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paranormal

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The Library of Light and Shadow by M.J. Rose

The Library of Light and Shadow (Daughters of La Lune 3) by M.J. Rose

In the wake of a dark and brutal World War, the glitz and glamour of 1925 Manhattan shine like a beacon for the high society set, desperate to keep their gaze firmly fixed to the future. But Delphine Duplessi sees more than most. At a time in her career when she could easily be unknown and penniless, like so many of her classmates from L’École des Beaux Arts, in America she has gained notoriety for her stunning “shadow portraits” that frequently expose her subjects’ most scandalous secrets. Most nights Delphine doesn’t mind that her gift has become mere entertainment—a party trick—for the fashionable crowd.

Then, on a snowy night in February, in a penthouse high above Fifth Avenue, Delphine’s mystical talent leads to a tragedy between two brothers. Devastated and disconsolate, Delphine renounces her gift and returns to her old life in the south of France where Picasso, Matisse, and the Fitzgeralds are summering. There, Delphine is thrust into recapturing the past. First by her charismatic twin brother and business manager Sebastian who attempts to cajole her back to work and into co-dependence, then by the world famous opera singer Emma Calvé, who is obsessed with the writings of the fourteenth-century alchemist Nicolas Flamel. And finally by her ex-lover Mathieu, who is determined to lure her back into his arms, unaware of the danger that led Delphine to flee Paris for New York five years before.

Trapped in an ancient chateau where hidden knowledge lurks in the shadows, Delphine questions everything and everyone she loves the most—her art, her magick, her family, and Mathieu—in an effort to accept them as the gifts they are. Only there can she shed her fear of loving and living with her eyes wide open. (publisher)

Delphine Duplessi is an artist who paints “shadow” portraits while blindfolded showing her subjects darkest secrets. After an accident involving one of her portraits, Delphine returns home to France vowing to never paint shadow portraits again. Her twin brother and manager Sebastian tries to get her into painting again and manages to cajole her into accepting a commission to search for a book about alchemy hidden in a mysterious château.

It’s been too long since I read the previous books since I’ve forgotten so much about those. In this book were many characters that I just know we’ve encountered before but have no recollection where or how.

I liked Delphine but at times I wished she would stand up to her brother who was so manipulative. They’re twins so of course she sees only the good in him, especially since Sebastian saved her life when they were children, but I thought he was just selfish.

I thought the ending was bit abrupt leaving more questions than answers. We see Mathieu mostly through diary of a kind and I would have liked to see him more in the present. I felt I didn’t really know him and that he forgave Delphine way too easily for leaving him.

This was a really quick read and I wanted to know what happens next. I really hope there will be a book about the 3rd Duplessi sister!

4/5

Published: Atria Books (July 18, 2017)
Format: ebook
Source: Netgalley

reviews

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

allegiantAllegiant (Divergent 3) by Veronica Roth

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent. (back cover)

Why I had to wait so long to read this because I don’t remember what happened in Insurgent any more! Or maybe it was a good thing because I can’t help but to feel disappointed… I loved Divergent and liked Insurgent so I’m just so sad that it ended like this.

In this book we have dual pov between Tris and Tobias/Four. And I can’t believe what I read. Where did this wimpy, whining, insecure mess come from? All Four’s chapters are basically one big whiny fest where he does one bad decision after another. That’s like a another person altogether from Four at Divergent. And apparently Tris can do no wrong in this book which was annoying as well.

We finally see the world outside and I wasn’t impressed. There are no factions but the life still isn’t that different and they still deal with pretty much same problems.

So yeah, disappointed is the word of the day… Maybe if I hadn’t loved Divergent so much this would have been better.

2,5/5

Published: Katherine Tegen Books (October 22, 2013)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 532
Source: library

reviews

The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M. J. Rose

The Witch of Painted Sorrows cover

The Witch of Painted Sorrows

Possession. Power. Passion. New York Times bestselling novelist M. J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle …poque Paris.

Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmotherís Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists itís dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrineís deepest desires.

Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threatenóher cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. Sheís become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend, and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse.

This is Sandrineís ìwild night of the soul,î her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love, and witchery.

This is the second book I’ve read from the author and it seems that she manages to make me love books about subjects I know nothing about. I don’t know a first thing about art but this was really interesting.

When we first meet Sandrine she’s insecure woman who is still grieving for her father, running from her husband and her old life. She’s very likeable and you cannot but feel sorry for her. We see Sandrine become more sure of herself and falling passionately in love. After becoming possessed she starts slowly changing, and not always for the better.

Old family secrets starts to unravel and it seems Sandrine’s grandmother knows more than she tells. Why she warns Sandrine to never fall in love? Even though her grandmother is a courtesan, Sandrine has lived very proper life and grandmother isn’t very happy when Sandrine starts to find her sexuality.

Very enjoyable and gripping read that kept me wanting to know what happens next.

4/5

Published: Atria Books/Simon & Schuster (March 17, 2015)
Format: ebook, hardcover
Pages: 384
Source: France Book Tours

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

mj-roseNew York Times Bestseller, M.J. Rose grew up in New York City
mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum,
the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park
and reading her motherís favorite books before she was allowed.
She believes mystery and magic are all around us
but we are too often too busy to noticeÖ
books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.

Please visit her website, her blog: Museum of Mysteries
Subscribe to her mailing list

Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads

Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ OTHER REVIEWS AND AN INTERVIEW

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reviews

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

the-book-of-life

The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy 3) by Deborah Harkness

After traveling through time to Tudor London, historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont are now back in the present to face new crises and old enemies.

