30 Beautiful Books To Buy This Christmas

I love to collect beautiful books, and I own some amazing editions that I think would make wonderful gifts for your loved ones- or yourself- this Christmas. Trust me: pretty books are the best gifts, and you'll earn major brownie points with any bookworm you gift one to.

I thought it might be helpful to do a round-up post of some of my favourite editions to give you some last-minute present inspiration for the holidays, and show you where to get them, so that's what I'm here to do. 

I've rounded up thirty of my favourite special edition books and boxsets that are still available to purchase, and the best part is, almost all of them are affordable. These are all books I own and / or have given as gifts myself, so I highly recommend them. 

Let's take a look!

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1. A Court of Thorns and Roses Collector's Edition. One of my favourite special editions and book series ever. It has different gold foil designs on the front and back of both the book and slipcase, metallic end papers, and rose designs on the pages, too.

2. The Leigh Bardugo Collector's Editions Book Set are three of my all time favourites. The foiled covers are to die for, they have block-coloured sprayed edges, and the stories are amazing, too. It includes the first book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and both books from the awesome Six of Crows duology, which is set in a different part of the same world. If you prefer to collect one at a time, the good news is, you can also buy these books individually.

3. If you liked Nikolai in The Shadow and Bone series, you'll love reading his own story in King of Scars. I think I preferred it to the original trilogy. Book one in this duology has a black hidden cover with gold foil of the Lantsov double-eagle crest, and it's a beauty.

4. The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic is a book of Grimms'-style fairytales set in the world of the Grishaverse. It has a pretty navy blue naked cover with gold foiling, and has amazing illustrations inside.

5. The Illumicrate Exclusive edition of Demon in the Wood is a beautiful graphic novel telling the origin story of Shadow and Bone's villain, The Darkling. This book has a gorgeous forest green hidden cover with silver foiling, sprayed edges, and special endpapers, and it's beautifully illustrated throughout.

6. Book two in the King of Scars duology, Rule of Wolves, boasts a burgundy hidden cover with silver foil on both the cover and spine.

7. The Caraval Collector's Edition is a bright red clothbound with a Caraval admittance ticket design, in a navy blue slipcase with silver foil. It also has a bonus chapter from Julian's POV.

8. The Once Upon a Broken Heart books have been so popular that Hodder and Stroughton rereleased the hardback this autumn with a new hidden cover for everyone who missed out on the first print run. This new vault edition has a blue hidden cover with gold foiling of Evangeline's broken heart tattoos, and it's perfect. These won't be rereleased again, so get in there fast. Just make sure the listing says 'vault edition', or you may find yourself with a plain cover.

9. Waterstones Shatter Me Collector's Edition. This new collector's edition of the first book in the popular Shatter Me series is a small clothbound with a botanical gold foil design on the cover, navy sprayed edges with origami bird stencilling, and cheerful yellow end papers with an origami bird design. This is available from other booksellers without the sprayed edges, but I'm not sure if the end papers are a Waterstones exclusive.

10. A Curse For True Love UK edition. The finale to the Once Upon a Broken Heart series has the prettiest Beauty and the Beast inspired dust jacket, and the first print run features purple hidden covers with four different gold foil designs to collect. You'll need to be fast, as once they're gone, they're gone; the next printing will only have plain covers. The US Barnes & Noble Exclusive edition also has a gorgeous burgundy hidden cover.

11. If you really want to treat someone this Christmas, the Owlcrate Into the Grishaverse: Shadow and Bone trilogy books and goodies box would make the most amazing gift. This book box contains stunning special editions of Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising with sprayed edges, hidden covers, and more, plus eight bookish goodies based on the series. It hasn't started shipping yet, so it probably won't make it in time for Christmas, but it looks incredible. I can't wait to get mine. Shipping to the UK is ridiculous for this box, though, so it might be cheaper to use a delivery service instead of having it shipped directly.

12. Throne of Glass Collector's Edition. Book one of an epic eight book series. It has a stunning gold foil cover and slipcase, metallic end papers, and sword and Wyrdmark designs printed on the pages.

13. Not special editions exactly, but the new Bloomsbury Throne of Glass hardcover boxset has all eight books with colourful covers, and the most amazing art on the dust jackets. You can also buy each book separately, and get them in paperback, too. 

14. If you enjoy spicy fantasy adventure with demon princes, fae, and vampires, Waterstones' Exclusive edition of Throne of the Fallen may be for you. It has a very light grey cover with a metallic purple foil design of House Envy's two-headed wolf crest, purple end-papers, and purple sprayed-edges with key stencilling.

15. The Jane Austen Collection by Arcturus Books is the perfect gift for any Austen fan. It's a gorgeous little box set featuring her six most popular books- Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility- in pretty pastel clothbounds with lovely patterned covers.

16. The Cruel Prince is one of my favourite fantasy book series ever, and the new Cruel Prince Collector's edition is a stunner. This gothic edition has a textured black cover and matching slipcase with nature designs woven with items from the books like Jude's sword, and Cardan's crown. Inside, it has beautiful greyscale illustrated end papers, black sprayed edges, and some brilliant deleted scenes at the back.

17. The Puffin in Bloom collection is a four-book-set with four of everyone's favourite children's classics- Little Women, Heidi, A Little Princess, and Anne of Green Gables, each with the most beautiful hardback covers designed by the Rifle Paper Co. You can also buy each title separately, which is how I'm collecting them. I have them all, except for Heidi, who I must adopt at some point.

18. Owlcrate's edition of Violet Made of Thorns has so many incredible qualities, it's hard to know where to start. It has a bright purple hidden cover with stunning silver foil designs on the front and back, the most amazing silver-foiled celestial endpapers, a reversible dust jacket with character art, and more. I've not read it yet, but it's a favourite in terms of aesthetics.

19. The Waterstones Exclusive Signed Edition of Upon a Frosted Star has botanical green and white patterned sprayed edges with gold foiling, and matching end papers inside. It's also signed by the author. I've just started reading this one, and it's said to be Swan Lake meets The Great Gatsby.

20. Another signed Waterstones Exclusive I love is Ink Blood Sister Scribe; fantasy, thriller, mystery, and academia rolled into one. This book has tangerine-coloured sprayed edges with stencilling of bees and leaves, and marbled-burgundy endpapers. I reviewed it here.

