Title: Lost Lake House
Author: Elisabeth Grace Foley
Publisher: Second Sentence Press
Published: March 16th 2016
Pages: Ebook/Kindle Edition

"All Dorothy Perkins wants is to have a good time. She’s wild about dancing, and can’t understand or accept her father’s strictness in forbidding it. Night after night she sneaks out to the Lost Lake House, a glamorous island nightclub rumored to be the front for more than just music and dancing…in spite of an increasingly uneasy feeling that she may be getting into something more than she can handle.

Marshall Kendrick knows the truth behind the Lost Lake House—and bitterly hates his job there. But fear and obligation have him trapped. When a twist of circumstances throws Dorothy and Marshall together one night, it may offer them both a chance at escaping the tangled web of fear and deceit each has woven…if only they are brave enough to take it."

Lost Lake House is different from every retelling I've read so far. As an historical retelling, Lost Lake House is a modernised retelling of the Twelve Princesses, where the glamour of the Jazz age meets the love for dancing from the fairy-tale.

Plot: The main protagonists are Dorothy Perkins and Marshall Kendrick. Dorothy is a sixteen-year-old who loves to dance more than anything else. However, due to her strict father, who sees wrongness in it, if she wants to dance, she must sneak out to the Lost Lake House, a popular nightclub. Marshall works in the Lost Lake House and knows its dark secrets. He hates his job and wants nothing to do with the dark activities of  the Lost lake House, but he needs it to feed his is family as his drunken father is always with a bottle on his hands. One night, Dorothy and Marshall meet and have the opportunity to change their destiny...

The plot of the novella is interesting. Two teenagers that have to decide the person they want to be. I liked how Dorothy and Marshall had a conscience. They hated to deceive the people they cared about and always found themselves torn between keeping the Lost Lake House's secret or telling the truth.

For a novella, I confess that I found its story a bit slow - even though it is extremely well-written. The protagonists don't meet immediately and when they finally do, the novella takes a different turn. Instead of keep running way, they finally have to confront their fears. When Dorothy and Marshall shared the same page, I enjoyed their interaction and I wish that they had had more.

Worldbuilding:  The author recreates the craziness of the twenty's perfectly. Lost Lake House represents an age where everyone lived to party and dance and yet drinking was illegal. The bootleggers are part of this novella, figuring out schemes to sell alcohol.The glamour of the Lost Lake House - its the parties with the enhancing music and fake laughs and flapper girls - reminded me of the parties given by Gatsby.

Lost Lake House is perfect for those who enjoy historical fiction and fairy-tale retellings.

I received this ARC from the author Elisabeth Grace Foley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

TTT. Ten Characters I Love to Hate and Hate to Love

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish

Today's topic of TTT is Ten Characters Everyone Loves but I Just Don't Get or Ten Characters I Love but Others Seem to Dislike. Instead of choosing one of the topics, I'm doing both. 

Five Characters Everyone Loves but I Don't Get

Charley Davidson from Charley Davidson series. She's annoying as hell. She isn't funny. She's childish. Her behavior and silly remarks make me want to strangle her. Yet, most people think she is awesome and that she is super funny. Well, no matter how hard I try, I can't laugh at her jokes.

Gale Hawthorne from the Hunger Games series. Poor Gale who has to watch the girl he has a crush on kiss another guy during the Games... Seriously? With everything that was going on in the series, I never found the time to feel bad for Gale. I couldn't even see what other people see in him.

Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses. I can't the see the appealing. I mean, he did help Feyre when she needed the most. But I don't understand why everyone is crazy about Rhysand and want him to be a love interest to Feyre. I'm super excited about A Court of Mist and Fury, but at the same time I'm dreading it because Rhysand will be all over the place and I'm afraid I'll dislike because he will ruin Feyre and Tamlin's love. Why try to ruin everything A Court of Thorns and Roses accomplished?

Ron Wesley from the Harry Potter series. This has nothing to do with me being pro Harry/Hermione. I liked Ron in the first three books - even when he and my favorite character, Hermione, were always bickering. But then Ron came across a jealous brat and I just wanted to put some sense in his head. I'm sure Harry would have changed places with him at any time - a loving family and not having someone trying to murder you every school year sounds pretty amazing.

Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series. He was bullied by James gang. He lost the love of his life. He treated badly Harry, the son of the love of his life. I don't hate Snape, but I don't understand all the love he receives. He did kind of redeem himself, but I find he is too adored for someone who behaved the way he did throughout the series.

Five Characters I Love but Others Seem to Dislike

Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey. Most people dislike Northanger Abbey because of its protagonist, Catherine. Her behavior is judged a lot. But her mind was influenced by Gothic novels and I laughed at some of her ideas. And let's face it, she has the mind/ideas of a reader. Are you telling me that after reading a mysterious book you never started imagining the same happening to you?

