Oh wow. This book really shows how much you can change in one day, and how every decision not only has an impact on you, but also on those around you, whether they're strangers or not.

I already said this earlier in one of my updates, but I'm saying it again. This is the kind of book where the pages fly by. Before you know it, you've read 100 pages. And then the next time you happen to glance and the number on the page, it has been another 150 pages. It's a quick and easy read.

Not easy as in it doesn't have important and heartbreaking topics, because it definitely does. Damn, my heart broke reading this. But easy as in you don't have to reread anything to understand something. And also easy as in how quick the chapters are over.

Normally I'm not into instalove stories. I just find them unrealistic and unsatisfying. I need slowburn and pining, because then when the characters finally get together, I really feel something.

So I expected not to care much about these characters together. But I was so wrong. I wanted them to be together from the start, and it didn't feel unrealistic or unsatisfying.

Though you just have to not really think about it too much. Cause when a stranger would suddenly follow me, ignore my attempts to get them to leave, and saying we're meant to be together, I'd call the police.

This is still 100% a 5 star read. I loved it. I originally had plans for today, but I abandoned them to read all day because I couldn't stop.

DNF at 40%

I don't know if it's fair for me to add a rating because I didn't finish the whole book, and therefore can not give a rating based on the whole book, only the first 40%, but based on what I've read, it's a 2 star for me. Maybe a 1.5... Yeah, 1.5 feels more accurate, because a 2 star rating would mean I actually enjoying something, which is not the case.

I hate, HATE, DNFing books. My mind works this way: finish what you started, so you can include it in your 'read in 2021' list, and the days you tried reading this weren't for nothing. So at first I forced myself to continue reading, but I just could. not. get. interested.

And that sucks, because I was so excited for this book! I expected it to be one of my favorites! I really like fairytale retellings, and this book sounded so awesome!

But the plot was really boring. I couldn't care less about the characters, the only feeling I ever felt reading this, was annoyed. The main character, Jaya, is so controlling, especially over her sister. And, well, just annoying in general. I've read some mixed reviews, some say she gets better, some say she doesn't, but I don't have enough patience to find out. I also didn't like how in the beginning she played a little dumb to make Grey fall in love with her. You don't have to act dumb for someone to fall in love with you - intelligence is really attractive.

While reading a book, I usually write down my thoughts in the notes app in my phone, because I'm the kind of person who would forget everything once I'm writing the review. Most of the time the thoughts I write down are negative, so yeah this might come off as really negative. But to be honest, that's how I feel.

I'm a little confused whether this is a fantasy or contemporary? The cure gives me mostly fantasy vibes, but that's all the fantasy elements there is.

I might be the only one bothered by this, I haven't seen other people point this out, but: Europeans don't randomly say words in their native language. We don't. I see it happen in a lot of books, shows and movies, where Europeans - or anyone who's native language is English, doesn't even have to be just European, would just say some words in their own language, like 'yes' or any words in the middle of an English sentence. That's not how we speak English. Yes, if were caught of guard, we might swear in our native language, but we don't just casually speak a mix. But the French character in this book could barely say one sentence without random words being in French.

The switching point of views were a little annoying. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing different point of views, but only if they start at a new chapter. And if it changes in the middle of the page, then only if the new POV has a different storyline and takes place somewhere else.

The last thing I want to talk about - I promise after that I'm done ranting, was the way Grey was described. 'Feral', 'a beast', 'wild', and multiple times his feet or hands were 'gigantic'. It made me uncomfortable. Like... what?? I find it a really weird way to describe someone just because they're taller and more muscular than average. And if his personality was really rough amd cruel, I would at least get it. But he was just socially awkward and just kept to himself and was 'brooding' or whatever. And the constant mention of his 'gigantic feet' and his 'gigantic hands'... we get it... his hands and feet are big...

I'm going to stop typing now. This is long enough and writing negative reviews always makes me sad, I personally dream of becoming an author, but I'm not an author, I'm a reviewer, and I'm going to stay honest about my opinions.

4.5/5☆

Just like the first book, it took me around 100 pages to get into it, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it.

It's funny how I dislike most of the characters (Locke, Talyn, Vivi, Madoc, Nicasia) but still really liked reading this. Normally disliking a lot of characters makes a book unreadable for me. Though Vivi is alright, I just hated how she treated her girlfriend, she lied to her, last minute throws the whole faeries thing in her, doesn't bother to help her be protected from the faeries because she never paid enough attention to see how horrible this world was to her two mortal sisters, and instead of comforting her, listening to her when she got enchanted, she just lied and glamoured her.

Every time Locke was mentioned, I just wanted to punch someone. Same with Taryn, gosh she is so incredibly annoying.