21. Any fan of the Bronte sisters will love The Bronte Collection from Arcturus books. This boxset includes six colourful little clothbounds with floral covers written by the three Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, including Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and more.

22. The Famous Five series is a classic, and Hodder Children's Books released the first three books as retro hardbacks. Five Run Away Together is a beautiful little brick-red hardcover adorned with a spitfire print with rose-gold foiling, and it's illustrated, too. I reviewed all three books here.

23. If you want something festive, I'd recommend the Puffin Clothbound Classics version of A Christmas Carol. It's a lovely little illustrated red clothbound with gold foiling on the cover, sprayed edges, and sky blue end papers with a snowflake and candlestick print. I reviewed it here.

24. The Puffins Clothbound Classic of The Secret Garden is another of my favourite covers. This magical classic has a denim-blue clothbound cover decorated with gold-foiling of bees and roses, which frames imagery of a girl standing among the roses.

25. And the Puffin Clothbound Classics' edition of The Wizard of Oz is also stunning. It's an emerald green clothbound with a gold foil yellow-brick-road design, and it's even illustrated inside.

26. Barnes and Noble do gorgeous leather-bound editions, like this H.G. Wells Keepsake Collection, that is filled with six of his most popular novels. The bright cobalt-blue cover depicts a UFO and clock faces laid out like a solar system on a starry night sky, appearing to represent War of the Worlds and The Time Machine, and it also has metallic gold edges. B&N unfortunately don't deliver to the UK anymore, but you can get some titles from Amazon, or use a delivery service to act as a middle man.

27. The hardcover of The Way Past Winter has a pretty sage-green cover, with a wintry, Nordic-style design, and some gold-foiling. It's a lovely, wintry YA fantasy, too.

28. The Anne of Green Gables boxset from Arcturus Books is one of the loveliest book sets I've ever seen. It includes all six of the 'Anne' books with delicate pastel-coloured, clothbound covers that each have a different floral design.

29. The Penguin Clothbound Classics are probably the most recognisable of all the beautiful books out there. They cover so many classics these days, but this copy of The Day of the Triffids is one of my favourites. It has a lime green clothbound cover with a yellow circular print that might be of plant cells or chloroplasts or something similar. Answers on a postcard...

30. And the Penguin Clothbound Classics edition of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass is a must if you're a Wonderland fan. I've had this book for years, and I'm still in love with the pink and white, flamingo-print clothbound cover. 

There are so many more pretty books I can think of, so if you'd like me to make another post like this, do let me know.

You can also check out book subscription sites like Fairyloot, Illumicrate, Litjoy Crate, Owlcrate, The Bookish Box and Shop, and The Broken Binding, which do a mixture of book subscription boxes, and one-off book purchases, along with bookish goodies. Waterstones are also great for exclusive editions- just search 'exclusive hardbacks/paperbacks' and a big list will come up. I'd advise preordering their exclusives as they usually sell out online before release day. Barnes and Noble do gorgeous special editions and leather bounds, too, but as they don't deliver to the UK, try Indigo in Canada, who do. They stock many of the same exclusive editions, just not the B&N leatherbounds. (Sad face).

I hope this helps you find some beautiful books this Christmas. Just don't blame me if this starts you on the path to a beautiful book addiction!

Do you have a favourite special edition book?

Throne of Glass Series Reviews Part Two

Last week, I reviewed the first four books in one of my favourite YA fantasy series, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (here), and I'm back with reviews of the final four books. 

Today, I'll be fangirling over talking about Empire of Storms, Tower of Dawn, Kingdom of Ash, and The Assassin's Blade. I'm likely to get carried away as I'm a little obsessed with this series, so don't say I didn't warn you!

Empire of Storms

'I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what you can give me, and I know you might need time-'

'I love you. There is no limit to what I can give to you, no time I need. Even when this world is a forgotten whisper of dust between the stars, I will love you.'

Plot: Aelin has made it home to Terrasen, but doesn't quite receive the welcome she deserves. A queen without a throne, she sets off with her court to prove she's worthy of her crown by continuing on their quest to stop the demon king, Erawan, enslaving the world. To stop him, Aelin and her friends must travel across land and sea, and through forgotten marshlands where monsters lurk to find the final Wyrdkeys and seek the answers they never knew they needed. But will their journey uncover more than they bargained for? Before everyone comes together, we also see Elide making an unlikely alliance with Lorcan as they both journey to find Aelin, who, surprisingly, proves to be the one you want nearby when the monsters start chasing you and you run out of linen for your period. Elide and Lorcan become a formidable team as they trek across the kingdom and hide out in the circus- but are they just allies or are Elide's street smarts and Lorcan's shirtless knife-juggling skills impossible to resist? Back in Rifthold, Dorian is all alone and struggling to piece himself back together after being enslaved by a demon, and get his head around being king when a surprise attack on the castle sees him at the mercy of the witches. Elsewhere, Manon finally goes head to head with her monstrous grandmother- but will either of them make it out alive? Lysandra proves herself a badass queen as she uses her shapeshifting abilities to wipe the floor with their enemies- and bring a certain blond to his knees. And fae warriors, Fenrys and Gavriel, are finally given more air time as Maeve orders them to find and kill Lorcan- but will they succeed? With war fast approaching, the characters will come together to find the keys, uncover ancient truths, and fight for their kingdoms, facing monsters, dark forces, and an armada of fae warriors. But will Aelin, Rowan, and their friends be strong enough to best their enemies this time, or is their luck about to run out? 

Thoughts: This book had me on the edge of my seat with all its fast-paced action, brilliant battles, and shocking twists and turns, but I stayed for all the exciting new alliances, heartwarming and surprising romances and friendships, and witty humour. It's a fantastic read from start to finish, and it's one of those books I can't stop thinking about months after I finished it- mostly because of the cliff-hanger ending that's as shocking as it is sad. That scene on the beach still haunts me. There are just so many great characters, scenes, and sub-plots in this book that it's impossible to stop it getting under your skin. I adored Rowan and Aelin's bond as they grew even closer, learnt life-altering revelations, and showed their enemies exactly why you don't want to mess with them. Or be within half a mile of them when they get it on. I think I enjoyed Elide and Lorcan's partnership even more, and loved the way tiny Elide slowly began to tame the big grouchy beast with her street smarts and cunning plots while they pretended to be a married couple as they hid in the circus. Lorcan as a shirtless knife-juggling carny will be forever imprinted on my brain, and I'll never get over him sweetly cutting up his shirts for her to use for her period. *Sobs.* I loved seeing this softer side of him, and the two of them quickly became one of my favourite bookish duos ever. I love them! I also loved the relationship between Dorian and Manon in this book, and their back-and-forth as they flirted and seduced each other had me screaming. I was equally invested in Aedion and Lysandra's friendship, and couldn't help but root for them as they grew closer, too. The aftermath of the sea dragon scene, where Lysandra proves what a queen she truly is, was one of my favourites. It was also great to get more Fenrys and Gavriel scenes to get to know them a little better, and to meet some new faces (or old ones, if you read The Assassin's Blade first) as Aelin rallied allies for the war. While the ending wrecked me and made me fearful to read the next book to find out their fates, I loved this book so much, and it's full of pivotal moments for the series you won't want to miss. 

