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Did anyone expect me not to love this?
Ever since I've read the [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1339533695l/10194157._SX50_.jpg|15093325] trilogy, I have been hoping for the istorii sankt'ya to become a real thing. I remember speaking of this desire some years ago on my Instagram stories, hoping that each tale of a Saint would come with a beautiful illustration. It took us a Netflix adaptation and some time, but here we are!
The Lives of Saints is a beautiful collection of 28 tales. Each narrating the story of a saint within the Grishaverse. Some saints we have heard of in the other books of the Grishaverse, some were completely new to me - or at least I couldn't remember hearing of them. I loved going through the book and finding out about each and everyone's story. From where they started, to what occurence made people proclaim them saints, and to their ending. Each and everyone had a bittersweet undertone, was magical, as well as dark and twisted. It was hard to not feel for them, even if we know that there are some we shouldn't be feeling for at all.
I was trying to narrow down some favorites, but as I was flipping the pages through the book, I realized how much I loved every single one in their own way.
Leigh Bardugo once again proved she knows how to capture magical tales with just the right portion of darkness in short stories. She had done so in [b:The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic|34076952|The Language of Thorns Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic (Grishaverse, #0.5, 2.5, 2.6)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491842507l/34076952._SX50_.jpg|55087763], and she did it with The Lives of Saints.
This is a must-read for everyone who is a fan of the Grishaverse, whether you read one story at a time or binge the whole book. Whether you read it, or listen to the audiobook (which I can highly recommend as Ben Barnes - who plays The Darkling in the Netflix show - is narrating some chapters of it, and listening to him was a magic of its own). But read it. It's magical.
Ever since I've read the [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1339533695l/10194157._SX50_.jpg|15093325] trilogy, I have been hoping for the istorii sankt'ya to become a real thing. I remember speaking of this desire some years ago on my Instagram stories, hoping that each tale of a Saint would come with a beautiful illustration. It took us a Netflix adaptation and some time, but here we are!
The Lives of Saints is a beautiful collection of 28 tales. Each narrating the story of a saint within the Grishaverse. Some saints we have heard of in the other books of the Grishaverse, some were completely new to me - or at least I couldn't remember hearing of them. I loved going through the book and finding out about each and everyone's story. From where they started, to what occurence made people proclaim them saints, and to their ending. Each and everyone had a bittersweet undertone, was magical, as well as dark and twisted. It was hard to not feel for them, even if we know that there are some we shouldn't be feeling for at all.
I was trying to narrow down some favorites, but as I was flipping the pages through the book, I realized how much I loved every single one in their own way.
Leigh Bardugo once again proved she knows how to capture magical tales with just the right portion of darkness in short stories. She had done so in [b:The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic|34076952|The Language of Thorns Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic (Grishaverse, #0.5, 2.5, 2.6)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491842507l/34076952._SX50_.jpg|55087763], and she did it with The Lives of Saints.
This is a must-read for everyone who is a fan of the Grishaverse, whether you read one story at a time or binge the whole book. Whether you read it, or listen to the audiobook (which I can highly recommend as Ben Barnes - who plays The Darkling in the Netflix show - is narrating some chapters of it, and listening to him was a magic of its own). But read it. It's magical.
Reading Red Magnolia was like taking a trip down memory lane and let me tell you, this story will make you feel like you’re back in 2010, trying to decide if you’re more in love with Edward Cullen or the Salvatore Brothers.
This is the story of Harper, a teenager who moves to a new town after tragedy hits her family. She soon finds out the house she inhabits is the ancestral home of a local family, the Marigny, and that it is rumored to be cursed. Harper isn’t ready to let that stop her from living her life, though Antoine Marigny is determined to make her life miserable in order to convince her to sell the house to him. In the midst of their banter, Harper begins to do some investigating on her own and discovers that the house’s past is dark and deeply tied to Antoine. He is more dangerous than she could have imagined, but she just can’t seem to stay away.
The short length of Red Magnolia and the quick pace make it the perfect book for binging. It had enough mystery and banter to keep me absorbed in the story, and the enchanting southern gothic setting definitely helped create a magical spell on the plot. Also, and I just loved Harper and Antoine together. Though the story took me back to the good old Vampire Diaries days, Harper lacked the immaturity of the YA protagonists of those years. She can take rash decisions, but she has the courage to own up to her actions and her feelings and act upon them, especially when it comes to Antoine… who was definitely the kind of charming and charismatic character I love. If Damon and Stefan Salvatore could be united into one character, Antoine would be the result. He was perfect and I was swooning very often because of him!
