Spooktober Recommends: Witches

Hey guys, happy Thursday! 

Last Spooktober Recommends I hit you guys with Vampires...this time I thought I'd go with Witches because like Vampires...what's Halloween without witches! 

I've got a fair few other recommends posts coming up for other themes, which are giving me a headache because some belong in multiple categories but I'm sure it'll work out fine! I've also got a couple of genre ones coming up too! 

Sooooo...let's get Witchy! 

1. Witch's Kiss

Sixteeen-year-old Meredith is fed-up with her feuding family and feeling invisible at school – not to mention the witch magic that shoots out of her fingernails when she’s stressed. Then sweet, sensitive Jack comes into her life and she falls for him hard. The only problem is that he is periodically possessed by a destructive centuries-old curse. Meredith has lost her heart, but will she also lose her life? Or in true fairytale tradition, can true love’s kiss save the day? 

The atmosphere to this book really fits with Halloween, the historical aspects to this book are very well done and a lot of fun, and there's magic...obviously! It's got some serious Sleeping Beauty vibes to it and it's a nice, fun read! 

2. Witch Hunter

Sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Grey doesn't look dangerous. A tiny, blonde, wisp of a girl shouldn't know how to poison a wizard and make it look like an accident. Or take out ten necromancers with a single sword and a bag of salt. Or kill a man using only her thumb. But things are not always as they appear. Elizabeth is one of the best witch hunters in Anglia and a member of the king's elite guard, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and bringing those who practice it to justice. And in Anglia, the price of justice is high: death by burning.

When Elizabeth is accused of being a witch herself, she's arrested and thrown in prison. The king declares her a traitor and her life is all but forfeit. With just hours before she's to die at the stake, Elizabeth gets a visitor - Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful wizard in Anglia. He offers her a deal: he will free her from prison and save her from execution if she will track down the wizard who laid a deadly curse on him.

As Elizabeth uncovers the horrifying facts about Nicholas's curse and the unwitting role she played in its creation, she is forced to redefine the differences between right and wrong, friends and enemies, love and hate... and life and death.

This is such a good read for Halloween, there's the witch hunt element and there's a scene with it at the beginning which is really vivid and gives you chills! There's plenty of magic, and there's a little darkness to it! Not to mention some romance, because I know not all of you want to be terrified for Halloween, it's okay, neither do I! 

3. A Breath of Frost

In 1814, three cousins—Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope—discover their family lineage of witchcraft when a binding spell is broken, allowing their individual magical powers to manifest. Now, beyond the manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, an alluring underworld available only to those with power is revealed to the cousins. By claiming their power, the three cousins have accidentally opened the gates to the underworld.

Now ghouls, hellhounds—and most terrifying of all, the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters—are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers. And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders…because she keeps finding the bodies.

Can the cousins seal the gates before another witch is killed…or even worse, before their new gifts are stripped away? 

You guys know I love Alyxandra's books and I think this trilogy might just be my favourite! Although I am kinda disappointed the third book is a novella and isn't very long :( ANYWAY, I completely love this book. Historical setting, witches, magic, a nice dose of creepiness and romance that's totally cute! It has such Halloween vibes, it's a great read and it's one that I re-read regularly along with the sequel, but Emma holds a special place in my heart so this first book is my favourite! 

4. Trial by Fire

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected. 

Okay, so it's been a while since I read this, long story short, the covers changed and then I fell in love with the US ones, ANYWAY. I loved the angle this book took with everything, I was already a fan of the authors, and I got completely engrossed in this book! I loved the twists it had and it kept me reading until the end! Also, Salem! 

5. Hexed

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.

I read this and it's sequel last year, because I got to review the sequel, and these are such fun reads! It had actually been a while since I'd read a witch at school kind of book, Trial by Fire doesn't really count! I think the last time was when I was in school myself because it had like a pink cover and a broom on it, but I can't remember what it was called! This book has a brilliant atmosphere to it, and it's another interesting take on witches! 

6. Grave Witch

As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex Craft has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she’s on good terms with Death himself—who happens to look fantastic in a pair of jeans—nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high profile murder when she’s attacked by the ‘shade’ she’s raising, which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life, but Death saves her. Guess he likes having her around...

To solve this case Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews. Falin seems to be hiding something—though it’s certainly not his dislike of Alex—but Alex knows she needs his help to navigate the tangled webs of mortal and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer wielding a magic so malevolent, it may cost Alex her life...and her soul.

So not a YA, this is my adult/NA contribution to my recommends! It's actually the only one I could think of, or at least the only one I've read! If there are others feel free to let me know in the comments! I stumbled across this at the library the other year and read all three, I've been waiting for the fourth book for what feels like years! I loved the take on witches in this, Alex being a grave witch, meaning she can talk to the dead! I found it kind of hard to pick a category for this, because it's got murder and other stuff too, but Witch is in the title so here we go! This book is a lot of fun, and it's got its creepy parts! It's also got humour and originality to it! 

Hope you guys enjoyed the recs, and if there are any Witchy books that I haven't included let me know below! I've only included ones I've read you see! 

Spooktober Recommends: Vampires!

Hey guys! 

Welcome to my first Spooktober rec post! I've got quite a few of these planned, I'm going to do a whole series of them and I figured rather than doing what I'd originally planned, you know, YA, Adult etc, I'd do something else instead! 

First up for my recs are.....vampires! They're kind of a Halloween staple you know? So I figured I'd start with them. 

Hopefully I've got all your vampire needs covered and I've got a mix of categories, although mostly YA as usual! 

