Review 31. The Rise of the Dawnstar [Blog Tour]

Welcome to The Rise of the Dawnstar Blog Tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Also, there is a giveaway at the end of the review (sadly, only for those who live in USA and Canada). Do not forget to participate.

Title: The Rise of the Dawnstar (The Avalonia Chronicles #2)
Author: Farah Oomerbhoy
Publisher: Wise Ink Creative Publishing
Published: April 24th 2017

"Aurora Firedrake returns in the spellbinding sequel to The Last of the Firedrakes.

The seven kingdoms of Avalonia are crumbling and evil is spreading across the land like a plague. Queen Morgana is close to finding a way to open The Book of Abraxas and it’s only a matter of time until she uses the power trapped inside its pages to enslave the entire world.

With Avalonia growing more dangerous by the day, Aurora must travel through war-torn lands and deep into the heart of the fae kingdom of Elfi. Her goal is to find a legendary weapon infused with the last of the realm’s ancient magic—the only weapon in the world powerful enough to stop the queen.

Aurora might have survived her first battle against Morgana, but the true fight to save her kingdom and restore her throne has only just begun…"

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Plot: Aurora Firedrake is on the run! Travelling through the Seven Kingdoms with Rafe and Kalen, Aurora is searching for a legendary weapon, the Dawnstar, in hope of saving her mother and defeat Morgana who's very close of getting her hands on the Book of Abraxas, releasing the most powerful demon in the world once again. In an attempt to stop Morgana and her lackeys, in The Rising of the Dawnstar, Aurora goes through another journey of discovery and betrayal this time in the treacherous Fae Kingdom -a kingdom Morgana's shadow is slowly taking over...

In The Rising of the Dawnstar, one of the aspects that I would like to highlight is the author growth. Farah Oomerhboy shows it in this sequel since not only there were some plots twists that I did not see them coming (so much betrayal!) but also the plot seemed more original than in The Last of the Firedreakes (in the first book there were moments I found it similar to the Harry Potter series).

Worldbuilding: The best feature of The Avalonia Chronicles is the wordbuiling -although, a few times I found myself overwhelmed with so many kingdoms and locations to remember; but in the end it is very enjoyable. The world created by Oomerhboy is simply magical. And beautiful. An eerie. 💛 From the desert lands to the Fae kingdom everything is described to tiniest detail which makes this fascinating world seem very vivid. Also, the lands are diverse and there are so many amazing enchanted creatures. One of my favourite mythical creatures SPOILER ALERT were the dragons. I have a too huge crush on dragons.

Characters: The Rise of the Dawnstar introduced us to new character and some were very intriguing -specially the Fae. Now, Aurora is the biggest downfall of this series, in my opinion. I did not like how her opinion flickered so much -as in the first book, one moment she would be doubting herself, the next one she would think herself better than everyone else (which led her to seem very entitled). Although Aurora questions everyone’s motives, sadly, I didn’t see much character growth since she was still very naïve and would end up believing every word she was told.

Romance: Concerning the romance, I was not very fond the it -specially since I was warming up to Rafe. First, Aurora kept saying she loved Rafe, but she doubted him and his intentions throughout the book. As soon as someone told her he would not go back for her, Aurora would simply believed it. I know it's a first love, but constantly doubting of the person you love is not good for a relationship. Also, as I’ve stated many times before I don’t like love triangles (it’s a trope that I can’t stand) and no matter how many times Aurora told herself she didn’t have feelings for Tristan, the Night Court Prince, it was very clear she did. I only hope in the third book the love triangle doesn't go too far.

About the Author

Farah Oomerbhoy is the international bestselling author of The Avalonia Chronicles. Her first book, The Last of the Firedrakes, was originally published on Wattpad where it gained nearly two million reads and a Watty Award. Since publication, her debut has gone on to win a silver medal in IBPA’s Benjamin Franklin Awards and the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, along with winning a finalist placement in the USA Best Book Awards. Farah loves the fantastical and magical and often dreams of living in Narnia, Neverland, or the Enchanted Forest. With a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Mumbai, Farah spends her creative time crafting magical worlds for young adults. She lives with her family in Mumbai, India.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!

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Ps.: You can read here all the blog tour reviews.

Halloween Book Bingo. Friday the 13th

Happy Friday the 13th! 👻 I know this post should have been written last Sunday, but I noticed the date that was on this Friday and nothing better than Friday the 13th to share some spookiness. You can still join Halloween Book Bingo, although you won't be eligible for the giveaway. Or maybe you can if you share your sign up post on the comments section. 

• Join a fun Halloween and Pokémon inspired book tag, Pokémon Halloween Book Tag. Don't forget to tag your friends.

Today I bring you from the dead of night -or from under your bed- the most terrifying book MONSTERS! It's a small list, but if I lived in a world where they were real, I would not be able to sleep.

