{13 Days of Halloween} D10: Review/Giveaway of Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn

This time around I'm going to give review and giveaway!

When you think of Halloween what do you think of?

I've provided ghosts, witches, and suspense so far

But

Don't you also think of vampires and...werewolves?

This book has a little of werewolves and a little of suspense.

It blew me away with how great the twists and turns took on life.

This book is not what I was expecting.

Read below for all my thoughts!

Then

Stick around for a chance to win a copy for yourself!!

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Charm and Strange
Series: none
Author: Stephanie Kuehn
Release Date: June 11, 2013
by, St. Martin's Griffen
*An ARC was provided for review purposes*
*giveaway at the end

When you’ve been kept caged in the dark, it’s impossible to see the forest for the trees. It’s impossible to see anything, really. Not without bars . . . 

Andrew Winston Winters is at war with himself. 

He’s part Win, the lonely teenager exiled to a remote Vermont boarding school in the wake of a family tragedy. The guy who shuts all his classmates out, no matter the cost.

He’s part Drew, the angry young boy with violent impulses that control him. The boy who spent a fateful, long-ago summer with his brother and teenage cousins, only to endure a secret so monstrous it led three children to do the unthinkable. 

Over the course of one night, while stuck at a party deep in the New England woods, Andrew battles both the pain of his past and the isolation of his present. 

Before the sun rises, he’ll either surrender his sanity to the wild darkness inside his mind or make peace with the most elemental of truths—that choosing to live can mean so much more than not dying.

Wow. Just...wow. This book was all sorts of different. I went through a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts and debates with this book. That being said, I'm going to break up this review into parts: beginning thoughts, middle, and my conclusion of the end.

The Beginning: My first impression was that of Kuehn's writing. It is absolutely gorgeous and alluring. She automatically sets us up with a tone of mystery--the main character being aloof and a bit of that loner "freak" type, quiet and dangerous--and gloom. This pulled me in right away, being curious as to who he was and what kind of secrets he was hiding. The chapter titles were a subject of intrigue as well--every other switching between "Matter" and "antimatter". After seeing it was a prominent title for each chapter, I got curious and asked myself what the significance of it and then almost immediately after was given an answer. It's at the end of chapter 7 that it essentially is answered and it captivated me. I would go as far as saying it may very well just be one of my favorite book quotes in the history of ever. I might just get it tattooed too...*Spoiler: This didn't end up being a book I would call a favorite of all time but for this poetic notion alone, I fell more interested and will hold on to this beautiful writing piece as a favorite. Curious? Let me help you out.

"Insert quote here"

I don't usually quote in my reviews...maybe I should start? 

Leave opinion in comments!

The Middle: So it turns out, each chapter alternates between Drew/Win’s past and present. Both of these POVS also alternate through each part of Andrew Winston Winters. The past is Drew and the present is Win. Until the middle, I had felt Drew was written a little too immaturely. He was supposed to be 10 I believe and sometimes I just felt like by the way he talked and acted, he seemed more like 5. It was also not until the middle where I got the most confused and thrown off. In the beginning I felt as thought the book was going to be more mental health related...like maybe he was bipolar. Then....Win started bringing up werewolves. What? Yeah, I was a bit confused but then I eased into it. I started to like it. His friend Lex and new girl outcast Jordan were introduced more and I really, really enjoyed them. Because Win was such an outcast of self decision we honestly don’t see them too much until one night at a party...

The End: Once this party goes down, this is when shiz gets real. No joke. Ugh. This end. This ending 3rd of the book is what really hooked me. Past and present start clicking together and gah. Heartbreak. So much heartbreak. So many feels. As the boom progresses, Lex and Jordan really gain a voice and these three and thrown together whether Win likes it or not. They all need each other, three people bonded together because of the pain and past of their own. A friendship that ends up real and tough.

This book is wonderfully told, again Kuehn has such beautiful writing that keeps you peeled to the pages. At the end, the very last sentence reads, “And that makes all the difference,” which isn’t very far off from Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” which it’s own last line reads, “And that has made all the difference.” After reading that line I knew it sounded familiar and looked it up. A short psychology evaluation of the poem described gave something like, “Confronting and solving problems is a painful process which most of us attempt to avoid. And the very avoidance results in greater pain and an inability to grow both mentally and spiritually...” This books journey is parallel to just that. I love the poetic reference from this last sentence alone. It’s s perfect ending. 

