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Tag: september book

  • Our 3 Favorite Things About Thief Of Night By Holly Black

    It’s officially fall, and we’ve adjusted our reading lists accordingly! This next book review needs no introduction. But if you didn’t already know, Holly Black has just released her new adult fantasy novel, Thief of Night!

    Thief of Night is the second and final book in The Charlatan Duology, picking up shortly after the end of Book of Night. With new responsibilities and somehow even more enemies, we looked forward to seeing how Charlie and Red would make it through in this sequel.

    An urban fantasy with shadow magic and plenty of action, here are three of our favorite things about Thief of Night by Holly Black!

    Thief of Night by Holly Black
    Image Source: Macmillan Publishers

    Book Overview: Thief Of Night

    Content warnings: death, murder, mass murder, graphic violence, gore, bodies, corpses, torture, amnesia, poisoning, weapons, mentions of sexual assault and child abuse (Please read at your discretion!)

    Summary: There’d always been something wrong with Charlie Hall. Crooked from the day she was born. Never met a bad decision she wasn’t willing to double down on. She may be good enough to steal a shadow from a tower, but will she be good enough to steal back a heart?

    The Romantic Tension

    One of the best things about Thief of Night is the buildup of Charlie and Red’s romance, in our humble opinion. When they become entangled at the end of book one, we thought that would bring them ever closer. Little did we know Red (formerly known as Vince) wouldn’t remember a thing about his intimate relationship with Charlie. But to see that attraction build up again was so rewarding, and we ate it up! Red can now act as himself around Charlie, even if he has to assume certain roles in the outside world.

    Red’s Protectiveness

    A big part of the romantic tension between Charlie and Red comes from Red’s instinctive protectiveness of Charlie. Charlie can technically make Red do whatever she wants him to do since they’re tethered together. However, she gives Red a lot more autonomy and only asks him for help if she needs it. Red would still materialize and protect Charlie even if she doesn’t ask for help. He also shows so much restraint whenever Charlie has to feed him her blood, not wanting to hurt her. Mom, we love him. That’s it. That’s the tweet.

    Supporting Cast

    While we’re here for the main characters and romance in Thief of Night, we also love the supporting characters. Specifically Charlie’s sister Posey and the graduate research student/ethnographer Malhar. We had a feeling they’d get together in some capacity, as seen by their not-so-situationship in book two. These two add some humor and levity to the story that we can always appreciate. Malhar’s research allows us to understand the shadow magic from a logical perspective. And Posey always tries to look out for Charlie, even if Charlie still doesn’t treat her like an adult.

    Charlie and Red must navigate their strange new connection and take down more enemies in Holly Black’s new sequel, Thief of Night. It’s a duology conclusion we couldn’t put down!

    Thief of Night by Holly Black comes out September 23rd, and you can order a copy of it here!

    What are your thoughts on Holly Black’s new sequel, Thief of Night? Did you enjoy it as much as we did? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOLLY BLACK:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Julie Dam

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  • You Are The Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder By Maureen Johnson & Jay Cooper

    Whenever we crave a murder mystery, we always seem to think of Maureen Johnson. The thrill of gathering clues and figuring out the investigation hits different with all her books. This month, she teamed up with illustrator Jay Cooper to give us a solve-it-yourself mystery—You Are The Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder!

    This new murder mystery by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper comes out just in time for you to plan your Halloween parties and themed dinners this fall. We had so much fun reading along to You Are The Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder, and here’s why!

    You are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper
    Image Source: Penguin Random House

    Book Overview: You Are The Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder

    Content warnings: death, blood, bodies, references to drug use, addiction, and overdose, heavy drinking, drowning, stabbing, poisoning (Read at your discretion!)

    Summary: Dear Detective,

    Surely you have seen the papers and read about the dreadful murder of the American novelist—stabbed while in a room with six other people, and yet no one went near him or saw the murder occur. The crime is so devious, so logistically impossible, that it seems to have been committed not by a person but by a disembodied hand.

    I must confess that we are at a loss. Who wrote the poison pen letters that lured these seven people to this deadly gathering? A poet, an earl, an actress, a cook, a telephone operator, and a lothario . . . What do they have in common? And how could a man be stabbed in a room full of suspects, even though no one went near him or saw a thing?

