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-Book Hugger

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Um. What did I just finish? WHY DO BOOKS WITH HAPPY TITLES HAVE REALLY SAD PLOTS???

But it was amazing nonetheless. I can see why my friend disliked it, especially since she is Muslim, but it see the better side of it and I truly, truly loved this book.

-Book Hugger

Rating: ***** (for both) Suggested Age: 14

Oh my gosh, this series was quite the roller coaster. I can't believe it's taken this long for me to get a review out, but I've been so swamped with work...I'm sorry, guys. I promise I'll take more time to post these reviews. Anyway...on with it, shall we?

I will never get over how amazing Leigh Bardugo writes. She has some of the best lines and best characters. Every single character in this series was so well-planned and laid-out. My favorite is Wylan because he is so sweet and adorable. Also, he plays music and I can't quite get over that; I'm a fellow music lover. The only two characters I wasn't overly fond of were Nina and Matthias. The rest, though, oh my god--they're perfect. Kaz is fantastic and hilarious in a sadistic sort-of way. Then there's Inej who stands her ground, fights for what she believes in, and actually believes in herself; Inej is amazing. Also, Jesper has to be one of the most hilarious characters I have ever read and he's the biggest flirt in Ketterdam. Along with these main traits, they all have backstories and side plots that tie it all together. This is a lot of babbling and nonsense, but I hope it makes sense. I just really, really loved these characters.

"The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true."-Inej, page 135 of Six of Crows

Now the plot, which was so interesting and entertaining. I was on the edge of my seat and I seriously could not put this series down. I wasn't finished with the first book when I bought Crooked Kingdom, but I knew I would need it when I finished Six of Crows. I was right--I needed it. I picked it up right away and then when I finished it...well, let's just say that I really wish this was a trilogy BECAUSE I WANT MORE. THIS CAN'T BE ALL. Ugh. All the best things must come to an end some day. I just never wanted to say goodbye to these characters.

"Better terrible truths than kind lies."-Inej, page 308 of Six of Crows

I highly suggest you pick up this series, even if you cannot make sense of my complete nonsense above. I loved it so much, just please, give it a try. Even if you disliked Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy, you might like this. I do suggest, though, that you read The Grisha Trilogy first because there are slight crossovers that would make more sense with some background.

-Book Hugger

This was so close to five stars, and I really wanted to give it that much, but it had one, main issue: unnecessary romantic drama. There. I said it. I hate unnecessary romantic drama. Like, seriously, if you guys just talked, you wouldn't have these issues. Romantic drama only serves to stall the plot...there's so many better ways to do that (and also...shouldn't we be moving the plot forward?). 

My favorite thing about When the Moon Was Ours was the writing. Marie-Anne McLemore writes in such a beautiful, unique way. Everything feels timeless and fragile in her worlds and I devour them. She writes both Sam and Miel's stories beautifully. While Miel's issues are no where near the magnitude of Sam's, this book at its core deals with self-acceptance. This novel is about learning to love yourself for everything you are. Miel needs to accept her gift of having roses grow from her skin and Sam needs to accept that he really is transgender, not just male to fill the spot in his family. This story is so beautiful. Usually stories of these nature revolve around gaining acceptance from family or friends, but that isn't the case here. No one cares that Sam is transgender, except maybe some bullies, and no one cares that Miel's wrists grow flowers, except for bullies as well. But the people that matter in their loves don't think these parts of them are bad. They love them anyway. This story is really important, something I probably needed to read too. We all could use a dose of self-acceptance, no matter what we're accepting about ourselves. 

I found it interesting that these inner conflicts are juxtaposed against Aracely's (Miel's guardian) healing powers. For payment, she can make anyone's love for someone else go away, anyone's pain disappear. One woman comes back again and again after making the same mistakes again and again and Aracely heals her. She is never permanently healed. This was such a beautiful background to have, that we really cannot be healed by anyone but ourselves. Aracely makes her business doing this, perhaps to distract from her own need for inner-healing. I loved Aracely, even if she wasn't perfect and even if she lied to Miel. While I hate lying, I can understand Aracely's perspective. Sometimes we need time to come to terms with our truths before we tell them to other people.

While the lying and relationship drama dragged parts of this book along, I still found the story at its heart beautiful and necessary and wonderful. And I also think the author's note is one of the most heartfelt I have ever read; it's about her relationship with a transgender man who is now her husband and how he inspired Sam's story. 

