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Booked with Boba

 

"UNLIKE THE INTERNET, INFORMATION ON PAPER WASN'T FOREVER. IT COULD BE BURNED, CONSUMED, NEVER SEEN AGAIN. LOVE LETTERS COULD BE FORGOTTEN. SECRETS COULD BE DESTROYED. STAINS COULD BE SCRUBBED AWAY. INK WAS NOT FOREVER." 

     Tess Matheson only wants three things: time to practice her cello, for her sister to be happy, and for everyone else to leave her alone.
Instead, Tess finds herself working all summer at her boarding school library, shelving books and dealing with the intolerable patrons. The worst of them is Eliot Birch: snide, privileged, and constantly requesting forbidden grimoires. After a bargain with Eliot leads to the discovery of an ancient book in the library's grimoire collection, the pair accidentally unleash a book-bound demon.
The demon will stop at nothing to stay free, manipulating ink to threaten those Tess loves and dismantling Eliot’s strange magic. Tess is plagued by terrible dreams of the devil and haunting memories of a boy who wears Eliot's face. All she knows is to stay free, the demon needs her... and he'll have her, dead or alive.

publication date: August 10th, 2021 | source: library
page count: 368 | genre: fantasy, horror, young adult, thriller, mystery
2022 reading-wise was off to a great start, Ace of Spades was incredible by the way and you should go read that book, but The Devil Makes Three was a bit disappointing and didn’t reach my high expectations after reading Ace of Spades. I heard a lot of intriguing things about this book from said older sister to be a YA Dark Academia Horror/Thriller novel, spooky and chilling which obviously sounded like a book I would really enjoy because I’m weird that way, but guess I didn’t end up liking it as much as I though. I need to shut up now and actually start writing this review so here’s my honest and critical review of The Devil Makes Three.

The book stars with introducing the protaganist: Tess Matheson, who’s working as an assistant at her elite private high school. Her character was more expected as a character who is not as privilaged as the other students, a cello prodigy who got into the school, and as expected of any older sibling-fiercely protective of her younger sister. She meets Eliot Birch, a seemingly rich bastard who has more than meets the eye. His mother’s dying from Cancer, his father is a grade A a-hole, and he secretly has an passion in grimoires and magic books, hoping that studying them will fix his life above. The two meet in the weirdest way possible and what they unleash is a lot bigger than either of them signed up for.

Honestly, I think the reason why this book was bumped down to a 2 stars was because instead of a chill that was supposed to come of excitment and thrill, I got chills from how creepy this book was. Which normally would be a fantastic thing but this book took that up to a whole new level. Like theres chilling creepy and then there’s the kind of creepy that makes you just freeze and look around your room to make sure there’s no demons in your room to haunt you. The plot of the story was also a bit slow and I felt like Tess and Eliot’s love life was so rushed throughout the book as well. I mean they go down into a no no basement thingy and decided to open a book that clearly looks like it’s posessed and suddenly he’s in love with her. Did we skip the chemistry between the two or something? My train of thought when he made a move was just ‘Y’all just nearly died and now you’re asking her out to dinner???’ If all it took was a near-death or truamatic experience to make someone fall in love with me, I would’ve had a line of guys asking for my number or to take me out to dinner. Sadly, my butt is still single so clearly that does not work. Obviously.

Speaking of chilling, I mentioned that instead of like getting good chills from this book I got what-the-heck-did-I-just-read-is-my-room-now-haunted kind of chills. To be fair, I have to give props to the author for writing it so well that it made my blood run cold but I am like the biggest baby in the world according to my older sister and I was reading this book at night like the idiot I am so yeah, not the biggest fan. Reading this book did remind me why I sometimes enjoy horror movies even though I cannot for the life of me do jump scares but I’m fine with blood and gore by itself for some reason. This book just reminded me a lot a horror movie that was a book instead because Tess and Elliot made a lot of uh, questionable decisions. The main reason why I love watching horror movies is to mainly make fun of the characters in the film for making dumb choices to move everything along. While it’s all staged, it’s still extremley stupid and entertaining to watch, and Tess and Elliot’s choices to go down into the forbidden basement in search for a grimoires or touch that clearly possesed book was just that. Except less entertaining and more exsaperating.

