Book Beginnings on Friday and the Friday 56 #12

Guess what? It's Friday again! I'm looking forward to the weekend, I'm planning to read and sleep a lot. I'd also like to do something outdoors if the weather holds.

As always, Friday is the day of snippets.

Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56 are weekly memes hosted by Rose City Reader and Freda's Voice.

Rules: 

Book Beginnings: Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. 

The Friday 56: Grab a book, turn to page 56 or 56% in you eReader. Find any sentence (not spoilery) and reflect on it if you want.

The book I'll show you today is:

How to Hang a Witch

(How to Hang a Witch #1)

by Adriana Mather

Synopsis:

Salem, Massachusetts is the site of the infamous witch trials and the new home of Samantha Mather. Recently transplanted from New York City, Sam and her stepmother are not exactly welcomed with open arms. Sam is the descendant of Cotton Mather, one of the men responsible for those trials and almost immediately, she becomes the enemy of a group of girls who call themselves The Descendants. And guess who their ancestors were?

If dealing with that weren't enough, Sam also comes face to face with a real live (well technically dead) ghost. A handsome, angry ghost who wants Sam to stop touching his stuff. But soon Sam discovers she is at the center of a centuries old curse affecting anyone with ties to the trials. Sam must come to terms with the ghost and find a way to work with the Descendants to stop a deadly cycle that has been going on since the first accused witch was hanged. If any town should have learned its lesson, it's Salem. But history may be about to repeat itself.

Book Beginning: 

"Like most fast-talking, opinionated New Yorkers, I have an affinity for sarcasm." 

 That's fine Sam, don't hold back for my sake :)

The Friday 56: 

"Alice stands in answer and Mary shoots up like she can't get out fast enough. There are still so many questions I need to ask them. And some part of me worries that I am the cause of these awful things. Maybe the curse is part of me?" 

 Such a heavy burden on the shoulders of a teenage girl... She keeps blaming herself when none of what happens is her fault. I hope she realises that by the end of the book.

What are you reading on this lovely Friday? Don't forget to leave your link below so I can go and visit your blog!

Red Queen Read-Along Update #1

Synopsis:

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. 

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

As you already know, I've joined Brittani's Red Queen read-along at Hope, Faith & Books.

The read-along started on April 2nd and we read 7 chapters each week, which means by Monday I should reach chapter 15.

It's not a fast-paced read-along at all, it allows me to make progress with other books as well, that's why I dared to join it in the first place.

I'm currently in chapter 12, on page 116 out of 388.

My thoughts about the story so far:

  

(With some details but without spoilers. 

The information I've included here appears in the synopsis too.)

I'm happy with almost everything in this novel up to this point. The idea of a fantasy world where social hierarchy is built on the colour of one's blood is frightening but at the same time fascinating, especially with the added plus that Silvers have certain kinds of power.

Our protagonist, Mare, is a Red girl and since she hasn't learned any crafts, she is expected to join the army on her 18th birthday. Mare has other plans but soon she is forced into a third alternative that seems even worse than the war. Because of an unfortunate accident she has to give up who she is and face a joyless life in a world where she doesn't belong. 

 

Where I am in the story Mare has already started to be invlved in court life and her power got revealed but she doesn't understand how it works yet (me neither, haha). I guess later it will make sense and she'll be able to use it intentionally too.

The Red Guard was briefly introduced, but she hasn't got in touch with them so far at the palace. I'm curious how that'll happen.

At the moment Mare is very preoccupied with thoughts about her family who she can't go home to. It's absolutely understandable, I feel for her. She also has to learn how to play her role at the court because if she messes it up, her life will be in danger. There is real peril here, that's why this fantasy adventure is so thrilling so far.

 

A character I like: Cal. He's swoon-worthy. He seems to be a good person and probably hates his situation as much as Mare hates hers. Match made in heaven (?)

A character I love to hate: Queen Elara. Boy, I've got some Cersei vibes here. Bring it on, evil queens are the best.

