The Fork, The Witch and The Worm

 

The Fork, The Witch, and The Worm: Tales from Alagaesia, Volume 1, by Christopher Paolini

I loved reading this and being swept away back to Alagaesia. It's so great to revisit characters, especially when you get to hear new stories about them. I also loved the tie-in he used with this book and his book Murtagh. 

We get a glimpse into Eragon and Saphira's life now that the war is over and they are working on getting ready to train the new generation of riders. This book also goes into a little bit of the lore of the Urgals. Which race has been a bit of a mystery still. 

If you are an Eragon, Alagaësia, or a fan of Christopher Paolini's work, this, as well as the Inheritance series, is a must-read. 

Leven Thumps and the Ruins of Alder

 

Leven Thumps and the Ruins of Alder by Obert Skye

The final book of the series, and it did not disappoint. The series has Geth, Winter, Leven, and Clover together, helping each other in one way or another. But this book was a bit of a "coming of age" or "believing in yourself only" type of synopsis. By the end of the book, Leven and Clover become separated from the others, but that was exactly what needed to occur for Leven to understand who he was, not only as a person but as the new Want. It also forced Winter to come to terms with not only her feelings for Leven but also the person she was versus the person she had become. As well as having faith in others as well as herself and her own abilities. Even Clover had a bit of a personal challenge that he needed to overcome. I love how everything was wrapped up so nicely. After finishing this book, I didn't have any questions about what happened to a certain character or feel in any way that there was something left unsaid. I really enjoyed this book, and I am so happy that I actually restarted and then finished this series. 

Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra

 

Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra by Obert Skye

Things aren't looking good for Leven, Geth, Winter, and Clover in Foo, and things are becoming more precarious in reality. Foo and reality are both changing, and not for the better. An army formed by an unleashed evil called the Dirth moves closer and closer to merging Foo with Reality under the assumption that they are heading for bliss and all their dreams coming true. What the Dirth isn't telling his loyal followers is that they're helping destroy everyone. He tries to navigate his new role as The Want while trying to save Foo. Leven finds a few more supporters to help him out. Now the question is, will they make it in time?

I am really glad I restarted this series. At first I felt like it was a series I was going to have to push through to the finish, and it would take a while. But I have gotten more and more into the story, and now I am completely invested and ready to move on to the 5th and final book. I'm excited to see how all this is going to pan out.

Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want

 Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want. By: Obert Skye

This book was as far as I got in the series the first time I started reading it. I am really glad I am re-reading this series and determined to finish. There was a lot in this book that I had forgotten. Leven, Winter, Geth, and Clover have come so far in their adventures in reality and Foo, but have more to go. Part of those adventures is trying to clean up a mess that was made inadvertently...mostly by Leven. The main goal, though, is to get to The Want. When they do, their adventures change from bad to worse with unexpected twists and new revelations. I am excited to continue the journey through Foo with these characters in the next book. 

The Circle of Fire

 The Circle of Fire By: Chelsey Vick

I got this book from a local fair. The author, who was born and raised in the county I reside in, was there to promote, sell, and even sign her book. It did sit on my bookshelf for a while before I got to it. This book starts out in Salem during the witch trials, where you are introduced to three sisters who use their various knowledge of herbs and elements to help the local people. After some time, tragic events begin to occur, and they are deemed witches and flee to their home country of Ireland. You then skip to modern times and meet McKenna. The character McKenna is very relatable. She has real-world problems and trauma she needs to overcome. Living in New York most of her life, she finds a man whom she believes she is in love with. It's only after he cheats on her and she decides to visit her grandma in Ireland that she starts to really see just how toxic that relationship really was. Once in Ireland, back with her loving grandma, she starts to learn more about herself and her ancestral heritage. This story also has a romance that almost every girl fantasizes about. An attractive man who gives and gets unconditional true love. Learning about her ancestor Adena's story was quite fascinating too, and I like the message of "learn from history and your past." The addition of witchcraft, rituals, and elemental powers didn't seem to fit as well as I would have imagined the author was hoping. Overall, I enjoyed the book. But there do seem to be a few loose ends, unnecessary information, and rushed story and dialogue. 

How Far I'll Go

 How Far I'll Go A Twisted Tale. By: Keala Kendall

I am excited to return to this series. It was heart wrenching to read about Moana's self doubt and her self sabotage. But at the same time it was very raw and real character arch. I think that's what made it so frustratingly realistic to read. As an outsider all the warning signs were there, but from the main characters point of view I can see where she would be blinded. This book kept me wondering how it was going to all come together. I really enjoyed it.

The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry

The Renaissance Studies in Art and Poetry By Walter Pater

"The Renaissance is a strikingly original and influential collection of essays in which Walker Pater gave memorable expression to an aesthetic view of life. It has never before been published in a scholarly edition. Donald L. Hill reproduces Pater's text of 1893, with a record of all verbal variations in other editions, from the early magazine versions to the Library Edition of 1910. Mr. Hill provides a full set of critical and explanatory notes on each of Pater's essays; headnotes outlining the story of its composition, publication, and reception; and an essay on the history of the book as a whole. Students of Pater and the Aesthetic Movement in England will find this new, annotated edition indispensable."

This was an interesting book; however, I don't feel like I did justice listening to it as an audiobook. I think I need to revisit this in paper format.