Sunai, Corsai & Malchai from Monsters of Verity by Victoria Schwab.

The volcra from Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo.

Every ghost from Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.

Dracula from Dracula by Bram Stoker.

Which book monsters scare you the most?

Cover Reveal. The Hummingbird

This week Blaze Publishing has revealed the cover of the third book of Jacob Devlin, The Hummingbird. How precious is it?! It's so pretty and eerie. Since Jacob Devlin wants to see our reaction to this cover through gifs, here is mine (you can visit his website and share yours).

The Hummingbird is expected to be released on September 20th 2018.

In the aftermath of the great battle that left Wonderland in ruins, Crescenzo DiLegno and his two best friends have reunited with their families in Florindale, but the war wages on in every kingdom. The Order of the Bell is scattered, presumably left to the mercy of Queen Avoria, whose grip on the New World grows tighter every day. Cities have already fallen, the shadows have spread, and a fortress of nightmares has appeared in the heart of New York City. 

 Determined to take back his home and restore order to the worlds, Crescenzo must rally all the people he's met from his adventures, from the troubled prince to the rebellious Lost Boys, and storm Avoria's castle of illusion. The Carver's war against the wicked Ivory Queen brews to an explosive finale, but dark secrets about her true nature have yet to emerge, and not everybody will be prepared to survive them."

Waiting on Wednesday. The Girl in the Tower

"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 The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden. Another beautifully eerie cover. 💖 As usual, I haven't started reading this series yet -although, I do have the first book, The Bear and the Nightingale, staring at me on my bookshelf... making me feel guilty because I haven't picked it up yet... and making me feel guilty because I've been thinking about buying another edition cause I'm in love with its cover (I know it' a waste of money but the cover is really pretty). The book will be released on December 5th.

"The magical adventure begun in The Bear and the Nightingale continues as brave Vasya, now a young woman, is forced to choose between marriage or life in a convent and instead flees her home—but soon finds herself called upon to help defend the city of Moscow when it comes under siege.

Orphaned and cast out as a witch by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent, or allow her older sister to make her a match with a Moscovite prince. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the vast world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a boy and riding her horse into the woods. When a battle with some bandits who have been terrorizing the countryside earns her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, she must carefully guard the secret of her gender to remain in his good graces—even as she realizes his kingdom is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop."

From Goodreads

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

This is a day that should never be forgotten since many struggle with mental illness - many well-known writers, past and present, have experienced the effects of mental illness. Today I shall not talk about my personal experience, but I want to tell you that you aren't alone. As Sylvia Plath wrote "I am terrified/by this dark things/That sleep in me;/All day I feel its feathery turnings,/its malignity".

THE HOUSE CUP READING CHALLENGE

READING CHALLENGE | THE HOUSE CUP READING CHALLENGE

The House Cup Reading Challenge is a reading challenge hosted by Lauren of Live Love Read Ya, Alex of Book Daisy Reviews, Kelsey of Kelsey’s Cluttered Bookshelf, and Erica of Escape Under the Cover and it will take place between Sunday 15th October to Sunday 12th November.

"During this challenge, you will progress from a first-year to seventh-year Hogwarts student by completing seven books on your TBR list. In addition to the main challenge, you will have opportunities to earn even more points by participating in the themed bonus challenges and tweeting with the challenge hashtag on Twitter. First, you’ll need to choose your Hogwarts house. During the challenge, you’ll not only be earning points for yourself but for your Hogwarts house as well. At the end of the challenge, each reader should report their points to their house’s Head Girl. "

I don't know if I've mentioned it here before, but I'm houseless. 🙈 Since the first Harry Potter film was released, I've taken every single Sorting Hat quiz and I always end up in a different Hogwarts house. Since I've ended up twice on Ravenclaw and Gryffindor it seems I've to choose between the two of them. But how can I? 😭 *closes her eyes & eeny, meeny, miny, moe* 

*drum rolls* GRYFFINDOR!!!!!

Hogwarts Student Questionnaire

Name: Tânia. If my name doesn't sound Anglo-American, it's because it isn't. I'm from Portugal, a small country in Europe that most people think to be part of Spain. Anyway, I can't believe I finally received my Hogwarts letter.
Hogwarts House: After a children's counting rhyme, it seems I'm a Gryffindor for the time being. It may change when another Sorting Hat quiz is created.
Wand Type: Acacia wood with a Dragon heartstring core 12 ¾" and Brittle flexibility.

Pet: Cat 🐱 Can I bring my five cats with me? I promise they will behave... well, the oldest ones will definitely behave, but I'm not so sure about the two younglings.
Favorite Subject: How can I choose a favourite subject? Maybe the eeny, meeny, miny, moe should have sorted me into Ravenclaw... Okay, Defence Against the Dark Arts? But I also really like Care of Magical Creatures! Potions and Herbology also seem very interesting - to learn how to make the polyjouice potion or the uses of mandrake.

