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maha ♡

@yapsandpaperbacks

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emotional damage enthusiast
UK
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𝓐𝓵𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓮𝓭

I’d like to start this off by saying a big thank you to the @michaeljbooks for the early copy of Alchemised. So eternally grateful

I didn’t think it was possible for @senlinyuwrites to outdo the original work, but Alchemised somehow manages to take everything I loved before and raise it to another level entirely. Their writing is sharper, richer, and more devastating than I could have imagined and yet it’s also beautiful in a way that lingers.

This is not an easy read. It’s dark, brutal, and unflinching, packed with themes of war, trauma, grief, violence, and loss. And yet, within all that pain and brutality, there’s also tenderness, humanity, and an aching kind of love that makes the heartbreak even more powerful. I kept coming back because I couldn’t stay away.

The worldbuilding is extraordinary there intricate alchemy, necromancy, and politics woven together with lore and traditions i loved the magic system. The story is over 1000 pages long, but not a single page feels wasted. It’s a masterclass in tight storytelling where nearly every detail comes back in unexpected and brilliant ways. Like I was shocked about how they thought of every detail. Every sentence was perfectly crafted By the end, I was stunned at how perfectly everything fit together.

But what really makes Alchemised unforgettable are the characters. Helena is written with such raw despair and strength that I could feel every ounce of her pain, her loss, and her fight to survive. Kaine Ferron, dangerous and devastating. He’s possessive, destructive, yet so compelling. His story was heartbreaking. Even the side characters are layered with shades of grey, no easy choices, no simple good or evil. Everyone feels painfully real.

I devoured this book faster than anything I’ve read in years. Every page gripped me tighter, every twist pulled me deeper, and by the end, I was emotionally wrecked. I was sobbing, highlighting, and wishing I could start all over again just to experience it fresh. It’s rare for a book to feel both familiar and entirely new, but that’s exactly what Alchemised does. It honors its roots while carving out something even greater. by @yapsandpaperbacks

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a year ago

Oh Will!!! I’m nearing my #theinfernaldevices reread and have been thinking back on some of my favourite quotes and this is one of the ones that come to mind. I never finished the last book as I didn’t want it to end, so ready to commit to the heart break! taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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3 days ago

This is how starting a new book sounds to me

I had to put everything else down to pick up Under the Iron Sky and honestly… it feels like the PERFECT book for this weather and time of year 🍂

Safe to say, I’ll be spending my weekend curled up in bed, getting lost in this one and eating it up. Wish me luck taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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9 days ago

Come unbox my new Kindle with meeeee ⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖

The 6” 12th Gen Kindle in SEAGLASS GREEN!!! And I’m sorry but LOOK AT HER 😭

I was already obsessed with the colour but seeing it in person??? Even better. The screen is so crisp, it feels SO speedy compared to what I’m used to, and the aluminium back is absolutely gorgeous.

She’s tiny. She’s green. She’s pretty. She’s coming everywhere with me now x

Full review coming soon once I’ve properly put her to the test 👀💚 taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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13 days ago

Hello October 🍂🕯️🤎

A new month and, finally, I’ve picked up a book again 🥹
I’m currently halfway through Spark of the Everflame. I’m not quite sure where my final thoughts are going to land yet, but I’m really enjoying just taking my time with it rather than rushing through. And Glow is already waiting for me when I’m ready for the next one

I’m still recovering from a difficult few weeks, so October is all about being gentle with myself. I’m only setting myself a goal of two books this month. If I read more, amazing. If I don’t, still amazing. We’re protecting the joy of reading over here 🤎

Kindred’s Curse Saga readers, what did you think?! No spoilers!!

