maggiebogo

just a STEM girly escaping her fight with science into fights with not science silent member of the yoink™️ posse

6212 points

0% overlap

My Taste

Reading...

The Castle & the Cloister (Daughters of Light, #1)

57%

maggiebogo commented on a post from the Pagebound Club forum

GoosePicnic

TBR Rejects

Do y’all ever buy a book that at the time you think is super cool, but the longer it sits unread, the less interested you are in reading it? What do you all do with books like those?

I’ve got a section on my bookshelf dedicated to TBR books, and I’ve got a couple that I’m looking straight at as I type this, where I’m like “i don’t want to read these anymore.” Debating what to do with em. Donate them to the library? Put them next on my to-read list and give them an honest shot? Commit a book crime & turn them into some sort of arts n crafts project? I spent real human money on these books so even though I don’t want to read them, I keep them around bc it feels like a waste of money otherwise 😂

maggiebogo started reading...

The Castle & the Cloister (Daughters of Light, #1)

Laura E. Weymouth

The Priory of the Orange Tree meets Black Sun in the thrilling launch of a political fantasy duology following three people—a wet nurse, a heretic queen, and a priest—as they attempt to shape the fortunes of a continent shattered by war.Two hundred years ago, the warmongering Inver clan conquered the nation of Honoria, suppressing its pacifist goddesses, and ushering in an era of blood and battles. Now, after a brief but fraught peace, a king’s whims threaten to reignite the engines of war. At the sun goddess Raea’s cloister, the last stronghold of Honoria’s matriarchal religion, Fia and her infant daughter are in search of a safe haven. Fia aims to offer her child more than the poverty and abuse she was raised with, but the price of the cloister’s protection will tear her from what she loves most and thrust her into a game more complex than she could imagine. Within the Invers’ mountain fortress, Ariana is known as the apostate queen. Once a follower of the goddess of stars, she left her faith for the sake of a king. But old loyalties are not easily severed. Ariana treads a dangerous path, striving for peace in a court made for conquest. Deep in the heart of the mountain, the Inver Priest bides his time, presiding over his people’s brutal religion. Blinded in the fight for the throne, he harbors a bitter grudge—one that could lead to Honoria’s ruin or renewal. Amid a treacherous landscape of enemies, allies, and intrigue, three lives will intertwine. Each will have to risk the wrath of gods and kings alike to alter the course of nations.

maggiebogo wrote a review...

maggiebogo

Jul 22, 2026

Majesty of Stone

5.0

Enjoyment: 5.0Quality: 5.0Characters: 5.0Plot: 5.0

⛪️

👭

🪖

Majesty of Stone by Christopher Kolven is the story of a fantastical world that is both at war with itself and not at war with itself. a world drenched in everlight is split into four nations by the omnipotent Ever-Seer after banishing the monstrous Vynn. she leaves these nations four decrees: 1) battle each other every two months to keep up practice for when the time comes to finally fight the Vynn one last time, 2) artifacts of unknown origin are to he destroyed, 3) no national mixing, and the figh club rule 4) encounters with the Ever-Seer or her servants are not to be discussed. breaking any one of these results in your death and destruction of your nation. throughout the book we follow sisters Fia and Siphelle of the Ember nation, who is split into Fia's Kingdom of the Depths and Siphelle's Ember Kingdom, they are waiting out the weeks for them to ascend their respective thrones and work together to finally bring their two kingdoms together. after the coronation goes an unexpecre way, Fia must figure out what to do to rule a kingdom when she is so unprepared. We also follow Commander Colton Levoux of Dyre, one of the other nations that Ember is scheduled to attack at the beginning. he discovers a problem with the main power station during said battle. after Dyre barely wins the battle, he is forced to try and figure out what went wrong to get back his rank. after the next scheduled battle, Telmeer turns it into an actual full out battle and Colton is left wondering what the Field Marshal wants from him and what happened to him as a young child.

I really enjoyed this first book. it kinda felt like last two books of the matched trilogy by ally condie, if you strip away the romance and dystopia and turn it into an epic fantasy, but "shit hits the fan over forced belief in an all powerful being who's disappeared/all powerful government" still stands. it felt like a lot of exposition, but with plot, which was really nice bc it kept me from being bored. the author markets it as "for those who like Brandon Sanderson, Brian McLellan, and Robin Hobb" having never read those authors, I have no idea how true that is, but if political intrigue and military fantasy is your fancy, this is it