    We have had our best people on the case, Detective, and we still can’t make heads or tails of it. We are giving this case file to you. Can you decipher the clues, decode the witness statements, and identify the murderer? You are our last hope. Can you help us crack the Creeping Hand Murder?

    Yours truly,
    Detective Chief Inspector of the Metropolitan Police

    Interacting With The Mystery

    If you’re anything like us, an interactive murder mystery makes for a great way to pass the time. You Are The Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper tested our memory and attention to detail. The photos of the crime scene combined with each suspect’s testimony made us feel like we were there when it happened. We kept flipping back and forth through the pages to try and catch any clues we missed the first time around.

    The Detailed Illustrations

    The illustrations in You Are The Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder really sealed the deal for us. We especially love the floor plans and the photos of everyone at the crime scene. Every part of the illustrations is intentional, especially when certain photos come up later in the investigation. (No spoilers here!) We’re not ashamed to admit that more than a few details went over our heads. But trust that the incriminating evidence was there the whole time.

    Final Guesses

    Before we got to the big reveal in You Are The Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder, the authors gave us a pause to lock in our final predictions. Although we thought our two guesses had great odds of being the killer, we were ultimately wrong. Even when we try not to fall for the most obvious suspects, we couldn’t pick up on the real killer. We aren’t too worried, though. That just means we need to hone our detective skills a little more. And we’d be happy to do that with another solve-it-yourself mystery book! *wink wink*

    Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper’s interactive mystery, You are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder, was so entertaining and rich in detail. We were stumped until the end!

    You are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper comes out September 16th, and you can order a copy of it here!

    How did you enjoy Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper’s solve-it-yourself mystery? Were you able to find the murderer in You are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    Interested in more book reviews? We got you!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MAUREEN JOHNSON:
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    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JAY COOPER:
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    Julie Dam

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  • 3 Signs You Should Read Julie Berry’s If Looks Could Kill

    September’s in full swing, which brings us ever closer to the spooky season! THP’s book team have had a solid mix of paranormal and Gothic fantasies this month. All with some romance included, of course. But before we introduce our next book review, we want to set the scene.

    It’s 19th-century Manhattan and London. There’s a killer on the loose. And his hunter? A vengeful, newly awakened Medusa. With multiple perspectives and a thrilling timeline, Julie Berry’s If Looks Could Kill is an incredible and unique read.

    We thoroughly enjoyed Julie Berry’s new novel, and we’re hoping you’re interested in reading it, too. Here are three signs to know if If Looks Could Kill is a good fit for your TBR!

    If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry
    Image Source: Simon & Schuster

    Book Overview: If Looks Could Kill

    Content warnings: serial murder, death, violence, gore, bodies, sex trafficking, mentions of rape and sexual assault, alcohol use, forced captivity, guns, weapons, serious injury (Please read at your discretion!)

    Summary: It’s autumn 1888, and Jack the Ripper is on the run. As London police close in, he flees England for New York City seeking new victims. But a primal force of female vengeance has had enough. With serpents for hair and a fearsome gaze, an awakened Medusa is hunting for one thing: Jack.

    And other dangers lurk in Manhattan’s Bowery. Salvation Army volunteers Tabitha and Pearl discover that a girl they once helped has been forced to work in a local brothel. Tabitha’s an upstate city girl with a wry humor and a thirst for adventure, while farmgirl Pearl takes everything with stone-cold seriousness. Their brittle partnership is tested as they team up with an aspiring girl reporter and a handsome Irish bartender to mount a rescue effort, only to find their fates entwine with Medusa’s and Jack’s.

    You’re A True Crime Fan

    If you love true crime documentaries and podcasts, then we’ll take that as a sign that you’ll enjoy If Looks Could Kill. The infamous story of serial killer Jack the Ripper continues to be prominent in today’s media. (Do we dare say he was the blueprint?) And in this thriller, he meets his match against Medusa. We love how this story pits these two historical figures together into one timeline. It couldn’t be clearer that the author did her due diligence in creating the lore and thoroughly researching each facet of it.