Cho Chang from the Harry Potter series. I think people are really unfair to Cho Chang. I found her adorable. Yes, she was jealous of Hermione, but who wouldn't be? Harry talked a lot about Hermione and he even said he had to finish their Valentine's date earlier to meet Hermione [see why I ship Harry/Hermione?]. Cho isn't the devil people make her. Her boyfriend was murdered. She wanted Voldemort dead. She returned to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts. She was a brave Ravenclaw.

Jericho Barrons from Fever Series. Yes, he's an idiot and most of his actions towards Mac go against my feminist side. However, then I remember when he painted Mac's toenails and how fun their bickering is, and I think I'd love a Jericho Barrons in my life. But, yeah, he is an asshole (excuse my language).

Laia from An Ember in the Ashes. I've read a lot of reviews trashing Laia because of her bad and irrational decisions. But I love her because she isn't your typical heroine. She has lost everyone and her brother is all she has left. Even though she is afraid, she tries to save him (which I don't think that is an irrational decision at all). She suffers at the hands of the Commander and she is manipulated by the rebels, but Laia never gives up. I can't hate a girl who goes through hell to save her brother.

Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye. When I started reading The Catcher in the Rye for a American Literature course back at university, I couldn't pass from the first chapters because Holden can be an annoying narrator. However, when I started realizing what he meant with his observations and who he was, I couldn't put it down. The grow-up world is phony! I guess the readers who can't stand Holden are the one who never went through a crisis of being afraid of growing up. By the last page of The Catcher in Rye, I understood I had a lot in common with Holden.

Cover Reveal. United by Melissa Landers

I love(d) the covers of Alienated and Invaded, but I'm not fond of this one. It's alike the previous covers, but the colours used make me not like it. Purple and orange/red don't do well together in my opinion. But, oh well, a book is to be read (even if sometimes I pick up a book because of its cover) and I can't wait to know what happens with Cara and Aelyx in United. 

United is expected to be released on August 2nd 2016.

"After thwarting a deadly coup and saving the alliance between their worlds, Cara and Aelyx have finally earned a break. Their tiny island colony is everything they dreamed it would be―days spent gathering shells on the beach and nights in each other’s arms.

But the vacation is short-lived.

The treaty between Earth and L’eihr has awakened an ancient force that threatens to destroy them all. The Aribol, mysterious guardians charged with maintaining interstellar peace, deem the alliance a threat to the galaxy. They order a separation of the races, decreeing humans and L’eihrs must return to their own planets within the month or face extinction. In fact, they already have agents in place on Earth, ready to begin.

With the clock ticking, Aelyx and Cara assemble a team of colonists and race back to Earth, where they unite with old friends to solve the mystery of who the Aribol are, what they want, and the real reason the alliance has provoked them. As tensions build to a full-scale war, Aelyx and Cara must fight harder than ever―not just for their future, but for the survival of both their worlds. "

Waiting on Wednesday - Fire Touched

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week on WoW is Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs. If you have been following me for sometime, you know how much I love Mercy Thompson. I adore her! She is one of the most amazing kick-ass heroines in urban fantasy. So, I couldn't be more excited for this novel -especially because I've been waiting for it since 2014. The book will be released on March 8th.

"Mercy Thompson has been hailed as “a heroine who continues to grow and yet always remains true to herself.”* Now she’s back, and she’ll soon discover that when the fae stalk the human world, it’s the children who suffer...

Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.

Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?"

From Goodreads

TTT. Ten Books to Read If You Are in the Mood for Fantasy

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish

It has been a while since I participated on TTT. I'm participating today and I'm recommending ten books to read if you are in the mood for Fantasy. I'll try to mention some of my most recent reading and I'll try to mention different genres of Fantasy.

A Thousand Nights, E.K. Johnston. This retelling of One Thousand Nights is simply beautiful. There is something magical in E. K. Johnston writing that brings such a realness to the novel that you can put it down. A fairytale retelling lover as me can't ignore this book. It's a must read!  [Review]

Six of Crows, Leigh Badurgo. I'm completely in love with this novel. It is well-written, it is fast paced and has lots of twists and surprises that leave the reader on the edge of its seat. Six of Crows is a beautifully written blend of magic and darkness that every fantasy lover must read. [Review]

An Ember in the Ashes, Sabaa Tahir. One of my favorite readings of 2015 (if not, my favorite one), An Ember in the Ashes brings fantasy to a world inspired by ancient Rome. Brilliant characters, strange men known as Augurs who deliver prophecies, masks that can't be taken off... All the ingredients for a mind-blowing fantasy novel.   

