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A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire, Book One)
A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire, Book One) | Jessica Cluess
"Vivid characters, terrifying monsters, and world building as deep and dark as the ocean." --Victoria Aveyard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Red Queen I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer in hundreds of years. The prophesied one. Or am I? Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she's shocked when instead of being executed, she's invited to train as one of Her Majesty's royal sorcerers. Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the chosen one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. But Henrietta Howel is not the chosen one. As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, what does it mean to not be the one? And how much will she risk to save the cityand the one she loves? Exhilarating and gripping, Jessica Cluess's spellbinding fantasy introduces a powerful, unforgettably heroine, and a world filled with magic, romance, and betrayal. Hand to fans of Libba Bray, Sarah J. Maas, and Cassandra Clare. "The magic! The intrigue! The guys! We were sucked into this monster-ridden, alternative England from page one. Henrietta is literally a 'girl on fire' and this team of sorcerers training for battle had a pinch of Potter blended with a drop of [Cassandra Clare's] Infernal Devices." --Justine Magazine "Cluess gamely turns the chosen-one trope upside down in this smashing dark fantasy." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "Unputdownable. I loved the monsters, the magic, and the teen warriors who are their world's best hope! Jessica Cluess is an awesome storyteller!" --Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author "A fun, inventive fantasy. I totally have a book crush on Rook." --Sarah Rees Brennan, New York Times bestselling author "Pure enchantment. I love how Cluess turned the 'chosen one' archetype on its head. With the emotional intensity of my favorite fantasy books, this is the kind of story that makes you forget yourself." --Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen "A glorious, fast-paced romp of an adventure. Jessica Cluess has built her story out of my favorite ingredients: sorcery, demons, romance, and danger." --Kelly Link, author of Pretty Monsters From the Hardcover edition.
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bookishunicorn
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I added another one to my September TBR, and I'm really enjoying it so far. There's been a lot of action, and some amusing lines as well.

I think I'll be ordering the second book pretty soon!

#tbrpile #fallreads

Mommamanzi I loved this one! 3y
11 likes1 comment
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Blh87
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Pickpick

There was a few times where it felt like the author assumed that you should just know things (not sure if that makes sense) instead of explaining...but I enjoyed it! I will for sure read the next in the series!

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Blh87
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Only four chapters in, and I am digging it! Nice change of pace...I have a feeling this book will be a great escape🤗

Mommamanzi LOVED it! 3y
10 likes1 comment
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Blh87
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Let‘s try something completely different than the last few, shall we?

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RiverKScottWrites
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Are you book monogamous? This is my literal current read list right now. I don‘t mean TBR. I mean I‘m currently reading all these books 😂 How many of you are reading more than one book?

Slajaunie I usually read two at a time. 5y
RiverKScottWrites Two is a more respectable number than this heap 😂 5y
ItsAnotherJen I can't seem to read less than 3 at once! All different formats. Audio, ebook, real book. 5y
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RiverKScottWrites @ItsAnotherJen Nice! That‘s definitely the way to go! 5y
persephone1408 I usually do one book and one audiobook at a time. Sometimes 2 books and 1 audiobook...like right now. 3y
RiverKScottWrites @persephone1408 So you can do the audiobook on your way places or doing chores and then read the other book(s) when you‘re cozied up somewhere — at least that‘s how I do it :) 3y
26 likes7 comments
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bookishnerd
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Pickpick

My next roll for #Bookopoly was 'Young Adult Fiction'. I have to admit I had no idea what this book was about. I heard one review saying they liked it and it had a nice cover. I ended up really liking it! A novel about a group of sorcerers with a strong female lead coming into her own. I am happy I read this and cannot wait for the sequel, which is all ready on my shelves. Recommended!

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bookishnerd
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And for anyone curious what won my poll the other day, I am currently reading A Shadow Bright and Burning. It is good so far! #currentlyreading #bookopoly

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bookishnerd
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Poll time: Which of these two books should I read next?

Chrissyreadit The covers are gorgeous! I would flip a coin to choose. 5y
LibrarianRyan Shadow gets better talk up than magnolia. 5y
LiteraryFeline I love the covers of both! I'd go with Shadow Bright & Burning, but both sound good. I hope you enjoy whichever does win! 5y
12 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Jb2003
Pickpick

I like this book. I‘m just getting back into reading YA and I can‘t wait to read the next one in the series. There were a few bits of forecasting that made some things predictable, but overall a good read and interesting twist on the Victorian Era English world.