The Devil Makes Three was more of a book that I didn’t really enjoy most of it and clearly had more thoughts than I expected, just look at this moutain of a review, I did not expect this review to turn out as long as it did. Then again, with books you don’t tend to enjoy as much, writing a review becomes a whole rant and I am fantastic at those so to speak. Ahem. Moving on. Recommendation wise, I wouldn’t really recommend it but I think a lot more of you would enjoy it but this book was just not for me, I hope that if you do pick it up, you’ll enjoy it more than I did.

FINAL RATING: 


If you were trapped inside a book, which book which would it be?








 



First kdrama of 2022!! Did I barley finish this in time by the end of winter break and had to cram it in? Absolutely. Did I love this drama through every adorable and cringy scene? Through all my loving groans and awe's, 100% yes. Since I am now done wallowing in my post kdrama feels, I shall now deliver a book and playlist recommendation! 

EXTRAORDINARY YOU is a fantasy rom-com starring high school student Kim Hye-Yoon (Eun Dan-Oh) who has a heart disease and is told that she might not live past her teen years. She realizes that she is just a mere supporting character in the world of a Korean Webtoon. Upon meeting the mysterious character of Rowoon (Haru), Dan-Oh decides that she'll make her own fate, not one dictated by the artist. 

eun dan-oh - spin the dawn by elizabeth lim
+
i'm the greatest by taeyeon


Dan-Oh is stubborn, strong-willed, determined, and willing to do anything for her family and friends. Her heart of gold makes her the perfect kdrama female lead and one you'll easily fall in love with. Like Dan-Oh, Maia's fiercely protective of her family and is willing to do anything for them. And now I need a world where the two meet because that should be interesting to say the least. With the enchanting story of Spin the Dawn mixed with the powerful melody of I'm the Greatest, I can practically see Dan-Oh reading this book while listening to the song and rambling about everything to Haru. And possibly singing I'm the Greatest at the top of her lungs. Just possibly.


haru - the bird and the blade by megan bannen 
+
crown by txt


I have no shame in saying that Haru's an innocent but protective bean and I cannot describe a more perfect male lead in this drama. The old-fashioned yet beautiful story in The Bird and the Blade is definitely something Haru would love. Crown's lyrics honestly fit perfectly with Haru's personality. Unsure at first but now rising with the crown on his head that is Dan-Oh, showing him to shine like the star he is. The two are adorable and like every good kdrama, it took them forever to finally find their way to each other after. She became his crown and the two of them are finally perfect. Let them have their happy ending in peace, they definitely deserved it.


jung gun-joo - the never tilting world by rin chupeco
+
strawberry moon by iu


Jung Gun-Joo is a hecking puppy and must be protected at all costs. His hilarious reactions in all the scenes makes everything 10x funnier and I absolutely adore him. Of course with funny reactions must come a reaction worthy book. And The Never Tilting World is the perfect reaction book. As for Strawberry Moon, this may or may not be one of my favorite songs of all time and its just a song that makes you wish you were on a strawberry moon date. With being second choice, he deserves to be on a strawberry date more than anything and that is totally not because hes one of my favorite characters. Definitely. I can practically hear him singing along to this song and I will unapologetically sing along with him even if I don't know Korean.



jiminchae - the astonishing colors of after by emily x.r. pan
+
all night by astro


This character in this kdrama is literally named Kimchi Squid Fairy and he's my favorite character (along with Gun-Joo of course). His scenes and reactions with Gun-Joo were the peak of this kdrama and I love them both so much. I totally did not cry while reading this book and I am now recommending it to one of my characters knowing full well he'll probably cry as well. This book is really a work of art though and I can't imagine anyone more suited to read it.  All Night is honestly such a fitting song and I can just see him staying up all night on the phone with his special someone. It would be adorable so now I really need that to happen please and thank you. 