Charm and Strange holds its readers with constant curiosity, a continuous mystery front to finish. An initial whirlwind of emotions and conclusion settled down into a heartbreaking and humble end. Lovely. This is another book in which I'm curious how the hype isn't bigger than what I feel it should be--granted its another that is about 4 years old. Still, I haven't seen too many reviews on it via Goodreads, especially from bloggers I've been following since my start. *shrugs* Bottom line: I highly recommend this book to all. Next time you need something new, run out and grab this one!

~Rating:

~Giveaway

Now, again, what I know you’ve really been waiting for, yes that’s right. The giveaway. I really enjoyed this book and am excited to be able to give a copy away to one of you! Please be sure to review my giveaway policy (can be found in the rafflecopter or on my giveaway page) before entering. This is a US giveaway only. Sorry!! I can only ship so far money wise. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{13 Days of Halloween} D8: Interview with Teri Bailey Black

Hey guys! Its already past the half-way point of the 13 days leading up till Halloween!

It's time to pull out the big guns.

I know you're tired of the lists.

How about we pull out this awesome interview with Teri Bailey Black?

How does that sound!?

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Teri Bailey Black is the author of:

Goodreads/Amazon

Release Date: August 7, 2018

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The Interview

The book world had a fad of dystopias for a while and now there seems to be lots more contemporary and fantasy, absent of "horror" and suspense novels. What made you want to write about a murder mystery?I’ve always loved reading mysteries—I have two shelves dedicated to them—but I’m also a big fantasy reader, so my first two practice novels were actually YA fantasy. As I was contemplating which story idea to write next, there were already so many amazing fantasy and dystopian books on the market, I made a conscious choice to write something else.

At first, I thought GIRL AT THE GRAVE would be straight historical fiction—the story of a girl who has to overcome the shame of a mother who was hanged for murder. Then, a few chapters into it, I realized—hey, this is a murder mystery! My brain caught fire thinking up who would get killed and why and by whom. I tossed in a few family secrets and some romance. (Must have romance.) At the time, I wasn’t aware of any mysteries in the YA market, but recently it’s been a big trend—which makes me happy because I love reading them.

I love reading mysteries myself. I even love the tv shows and movies dedicated to them documentaries especially! Is there a mentality you had to keep throughout your writing process to keep the book's eerie feel?Atmosphere is actually the fun, easy part of writing for me. I love art and design, and usually have a vivid image in my mind that I enjoy turning into words. A decrepit mansion. A creepy graveyard. The dramatic tension also comes rather easily—too easily in fact; I usually have to go back and tone it down. I’m happy to say that my real life is filled with more cookie baking and lunch with friends than dramatic atmosphere, but for some reason my imagination tends to go to a dark and stormy place.

My major in school is currently Fine Arts. I'm a lover of the arts and design myself. I love your use of that as a comparison with writing. Sometimes you forget not only is the author a creator of words but a home designer, decorator and more! You have to be good at them and love your skill in it! How did you draw the line between a suspenseful, gothic novel and utter horror?That was a natural line I didn’t think about. I love atmosphere and tension, but I’m not drawn to stories that are overly dark or horrifying. Occasionally everyone raves about a dark book or TV show, so I give it a try, but it usually ends up creeping me out and I stop partway. I want a protagonist who’s a good person stuck in a bad situation, willing to go to a dark place for a noble reason (hello Frodo). But if the protagonist is overly dark and troubled and creepy, I’m usually out.

Haha I love it! I can completely understand the natural draw to stay away from horror. Personally, I've always found myself creeped out a lot more from the horror books so perhaps this is why I have yet to read many. Lol. The book doesn't take place in today's time, instead you chose to tie in a historical time line. What interested you in taking on an older time?I knew before I wrote a single word that the story would be historical, but that still left me with lots of options in time and place. The mother was hanged quickly—just three days after the murder—so that ruled out anything in the last hundred years, when the investigation and court case would probably have taken longer. So I zeroed in on the early 1800’s. I decided on a New England setting because it had the atmosphere I wanted, with creepy old graves and a stifling social structure (unlike my own California which was still very wild west at that time). I first wrote the book in the 1820’s, then switched it to 1849 in revisions when I incorporated the start of the women’s rights movement (which was super exciting for me – so grateful for those early women who forged the way).