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Tower of Dawn

'Using the chair is not a punishment. It is not a prison,' he said. 'It never was. And I am as much of a man in that chair, or with that cane, as I am standing on my feet.'

Plot: After a major cliff-hanger ending in EOS, Tower of Dawn takes a break from Aelin, the cadre, and the main storyline, which I can only assume is because the author delights in torturing her readers. It instead follows Chaol and Nesryn as they journey to the southern continent of Antica to find a healer for Chaol's spinal injuries, and convince the Khagan royals to ally with Erilea in the war against Erawan and the Valg. Enter Yrene Towers (who you will recognise if you read The Assassin's Blade first), a gifted healer with a grudge against Adarlanian soldiers who is conveniently assigned to heal Chaol, the former Captain of the Guard. She refuses to go easy on him and they verbally spar day after day- with hilarious results- as they work to heal him. Much to Chaol's annoyance. Chaol is in a very dark place and has to learn to face his demons and find a way to navigate life with disability and chronic pain, while trying to win over the Khagans. But when dark forces start to chase Yrene, it seems the Valg have made it to the southern continent, and the two must team up to find the link between the healer's tower and the Valg before it's too late. Will they get to the bottom of it, and what might their quest for knowledge cost them? Meanwhile, with Chaol's attention elsewhere, Nesryn flies off on an adventure of self-discovery with the kind-hearted warrior prince, Sartaq and his giant eagle to get answers about the Valg to aid the war. Together they must face ancient fae-traps, risk their lives with giant demonic spiders, and uncover shocking truths that could change everything for Erilea. But will they make it out alive to tell Chaol and Yrene what they've learnt? And as Nesryn and Sartaq grow closer, and she sees more of his world, will Nesryn discover where she belongs and where her heart truly lies? Will Chaol ever walk again? Will he learn to face the darkness inside him? And how long will it take Chaol and Yrene to admit that perhaps they don't hate each other after all?

Thoughts: Tower of Dawn was probably my least favourite of the series, and it took me a while to get into as it started off quite slow, and I wasn't as invested in the characters as others in the series. However, I really enjoyed it by the end, and it's essential to the storyline, so you don't want to skip it or you'll be very confused in Kingdom of Ash. Many people tandem read it with Empire of Storms, to keep themselves interested, as they're set at the same time, which sounds like a more motivating way to read it. I couldn't tell you, though- I read it the regular way. It's told from three POVs- Chaol's, Yrene's and Nesryn's, and I particularly enjoyed Chaol's and Yrene's. I loved the verbal assault between Chaol and Yrene as they worked together, and how their relationship developed from enemies to... well, something entirely different. It was interesting to see Chaol learning to adapt to life with paralysis, and once he learnt to accept it, I found his outlook on life with disability inspiring. It was great to see a disabled main character portrayed in such a strong and positive light instead of just dying from illness, seen as someone to pity, or being used as inspiration p*rn. Despite the unrealistic fantasy healing of a spinal-cord injury, it was also wonderful to see an ambulatory wheelchair user portrayed, to help educate people about how most wheelchair users aren't paralysed, but rely on mobility aids as their pain and fatigue levels fluctuate from activity and flares. It's not something I've seen talked about much in fiction books, so it was positive to see that representation as Chaol's health improved. I also enjoyed Chaol's character development in this book as he finally faced up to his past and his self-hatred, and it helped explain his behaviour in Queen of Shadows. I was definitely back on Team Chaol by the end. I also loved meeting Yrene, and Sartaq for the first time, learning their stories, and discovering more of Nesryn's. The relationship which developed between Nesryn and Sartaq was so lovely and heartwarming, and the adventures that they went on were full of suspense. I could've just done without the giant spiders. Also, you'll learn something big about a supporting character in this book, and I was shocked, but somehow also not surprised at all. (Full review on Goodreads here).

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Kingdom of Ash

One blink for yes. Two for no. Three for Are you alright? Four for I am here, I am with you. Five for 'This is real, you are awake.'

Plot: The epic conclusion to the series and an emotional rollercoaster of a finale. It's a race against time for Rowan and the cadre to find Aelin and save her from the iron coffin and horrific torture she's enduring at the hands of the evil fae queen, Maeve, and her sadistic minion, Cairn. While Rowan tears apart the world to find her with Gavriel, Lorcan, and Elide, Aelin is subjected to unimaginable pain, and Fenrys, bound by the blood oath and trapped in his wolf form, is forced to watch. Will they find a way to freedom before they break- or worse? Meanwhile, war has come to Erilea and everyone is fighting for their lives- but are Erawan and the Valg the only threats they must face? Can they take on their enemies and win? Will they find the final Wyrdkey and forge the lock before it's too late? And will Aelin ever make it home to Terrasen? 