A character I want to see more of: Kilorn. Okay... do I really want a love triangle here? No. Do I want him to be saved from the horrors of the war and be around Mare? Yes. I guess you see my dilemma here.

And finally... Last Friday when I featured Red Queen in my Book Beginnings post some of you wanted to know what happens on First Friday (yes, I didn't forget :). I promised I will let you know in this update post because it's not really a spoiler... So here we go, brace yourselves!

"We get to the foot of the hill, where the crowd is thicker, pushing and prodding on all sides. First Friday attendance is mandatory, unless you are like my sister, an "essential loborer"."

"Inside the open-topped arena is just as hot as out, and Kilorn, always on his toes, leads me to some shade. We don't get seats here, just long, concrete benches, but the few silver nobles up above enjoy cool, comfortable boxes."

"Kilorn and I don't really see eye to eye on the Feats of First Friday. For me, watching two champions rip into each other is not enjoyable, but Kilorn loves it. Let them ruin each other, he says. They are not our people.

He doesn't understand what the Feats are about. This isn't mindless entertainment, meant to give us some respite from grueling work. This is calculated, cold, a message. Only Silvers can fight in the arenas because only Silvers can survive the arena."

So what happens on First Friday is a display of Silver power in order to remind the Reds who is the boss. Ouch.

Goodreads | Amazon

I hope you enjoyed this update post. Have you read Red Queen? Are you planning to? 

Happy reading!

WWW Wednesday #10

 Welcome to this week's WWW Wednesday! 

 

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words. 

WWW stands for three questions:

What are you currently reading?

I'm reading four books simultaneously at the moment. Unfortunately we made very slow progress with Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief last week. We could finish the book in, like, two chunks (we are on page 223 out of 353) if only we found some free time to read together. My brother has a lot of tasks to do for school. Ah well, we'll make it soon!

I'm participating in Hope, Faith & Books's Red Queen read-along. I'm glad to report I'm on track so far. You'll get an update about this one tomorrow.

The Shipbuilder

by Salina B. Baker

You've seen this title on my blog before. 

I'm planning to finish it today. My review is coming on Sunday.

How To Hang a Witch

(How to Hang a Witch #1)

by Adriana Mather

Synopsis: 

Salem, Massachusetts is the site of the infamous witch trials and the new home of Samantha Mather. Recently transplanted from New York City, Sam and her stepmother are not exactly welcomed with open arms. Sam is the descendant of Cotton Mather, one of the men responsible for those trials and almost immediately, she becomes the enemy of a group of girls who call themselves The Descendants. And guess who their ancestors were?

If dealing with that weren't enough, Sam also comes face to face with a real live (well technically dead) ghost. A handsome, angry ghost who wants Sam to stop touching his stuff. But soon Sam discovers she is at the center of a centuries old curse affecting anyone with ties to the trials. Sam must come to terms with the ghost and find a way to work with the Descendants to stop a deadly cycle that has been going on since the first accused witch was hanged. If any town should have learned its lesson, it's Salem. But history may be about to repeat itself.

I'm hooked on the Salem subject at the moment thanks to NBC's Timeless. I just needed a matching read while waiting for the episode, haha. I might review the book and the Timeless episode together, we'll see.

What did you recently finish reading?   

Hiding

by Jenny Morton Potts 

 

Read my review here.

 What do you think you'll read next?

The Last Sun

(The Tarot Sequence #1)

by K. D. Edwards)

Synopsis:

Rune Saint John, last child of the fallen Sun Court, is hired to search for Lady Judgment's missing son, Addam, on New Atlantis, the island city where the Atlanteans moved after ordinary humans destroyed their original home.

With his companion and bodyguard, Brand, he questions Addam's relatives and business contacts through the highest ranks of the nobles of New Atlantis. But as they investigate, they uncover more than a missing man: a legendary creature connected to the secret of the massacre of Rune's Court. In looking for Addam, can Rune find the truth behind his family's death and the torments of his past?

The next book on my April TBR. I'm excited!

If you'd like to participate in my Red Tent GIVEAWAY, please click on the picture below. 