I love all the thought and research that went into the time era. I love history as well and always appreciate the attention to the details, work, sweat and tears going into the research to pull it off. Many props and appreciation. What is the key to keep a reader guessing within a murder mystery?It’s a super tricky, fun puzzle. A mystery needs plenty of false clues that lead the reader to suspect the wrong person (multiple times), plus enough real clues so it all makes sense at the end. It needs a few shocking reveals along the way, twisting the story in surprising directions (that’s the fun part). And, for me, even more important than the mystery, the characters have to be fully developed, with personal conflicts that force them to stretch and grow as the mystery unfolds. Oh—and the romance element needs careful handling as well, of course, with plenty of tension . . . and then hope . . . and then more tension—all with a killer on the loose. So, yeah, plotting a mystery isn’t quick and easy, but it’s a fun challenge. I’m currently replotting my next book for the THIRD time!!! I just changed the murder victim.

This reminds me of the board game, Clue I used to play growing up. It was one of my favorites. This sounds so fun! Fun, but again super impressed with your attention to research and utmost attention to detail. It really shows.Oooo yay!! Another mystery novel from you! So excited to find that out!! Creepy gothic mansions, creepy graveyards, hangings, murder...Did you have to do research to create your setting/what inspired the visuals?I’m super happy when I hit a place in my writing where I have to stop and jump into a research rabbit hole. I love it. Sometimes I look at images. (What was written on tombstones in the 1700’s? What did people wear in 1849?) Sometimes it’s reading articles on a fascinating topic—like the women’s rights movement in the mid-1800’s. For my current WIP, I’ve been researching astrophysics, which has me feeling all sorts of smart right now.

This has been such a great interview. I absolutely loved hearing all the work you put into this wonderful book. Also can appreciate the leak of more mysteries from you soon! 

Speed round:·       pumpkin pie or pecan pie? Pumpkin, but I’m not going to turn down pecan.
·       creepy grave yard or haunted mansion? Oh, haunted mansion for sure. I love creepy old houses with hidden staircases and whispers in the attic.
·       ghosts or mummies? Ghosts are so much better—people with spooky voices and fascinating stories. Mummies are just faceless and moaning.
·       spells or potions? Spells. I love words. I don’t love drinking things that taste nasty.
·       haunting or summoning? Haunting. I will not be summoning anything.
·       Freddy or Jason? Impossible question. The answer is no and definitely no.

Haha! These Halloween speed round questions are so much fun! Your answers are great xD

About Teri Bailey Black:

Teri Bailey Black grew up near the beach in southern California in a large, quirky family with no television or junk food, but an abundance of books and art supplies. She’s happiest when she’s creating things, whether it’s with words, fabric, or digging in the garden. She makes an amazing chocolate cherry cake—frequently. She and her husband have four children and live in Orange County, California.

Website/Twitter

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How great was this interview!?

Thank you again to the amazing Teri Bailey Black for participating.

This book has perfect Halloween read written all over it!

Have you read it yet?

Let me know what you thought of the interview!

Answer the speed round questions yourself down in the comments!

Boo!

{13 Days of Halloween} D7- Best Halloween-Worthy Books I've Read to Date

It's Day 8.

Halloween is creeping closer and closer you guys!

I'm stoked.

.

.

Today's a little bit of nostalgia.

I have for you today a list comprised of all the books I have deemed

as the best creepy/thrilling/halloween-worthy books I've read to date.

Ready?

(the books are not ordered in any specific order)

.

.

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

This book. This book is everything. I think I've already mentioned it twice this month...its that good. It's that creepy. I remember being so confused as to what was going on and just having these chills constantly throughout the entirety of the book. Mara is creepy guys. Shes great. But she's creepy. Noah Shaw might have been another reason as to why I had chills the entire book, and its not cause he was creepy if you know what I'm saying ;)

2. Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

This book takes possession to an entirely new different level guys. I have already mentioned this book this month too. I took out a quote on an accurate representation of what this book is capable of here if you are interested. This book is good. And that cover? Gah!

3. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

So this book, look at that cover...is it not creepy? It did get a makeover so the newer covers don't reflect the same way. This book deals with vampires and I mean its Julie Kagawa so you know its good. She has such an effortless writing style that is so cinematic. This cinematic quality of her writing is what gives it its creepy tone. These aren't the vampires of Twilight be very aware of that. These are the type that will haunt you in your dreams and it is so dang good!

4. The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

So, this one isn't necessarily creepy but the title? The synopsis? It's all about nightmares you guys and the hunt to discover a murder before it happens. This mystery and pace of the book keep you hooked. I never continued on with the series but I think this another I'm going to have to touch back on. Its great. If you haven't yet...do so!

5. Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

I remember this book being 1. Creepy af and 2. one of my favorite reads. This book took me by surprise in so many ways. I was not expecting it to have the amount of creepy factor it had. I did not see that ending coming. I did not see the paranormal element it had going for it. These surprises won my heart. I still can't put into words how much I enjoyed this book. If you haven't read this yet. DO! Like now. It's only 6.15 on Kindle right now...just so you know *shrugs casually*. I seriously can't believe Yelena Black has yet to write anything else. I'd pick up her next book ASAP if she came out with one. 

6. Broken by A. E. Rought

I'd still have to agree with 6 years ago me, the synopsis gives way too much away. I think this was my first re-telling of Frankenstein and I loved it. "It chilled me more than I thought it would. I knew it was going to be semi-creepy because of the whole Frankenstein thing but I didn't think it would have this creepy fog hovering over it the entire book. It was like having those gloomy thunderstorm clouds with the lightening cackling every now and then. It gave me goosebumps I will admit. It also had my heart squeezing and flipping."--from my review 6 years ago. If that doesn't tell you...I don't know what will.

I know, these books are all quite a throwback.

But!! Throwbacks can be healthy! Sometimes its good to look back!

Have you guys read any of these?

See any that you want to read now?

What are some of your creepiest reads?

Let me know below!

Dont forget! The Trick or Treat Tour is going strong!

Find Days 1/D2/D3/D4/D5/D6/D7/D8!

Lots of amazing posts!

Lots of giveaways!

Check it out!

Don't miss out!

<3

{13 Days of Halloween} D6- Halloween Worthy Quotes

And its Day 6! So far....

I've shown you some of the most ghostly reads

the most suspenseful reads

 and the most witchy reads from the last year till now.

Titles are pretty

Covers are enticing

A premise is inviting.

But

Am I the only one who sometimes needs to open the book and you know..

read the first page or even sometimes a random page to make up your mind?

To get you hooked and excited to start?

I can't be.

.

.

.

So!

Here are some Halloween fitting quotes to get you a little more excited!

(keep in mind I'm still behind catching up on all the books from 2012

to now. That being said, some of these quotes are a little out dated.)

But!! Throwbacks are cool too!

(each book is linked to its Goodreads page)

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.

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The Ghostly:

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“So . . . this means we’re buried in the same cemetery?”

He nodded, and then the tiniest smile crept over his features. When he spoke again, his tone had lost some of its bitter edge. “More proof that we’re fated to be together, don’t you think?” 
“If that were the case, Eli, I’d have a whole graveyard full of choices, wouldn’t I?”

-Tara Hudson, Hereafter

.
"Blood. Terrified, I stared at my crimson fingers.
'Surrender to me.'
'Never!" I yelled.
The thing's laughter rang over the pounding pulse in my ears. I realized in horror that I hadn't told my mom good-bye. I was going to die, and I hadn't even said good-bye....Just like Dad.
'I will have you. You are mine. Surrender'
A sharp pain shot up my abdomen. I watched as drops of blood seeped through my shirt. Run! I yanked off the high-heeled shoes. I could hear it laughing as I bounded down the patio stairs two at a time into the parking lot. Run! I had to get away. Another slash across my stomach.
'Never!' I screamed as I ran between the cars toward the Ferris wheel. A horrible ripping sensation filled my body--like Velcro ripping out my insides. Alden was right. These weren't just voices. Somehow this voice was making me bleed. It had entered my body. And now I was housing its soul."

