Waiting on Wednesday #737

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

THE FOX AND THE DEVIL BY KIERSTEN WHITE 

Goodreads Description:

An obsession with a beautiful serial killer entangles a vampire hunter’s daughter in an immortal sapphic romance in this enthralling gothic fantasy from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lucy Undying.

Anneke has a complicated relationship with her father, Abraham Van Helsing—doctor, scientist, and madman devoted to studying vampires—up until the night she comes home to find him murdered, with a surreally beautiful woman looming over his body. A woman who leaves no trace behind, other than the dreams and nightmares that plague Anneke every night.

Spurred by her desire for vengeance and armed with the latest in forensic and investigatory techniques, Anneke puts together a team of detectives to catch her mysterious serial killer. Because her father isn’t the only inexplicably dead body. There’s a trail of victims across Europe and Anneke is certain they’re all connected.

But during the years spent relentlessly hunting the killer, Anneke keeps some crucial evidence to infuriatingly coy letters, addressed only to Anneke, occasionally soaked in blood, and always signed Diavola. Devil. The obsession is mutual, and all the more dangerous for it.

The closer Anneke gets to her devil, though, the less sense the world makes. Maybe her father wasn’t a madman, after all. Diavola might be something much worse than a serial killer . . . and much harder to destroy. Because as Anneke unearths more of Diavola’s tragic past, she suspects there’s still a heart somewhere in that undead body.

A heart that beats for Anneke alone.

Format: 368 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: March 10, 2026 by Del Rey
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Very curious about this one :D Especially since I just read and loved her newest book; The House of Quiet. <3 And I think this one sounds so exciting and different. I do love vampires. I hope to love it :D
What are you waiting for on this darkest Wednesday?

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Of course I had to read this book again this November. Now for the fifteenth time. It will forever be my most favorite book. It just brings me so much joy every time I read it. So much peace and comfort and it just makes me happy. Of course, it also destroys my heart most of the time. But I just love it the very most. Sigh.

This time I am going to write a much shorter review. Just want to share a little bit about what I love about this story. I mean, if you still have not read this book by now, what is wrong with you? Ha. It is truly the best book there is. Because of the magical feel of it. Because of Puck and Sean and Corr. Because of the romance.

I have never cared for horses. And I don't usually like this genre. But with this book, I love everything about it. I love the horses in this story. I love how this island is quiet and lovely and all kinds of terrifying. I so love reading about the life of Puck and her two brothers. I love most to read about how Sean lives and how all he wants in life is to own Corr. Until he meets Puck. And then he wants more from life as well. Their small romance is everything to me. They are so perfect. Even though some people think they are too different. But they are not. I just love them to pieces. Sean and Puck are truly the best. And Finn is the best little brother. Still annoyed at Gabe, but I love him too. Dory Maud and her sisters are precious. And George Holly is the actual best.

I am not going to write too much about the plot this time either. Just mentioning a few things. This book tells a story about the capaill uisce horses. Monsters from the sea. They are so special and so exciting to read about. It is a story about Puck and Sean and their life on the small island of Thisby. And I love every part of their stories. Some of the parts of this story that I love is the scene with Sean and Fundamental. That scene always breaks my heart. It's so good. But so depressing. Yet written so well, like everything.

I also love reading about the Scorpio Festival scenes. I especially love all of the mentions of November cakes. Sigh. One day I shall get my mom to make them, haha. The scene where Puck is riding on the cliff in the storm and the other horses arrive always hurts my heart. It's sad yet so good. And then the lean-to scene with Finn is right after, which is actual perfection. Scary and exciting at the same time. The scene with Sean and Mutt and Edana always breaks me. It's powerful but so painful. Also love the dinner scene.

This book is full of amazing moments. And I am not mentioning most of them, just a few of my favorite ones. Though, let me be honest, I love every scene in this book. All of them are my favorites. And every moment between Puck and Sean is special to me. When she gets to ride Corr. Sigh. It makes my heart so happy. The first kiss scene. And the second one. Wish there had been more than two, though, ha. But oh, they are perfect together and I want more. Their small romance is quiet and sweet and the very best.