Thoughts: Told from no less than 13 POVs, this book follows all the beloved protagonists from the series as they fight for survival, and sees their stories wrapped up neatly in 980 pages. It sounds intimidating, but it was so good, I honestly wish it was twice as long. I couldn't get enough. It's an emotionally painful read at times, but it's also fast-paced and exciting, filled with funny and heartwarming moments, and all the bite-your-nails-to-the-quick-tension you could want. The torture and trauma scenes were hard to read and broke my heart, as did some of the deaths and strained relationships (Aedion, you idiot), but there were even more lovely moments that gave me all the feels, and plenty of hardcore fight scenes, too. There's also an epic race-against-time rescue scene on the battlefield with the threat of a breaking dam and it left me a white-knuckled, emotional wreck. It's one of my favourite scenes of the whole book. Aelin and Rowan and Elide and Lorcan were the stars of the show for me, but Dorian and Manon were both so entertaining and moving in this book (not to mention hilarious when together), and I love the bond that formed between Aelin and Fenrys after all they went through together. Yrene was an absolute queen, too, and I enjoyed the sweet stolen moments of happiness between her and Chaol in between battles. There's also a brief cross-over with Rhys and Feyre from ACOTAR, which was really fun to read, and I was so excited when Nox, Celaena's ally in Throne of Glass, made his return. I give it 5 stars out of 5, but if I could, I'd give it 10. Scratch that- it's my review and I make the rules here; this book is a 10. It's one of my favourites of the series, and easily one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. However, I will forever wonder WHAT DID LORCAN DO?! 

Rating: 10 stars out of 5

The Assassin's Blade 

'When I'm scared out of my wits, I tell myself: My name is Sam Cortland... and I will not be afraid.'

'My name is Celaena Sardothien,' she whispered. 'And I will not be afraid.'

Plot: The Assassin's Blade is the prequel to Throne of Glass, and a series of five novellas that let you experience Celaena as a young, deadly assassin before she was sent to Endovier, and freed to be the King's champion. The five short stories finally let you see how some of her infamous adventures really went down, and how she came to know some of her old friends in the series. We see how she was abused and manipulated by the assassin master, Arobynn; how she fell in love with her first love, Sam, the betrayal that led to his tragic death, and the heart-breaking aftermath that changed Celaena forever. In The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, we get to see how she and Sam freed the slaves from Rolfe the Pirate Lord, and began to see themselves as friends. We learn how Celaena and Yrene first met In The Assassin and the Healer; how she saved Yrene from being assaulted, taught her her infamous self-defence moves, and gave her the brooch that changed her life. The Assassin and the Desert lets us see what happened when Celaena was sent to train with The Silent Assassins, and how Ansel of Briarcliff betrayed her. Then, In The Assassin and the Underworld, we see romance building between Celaena and Sam, her rivalry with the young courtesan, Lysandra, a near-drowning incident in the sewers, and Celaena unknowingly meeting Dorian and Chaol at a masquerade ball. The book concludes with The Assassin and the Empire- where both Sam and Celaena are set up and betrayed, leading to Sam's tragic death, a heartbreaking scene in the morgue, and Celaena being sentenced to slavery in the salt mines of Endovier. (Stock up on tissues- you will need them).

Thoughts: It was a harrowing but fun and exciting collection of stories that provided a new perspective on many of the characters in the series, tied up loose ends, and answered some burning questions the series created. It was interesting to see Celaena at 16/17 years old as such a violent and bratty assassin, and realise how much she changed by TOG, and how far her character had come by the end of the series. I particularly loved meeting Sam, and seeing their relationship blossom- even if I knew the novellas were counting down to his death, and it was one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever read. Seriously, I'm never getting over it. (Whyyyyy?) I also really enjoyed learning more of Yrene's past and how the two women crossed paths, and it was fun to read Celaena's adventures with Ansel and Illias in the desert, too. The only thing I felt was missing was a novella of her time in Endovier. I would've loved to have read about the day she snapped and killed a bunch of people as she tried to escape or seen her learning to survive there. 

As it's a prequel, you can read this book at any point in the series after Throne of Glass- it was originally published after Heir of Fire (book three)- but I would recommend reading it last. You don't need to read it to understand the series, and ending the series by going back in time before it all began and learning these back stories was the perfect way to put it to rest. Except it just made me want to read it all over again, so it led to me rereading Throne of Glass before I let go. I've heard a lot of people have trouble getting in to this book, and I think reading it first could put you off continuing with the series, so at least read the first three books before beginning it.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

So, there we have my low-down on one of the best fantasy series of our time. But don't take my word for it, go grab yourself a copy of the first book, Throne of Glass, and see for yourself why I won't stop raving about them. They're a Booktok favourite for a reason!

And once you've made it through all eight books, you're going to want to move on to A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City- two other fae fantasy series from Sarah J Maas, which she's beginning to intertwine. 

Welcome to the Maasverse, guys! You're never going to want to leave.

Have you read Throne of Glass yet?

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Throne of Glass Series Reviews: Part One

After years of putting it off, I finally began reading the Throne of Glass series in January, and even though I finished the series months ago, I've been hooked ever since. It's one of my favourite fantasy series ever.

I've been trying to convince anyone that will listen to read the series, so I thought it was about time I worked my magic on you guys, too with some reviews, and photos of the gorgeous Bloomsbury hardbacks that were released earlier this year. Just look at how gorgeous the art is on these covers! 

If you're not already familiar with Throne of Glass, it's a fantastic eight-book YA fantasy series that you're sure to love if you enjoy romantasy adventure books like ACOTAR, The Cruel Prince, and Fourth Wing. The main female character is a badass, deadly assassin with quick wit, a complicated past, and a big heart underneath her morally grey veneer. There are also gorgeous, ripped fae warriors, a hot prince with shadow powers and daddy issues, a brooding royal guard (also with daddy issues) driven by his love for his best friend, witches with iron nails and teeth, a flower-loving wyvern, shapeshifters, demons, giant eagles, ghosts, enchanted talking door-knockers, a loveable dog, and young kings and queens trying to find their place in a troubled world.

It might be a YA series, but the story and world-building are really well developed and most of the main characters go through so much character growth over the series. There are so many great characters to fall in love with (my faves are Aelin, Rowan, Elide and Lorcan) and a handful to hate with passion. (Arobynn, Maeve, and Vernon, for sure). There is an assassin trying to win a place as the king's champion, a lost queen trying to reclaim her kingdom and free magic, epic romances, heartwarming friendships, rivalries, torture, murder, tragedy, battles, and a war with demons all the characters will come together to fight

If that sounds like your cup of tea, let me introduce you to the start of your new book obsession. 

I'm breaking this up in to two posts because I've gotten carried away with the word count again (can't help it- I love these books), and I'll be focusing on the first four books today- Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, and Queen of Shadows. 

Throne of Glass

'What's the point in having a mind if you don't use it to make judgements?'

'What's the point in having a heart if you don't use it to spare others from the harsh judgements of your mind?'

