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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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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...

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...

Plated Prisoner Series | A series review (Spoiler Alert!!!)

  Have you ever stumbled upon a series that not only captures your imagination but also challenges the norms of classic narratives? Recently, I had the privilege of delving into the spellbinding world of the Plated Prisoner series, written by Raven Kennedy. If you haven't yet experienced this literary masterpiece, be prepared for a rollercoaster ride of intrigue, deception, and personal growth. Embark with me on a journey through the twists and turns of these books, where the conventional story of King Midas and his golden touch takes an unexpected and captivating turn. A Twist on a Classic Tale The foundation of the Plated Prisoner series rests upon the iconic figure of King Midas and his fabled golden touch. However, Kennedy masterfully introduces a twist; King Midas, rather than possessing the golden touch, is revealed to be a fraud, capitalizing on the real power held by this beautiful character Auren. Auren, with her genuine golden touch, becomes the linchpin of the plot as ...

'The Never King' by Nikki St. Crowe | A Review

"The Never King" by  Nikki St. Crowe   is an incredibly absurd book. I mean, while reading it, I found myself perplexed, cringing, and wondering what on earth I was actually reading. These rollercoaster emotions I experienced throughout the book. The story revolves around Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, with Winnie, a member of the Darling family line, whose mother is clearly mentally unstable. Her mother's bizarre and neglectful behavior towards her is maddening. When Winnie turns 18, her mother's insanity escalates as she believes Peter Pan is coming to kidnap Winnie, and indeed, he does just that. He takes her to Neverland, where he inexplicably chains her to a bed and watches over her while she's unconscious. The frequent mention of Winnie being different from other Darlings without a clear explanation becomes rather tiresome. Meanwhile, Peter's shadow is lost, causing Neverland to wither slowly. So his main goal is to find his shadow and secure his power o...

The Dark One (Vicious Lost Boys book 2) by Nikki St. Crowe | A Review

I was on a free trial of Scribd and Everand. This particular book popped up and I thought let's do it. So I started listening to this book. I mean I am speechless after listening to it. My mind is in short-circuit mode..LOL!!! I listened to it in November and I am late in writing this review. So, let's explore... The brief synopsis of this book is that the plot picks up from the ending of the last book (this is the second book in the series of Lost Vicious Boys). Winnie decided to stay in Neverland and the shadow of Pan is missing so everyone is trying to find it and have it for themselves. War is coming and I don't know which war and with whom. the Prince brothers confront their sister and find out some new secrets of hers and how she is the manipulative one. Pan is trying to forge some peace alliance with Captain Hook so he can find his shadow in his lands. Charlotte is after The dark one's heart and she is heartbroken that he is after Winnie's. She started playin...