What are you reading this week? 

Please don't forget to leave your WWW link in a comment below!

Review + Giveaway - The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

Title: The Red Tent

Author: Anita Diamant

Synopsis:

Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that are about her father, Jacob, and his dozen sons. Told in Dinah's voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood--the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers--Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah--the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that sustain her through a hard-working youth, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah's story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate connection with the past.

My Thoughts: 

I have no idea why I put off writing this review for so long. I mean... The Red Tent was one of the best books I've read this year so far. I guess I was reluctant to start writing about it because it's so unique, I'm afraid I won't be able to capture its essence for you well enough and I won't do the book justice. Anyway, it's time to try at least.

When I learned about the Bible in elementary school, of course we touched upon the story of Jacob and his sons. I don't think Dinah, Jacob's only daughter – the protagonist of this book – was ever mentioned. I confess I hadn't known Dinah's story before hearing about Ms Diamant's novel.

According to the Bible Dinah was raped by the Prince of Shechem and, to avenge this heinous crime, her brothers butchered everyone in town when the inhabitants were at their weakest. The Red Tent tells the same story, only with a twist.

To be honest you can see the twist coming miles ahead but that's not the point. The bloody retribution that sits at the center of Dinah's tale wasn't the most important component of this literary piece at all. What mattered in this book was the feminine eye. This novel is a celebration of life and of those who give it. The Red Tent, my friends, is an ode to womankind. 

"If you want to understand any woman you must first ask about her mother and then listen carefully."

Dinah had four mothers: Leah, the one who gave birth to her, and three more, who she called aunts but were just as dear to her as Leah: Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah. They were all Laban's daughters and all wives of Jacob. In the first half of the book Dinah recalls her childhood and what it was like to be the only girl in a family full of boys. She introduces her mothers to us; we hear about their values and their flaws, but most importantly she describes each and every way they embraced their femininity. 

"Their coupling was the coupling of the sea and the sky, of the rain and the parched earth. Of night and day, wind and water."

From virginity to love-making, from discovering the influence they have over the male members of the family to motherhood, quite a few aspects of being a woman is discovered first by Dinah's mothers, then by Dinah herself. The female community in The Red Tent is a group that stands alone, a group with authority that picks at patriarchy from time to time. These women – in a Biblical story! – were stretching their boundaries, which was very impressive... 

The women defy the men and pray to what Jacob considers 'pagan' symbols of 'pagan' Gods. In truth the small statues they hide and honour are all figures that personify different aspects of femininty. Thus womanhood is elated to the level of religion and fights for its rights in a world where men sell their daughters for animals and land.

The Red Tent starts and ends with a message for us from Dinah herself. She addresses the reader directly and claims she tells her story to us. All of a sudden the distance between her and the reader is eradicated. This made the whole experience very personal for me and I shed a few tears at the end, saying goodbye to her. 

Another thing I loved about the book was that Jacob and his family were on the move a lot and thanks to that a lot of Biblical landscape came alive in my imagination while reading this lovely novel. Laban lived somewhere between the Tigris and Euphrates. At some point Jacob decided to go back to the land of his ancestors (to Canaan) and of course his whole family followed him. On the way there the Shechem indicent happened and Dinah got seperated from her family. 

"Ashnan also taught me boredom, which is a dreadful calamity visited upon women in palaces."

Dinah's story continues in Egypt where after the tragedy of Shechem she tries to find herself again and build a new life from the rubbles she was left with. Joseph's tale is retold as well but we see everything from Dinah's point of view. 

The ending was very satisfactory. It's not bitter at all, though it could be with everything Dinah went through. It is actually very peaceful and radiates a reassuring promise that I can't talk about now, you might just have to read the book to find out what it is.

Conclusion: If you are a lady, read The Red Tent to celebrate who you are. If you are a gent, read this book to understand women better. Whoever you are, READ THIS BOOK!