Plot: Celaena Sardothien, a young and deadly assassin, is freed from slavery in the salt mines of Endovier by a prince and his guard, and taken to the glass castle to compete to be the king's champion. Celaena must go up against 23 dangerous male criminals in a series of trials where desperation for freedom, and no rules means anything's possible- even murder. Determined to win back her freedom, she trains daily with Chaol, the moody captain, who refuses to see her as anything but a criminal; catches the eye of handsome Dorian, the cocky but charming young prince; and befriends the strong-willed princess, Nehemia. Friendships blossom and perhaps more. But then champions start being brutally murdered one by one in between trials, and Celaena is determined to get to the bottom of who's behind it before they come for her, too. Does it have anything to do with the weird symbols she keeps seeing around the castle, and can she find the answers she seeks before it's too late? Can she beat her brutish rival, Cain, and win the championship? Or will she find herself back in the salt mines once more?

Thoughts: I've read this book twice this year- first when I began the series and again when I finished it, and while it read even better with context, I thoroughly enjoyed it both times. It's the kind of book that left me wanting to read just one more chapter whenever I had to set it down and burrowed its way into my thoughts when I wasn't reading it. It's an unusually strong start to a fantasy series, with plenty of action, murder, mystery, betrayal, and suspense, and enough twists and turns to keep things interesting and entertaining. It also has just the right amount of romance and friendship to give the story some heart and excitement, and the beginnings of a love triangle. The world building was well developed and beautifully descriptive, helping to draw me into every scene, and the multiple-narratives helped to keep the story fresh and interesting. (Although, I would have been happier without Kaltain's whiny point-of-view- even if it was relevant to the story). I quickly fell in love with the three main characters, Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol (okay, Chaol took a little longer), and the relationships that developed between them, and I also enjoyed Celaena's friendship with fierce Princess Nehemia, and Nox, her ally in the championship. The book also introduces several characters I loved to hate, too, including Celaena's ruthless nemesis, Cain, irritating Lady Kaltain, scheming Duke Perrington, and the deplorable King of Adarlan. (Full review on Goodreads here).

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 (upgraded from 4 out of 5 on my first read).

Crown of Midnight 

'I know you can look after yourself. But I worry because I care. Gods help me, I know I shouldn't, but I do. So I will always tell you to be careful because I will always care what happens.'

Plot: Celaena is the king's new champion, and is tasked with using her skills to murder his enemies. Except, she secretly plays the king by making them disappear instead, which seems like a genius idea- until she's told to kill her childhood crush. While she decides whether she can trust the smooth-talking courtier to run and hide. nothing will stop Celaena from plotting to other throw the king, and uncover the mysteries of the castle. Like what exactly is lurking in the halls and beyond the library? And what does the riddle in the tomb mean? Also, did that doorknocker just talk? And why is Celaena so afraid of the witch in the travelling carnival? Meanwhile, Dorian is in the throes of heartbreak, and shocked when strange things keep happening around him that he can't explain. Things that seem an awful lot like magic. But that can't be right- magic disappeared from Adarlan ten years ago. And Dorian can't tell anyone; if his father finds out, he'll have his head. Elsewhere in the castle, bristly captain Chaol has turned in to the soft, brooding type over Celaena, but what will happen when one little lie he makes to keep her safe results in the death of someone she loves? Devastated by the loss, she can't stem her blood lust, and as grief tears her apart and a betrayal is uncovered, more surprises are in store for the characters that could change their lives- and their relationships- forever.

Thoughts: Crown of Midnight is one of my least favourites of the series, along with Tower of Dawn. Don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed this book, but it's a little slower-paced and less exciting than most of the others, so it's low-ranking in my list of SJM favourites. It must be one of the few occurrences where I feel the second book in the series isn't better than the first. It has such a different feel to the first book, with less humour and a much darker tone as the characters face loss and loneliness, avoid acknowledging their secrets, and struggle with their mental health. There's plenty of feral violence, intriguing mysteries, betrayal, magic, young love, heartache, and devastating grief and depression, and it took me through the emotional ringer- something SJM seems to have a talent for. Even now, I'm not sure I'm over the strained relationships or the shocking death. I loved Chaol and Celaena's relationship in this book, especially how cute soft, loved-up Chaol was. The dancing and birthday dinner scenes between them were particularly adorable. It was interesting to see all the different sides of Celaena and wonder how a person can wear so many different faces, from vicious assassin to chocolate-cake loving bookworm, but I especially enjoyed seeing her go rogue as an assassin and learning exactly why everyone is afraid of her- by the Wyrd, she's terrifying! I also found the change in Dorian's demeanour from cocky jokester to withdrawn little emo boy broke my heart, but the plot twist for his character was so intriguing and unexpected. I definitely didn't see this side of him coming. Nor did I guess the massive twist in Celaena's story, but looking back, the signs were all there, and I don't know how I missed them. It made for a fantastic climax to the story, and had me on the edge of my seat right until the painfully bittersweet ending. (Full review on Goodreads here).

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Heir of Fire

'I claim you, Rowan Whitethorn. I don't care what you say and how much you protest. I claim you as my friend.'

'I claim you, Aelin. To whatever end.'

Plot: Celaena has been sent to Wendlyn to murder the royal family, but she has no intention of following orders. She plans to go to Doranelle to learn more about the Wyrdmarks, but the fae Queen, Maeve, won't allow her passage into the fae city until she proves herself worthy. She's ordered to first master her powers with the silver-haired warrior Prince, Rowan, the most powerful fae male in all the realms, who is a sadistic, grouchy bastard, and seems intent on making her life hell. But she's the world's greatest assassin and nobody fights better than her- or so she thinks. Has Celaena finally met her match? Lost in her grief and depression, and being forced to confront the traumatic past she's kept buried for ten years, Celaena is in a dark place, and teetering on the edge. Will Rowan push her over it, or will they find some common ground? And what are the monstrous beings leaving dried-up dead bodies in their wake around Mistward? If anyone can figure it out, it's Rowan and Celaena, but will she be strong enough to fight when they come a-calling? Back in Rifthold, Dorian is angry with Chaol for sending Celaena away, and desperately looking for a way to suppress his magic, which sees him visiting a healer that he just can't seem to stay away from... Chaol is missing Celaena but reeling from what he learnt about her, while trying to tie up loose ends to keep Dorian safe before he sacrifices his soul to his manipulative father. He finds himself suspicious of newcomer Aedion, a shady young general who is definitely up to something, and he's determined to find out what. Will what he discovers interfere with his promise to leave the glass castle? We're also introduced to Manon and The Thirteen, a deadly coven of witches with iron teeth and nails who the king has enlisted. And they're not flying on broomsticks. What exactly is the king planning for Erilea- and for our heroes in the Glass Castle?