I was really surprised by the ending, I didn't see it coming. When I finished reading, I literally said 'what the fuck' out loud. I'm curious to see what will happen in the next book. I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first. It would've been a 5 star read if not for the beginning where I just couldn't get into it.

Before reading this I was warned by multiple people, they told me this book was a disappointing ending of this series. I disagree.

Much like the first and second book, I enjoyed reading this so much. I don't think there's anything I disliked. Except maybe the fact that I have now finished this series, which is dedicated a favorite of mine.

Sure, the ending was different than expected, but honestly I'm still satisfied with it and personally couldn't think about a different way for it to end.

As always this world building and writing style fascinated me. All point of views were interesting to read, even of the characters I disliked. Every story intertwined at some point. And nothing was predictable, there were moments that definitely surprised me.

This book will also have a special place in my heart for a different reason: the time I read this. I was reading this during my last exams and now that I'm graduated. And I will always think about it when thinking about graduating, or the other way around. This however doesn't influence my rating, because even without the sentiment this would be an obvious 5 star rating for me!

4.5☆
I loved this!! As soon as I saw the cover in a YouTube video, I was interested. Then the story also sounded like something I'd read, so I bought it and immediately started reading it. And wow, I loved it.

There were things I definitely didn't see coming, and the book wasn't 100% what I expected, it was even better than I thought. I especially adored the scenes of Tal and his siblings.

This was a fun and quick read, but it also made me almost cry a few times. I would definitely recommend this! I mean, royalty + pirates + mermen/mermaids + magic + a lgbtq+ couple, it's the perfect combination.

Second read: june 22, 2021, 5 stars

Ah, I forgot how much I loved this book. I read almost 300 pages today while also going to school. I didn't want to put it down, and it's such an easy and quick and fun book to read. I loved this so much. It's definitely an all time favorite of mine and I'm so excited for the sequel to be released this year!

"The problem with my life is that it was someone else's idea."

First read: may 31, 2019, 5 stars
Wow. This book is amazing. That's all I can say right now, I'm actually speechless after finishing reading.

It took me some time to get into it. Not that the story wasn't interesting or anything, but I just didn't have that "oh my god i love this" feeling I have with some books. Most of this book I felt... neutral?

It was pretty easy to read as in the pages went by fast. Though I often had to take a little break because I always get uncomfortable when the main character is uncomfortable, or in awkward situations/when a character makes a stupid decision.

I don't know what happened, but at some point I did kinda lose interest? Like, before dinner last night I could barely put the book away, and today when I picked it up I just didn't really care anymore.

But in the end, let's say the last 50 pages, I got really into it again.

I didn't really care for the characters either. Not that I disliked them or anything, but I didn't like them either. Though some I think I almost disliked.

I've never read a book about Mormons before. I heard about it, but didn't know anything about it. This book definitely taught me more about it and I'm definitely open to reading more lgbtq+ or ya in general about this topic.

This book also made me realize how lucky I am to be able to be somewhat out. (My parents, grandmother and some friends know I'm pansexual and I'm out on the internet, but I bo longer feel the need to come out to people by saying it, so not everyone knows which is why I said 'somewhat out')

Even though I didn't love this as much as other people did and I didn't really feel a connection with it in the way I did with other books, I would still 100% recommend this book! I think it's very original and unique, I don't think I've come across any books that are similar to these topics.

Reread, June 6, 2021: 3.5☆
I was kinda scared rereading this. What if I wouldn't like it as much? The first time I read this book I absolutely LOVED it. For a long time it was my favorite book. And I reread it because the sequel comes out this year.

My fear became true. I just didn't enjoy it as much, maybe it's because I'm matured and have read more books? Back then I barely read any YA books. But this time I wasn't really interested in the characters, and the storyline wasn't really that great either - even though these 2 authors are both a favorite. And I didn't end up rooting for Ben and Arthur the way I did the last time.

The first time I read this, one of the reasons I loved this was the amount of pop culture references. That always makes books more relatable and fun and I guess light hearted for me. Even though I didn't get any of them. This time most of them I did get (between then and now I read 3 Harry Potter books, watched the movies, watched Hamilton and had a Dear Evan Hansen phase), but I felt like they were a little too much? This is coming from someone who loves references in books, but there were so many, it started to get a little annoying.

I still think the ending is good though. It's realistic, unlike a lot of other contemporary books with a big distance between the characters. The ending made me smile, and even though this time I didn't really enjoy this book, I will still read the sequel. (Otherwise I would've reread this for nothing and ruined the way I see this book - no longer 'used to be a favorite' but now 'used to be a favorite but now no longer care' for nothing.)

February 25, 2019: 5☆
One of the best books I've ever read! I loved the way the characters were written and all the fun pop culture references. I definitely recommend this book!

4.5☆
I will write my review in Dutch first, and then in English.

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