I still want that sequel more than anything. I know, this book ends perfectly. There is no need for a second one. But still. I want it more than any other book. One day. Hmph. I just want to know what happens with Sean and Puck and their life. Okay, I do want to know lots more, but that is what is most important to me. I truly loved re-reading this book again. It still makes me so happy. I still love every moment, even though I have read it so many times now. It is still precious to me. And that is truly the best feeling. Favorite book.

The Scorpio Races will always be the book most special to my heart. It is the book that I will never tire of reading. It's the book that I think everyone should read as well. It's a book about horses, regular ones and deadly ones. It's a book about the growing relationship between Puck and Sean. About them both fighting to get what they need to survive. And falling in love in the middle of it. It just makes me so happy. Written enough about this book for now. Though I honestly never run out of words for this. It has my whole heart.

 

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

In My Mailbox #734

Ohh. Been a long week already. I have started my re-read of The Scorpio Races, finally. <3 But been a few days without reading, ahh. So a little delayed. I need to finish it tomorrow and write my review before midnight, while it is still November. Ack. Wish me luck. I think I can do it. Possibly. And ahh. Already seen the four new episodes of Stranger Things season five two times, haha :D Once alone, then once with my nephew today. And still have to watch them with my mom too, haha. And oh. It was truly perfection. I love this new season so, so very much. Sigh. Anyway. I am also pretty exhausted. But doing good too. Hoping to read all day tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Got a bit of stunning mail as well. <3 And oh, may have bought way too much lately. Sigh. Oh, well. I shall save money from next year, ha :) Also, ahhh! I cannot believe that it is December in just a couple of days. What even! And December is always so busy and exhausting for me. But so good too and I'm just so excited for it. But gosh, Christmas is not far away at all. Ahh. And I have not started wrapping presents yet. But done buying them :) This week I'm waiting on The Last Wish of Bristol Keats. <3 Hope you are all doing well :D Are you ready for Christmas? <3 My favorite season :)

Wild Reverence. The stunning new Owlcrate edition :D And it is gorgeous. Hope to read this book soon.
When the Moon Hatched. Oh. New deluxe edition. And I have yet to read this book. Ahh. Hope to love it.
The Last Wish of Bristol Keats. I know, not read book one yet. But think I will love this duology one day :)
Nintendo Switch Games. Oops. These were on sale. Had to get them. Think all three sounds pretty great.
Stranger Things. Had to get these different mini figures :D Love them so. Got one Max, want more, haha.
Plushes + Funko. I could not resist buying these two adorable plushes, eee. And wanted this Lucifer pop.
Pop Mart. Did not get that much popmart items this week, ha :D But waiting on tons. Oops. Oh, well. So happy with these items, though. Finally got my Pin for Love H letter. And full Crybaby set :D Love them.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #736

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

THE LAST WISH OF BRISTOL KEATS 
(The Courting of Bristol Keats #2) BY MARY E. PEARSON 

Goodreads Description:

Be wary of the legends you hear. Who knows, one day you may be a legend yourself.

After Bristol Keats nearly loses her beloved King Tyghan to the monsters her mother had unleashed, their love deepens to a whole new level. Together, Bristol and Tyghan work to understand and reconcile their differences, moving forward with their common goal of saving Elphame. But when a daring rescue attempt turns into a disaster, and a beloved knight dies, Bristol is forced to confront the fact that her mother is more powerful than she could have ever imagined―and more dangerous. Meanwhile, Tyghan’s heart is laid bare when he encounters his former best friend and betrayer again, Bristol's own father, and must wrestle with a new secret that throws everything he thought he knew about his past into question.

Bristol is Elphame’s last chance for survival, but where do her loyalties truly lie? If she fully embraces the magic that has always been her birthright, she could become a different kind of monster from her mother. Is she willing to risk losing the people she loves most, if it means keeping them safe?