I also enjoyed the tone of the story, which is dark enough to keep even an adult audience entertained but is definitely appropriate for a YA audience as well, which is why I can confidently recommend it to all vampire lovers out there.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of Harper, a teenager who moves to a new town after tragedy hits her family. She soon finds out the house she inhabits is the ancestral home of a local family, the Marigny, and that it is rumored to be cursed. Harper isn’t ready to let that stop her from living her life, though Antoine Marigny is determined to make her life miserable in order to convince her to sell the house to him. In the midst of their banter, Harper begins to do some investigating on her own and discovers that the house’s past is dark and deeply tied to Antoine. He is more dangerous than she could have imagined, but she just can’t seem to stay away.
The short length of Red Magnolia and the quick pace make it the perfect book for binging. It had enough mystery and banter to keep me absorbed in the story, and the enchanting southern gothic setting definitely helped create a magical spell on the plot. Also, and I just loved Harper and Antoine together. Though the story took me back to the good old Vampire Diaries days, Harper lacked the immaturity of the YA protagonists of those years. She can take rash decisions, but she has the courage to own up to her actions and her feelings and act upon them, especially when it comes to Antoine… who was definitely the kind of charming and charismatic character I love. If Damon and Stefan Salvatore could be united into one character, Antoine would be the result. He was perfect and I was swooning very often because of him!
I also enjoyed the tone of the story, which is dark enough to keep even an adult audience entertained but is definitely appropriate for a YA audience as well, which is why I can confidently recommend it to all vampire lovers out there.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 stars
I can't remember the last time I read a mystery novel, but I'm glad I picked up this one because it's so much more than a tale of "whodunnit" and has so many layers that will appeal to readers of any genre.
The story sets course on the Sardaam ship, leaving for Amsterdam, with an important cargo aboard and a curse set upon it. On board, we have the famous detective Samuel Pipps who's known to solve even the trickiest mysteries, just in the style of Sherlock Holmes. However, he is a prisoner, and can't do much from the cell he's imprisoned in, and the solving job has to be taken over by his bodyguard Arent Hayes, who himself says he lacks the talent of Pipps. What begins is a wild ride across the sea with demonic symbols, voices that promise you your deepest desire, death looming over everyone aboard the ship, and the question "Is the devil with us?".
The Devil and the Dark Water is a great mystery that has it all - murder, death, suspects and the paranormal aspects of a devil whispering and promising doom. I didn't know what I was supposed to expect as I started reading the book, finding myself over-confidently trying to solve the mysteries and forseeing the plottwist, but ending up not having a clue at all and being suprised by the big reveal. Despite having all the suspect on one ship, it was impossible to find the answer to all the questions, and I truly enjoyed in which direction this story was leading.
However, the heart of the story wasn't the mystery or the devil after all, but the vast cast of characters you meet. Constantly, I found myself in a position where I wondered if I'm allowed to like certain characters, questioning my own view of them, and wondering who could be behind the misery upon the Sardaam. And then I found myself, enjoying the bonds that were made, the relationships that evolved, and hoping they would find themselves safe at the end of the book.
As much as this was a mystery story set on a ship, it was also a story about friendship, honor, and the question of good vs. evil. Turton managed to pack in themes of inequality within class and between genders in this book. His descriptive style of writing made it easy to understand what life aboard a ship looks like, and the eerie and sinister atmosphere added to its very own tone to the picture he painted.
As you won't find myself reading a mystery story often, I'm glad it was this book I picked up as it offered so much more than just crime and clues to solve it. I always love a good cast of characters, and loved seeing these characters bring in their part in the story revolving around "Old Tom". The only issue I find myself having was the pace. While I appreciated the time Turton took to develop this story and the characters' roles within it, I sometimes had a hard time staying focused as the pace was slow. A bit too slow. This is definitely a book you should read when you have the time to stay committed to it, as you might risk losing interest during some periods within the story. However, the last third and especially the ending make it worth it as I surely haven't seen the twist coming.
No matter if you're into mystery stories or not, this book is definitely going to take you to an adventure you won't expect, and if you love well-written characters, a duo reminiscing of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, some strong female leads, and a mystery that might involve the devil, this is a book you should put on your nightstand. But make sure to not struck any deals with Old Tom. You might not be able to pay the cost.
I can't remember the last time I read a mystery novel, but I'm glad I picked up this one because it's so much more than a tale of "whodunnit" and has so many layers that will appeal to readers of any genre.