1. Dracula

When Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to advise Count Dracula on a London home, he makes a horrifying discovery. Soon afterwards, a number of disturbing incidents unfold in England: an unmanned ship is wrecked at Whitby; strange puncture marks appear on a young woman's neck; and the inmate of a lunatic asylum raves about the arrival of his 'Master', while a determined group of adversaries prepares to face the terrifying Count. 

Of course we have to kick of this vampire rec session with the most famous vampire there is....good old Dracula! I read this a loooongg time ago and I completely loved it! It's essential Halloween reading! 

2. Vampire Academy

St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's the very place where they're most in danger. . . .Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires make Lissa one of them forever.

Hitting the lighter spectrum of the vampires, we have VA. I read this back when the vampire thing was a huge trend and I loved how original it was, and how different it was from the normal. It's a fun read and it's the first in a series so you can enjoy it for a while! There's humour and romance and plenty of intrigue and mystery!  

3. Crusade

Vampires-the Cursed Ones-have declared war on humanity. Most people are too afraid or unwilling to take a stand, but eighteen-year-old Jenn Leitner trains to become a vampire hunter, risking everything in the process. When Jenn falls for Antonio, a vampire fighting on the side of humanity, she discovers a love that transcends attraction and physical consummation. But the closer Jenn and Antonio become, the greater the danger. Together, they must fight for their love--and to bring light into the darkness the vampires have drawn over the face of the planet.

Another from the list of books I read a long time ago, again it's a nice unique look at vampires and it's such a brilliant read, there's tonnes of action and romance and it's got a nice dystopian kinda feel to it! 

4. Chicagoland: Some Girls Bite

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but I was doing fine until Chicago’s vampires announced their existence to the world. When a rogue vampire attacked me, I was lucky he only got a sip. Another bloodsucker scared him off and decided the best way to save my life was to make me the walking undead.

Now I’ve traded sweating over my thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord o’ the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed,
four-hundred-year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects my gratitude—and servitude. Right…

But someone’s out to get me. Is it the rogue vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches? 
My initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war—and there will be blood. 

I read another series by Neill and completely loved it, it was all supernatural and brilliant and so I've been eyeing up this series for a while. It's kind of a long one, but I've read the first chapter of this and it's on my eBook list for Spooktober! Knowing Neill it's going to be a lot of fun, and have humour as well as everything else! 

5. Crave

When Savannah Colbert returns to school after a mystery illness, the fact that she has changed is clear to everyone. None more so than every school girls golden boy Tristan Coleman. Ever since their first kiss in fourth grade, Savannah and Tristan have been cruelly and inexplicably banned from associating with each other. Now, as the pair navigate the tricky social life of high school, the truth is about to be revealed. 

As Savannah learns of their paranormal ancestry and Tristan deals with the repercussions of her new powers, the relationship they have been denied for so long becomes utterly irresistible and all consuming. Like Romeo and Juliet centuries before them, Savannah and Tristan’s love is destined to fail; and Tristan’s powerful magical family, the Clann, are watching.

Okay. So, I know it sounds kind of cheesy and cliche, and I did read this a while ago back when it first came out so I was a lot younger BUT it was a good read, and there was an originality to it that made it a fun read! Also it's totally vampire-y even though it doesn't sound it! 

6. Glass Houses: Morganville Vampires

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood. Will she be able to face the town's terror or will she drown like everyone else?

Okay so I think a town that's run by vampires and is full of you know...vampires, qualifies as a good Halloween vampire read! I love the twists Caine has given these books as the series has gone on, and the books are a lot of fun with plenty of lively characters, my particular favourite is the ever Gothic Eve! 

7. Anno Dracula 

It is 1888 and Queen Victoria has remarried, taking as her new consort Vlad Tepes, the Wallachian Prince infamously known as Count Dracula. Peppered with familiar characters from Victorian history and fiction, the novel follows vampire Geneviève Dieudonné and Charles Beauregard of the Diogenes Club as they strive to solve the mystery of the Ripper murders.

Anno Dracula is a rich and panoramic tale, combining horror, politics, mystery and romance to create a unique and compelling alternate history. Acclaimed novelist Kim Newman explores the darkest depths of a reinvented Victorian London.

This is a series everyone raves about, and after reading Newman's Drearcliff novel, I'm excited to get stuck in to this, this Halloween! I feel like this is possibly a modern classic, and it's certainly a vampire classic! After reading Drearcliff, I feel pretty confident rec-ing this to you guys even though I haven't read it yet! 

8. The Drake Chronicles

The Drakes are rather different to your usual neighbors. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped, Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer.

So, I had quite the vampire phase back around the Twilight era, and this book is one of the first I read in the genre after Twilight. This is another one at the lighter end of the spectrum, it's fun, it's got it's original twists to it, and it's an entertaining read! I love Alyxandra's books because she always makes them fun and original! 

9. The Immortal Rules

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Julie Kagawa is another favourite author of mine, and I'm definitely due a re-read of this trilogy at some point! Kagawa always delivers, romance, humour, originality and writing that makes the book hard to put down! 

10. Interview with the Vampire

In a darkened room a young man sits telling the macabre and eerie story of his life - the story of a vampire, gifted with eternal life, cursed with an exquisite craving for human blood. 

Yep, not much for the synopsis but spoilers so you're gonna have to deal! Although some of you may or may not have watched the movie, the book is still worth a read! It is, after all, the original! It's also a vampire classic, and therefore kind of a Halloween classic! 

There's a tonne of other vampire books out there but I've had to narrow it down to ten otherwise we'd be here all month! Keep an eye on my blog, as I've got plenty more rec posts coming your way, plus other fun Spooktober things! 

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