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874 reviews by:
ambeesbookishpages
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
Thank you so much Henry Holt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review THE KINGDOM!
The Kingdom is basically West World meets Disney World in this dizzying actions packed story that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The Kingdom is an immersive fantasy theme park that is everything you ever wished for. The Kingdom is home to the fantasists, the seven artificial intelligence that were designed as Princess's for the consumers enjoyment. But then Ana, on of the princess's meets a park employee and for the first time experiences emotions that are outside her programming. Soon Owen turns up dead and Ana is the prime suspect in his murder. The story is told through character testimony, interviews and Ana's memories the story of Ana and Owen and the sinister truth behind The Kingdom and the fantasists is revealed.
By the last page of this book the question of: What makes us human? Popped into my mind. This book really makes you sit and thing about that. Is it emotions? Having a body? What is it exactly? I love books that make you think long after you finish them.
I did not see the ending to The Kingdom coming at all. I was shocked and thrilled at the same time to see how this was going to play out. But with the ending being open ended like that, I am curious to see if Rothenberg has more up her sleeve for this world?
Thank you so much Henry Holt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review THE KINGDOM!
The Kingdom is basically West World meets Disney World in this dizzying actions packed story that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The Kingdom is an immersive fantasy theme park that is everything you ever wished for. The Kingdom is home to the fantasists, the seven artificial intelligence that were designed as Princess's for the consumers enjoyment. But then Ana, on of the princess's meets a park employee and for the first time experiences emotions that are outside her programming. Soon Owen turns up dead and Ana is the prime suspect in his murder. The story is told through character testimony, interviews and Ana's memories the story of Ana and Owen and the sinister truth behind The Kingdom and the fantasists is revealed.
By the last page of this book the question of: What makes us human? Popped into my mind. This book really makes you sit and thing about that. Is it emotions? Having a body? What is it exactly? I love books that make you think long after you finish them.
I did not see the ending to The Kingdom coming at all. I was shocked and thrilled at the same time to see how this was going to play out. But with the ending being open ended like that, I am curious to see if Rothenberg has more up her sleeve for this world?
All I’m saying that there better be a book 2 because there are too many things that have been left unanswered
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
*Thank you so much G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Fireborne!*
I wish I could scream from the rooftops about how much I loved this book. But I don't think my neighbors would appreciate that. So, I basically shrieked all over twitter about this book and pushed it at all my blogging friends instead. Munda did not disappoint in her thrilling and action packed emotional thrill ride that incorporates the destruction and formation of new government. Told in the point of view of Lee and Annie, it gives an interesting view of two different sides of this revolution and how it strains their friendship.
Lee and Annie were only children when a harsh and brutal revolution massacred the drangonborn who were the ruling class, changing the country. Now, people from all metal classes have the ability to test into the class of Dragon Riders. Lee, who is the son of Leon Stormscourge, survived The Palace Day murders of the three ruling families only to become a rising star in the regime. Only, no one knows his real identity. As a child Annie's family was killed by a dragon fire and she was sent to an orphanage where she grew up besides Lee. Now two best friends are pitted against each other for the top position in the dragon riding fleet. But then Lee is contacted by his cousin who survived Palace Day, with a threat of war on the horizon. The families are back and they want what is theirs. Lines are drawn, sides chosen, and a new firstrider rises.
I loved all the dragons in Fireborne. I find a lot of time that books that have dragons in them, they aren't the main point of attention. But in Fireborne, Munda makes sure that her readers get to know these dragons, their weaknesses and their connections with their riders. Each dragon is described beautifully and characterized into their species of dragon and are beautiful magnificent creatures that play an essential role in the society that The Protector is trying to build.
I found the characters to be super relateable. A lot of time in fantasy you find that the protagonist acts like they are in their 20s rather than their actual age. Lee and Annie and all of the other riders in Fireborne acted like they were teenagers, they made mistakes, they don't know how to deal with certain things and they learned through trial and error and endless hours of training as well as the ghosts of their past. They were flawed and far from perfect, but Lee and Annie both have their own unique story to tell and that story shapes who they are as characters.
I wish I could discuss the Revolution with out spoiling it, but quite honestly it's going to be hard and confusing, so I am going to leave the Revolution up to the reader to learn about. But my heart breaks for Lee and Annie and everyone else who was affected by it. It brings into the question of change, if after so many years things can be different and fight of right and wrongs.
Fireborne is an amazing debut novel and had made my list of top ten books that I have read this year. I am super excited to see what Munda has in store next for these characters because it can only get better from here. (Well, it's already amazing so even more so.) If you love dragons, politics, battles, war and angst filled romance then make sure that you add Fireborne to your TBR immediately!
