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Never Hollowed By The Stare
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  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • Reviews A-Z
    • MINI MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MEMES+TAGS
    • MUSIC MONDAY
    • LAST YEAR I WAS READING
    • FLICKer FADE SUNDAY
    • TAGS
    • MISC POSTS
    • PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
    • FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56
  • TOURS & BLITZES
    • COVER REVEAL
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  • manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: One Reason Why He Hates Me

    January 31, 2020 / No Comments

    One Reason Why He Hates Me – Migab

    Jaeshik is head over heals in love with Doyoung, except there seems to be a major problem… Doyoung hates him. After a love fairy visits Jaeshik, he’s given a chance to make Doyoung fall in love with him, but only on one condition- he needs to find out the one reason why he hates him.

    We all know why he hates him.

    Read More
    neverhollowed

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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: The Witch’s Blood by Michele Notaro

    January 31, 2020 / 2 Comments
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    The Ellwood Chronicles: The Witch’s Blood – Michele Notaro

    I’ve been living with this burden for years, but my secret has finally been revealed and I feel like I can breathe again. I’ve wanted to ask—to beg—for help, but the spell that’s held me captive wouldn’t allow it. With it out in the open, I’m more determined than ever to break the seal from my chest so I can truly be free. 

    But what if my seal has something to do with one of the most feared prophecies of the millennium?

    “A broken seal breaks the fragile hold…” 

    What does that mean? How am I connected? And why do I find myself so deeply drawn to Julius when I know my viramore, my soulmate, is out there somewhere? It’s not fair to either of us for me to lead Jules on, but it seems that my vampire companion is fierce in his determination to help me. 

    The Witch’s Blood is the third book in The Ellwood Chronicles and is a continuation of the overall story as we follow Emrys, Julius, Sebastian, and Ailin on their journey. It contains explicit material and is intended for mature adults 18 years of age and older.

    Recommended Reading Order: 
    The Enchanter’s Flame
    The Witch’s Seal
    The Enchanter’s Soul
    The Witch’s Blood


    That damn long-ass prophesy continues to haunt the Ellwoods. This time, it’s all about Emrys and the seal that cost him everything.

    Em was part of the Ellwoods coven and also Ailin’s ex-boyfriend who, for reasons unknown at that time, betrayed them. Or so, they thought. It was Sebastian who finally shed some light when he saw that there was a seal on the witch’s chest, preventing him from telling Ailin and the coven the truth.

    Reading the books in sequence is the best way to get to know the Ellwoods. I liked how each book build up on the previous one. There are a lot of things going on but it’s not as overwhelming as other urban fantasy books (*side eyes Soulbound*) and it never loses sight of the main thread.

    The series is full of magical creatures up the wazoo, either making it on page or name-dropped. Each creature has its own magic. I do wish we get more details about the magic systems or creature abilities. What we know is that witches have different magical affinities, ex. Ailin has nature magic. Enchanters have their own special magic but what makes it different from witch abilities was not explained.

    The Witch’s Blood is as riveting and magical as the first two books but with more bloodsucking. The romance takes focus but is nicely integrated with the prophesy and the overarching thread. Since this is the third book, the world is already established so there not so much info-dump.

    The book picks up on the aftermath of the ogre battle where the Ellwoods’ nearly lost Seb. Em is now with his friend/lover Julius, a vampire, in coven grounds as they try to recuperate. This is where they, Julius in particular, constantly butted heads with Ailin as they try to find a way to break the seal while trying to keep all the coven members safe.

    The story is presented through four POVs, Emrys, Julius, Ailin and Sebastian. This is very effective in showing the group dynamics and how each character developed as their world descends into chaos.

    Sage Ailin continues to take responsibility for everything because the witch just loves to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is a giant asshole but we all know A’s heart is in the right place because he couldn’t resist bringing home yet another stray. Seb is forever the peacekeeper, defusing the easily triggered A everytime his viramore (soulmate) gets ticked off.

    I was already invested in Em and Jules since the previous books and I’m glad that the author gave them their own story. Emrys is a death witch. He has magical affinity for dead things. I think it’s very apt that his partner is a vampire. It adds an extra kick to their relationship because he could very easily control the undead.

    I love how Jules really shine here. You gotta love his devotion to his witch. The vampire is all about keeping Em safe. Once you read about his past, you will love him even more. Regularly drinking a witch’s blood gives him access to their powers. He could use it anytime he wishes. But would he?

    This is what’s fascinating about Em and Jules’ relationship. There are many nuances to their relationship, much more so than Ailin and Seb. Later, it turned out that they are even more deeply connected.

    A big hug goes to Tobi, Julius’ fledgling. I don’t know why everybody was threatening the guy, he was a cinnamon roll! If A didn’t make him part of his coven, I would have hexed the damn witch. Luckily, A has a soft spot for lost creatures.

    And me, I have a soft spot for the Ellwoods a mile wide. Why can’t those evil creatures leave them alone?

    We’re near the end of the prophesy. Armies gather. War is here. Another horrid monster rises out of some Goddess-forsaken hole. You can bet one of these Ellwoods is going to make the ultimate sacrifice.

    I can’t wait for the final book!!!!

    P.S.

    Review of The Enchanter’s Flame here.
    Review of The Enchanter’s Soul here.

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Blood Sings
    Artist: Suzanne Vega
    Album:

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    neverhollowed

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  • song,  Uncategorized

    SOUNDTRACK: Blood Sings by Suzanne Vega

    January 31, 2020 / 2 Comments

    Soundtrack to The Ellwood Chronicles: The Witch’s Blood by Michele Notaro

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  • Uncategorized
    January 31, 2020 / No Comments

    When blood sees blood
    Of its own
    It sings to see itself again
    It sings to hear the voice it’s known
    It sings to recognize the face

    One body split and passed along the line
    From the shoulder to the hip
    I know these bones as being mine
    And the curving of the lipAnd my question to you is:
    How did this come to pass?
    How did this one life fall so far and fast?

    Some are lean and some with grace, and some without;
    All tell the story that repeats
    Of a child who had been left alone at birth
    Left to fend and taught to fight

    See his eyes and how they start with light
    Getting colder as the pictures go
    Did he carry his bad luck upon his back?
    That bad luck we’ve all come to know

    And my question to you is:
    How did this come to pass?
    How did this one life fall so far and fast?

    When blood sees blood
    Of its own
    It sings to see itself again

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    MOVIE FEATURE: Oh Vey! My Son is Gay!!

    January 31, 2020 / No Comments
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  • Uncategorized

    FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56: Feelings are for the Weak

    January 30, 2020 / No Comments

    “First Line Fridays” is by Hoarding Books and is all about the first line of a current/upcoming read. Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda’s Voice, where you turn to page 56 (or 56%) in what you’re reading a find a snippet that jumps out at you. The idea to combine the two came from Kat @ Here There Be Dragons“

    I found this meme on The Writerly Way. And I’m doing this on a Thursday just to be difficult.

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