    You Love Feminist Revenge Tales

    We recognize the ancient myth of Medusa as a story of female rage, revenge, and empowerment. In If Looks Could Kill, there isn’t only one Medusa. Any woman with a dark past or traumatic experience dealing with men can develop the powers to turn them into stone. As long as the men are capable of feeling enough guilt and shame for their heinous acts against women. The Medusa’s are ruthless, and rightfully so. But they’re also fiercely loyal and protective of their sisters, turning their rage into something lethal.

    You Enjoy A Romance Subplot

    Amid the dark and heavy themes within If Looks Could Kill, we get a taste of romance between Tabitha, a Salvation Army volunteer, and Mike, a handsome Irish bartender. Their sweet courtship had us grinning ear to ear, especially seeing Tabitha meet Mike’s family. The two of them get into plenty of sticky situations dealing with thugs from a local brothel to the police to Medusa. But their romance gave us some relief in between Jack and Pearl’s perspectives. They absolutely deserved their happy ending.

    With a deadly matchup between the infamous Jack the Ripper and a newly awakened Medusa, If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry is a historical thriller that instantly reels you in!

    If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry comes out September 16th, and you can order a copy of it here!

    What do you think of Julie Berry’s new book, If Looks Could Kill? Did you love the true crime and ancient mythology mashup? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    Interested in more book reviews? We got you!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JULIE BERRY:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

    Julie Dam

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  • Step Into The House Of Quiet By Kiersten White If You Dare

    It’s no secret that we at THP love a good Gothic fantasy. And with Halloween in our sights, our reading list is only going to get spookier from here. Kiersten White’s new novel, The House of Quiet, fits the creepy, haunted house vibe we know you’ve been needing.

    The House of Quiet follows Birdie, a maid who infiltrates the House of Quiet in search of her sister. Rumor has it that the House of Quiet is where children go to be treated for having terrible, supernatural powers. But who knows where they go afterward?

    It’s eerie, atmospheric, and an edge-of-your-seat Gothic fantasy. Here are three of our favorite things about The House of Quiet by Kiersten White!

    The House of Quiet by Kiersten White
    Image Source: Penguin Random House

    Book Overview: The House Of Quiet

    Content warnings: death, gore, violence, attempted murder, stabbing, bodies, forced captivity, serious injury

    Summary: In the middle of a deadly bog sits the House of Quiet. It’s a place for children whose Procedure triggered powers too terrible to be lived with—their last hope for treatment. No one knows how they’re healed or where they go afterward.

    Birdie has begged, bargained, and blackmailed her way inside as a maid, determined to find her missing sister, Magpie. But what she discovers is more mysteries. Instead of the destitute children who undergo the Procedure in hopes of social advancement, the house brims with aristocratic teens wielding strange powers they never should have been burdened with.

    Though Birdie wants to ignore them, she can’t help being drawn to stoic and silent Forest, charmed by clever River, and concerned for the youngest residents. And with fellow maid Minnow keeping tabs on everything Birdie does, danger is everywhere.

    In her desperate search for Magpie, Birdie unearths terrifying threats and devastating truths, forcing her to confront just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to save her own sister. Because in the House of Quiet, if you find what’s lurking beneath . . . you lose everything.

    Unravel the mystery. Ignite the rebellion.

    Every Character Has A Role

    It may seem that some of the characters have too many screws loose to play a significant part in the plot. Or that they’re spoiled rich kids who shouldn’t complain about their situation. But no character goes wasted in The House of Quiet. From characters who take an early exit like Sky and Rabbit to the ones who never seem to be in their right mind like Nimbus and Lake, everyone pulls their weight in helping Birdie uncover the secrets of the House of Quiet.

    Birdie And Forest

    Even amidst the unknown horrors and unsettling energy in The House of Quiet, there is still room for some romance! We especially love the progression between Birdie and Forest. Forest usually keeps to himself and doesn’t utter a single word, the reason for which Birdie will later find out. Luckily, Birdie talks enough for the both of them while also sitting peacefully in each other’s company. Forest fiercely protects her from harm, and we also learn about their deeper history.