The story sets course on the Sardaam ship, leaving for Amsterdam, with an important cargo aboard and a curse set upon it. On board, we have the famous detective Samuel Pipps who's known to solve even the trickiest mysteries, just in the style of Sherlock Holmes. However, he is a prisoner, and can't do much from the cell he's imprisoned in, and the solving job has to be taken over by his bodyguard Arent Hayes, who himself says he lacks the talent of Pipps. What begins is a wild ride across the sea with demonic symbols, voices that promise you your deepest desire, death looming over everyone aboard the ship, and the question "Is the devil with us?".
The Devil and the Dark Water is a great mystery that has it all - murder, death, suspects and the paranormal aspects of a devil whispering and promising doom. I didn't know what I was supposed to expect as I started reading the book, finding myself over-confidently trying to solve the mysteries and forseeing the plottwist, but ending up not having a clue at all and being suprised by the big reveal. Despite having all the suspect on one ship, it was impossible to find the answer to all the questions, and I truly enjoyed in which direction this story was leading.
However, the heart of the story wasn't the mystery or the devil after all, but the vast cast of characters you meet. Constantly, I found myself in a position where I wondered if I'm allowed to like certain characters, questioning my own view of them, and wondering who could be behind the misery upon the Sardaam. And then I found myself, enjoying the bonds that were made, the relationships that evolved, and hoping they would find themselves safe at the end of the book.
As much as this was a mystery story set on a ship, it was also a story about friendship, honor, and the question of good vs. evil. Turton managed to pack in themes of inequality within class and between genders in this book. His descriptive style of writing made it easy to understand what life aboard a ship looks like, and the eerie and sinister atmosphere added to its very own tone to the picture he painted.
As you won't find myself reading a mystery story often, I'm glad it was this book I picked up as it offered so much more than just crime and clues to solve it. I always love a good cast of characters, and loved seeing these characters bring in their part in the story revolving around "Old Tom". The only issue I find myself having was the pace. While I appreciated the time Turton took to develop this story and the characters' roles within it, I sometimes had a hard time staying focused as the pace was slow. A bit too slow. This is definitely a book you should read when you have the time to stay committed to it, as you might risk losing interest during some periods within the story. However, the last third and especially the ending make it worth it as I surely haven't seen the twist coming.
No matter if you're into mystery stories or not, this book is definitely going to take you to an adventure you won't expect, and if you love well-written characters, a duo reminiscing of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, some strong female leads, and a mystery that might involve the devil, this is a book you should put on your nightstand. But make sure to not struck any deals with Old Tom. You might not be able to pay the cost.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Did Illusionary deliver everything I hoped for after [b:Incendiary|52888729|Incendiary (Hollow Crown, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568058171l/52888729._SX50_SY75_.jpg|56956163] put me through a rollercoaster of feelings? Yes, yes it did.
After I finished Incendiary last year, I couldn't wait to finally hold the sequel in my hands. The court intrigue, the rebells, the magic system, the worldbuilding, the characters - I loved it all. It may have taken me longer to finally read this book, but it doesn't change the fact that this duology will stay close to my heart. I adored this book!
In contrast to the court setting of the first book, we find ourselves on an adventurous journey in the sequel. While I did enjoy the various places this book takes place, I do have to say that the plot didn't convince me as much as it did in the previous installement. The intrigues at court just put a different atmosphere to the story opposed to the long journey we witness in this one. Still, I found myself adoring every single page of this book, and this was mainly because of the characters.
Not only do we see characters such as Leo, Lady Nuria, and Dez again, but we meet new ones that have found their place in my heart. And as much as I loved meeting all these characters again or for the very first time (especially Leo who has a very special place in my heart), the focus is entirely to be put on Ren and Prince Castian.
Ren, who was already one of my favorite heroines in the first books, did good to defend that title. Her character development was beautifully executed in this books in terms of finally learning who she really is, as well as learning to control her power. I had a lot of fun following her, seeing how she opens up her heart, fighting for what is right, and putting herself at risk for the ones she loves as well as the people that can't defend themselves. Castian, who managed to steal my heart with very few scenes and just glimpses at his personality, had me fall in love with him already in the first book. Those feelings just got stronger and stronger with each passing page in Illusionary. While I was sure he wasn't the villanious and murderious prince he wants people to believe him to be, it was incredible to see his true face... and swoon.
Both, Ren and Cas, were my favorite part of this book. Of this series. Everything about their relationship is just beautiful, and let me tell you that my heart is aching in all the best ways possible for them. They both have been through a lot, and shared a bond from the beginning that made it hard not to believe they will find their way back to each other. Let me tell you, I had high hopes, and those were all met. Their banter, the tension, their bond... *chef's kiss*.