Brimming with dark secrets, lush world-building, and addictive romance, The Last Wish of Bristol Keats is the unforgettable conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Mary E. Pearson's first adult series.

Format: 448 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: November 11, 2025 by Flatiron Books
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Oops. I have not read book one in this series yet. But I still got this one in the mail today, ha. I just think both books sounds great. I'm hoping to read and love them soon :) Fingers crossed that I will like both.
What are you waiting for on this dark Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #733

Hi. I have still to re-read The Scorpio Races. Sigh. But I will be starting in the next few days. Hmph. I will finish it before thursday, so I need to start soon :) Just been so busy and had so little time. How rude. But so excited to read it again shortly :) Anyway. It's been a long week. I'm pretty exhausted. Yet feeling kind of good too. I have slept the whole night almost all week now. Eee. Which is the actual best and have not happened for such a long time. I'm also on day three of a new medicine. Not noticing anything yet, but I'm hopeful it will be better for my diseases. Fingers crossed. Also, gods. I got too much mail this week. Sobs. But it is all so precious, eee. So so much love. Sigh. Ahh. Stranger Things season 5 is coming next week, eee. <3 Well, part one of three. Hmph. But I am so very excited. Also. Brrr. It is so so so very cold outside these days. How rude. This week I'm waiting on The Crimson Throne :) I hope you are all doing well. <3

Empire of the Dawn. Got my stunning US hardcover. I still have not read book one. Oops. But one day.
The House Saphir. Eee. Both my US hardcovers arrived. And they are just gorgeous. So excited to read.
House of Hearts. I just love this cover. And I had to order this book and will give it a try someday soon :)
Kirby Air Riders. Of course I had to buy this new Nintendo Switch 2 game :D I think it looks so adorable.
Stranger Things. Some new crocs jibbitz, ha. Not that pretty, but it's Stranger Things. Had to have them.
Pop Mart. Ahhh. Yeah. I cannot defend my popmart obsession, haha. I got too much amazing. And I just love it all so much. Sigh. My N-Z pendants. So cute. Finally got the full set of Crybabies Crying Again :D Had one before, so not in this photo. Two more Bikini Bottom buddies, both new. Cute. Love the Dimoo plush. Did not love the green, but it is still very cute. Love the crybaby ballerina. Cutie. Two new Hirono figures. Did not get my favorites, sadly. Zombie was my least favorite, haha. But still kind of cute. And the mega space Molly was a free gift, and she is adorable. Pink :D Also got a full set of Exciting Macaron and a full set of Big Into Energy. But no secrets for me. Sobs. Which is depressing, haha. So selling those :)

Funko Europe. Got a bunch of new pop figures this week, eee. <3 Two orders, finally. Still missing one. Ugh. But loving these. New Tangled. Cute. Half of the new Stranger Things ones :D Love them all. Love the Stitch and the Tigger one. Love my new Stitch mini wallet. And eeee. All the Kpop Demon Hunters pop figures. <3 They are perfect. Sigh. So glad I was fast enough to buy them. No secret, but precious.

Funtastic by Proxy / Funko Nordic. Eeee! Thank you guys so much for these free ambassador gifts. <3 I love them all so much. Stranger Things goodie package, ahh :D LOVE the demogorgon plush. Perfection. Love my Steve plush. Adorable. And two Wicked pops. And two FNAF ones. They are stunning. So very excited to take photos of all of these. <3 Krypto was a gift for a Superman campaign earlier this fall. And the Demon Slayer was a giveaway prize, eee. And it is just gorgeous. I am so, so thankful to be a part of this ambassador team. <3 This team is just the best :) Getting these free gifts brings me so much joy. <3
Kinder Joy. Eeeee. Got to buy a whole box of the new Stranger Things kinder joy eggs, haha :D I had to get the full box. But aw. Missing 8 of the 24. So that was a little depressing. But got two of my Max. <3 

More Instagram photos here. <3

FINAL CHANCE! Worldwide giveaway on Instagram here :D