Thoughts: Heir of Fire is when the series really starts to transform from mildly entertaining into something spectacular, and when my love for the series began to turn slightly more obsessive. That's not to say the first two books aren't great, but book three is when everything really starts coming to life. The introduction of the fae, Rowan and the cadre, shapeshifting, powerful magic, and intense battles with magical demons adds so much to the story, as does seeing Celaena finally meeting her match, learning to control her powers, and beginning to face up to her past. And then there's Rowan Whitethorn, who despite starting off as a depraved bully who badly needs around-the-clock therapy, quickly tunnelled into my heart and became one of my favourite fictional characters of all time. Apparently, I just can't resist a morally-grey, brooding fae warrior with a hidden heart of gold who asks 'who did this to you?', fusses when she gets hurt, and has touch-her-and-you-die vibes. I worry about myself sometimes. I loved his sadistic side, and how his relationship with Celaena played out- except for one particularly cruel scene that hurt my heart- bastard. I also adored how cute Dorian and Sorscha were together, and loved meeting The Cadre, Luca and Emrys, and Aedion for the first time, whose shadiness and suffering for the greater good gave me Rhysand vibes. It took me a while to warm up to newcomer Manon and the other witches, and it probably wasn't until sweet baby Abraxos came along that I started to enjoy their scenes, and stop longing for another POV. There's also a dramatic ending in the glass castle you're not going to want to miss, but be warned- it hurts. A lot. I'm not sure I'll ever recover. Despite that, it's definitely one of my ultimate favourite books of the series, and of all time- and I wish I could read it for the first time again.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Queen of Shadows

'You make me want to live, Rowan. Not survive, not exist. Live.'

'You make me want to live, Aelin Galathynius,' he said. 'Not exist- but live.' ... 'I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping- not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think... I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you.'

Plot: With the help of her found-family, Aelin returns to Rifthold to free Prince Dorian and her cousin from the king's clutches, take down the king, slay some demons, free magic, and get her revenge on her erstwhile mentor, Arobynn. Can she and her friends do it all before the king enslaves the world? Meanwhile, Dorian is trapped in his body and forgetting who he is as a demon prince takes control; moody Chaol is plotting to save Dorian, while brandishing a massive attitude problem and working underground to free people from the demons with sharpshooter, Nesryn; Lorcan is furiously playing Aelin in determination to find the Wyrdkeys- and Aelin is playing him right back; Manon and the Thirteen are being trained as weapons but starting to question the disturbing things happening under the mountain; and cunning newcomer Elide is working to escape her abusive uncle's chains which sees her forge an unlikely alliance- but will it be enough to save her from the horrors of Morath and the future her uncle has planned for her? And when Aelin and Chaol come face-to-face with demon-possessed-Dorian and the king, will any of them walk out alive? 

Thoughts: 

Queen of Shadows gets the bronze in my top three favourites of the series, after Heir of Fire and Kingdom of Ash which are fighting it out for the gold. This book is a masterpiece and you can't convince me otherwise. It's packed full of fight scenes, brilliant schemes, satisfying revenge, manipulation, sexual tension, angst, rivalries, heartwarming reunions, humour, and a big long list of other great stuff. I loved every moment of it. There's just so much to love about this book from Rowan and Aelin's iconic reunion scene to Rowan being floored by a nightgown, and Manon and Dorian's flirting (hello Princeling, hello Witchling), to Lysandra and Aelin joining forces to get their revenge on the psychopathic Assassin Master, Arobynn. And then there's Aelin and her friends teaming up to free magic and save Dorian, and the growing friendship and sexual tension between Rowan and Aelin. *Chef's kiss.* I also loved meeting Elide (one of my faves) for the first time, who proves you don't have to be literate to be smart as she creeps around Morath with a chain around her disfigured ankle plotting her escape from the demon lair, and becoming unlikely friends with the terrifying witches. This book equally did a good job at punching me in the heart with Dorian being controlled by an evil demon, Kaltain being abused for her powers, and Chaol taking break-up pettiness to a whole new level by blaming Aelin for everything wrong in the world and just behaving like an absolute douche. The change in his character in this book definitely made me hate him for a while, but that's okay- who needs angry Chaol when there's ruggedly beautiful Rowan, Lorcan, and Aedion to fill the void? There's also a big plot twist at the end that totally blew my mind. I didn't see it coming for a second, and it completely changed my perspective on the character and all they'd done up to that point. If I'm honest, I'm still shocked, and I'm sure you will be, too. And if you love fantasy, I think you're going to love this brilliant book as much as I do.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

So, as I said, this is just half of the Throne of Glass series, and there's another four books to go after Queen of Shadows. But don't let the length of the series intimidate you; they're fantastic, easy reads, and the kind of books you'll fly through in days. I sure did!

I'll be back with reviews of the last four books soon, so be sure to keep an eye out for them- hopefully later this week!

Have you read Throne of Glass? What's your favourite book series?

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Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs Book Review

Reading has always been one of my favourite hobbies, and it's something I love to do every day, but it's been a while since I last posted a book review to the blog. I often post what I'm reading and write mini reviews on my Insta stories, but I want to start sharing more of them here with you, too, so here I am. 

I recently read a brilliant debut fantasy and new release called Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs, so let's start with that one.

Book: Ink Blood Sister Scribe.

Author: Emma Törzs.

Genres: Fantasy, mystery, thriller, adventure, romance (f/f and f/m)

Edition: Waterstones Exclusive Signed Hardback.

Synopsis:

Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a unique and immersive dark fantasy about magic books that have the power to kill, and a secret organisation that will stop at nothing to find those who guard them- not even murder. 

It follows two estranged sisters- loner Joanna, who's dedicated her life to protecting her rare book collection, and Esther, who is hiding out on a research base in Antarctica, and must move every year on the same date to avoid being found. Except this year, she stays put for love, and just as she thinks she's safe, she discovers spots of blood on all the mirrors. It can only mean one thing: sinister magic is in use on the base. Her life is in danger and she doesn't know who she can trust, but when a note offering help is passed through a mirror, will she accept or listen to her instincts and run? And what will she send back?