Favorite Professor: Hagrid & Remus Lupin. By now you must have figured out my favourite book in the series is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. 

Challenge Events

"To kick off the challenge, we’ll be hosting a Twitter chat starting at 8:00 p.m. EST to give everybody a chance to introduce themselves, talk about the competition, and answer some Harry Potter trivia questions. Be sure to follow along with the #housecupreadingchallenge hashtag. At the end of the challenge, we’ll also be hosting a watch-along of one of the Harry Potter movies (to be decided via Twitter poll). We’ll have more details about this as we get closer to the end of the challenge."

Books I'm Planning to Read:

Main Challenges (20 points)

First Year:

Second Year:

Third Year:

Fourth Year:

Fifth Year:

Sixth Year:

Seventh Year:

Bonus Challenges (10 points)

Gryffindor, a book with an epic hero/heroine:

Hufflepuff, a book that contains a strong friendship:

Ravenclaw, a book that revolves around a mystery:

Slytherin, a book set in a dystopian world:

Astronomy Class, a book set in outer space:

Care of Magical Creatures, a book that features an animal or magical/mythical creature:

Tri-Wizard Tournament, a book that includes a competition:

Occlumency, a book about a character with magical abilities or superpowers:

Death Eater, a book told from the POV of a villain:

Platform 9 3/4, a book that features travel:

Time Turner, a book set in the future or past:

Fantastic Beasts, a spin-off to a beloved series:

Dumbledore’s Army, buddy-read a book with a friend or group:

My Bookish Life. Reviewing ARCs

If you are like me, every time you receive and ARC is time for a happy dance. Of course since I'm an international blogger and my blog isn't very well known, I don't receive physical ARCs and my Netgalley and Edelweiss requests are usually denied. So, that's why when I receive an acceptance e-mail, it's always time for a happy dance.

Anyway, all this leads to one question: how sincere can your review of an ARC be?

When you receive a book from a publisher do you feel the pressure to like it and to write nice things about it although you kept rolling your eyes through the story because you thought the main character was an idiot? I would be lying if I told you I have never felt the pressure to enjoy a book because it was sent to me by the publisher or author -especially since I'm a small blog; I always fear the publisher will never accept my requests again if I say something negative about a certain book. However, after questioning myself and my beliefs, I realized that I rather be sincere than fool someone.

But why am I discussing such a topic today?

I'm discussing it because I had nothing good to point out about a book I recently received, read and reviewed -the review has been sent and I'm hoping my name is not engraved in some sort of reviewers blacklist. To tell the truth, I always try to find the silver lining (it may be the writing or the worldbuilding or the characters) as I understand how difficult is to write a novel and have courage to share with the rest of the world -for that reason everything I've written so far has been hidden in a undisclosed location *just roam through my drawers and you may find something* But, I couldn't find anything good in this book! As a principle, I always read a book until the very last page - I find very unfair when people rate a novel with one star without finishing it -, but the silver lining just wasn't there.

After finishing this book, I visited Goodreads and I saw that many people were giving it four and five stars. But then I noticed all these stars were being given by people who had received a copy in exchange for an honest review. And it made me wonder: did we read the same book? Or am I simply evil? Or are readers simply writing wonderful reviews and giving it al the stars because they received a review copy? In this situation, I decided to go with number three since, as you can see if you visit my Goodreads page, I don't need much to love a book. All I need are good characters, a very well woven world and beautiful writing. That isn't much, right? Okay, maybe that's too much...Well, I don't need much to rate a book with three stars, then. As I said, I always look for the silver lining and that is what I point out in my reviews. Also, I decided to go with number three because a character was firstly introduced with a name and three pages later had another one...and three of the characters pretty much shared the same personality!

Some readers praise ARCs so much that they don't give the author the opportunity to improve her/his writing. And wordbuiling. And characters. A debut novel always will have some flaws and if they aren't pointed out those same flaws will be found in the later books the author publishes. Just take a look at Leigh Bardugo's first book, Shadow and Bone. I read Six of Crows before Shadow and Bone. It did take me sometime to go through the pages of Shadow and Bone because the writing was not as fluid as in Six of Crows. Because of real reviews, Leigh Bardugo's writing evolved a lot since she published her debut novel and today everyone loves her and her novels because they have the three most needed ingredients: amazing characters, eerie worlds and flawless writing.

If authors want to grow, they must accept the negative criticism in the same way they accept the positive. I rather speak the truth, to tell how a book really made me feel (but without bashing) than look at it through tinted rose-tinted spectacles just so that I can keep receiving ARCs or e-ARCs. A review should be fair for both the writer and the readers who will be picking up the book next. It's not right to deceive anyone to please a publisher in hope someday they will send you a physical ARC and you can brag about it. Or throw that secret party you have been planning since the day you discovered publishers send ARCs to readers.

So, how sincere are your reviews?