baek kyung - heartless by marissa meyer
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hate that... by key ft. taeyeon

I am a horrible person and I am so sorry. But I can't lie that this book and song are basically made for Baek Kyung. And on the subject of not lying, Baek Kyung annoyed me so much in the kdrama for getting in the way and just being a jerk to poor Dan-Oh. Everytime he blew her off or was being an a-hole, I got so pissed off because like the dumb idiot I am, I know what it feels like to love someone for years on end and know that no matter how hard you try, they'll never feel the same about you as you do towards them. Heartless teaches an important lesson to treasure what you have right now before you lose it and I want to be the one to smack the lesson into Baek Kyung by making him read this book which will be very effective I'm sure. I think Hate That also expresses Baek Kyung's emotions quiet well when he hates that Dan-Oh is now happier without him and finally realizes that he should've treasured what he had and before he lost it. 



yeo ju-da - circe madeline miller
+
celebrity by iu

Ju-Da's character in the comic of the kdrama with being the bullied scolarship girl was honestly so cliche and I can now say for sure that bullying is so heavily dramaticized in dramas and movies. Coming from personal experience, it's honestly tiring to watch bullying be so cliche and treated as if thats what bullying really is. Because in reality, it's nothing like that and can be so much worse. I think Ju-Da will at least relate to Circe somewhat in the book since the two are always constantly looked down upon and hopefully learn to rise and stand up for herself like Circe did. Celebrity is just a song that reminds you that you're still a star even if drawn with a left hand. I hope Ju-Da knows that she is one because staged or not, no one should deserve to be treated that way. 


oh nam-joon - ace of spades by faridah àbíké-íyímídé
+
gorilla by pentagon

I literally just realized I'm suggesting the head of the A3 (Ace 3) read a book called Ace of Spades. Wow, I'm hilarious. Technically this book is leaning more towards white privilage and supremacy but practically every person is rich and popular in one way or another so I think that cancels some of it. But in all seriousness, this book really enhances some heavy topics and teaches a really important lesson that I hope Nam-Joo will at least learn from reading this. And for Gorilla, courtesy of big sister thank you for suggesting this song because it fits perfectly with Nam-Joo's personality and I cannot agree more. In hindsight, let's just say it's the rich and popular boy falling in love with the poor and bullied girl, defending her as the song would say, like a gorilla. 


FINAL RATING: 
What was the first film you watched in 2022?






 

"THEY SAY LOVE AND HATE ARE THE SAME, JUST AT DIFFERENT ENDS OF THE BLADE"

     When two Niveus Private Academy students, Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, are selected to be part of the elite school’s senior class prefects, it looks like their year is off to an amazing start. After all, not only does it look great on college applications, but it officially puts each of them in the running for valedictorian, too. 
Shortly after the announcement is made, though, someone who goes by Aces begins using anonymous text messages to reveal secrets about the two of them that turn their lives upside down and threaten every aspect of their carefully planned futures. 
As Aces shows no sign of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly? 
With heart-pounding suspense and relevant social commentary comes a high-octane thriller from debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.

publication date: June 1st, 2021 | source: library 
page count: 432 | genre: mystery, thriller, contemporary, LQBTQIA+

Whatever I was expecting when I started this book, I take it all back. This was the first book I read in 2022 and it just threw my expectations out the damn window and has now earned my forever respect

I know I read way too many YA Mystery/Thriller novels but I’m not exactly sure why I started reading them. I’ve always found them interesting and I end up trying to predict what’s going to happen or who the antagonist is. Most of them have similar plot lines and usually don’t catch my eye unless something drastic happens or I’m unable to untangle everything. Though with all the mystery books I’ve read, it's become easier and easier to guess the plot and I end up getting bored halfway. Clearly, this wasn’t the case.

The story follows two Black teenagers, Chimaka and Devon, who are enrolled in a very prestigious and very white private school. In their senior year, they suddenly find themselves becoming the targets of an anonymous texter named Aces who are revealing their darkest secrets for the whole school to see. Amidst the cards stacked against them, the two must work together to turn the tide and bring the game over in their favor.