Meanwhile, wealthy, sheltered Nicholas, a scribe who writes spell books with his own blood for his family's elite library, discovers shocking truths that will lead him and his bodyguard, Collins, to flee. The four must travel across continents to find one another and stay alive, learn the sinister secrets of the Library, and put a stop to the organisation once and for all- but can they do it before it's too late? 

Thoughts:

The unusual storyline of this book pulled me in from the start, and the magic, humour, and beautiful descriptive writing kept me reading. I was a little uninterested in Nicholas' POV to begin with, as he came across as spoilt and entitled, and his guardians were so unlikable, but the more I read, the more I found myself enjoying his story- and each of the three POVs. Esther's was full of action, suspense, and  delightful dark magic, and her rocky relationship with Pearl was far from boring; Joanna was intriguing as a lonely, awkward introvert shackled to her house by her books and wards, while struggling to trust her mother and befriend a cat; and Nicholas' was sad as his desires for freedom and friends ate away at him while he was coddled by his Uncle, and conditioned to write books and stay hidden away at the cost of his own declining health. Collins' character development from stoic bodyguard to mysterious-guy-who-can-hear-magic was also really interesting, and I loved the relationships he forged with Nicholas and Joanna. Also, there's a Pomeranian sidekick called Sir Kiwi. Who's female. The twists and turns were surprising and full of tension, and overall, it was such a fun, interesting read that kept me guessing until the end. It left me hoping that it might continue as a series, but I think it's just a stand-alone. Either way, it's the perfect cosy, atmospheric read for autumn for anyone who enjoys dark magic, mystery, and adventure, with a little found-family and forced proximity thrown in for good measure.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5.

Favourite Quotes:

♥ The other books hummed like summer bees. This book throbbed like unspent thunder and when she opened the cover the handwritten words swam in front of her eyes, rearranging themselves every time a letter nearly became clear. In progress; unreadable.

♥ If she left- when she left- Antarctica would be a memory, than a memory of memory, and eventually it would be just a story. Pearl would be just a story, a swirl of remembered feelings, someone she'd talk about at bars to strangers who would become friends and then strangers again.

♥ 'If magic really does exist, and you really can erase my memory, and I let you do it- you have to promise to come find me again once you're safe. You have to promise to tell me everything that happened, and tell me again about your parents, and the books. Fill in all the blanks. I don't want to forget forever. I want to know.' She took a shuddering breath. 'But I don't think I can handle knowing right now. Alone.'

♥ A year felt so long unless it was all you had.

♥ ...when the physical and emotional boundaries of one's life were small, when one had walked every inch of one's allotted space many times over, it was easy to forget ignorance and feel a sort of mastery, instead. This house, that path, those books, that mountain; Joanna was used to being the expert and used to the safety that came with expertise.

The beautiful edition shown in my photos is the Waterstones exclusive signed edition, and I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but it was actually the design which drew me in and made me want to investigate what the book was about. It has tangerine sprayed edges with bees, feathers, and stars stencilled on the side in black ink, and it's so pretty and autumnal. It, sadly, doesn't have a hidden cover, but it has marbled-burgundy-red end papers, gold foil on the dust jacket, and it's signed by the author inside. I love it! It sold out online before release day, so I'm glad I preordered it this spring, but if you can find it in store, it's well worth the purchase if you love pretty books.

What are you waiting for? Go read it!

Have you read Ink Blood Sister Scribe yet?

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Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories Book Review

Last Christmas, one of my sisters gave me a beautiful hardback copy of Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories for Christmas.

I was in the middle of another book when I received it, so I saved it up to read this Christmas when I could truly appreciate the festive stories. I've been reading it a story or two at a time before bed this past week for some light Christmas reading, and it's been a joy.

Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories is a collection of short stories originally written in the 1940s-1960s for annuals, magazines, and radio by the author of the beloved classic children's book, Ballet Shoes. It features nine of her Christmas stories, including The Bells Keep Twelfth Night, Thimble, The Moss Rose, and The Princess, which have never been collected together in one book before. There are auditions on stage, and antics on ice, pantomime trips, holiday adventures, and laughter shared with family and friends. These old-fashioned children's stories are charming, heart-warming, and humourous, and entertaining not just for children, but for readers of all ages. If you liked Noel Streatfeild's books growing up, or enjoyed stories from other classic children's authors like Enid Blyton, you should find this collection of festive stories delightful.

I can't remember if I ever read a Streatfeild book growing up (although, my older sister adored the Shoe books), but there's something wonderfully nostalgic about these stories that remind me of the stories I loved to read when I was a child. They have a similar feel to Enid Blyton stories- which isn't surprising since they were written during the same era- except Streatfeild's feature more ballet shoes and ice skates.

There are tales of cats being dressed up in turbans and feathers to cheer up an old sick lady; a princess dressing as a commoner to go shopping who slips away from her teacher to perform in a ballet, and a young girl who picks up the wrong suitcase, and instead of returning it to the tube station, drives around with a mega phone in desperation to find its owner. They're wholesome and sweet, and undeniably funny. 

The book itself is the Virago Modern Classic edition, and it's absolutely beautiful. It has a navy cover framed by two silver trees decorated with colourful baubles, with a scattering of snowflakes coming down from the night sky. At the bottom, is a mouse in uniform wearing a cape, a blonde ballerina dressed in ice blue, and a Nutcracker soldier playing a drum. In the centre, the author's name and book title are printed in white and silver on a red ribbon, with golden bells, and an angel hanging from either side. The same trees, decorations, and snowflakes are printed on the back cover, and the author's name and book title are printed on a straight red ribbon on the spine.

When you open the book, you'll discover that the book is a lovely plain scarlet hardback, with light grey end-papers covered in snowflakes and hanging decorations. Each short story is introduced with the same design of trees, baubles, and snowflakes from the cover as a black and white line drawing, and you'll find one illustration in the same style included with each story. It's beautifully designed, and a lovely little treasure to add to any pretty book collection. I'm a sucker for beautiful books, and this one sure gets my vote of approval for aesthetics. It looks so lovely on my bookshelf with all my clothbounds and other beautiful hardbacks, and the illustrations make it a treat to read.

