A gathering of shadows - V.E.Schwab

Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift, and into Black London.

In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games—an extravagant international competition of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries—a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again—meaning that another London must fall. 

My thoughts:

Well that was evil

*looks for news about book 3*

*no news to be had*

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Oh yes the ending, it was the ending that did me in. I will get back to that.

Kell is, well honestly events in book 1 really messed him up, and Rhy...obviously. They are both having a hard time with that, but then who wouldn't. The town people are avoiding him and the king and queen too for that matter. He is not having the best of times. And I love him, yes I love him.

Lila, well I do not love her. She is reckless (not in a good way), she is arrogant (not in a good way). I kind of just want to hit her..in the face and see her drop and wipe that smug grin of her face. Oh oh I am having Lila issues. She is just soooo arrogant. She needs to be taken down a peg or two, or do something nice for once. In this book at least.

Kell is having issues at home

Lila meets a pirate and sees the world.

Magic Games in Red London!

White London is not happy.

Grey London is not happy.

Black London is still dead

And then, then, the end. Omg, cruel. So very cruel. I was all, ok not many pages left and then BOOM! And then one page left and cruel cruel you. Duh, of course there was a cliffie. Did you not notice my despair?

I need book 3 asap. And hear hear, book 2 was even better than book 1. I love when that happen.

But the despair! I neeeed book 3. Like yesterday.

My last words then. Interesting fantasy tale that takes place in 4 parallel universes, places that all anchors in London.

Conclusion:

Just go read it! 

Paperback, 508 pages
Published February 23rd 2016 by Titan Books
Shades of Magic #2
Fantasy
For review

Carole's Sunday review: Roman Mask- Thomas MD Brooke

Author: Thomas MD Brooke

Title: Roman Mask

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

First Published: June 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Won in a Giveaway)

It is Rome AD 9 and Augustus Caesar rules Imperial Rome at the height of its power, as the Roman Empire stretches across the known world. Cassius, son of one of her most powerful families, is the personification of Rome's imperial strength: wealthy, popular, a war hero with a decorated military career - none of Rome's fashionable parties are complete without him - except, he hides a secret. After his nerve is broken in Germany, the thought of genuine armed combat is enough to send him into a cold sweat of fear and shame. But this doesn't dissuade him from living off a false reputation so he can continue a life of casual affairs, wine, and parties, as he is seduced by the many vices of Rome. However his scandalous life is soon upset by a summons from the Emperor's wife. It ends his happy decadent life and returns him to Germany to assist the Roman legions in their greatest ever trial, and the events that will resound down in history, in the dark forests of the Teutoburg...

I seriously needed some good Roman drama! And this certainly filled that need. The story was fun, intriguing, and the characters entertaining. 

Honestly, it was a quick read and I could hardly put it down. I’m glad my new phone has a “read out loud” option, so I had this playing while I was working. It certainly made my boring day, a little less boring. I needed to know what was going to happen next (even though I did know what was going to happen next). The writing style was easy to follow. The author did a good job bringing the lavish Roman Empire and the “uncivilized” Germany to life. Kuddos. 

Oooh poor Cassius. I do feel bad for him, especially when he is forced back to Germany, but I wanted to kick him. I get being all upset about the war, but still. Parading around with his false reputation is not a good way to solve your issues. Maybe talking to someone? Or getting a job/hobby (that doesn’t involve drinking and sleeping around) would help? Just GAH! Alas, those damn proud Romans. But it was nice to see Cassius fighting his inner demons and whatnot.

At first I didn’t understand the cover, but now I do. So MUCH symbolism, I like it.  :D

The only real complaint was there was a huge chunk where things were dragging. I get it was character building and showing the journey to Germany and all, but I was nearly jumping with joy when some more action was happening. 

Overall, this was a good book. It was a quick read and I could hardly put it down. I highly recommend this for those that have an interest in a book about someone coming to terms with their demons in a time when showing weakness was not in your best interest. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4 stars. 

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-in March 11 2016

#FitReaders is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Join in 

Sat 1 h walk
Sun 30 min walk
Mon 6 k bike. 30 min walk
Tue 1 h yoga. 8 k bike. 30 min walk. 1 h workout class
Wed 1 h zumba. 4 k bike. 30 min walk
Thu 45 zumba toning. 8 k bike. 30 min walk
Fri 30 min walk. 4 k bike
Sat 5 k

We walked to the closest grocerystore today to pick up a few things, and I know that that would be almost 5 k back and forth + the lap around the store. And it was. So a long 5 k, but a 5 k anyway ;) The app on my new phone is so helpful...when I remember to turn it on.

Yup, still winter.

Luci is not amused

The Seafront tea rooms - Vanessa Greene

The Seafront Tea Rooms is a peaceful hideaway, away from the bustle of the seaside, and in this quiet place a group of women find exactly what they've been searching for.

Charismatic journalist Charlotte is on a mission to scope out Britain's best tea rooms. She knows she's found something special in the Seafront Tea Rooms but is it a secret she should share? Kathryn, a single mother whose only sanctuary is the 'Seafront', convinces Charlie to keep the place out of her article by agreeing to join her on her search. Together with another regular, Seraphine, a culture-shocked French au pair with a passion for pastry-making, they travel around the country discovering quaint hideaways and hidden gems. But what none of them expect is for their journey to surprise them with discoveries of a different kind . . .

Full of romance, tea and cake, The Seafront Tea Rooms is a heart-warming tale about the strength found in true friendship.

My thoughts:

This book was one of those "I wish I could go to a tea room, have some lovely tea, sit there for an hour, eat and chat. " Mmm tea! Yummy things!

This book is about 3 women; Busy Charlotte, a journalist with no time for love, well she had time, but that crushed and burned so she is avoiding it.

Seraphine, an au pair who loves to bake and is also avoiding love. But because of a different reason.

Then there is Kat, a mum who needs a job, and whose husband left cos he could not cope.

This is the story of their friendship, love of tea and good things. And yes in the end everyone will get the love they deserve too. I do love HEAs, so that was fun.

Great village and nice people in it. I liked the characters, their lives and the rest. 

But I warn you, you will be hungry. You will want tea, a pastry, a cake, anything.

Conclusion:

A nice, sweet book.

Cover

sweet

Paperback, 416 pages
Published October 9th 2014 by Sphere
Women's fiction
Library