I urge anyone who has ever hated themselves to read this book, anyone who has ever struggled to accept themselves. Honestly, though, I really just think everyone should read this beautiful story.

-Book Hugger

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I was swept off my feet by Vassa in the Night and taken to a completely different world. Sarah Porter's writing is atmospheric and lyrical; I found myself entranced by it. Not to mention, she managed to create an entirely unique book based off of a piece of Russian folklore that not many people have likely familiarized themselves with. It was crazy, it was special, it was exciting. The only thing keeping me from giving it five stars was my confusion. I just could not keep up with what was happening. By the time I finished (and it's actually not that long, a little less than 300 pages), I was still trying to figure out what I read. With such a short book, I feel that the plot should be clearer. Though, what she did achieve with such a short book was really amazing characters and a ton of emotion and angst. I drank it all up, loving it.

I have seen a lot of reviews claiming that Vassa is annoying and whiny, but I couldn't see that. I saw a girl broken up by her past and it was portrayed realistically in every aspect. I personally loved Vassa. She is a powerful character and she was a breath of fresh air from the usual young adult characters made of lame jokes and romance. I also loved her little doll Erg who was the light aspect of the book, keeping it humorous it times of seriousness. Erg was adorable and hilarious, one of my favorite parts to read.
And of course, the ending was fabulous. I may have been confused by parts of it, but I did love how it ended bittersweetly. There was sadness (and I actual felt the sadness), but it was also happy, and I think those are the best kind of endings. Life doesn't end with happily ever afters and sometimes not even with joy, so it was nice to read a book that didn't end with every loose end tied up in a bow like a fairytale. That's not real.

I definitely recommend trying this book out, even if it's just for the writing and unique storyline. Maybe you'll hate it, but it's hard to hate something written so absolutely beautiful.

-Book Hugger

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"Sympathy doesn't mean much if you don't take action." -Em, page 71

I definitely enjoyed Ruined and it was great pick-me-up after the disappointment I found in The Last Star. However, I noticed a few similarities to Throne of Glass and was hoping for something more original. With that said, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and found it extremely entertaining. Amy Tintera writes really well and I loved her characters I found both Em and Cas likable in their own ways. It made me pretty happy to see that Em wasn't the same as all the other main characters in young adult fiction--self-conscious, plain, and weak. I love the new reign of main characters coming in, the ones who are inspiring and heroic. Also, Cas is another precious snowflake who needs to be protected (he's perfect, okay?).

Other than the plot similarities to Throne of Glass, I was rather confused about the Ruined. Who are they? Why do people hate them? Maybe I missed the explanation somewhere, but it didn't make complete sense to me. Hopefully, this will all be tied up in the sequel (which I so desperately need, by the way).

I'm glad I got this book from the library because I don't see myself rereading it, but I did really like it. I can't wait to read the sequel, but sadly it doesn't come out for a while. I recommend this to fantasy fans, but if you're looking for something new and original, turn away.

-Book Hugger

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I liked the Tale of Cuthbert the most...

-Book Hugger

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I'm not going to review this on my blog because frankly I just don't have the energy. So here's a half-ass review since this is the one night I've actually had free time this entire school year.

I liked this a lot, but the footnotes (or whatever they're called?) were really lengthy and boring. I didn't like jumping around to read them, but I did like how much world building they carried. Yay for authors who know how to create a world.

Uhh...what else. I can't even remember this book. I'm a mess.

Mia was pretty badass and awesome, but I lowkey hated Tric.

I ship her with Ash whoops. But seriously props to Kristoff for that bisexual mc

Oftentimes this book was really boring and I just couldn't take it. Other times it was exciting and pumping, but like, I want it that way the whole time instead of in segments. The school setting was really cool and it reminisced Harry Potter, but not to the point of plagiarism or annoyance!! Like it was original!!!

Overall, good, but not good enough. Also??? This is definitely not YA. Whoever's been shelving this as such is kidding themselves.

I would recommend this to fans of adult high fantasy who think Harry Potter might just be a little too young for them.

-Book Hugger

Ehhh. This book was decent, I'll give it that, but I wasn't in love with it and I can't really say I liked it either. I do like Nick though. Can I please have a copy of him?

-Book Hugger

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