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Salaphina
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Pickpick

This book is absolutely amazing. It popped up on my radar completely by accident and I‘m so grateful it did. It gave me amazing characters, beautiful magic, deep relationships and a wild ride. 10/10 would recommend

Come-read-with-me Welcome to Litsy! 📚🤓📚 5y
Salaphina @Come-read-with-me Thank you so much!! 5y
Come-read-with-me @Salaphina It‘s a fun community and you TBR list will explode! 5y
3 likes3 comments
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Salaphina
Pickpick

This book is absolutely amazing. It popped up on my radar completely by accident and I‘m so grateful it did. It gave me amazing characters, beautiful magic, deep relationships and a wild ride. 10/10 would recommend

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khooliha

Another tbr pick (which I feel will be coming up a lot in #startreksummerjune ). I don't love the ep Shadows and Symbols - I kind of wish Benny was a one time deal, and I think the stuff with Sisko's mom starts here (and I Don't Like that). Ezri is here though! Hi Ezri!

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Schlinkles
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I just randomly pulled this off the shelf at the library and thought I‘d give it a go.

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Beachesnbooks
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#24in48 wrap-up! I never time myself, but I finished 2 books and made a good start on 2 others. I also really enjoyed all the books I picked up during the readathon. It was perfect for a freezing cold weekend ❄️ @24in48

LibrarianRyan ⭐️🤓👍 6y
31 likes1 comment
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Beachesnbooks
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Pickpick

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! I gave it 3.5 stars and plan to continue with the trilogy. It‘s a YA fantasy set in the Victorian era with magic and a love square and plenty of action. Quick read, perfect for #24in48

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Beachesnbooks
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Day 1 of #24in48 went really well considering the fact that I worked most of the day and went out to dinner with friends. I finished 1 book and read a good amount from 2 others. I‘d like to get another book finished today if I can! @24in48

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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Pickpick

Such an underrated series!

rubyslippersreads That face! ❤️🐶 6y
CoffeeNBooks Oh my goodness! Your dog looks so serious, lol! 😂 6y
Jennick2004 He looks like a killer 🤣💙 6y
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ChasingOm I love this series! 6y
SassenachTheBookWizard Pretty sure my dog has plotted my murder at this point 🤣🤣🤣 6y
KirstieE I know right!! I loved this book 🙋🏻 6y
104 likes9 stack adds6 comments
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SassenachTheBookWizard
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One of my last few goals of the year is to reread this and A Poison Dark and Drowning so I can pick up A Sorrow Fierce and Falling since it finally came out. All I remember is it being very Victorian X-Men and I was trash for it

BethM Your dog looks very displeased with you lol. 6y
kgriffith Victorian X-Men? You have my attention! 6y
TheSpineView I love "the look". Something is not going as planned. Maybe not enough scratches!? 6y
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ReadingRover 😂 that face!!! 6y
SassenachTheBookWizard @BethM @TheSpineView @ReadingRover I had the audacity to wake him up! 6y
SassenachTheBookWizard @kgriffith yup! It's also got a bit of Harry Potter vibes. If Victorian X-Men interests you, I'd also suggest 6y
TheSpineView @SassenachTheBookWizard That is just too much! 6y
MaleficentBookDragon If looks could kill! Is he part cat? 😂 6y
tpixie Cute puppy 🐶 #DogsOfLitsy 6y
78 likes11 comments
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InBooksILive
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Pickpick

This book will grab you from beginning to end. Excellent characters, excellent writing. A truly excellent book. The world building was great. Those Ancients sound incredibly terrifying! Henrietta Howel is a woman to watch out for. I cannot wait to get the 2nd book and continue on in her world and follow her journey. 4 out of 5 stars

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WeeziesBooks
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1. Kingdom on Fire! Magic, romance, MURDER.
2. I don‘t actually watch TV. I do indulge in Anne with an E because, let‘s face it, I would die for Anne Shirley.
3. Nope.
4. I bought a watermelon at the farmer‘s market and I‘m eating the whole thing.
5. He never did until last year when I started buying him the Left Behind books. He zipped through the series and went right into reading YA. #YADad4Lyfe

#FriYayIntro @jesshowbooks

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Tanzy13
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Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train, she meets her fellow trainees, eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As she discovers the secrets hiding, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city... and the one she loves?

tracey38 Wow, sounds intriguing. And love the cover. 7y
67 likes6 stack adds1 comment
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WeeziesBooks
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Pickpick

I had been back and forth on reading this due to so many mixed reviews... but I loved it! Is the chosen one the actual Chosen One? Great read!

