Started reading: 10.10.20

Finished reading: 31.10.20

Pages: 416
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Rating: 5 stars! (Audiobook)

“Most stories are too good to be true. That's what makes them enchanting.”

Synopsis:

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.

But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The strange and disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea. It’s up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer’s horrifying finale?

(this isn't the original photo;source: weheartit / pinterest)

My review:

I absolutely loved this third book! It was as amazing as the previous two books in the series, if not even more! The story reminded me so much of "Caraval by Stephanie Garber" which was another great 5-star book for me. I loved the circus /carnival aesthetic of the Moonlight Carnival, the magic performances, and tarot reading/cards - it was all so magical and enchanting for me. And I also love how it all takes place on a cruise - it reminded me a lot of Titanic, which is one of my favorite stories/movies. But what truly makes this book and the whole series so great for me, is the creepy murder scenes and imagery, the murder mystery, amazing scene descriptions, and of course the romance between Audrey Rose and Thomas. The romance part and the scenes with them alone were my absolute favorite - their flirty banter, their steamy moments in hidden corners, their sweet, tender emotions and desires, their gentle love for one another, and the way they are really true partners in all things.… it was everything!

I also really like Kerri Maniscalco's writing, storytelling, her historical settings in this series, and how she uses the real crimes and killers for inspiration. I like learning new things about all the killers and crimes as I search them after reading a book in this series. I was always really interested in everything crime, murder, serial killers… so these books really are perfect for me. The perfect blend between murder/crime/horror things and absolutely heartwarming romance between two amazing characters.

The only part of this book that I didn't like was the love triangle. I just didn't like Audrey Rose's flirting with Mephistopheles… and it hurt my heart seeing Thomas jealous and hurt. I was so glad that everything was perfectly fine between Audrey Rose and Thomas at the end of the book and I really can't wait to read the last book in this series. I can't wait to see how their story is going to end. It's just sad that there are only four books in this series… I would love to see even more books about these characters and the story.

(this isn't the original photo;source: weheartit / pinterest)

Characters:

• Audrey Rose: our main character of this series. I absolutely loved her in this book - even more than I loved her in previous books in this series. I just see a lot of myself in her.
• Thomas Creswell: my number 1 bookish boyfriend! I love how he is so gentle and open with Audrey Rose, how he loves her even when she hurts him, and how he always allows her to make her own choices.
• Mephistopheles: I liked his character. I didn't really trust him for the most part, but I found him very interesting and mysterious. He also reminded me a lot of Thomas at times… but as we all know - no one can top our Creswell.
• Lisa: Audrey Rose's cousin.
• Harri Houdini: He's an American escape artist. This character was inspired by the real character.

(this isn't the original photo;source: weheartit / pinterest)

Facts:

The killer of this book was inspired by someone who was known as "The Bavarian Ripper", who killed between 1806-1808 (almost a century before the setting of the book). Maniscalco used many aspects of this killer, like the way he lured his victims in and his first name.

Favorite quotes:

“If you wish to go, I’ll never make you stay. I might not do and say the proper thing all the time, but I do know that I love you enough to set you free.”

“I love you... More than all the stars in the universe. In this life and ever after. I love you.”

(this isn't the original photo;source: weheartit / pinterest)

He flashed a quick grin. “A lifetime full of surprises, remember, Wadsworth?”

“All my life I'd longed for freedom - freedom to pick and choose every detail of my life. To make good decisions and horrible ones. Decisions that would break my heart and remake it ten times over. I just never knew having choices could be so hard.”

(this isn't the original photo;source: weheartit / pinterest)

“People often admire physical strength, but I believe it's the simple things one does after a tragedy that defines them. There is no greater show of power than continuing to live when you'd like nothing more than to lie down and let the world fade.”

Love was a tricky, complicated thing - so morally gray. Both grand and terrible things were often done in its honor. But could something truly be done out of love if it had the potential to hurt the one at its heart?

