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Happy 5th Birthday Angel Reads!
03 Feb

Happy 5th Birthday Angel Reads!

Posted by angelreads Announcements, Discussions 12 Comments

5th Birthday Angel Reads

I cannot believe that I am here! It’s crazy to think that this year will be my 6th year of blogger. I cannot fathom, that I have been doing it this long because it doesn’t feel it. This isn’t going to be a big post, but I just wanted to say a couple of things.

I started Angel Reads in 2012 when I was 15 years old, I’m now 20. I was in high school when I started Angel Reads. Now I’m in my second degree at university. When I started Angel Reads I was over on blogger minding my business, now I love how my blog looks and can look at it all the time

When I started I didn’t think I would be working in the book industry. Now I’ve been studying it, had an internship and have amazing opportunities.

When I started Angel Reads I didn’t have great friends, now, now I have amazing friends that I have met because of Angel Reads. When I started here, I only wanted to write about the books that I read. Now I love doing it. I love sharing my thoughts, hearing back from you. I love having fun with books, I love reading them, I love blogging.

Now that it’s my 5th birthday, all I can say is THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone that has stood by me, that follows me, that comments. That listen’s to the weird things I say on social media. Thank you for reading my reviews, for commenting. It’s amazing really. I didn’t think that I would be here, doing this still.

5th Birthday Angel Reads

I would like to thank a few people personally that have been there by my side. Ely from Tea and Titles. I have known this girl nearly as long as I have been blogging. But last year we grew closer and she is one of the most trusted friends that I have and I don’t know what I would do without her. Michelle from Tea and Titles, we didn’t really become friends until last year, but again this girl is a rock and helps me way too much. And all the other Melbourne booknerds, because I wouldn’t have such fun at events and late night twitter chats without you.

Once again thank you and bring on many more years to come.

TV Review: Shadowhunters 2×05 ‘Dust and Shadows’
01 Feb

TV Review: Shadowhunters 2×05 ‘Dust and Shadows’

Posted by angelreads Season 2, Shadowhunters, TV Series Reviews 2 Comments

Dust and Shadows
Dust and ShadowsShadowhunters: Season 2 Episode 5

Episode Name: Dust and Shadows
Release date: 30th January, 2017
Running Time: 42 minutes
Starring Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr.
Directed By:
Watch: Freeform (US) – Netflix (Worldwide)
Episode Reviews: Season 1 | Season 2

After the recent attack on the Institute, the Shadowhunters are left devastated and wounded. Trying to regroup, each of the Shadowhunters deals with the situation their own way. Meanwhile, Simon moves home but finds it is not so easy to pull off his new life with his family around.

Dust and Shadows:

There will be spoilers from previous episodes and slight spoilers from this weeks. 

Wow- What an episode. I think that this was one of the most intense and gripping episodes of the series to date. It was heartbreaking, heart-wrenching and torn me into pieces.

Dust and Shadows followers the aftermath to Jocelyn’s (Maxim Roy) death. Not only has this rocked Clary (Katherine McNamara) to the core, but everyone else too. Stricken with grief and guilt, Clary wants to bring her mother back from the dead and a warlock is the only way to help. In this episode, the audience is able to see Clary’s ignorance to the shadowhunter world and essentially ours as well.

It’s not just Clary and the shadowhunters’ having trouble, Simon (Alberto Rosende) is too. With the death of Clary’s mother, Simon is rethinking his cold shoulder to his own mother. But, when he does get home, it’s not all smooth sailing.

Aftermath of Death

Dust and Shadows is probably the most emotional episode yet. Last week I said that I didn’t feel the grief, the heartbreak. But, this episode was totally different.

Clary started to feel her mother’s death this week and gosh did it tear me apart. I think there was still some shock in her system and she fully didn’t understand what was going on. How this could all happen. She is so deep in grief that she wants to bring her mother back from the dead. And no one can stop her. This was really hard to see. We don’t see this side of Clary in the book, so taken by grief – so it was strange.

The last scene in this episode – wow. Katherine’s acting hasn’t been something that I’ve loved. But, I could really feel her in Dust and Shadows and that last scene really set that in place.

We also see some emotions in Jace (Dominic Sherwood) in this episode that we haven’t seen before. I am not sure if it’s about Jocelyn death or for Clary who is broken all over.