And since we’re officially in spooky/autumn season… give me all your cosy, witchy, gothic, dark academia or spooky book recs! 🎃🕯️🍁 taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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16 days ago

Hiyaaaa booksta, just a little catch up! 🤍

Life lately has been a lot about healing, spending time with family and just finding my feet again. It’s officially wedding and engagement GALORE, so we’ve been busy af

I BOUGHT A CAR!!! 🚗 And drove for the first time in THREE YEARS, which still feels slightly insane to say. I’ve also been trying to do all the little everyday things that have felt a bit harder since the robbery, and slowly but surely, I’m getting there🥹 the second difficult September in a row, but onwards and upwards. It’s been hard pushing myself to face where I was robbed, particularly as it was where I worked, but proud of myself for still doing it

I also somehow ended up speaking in front of nearly 100 trainees who are sitting exactly where I was this time last year??? CRAZY. Like how has a whole year gone by?!

So no, I might not have read much this month, but actually… it’s been a pretty big month in other ways. Lots of little wins, lots of healing, lots of family time and hopefully some better things ahead. 🤍

Here’s to October being a good one 🖤🫶🏼

I need your October/ autumn recs pleaseeeeee, I’m just about to start spark of the ever flame taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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21 days ago

IT’SSSSS THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS DAYYYY 🧪🩷

And boy am I EXCITED omgggg 😭 I absolutely LOVE this book. I’ve read it THREE times, so the fact that I’m finally about to see THE Adam Carlsen in his brooding flesh??? I am not prepared.

It’s been a really tough few weeks, and this week especially has been super hard with having to expose myself to situations that have felt really difficult. So honestly, having something I love this much to look forward to feels like exactly what I needed 🥹 taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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24 days ago

“It’ll just be a little 10 min mooch around Waterstones”

Famous last words.

Waterstones reward came in clutch.

It’s been FOREVER since I’ve stepped foot in one and apparently I have no self control because the LAST copy being floppy was all the convincing I needed 😭

ANDDDD book 2 in two days for the Zodiac Academy girlies??? Yes yes yes YES.

Anyway I’ve had an extremely successful few reading days so actually… I deserved this. No further questions x taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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a month ago

The start of September can only mean one thing... my Alchemised reread🕯️🥀

I’d forgotten just how beautifully poetic and haunting SenLinYu’s writing is. There’s something about this book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it, and somehow I’m willingly putting myself through it all over again.

I’m absolutely not ready to have my heart broken for a second time, but as the days get shorter and the weather gets gloomier, all I’m craving are gothic, dark and haunting reads.

And really, what better way to welcome autumn than returning to Alchemised? taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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2 months ago

Finished The Knave and the Moon last night and it did NOT disappoint. 10/10. The way I devoured this. I put the dishes away whilst reading…

No amount of comedic relief could have prepared me for that ending 😭 But the yearning??? The tension??? The plot??? I ate every single bit of it up. Genuinely a 10/10 read. I jumped I kicked my legs and squealed sooo many times. I cried and I shouted no, I laughed. It really was a book of many emotions

And on that note… Rory can eat me alive. He is the foulest knight in all of Traum, after all 🫠 taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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a month ago

Living and breathing The Knave and the Moon today 🕯️

I’m 3/4 through and felt so inspired to edit while reading. Saving my full review for the final page, but I am obsessed. Terrified for the last 25% though... wish me luck! 🕯️

Have any of you read it? Or are you currently reading? NEED ALL YOUR THOUGHTS. taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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a month ago

What YAPs has been up to recently…

Life has been a little hectic these past few weeks, so here’s a little insight into what I’ve been up to lately ✨

Finishing up the last few bits for work and my CBT course, while also trying to make time for the things (and people) that make life feel a little less chaotic.

I’m currently deep into my Shadowhunters reread (because apparently I needed to emotionally put myself through all of that again 😭), whilst also starting some new books and, of course, adding even more to the never-ending TBR.

In between all of that, there’s been lots of quality time with my besties, little moments of downtime, and trying to find some calm amongst the chaos🤍

It’s been busy, hectic and slightly all over the place lately, but there have been some really lovely moments mixed in too.

So, that’s a little YAPs life update 🫶🏽
What have you all been up to recently? And more importantly… what are you reading right now? 👀📖 taken in BOOKSTA by @yapsandpaperbacks

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2 months ago