Overall, this sequel delivers what we needed after what fantastic book Incendiary was. We get character development, friendship, redemption, a beautiful romance that left me aching for more. Despite the fact that the plot wasn't able to convince me as much as it did in the first installement, I had a great time coming back to this world, and following these characters on their journey - phyically and emotionally.
Did Illusionary deliver everything I hoped for after [b:Incendiary|52888729|Incendiary (Hollow Crown, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568058171l/52888729._SX50_SY75_.jpg|56956163] put me through a rollercoaster of feelings? Yes, yes it did.
After I finished Incendiary last year, I couldn't wait to finally hold the sequel in my hands. The court intrigue, the rebells, the magic system, the worldbuilding, the characters - I loved it all. It may have taken me longer to finally read this book, but it doesn't change the fact that this duology will stay close to my heart. I adored this book!
In contrast to the court setting of the first book, we find ourselves on an adventurous journey in the sequel. While I did enjoy the various places this book takes place, I do have to say that the plot didn't convince me as much as it did in the previous installement. The intrigues at court just put a different atmosphere to the story opposed to the long journey we witness in this one. Still, I found myself adoring every single page of this book, and this was mainly because of the characters.
Not only do we see characters such as Leo, Lady Nuria, and Dez again, but we meet new ones that have found their place in my heart. And as much as I loved meeting all these characters again or for the very first time (especially Leo who has a very special place in my heart), the focus is entirely to be put on Ren and Prince Castian.
Ren, who was already one of my favorite heroines in the first books, did good to defend that title. Her character development was beautifully executed in this books in terms of finally learning who she really is, as well as learning to control her power. I had a lot of fun following her, seeing how she opens up her heart, fighting for what is right, and putting herself at risk for the ones she loves as well as the people that can't defend themselves. Castian, who managed to steal my heart with very few scenes and just glimpses at his personality, had me fall in love with him already in the first book. Those feelings just got stronger and stronger with each passing page in Illusionary. While I was sure he wasn't the villanious and murderious prince he wants people to believe him to be, it was incredible to see his true face... and swoon.
Both, Ren and Cas, were my favorite part of this book. Of this series. Everything about their relationship is just beautiful, and let me tell you that my heart is aching in all the best ways possible for them. They both have been through a lot, and shared a bond from the beginning that made it hard not to believe they will find their way back to each other. Let me tell you, I had high hopes, and those were all met. Their banter, the tension, their bond... *chef's kiss*.
Overall, this sequel delivers what we needed after what fantastic book Incendiary was. We get character development, friendship, redemption, a beautiful romance that left me aching for more. Despite the fact that the plot wasn't able to convince me as much as it did in the first installement, I had a great time coming back to this world, and following these characters on their journey - phyically and emotionally.
Rating: 4.5 stars
If I had to describe this book with just one word, it's betrayal, and trust me this is the kind that makes you turn the pages as if it is a Olympic sport.
The story starts off with elements that remind one of the Cinderella fairytale. Our protagonist, Brie, lives with her sister, Jas, in Madame V's cellar, indebted to life, working for her deceased uncle's wife and her two daughters. When word arrives that the prince of the Seelie Court hosts a ball in order to find himself a human bride, the village is uproar. But before Brie and Jas can visit the festivities, Madame V sells Jas off to the King of the Unseelie Court. Now, Brie still has to attend the ball, but her plans have changed. She has to pose as one of the brides in order to retrieve three relics in exchange for her sister's freedom. But once you're in Faerie, things just become more twisted than they seem to be.
First things first, I do have to admit there are similiarities between this book, and the [b:A Court of Thorns and Roses|16096824|A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546406962l/16096824._SY75_.jpg|21905102] and [b:The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574535986l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] books. While the worldbuilding reminded me to some way to the world of The Cruel Prince, I can excuse that as faerie stories tend to make us of the same tropes, so I can excuse that. However, the similiarities to the ACOTAR books were every now and then too alike, which made me immediately think of scenes from the other book, or led to predicting smaller twists. Despite the similiarities though, I was still able to enjoy the book, as These Hollow Vows still manages to be its very own tale that especially excels in the romance department, and you got two choices.
I'm not the biggest fan of love triangles, and it's not because the trope itself is my least favorite (I surely can name others that I dislike more), but because the execution tends to make me feel frustrated. However, it shows that Lexi Ryan is a romance author, as she has done a wonderful job developing both romantic interests that it just makes sense to watch Brie struggle between her feelings for one, and the attraction to the other.
I found myself easily warming up to Brie as a character right from the beginning. Her life is filled with struggles, and Brie is not one to give up the fight. She cares for her sister, and is determined to find her no matter what it could cost her. It would be a lie, though, to say she didn't make me frustrated every once in a while, yet her actions promise a very interesting development of her character in the sequel, and I'm very eager to see where this story will led her. Because Brie's only goal is saving her sister, she herself isn't too keen on getting distracted by the possibility of love. But I guess shit happens? Twice.
