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LACKING.
That's what I finally realized upon finishing this series. It was altogether...lacking.
I never got a big enough back story on any character so my feelings for them remained superficial. There was also SO MANY characters. And any plot twists really only occurred in the epilogues. While things like, high school romances are "relatable," the writing was so naive that it felt silly most of the time.
The story was there. Brimming under the surface but never breaching. I enjoyed at times where things were going. Yet, I'm sitting here writing this review only hours after finishing and I can't even remember some pieces. It's that forgettable.
While these are solely my opinions...you may enjoy this book! It's all about time traveling and stopping the evil by circumventing history. Can be confusing to follow where each person is when. It is at least unique in this regard.
I think it may be more suitable for younger (than myself) audiences. With only maybe a curse word or two its a clean book. There's some kissing, some I love you proclamations, and only an instance of innuendo. Some minor violence as well.
That's what I finally realized upon finishing this series. It was altogether...lacking.
I never got a big enough back story on any character so my feelings for them remained superficial. There was also SO MANY characters. And any plot twists really only occurred in the epilogues. While things like, high school romances are "relatable," the writing was so naive that it felt silly most of the time.
The story was there. Brimming under the surface but never breaching. I enjoyed at times where things were going. Yet, I'm sitting here writing this review only hours after finishing and I can't even remember some pieces. It's that forgettable.
While these are solely my opinions...you may enjoy this book! It's all about time traveling and stopping the evil by circumventing history. Can be confusing to follow where each person is when. It is at least unique in this regard.
I think it may be more suitable for younger (than myself) audiences. With only maybe a curse word or two its a clean book. There's some kissing, some I love you proclamations, and only an instance of innuendo. Some minor violence as well.
CAN I HAVE A BOOK ALL ABOUT SARTAQ?
I decided he’s one of my top favorite side characters. I LOVE him and Nesryn. And now that he’s Heir it’ll give them an even bigger opportunity in the final battle! I need a ruk too. I’ll think of a name while I climb a mountain to find one.
I don’t love Chaol. Never really have. So I wasn’t originally excited to read this book. The first have is a bit slower because SJM word builds the Southern Continent. After that the action flows well and a lot, a lot, happens.
Chaol does get his story though. That boy was HURTING. I thought it was a unique play on what was causing his disability. And you really felt the emotional turmoil he had to endure and come to terms with to be able to find happiness.
If you’re like me and weren’t too excited, I would still say YOU HAVE TO READ THIS STORY. The critical Maeve information in here will shake you. And send you down a horrid spiral trying to figure out what’s happening to our girl in the coffin with the news.
Yrene will also play a mega role in KoA if you ask me. I’m not quite sure where her healing power sits in the pawns of war, but if we spent an entire book on it then it means something, right?
This book became so large it isn’t considered a novella. It rivals with the later books in ToG.
I FEEL SO PUMPED FOR KOA NOW. READY FOR SJM TO SHATTER MY SOUL.
This installment still leans towards new adult. There is some language. A romance scene that is much less in your face as ACOMAF/EOS. Only lightly descriptive as are the other scenes that are glossed over. Minor violence.
I decided he’s one of my top favorite side characters. I LOVE him and Nesryn. And now that he’s Heir it’ll give them an even bigger opportunity in the final battle! I need a ruk too. I’ll think of a name while I climb a mountain to find one.
I don’t love Chaol. Never really have. So I wasn’t originally excited to read this book. The first have is a bit slower because SJM word builds the Southern Continent. After that the action flows well and a lot, a lot, happens.
Chaol does get his story though. That boy was HURTING. I thought it was a unique play on what was causing his disability. And you really felt the emotional turmoil he had to endure and come to terms with to be able to find happiness.
If you’re like me and weren’t too excited, I would still say YOU HAVE TO READ THIS STORY. The critical Maeve information in here will shake you. And send you down a horrid spiral trying to figure out what’s happening to our girl in the coffin with the news.
Yrene will also play a mega role in KoA if you ask me. I’m not quite sure where her healing power sits in the pawns of war, but if we spent an entire book on it then it means something, right?
This book became so large it isn’t considered a novella. It rivals with the later books in ToG.
I FEEL SO PUMPED FOR KOA NOW. READY FOR SJM TO SHATTER MY SOUL.
This installment still leans towards new adult. There is some language. A romance scene that is much less in your face as ACOMAF/EOS. Only lightly descriptive as are the other scenes that are glossed over. Minor violence.
3.5 stars*
BETTER THAN THE FIRST.
I have figured out some issues I have with this book, which the book comments on itself. Go figure. INSTA-LOVE. How are you this madly in love with someone in a day? You even think you're crazy?! So while that's silly, there was more intrigue between the two.