Dreamer's Pool, Juliet Marillier. No list made by me can be complete without Juliet Marillier. However, today I'm recommending Dreamer's Pool instead of Heart's Blood. Why? Dreamer's Pool is Marillier's first trilogy focused on "older" characters. Blackthorn & Grim is a series of fairytale retellings for those who want a break from YA.

Starbound Trilogy, Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner. This series is perfect for everyone who love spacial fantasy. Not only the covers are stunning, but the world created is simply brilliant and the characters are far from simple. I still have to read Their Fractured Light, but after the beauty of These Broken Stars and This Shattered World, I feel I won't be disappointed.

A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin. There is no reason to explain why this series made the list. If you love epic fantasy, A Song of Ice and Fire is a must.

Outlander, Diana  Gabaldon. History and fantasy (time-traveling is usually science fiction, but Claire traveled to the past because of some druid magic/stones, so it's fantasy), what could be better?

And my list is done. I know, how can I be done if there are only 7 recommendations? Well, the Starbound Trilogy, as it's obvious, has three books and A Song of Ice and Fire has five published books until the moment. In fact, I recommended more than 10 books. =P

Review 10. A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston

Title: A Thousand Nights
Author: E.K. Johnston
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Published: October 6th 2015
Pages: 328 pages

"Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister’s place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin’s court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time. But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.

Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.

Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster."

"Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife." The heroine of the story decides not to let him take her sister away. Beautifying herself, she makes him choose her. However, the new bride doesn't plan on dying and day after day she wakes up... And day after day she discovers a new power inside of her that may set the kingdom free. 

Writing: A Thousand Nights is a beautifully written novel. There is something poetic and compelling in its words. A retelling of the tale of Scheherazade (which can be found in the book One Thousand Nights), but with a spin of its own that only makes the novel more magical, A Thousand Nights can easily make the reader fall in love and bring her/him into its stunning world. It is a slow-paced story (and I'm not someone who usually enjoys slow-paced stories), but everything is so well-woven and the story flows so naturally that I didn't even notice it.

“If you listen long enough to the whispers, you will hear the truth. Until then, I will tell you this: the world is made safe by a woman. She bound the monster up and cast him out, and the man who was left was saved.”

Mostly in the voice of the heroine, there are a few chapters in A Thousand Nights in the voice of the demon inside Lo-Melkhi, which was a good surprise because I enjoyed being given an inside look at the thoughts of the villain. 

Characters: The heroine is brave and fearless. Also, she has no name, something that was one of the things I enjoyed. Why? It gives a mystery vibe to the story and the author shows that a name isn't needed to connect with a character. I fell in love with the heroine because of her strong personality; because she sacrificed herself to protect her sister, who in turn made her a shrine that gave her the power to protect herself (and others) from the demon inside the Lo-Meljhiin.

The relationship between the two sisters is beautiful. They love each other and wish nothing else than keep each other safe. Even separated, their bound is never broken.The pure love between them shows how a relationship between sisters should be.

Worldbuilding: Set in a magical desert kingdom, this world is perfectly crafted. From the life of a desert tribe to the life of a king in the palace; from the life of a trading caravan to the life of the palace weavers. Everything is perfectly woven! Full of little details, this world comes to live. There is such a realness in this desert kingdom: it's like a reader can touch, smell, feel, savour every moment. 

A Thousand Nights is an enchanting novel that every retelling lover should read. 

My Bookish Life 3. My First Owlcrate

I've been following Owlcrate since before they sent their first batch of crates on March of the last year. I always wanted to order one, but unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity until now. I'm so happy I finally did it!

The Owlcrate of February 2016 was all about Sci-Fi Love. It included:

• The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry along with a signed bookplate and a very sweet message from the author;
• An edition of The Time Machine by H.G. Wells from Rock Paper Books;
• A The Lunar Chronicles tote bag made by the Owlcrate team;
• A wooden Tardis brooch handmade by Vector Engraving.

I already owned a ebook copy of The Love that Split the World, but the physical edition is gorgeous. Have you seen how beautiful the cover is? *.* Also, as I live in Portugal, the chance of signed books is under zero, so receiving a signed bookplate from Emily Henry was a lovely surprise. And yes, this time Owlcrate had not one, but two books! How much more exciting could it be? I loved this edition of The Time Machine.  

The tote bag is super cute. I really have to read The Lunar Chronicles now (re-read Cinder, because I read it a few years ago). I loved everything, but I wish it didn't have anything Doctor Who related. I know, everyone loves it, but I don't. The Tardis brooch is pretty and very well-done, but I wish the brooch had been about another sci-fi show or film. 

I'll keep my Owlcrate subscription for now (the shipping is expensive, so I'm not sure for how long I'll keep it). And if you are reading this, I recommend you to get one Owlcrate. Even if it's only one time experience, it will be an awesome experience!