I don’t think there was anything I disliked too much about this book since I gave it a high rating. But there were some things where I wished we saw more of, one being Chimaka’s love life. Okay seriously, I was able to guess Devon’s sexuality within the first chapter with my inner gaydar going I sense a closeted gay here. And hey, my gaydar didn't fail. I remember being so caught up in Devon’s love life, and begging whatever deity up there that he ended up with a certain special someone. Who’s that someone you ask? Well, you’re going to have to read the book to find out cause I ain’t telling. Give me bubble tea and I’ll think about it though (kidding, please go read the book because it’s really good). Chimaka, on the other hand, had a smaller and not so focused on love life as Devon did. Which honestly I didn’t mind, but I would’ve loved to see more of. I unapologetically squealed for all the cute moments and I want a sequel please and thank you.

I loved how this book addressed heavier topics (racism, homophobia, elitism, white supremacy) while still sticking to the dynamic plotline of a thriller. The themes weren’t just lightly spoken about but were enhanced and just made me question society itself. I wasn’t too sold on the mystery at first since I’d seen similar plotlines in some other books I’ve read, but holy guacamole. This book just completely hurled my guess of the antagonist and my anticipations of this being just “another thriller book” off of Mount Olympus. Like Daughter of the Deep, I would unquestionably recommend this book to anyone and everyone regardless of the fact if you enjoy mystery/thriller novels or not. This book teaches a valuable lesson and I hope that reading this will open up your mind a little bit more.

FINAL RATING: 

What was the first book you read in 2022?







 


“I REMEMBERED LESS FROM MY OWN LIFE THAN I DID FROM THE BOOKS I READ.”


    Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away-by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

publication date: January 30th, 2018 | source: library
page count: 359 | genre: young adult, fantasy, mystery, magic realism 

Okay so I didn’t completely hate this book, but I didn’t really have much thoughts or completely love it either. I’m pretty sure I spent more time being confused on what was going on than actually reading and enjoying the book. This novel isn’t exactly an Alice in Wonderland retelling but the second half of the book did lean heavily on the fantasy side which by all means, is really interesting. The only problem was I’m a bit dumb so I didn’t understand anything and felt like I was reading this in like Chinese, and my Chinese reading/writing skills are kinda nonexistent.

The Hazel Wood opens up with the background about Alice, her mother Ella, and her mysterious grandmother Althea Proserpine. Alice’s grandmother is also the author the dark twisted fairytale book: Tales from the Hintherland which gained a bit of popularity over the years. Alice has never met her grandmother, nor does she have a chance to with Ella always packing up and moving the two of them from place to place. But when Ella suddenly disappears, seemingly kidnapped, Alice teams up with superfan, Ellery Finch with his knowledge of the stories to find her grandmother’s secret estate: The Hazel Wood

The first half of the book felt like was dragging on for way too long and the second half just felt way too confusing. I didn’t exactly like the characters in the book so maybe that’s what made it less enjoyable. Alice is a bit rude and self-centered and I was irritating by her complaining and ranting about her anger issues. Finch on the other hand, was the complete opposite and I just saw him as the puppy who followed Alice around. The two had very little character growth or development and weren’t exactly the most likable as well.

The part I did really enjoy in the novel was the fairytales. Although the stories were very confusing, they were extremely dark and creepy. I found myself wishing that Alice did know about all the Stories within Hinterland because with all the new Stories being introduced, it kept harder to track which stories were which and what their story was about. I remember being so invested in the stories that were introduced in the book, but being extremely confused when I read them. Other than being confused, I felt like the stories weren’t really completed but that’s also what made them so captivating. The writing style was definitely lyrical and although I didn’t love love the book, I would recommend it. The fantasy retellings and stories would make anyone fall and dream about the secret hidden world of Hinderland.

FINAL RATING: 


What was your favorite childhood fairytale? 












 

"THE IMPOSSIBLE IS MERELY THE POSSIBLE FOR WHICH WE DON'T YET KNOW THE SCIENCE."