-Mary Lindsey, Shattered Souls

The Suspenseful:

.
""

-Yelena Black, Dance of Shadows

.
"Then I heard a scream.
When I whipped around, the dog cowerede so low she hugged the ground. Her owner held the heavy chain.  He must have jerked it.
The sick bastard smiled at me.
I swelled with loathing, brimmed with it. I'd never hated anyone as much as I hated him in that moment; my fingers itched with the violence they wanted to do but couldn't. So I turned and ran, to give my trembling limbs some relief from the fury that boiled up from a dark place I didn't know existed. My feet pounded the pavement, wishing they could trample the smile on that piece of filfth's face. and as the thought spiked through my brain, I saw it. The redneck's skull caved in, leaving a gaping, pulpy hole in the side of his head. A thick cloud of flies clogging his mouth. Blood staining the sandy dirt by the lumber pile in a wide, darkening pool around his body.
He deserved to die" 

-Michelle Hodkin, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The Witchy:

.

“It's called Sunday school, but we are required to attend twice weekly: on Sunday before regular service and again on Wednesday evenings. There are two separate classes: one for children under ten, held in the classroom down the hall, to teach them basic prayers and the tenets of the Brotherhood's beliefs, and one for girls aged eleven to seventeen, to teach us about how wicked we are.” 

-Jessica Spotswood, Born Wicked

.

“I heard the man and woman cry a warning as I frantically racked my brain for some sort of throat-repairing spell, which I was clearly about to need. Of course the only words that I actually managed to yell at the werewolf as he ran at me were, 'BAD DOG!'

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of blue light on my left. Suddenly, the werewolf seemed to smack into an invisible wall just inches in front of me....

"You know," someone said off to my left, "I usually find a blocking spell to be a lot more effective than yelling 'Bad dog,' but maybe that's just me.” 

-Rachel Hawkins, Hex Hall

.

What'd you think?

Yeah, they're kind of old...

Read any of these before?

Recognize them?

Let me know below!

<3

Don't forget to check out the ongoing "Trick or Treat" Tour!

Day 1/Day 2/Day 3/Day 4/Day 5/Day 6/Day 7

Lots of fun and on going giveaways

hiding throughout the tour!

Check it out!

{13 Days of Halloween} D5- Six Witchy Reads Worth the Spell

And here, the third 6...

*evil laughs*

Told you 6 was gonna be a theme this month

Just for kicks, I don't practice in demonic exercises. Promise.

This 6?

This 6 is devoted to all those witchy ladies out there ;)

Here are some magic filled books out there for you guys to pick up this season!

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Ruthless Magic
Series: Conspiracy of Magic #1
Author: Megan Crewe
Release Date: May 30, 2018

In the contest to keep their magic, the only options may be die... or kill.

Each year, the North American Confederation of Mages assesses every sixteen-year-old novice. Some will be chosen. The rest must undergo a procedure to destroy their magical ability unless they prove themselves in the mysterious and brutal Mages' Exam. 

Disadvantaged by her parents' low standing, Rocío Lopez has dedicated herself to expanding her considerable talent to earn a place in the Confederation. Their rejection leaves her reeling—and determined to fight to keep her magic. 

Long ashamed of his mediocre abilities, Finn Lockwood knows the Confederation accepted him only because of his prominent family. Declaring for the Exam instead means a chance to confirm his true worth. 

Thrown into the testing with little preparation, Rocío and Finn find themselves becoming unlikely allies—and possibly more. But the Exam holds secrets more horrifying than either could have imagined. What are the examiners really testing them for? And as the trials become increasingly vicious, how much are they willing to sacrifice to win?{Goodreads}

Blood Rose Rebellion

Series: The Blood Rose Rebellion

Author: Rosalyn Eves

Release Date: March 28, 2017

In a world where social prestige derives from a trifecta of blood, money, and magic, one girl has the ability to break the spell that holds the social order in place.