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WeeziesBooks
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Starting this one! #currentlyreading

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InBooksILive
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@Tiffy_Reads Congratulations! That is an incredible achievement you accomplished! Thanks so much for the giveaway opportunity! 😊
1) I love Litsy because I feel like I'm surrounded by a ton of best friends who all share the same feeling, our love of books. I can open up the app and talk all day about books to anyone.
2) I would love A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
#tiffysmilestonegiveaway

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Chelseak13
Pickpick

It was a very interesting take on Victorian era England.

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Laalaleighh
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#januarywrapup #januaryrecap

🥇A Shadow Bright and Burning, Everless, Beneath The Haunting Sea, The Fortunate Ones
🥈City Of Brass, Before She Ignites, Gilded Cage, Flame In The Mist
🥉The Cruel Prince, One Dark Throne, Love Lies and Spies

😾- Truly Devious (angry with this one)
📝- The English Wife (A for effort)
🤔- The Reader (hardest to rate)
❔- Everything All At Once (most forgettable)

No, I didn‘t read The Cruel Prince twice.

Mommamanzi Love, Lies, and Spies was super cute and cheesie. It was like reading a hallmark movie BUT I loved it lol. 7y
Laalaleighh @Mommamanzi I felt the same way! It was a great mood read! And I always enjoy Regency England settings! 7y
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Laalaleighh
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I wanted to roll my eyes at this concept (like all the times hermione sniffs angrily) but then I thought/ “Actually, yeah. That‘s accurate. Been there.”

So this is my new favorite go to. Call me overemotional and I will aggressively drink my tea at you. Watch out.

Lcsmcat 😂 7y
Reggie There is an emotional Reggie that lives inside me who got himself fired from a job he loved of 8 years in his 20‘s. He has a good job now so whenever emotional Reggie wants to show up, know‘s wiser in his late 30‘s Reggie shuts him up. I‘m sure he aggressively drinks soda while we keep our job. Lol 7y
Laalaleighh @Reggie haha. I have such a sarcastic streak that it‘s hard to keep it in. So I feel ya. 7y
59 likes4 comments
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blacksheep
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More fantasy ... Yes please 😊

31 likes2 stack adds
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Jokila
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Pickpick

One part Potter, one part Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and the perfect YA fantasy for our current political moment 👌 Cluess aggressively interrogates the class system of her magical Victorian London, using the differences between noble sorcerers, blacklisted magicians, and feared witches to tackle the big questions about how hierarchy is manufactured, by whom, and why. The most thoughtful rags-to-riches story you‘ll read all year.

ephemeralwaltz Nice photo!😍 7y
Jokila @ephemeralwaltz why thank you! ☺️💖 it was very bright out this morning lol 7y
minkyb Sold! 7y
Jokila @minkyb 🙌☺️ 7y
37 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Camille2
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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sparrowssavvy
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this book! Definitely was feeling the Lovecraft vibes. I loved the different classes of magic and their unique histories. I am feeling like I might have figured out one of the twists, but I'll have to keep reading the series to confirm if I am right. Can't wait to keep going with this series!

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Jessicav
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Pickpick

For some strange reason, I was skeptical going into this. It can be hard, I think, to really make an alternate Victorian London with magic and a kickass heroine work. It can come off as trying too hard and sort of lame. This was not that. This was EXCELLENT. I'll be picking up book 2 as soon as possible. Highly recommended YA fantasy.

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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Pickpick

Gosh, I love this book more than I remember. I continuously muttered "ahhhhhh sexism..."

I loved seeing roles of women challenged--even though it is set in Victorian England--its oh so relevant still in 2017.

I loved the magic and political building. It wasn't too heavy but I could still see it differing from our version of Victorian England. I'll pick up the sequel immediately after reading The One Memory of Flora Banks

TobeyTheScavengerMonk Nifty cover. 7y
dne2004 I really enjoyed this book as well!! 7y
111 likes9 stack adds2 comments
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SassenachTheBookWizard
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I adored this book when I first read it in February. Victorian England + magic + pretty cover? Yes please!

Want to reread it before picking up the recently released sequel.