Watching her and Sebastian's relationship was more adorable than I expected. It's nice to see the friends-to-lovers trope done in a sweet way, where it doesn't feel like the feelings are forced. I enjoyed seeing them together interacting and fueling their bond as time progresses. But everything changed the moment Finn appeared on the page. Because of course, I would fall head over heels for the mysterious option. But how could I not? From the very beginning, the tension between Brie and Finn is spot-on, making me turn those pages impatiently waiting for the moment they meet again. Preferably alone. Those silver eyes haunting me in my sleep, so how could they not have the same effect on Brie? Every time those two shares a scene together, I was about to explode. While the one option is a sweet romance, the attraction to Finn will make you crazy, because you will feel it, too.
But as I said in the very beginning, this book is filled with betrayal, and I'm still trying to recover from the final twist that happened at the end of the book. Let me tell you I was on a rollercoaster, anticipating each twist, but the best betrayals are the ones that hit the hardest! Now I'm eagerly waiting for the sequel, because I need answers, and most importantly need more of Finn. So far I have checked the calendar way too often, and unfortunately I still have to wait ten months until I can hold the next book in my hands. How am I supposed to surive the wait is a whole other topic.
Overall, all I can say is if you're into greatly done romance, and love a story filled with tention, fae, and intrigue - READ THIS BOOK AND DIE WITH MEEEE!
If I had to describe this book with just one word, it's betrayal, and trust me this is the kind that makes you turn the pages as if it is a Olympic sport.
The story starts off with elements that remind one of the Cinderella fairytale. Our protagonist, Brie, lives with her sister, Jas, in Madame V's cellar, indebted to life, working for her deceased uncle's wife and her two daughters. When word arrives that the prince of the Seelie Court hosts a ball in order to find himself a human bride, the village is uproar. But before Brie and Jas can visit the festivities, Madame V sells Jas off to the King of the Unseelie Court. Now, Brie still has to attend the ball, but her plans have changed. She has to pose as one of the brides in order to retrieve three relics in exchange for her sister's freedom. But once you're in Faerie, things just become more twisted than they seem to be.
First things first, I do have to admit there are similiarities between this book, and the [b:A Court of Thorns and Roses|16096824|A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546406962l/16096824._SY75_.jpg|21905102] and [b:The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574535986l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] books. While the worldbuilding reminded me to some way to the world of The Cruel Prince, I can excuse that as faerie stories tend to make us of the same tropes, so I can excuse that. However, the similiarities to the ACOTAR books were every now and then too alike, which made me immediately think of scenes from the other book, or led to predicting smaller twists. Despite the similiarities though, I was still able to enjoy the book, as These Hollow Vows still manages to be its very own tale that especially excels in the romance department, and you got two choices.
I'm not the biggest fan of love triangles, and it's not because the trope itself is my least favorite (I surely can name others that I dislike more), but because the execution tends to make me feel frustrated. However, it shows that Lexi Ryan is a romance author, as she has done a wonderful job developing both romantic interests that it just makes sense to watch Brie struggle between her feelings for one, and the attraction to the other.
I found myself easily warming up to Brie as a character right from the beginning. Her life is filled with struggles, and Brie is not one to give up the fight. She cares for her sister, and is determined to find her no matter what it could cost her. It would be a lie, though, to say she didn't make me frustrated every once in a while, yet her actions promise a very interesting development of her character in the sequel, and I'm very eager to see where this story will led her. Because Brie's only goal is saving her sister, she herself isn't too keen on getting distracted by the possibility of love. But I guess shit happens? Twice.
Watching her and Sebastian's relationship was more adorable than I expected. It's nice to see the friends-to-lovers trope done in a sweet way, where it doesn't feel like the feelings are forced. I enjoyed seeing them together interacting and fueling their bond as time progresses. But everything changed the moment Finn appeared on the page. Because of course, I would fall head over heels for the mysterious option. But how could I not? From the very beginning, the tension between Brie and Finn is spot-on, making me turn those pages impatiently waiting for the moment they meet again. Preferably alone. Those silver eyes haunting me in my sleep, so how could they not have the same effect on Brie? Every time those two shares a scene together, I was about to explode. While the one option is a sweet romance, the attraction to Finn will make you crazy, because you will feel it, too.