Sixteen-year-old Anna Arden is barred from society by a defect of blood. Though her family is part of the Luminate, powerful users of magic, she is Barren, unable to perform the simplest spells. Anna would do anything to belong. But her fate takes another course when, after inadvertently breaking her sister’s debutante spell—an important chance for a highborn young woman to show her prowess with magic—Anna finds herself exiled to her family’s once powerful but now crumbling native Hungary.

Her life might well be over.

In Hungary, Anna discovers that nothing is quite as it seems. Not the people around her, from her aloof cousin Noémi to the fierce and handsome Romani Gábor. Not the society she’s known all her life, for discontent with the Luminate is sweeping the land. And not her lack of magic. Isolated from the only world she cares about, Anna still can’t seem to stop herself from breaking spells.

As rebellion spreads across the region, Anna’s unique ability becomes the catalyst everyone is seeking. In the company of nobles, revolutionaries, and Romanies, Anna must choose: deny her unique power and cling to the life she’s always wanted, or embrace her ability and change that world forever. {Goodreads}

The second book came out this year!!

Labyrinth Lost

Series: Brooklyn Brujas #1

Author: Zoraida Cordova

Release Date:  August 1, 2017

I was chosen by the Deos. Even gods make mistakes.

Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo she can’t trust, but who may be Alex’s only chance at saving her family.{Goodreads}

Book 2 in this series also came out this year!!

The Wren Hunt

Author: Mary Watson

Release Date: November 6, 2018

Every Christmas, Wren is chased through the woods near her isolated village by her family's enemies—the Judges—and there’s nothing that she can do to stop it. Once her people, the Augurs, controlled a powerful magic. But now that power lies with the Judges, who are set on destroying her kind for good. 

In a desperate bid to save her family, Wren takes a dangerous undercover assignment—as an intern to an influential Judge named Cassa Harkness. Cassa has spent her life researching a transformative spell, which could bring the war between the factions to its absolute end. Caught in a web of deceit, Wren must decide whether or not to gamble on the spell and seal the Augurs’ fate. {Goodreads}

The Wicked Deep

Author: Shea Ernshaw

Release Date: March 6, 2018

Welcome to the cursed town of Sparrow…

Where, two centuries ago, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town.

Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under.

Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sisters’ return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into.

Mistrust and lies spread quickly through the salty, rain-soaked streets. The townspeople turn against one another. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets. And death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters.

But only Penny sees what others cannot. And she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself.{Goodreads}

The Black Witch

Series: The Black Witch Chronicles #1

Author: Laurie Forest

Release Date: May 2, 2017

A new Black Witch will rise…her powers vast beyond imagining.

Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. But while she is the absolute spitting image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else.

When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother’s legacy. But she soon realizes that the university, which admits all manner of people—including the fire-wielding, winged Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians—is a treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch.

As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of misfits…if only she can find the courage to trust those she’s been taught to hate and fear. {Goodreads}

I absolutely love a good magical read.

Every single one of these are on my TBR.

What about you?

Did you end up adding any to your TBR?

Let me know what you think below!

Don't forget!

Pumpkin carving contest is going on! Get your entries in here.

The Trick or Treat Tour is on going as well!

Giveaways, interviews and more festive fun!

Day 1/Day 2/Day 3/Day 4/Day 5

{13 Days of Halloween} D4: 6 Horror Filled Books

Annnnd its Day 4 on the 13 Days of Halloween Holiday Special!

What's in store today?

Another 6!

Six Horrifying Reads for the season.

Okay, not all horror...

This is a mix of creepy, horror, and intense reads

absent of the paranormal which in my opinion is always a bit more terrifying

Without further ado!

The Cheerleaders

Author: Kara Thomas

Release Date: July 31, 2018

There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook.

First there was the car accident—two girls gone after hitting a tree on a rainy night. Not long after, the murders happened. Those two girls were killed by the man next door. The police shot him, so no one will ever know why he did it. Monica’s sister was the last cheerleader to die. After her suicide, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheer squad. No one wanted to be reminded of the girls they lost.