    The Ultimate Revenge

    Another one of our favorite things about The House of Quiet is the extremely justified, revenge-filled ending. Once Birdie and the rest of the residents find the heart of the house, the sinister plot all starts coming together. Why do rich families really send their children to the House of Quiet? What happens to all the residents after receiving the so-called treatment? All the adults who have kept this house running get their karma returned to them in the end.

    An atmospheric, eerie, and edge-of-your-seat Gothic fantasy, Kiersten White’s The House of Quiet deserves to be your next spooky read!

    The House of Quiet by Kiersten White comes out September 9th, and you can order a copy of it here!

    Have we lured you into reading Kiersten White’s new novel, The House of Quiet? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KIERSTEN WHITE:
    INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Julie Dam

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  • What We Love About Alexandra Brown Chang’s By Invitation Only

    Welcome to La Danse des Débutantes, where 16 stellar young women compete for the title of Debutante of the Year! You’re cordially invited to attend this ultra-exclusive ball in Alexandra Brown Chang’s new YA novel, By Invitation Only!

    Inspired by the real-life Le Bal and the author’s own debutante experience, By Invitation Only follows two teens who would do anything for the prize. The unexpected new arrival Piper Woo Collins needs to win to fund her college tuition. The rich and popular nepo baby Chapin Buckingham needs to prove her worth to her mother.

    We live for the fashion moments and the stunning French backdrop in this book. Here are three things we love about By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang!

    By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang
    Image Source: Simon & Schuster

    Book Overview: By Invitation Only

    Summary: Every year, a hand-selected group of young women travel to Paris to make their debuts into high society at La Danse des Débutantes, the most exclusive debutante ball in the world. Being wealthy, royal, or famous gets you into the pool of potential debutantes, but only La Danse decides who is truly worthy of attending.

    Chapin Buckingham, the daughter of two Hollywood legends, is one of the lucky few chosen to attend. Chapin’s not usually a society girl, but she has her reasons for wanting to be crowned Debutante of the Year. Her chances seem good…until a fellow debutante creates a PR nightmare that has the eat-the-rich cohort calling for La Danse’s cancellation.

    Enter Piper Woo Collins. As the daughter of an EMT and winner of the International Science Fair Prize with a profile in Teen Vogue, Piper is the perfect, down-to-earth person who could restore La Danse’s reputation. But Piper isn’t interested in becoming a debutante—until they offer her a college scholarship…if she wins Debutante of the Year.

    In competition for the crown, Piper and Chapin have every reason to clash. But at La Danse, everyone wants something. Piper and Chapin might just need each other to go from pawns in a game to ruling the board…

    The Dazzling Drama

    With 16 young women vying for the same prize, there’s bound to be drama. Luckily, we get all the details from both Piper and Chapin’s sides. Even thrust into a new world of glitz and glam, Piper is a natural in front of the camera. Her down-to-earth personality makes her the most favored to win, despite her poor background. On the other hand, Chapin has it all: wealth, fame, and the world at her fingertips. Everything except her mom’s approval. She’s willing to resort to underhanded tactics to outshine everyone, especially Piper.

    Piper’s Budding Romance

    Paris is the City of Love, after all! By Invitation Only has the sweetest romance between Piper and her cavalier Dalton, who also happens to be Chapin’s older brother. (How’s that for fueling the drama?) They have so much in common and often nerd out with each other. Dalton shows Piper all his favorite spots in Paris, including the Louvre. Even so, Piper can’t risk pursuing a relationship with Dalton without risking her position at La Danse and possibly her whole future.

    Piper And Chapin’s Friendship

    We knew these girls would warm up to each other eventually! Despite Chapin’s attempt to sabotage Piper and the rocky start to their acquaintance, the two of them bond over their common goals and reasons for being at La Danse. Chapin helps Piper with her wardrobe. Piper helps Chapin from being ambushed in an interview. They are great listeners and eventually build a trust so strong not even a last-minute scandal can break it. We’re so glad they both get to follow their dreams in the end, in a much better position than when they first met.

    Centered around the world’s most exclusive debutante ball, By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang tells a dramatic story of high fashion, fierce competition, and female friendships.