Goodreads | Amazon

Since I have a duplicate copy of The Red Tent, I'll host my first giveaway of my own on this blog. Please participate if you'd like to win a copy of this magnificent novel. 

You have to be over 18 to enter and have to be willing to give me your address if you get selected. The winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email (if their email address is given on their blog) or through a social media site.

The giveaway is international and it ends on April 30th at 12.00 am, EST. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz - Death Island by Kelsey Ketch

Title: Death Island

Author: Kelsey Ketch

Genre: NA Historical Fantasy

Release Date: December 31st, 2017

Synopsis:

Her family name tainted by her great-grandfather’s crimes of piracy, Meriden Cummings is far from the typical 18th century woman. A social outcast, she works in a carpentry shop in a small village, where the people barely tolerate unconventional behavior.

However, her life takes a turn after a gang of pirates attack her village and her blood reveals an ancient map adorned with Mayan glyphs leading to Death Island. An island legends say is ruled by the Mayan god of the underworld, Ah Puch. Her great-grandfather had sought after the island before he vanished without a trace. Now, Meriden is about to journey across the sea to understand her family history.

There are only a few problems: her growing feelings toward a mysterious stranger linked to her great-grandfather’s past; a greedy band of pirates after her great-grandfather’s legendary treasure; and a contract she has unwittingly signed in blood with Ah Puch himself.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | iBooks

***Excerpt***

I paced the deck with the few men that stayed behind on watch. It was growing late, and Captain Connell’s curfew was quickly approaching. Soon all the crew would return to the ship, stumbling drunk and fucked out of their minds, but calmer than they had been for a while. Some reason, my body twitched in excitement. I’d been anxious since Meriden left with the last group. There was a knot in my gut the moment she stepped off the dock, and the feeling hadn’t gone away since. 

I causally walked to the starboard bulwark, catching sight of the harbormaster’s window. The candle still burned as it had been long before night fall. Odd, I thought. The knot in my stomach twisted even tighter. I haven’t seen the harbormaster work his books this late into the night. I leaned against the gunwale and squinted a little, trying to focus my vision. The candle was nearly spent, and underneath the dripping wax laid what possibly could be a hand, but it was too far to tell. As I eased back, my gut squirmed like a bunch of worm snakes. I needed to be sure all was well, for Meriden’s safety and the rest of the crew. 

Neglecting to ask Swan’s permission, I slipped down the main deck, across the gangway, and headed straight for the harbormaster’s office. The street was as quiet as the grave when I reached the door. I raised my hand to knock, only for the door to push open on the first tap to the solid oak. I swallowed the lump that crammed its way into my throat. This wasn’t good. I drew my working knife and stepped inside. 

“Hello,” I called. “Anyone still here?” 

It felt stupid walking into the dark hallway without knowing if I might end up dead or accused of theft, but my gut told me to keep pushing forward. I turned right into the room with the burning candle still flickering inside. The office was clean and uncluttered except for the few stacks of paper on the desk. On top of which laid the harbormaster, as if he merely fallen asleep in his desk chair. My eyes refocused again at his outstretched arm. A trail of hot, liquid wax ran across the flesh of the harbormaster’s hand, which didn’t even stir the man awake. My heart pounded with adrenaline, and I pushed the man up by the shoulder. 

A maroon-colored pool poured onto his books from what looked like a dagger wound to the harbormaster’s shoulder. A serious wound, but not one that should have killed. It was the discoloration of the man’s skin and the vomit around the mouth that gave me a better idea what had brought on the man’s demise. I’d seen the signs many times before from men who died in blackish waters as well as a few victims that died at Baker’s hand. 

Snake venom.

 

About the author:

Kelsey Ketch is a young-adult/new-adult author, who works as a Wildlife Biologist in the state of North Carolina. During her free time, she can often be found working on her latest work in progress or organizing the New Adult Scavenger Hunt, a biannual blog hop. She also enjoys history, mythology, traveling, and reading.

For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.
Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Book Blitz Organized by:  YA Bound Book Tours

You guys already know about my sailing/pirate book obsession that I've developed lately. Death Island is on my radar at the moment it looks super interesting.