That was five years ago. Now the faculty and students at Sunnybrook High want to remember the lost cheerleaders. But for Monica, it’s not that easy. She just wants to forget. Only, Monica’s world is starting to unravel. There are the letters in her stepdad’s desk, an unearthed, years-old cell phone, a strange new friend at school. . . . Whatever happened five years ago isn’t over. Some people in town know more than they’re saying. And somehow Monica is at the center of it all.

There are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook, but that doesn’t mean anyone else is safe. {Goodreads}

Girl at the Grave

Author: Teri Bailey Black

Release Date: August 7, 2018

Valentine has spent years trying to outrun her mother's legacy. But small towns have long memories, and when a new string of murders occurs, all signs point to the daughter of a murderer.

Only one person believes Valentine is innocent—Rowan Blackshaw, the son of the man her mother killed all those years ago. Valentine vows to find the real killer, but when she finally uncovers the horrifying truth, she must choose to face her own dark secrets, even if it means losing Rowan in the end.  {Goodreads}

 The Echo Room

Author: Parker Peevyhouse

Release Date: September 11, 2018

Rett wakes on the floor of a cold, dark room. He doesn’t know how he got there, only that he’s locked in. He’s not alone—a girl named Bryn is trapped in the room with him. When she finds a mysterious bloodstain and decides she doesn’t trust Rett, he tries to escape on his own—

Rett wakes on the floor of the same cold, dark room. He doesn’t trust Bryn, but he’ll have to work with her if he ever hopes to escape. They try to break out of the room—

Rett and Bryn hide in a cold, dark room. Safe from what’s outside.

But they’re not alone. {Goodreads}

 Nightingale

Author: Amy Lukavics

Release Date: October 1, 2018

At seventeen, June Hardie is everything a young woman in 1951 shouldn’t be—independent, rebellious, a dreamer. June longs to travel, to attend college and to write the dark science fiction stories that consume her waking hours. But her parents only care about making June a better young woman. Her mother grooms her to be a perfect little homemaker while her father pushes her to marry his business partner’s domineering son. When June resists, her whole world is shattered—suburbia isn’t the only prison for different women…

June’s parents commit her to Burrow Place Asylum, aka the Institution. With its sickening conditions, terrifying staff and brutal “medical treatments,” the Institution preys on June’s darkest secrets and deepest fears. And she’s not alone. The Institution terrorizes June’s fragile roommate, Eleanor, and the other women locked away within its crumbling walls. Those who dare speak up disappear…or worse. Trapped between a gruesome reality and increasingly sinister hallucinations, June isn’t sure where her nightmares end and real life begins. But she does know one thing: in order to survive, she must destroy the Institution before it finally claims them all. {Goodreads}

Pitch Dark

Author: Courtney Alameda

Release Date: February 20, 2018

Set against a future of marauding space scavengers and deadly aliens who kill with sound, here is a frightening, fast-paced YA adventure from the author of the acclaimed horror novel, Shutter.

Tuck has been in stasis on the USS John Muir, a ship that houses Earth’s most valued artifacts—its natural resources. Parks and mountains are preserved in space. 

Laura belongs to a shipraiding family, who are funded by a group used to getting what they want. And they want what’s on the Muir. 

Tuck and Laura didn’t bargain on working together, or battling mutant aliens who use sound to kill. But their plan is the only hope for their crews, their families, and themselves. 

In space, nobody can hear you scream . . . but on the John Muir, the screams are the last thing you'll hear. {Goodreads}

Campire 

Author: Shawn Sarles

Release Date: June 17, 2018

While camping in a remote location, Maddie Davenport gathers around the fire with her friends and family to tell scary stories. Caleb, the handsome young guide, shares the local legend of the ferocious Mountain Men who hunt unsuspecting campers and leave their mark by carving grisly antlers into their victims' foreheads.

The next day, the story comes true.

Now Maddie and her family are lost in the deep woods--with no way out--being stalked by their worst nightmares. Because there were other, more horrifying stories told that night--and Maddie's about to find out just how they end...{Goodreads} 

What'd you think?

Any you have read yet?

Any you plan on binging during the season?

Did one particular give you chills?

For me, I think Pitch Dark seemed the most intense...

Let me know what you think below!

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