5 stars
Excitement…happiness…freakin’ awesomeness doesn’t nearly describe what I felt when I discovered our very own South African ‘The Book Case’. Seriously, you don’t understand! I’ve been a huge fan and follower of Owlcrate, Fairyloot, Litcube, YA Chronicles…you get the picture...right? Since many of us…droolers over those stunning book boxes…okay...let me continue…many of us can’t afford the high shipping costs and VAT that gets added to your total purchasing amount. Let me explain… Since we’re located wayyy down here at the bottom of the plain…earthly map wise…South Africa – when we add contents to our carts when purchasing internationally, shipping already spikes up to double the amount of what the actual product costs. When our package then gets shipped and arrives in South Africa, we receive that ‘phone call’ which then asks very nicely… “14% VAT please!” Depending on your parcel’s total amount you paid at checkout, that will then stipulate what amount of VAT you’ll end up paying. This is where it kind of bites you in the bum! You see, we’ve scrambled around, turned our couches upside down for that cent or two that might help. Rampaged through the drawers and checking your bank account every five minutes to see if money hasn’t magically appeared in your account! Finally, you manage to accumulate enough funds to buy that book box! But then shipping is added and VAT…you end up paying triple for that book box and ultimately…is it worth it? Can you afford it? Thus far, I couldn’t afford the monthly subscription payment of any of the overseas book boxes, because I’m a parent of two youngsters and two Alaskan Malamutes. When you enter family life, you kind of over-analyse and turn around every single cent spent. Finally, to come back to The Book Case. I love their name. It’s simple, straightforward though kind of sophisticated as well. Their website and ordering process. I do hope they’ll update their look in the future and I think an overall monthly update is required for new potential customers. When you click on their ‘past boxes’ tab, it takes you to February’s box…we’re at June. So, monthly updates are crucial. The ordering process is quick and simple. They constantly keep you up to date. They are active on their Facebook page and Instagram account. Again, constantly keeping up to date. Delivery time is freakin awesome!! You see, we live in an area which is categorized by courier companies as ‘rural’. Usually it takes a week or two longer for packages to arrive. Cities usually get their stuff the following day. Nonetheless, when I placed my very first order on the 26th of April 2017 (Mother’s Day box), it was delivered in record timing. The same has happened so far with our Father’s Day box and May themed box. Since this is an overall review of my opinion regarding The Book Case, monthly specific reviews will be posted as well. So, no particular box is currently being reviewed at this moment. Goodies thus far; we’ve really enjoyed receiving, opening and oogling each box. Mama would slowly open the box while taking photographs. Papa would gaze at each item and pack it perfectly for the next shot to be taken. Brother will ‘Aah and ooh’ while sister touches everything possible! Okay, it’s become a family ritual by now! And lastly, pricing… At R450 per box, shipping included, I’d say it’s very reasonably priced. Couriers alone cost +-R99. Subtract that from R450 and it leaves you at +-R350 per box. Contents include 3-5 bookish goodies which thus far has been fun to find within. It’s things I’d never really buy for myself due to life’s expenses. Now I find these goodies within this book box and it’s a nice treat for myself. The books included have been on my TBR pile and none I’ve owned. After all, it’s newly released highly anticipated books! The Book Case gets 5 stars from me. I really hope they’ll grow each month. I feel South Africa’s youth needs to be exposed to more reading than ever before. It’s crucial and I really hope parents across the country will discover The Book Case and subscribe. Many young adults participate in BookTube, reviewing via video feeds – their take on books they read etc. It’s exciting, creative and fun. I have to plant a seed really quick before I end this review… So far, my kiddos of 9 and 12-years-old have been drooling over these boxes. Yep, just like there Mama! Constantly with their droopy begging faces, they ask, “Is there a book box for us?” So…The Book Case…any possibility of supplying a junior book case in the near future?? Once again, Thank You The Book Case for being brave enough to bring bookish goodies to us and of course those books. Filling our minds with awe, excitement, laughter and joy. You can find The Book Case at www.thebcase.co.za
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Creepy Hollow
Enter a hidden world... Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale has one job: protect humans from dangerous magical creatures. It's a job she's good at—until the cute guy whose life she just saved follows her back into the dangerous world of magic. Now she's broken Guild law, landing herself in a whole lot of trouble. The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the guy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he's discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? Not when you factor in evil faeries, long-lost family members, and inconvenient feelings of the romantic kind. Vi is about to find herself tangled up in a dangerous plot—and it'll take all her training to get out alive. 4 Stars Just keep reading... You'll soon enough realize why. The above needs to be read first, so you'll keep on reading...not my blog...the BOOK! Let me start off with the main character, Violet. POV is 1st person style. Easy to read and engageable. We get to experience this tough kick-ass faerie. Her sweet gentle side does show up with a hint here and there. Violet deals with life the best she can. She breaks rules the way she sees fit, but not to be disrespectful towards anyone or her guild. She develops emotions she herself can’t quite understand, but she wants to explore them. Violet definitely hit a cord where I really vouched for her and shared her pain. At this stage I refrain from seeing too much into her character...let me first read the rest of the series before I dish it all out! Nate…maybe it’s the author’s way of introducing Nate in a subtle way. I’m not going to say too much about his character at this stage, as I feel we’re going to see much more of him in book 2. So far, I’m a bit uncertain of Nate…but let’s wait and see. Ryn, Boy-oh-boy. What a perfect match for Violet…in what way you would ask? He challenges her in every single way possible. He’s that thorn-in-your-heel. That heartburn bubbling in your thorax. Annoying, aggressive and arrogant are beautiful adjectives that don’t deserve to be in the same sentence as ‘Ryn’! Shall we simply go for “What an asshole?” Too fair? Too harsh? You decide. But wait… It’s not over until that beautiful lady has sung! This is so true to human nature as well. How do we act or purge when we face grief? And this is exactly how Ryn experienced his pain, grief and loss. He grieved the best way he knew possible…and that was to blame Violet for his brother’s death. I think Rachel Morgan did an excellent job at developing his character. Overall fantasy experience…Creepy Hollow series is my first attempt at reading fiction fantasy about kick-ass faeries. I could easily envision the world described beautifully. I absolutely loved Filigree. Don’t we all wish a shapeshifter companion will be freakin’ awesome?! The plot thus far is gripping, leaving you wanting to know more. What is going on? Who is the evil villain? Who is faking it? Action scenes are described in such a way that at times I felt like ducking or jumping through that faerie magical hole myself and strangle some certain characters! There is a lot of action scenes going on and leaves you tied in a knot! Cover design…I’ve seen both Rachel Morgan’s 1st Edition and now 2nd Edition covers. She is an Indie Author – Respect all the way!! Both are beautiful, but I do like the 2nd Edition covers more. Having the actual paperback in my hands – it’s alive and fits the scene. Now why only a rating of 4 stars? I felt the story started off a bit slow. It didn’t hook me right away. Came off as a bit predictable. BUT…A BIG BUT…when I reached Chapter 20…Holy shizers! What just happened? I don’t understand? These are thoughts and emotions I experienced which really pulls me back to the story and wanting to read more. However, I feel many readers would’ve put the book down before they reached Chapter 20. That’s where things really start to happen, boil and ooze action wise. With all this said, I think this is going to be one awesome reading journey. I’m officially hooked and will now end this review so I can delve into Book 2 – The Faerie Prince! |
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