Alec (Matthew Daddario) isn’t as much struggling with the death of Jocelyn, but more with that, he was the one who killed her. Or the demon possessed him and then killed her. Alec has been closed off for most of the series so far, but we see him break a little. There is this scene with Magnus (Harry Shum Jr) that broke my heart. He feels so bad like it’s all his fault. That he could have stopped the demon, and he didn’t. Magnus helps him see even if it’s just a little – that it wasn’t his fault.

The ‘Funeral’ scene was interesting. It’s not exactly what I imagined, however, they were all wearing white! They have finally done something that I couldn’t help but smile at. Shadowhunters wearing white for mourning is something that is powerful in the books.

Bonds

In Dust and Shadows bonds have started to appear and grow and it was so good to see some light in this episode. There is a scene where Jace and Izzy (Emeraude Toubia) and practice fighting and omg – I loved it. The banter between the two was beautiful and we the audience gets to see how much they care for each other. It’s really nice to see a female and male relationship that isn’t romantic.

The audience is also able to see a little bonding with Alec and Clary. Alec wants to do everything in his power to help Clary, so he goes with her to the warlock that has said she will bring her mother back. It’s really great to see them start to build something. Thier relationship growth was on of my favourites in the book series, so to see this – I am quite happy.

There is also a scene where Magnus calls Clary ‘Biscuit’ and omg. I may have squealed a little.

Warlocks

In this week’s episode, the audience is able to see that not all warlocks use their powers for good. It’s a message from the books and I am glad that they did bring it across. Not only is the warlock crazy, but now Clary owes her a favour and I am not looking forward to what it is.

The audience is also given an insight into the warlock world. If you are unfamiliar with the books, it’s a really interesting and explains how warlocks are created.

Simon

Simon has it hard this episode. Last week I spoke about the end is coming for Simon and his family and I think it’s closer than I thought. We have an emotional scene with Simon and his mum and it’s beautiful and really packs a punch after Jocelyn’s death. He loves her so much and he doesn’t want to lose her.

Unfoutently it doesn’t last long with Simon’s sister finds his blood stash. Everything starts to fall apart. Simon has to confess to his mum. I was angry at first because she seemed to be all okay with, yer that wasn’t the case. So heartbreaking, but so good.

Overall

This episode was a standout. I didn’t know what to expect or how to handle things. And even though I am upset and slightly angry with the death, I have to deal with it. They are drifting from the books and I expected nothing less, however, I am still enjoying it. I cannot wait to see what next week brings because it’s a Magnus and Alec date plus Iron Sisters!

Have you watched Dust and Shadows? Did you enjoy it? How are you finding everything? Are you looking forward to next weeks episode? Let’s Chat!

I love talking so talk to me over on my twitter @angel_reads, Facebook, instagram, tumblr and Goodreads. You can also follow Angel Reads on Bloglovin and via email (in the sidebar)

 

 

Top Ten Graphic Novels on my TBR
31 Jan

Top Ten Graphic Novels on my TBR

Posted by angelreads Features, Top Ten Tuesday 14 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that members at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone join as you please. This week’s topic is: Top Ten Graphic Novels on my TBR. 

I don’t read many graphic novels. I don’t really know the reasons, but they’ve never really caught my attention. I’ve read a couple over the years, but they are mainly graphic novels to books that I’ve already read. So here are some that I hope to get to in the near future. Hopefully.

Graphic Books 1

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson: I’ve had this for a while now and I just haven’t had the time to pick it. All I’ve heard is great things about this one and my mission is to read it this year.

Wires and Nerves, Volume 1 by Marissa Meyer (Goodreads Author) and Douglas Holgate (Illustrations): If you know me well, then you would know that I love the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. So when I heard that there was going to be graphic novels following Iko. I knew that I was in. Plus there is going to be appearances from Cinder and the gang. Coming January 31st.

Wonderwomen: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo: If you didn’t know. I love superheroes. It’s something that I grew up watching and I will never get tired of. One of my favourite heroes is Wonder Women. Firstly because she is a women and secondly, she has an amazing whip. So when I heard about Leigh Bardugo bringing this one out – I knew that I needed it. Coming August 2017. Update: I think this is actually a novel, not a graphic novel. My mistake.  

Graphic Books 2

Ms Marvel, Vol 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson (Author) and Adrian Alphona (Artist): Again, I love superheroes and I’ve heard some pretty great things about this one. Plus it’s another woman saving the world – well I hope.
Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan (Writer), Fiona Staples (Artist): This is probably my most heard about graphic novel. And I need to see what the fuss is all about. It sounds intriguing and totally something I will like.
Alex + Ada, Vol 1 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn: I’ve only briefly heard about this one, but it sounds quite the tale. And I think that I might just like it. There isn’t much on the synopsis online, however, I am intrigued.
Graphic Books 3

Sweet Tooth, Volume 1: Out of the Deep Woods by Jeff Lemire (Writer, Artist, Water Colourist), José Villarrubia (Colourist), Carlos M. Mangual (Letterer): I don’t know much about this one, but my friend suggested it. It doesn’t sound like something that I would normally pick up, however, I am very interested.

Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata (Illustrator): This is again another one that I know nothing about, but have heard some great things. I am not entirely sure that I will like it, but I want to give it a go.

Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters and Brooke A. Allen (Illustrator): Another one that I’ve heard a lot about and I have a feeling that I am going to really like this one. Nevertheless, with the tagline of ‘Friendship to the Max!’ I am totally in.

Graphic Books 4

Chew, Vol. 1: Taster’s Choice by  John Layman, Rob Guillory (Illustrator): Another one on the list that I don’t know much about. Can you see a theme going on here? In saying that, this one sounds interesting and I cannot wait to give it a go.

And that is it for this week! Have you read any of these? Did you enjoy them, or did you not? Are they on your TBR? Do you think that I will like any other graphic novels? Let’s Chat!

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book blogger 💻| romance books 💜| bookseller 📖
💌 angel@angelreads.com
📚15/150

I have a love-hate relationship with this series. I have a love-hate relationship with this series. But I ended up really enjoying this one. It’s best friends to fake dating to-lovers. It’s always been you, bad-boy/good-girl, and I loved that. While Save Your Breath has quite a few tropes, it really leads itself to it, and it works. 

Aleks and Mia have known each other for years now. Since they were teenagers, that angst has been building up this whole time. And you can tell right from the get-go, it’s fantastic. I even wanted more of it, because I love pain. When Aleks went to live with Mia’s family as a teenager, sparks flew, but for many reasons, they both put their feelings aside. And well, now they are not only going to be fake-dating, but they might as well be engaged, too. 

I really enjoyed seeing how both Aleks and Mia both tried to hide how they were feeling throughout the whole ‘fake-dating’ situation, but anyone could see it. They know each other as no one else does. Aleks has a lot going on, and while I do think this was brushed over a little too much, Mia is his centre. Mia is a massive music star and is a female in the industry, so yeah, people don’t respect her. Obvsiouly because why couldn’t a female star be badass and write about the things that she has gone through? Aleks and Mia get each other, and that is very clear from the start; they are both just trying to squash everything. We get to see them slowly start to show how they feel, and well, one night it all explodes. 

Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot; it’s not my favourite of the series, but I had a great time reading it. I liked Aleks and Mia a lot as characeters and while I think the mental health aspect could have been explored a whole lot more, I can see why it wasn’t. The romance was slow and spicy, the angst was great, and the payoff for these two was what they needed. 

Tropes
🏒Sports/Hockey Romance
🎤Fake Dating/Engagement
🏒Childhood Friends to Lovers
🎤Forced Proximity
🏒Athlete x Pop Star 
🎤Angsty Slow Burn 

Content Warnings
Mental Health Struggles 
Suicide Intention 
Family Deaths 
Alcohol Consumption
Violence on Ice

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #angelreads #spicybooks #bookreview
Well February wasn’t the best reading month. I onl Well February wasn’t the best reading month. I only ended up reading 3 books in. 3 pretty fun books but one of my slowest readings months in a while. 

And I’m going to be honest here it’s because I’ve been constantly reading Heated Rivalry fanfics. 🤷‍♀️ I’m having the best time though. 

How was your reading in February? Any 5  star reads? 

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #angelreads #spicybooks #februarywrapup
January was a really solid reading month. I read s January was a really solid reading month. I read some books that had been on my tbr for some time, reread a few things that peaked my interest. I also started a few new series. And just had a good time!

I just had a really good start to the year. While February is a little slow so far I’m looking forward to what I can pick up.

What did you read in January? Any 5-star reads? Let’s chat! 

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #angelreads #spicybooks #januarywrapup
Can you believe that it’s already February? I know Can you believe that it’s already February? I know I can’t. But that means it’s a new month with more releases coming out! And that makes me excited. Some fantastic titles releasing this month and I cannot wait to read them. 📚

A couple of these are on my TBR already and some have just caught my eye and that makes me super excited to pick them up. 🖤

What are you looking forward to reading this month? Let’s chat! ✨

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #angelreads #spicybooks #Februaryreleases2026
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