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Showing posts from November 10, 2024

Folklore Friday | The Huma Bird: A Mythical Creature of Fortune, Freedom, and Timeless Inspiration

The Huma bird, also known as the "bird of paradise" in Persian and South Asian folklore , is more than just a myth. Described as a creature of profound grace, it represents freedom, enlightenment, and the touch of divine blessing. Unlike many legendary creatures that capture human imagination, Huma is a symbol of both hope and transformation, often depicted as a figure whose touch or shadow can bring kingship or enlightenment to anyone lucky enough to encounter it. Stories and beliefs about the Huma bird can be found across Persian, Islamic, and Indian literature, where it emerges as a potent symbol in art, poetry, and tales of ancient spirituality. Origins and Characteristics of Huma Bird Huma bird’s roots lie deep in Persian mythology, dating back to centuries of cultural and religious significance across the Middle East and Asia. Persian literature portrays it as a creature of the heavens, a guardian spirit that never lands on earth, making it elusive and unattainable. Th...

A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson | A Review

   What's Up, Readers!! Welcome to Quills and Pages. Today, I am reviewing one of my top five reads of the year: A Tribute to Fire, book 1 in Sariah Wilson's The Eye of the Goddess series. BLURB The fate of a cursed nation depends on a princess who must outwit a mortal enemy and outlast the trials of a death-defying ritual in a thrilling adventure by USA Today bestselling author Sariah Wilson. Lia is the princess of Locris, a dying desert nation cursed centuries ago by an earth goddess—one still worshipped by the thriving and adversarial nation of Ilion. Every year, Ilion offers the goddess a sacrifice: two Locrian maidens forced to compete in a life-and-death race to reach her temple. In a millennium, no maiden has made it out of Ilion alive. This year, Lia is one of the hunted. An education in battle gives her a fighting chance, but the challenges are greater than she feared: Lia’s beloved but untrained sister Quynh has been put in the path of danger. The winding streets of ...

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Best Audiobook Apps for books | Part 1: Subscription based apps

So, do you love audiobooks.....well, I do. I recently listened to one or two audiobooks and could not stop falling in love with them. They are so convenient to listen to especially when you have a lot of work to do besides reading books. They come in handy don't you think. In recent years audiobooks have emerged as a beloved companion for people like me i.e. book enthusiasts and multitaskers alike. With the surge in audiobook consumption, a lot of apps have flooded the market, each targeting the top spot in delivering exceptional listening experiences. So, to navigate this sea of options, I have researched and curated a list of 10 subscription-based apps for you to try: 1. Audible Audible stands at the top of the list. It is backed by Amazon and has an extensive library containing every title that is out there. It also analyzes your listening history to offer personalized suggestions There are also subscription plans; Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus, which cater to diverse re...

A Critical Lens on 'Hunting Adeline' by H.D. Carlton: Exploring the Disturbing Themes | A Review

I kept delaying writing the review because I had to remember it and didn't want to do that. This 2nd book of Cat and Mouse duet is the story of a human trafficking survivor. This book is a huge  TRIGGER WARNING . Kindly proceed with caution. I even got traumatized after reading it. So to explain the synopsis; Adeline (the main character) got kidnapped at the end of the first book and sold to some people who groomed her for some very rich and powerful clients.  Almost half of the book is based on Adeline surviving the worst situations possible for a woman. Adeline had one advantage someone was fervently searching for her, and eventually, Zade managed to rescue her after four agonizing months. The scene when Zade finds her and she just could not believe it. She crumbled to her knees thinking she was hallucinating. After Zade brings her home she struggles so hard to process her trauma. She learns to fight to take control of her life. She gets close to her mother. She hates h...

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn | A Review

What's Up, Readers!! Welcome to Quills and Pages. I just finished On Wings of Blood arc....and now I am here to write the review. the book is written by Briar Boleyn and Thank you to Netgally and the author for this arc. iSo, let's start the review BLURB I didn't sign up for this. A half-fae in a school of highblood vampires? That's a recipe for torment. I'm Medra Pendragon—last of the dragon riders, or so they tell me. Funny thing is, there are no dragons left. Not a single one. But somehow, that hasn't stopped the vampires from deciding I'm worth capturing. Now I'm stuck at Bloodwing Academy, where the highbloods run everything and blightborn like me? We're just blood in their veins, pawns in their games. But that's not even the worst part. Enter Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and way too gorgeous for his own good. He's been tormenting me since the moment we met, and now, thanks to some ancient ritual, we're betrothed. He acts like h...

Booktok made me Read Haunting Adeline | A Review

Spoilers ahead!! ( Proceed at your own risk) Haunting Adeline book is written by H.D Carlton . The story starts as Adeline relocates to her Nana's enchanting house located in Seattle. The author paints a beautiful picture of the stunning old Victorian residence perched on a cliff, surrounded by lush forests on one side. The mysteriously amazing atmosphere instantly captivated me, as I have a deep fondness for haunting manors in the backdrops of the storyline. This sets the stage for a promising journey right from the very first chapter . So Adeline meet with her best friend, Daya , who playfully encourages her to let loose and have some fun. Daya, leads a dream life as a top-class hacker, associated with a vigilante organization. While she keeps certain aspects of her work a secret from Adeline due to their classified nature, she remains a pillar of support and assistance in every way possible. When they're together, they exude a delightful silliness that reminds me of the bon...

The Awakening | Zodiac Academy Series written by Caroline Peckham and Suzanne Valenti | A Book Review

Alright, here I am, sharing my thoughts on the first book The Awakening from Zodiac Academy series written by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti . I decided to start reviewing this series as it falls under the 'enemies to lovers ' and 'bullies romance' genres, which are right up my alley. I'm a sucker for this type of book and I am always on the hunt for such books. Someone made a video of this book on TikTok and I was like I had to read it. So, I began reading the book and I fell into a rabbit hole of Magic Academy, hot assholes, and alternative Fae world. It felt like diving into a more mature version of Harry Potter. Needless to say, I absolutely loved this first installment. GENRE   Bully Paranormal Romance THEME AND TONE Mystery, Drama, Action LANGUAGE AND WRITING STYLE Easy to Read CHARACTERS Growing and Changing characters TROPES ☙ Bully Romance ☙ Insane Chemistry ☙ Lost Princesses ☙ Multiple Love Interests ☙ Teacher Student Romance ☙ Hate to Hate and ...