In my heart of hearts, I know Gideon cares, even if he didn't mean to originally. This helps, because boy, he is MEAN. Gwen needs to put him in his place if you ask me. Maybe that'll be rectified in the next installment.
We all know the Count is evil, but can SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE SECRET IS? I figured I'd find out in this book, but I didn't. So now I'm waiting for the third book so I can understand. You only get the basest idea about where it's all going.
Xemerius is arguably the best part of the book. While Lesley is annoying and seems to know-it-all, Xemerius makes you love his sassy self.
My other big issue is you really don't get a feel for any characters. There's not enough back story that helps you love or hate them. Everyone is rather neutral, and rather vague, about everything.
True YA, with very very little language. No romantic scenes, just some kissing here and there. Minor violence.
BETTER THAN THE FIRST.
I have figured out some issues I have with this book, which the book comments on itself. Go figure. INSTA-LOVE. How are you this madly in love with someone in a day? You even think you're crazy?! So while that's silly, there was more intrigue between the two.
In my heart of hearts, I know Gideon cares, even if he didn't mean to originally. This helps, because boy, he is MEAN. Gwen needs to put him in his place if you ask me. Maybe that'll be rectified in the next installment.
We all know the Count is evil, but can SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE SECRET IS? I figured I'd find out in this book, but I didn't. So now I'm waiting for the third book so I can understand. You only get the basest idea about where it's all going.
Xemerius is arguably the best part of the book. While Lesley is annoying and seems to know-it-all, Xemerius makes you love his sassy self.
My other big issue is you really don't get a feel for any characters. There's not enough back story that helps you love or hate them. Everyone is rather neutral, and rather vague, about everything.
True YA, with very very little language. No romantic scenes, just some kissing here and there. Minor violence.
*3.5 stars
A TAD NAIVE.
I had multiple people recommend this to me, but it also had the unfortunate luck of following after reading my favorite series, so it lacked a bit. It's an interesting story line enough that I will be reading the second book.
Gwyneth, while almost 17, acts closer to 14 most of the time. All of the time travel must truly be scattering her brain because she could definitely be more intelligent in some scenes. Her character does get better though. Towards the end as she understood what was happening she acted more mature about it all. I don't love this narrative style where she comments on her own thoughts too often.
Since I personally haven't figured out the ending, I'm going to keep reading them. I think the second book has the chance to build upon a unique world. As Gideon and Gwyneth have the chance to explore their friendship, I hope we get more of them.
There are A LOT of side characters with the time travel. It's a bit to keep up with, but luckily there is a glossary of names at the back if you occasionally forgot who was who (whoops!).
The evil hasn't fully presented itself either. There's hints as to who the bad group is, yet have no way of knowing if that's true or not. I hope I'm wrong, because I'm always down for a good plot twist.
The action picks up about half-way through and is a super quick read. There is no language, and only a kiss scene. Some violence (rather unexpected, go team for throwing me a little!).
A TAD NAIVE.
I had multiple people recommend this to me, but it also had the unfortunate luck of following after reading my favorite series, so it lacked a bit. It's an interesting story line enough that I will be reading the second book.
Gwyneth, while almost 17, acts closer to 14 most of the time. All of the time travel must truly be scattering her brain because she could definitely be more intelligent in some scenes. Her character does get better though. Towards the end as she understood what was happening she acted more mature about it all. I don't love this narrative style where she comments on her own thoughts too often.
Since I personally haven't figured out the ending, I'm going to keep reading them. I think the second book has the chance to build upon a unique world. As Gideon and Gwyneth have the chance to explore their friendship, I hope we get more of them.
There are A LOT of side characters with the time travel. It's a bit to keep up with, but luckily there is a glossary of names at the back if you occasionally forgot who was who (whoops!).
The evil hasn't fully presented itself either. There's hints as to who the bad group is, yet have no way of knowing if that's true or not. I hope I'm wrong, because I'm always down for a good plot twist.
The action picks up about half-way through and is a super quick read. There is no language, and only a kiss scene. Some violence (rather unexpected, go team for throwing me a little!).
Reread for House of Flame and Shadow May 2023: I haven’t read this one specifically in a long time and I loved it. I love seeing the original three and all of the emotions of working out where they fit into each other’s lives. Lots of feels. And I just love that ending. EVERY TIME.
Note: Review may contain spoilers. I have read this series 3 or 4 times. I have no chill over this series. This is a re-read I’m doing specifically before KoA comes out in October.
TALK ABOUT BREAKING SOMEONE DOWN.
I feel like everyone was hurt in this book.
