Showing posts with label library cat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label library cat. Show all posts

Friday, 22 November 2024

**FELINE FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #298 featuring **Faux Paw** by Sofie Kelly PLUS Friendly Fill-Ins

Amber's Book Reviews Banner ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Hello meautiful library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today. This week, I am feeling so supurr blessed and full of gratitude that the house is warm, and even though the catservatory is off-limits to me as it never gets warm in the cold weather, so the P.A. has banned me from snoozing out there at the moment.

But it's ok because I've relocated to the sitting room, and I'm snuggled in my favourite blanky on the sofa nearest the woodburner; the fire is roaring away, and the temperature is totally tropical, so my old, arthritic bones are not complaining so much! MOL

Oh, look what I found in my photo archive this week. I just had to share this purrfect pawtrait of yours truly all the way from way, way, way back in July 2009. 

Amber's Book Reviews #298 ©BionicBasil® Amber 's Purrfect Pawtrait

Now mew may notice that my ear nearest the wall has a little cut on it. This was the week that Cat Dad went to Singapore and South Korea on business, and it was just Basil, Snowie, Posie, Humphrey, and myself at BBHQ with the P.A. -  sadly, we'd lost Mildred to the Rainbow Realm in January of that year, so it was just the five of us.

Anyhoo, after a little garden excursion, I appeared in the sitting room with a bleeding ear, and the P.A. was so worried as she couldn't understand what had happened or where I'd been to injure myself. Sorry, I can't divulge any info as to what happened as it's still classified, and Basil would be really annoyed if I mentioned the covert operation we'd just been on! MOL

So the P.A. patched me up, and it healed really well, but mew may notice on more recent photos I was left with a little 'V' just under the tip, but I just think it adds to my charm and charisma! MOL

 And that's today's little story about me, which mew may never have heard before, as Basil didn't start the blog until 2012, and I don't think I've ever mentioned it before.

Anyhoo let's look at this week's top book pick.

Part of The Mewton-Clawson Library ©BionicBasil®
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
Today the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.
1. I can’t wait to have ________________ on Thanksgiving.
2. Our Christmas tree goes up ______________________________.
3. I’d like to create _________ for _________.
4. I prefer to shop _________ when buying _________.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. I can’t wait to have ________________ on Thanksgiving. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.K.; however, on the following Sunday, we will be channelling the Thanksgiving vibe with a lovely BBHQ mini banquet! 

2. Our Christmas tree goes up ______________________________.  Normally, I don't put the tree up until the third week of December, but this year, I may make an exception and go one further. And have two trees - oh my cod!!! LOL - and if any of the aforementioned happens, I'm sure it will be announced in a Midweek News post with photos too!

3. I’d like to create a new Christmas wreath for the door at BBHQ. My mum gave me some HUGE, and I mean HUUUUGGGGEEE, pine cones a few years ago, and they are sitting in a bag under the carport waiting for a project. So that maybe this year's Christmas Crafting with Cats project... maybe... obviously it will have to be cat themed... I'll think about that a little more and keep you posted.

4. I prefer to shop in-store when buying fabric. However, in recent years, I've just been taking the chance and buying fabric online, and luckily, 95% has been the quality I was expecting, and the other 5% well, so it goes, and I can always make catnip toys from it, although they won't last as long. 
Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

This week's top book pick is...

Amber's Book Reviews #298 ©BionicBasil® Faux Paw by Sofie Kelly
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

Faux Paw

A Magical Cats Mystery Book 7

by

Sofie Kelly

       
Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

Fantastical felines Owen and Hercules are ready to help librarian Kathleen Paulson pounce on a killer art thief in this novel in the Magical Cats Mystery series.

Normally, the arrival of an art exhibition at the Mayville Heights library would be cause for celebration. But thanks to the overbearing curator and high-tech security system that comes with it, Kathleen’s life has been completely disrupted. Even Owen and Hercules have been affected, since their favorite human doesn’t seem to have a spare moment to make their favorite fish crackers or listen to Barry Manilow.

Amber's Book Review Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®

Mew may remember earlier in the year, I rediscovered this pawesome series, and I was on a mission to review the entire Magical Cats Mystery series before the end of the year. However, I think I'm going to struggle, so I'm now going to say that by the end of the current review season in July 2025, that should give me plenty of time! MOL

Here are my previous reviews:








Faux Paw is the purrfect blend of mystery, humour, and whiskered wisdom! We're back in the charming town of Mayville Heights, where librarian Kathleen Paulson and her enchanting feline sidekicks, Owen and Hercules, find themselves in quite the pickle. The arrival of an art exhibition should be an exciting event, but when an overzealous curator and a high-tech security system disrupt the library's calm, things quickly spiral in all directions. The writing in book 7 is as delightful as ever, weaving in laugh-out-loud moments with heartwarming connections. The dynamic between Kathleen and her feline furiends is both entertaining and utterly furbulous. Owen and Hercules light up the story with their purrsonalities, showcasing that they’re not just ordinary cats but extraordinary companions who can sniff out trouble with flair. And mew guys know how much I love these two mancats! MOL **BLUSHES** As the plot unfolds, mew will be entertained by quirky characters, clever twists, and a warm sense of community. The balance between art theft drama and humorous situations makes this book an absolute page-turner. If mew love cozy cat mysteries sprinkled with a bit of magic, Faux Paw is an absolute must-read. So grab your favourite fish crackers, settle into a cosy spot, and prepare for a delightful adventure where cats rule and mysteries abound!

A Totally Top Paw Read!

and

A furbulous addition to this wonderpurr series. That's eight down and eight to go - I'm at the halfway mark - woooo hooooo! MOL


Paperback: 338 pages
Audio: 8 hours 51 mins
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
My Ratings Scale
Amber's Rating Scale Orange ©BionicBasil®
Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Ratings of:

Faux Paw


Overall Enjoyment

Amber's Rating Scale ©BionicBasil® 5 Paws

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today


Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

I'm off to prepare for next week's review, as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time!