maggiebogo finished a book

Majesty of Stone

Christopher Kolven

“A stand-out fantasy novel supported by outstanding worldbuilding and character development.” — Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) The divine order is beginning to crack. Long ago, a divine being known as the Ever-Seer saved four nations from the world-ending Devastation of the Vynn, sealing humanity behind impenetrable walls and binding civilization to four decrees. War between nations became a schedule. Disobedience became death. Then, twenty years ago, the Ever-Seer vanished—leaving the nations isolated and the future uncertain. For generations, the Ember Nation has been divided in two. Now, two sisters anticipate coronations that they believe will finally reunite the kingdoms. Siphelle Amair possesses almost none of the magical ember that powers the Ember Nation, and clings to the hope that a divine gift during the coronation ceremony will finally make her worthy. Fiametta Ducrow wields a legendary reservoir of ember, but a lifetime of praise has left her unprepared to rule. As the coronation nears, the princesses are forced to confront how little they truly understand about the traditions shaping their world—and the cost of obeying them. Beyond Ember’s borders, Dyre Nation commander Colton Levoux serves at the massive Barricade, the most feared military structure in the world. But when a weapons failure during a decisive battle with the Ember Nation exposes secrets buried deep within Dyre’s war machines, his pursuit of advancement pulls him into a perilous web of politics and power. In a land where the sky is eternally gray and shadows do not move, the answers to long-buried questions demand sacrifice. And the world the Ever-Seer saved may not be what it seems. Themes & Plot Elements: The novel features sisterly rivalry, recovery from parental emotional abuse, political betrayal, magic systems, the search for identity, manipulative gods, hints of sci-fi, and the pervasive sense that nothing is as it seems. This book IS for you if you: • Enjoy character-driven fantasy with emotional depth and meaningful character growth. • Love unraveling mysteries that slowly reveal a much larger world. • Prefer rich worldbuilding and intrigue over constant action. • Are a fan of Brandon Sanderson, Brian McClellan, or Robin Hobb. This book is NOT for you if you: • Prefer non-stop action on every page. • Primarily read fantasy for the romance. • Are looking for a grimdark fantasy. • Dislike multiple POV or third person POV.

maggiebogo commented on a post from the Pagebound Club forum

SadieWhiteCoat

Not strictly book-related but PSA FOR MY ACADEMICS

If YOU are a uk resident born between 2001 and 2008 and YOU are starting university in autumn then THIS IS YOUR SIGN AND REMINDER TO GO GET VACCINATED FOR MENINGITIS B. it is a FREE NHS SERVICE for those in that demographic and I FORGOT IT WAS HAPPENING SO IM REMINDING YOU. you can book an appointment online IT TAKES LIKE FIVE MINUTES and they’ll perform it AT YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY. go do this SOON because it takes SIX WEEKS and TWO DOSES to build up your immunity and THIS MUST HAPPEN BEFORE YOU GO TO UNI. UNI STUDENTS ARE 7X MORE LIKELY TO CONTRACT MENB THAN NON UNI STUDENTS IN THE SAME AGE BRACKET. GO GET VACCINATED.

maggiebogo commented on a post from the Pagebound Club forum

Lonneke

Do you take a break between reading books?

Lately I've been putting in the effort and I'm finishing books faster than I usually would. My physical TBR is always in the back of my mind so when I've finished a book, I tend to dive right in to the next one. But it's starting to feel almost disingenuous, as if I'm not taking the time to appreciate the story somehow.

So I'm wondering, do you leave some time between two books? Take a day to let the end of one story settle before diving right in to the next? Or do you love jumping right in?

maggiebogo made progress on...

Majesty of Stone

Christopher Kolven

100%

maggiebogo commented on a post

Dinokaur

Excuse me what

spoilers

View spoiler

maggiebogo TBR'd a book

14h

Keeper of the Grail (The Lives of Guinevere Book 2)

Paula Lafferty

In this swashbuckling, feminist timeslip retelling of Arthurian legend complete with a 21st century queen, Merlin lore, magic potions, dashing knights, daring maidens, heart wrenching romance, and just the right amount of snark, England’s Once and Future Queen Vera must save Camelot as dark forces threaten the kingdom. Back in the 21st century, Vera was a young waitress struggling to find a sense of purpose and direction until her winding path led to a time portal and a trip to medieval England, where she is Queen Guinevere, wife of Arthur, King of the Britons. Loved by her liege, befriended by Sir Lancelot, and guided by the magician Merlin, Vera discovers a kingdom far removed from the myths she has always known. For starters, Sir Gawain has been kidnapped, and his powerful magic-detecting device is nowhere to be found. Sir Percival is minding the throne, doing his best to ignore the many nagging questions of the court. And, in the farthest reaches of his kingdom, King Arthur has been slain by the mysterious Mordred. Well, very nearly slain. Vera has uncovered an incredible gift of healing and has restored Arthur to life. She’s also uncovered shocking secrets about the kingdom’s power and the real reason for her own return to Camelot. To protect the country he fought to unite, Arthur’s resurrection must remain secret—even from Merlin—lest his enemies learn the truth. For Camelot is under siege. The Knights of the Round Table are preparing for war with the High Council of Mages, who seek to control all magic in the realm. And Vera and her friends must work together to keep both the throne and the legacy of King Arthur from falling into the wrong hands. Keeper of the Grail continues the Lives of Guinevere saga, a heartfelt story of swashbuckling adventure, selfless courage, and true love.