But as I said in the very beginning, this book is filled with betrayal, and I'm still trying to recover from the final twist that happened at the end of the book. Let me tell you I was on a rollercoaster, anticipating each twist, but the best betrayals are the ones that hit the hardest! Now I'm eagerly waiting for the sequel, because I need answers, and most importantly need more of Finn. So far I have checked the calendar way too often, and unfortunately I still have to wait ten months until I can hold the next book in my hands. How am I supposed to surive the wait is a whole other topic.
Overall, all I can say is if you're into greatly done romance, and love a story filled with tention, fae, and intrigue - READ THIS BOOK AND DIE WITH MEEEE!
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Oh how I love a good collection of short stories that make me return to a well-loved world.
The Folk of the Air trilogy has been one of my favorite series ever since. I devoured each book as soon as it came out, and have spent months and months and months obsessing over the characters and their sometimes frustrating intrigues against each other. So when Holly Black announced this collection, I couldn't wait to return to the world of Elfhame.
Unlike the three books in the series, this novella focuses on the life of Cardan instead of Jude. We get to see glimpses of the cruel prince throughout his life - before, during and after the events that happen in the trilogy. And yet, the stories read themselves like one as they come to a full circle. The fact that there has been a repetitive thread throughout the story did a great job in linking each story to the other.Each one of them has a meaning of why it is told, leading up to a moment in Cardan's life that is relevant for the bigger picture. Not only do we learn how the King of Elfhame learned to hate stories, but we are able to dive deeper into the character of Cardan, getting a better understanding of his development, while being presented with a full story on its own.
Each page is stunningly illustrated, and emphasizes the magic of the stories. Very often I found myself just looking at the gorgeous artworks, or going back and forth comparing some (which you might understand why when if you have read it *wink*).
If you're a fan of The Folk of the Air series and Cardan, this is a book that needs to be on your shelf. It's not just another addition of stories, but a whimsical story of its own.
The Folk of the Air trilogy has been one of my favorite series ever since. I devoured each book as soon as it came out, and have spent months and months and months obsessing over the characters and their sometimes frustrating intrigues against each other. So when Holly Black announced this collection, I couldn't wait to return to the world of Elfhame.
Unlike the three books in the series, this novella focuses on the life of Cardan instead of Jude. We get to see glimpses of the cruel prince throughout his life - before, during and after the events that happen in the trilogy. And yet, the stories read themselves like one as they come to a full circle. The fact that there has been a repetitive thread throughout the story did a great job in linking each story to the other.Each one of them has a meaning of why it is told, leading up to a moment in Cardan's life that is relevant for the bigger picture. Not only do we learn how the King of Elfhame learned to hate stories, but we are able to dive deeper into the character of Cardan, getting a better understanding of his development, while being presented with a full story on its own.
Each page is stunningly illustrated, and emphasizes the magic of the stories. Very often I found myself just looking at the gorgeous artworks, or going back and forth comparing some (which you might understand why when if you have read it *wink*).
If you're a fan of The Folk of the Air series and Cardan, this is a book that needs to be on your shelf. It's not just another addition of stories, but a whimsical story of its own.
LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS!
Watch Chiara from @_ckarys and I swooooon over this beautiful fairytale retelling as it was our August #BookTalkWithWifey pick! https://www.instagram.com/tv/B2tqFnIgilG/
Watch Chiara from @_ckarys and I swooooon over this beautiful fairytale retelling as it was our August #BookTalkWithWifey pick! https://www.instagram.com/tv/B2tqFnIgilG/
Last year, I fell in love with the beautiful tale Spin the Dawn was, and ever since my anticipation for the sequel kept me squealing and impatiently checking the days that were left to its release day! When I was picked to host a MTMC tour on Instagram, I screamed out of happiness, eager to dive into the sequel of this duology, hugging the book itself more often than considered healthy.
While Spin the Dawn was the journey of Maia Tamarin coming to the palace, finding her courage and doing the impossible - sewing Amana's dresses, this book took us not on one but multiple journeys that kept me on edge most of the times.
With the cliffhanger that was presented at the end of the first book, I knew the full focus would be on Maia battling a inner fight with the demon she ought to become. But this book delivered battles throughout the full story, some of them physical, some of the emotional, some of them magical. And I was here for all of them.
The story suprised me from the very beginning as it took a direction I was not expecting after spending months of coming up with theories to keep myself busy until it was time to read Unravel the Dusk. The sequel focused a lot on Maia's role in the war for her country's freedom, the inner war with the demonic voice inside her, and the war of good vs. evil. I was not expecting to be able to follow Maia through multiple journey until we were presented with the final battle - and the final sacrifice!