Initial thoughts:
Not enough words for how much I love this book. I can’t wait to see what book two is going to bring!!
Also, after learning this was inspired by Plato’s, The Republic I’m suddenly interested in reading it...? 😅
*Thank you so much G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Fireborne!*
I wish I could scream from the rooftops about how much I loved this book. But I don't think my neighbors would appreciate that. So, I basically shrieked all over twitter about this book and pushed it at all my blogging friends instead. Munda did not disappoint in her thrilling and action packed emotional thrill ride that incorporates the destruction and formation of new government. Told in the point of view of Lee and Annie, it gives an interesting view of two different sides of this revolution and how it strains their friendship.
Lee and Annie were only children when a harsh and brutal revolution massacred the drangonborn who were the ruling class, changing the country. Now, people from all metal classes have the ability to test into the class of Dragon Riders. Lee, who is the son of Leon Stormscourge, survived The Palace Day murders of the three ruling families only to become a rising star in the regime. Only, no one knows his real identity. As a child Annie's family was killed by a dragon fire and she was sent to an orphanage where she grew up besides Lee. Now two best friends are pitted against each other for the top position in the dragon riding fleet. But then Lee is contacted by his cousin who survived Palace Day, with a threat of war on the horizon. The families are back and they want what is theirs. Lines are drawn, sides chosen, and a new firstrider rises.
I loved all the dragons in Fireborne. I find a lot of time that books that have dragons in them, they aren't the main point of attention. But in Fireborne, Munda makes sure that her readers get to know these dragons, their weaknesses and their connections with their riders. Each dragon is described beautifully and characterized into their species of dragon and are beautiful magnificent creatures that play an essential role in the society that The Protector is trying to build.
I found the characters to be super relateable. A lot of time in fantasy you find that the protagonist acts like they are in their 20s rather than their actual age. Lee and Annie and all of the other riders in Fireborne acted like they were teenagers, they made mistakes, they don't know how to deal with certain things and they learned through trial and error and endless hours of training as well as the ghosts of their past. They were flawed and far from perfect, but Lee and Annie both have their own unique story to tell and that story shapes who they are as characters.
I wish I could discuss the Revolution with out spoiling it, but quite honestly it's going to be hard and confusing, so I am going to leave the Revolution up to the reader to learn about. But my heart breaks for Lee and Annie and everyone else who was affected by it. It brings into the question of change, if after so many years things can be different and fight of right and wrongs.
Fireborne is an amazing debut novel and had made my list of top ten books that I have read this year. I am super excited to see what Munda has in store next for these characters because it can only get better from here. (Well, it's already amazing so even more so.) If you love dragons, politics, battles, war and angst filled romance then make sure that you add Fireborne to your TBR immediately!
Initial thoughts:
Not enough words for how much I love this book. I can’t wait to see what book two is going to bring!!
Also, after learning this was inspired by Plato’s, The Republic I’m suddenly interested in reading it...? 😅
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
*Thank you so much Inkyard Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Crown of Coral and Pearl!*
I've been working with Mara on an interview for the blog for the past few weeks, so I was super excited when I was approved on NetGalley for Crown of Coral and Pearl. I blew through this book in two sittings, it was a quick read with an intriguing story line that captured me from page one.
I really loved the bond between Nor and Zadie. Being twins and being groomed to become the next princess of Varenia. Especially how after Nor's accident and how the attention that was split among the both of them was now mostly focused on Zadie. Something that was devastating and that had lasting consequences for Nor made the bond between the twins even stronger. The story shows how far you will go for the people you love and the sacrifices are willing to make for their happiness. I know for me I would go to the ends of the earth for my sister and though we are not twins everything that Nor did for Zadie in this novel, I would do for my sister. Hands down. No questions asked.
I really enjoyed the two different settings the story takes place in. The first half Crown of Coral and Bone take place in the sun on the ocean and Nor feels free. She has the water, her sister and Sami and that is all she ever needed. The people of Varenia get a long, they have a fair governor and though it isn't easy to find pearls, they manage. The second half takes place on land in the darkness of the mountain castle that has little sunlight and keeps Nor caged and in the dark unlike her previous life.
The only issue I had with Crown of Coral and Bone is that I felt that the romance was a bit rushed. I get that Nor's situation was dire. But there was very little development in it before she was "in love" with this character. Don't get me wrong, the romance still managed to make me swoon and I loved it. I just wish it wasn't as rushed and there was more development.