Tee_x Love love love the cover!😍😍 7y
SassenachTheBookWizard @Tee_x the sequel is just as gorgeous 7y
Tee_x Ooh I'll have to look out for it and add them both to read. 7y
[DELETED] 206653737 Great cover! 😍 7y
KirstieE Yes !! I adored this book 😍 7y
122 likes11 stack adds5 comments
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Laughterhp
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Bailedbailed

I could not finish this book. I don't know if I wasn't in the mood for another magical YA or what, but I just didn't care about any of the characters. I didn't care about the plot or what happened. I read about 175 pages, which I feel is a lot, but I still had to bail. #AutumnReads

[DELETED] 3803335244 You gave it a better go than me, I usually stop at 100 pages if I don't like a book. Never read this one, nice cover, sad it was a DNF. 7y
Laughterhp @ForeverNerdy Yeah, I'm surprised I actually gave it as long as I did. If it was a shorter book, I probably would've stopped sooner! 7y
[DELETED] 3803335244 I definitely understand. The Passage is a 800 page book, I read half because I was thinking somewhere it would change. 7y
29 likes3 comments
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Laughterhp
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I'm curious how long you stick with a book, before you decide to bail? I'm about 175 pages in and I don't care about any of the characters or what happens... There's a little over 200 more pages left of the book.. but I feel like I already read so much of it, I should follow through. There are just so many other books I'd rather read. ⁉️⁉️⁉️

Bookbeez I try to give a book a good 50 to 100 pages. If I'm not feeling it or feel myself reaching for other books, I feel like it's okay to put it down and go for something new. 7y
BookwormAHN I agree with @Bookbeez I also give it about 50 to 100 pages and if I'm not into it I move on. My tbr pile is insane and life is too short for books that don't grab you somehow. 7y
Laughterhp @Bookbeez and @BookwormAHN Good to know. I always feel bad bailing on books, but I guess if I'm not into, I'm not into it. I think I may bail on this book. 7y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I usually don't!! I know! It's terrible and I should, but I'm ocd about finishing a book 😳🙄 7y
xicanti I give it three chapters or fifty pages. If I'm not interested by then, I'm out. 7y
EvieBee First paragraph or page sometimes. I test the water before investing too much time to see if I‘m in the right frame of mind to do the book justice. 7y
Melkyl If you are dreading reading it, it is time to bail. 7y
moranadatter It depends, but if it is a fun read and I'm not having fun, I bail. You could be reading 200 pages of something you like. 7y
23 likes9 comments
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Xenatine
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Isn't this cover gorgeous?

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JulieAnn
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$1.99 on Kindle!!

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JulieAnn
Pickpick

I loved this book. Thank you Litsy for another great recommendation! A wonderfully relevant story about a young woman who comes to recognize her importance and that of those around her. A young woman who challenges the mindset of her time and place. It's just such a great blend of fantasy and history with modern overtures. Also, the word Allons-y was used! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Johanna414 When I was in high school French, we used to have to write and perform little skits all the time- my friends and I always managed to incorporate "Oui! Oui! Allons y!" and thought it was hilarious. So now I'm going to have to read this book ;) 7y
JulieAnn @Johanna414 That's funny! I only ever took German but David Tennant says it throughout his time as the 10th doctor so I love it. My daughter takes French though. I will ask her to say it for me in the proper accent! 😃 7y
26 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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thefoxybooklady
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So excited to finally start this!! It's starting to remind me a tad of the ToG series, but just a hint. What about you guys? Have you read it?

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Christina.termini
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book! It took me by complete surprise, partially because I had no idea what to expect. But now I cannot wait for the sequel!

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Melissasbookworld
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Pickpick

a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy, magic, fighting off dark and scary creatures, friendship goals, realistic romance, amazing writing, an awesome setting and a terrific story-line! It leaves you aching for more after finishing it. This book gives you the ‘complete package-reading experience‘ and sets your inner fangirl heart on fire!! More extended non-spoiler review on my blog: http://melissasbookworld.com

6 likes2 stack adds
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Melissasbookworld
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“Knowledge is as powerful as fire. The brighter it burns, the more it devours.”
______
I'm re-reading a Shadow bright and Burning and I may be even loving it more now then my first time reading it. I love the setting; LONDON! I love the main character and the side characters as well, the story-line is awesome and the magic elements are perfectly blended into everything. I can really recommend this book!!

15 likes4 stack adds
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raechelreads
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I bought A Shadow Bright and Burning sometime last year because I loved the cover but haven't made my way to reading it yet..

💭 Any non-spoilery thoughts on this one?

5 likes1 stack add
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Longlivereading
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I'm currently reading A Shadow Bright and Burning! I have about 130 pages left to go, don't know when I'll be able to finish it. I've been in a pretty bad reading slump lately and because of that I've been reading this very slowly.

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