Don't forget if mew are looking for great books with cats, check out the Book Review page, just click the link here or at the top of the page, as that's the place to visit to get your feline fiction fix.

Until next week...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 









Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Follow me at @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 
Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023
 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com 

Friday, 15 November 2024

**FRIDAY FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #297 featuring **The Fourth Wing** by Rebecca Yarros PLUS Friendly Fill-Ins

Amber's Book Reviews Banner ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Hello meautiful library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today, and this week, don't faint, but I've got a non-cat book review. Well, I did say some time ago, I can't remember exactly when, but I did say it! MOL  That purrhaps once a month, I'd share non-feline fiction that I've been reading, so today is the day for the first review.

And when I was looking for a photo to share this week, I came across this pawesome flashback to August 2016 in my library. Don't I look the epitome of a Head Librarian? The P.A. wanted to borrow one of the gardening books, and I was just checking which one would be best.

Amber's Book Reviews #297 ©BionicBasil® Amber 's Purrfect Library

And while we're talking about non-cat books, I've just read Quicksilver by Callie Hart, so purrhaps I'll review that on next month's non-cat fiction day! MOL

Anyhoo let's look at this week's top book pick.

Part of The Mewton-Clawson Library ©BionicBasil®
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
Today, the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.
1. I learned _________________ the hard way.
2. I am overdue for _____________________.
3. I used to _________, but now I _________.
4. _________ is the strangest thing I _________.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. I learned that not all sewing projects go to plan the hard way. I used to make bespoke evening gowns using silks and other expensive fabrics, and I would hand bead the bodices. My sewing escapades are mainly self-taught, and the first evening gown I made was a beautiful black satin fishtail dress when I was 17, as my mum wouldn't buy me a dress for an event. So I made it, but I should have made a toile - a mock-up in cheap fabric - as I couldn't get the zip to lie flat, but after some fiddling, unpicking and repositioning, it was perfect. But had I made the toile, I would have encountered the issue before I cut the black satin. Anyhoo, the dress looked epic on the night.

2. I am overdue for a vacation by about 8 years.

3. I used to love going shopping, but now I can't be bothered and buy most things online.

4. _________ is the strangest thing I _________. I've experienced too many strange things to pinpoint one; if you've read any of the BBHQ ghost stories, then you'll understand! LOL
Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

This week's top book pick is...

Amber's Book Reviews #297 ©BionicBasil® The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

The Fourth Wing

by 

Rebecca Yarros

       Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

Welcome to the brutal and elite world of Basgiath War College . . .

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away … because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

Amber's Book Review Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®

BOOK ONE IN THE EMPYREAN SERIES

Hold onto your tails, fluffy readers, because The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is an epic ride that will sweep mew off your paws and catapult mew into a world of dragons, intrigue, and on occasion a little heart-thumping romance! From the moment I finished the first page, I knew I was in for something special, and let me tell mew, this does not disappoint!

The story is set in a universe where magic and danger coalesce and follows the fierce and determined Violet Sorrengail, who, without spoilerizing things, has a few purrsonal challenges.

And oh my cod, let's not forget the dragons! They're not just background characters; they have furbulous personalities that leap off the page, adding a pawesome dimension to the story. Well, mew know how much I adore a talking anipal! MOL

One of the most delightful aspects of this book is the intricate world-building. Yarros has crafted a living, breathing realm that feels richly detailed and immersive. Each setting is vividly described, making it easy to slip away from reality and into Violet's shoes—or should I say, her dragon saddle? Yes, that did also happen to me for real, and if mew missed it, here's the proof! MOL

Amber's Book Reviews #297 ©BionicBasil® Amber the Lightning Wielder from The Fourth Wing by Rebecaa Yarros

If mew want to see my epically epic video

Check it out on your favourite social media channel, and let me know what mew think:



 
Anyhoo, back to the book... The plot hurtles along with oodles of twists and turns that will keep mew on the edge of your chair, turning those pages faster than mew can say; bond with your dragon! MOL

And let's talk about the romance. Here's a quick spoiler: It's a bit sizzling in a couple of places. Violet's relationship with the brooding and mysterious Xaden adds an electric tension to the plot. Their dynamic is well crafted, filled with banter, heartache, and that all-important will-they-won't-they energy.

The rest of the cast is full of vibrant purrsonalities who add extra depth to Violet's journey, each bringing quirks and foibles, enhancing the overall reading experience.

The Fourth Wing blends action, romance, and fantasy in a furbulous way that is sure to satisfy any reader looking for an epic fantasy adventure. Whether mew're a dragon enthusiast (Me! MOL) or simply looking for a fast-paced fantasy adventure, this book has it all. So grab your favourite snuggle rug, find a cosy nook, and settle in for a page-turning frenzy. Trust me; mew won't be able to put it down!

I'm adding one more thing; this has been one of the best fantasy fiction books I've read in a very long time; it really is that good! And I've read a lot of fantasy fiction over my library career.

A Totally Top Paw Read!


Paperback: 576 pages
Audio: 21 hours and 22 mins
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
My Rating Scale
Amber's Rating Scale Orange ©BionicBasil®
Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Ratings of:

The Fourth Wing

Overall Enjoyment

Amber's Rating Scale ©BionicBasil® 5 Paws

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today


Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

I'm off to prepare for next week's review, as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time!

Don't forget if mew are looking for great books with cats, check out the Book Review page, just click the link here or at the top of the page, as that's the place to visit to get your feline fiction fix.

Until next week...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 









Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Follow me at @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 
Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023
 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com