    By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang goes on sale September 2nd, and you can order a copy of it here!

    Did you enjoy our review of Alexandra Brown Chang’s By Invitation Only? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALEXANDRA BROWN CHANG:
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    Julie Dam

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  • Mansi Shah Blows Us Away With New Novel, A Good Indian Girl

    Mansi Shah Blows Us Away With New Novel, A Good Indian Girl

    It feels like everyone’s vacationing in Europe this summer except us at THP! And by everyone, we mean the book characters we’ve been reading about. Mansi Shah’s new novel, A Good Indian Girl, transports us to Tuscany, Italy.

    A Good Indian Girl by Mansi Shah is a story about Jyoti Shah, an Indian American divorcée spending her summer in Italy after her husband of more than 15 years left her for being unable to conceive. There, Jyoti rekindles her passion for cooking and tries to figure out how best to live her life.

    It felt like A Good Indian Girl had been written with us in mind, and we’re taking it to heart! Here are three of our favorite things about Mansi Shah’s A Good Indian Girl.

    Cover: A Good Indian Girl by Mansi Shah
    Image Source: HarperCollins Publishers

    Book Overview: A Good Indian Girl

    Content Warnings: mention of pregnancy and miscarriages, infertility, racism, medical procedures, needles, depression

    Summary: Jyoti is the “perfect” Indian American daughter: She stayed out of trouble, looked after her younger sisters, and married a man her parents approved of. So when her husband, Ashok, pushes her to quit her dream job as head chef to focus on conceiving, she obliges, knowing this will please her parents—only for Ashok to leave her when she cannot carry to term. Now unemployed, childless, and divorced, a disgrace to her Gujarati family, Jyoti books a ticket to Tuscany for the summer to visit her best friend (and fellow social outcast), Karishma.

    Carbs, chianti, and la bella vita slowly restore Jyoti’s confidence, inspiring her to experiment with Indian-Italian fusion recipes. But when she unexpectedly goes viral for her impromptu cooking vlogs—and candid vent sessions—her gossiping aunties have a field day. And when a shocking reveal comes to light, Jyoti must choose between family acceptance, a fulfilling career, and even motherhood, all before the summer ends…

    The Italy Itinerary

    In the past two weeks, we’ve reviewed books about London and Paris, and now we’re in Italy for A Good Indian Girl. This book only adds to our ever-growing European bucket list, specifically the kind of food we’d love to try. Jyoti’s best friend Karishma is the ultimate tour guide, showing her the best pasta spots that Jyoti could appreciate to the fullest. Karishma also takes Jyoti to the Amalfi Coast, going on boat tours and swimming in caves. We can only read and dream of these experiences (for now)!

    So Many Recipes

    The scenes where Jyoti cooks and eats in A Good Indian Girl are some of our favorites! She cooks hangover cures, Gujarati comfort foods, and eventually Indian-Italian fusion dishes. And the way readers experience these dishes is just out of this world. We’re salivating imagining the rich and savory goodness of this novel. Plus, that’s not even the best part. Everything that Jyoti cooks has a recipe listed at the back of the book! So if you can try your hand at making samosas, saag paneer ravioli, or even Gujarati Shaak-inspired risotto.

    The Topic Of Living Childfree

    Another one of our favorite things about A Good Indian Girl is how it addresses being child-free. After years of trying to conceive and suffering several miscarriages, Jyoti now grapples with her decision to destroy the embryos she had with her ex-husband Ashok. She knows that she may not have any kids at all once that happens. But she starts to realize that she never really wanted children. She only went with what her parents and former husband wanted, never stopping to ask herself. Meeting other people in Italy who live fulfilling, childfree lives like Karishma, Ben, and Mae helps her start living for herself. And the possibilities are limitless.

    An inspirational and sincere message to children of immigrants, eldest daughters, and women choosing to be childfree. We recommend reading Mansi Shah’s A Good Indian Girl with all our hearts.

    A Good Indian Girl by Mansi Shah comes out September 3rd, and you can preorder a copy of it here!

    What’s your favorite thing about A Good Indian Girl so far? Are you adding it to your TBR? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MANSI SHAH:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE

    Julie Dam

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