maggiebogo TBR'd a book

14h

The Faerie Handmaid

Louisa Morgan

When it’s revealed that the new king of Camelud is cursed, Braithe, handmaid to the most powerful priestess in the realm must travel to the land of the fae to break the curse, but to do so Braithe must step out of her mentor’s shadow and into her power, in this bewitching coming of age tale from Louisa Morgan. When Braithe was left as an acolyte on the Isle of Apples, she never dreamed she’d become handmaid to Morgana, the most powerful priestess in all of Camelud, but now she is content to live out her days in service to the Priestess. But when a powerful mage comes to Morgana and Braithe with concerns that the new king of Camelud is being cursed by powerful magic, the two must journey to the White City deep in fae country to investigate. The magical city is nothing like Braithe imagined and the fae are cold and callous toward humans and quick to bewitch. Despite the constant threat of danger, Braithe just may be the key to discovering who is cursing the king, but to do so she will have to step into her own power.

maggiebogo commented on a post from the Pagebound Club forum

ILOVETEA

Removing Stickers Off Books

I just bought Hannibal Rising, Hannibal and Red Dragon, (Couldn’t find The Silence of the Lambs, but I’ve got a library copy) however, each book has a price tag stuck onto the front of their covers. It’s blocking the middle of the cover design and really annoys me. Does anyone have any tips on removing stickers off books? The books are all glossy paperbacks, the kind that crease easily and aren’t very floppy. The stickers/price tags are pretty stuck on there, as far as I can tell. I’ve looked up recommendations online but I’m still worried about damaging the covers, if I need to scratch off any residue. Any practical tips on what to do next? Thank you.

maggiebogo TBR'd a book

The Mortal Trials

Megan Shunmugam

A new dark and spicy epic romantasy debut, perfect for fans of Shield of Sparrows and Rose in Chains.Forced to partake in the deadly Mortal Trials, Lirah must keep a cool head, or she'll lose it. But the heart often has a way of complicating things... Every decade, thirteen mortals are chosen to compete in the Mortal Trials for the ultimate prize: immortality. But those who fail, die. For Lirah, survival is vital.When Lirah is ripped from her bed in the middle of the night, she finds herself in the foreign land of the elven. Forced to participate in a series of challenges which will threaten her every survival instinct, Lirah’s been advised to guard her life, but with brooding instructor Kilian Valhan guiding her through the challenges, she should have been warned to shield her heart. Linked for the duration of the Trials, simply ignoring Kilian is not an option. He’s everywhere she goes. Even worse – he’s in her head. But as the Trials force Lirah and Kilian closer, it becomes harder to resist the undeniable chemistry sparking between them.As Lirah competes for her life, she questions the motives behind the Mortal Trials – why is no mortal allowed to volunteer for the Trials, and why has there only been a single survivor in seven decades? The Gods are stirring and the truth surrounding the missing Goddess of War will challenge everything Lirah thought she knew about who – and what – she truly is.An addictive and enthralling adventure for anyone who loves an enemies-to-lovers romantasy with high stakes and plenty of thrills!

maggiebogo TBR'd a book

Ruin and Rising

Leigh Bardugo

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne. Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army. Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives. Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

maggiebogo TBR'd a book

Heavenly Bodies (Heavenly Bodies, #1)

Imani Erriu

"I defy the stars." In a world where no entities exist but the Stars, cruel and merciless gods that watch over the world, Elara has been cursed by fate. A prophecy that promises she will fall for a Star, and it will kill them both. But when one descends to wreak havoc on Elara's Kingdom, she is forced to flee into the arms of her enemy in the neighbouring country. As she learns more about her own magic, and the depth of the Stars' deceit, she also finds herself learning more about the country she is forced to take refuge in, and the enemy prince forced to train her into a weapon. Something dark brews within her, a power made of night and shadows that begs to be broken free.

maggiebogo made progress on...

Majesty of Stone

Christopher Kolven

72%

maggiebogo commented on a post from the Pagebound Club forum

SadieWhiteCoat

Not strictly book-related but PSA FOR MY ACADEMICS

maggiebogo commented on a post from the Pagebound Club forum

TheAfterwords

Tips for a successful book buying ban?

As the title says - please share if you have any tips to how to maintain a book buying ban 🙏 I want to focus on reducing my current tbr rather than increasing it, but I am a weak willed creature 😭

maggiebogo made progress on...

Majesty of Stone

Christopher Kolven

54%

maggiebogo commented on a post