Sure, it's a children's book, but you don't have to be a child to be able to appreciate this collection of festive stories. In fact, it would probably appeal more to adults who grew up reading Streatfeild's stories, than to children, who might prefer something a little more modern. My childhood ended far more years ago than I'd care to mention, but now and then, I enjoy reading classic children's books from days gone by for a hint of nostalgia, and Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories has given me the loveliest reading experience. The stories have been helping me relax after a busy day preparing for Christmas, and they're so festive, I've had no trouble getting in to the Christmas Spirit.

If you're looking for a light-hearted Christmas read, or a last minute present for a book lover, I couldn't recommend this lovely book to you more.

Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories is available now from all good book stores, and all the usual places. Find it on Amazon here.

Have you read Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories yet?

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Puffin Classics A Christmas Carol Clothbound Hardback

 

I can never resist a beautiful book cover, and was powerless to resist the Puffin Classics edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, despite already owning two other copies of the book. It's so beautiful and the book is such a classic that I just had to treat myself to a copy to enjoy as we count down to Christmas.

I've been admiring this edition since it was released last autumn in the first collection of clothbound Puffin Classics, which also included Black Beauty, Dracula, The Secret Garden, and The Wizard of Oz, but only recently added it to my collection. I only wish I'd got my hands on a copy sooner.

This edition of A Christmas Carol is a truly stunning hardback, with a festive scarlet clothbound cover  decorated with gold-foil holly leaves, and a scattering of white snowflakes, candles, and bells. The outline of a giant top-hat dominates the front cover- an obvious reference to Scrooge's headwear and the Victorian era in which the novel is set- housing the title and author name in a modern gold font inside. The design continues on the back, with the top hat and text replaced with a famous quote from the book- 'humbug, I tell you- humbug!', which stands out on the bright red cover in large white lettering. The spine also features the same golden holly design with a white top hat and snowflake just off centre, and the book title and author printed in a smaller white type.

Sadly, a couple of letters on my copy's spine have worn away. I'm not sure if it arrived like that, or if I damaged it myself running an anti-bacterial wipe over it when it arrived (Covid paranoia), but I guess it doesn't really affect my reading experience. It's only really noticeable when I'm looking at the book close up. I would just recommend being extra careful with these books as the designs have been embossed on to the covers, and aren't indestructible.      

When you open the book cover, you are greeted with vibrant sky blue end-papers featuring a festive print of white snowflakes and candle sticks. It contrasts beautifully against the bright red book cover, and it's just so cheerful-looking.

If you appreciate a good illustration or just want to share the book with young readers, you'll be pleased to know this edition is also illustrated, with black and white sketches dotted sporadically through the book. It's a lovely addition to an already stunning book, and I think it only adds to the appeal of these beautiful editions.

The story itself is just 126 pages long, and has been printed on good quality cream paper in a reasonably large font so it's a great quick read to devour over the festive season for adults and older children alike. One you can read in a couple of sittings, or stretch out during the run up to Christmas a chapter or two at a time, depending on your reading style or time available.

A Christmas Carol is so well renowned that I don't think I need to tell you what the story is about, but just in case... it's basically about a miserable old money-lender who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve night to help him see the error of his ways and understand what his future will become if he doesn't learn to change. It's a Christmas classic everybody should read at least once, and the perfect book to help you get in to the Christmas spirit. It's a book I return to time and time again, and I can't wait to revisit it this Christmas with this gorgeous edition. 

The Puffin Classics books retail for around £12.99 (although, I bought my copy on Amazon here where it's currently a lot cheaper), and are available from all good book shops now.

Have you read A Christmas Carol yet?    

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The Jane Austen Collection From Arcturus Books

As a big old book worm, beautiful book covers are one of my biggest weaknesses in life, and I love collecting pretty editions that are a treat for the eyes as well as the imagination. 

Lately, I've been on a bit of a beautiful-book buying binge, and have treated myself to a couple of gorgeous clothbound sets and an armful of novels over the last month or so alone. I just couldn't help myself; I have no restraint when it comes to books!

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen a sneak peek of some of my new reads on my Insta stories, bur if you missed them, don't worry; I'm going to start reviewing some of them here, too, starting with The Jane Austen Collection from Arcturus books today.

The Jane Austen Collection from Arcturus books features six of Jane Austen's most beloved novels including Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey, and they're without a doubt some of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. I fell in love with the collection after stumbling up on the prettiest photos of them on Bluestocking Bookshelf a couple of months ago. and I knew I had to have them in my life. I couldn't stop thinking about them until I was finally able to treat myself to the set last month, and let me tell you, they were worth the wait! They're even more perfect in person than they appear on screen. My photos do not do them justice.

Each book in this beautiful set of colourful clothbounds is a different colour in a range of pastels and muted-brights from dusky pink to light-teal, and each copy has a different patterned cover in a complimenting shade, with a pretty wreath design around the book title and author's name. 

I think my favourite designs are Northanger Abbey and Emma, although Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility look rather lovely, too. They're all absolutely stunning.

The titles on the covers are printed in a handwritten-like script in both upper and lowercase letters, with Austen's name printed slightly smaller in all caps. I think the font looks attractive on the front covers, but looks a little tacky and childish on the spines- probably since it's printed in such a large font. It doesn't put me off the books, but if I could change anything, I would make the font much smaller.

Like all of Arcturus' books I've seen, the books in the Jane Austen collection are smaller than the average paperback, which I love because I find them easier to hold in my arthritic hands for extended periods than larger, heavier books. They're not too heavy, either, as the novels are printed in a small font, which keeps the thickness down. Their unique size and colourful covers also ensure that they stand out on your bookshelves and add a pop of colour to your home, which is something I love my books to do.

I adore these gorgeous little books, and can't wait to start working my way through them. I've only read Pride and Prejudice before, so I'm looking forward to reading the other five for the first time. I  just don't know which novel to begin reading first! Any recommendations?

The Jane Austen collection is available to purchase separately and together as a set, and should be available from all good book stores. I stumbled up on the whole set for just £19.99 (RRP £49.99!) from Books2Door here, which works out at just £3.33 a book! Six pretty clothbounds for under £20 is an amazing bargain, and trust me, they were worth every penny! 

The set would make the perfect gift for any Jane Austen fan this Christmas, and an even better gift for yourself!

Will you be buying any books from the collection? 

Are you a fan of pretty books?

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