Weekend Wrap-up #4

The Sunday post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It's a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things you have received.

This week I tried to pick up the rhythm of everyday life after an eventful week/weekend. 

I got book mail in which The Line of Beauty arrived (read about it below). It made me super happy because I rarely order books these days (I'm broke, ugh) and it's a good feeling to receive the package when I order one now and then.

This week I watched two films on Netflix. That's progress for me because lately I've mostly watched tv shows (the reason for that is that I'm somehow unable to concentrate on one thing for a long time, I find it easier to watch one episode at a time from a series rather than watching a long movie).

The movies I saw were totally out of my comfort zone, too. They were Maid in Manhattan and Crazy, Stupid Love. Romantic comedies are not my type of films so my sudden, fleeting crave for them surprised me. Anyway, both movies were entertaining and in that way they served their purpose.

By the way, am I the only one who now cannot unsee Voldemort when looking at Ralph Fiennes? It's a tragedy because for the longest time I had a crush on that man. And now... Voldy!!??

 

On the TV show front I'm very close to finish Black Sails. The situation in Nassau is very dire at the moment. I'm sad I have to let go of this show after the end of this season but at the same time I'm hoping for a satisfying ending. 'Cause even surly pirates deserve a happy ending sometimes.

Posts on the blog this week:

Monday: March Wrap-Up, April TBR

Wednesday: Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway - Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts

Thursday: My trip to Oradea in pictures

Friday: Book Beginnings on Friday and the Friday 56 - Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that makes it possible to share with other bookworms what books you added to your shelves – physical or virtual – during the week. 

Purchased:

Title: The Line of Beauty

Author: Alan Hollinghurst

Synopsis:

It is the summer of 1983, and young Nick Guest, an innocent in matters of politics and money, has moved into an attic room in the Notting Hill home of the Feddens: Gerald, an ambitious new Tory MP, his wealthy wife Rachel, and their children Toby and Catherine. As the boom years of the mid-80s unfold, Nick becomes caught up in the Feddens’ world, while pursuing his own private obsession, with beauty – a prize as compelling to him as power and riches are to his friends. An early affair with a young black council worker gives him his first experience of romance; but it is a later affair, with a beautiful millionaire, that brings into question the larger fantasies of a ruthless decade.

This is a critically acclaimed LGBTQ fiction novel from the year 2004. I have only read one LGBTQ book that was set in the 80s so far, Tell the Wolves I'm Home. I have the feeling the AIDS epidemic that touched the lives of the characters in that book will influence the happenings in The Line of Beauty as well. I'm a bit afraid this book will be a bit heavy on politics, given that the MC goes to live with an MP and his family but at least I'll have the chance to learn more about the Thatcher era. Political history is part of history after all.

How was your week? Please leave a link to your STS and Sunday posts below so I can go and comment on them! Happy reading!

Book Beginnings on Friday and the Friday 56 #11

Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56 are weekly memes hosted by Rose City Reader and Freda's Voice.

Rules: 

Book Beginnings: Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. 

The Friday 56: Grab a book, turn to page 56 or 56% in you eReader. Find any sentence (not spoilery) and reflect on it if you want.

I'm participating in Hope, Faith & Books's Red Queen read-along which started on Monday, that's the reason why I've decided to feature this series-starter today:

Red Queen

(Red Queen #1)

by Victoria Aveyard

Synopsis:

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The poverty-stricken Reds are commoners, living in the shadow of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from the Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Then Mare finds herself working at the Silver palace, in the midst of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

Book Beginning:

I hate First Friday.

You're dying to know what happens on First Fridays, aren't you? :)

The Friday 56:

Walsh stays by me, whispering advice. "Say nothing. Hear nothing. Speak to no one, for they will not speak to you."

In other words: be invisible. Mare lives in a harsh world, that much is clear. 

If you'd like to join us in the Red Queen read-along, you still have the chance to do it by clicking on the picture below.

 

What is your current read? How is your week looking so far?