Overall I really enjoyed Crown of Coral and Pearl and I am crossing my fingers for a sequel. I would love to see where these character's are going to go next and the fall out of the events of the end of the novel. If this does happen to be a stand alone, I've created a happily ever after for all of them. But fingers crossed!!!
*Thank you so much Inkyard Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Crown of Coral and Pearl!*
I've been working with Mara on an interview for the blog for the past few weeks, so I was super excited when I was approved on NetGalley for Crown of Coral and Pearl. I blew through this book in two sittings, it was a quick read with an intriguing story line that captured me from page one.
I really loved the bond between Nor and Zadie. Being twins and being groomed to become the next princess of Varenia. Especially how after Nor's accident and how the attention that was split among the both of them was now mostly focused on Zadie. Something that was devastating and that had lasting consequences for Nor made the bond between the twins even stronger. The story shows how far you will go for the people you love and the sacrifices are willing to make for their happiness. I know for me I would go to the ends of the earth for my sister and though we are not twins everything that Nor did for Zadie in this novel, I would do for my sister. Hands down. No questions asked.
I really enjoyed the two different settings the story takes place in. The first half Crown of Coral and Bone take place in the sun on the ocean and Nor feels free. She has the water, her sister and Sami and that is all she ever needed. The people of Varenia get a long, they have a fair governor and though it isn't easy to find pearls, they manage. The second half takes place on land in the darkness of the mountain castle that has little sunlight and keeps Nor caged and in the dark unlike her previous life.
The only issue I had with Crown of Coral and Bone is that I felt that the romance was a bit rushed. I get that Nor's situation was dire. But there was very little development in it before she was "in love" with this character. Don't get me wrong, the romance still managed to make me swoon and I loved it. I just wish it wasn't as rushed and there was more development.
Overall I really enjoyed Crown of Coral and Pearl and I am crossing my fingers for a sequel. I would love to see where these character's are going to go next and the fall out of the events of the end of the novel. If this does happen to be a stand alone, I've created a happily ever after for all of them. But fingers crossed!!!
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
***Thank you so much to Margaret K. McElderry Books and NetGalley for the chance to read and review Sorcery of Thorns.***
I am always a little disappointed when a highly anticipated book ends up falling short on me. From the moment I laid eyes on the cover of Sorcery of Thorns I just knew I had to read it. I was lucky when the publisher approved me on NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book pre-publication. (Please note that this review was written on: May 17th)
The idea behind this book was really interesting. I love the grimoires and how they were alive, how there were different levels and how the was a whole society who was dedicated to being their keepers. Other then that, Sorcery of Thorns really didn't have much to offer me.
I liked Margaret's writing style and her writing flows nicely. But I strongly believe her characters could have used a bit more fleshing out. Elisabeth was the only character that was well fleshed out and rounded. I would have loved to see the characters on a more deeper level. Characters most of the time make or break or book for me and poorly developed characters really make it hard for me to enjoy a book.
I am not saying that Sorcery of Thorns was a horrible book. It simply wasn't for me. I read a few other reviews after finishing this book and though it wasn't my cup of tea it is well loved by so many other readers. I do recommend you to give this one a shot, it is intriguing and it does have a slow burn romance (Which I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE!)
***Thank you so much to Margaret K. McElderry Books and NetGalley for the chance to read and review Sorcery of Thorns.***
I am always a little disappointed when a highly anticipated book ends up falling short on me. From the moment I laid eyes on the cover of Sorcery of Thorns I just knew I had to read it. I was lucky when the publisher approved me on NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book pre-publication. (Please note that this review was written on: May 17th)
The idea behind this book was really interesting. I love the grimoires and how they were alive, how there were different levels and how the was a whole society who was dedicated to being their keepers. Other then that, Sorcery of Thorns really didn't have much to offer me.
I liked Margaret's writing style and her writing flows nicely. But I strongly believe her characters could have used a bit more fleshing out. Elisabeth was the only character that was well fleshed out and rounded. I would have loved to see the characters on a more deeper level. Characters most of the time make or break or book for me and poorly developed characters really make it hard for me to enjoy a book.
I am not saying that Sorcery of Thorns was a horrible book. It simply wasn't for me. I read a few other reviews after finishing this book and though it wasn't my cup of tea it is well loved by so many other readers. I do recommend you to give this one a shot, it is intriguing and it does have a slow burn romance (Which I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE!)
This is my fourth time starting this and my fourth time that I’m just not into it. I think it’s time to call it quits for now 😓