Elizabeth Lim did a fantastic job on not making the ending obvious, or the next step of the story! I loved to not be able to guess what might happen next, and I loved to see the magic of Amana's dresses come to play and be more than just dresses that shine, glow and glitter beautifully! We truly were able to see Maia's powers, just as much as her development to a strong character not in the means of turning into a warrior, but a woman that fight for the right reasons while she kept being tempted with the wrong ones.
As much as I enjoyed the sequel, I selfishly wished for some aspects to have had more time in it. One of them being Edan who immediately was forced to join my book boyfriend harem after he captured my heart in the first book of the duology. His absence for half of the book made me constantly crave for more. Even so after he finally became part of the story again. While their romance took shape of star-crossed lovers, tied by the thread of fate that totally made me swoon, I just wished for more time of just these two. But I guess as much as Spin the Dawn was the story of their love, this was the story of Maia fighting for it and more. I also selfishly wished for more sewing as that was an aspect that I suprisingly completely fell in love with in the first book. I find myself rather in a conflicted position because I love how the magic replaced the sewing, but somehow wished for more of it after all.
Despite my selfish wishes, I totally understand and enjoyed the turn of this story, and the ending indeed was perfect - and put a satisfied smile on my face that I can't get rid of so soon.
While Spin the Dawn was the journey of Maia Tamarin coming to the palace, finding her courage and doing the impossible - sewing Amana's dresses, this book took us not on one but multiple journeys that kept me on edge most of the times.
With the cliffhanger that was presented at the end of the first book, I knew the full focus would be on Maia battling a inner fight with the demon she ought to become. But this book delivered battles throughout the full story, some of them physical, some of the emotional, some of them magical. And I was here for all of them.
The story suprised me from the very beginning as it took a direction I was not expecting after spending months of coming up with theories to keep myself busy until it was time to read Unravel the Dusk. The sequel focused a lot on Maia's role in the war for her country's freedom, the inner war with the demonic voice inside her, and the war of good vs. evil. I was not expecting to be able to follow Maia through multiple journey until we were presented with the final battle - and the final sacrifice!
Elizabeth Lim did a fantastic job on not making the ending obvious, or the next step of the story! I loved to not be able to guess what might happen next, and I loved to see the magic of Amana's dresses come to play and be more than just dresses that shine, glow and glitter beautifully! We truly were able to see Maia's powers, just as much as her development to a strong character not in the means of turning into a warrior, but a woman that fight for the right reasons while she kept being tempted with the wrong ones.
As much as I enjoyed the sequel, I selfishly wished for some aspects to have had more time in it. One of them being Edan who immediately was forced to join my book boyfriend harem after he captured my heart in the first book of the duology. His absence for half of the book made me constantly crave for more. Even so after he finally became part of the story again. While their romance took shape of star-crossed lovers, tied by the thread of fate that totally made me swoon, I just wished for more time of just these two. But I guess as much as Spin the Dawn was the story of their love, this was the story of Maia fighting for it and more. I also selfishly wished for more sewing as that was an aspect that I suprisingly completely fell in love with in the first book. I find myself rather in a conflicted position because I love how the magic replaced the sewing, but somehow wished for more of it after all.
Despite my selfish wishes, I totally understand and enjoyed the turn of this story, and the ending indeed was perfect - and put a satisfied smile on my face that I can't get rid of so soon.
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If you loved [b:Spin the Dawn|42815556|Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars, #1)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542674036l/42815556._SY75_.jpg|58477266] and [b:Unravel the Dusk|36683940|Unravel the Dusk (The Blood of Stars, #2)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572261457l/36683940._SY75_.jpg|58477276], you better hurry up and read Six Crimson Cranes because it's got everything you need in a beautiful fairytale retelling and more.
Elizabeth Lim proved in her The Blood of Stars duology that spinning beautiful tales incorparated with elements of beloved fairytales and Asian mythology is what she has been born to do, and she has overdone herself in this one. Inspired by the tale of The Six Swans by the Grimm brothers, Lim invites us back into the world of [b:Spin the Dawn|42815556|Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars, #1)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542674036l/42815556._SY75_.jpg|58477266], but this time takes us to the Kingdom of Kiata, and adds dragons to the pot.
This time, the lead of the story is the princess Shiori, who was a delight to follow as her curiosity and warm-hearted personality made me love her right on the first page. Similiar to Maia in Spin The Dawn before, Shiori shares a close bond to her brothers, who end up being turned to cranes as part of the curse her stepmother puts on the siblings. Now, Shiori, must find a way to save her brothers and her kingdom - all while not being allowed to speak. For each sound escaping her lips results in one of her brothers dying.
