made weren't my only measures of worth. I was more than a bolt of silk."

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the power of fairytales
Celtic folklore is hands down one of my buzzwords and I'll always have a soft spot for the whims of the fae. The world is immersive and fun that only comes with the air of mystery and danger of bargains with magic.

determination and survival
Ella's story throughout is a testament to her desire to survive and succeed. She eventually has to face the consequences of her actions and seeing her realization of her worth and power was so satisfying.

the portrayal of relationships
It's not a YA fantasy without some romantic tension and this one took a surprisingly different turn. Ella and Callum's relationship highlighted the push and pull that come from toxic relationships reflecting the fickle nature of bargains and their outcomes.

there's always an unexpected
There can't be too much said without giving something away but there are certainly many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting which only heightened the excitement and tension.

the magic of weaving
The vivid descriptions of Ella's creations were so detailed and immersive that I could paint a crystal clear image in my head of each one.

thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours, Cyla Panin, and Amulet Books for the opportunity to participate on this tour - click the banner to see the rest of the stops!

m o o d b o a r d

images from unsplash: field / silk / shells / mannequin

a b o u t t h e a u t h o r

website | twitter | instagram | goodreads

8:00 AM No Comments

"We all believe we are the center of the universe, but we forget that we are merely specks among the stars. Moving through the streams of possible futures, sometimes colliding."

Please note, this review may contain spoilers for Book One - A Magic Steeped in Poison.
Check out my review here for more information!

the power of the serpent
A Venom Dark and Sweet is the conclusion to Judy I. Lin's The Book of Tea duology where the kingdom of Dàxī finds itself on the brink of turmoil following the return of The Banished Prince. After the chancellor's betrayal, Lin has been reunited with her sister but is forced on the run with the princess as the ancient serpent sinks its fangs deeper into the palace and heart of the kingdom. Told with dual POVs following Ning and Kang, the story unfolds and offers both sides of the battle as history, magic, and reality begin to blend itself together.

While I had enjoyed A Magic Steeped in Poison, there was a small spark that was missing and I hoped the sequel would draw that conclusion, but it's hard to pinpoint what exactly didn't hit the spot. I enjoyed Kang's perspective and being able to finally learn more about his character which was one of my hopes for this sequel since he felt very distant in book one. Where I struggled a bit was the writing within Lin's portion of the story feeling a lot more telling than showing in regards to her journey. Despite that, I did love being back in the world and learning alongside Lin the extent of her magic as well as discovering more about the abilities of shénnóng-shī.

While Lin's storyline might have read younger to me, I've realized that I don't need to connect 100% with a character in order to admire them. Lin has the power of ambition and strength and she wields those alongside her gentleness and hope which is admirable as her story progresses. Her love for her sister drives each action and her struggles with her role in the tapestry of the world are heartfelt and easily relatable as well.

a new dynasty
My criticisms seem to line up with a couple other reviews I've read wherein the pacing of this book just felt so condensed that I wouldn't have minded the extension of a third book to fully flesh out the plot. I simply wish we could have gotten more time especially to discover more deeply the amazing world that July I. Lin has created. There's so much history and culture that is incredibly fascinating that the second half feels like a time bomb with all the events coming together for the finale.

This duology in it of itself feels like a warm blanket of comfort from the exploration of tea culture to the vivid descriptions of food and architecture. There's a feeling of familiarity that has made it easy to bond with the characters even if parts of the writing didn't click perfectly in place for me personally. I now want to curl up with a large tome all about the different types of tea and their medicinal or magical properties because even a small step into Lin's world feels like a glimpse of her adventure.

thank you so much to TBR & Beyond Tours, Judy I. Lin, and Feiwel and Friends for the opportunity to participate on this tour - check out the other stops by clicking the banner above!

m o o d b o a r d

images links: pouring tea / bamboo forest / a tale of twin cities poster / mountain

a b o u t t h e a u t h o r

website / twitter / instagram / goodreads

8:00 AM 2 Comments

"Words are beyond precious. We think we trade in gold and silver but words are the true currency of our lives. Words are what connect us through time and distance, whether expressing troubles or joy."

family and dreams
Alliana, Girl of Dragons is the sweetest boost of serotonin I didn't expect to read and was the perfect balance of magic, adventure, and family. Alliana is slowly saving up to join the Royal Academy and leave behind her cruel stepmother and her father's inn. But for every bit she saves, another strike goes on her long list of dues. Her only highlights are spending time with Grandmother Mari and her stories which tell of the adventures of Queen Natsumi. However, adventure is just around the corner when Alliana meets Nela and her nightdragon and is enlisted to help them explore the abyss. From its first line, Julia Abe creates a world that's full of stories and it's reminiscent of Studio Ghibli.

My dreams may be great, but my resolve is greater.

This story had absolutely everything I adored in middle grade from its themes to the sense of wonder that comes with self-identity. Alliana's journey is more than just the physical adventure with Nela and the other witches but also follows the exploration of finding herself after spending years of conforming with her stepmother's demands. Her friendship with the witches and their support of her dreams and ambitions allow her to take agency of her own story.

Alliana's adventure is my first foray into Julia Abe's work and it definitely won't be my last. This novel has left me with all the warm feelings of friendship and a sense of hope for the future.

thank you so much to TBR & Beyond Tours, Julia Abe, and Little Brown Books for a chance to participate on the tour! be sure to check out the rest of the amazing stops by clicking the banner above!