(this isn't the original photo;source: weheartit / pinterest)

Started reading: 10.11.19

Finished reading: 14.11.19

Pages: 407
Rating: 5 stars
Physical read (library book)
Series: Caraval (book 1)

❝Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world.❞

Synopsis:

In this book, we follow Scarlet Dragna, who lives with her sister Donatella and their cruel father. Ever since she was a young girl when her grandmother told her beautiful and amazing stories about this magical game called Caraval that is played once a year - her biggest wish in life was to finally get a letter from the master of Caraval, see this place of magic and finally participate in the game. And then one day, a few days before her arranged marriage she finally gets an invitation to the Caraval. And so this story begins…

Scarlet, her sister Tella and a young sailor Julian travel to the island where Caraval is taking place to participate in this year's Caraval game and win the prize at the end of the game - a wish. But as Scarlet begins playing the game, she soon discovers that not everything is as it seems.

"What happens beyond this gate may frighten or exite you, but don't let any of it trick you. We will try to convince you it's real, but all of it is a performance. A world built of make-believe. So while we want you to get swept away, be careful of being swept too far away. Dreams that come true can be beautiful, but they can also turn into nightmares when people won't wake up."

My review:

I ADORED this book! This was a beautiful story of love, loss, sacrifice, and hope. It was so magical and interesting to me from the very first page. I couldn't stop reading, I was swept away with every page I read. This book was so whimsical, magical, mysterious, enchanting, it had amazing characters, perfect slow burn romance, amazing twists and turns… it had all! I absolutely loved how mysterious the story was. Every chapter had a new mystery and a new twist that shocked my heart. I found myself thinking and guessing what was going on and who the Legend was all the time… and every time I thought I have an answer to these questions - I was definitely wrong.

Writing:

"It looked like a storybook come to life. She peered down at bright pointy rooftops, moss-covered towers, gingerbread cottages, gleaming gold bridges, blue-brick streets, and bubbling fountains, all lit by candled lamps that hung everywhere, giving an appearance of time that was neither day nor night."

Characters:

I loved this book with all my heart and I can't wait to continue with the series!

Favorite quotes and fanart:

"Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything."

"She imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out."

"Hope is a powerful thing. Some say it's a different breed of magic altogether. Elusive, difficult to hold on to. But not much is needed."

"Some things are worth pursuit regardless of the cost."

"I think I've made a mistake. -Then make it into something better."

(this image isn't original; source: weheartit /Pinterest)

Started reading: 6.5.2019

Finished reading: 16.5.2019

Pages: 370
Rating: 4 stars
Physical read (library book)
Series: The Folk of the Air (book 1)

(this is not my original photo; source: pinterest)

Synopsis:

One terrible morning, Jude and her sisters see their parents murdered in front of them. The fearsome assassin abducts all three girls and brings them to the world of Faerie. Mocked and tormented for being merely mortal, Jude soon realizes that to survive in the treacherous, dangerous world of the royal court, she needs to be as cunning and deceitful as the Fey themselves. But the stairway is fraught with shadows and betrayal. And looming over all is the arrogant and charismatic Prince Cardan.

Favorite quotes and my annotations:

“If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.” - Jude

“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It's disgusting, and I can't stop.” -Cardan

“What could I become if I stopped worrying about death, about pain, about anything? If I stopped trying to belong? Instead of being afraid, I could become something to fear.” - Jude

“If you hurt me, I wouldn't cry. I would hurt you back.” -Jude

“Nice things don’t happen in storybooks. Or when they do happen, something bad happens next. Because otherwise the story would be boring, and no one would read it.”

“I am going to keep on defying you. I am going to shame you with my defiance. You remind me that I am a mere mortal and you are a prince of Faerie. Well, let me remind you that means you have much to lose and I have nothing. You may win in the end, you may ensorcell me and hurt me and humiliate me, but I will make sure you lose everything I can take from you on the way down. I promise you this is the least of what I can do.” -Jude

“I love my parents' murderer; I suppose I could love anyone.” -Jude

“There’s always something left to lose.”