Usually when I read fairytale retellings, I can tell where the main structure is leading us as I'm well-versed with the fairytale that the story is based on. However, with Six Crimson Cranes you found me on the edge of the seat throughout the majority of the book. Not because I wasn't familiar with the original tale by the Grimm Brothers, but because Elizabeth Lim knew exactly where to put the twists, and how to make this a tale of its own.
I enjoyed this retelling so much because it had all the elements I'm looking for in a story, and made this a heartwarming adventure that made me go softer than I would love to admit.
While I enjoyed the expand of the worldbuilding and the few connections to the Blood of the Stars duology we came across, the heart of this story are the characters. Shiori's bond with her brothers was beautifully executed, and I felt for them more than I anticipated. I loved how unconditional their love was to each other, and each scene they shared warmed my heart. However, those were not the only bonds I came to enjoy and love. As Shiori was trying to find a way to save her brothers, we encounter many other characters that I came to hold dear to my heart. A shape-shifting dragon might be one of them, and the love interest another.
Which leads to the romance aspect of this book. I knew I would fall for the love interest as I did fall hard for Edan in [b:Spin the Dawn|42815556|Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars, #1)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542674036l/42815556._SY75_.jpg|58477266]. The fact that this book has the arranged marriage trope didn't help in convincing me otherwise. I was all in for the shipping, and boy did I ship. However, this story might hold in some more shipping, and I'm both ready and not for it. I don't know how Lim does it, but she makes me want to cuddle them all.
Overall, this is a fantastic fairytale retelling that becomes its very own magical tale. It's got a sibling bond you will love. And romance that will make you wonder. The characters are all fantastic, and the story is just so sweet and heartwarming, you will feel like walking on clouds. And for those of you who have read the Blood of the Stars duology, this is a story you don't want to miss out. All I'm saying is there might be some sort of cross-over that makes me eagerly wait for the sequel.
Elizabeth Lim proved in her The Blood of Stars duology that spinning beautiful tales incorparated with elements of beloved fairytales and Asian mythology is what she has been born to do, and she has overdone herself in this one. Inspired by the tale of The Six Swans by the Grimm brothers, Lim invites us back into the world of [b:Spin the Dawn|42815556|Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars, #1)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542674036l/42815556._SY75_.jpg|58477266], but this time takes us to the Kingdom of Kiata, and adds dragons to the pot.
This time, the lead of the story is the princess Shiori, who was a delight to follow as her curiosity and warm-hearted personality made me love her right on the first page. Similiar to Maia in Spin The Dawn before, Shiori shares a close bond to her brothers, who end up being turned to cranes as part of the curse her stepmother puts on the siblings. Now, Shiori, must find a way to save her brothers and her kingdom - all while not being allowed to speak. For each sound escaping her lips results in one of her brothers dying.
Usually when I read fairytale retellings, I can tell where the main structure is leading us as I'm well-versed with the fairytale that the story is based on. However, with Six Crimson Cranes you found me on the edge of the seat throughout the majority of the book. Not because I wasn't familiar with the original tale by the Grimm Brothers, but because Elizabeth Lim knew exactly where to put the twists, and how to make this a tale of its own.
I enjoyed this retelling so much because it had all the elements I'm looking for in a story, and made this a heartwarming adventure that made me go softer than I would love to admit.
While I enjoyed the expand of the worldbuilding and the few connections to the Blood of the Stars duology we came across, the heart of this story are the characters. Shiori's bond with her brothers was beautifully executed, and I felt for them more than I anticipated. I loved how unconditional their love was to each other, and each scene they shared warmed my heart. However, those were not the only bonds I came to enjoy and love. As Shiori was trying to find a way to save her brothers, we encounter many other characters that I came to hold dear to my heart. A shape-shifting dragon might be one of them, and the love interest another.
Which leads to the romance aspect of this book. I knew I would fall for the love interest as I did fall hard for Edan in [b:Spin the Dawn|42815556|Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars, #1)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542674036l/42815556._SY75_.jpg|58477266]. The fact that this book has the arranged marriage trope didn't help in convincing me otherwise. I was all in for the shipping, and boy did I ship. However, this story might hold in some more shipping, and I'm both ready and not for it. I don't know how Lim does it, but she makes me want to cuddle them all.
Overall, this is a fantastic fairytale retelling that becomes its very own magical tale. It's got a sibling bond you will love. And romance that will make you wonder. The characters are all fantastic, and the story is just so sweet and heartwarming, you will feel like walking on clouds. And for those of you who have read the Blood of the Stars duology, this is a story you don't want to miss out. All I'm saying is there might be some sort of cross-over that makes me eagerly wait for the sequel.