At Matthew’s ancestral home in France they reunite with their families – with one heart-breaking exception. But the real threat to their future is yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on a terrifying urgency. Using ancient knowledge and modern science, from the palaces of Venice and beyond, Diana and Matthew will finally learn what the witches discovered so many centuries ago. (back cover)

I don’t really know what to say… I really loved this series and I’m sad that it ends here.

Diana and Matthew are back in the present from Tudor time and Diana is pregnant with twins. Matthew is still trying to find a way to cure blood rage.

All that lab work and DNA thing went way over my head again, but it was still fascinating stuff. And the nerd in me really loves that they’re historian and scientist so we get along with their researching,

Diana finally grows into her magic here and is less afraid to use it. Thankfully while being pregnant she’s still doing stuff so her chapters are never boring.

We meet new and old characters and I really loved Fernando and Gallowglass. Okay, maybe I had little crush on him… I would have liked to know what happens to him in the end because that was left open.

The bad guy of the book is Matthew’s son Benjamin who also has blood rage. Now who wouldn’t like a villain who kills, tortures and rapes to get his vengeance? He was crazy enough to be a perfect villain.

4/5

Published: Headline (2014)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 580
Source: library

reviews

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

paranormalcy

Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy 1) by Kiersten White

Vampires. Werewolves. Faeries. Shapeshifters.

Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie’s dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths, and even worse, that she is at the centre of a dark prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. (back cover)

I have vague memories that people really loved this when it came out. I might be wrong though… Wouldn’t be a bad thing this time…

The biggest problem for me was Evie. She was way too naïve and childish. And liked pink more that is healthy in my opinion. To stay healthy she uses the kratom in her daily life. Maeng Da Kratom is a potent kratom strain that is worth adding to your list if you want to enhance your focus, attention, energy as well as pain relief, combat anxiety, and attain some calmness and peace of mind. It’s one of the most popular as well as affordable strains. As always, try to research and know where to order high-quality and trustworthy Kratom. Here is a fantastic read article for the maeng da kratom. One can best define euphoria as an overwhelming feeling of wellness. One feels an incredible sense of joy and pleasure in not only their surroundings but in the thoughts that may occur to them. Kratom typically starts to work on an individual in ten to fifteen minutes. By observing good dosage practices, and by doing the proper research on specific kratom strains, it is well within the realm of possibility to experience these feelings for yourself. Euphoria is a state that often must come from a natural place. We generally feel euphoric when we receive a piece of, particularly positive news. There are also certain drugs that can create this feeling, such as opioids.  You can click for more  here for the best kratom to buy. However, kratom is considerably less dangerous than opioids. In fact, kratom is currently being explored as a weapon against the opioid crisis in the United States and elsewhere. You can discover this info here for Kratom Potentiators. When one takes kratom, either in a powdered or capsule form, the alkaloids connect with certain opioid receptors within your very cells. This stimulates our sympathetic nervous systems. The medicine has also been known to stimulate the brain functions into increasing positive thoughts. Maeng Da Kratom helps foster positive energy in a person. This can be crucial during business meetings or on first dates.

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CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol. It has been used by people for a long time and helps to get rid of the symptoms of many common ailments. Recently it was found that a number of common problems such as lack of cognitive abilities, mental disorders, anxiety, and both internal and external pain can be relieved by the use of CBD oil in any form. CBD is extracted from the marijuana plant but it is not psychoactive in nature due to the absence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Many consumers prefer the use of CBD oil over normal medications due to its quick impact and fast recovery from the troubling symptoms.

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These stimulated brain functions will last an extended period, helping you feel at ease during any possible situation. Maeng Da Kratom is also crucial in helping people feel more energized. This helps to keeps people less tired while working and, as a result, getting more work done over more extended periods of time. People who are stuck behind a desk all day looking at a computer can become easily fatigued and develop tired eyes. Maeng Da Kratom can help to keep them alert and focused on getting the job done. This, in turn, sends out signals to release endorphins. It is the endorphins that give you the feeling of euphoria. Users of kratom have reported a number of feelings and sensations, approximately ten to twenty minutes after taking the drug. These include a boost to overall energy/mood levels, acute stimulation, and a decided peace of mind. Enhanced focus and concentration often result from the release of these endorphins, as well. Even stamina and overall endurance can increase to a noticeable, meaningful degree. The best supplier will always guarantee distinct product quality made possible by thorough tests that screen for biological contaminants such as e coli, and salmonella as well as heavy metals content. This is usually achieved through various strategies, including working closely with farmers in South-Eastern Asia, where it is grown, harvested, processed, and packaged. Sourcing your Kratom whose supply comes from elsewhere will most likely give you a poor quality product. She was found as a small child and grew up in IPCA – organisation that monitors all things paranormal – and yet seems totally clueless what IPCA does or about her own past.

She falls in love with Lend, paranormal who was captured by IPCA. Apart from being practically the only teenage boy she’s met, I don’t see what Evie saw in him. I just thought he was boring.

The most interesting thing was the fairies. They weren’t as “controlled” as everyone seemed to think. Evie’s ex Reth came at first a bit stalkerish but he turned out to be the most interesting pearson in the book. First you think he’s good, then he seems bad, then good.. And he seemed dangerous. Like he could have killed everyone. Or maybe that’s just me hoping.

This was quick and easy read and I can safely say that I won’t continue this trilogy.

2/5

Published: HarperCollins Children’s Books (2011)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 335
Source: my own