Hello October // Brianna Reviews - The Graces by Laure Eve

Published: 1^st September 2016

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback

Synopsis: Everyone said the Graces were witches. They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair. They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different. All I had to do was show them that person was me.

Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on?

I was intrigued by this book since I first saw it when I opened my Illumicrate box last month, I’m not entirely sure why and I was a little taken by surprise as it is clearly a book about magic which tends to make me run in the opposite direction for reasons I cannot fathom.

To be honest I’m not 100% sure how I feel about this book, it’s characters or the plot. All I do know is that I picked it up yesterday only meaning to read one or two chapters and the next thing I knew hours had passed, in fact I didn’t get anything done yesterday because I couldn’t put the book down; even stayed up till stupid o’clock in the morning reading it. So I must have liked it, right?

Let’s start with River, firstly it’s a little disconcerting not knowing the name of the person the book is about –unless I missed it. I found her a little hard to relate to, sometimes and other times I found it easy, which probably has something to do with her not being very consistent and the fact that we don’t actually find out her secrets and motivation until the end. So at the start it’s a little confusing how she frowns upon everyone trying to be noticed by the Graces while plotting to do the same thing. She also makes me a little uneasy, which given what she can do might well be a spot on reaction.

I felt the story was a little slow to start even though I read the majority of the book in one day it took me 2 weeks of picking the book up to make it passed the first couple of chapters, although I’m not sure if that was the book or the fact I was trying to read it on my break at work. I found that the first chapter or two really strongly reminded me of Twilight especially the bit where Bella is being told about the Cullens But that is where the similarity ended, which is one of the things I really liked about this book it was refreshing she didn’t fall madly in love with the most stunning guy in school only to find out that he is madly in love with her despite having every girl in the school interested in him. That didn’t happen and it was nice, even if it did cause everything to go wrong. I admit I did find myself wanting him to love her back, but I think I’m glad he didn’t.

I would have liked to get to know Wolf better, have had him be a bigger part in the book before the drunken party because although I liked him the events of the cove really didn’t impact on me in as big a way as I think it should have, and it’s not like I like to cry but I do think I should have been upset about it.

I’m also not sure if the Graces are witches, I mean everyone said they were witches (sorry couldn’t help myself) but I didn’t see any evidence of any actual magic, just voodoo dolls, herb pouches, candles and chanting, oh and talk of a curse that was never really proved to exist. And all this comes dangerously close to the type of magic that makes me run screaming, it’s not the inclusion of these things with other magic, it’s these things on their own. However this was all redeemed when River revealed her secret – I have no doubt that River has magic (and more importantly for me it didn’t include candles, chanting and herbs) but I’m very confused about whether the Graces actually do, or if they are all just delusionally crazy, even Fenrin doesn’t really believe.

It doesn’t mention at the end, does Rivers dad come back, she tells Marcus that she can undo it so surely that would mean that her father would come back?

It’s the first in a series and despite not really knowing what to think about it I’m sure I will read the next when it comes out, because confused or not, it really did grab my attention, and to me it felt like something new, it didn’t go where I expected it to, right to the last minute.

Illumicrate Unboxing #1

A few weeks ago I told you guys about a new awesome subscription box just for us book lovers - illumicrate! Well my box arrived and enough time has passed that I really wanted to share it with you. So here's what Illumicrate had to offer in their first box.

So bright & cheerful! It was so lovely even just opening the box. I was immediately filled with excitement at what could possibly be inside. I'll also take this moment to talk about the one SINGULAR thing that I wasn't too keen on - all of the yellow paper. Admittedly, it was so cute and made the box come to life but honestly, I thought it was a bit of a waste. I'm not a huge eco-nut but it did seem like a shame to waste so much paper as it was no good to me. As an avid reader, I think I use up my allotted 'paper allowance' with books! I understand that on the yet to be seen lower level it helped preserve packaging but the layer on the top felt unnecessary to me. Still cute though 

First up was the 'scroll' you can see in the top picture. It turned out to be this gorgeous HP poster that I really liked. Subtle but perfect addition to my home library. I believe it was designed by ImagineAbbie.

The book for this box was Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin which I have yet to read but have heard wonderful things about. It also came with a signed bookplate which was awesome! 

Also pictured is my absolute favourite thing in the box - the hand painted wolf bookmark by Skinny Hues (etsy). It got loads of squeals and star jumps from me! I've since ordered a bunch of them from etsy too! Here's a closer look.

Next up was a super cute little company mirror from Raspberry Finch. The packaging was adorable and the caption on the flips side of the mirror is perfect

Apologies as I can't remember the name of the designer off hand but there was also a Mockingjay necklace with an engraved quote. 

I don't think there's anything in this first box that i didn't love! They were all useful things too which is a big thumbs up for me. Sometimes with sub-boxes you end up with a bunch of cool things that you just don't have any uses for but I've used all of these items so far! If you count the book waiting for me to read on my bedside table anyway ;)

Over all I was very impressed! My only issue now is having to wait until February to get my hands on the next box! 

Illumicrate!

The excitement! Wonderment! The wait is over!

If like me, you've been overwhelmed over the past year with the sheer amount of subscription services that are showing up in every direction, then t his post is going to make you VERY happy. Assuming you're here for the books and not my majestic presence ;)

For a long time now i've seen these subscription boxes (and I have Lootcrate) and always pined for a book-themed one. I mean, how awesome would it be to have a random delivery of a book and lots of bookish goodies?

A few months ago I heard rumours of Illumicrate - a UK book subscription service and I have been WAITING for what feels like an ETERNITY for the service to be launched. And now it is.

I'll post the link to the website at the bottom of this page so you can discover and decide for yourself but just for some more information, this is taken directly from the site.

"When you subscribe to Illumicrate, you will receive a carefully curated quarterly box with a newly released book and a supply of fun, bookish goodies, like bookmarks, jewellery, stationery, and more!

We work with amazing independent suppliers to ensure that all the products you receive are of great quality and design. We try where we can to make sure the items included will be exclusive to Illumicrate! We also work directly with publishers to provide exclusive content from them and the authors where possible!" 

I am absolutely in NO way associated with illumicrate or the creators but I genuinely just think this is such a wonderful idea and i'm incredibly excited for the launch of the first box in November. For the love of books I urge you to just check it out and consider it. It looks like it's going to be fun :)


Link - http://www.illumicrate.com/