     Ana Dakkar is a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, a five-year high school that graduates the best marine scientists, naval warriors, navigators, and underwater explorers in the world. Ana's parents died while on a scientific expedition two years ago, and the only family's she's got left is her older brother, Dev, also a student at HP. Ana's freshman year culminates with the class's weekend trial at sea, the details of which have been kept secret. She only hopes she has what it'll take to succeed. All her worries are blown out of the water when, on the bus ride to the ship, Ana and her schoolmates witness a terrible tragedy that will change the trajectory of their lives.
     But wait, there's more. The professor accompanying them informs Ana that their rival school, Land Institute, and Harding-Pencroft have been fighting a cold war for a hundred and fifty years. Now that cold war has been turned up to a full broil, and the freshman are in danger of becoming fish food. In a race against deadly enemies, Ana will make amazing friends and astounding discoveries about her heritage as she puts her leadership skills to the test for the first time.

publication date: October 26, 2021 | source: library
page count: 352 | genre: middle grade, fantasy, re-telling

Just when you thought Rick Riordan was done writing books: poof Daughter of the Deep is born! 

In all seriousness, I’ve been obsessed with all the books Riordan has released, and I should thank my older sister for funding this Greek Mythology-obsessed potato. (She bought all of the Heroes of Olympus books after I begged her and binge-read PJO for the millionth time while she complains her wallet is now empty but bought me the books nonetheless). I’ve always loved everything related to the PJO world and it taught me everything I needed to know about Greek Mythology. No seriously, ask me anything related to the said topic and I’ll rant for hours on end. 

I’ll admit, I wasn’t aware that there was a new book released in the fall, and with all the stress and workload given from school, I didn’t find as much time to read as I had during the summer. I remember I would spend endless hours curled up on the sofa listening to music and reading. Yet when I found the book sitting on the shelf at the library, I didn’t hesitate to grab it and check it out. 

I ended up finishing Daughter of the Deep the very same day I checked it out and as usual, this book was outstanding. Though I was slightly confused while reading it, I was immersed and couldn’t put the book down. The story follows Ana Dakkar, prefect of the House of Dolphin in the Harding-Pencroft Academy. While on a class field trip with the other freshman of her class, a tragic accident changes the course of their lives. Ana’s leadership skills are put to the test as she and her classmates fight for their lives in a war against their rival school: Land Institute. 

Ana’s leadership skills are exceptional and I loved watching her confidence grow throughout the book. The shy and quiet girl would go through tremendous character development and growth by the end of the book. I can say without a doubt, that Riordan wrote another masterpiece and I love every single book he’s released. I would unquestionably recommend this book to anyone and everyone, even if this book is set for middle grade, it’s still an extraordinary book that I know you can’t help but fall into the story.

FINAL RATING:

If you're a PJO fan, what cabin would you be in?


Hi there!     
My name is Saoirse and welcome to my boba shop! Let me start with a couple facts to introduce myself. I'm a high school student who spends too much time reading, listening to music, and binge watching k-dramas. I also admittedly have a boba obsession (very shocking I know) and love regularly spending time (read bothering) my older sister (@dearrivarie).

~ some of my other favorite things ~

ESFP | taiwanese american | books | boba | cats | PJO | kpop | kdramas | sudio ghibli | disney



Rating System: 

1 Boba Drink: didn't enjoy at all, wouldn't recommend 

2 Boba Drinks: liked some parts but overall didn't really enjoy, wouldn't really recommend but might 

3 Boba Drinks: decent, didn't have much thoughts, would recommend 

3.5 Boba Drinks: above average, more enjoyable, would recommend 

4 Boba Drinks: really enjoyed, would definitely recommend

4.5 Boba Drinks: loved, highly recommend

5 Boba Drinks: one of my all time favorites, probably made me cry, very highly recommend 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day or night! Don't forget to grab some boba on your way out and as usual, stay safe out there! 





















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Hi there! My name is Saoirse. Welcome to my blog where I share my latest obsessions and findings about books, music, and kdramas. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to take boba on your way out!


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