Nehemia sacrificing herself for the greater good of the world, still hurts my feelings. I thought she was a cool side character and was going to play a bigger role overall.
CHAOL. Who, by the way, I pronounced as ‘coal’ rather than ‘kay-all’ for the longest time before I decided I should say his name “correctly”. I still think Coal sounds better.
He made a few too many choices towards the King, and watching Calaena claw him, also tore me up. Of course, first read, ALL TEAM CHAOL. Now reading through, I get it. She wasn’t ready for Rowan. Chaol truly helped her heal from Sam, and while it ended poorly, it added more depth to both characters.
Calaena starts to have more feelings that continue to round out her character. I continually love her sassy, sarcastic, not-give-a, attitude. She holds her own. Especially when she drops down into a warehouse and WREAKS HAVOC on those who have stolen something from her.
I think this is one of the best books in the series. You know the characters well enough to feel for everyone. The action flows really well and you continually flips pages trying to soak it all in.
Love scenes that are minor descriptive, kiss/make-out scenes. Violence, torture, and language (I do appreciate that SJM uses phrases like swore colorfully, rather than using F* words, but other language is present). I think language needs to be wielded in a way that isn’t over-bearing, but that actually encourages a scenes emotions.
Note: Review may contain spoilers. I have read this series 3 or 4 times. I have no chill over this series. This is a re-read I’m doing specifically before KoA comes out in October.
TALK ABOUT BREAKING SOMEONE DOWN.
I feel like everyone was hurt in this book.
Nehemia sacrificing herself for the greater good of the world, still hurts my feelings. I thought she was a cool side character and was going to play a bigger role overall.
CHAOL. Who, by the way, I pronounced as ‘coal’ rather than ‘kay-all’ for the longest time before I decided I should say his name “correctly”. I still think Coal sounds better.
He made a few too many choices towards the King, and watching Calaena claw him, also tore me up. Of course, first read, ALL TEAM CHAOL. Now reading through, I get it. She wasn’t ready for Rowan. Chaol truly helped her heal from Sam, and while it ended poorly, it added more depth to both characters.
Calaena starts to have more feelings that continue to round out her character. I continually love her sassy, sarcastic, not-give-a, attitude. She holds her own. Especially when she drops down into a warehouse and WREAKS HAVOC on those who have stolen something from her.
I think this is one of the best books in the series. You know the characters well enough to feel for everyone. The action flows really well and you continually flips pages trying to soak it all in.
Love scenes that are minor descriptive, kiss/make-out scenes. Violence, torture, and language (I do appreciate that SJM uses phrases like swore colorfully, rather than using F* words, but other language is present). I think language needs to be wielded in a way that isn’t over-bearing, but that actually encourages a scenes emotions.
Reread April 2023: It's funny noticing just how different this book is from her later installments. It has that air of nostalgia for me now. WHERE IT ALL STARTED.
AND SO THE STORY BEGINS.
Guys, totes forgot she dated Dorain for a bit there, haha. And he LOVED HER. That fact broke me a bit too. All he wanted was someone to really love. But it was clear Calaena never felt the same way.
The anger Calaena feels throughout this entire book makes you wanna tear down the walls at Endovier herself. I'm grateful that having her two [boy] friends by her side helped her begin to heal.
Chaol is currently so tender, I was all team him at first. Dorian and Calaena were never going to stay together. We all know SJM adds a few lovers in before they settle on the perfect mate (real life, no?).
I tried to pay a lot more attention to Queen Elena, and the Wyrdkeys, etc. Since, Aelin is in her own world of trouble I want to make sure I've gathered all of the facts before SJM drops a bomb on my soul.
Some language (with a salty assassin on hand, this is true through all of the books), definitely violence, again, assassin y'all. Some love-y scenes, but nothing crazy. She wrote this first book I believe in her teens, so this was before the loooove scenes a la ACOMAF/EoS.
AND SO THE STORY BEGINS.
Guys, totes forgot she dated Dorain for a bit there, haha. And he LOVED HER. That fact broke me a bit too. All he wanted was someone to really love. But it was clear Calaena never felt the same way.
The anger Calaena feels throughout this entire book makes you wanna tear down the walls at Endovier herself. I'm grateful that having her two [boy] friends by her side helped her begin to heal.
Chaol is currently so tender, I was all team him at first. Dorian and Calaena were never going to stay together. We all know SJM adds a few lovers in before they settle on the perfect mate (real life, no?).
I tried to pay a lot more attention to Queen Elena, and the Wyrdkeys, etc. Since, Aelin is in her own world of trouble I want to make sure I've gathered all of the facts before SJM drops a bomb on my soul.
Some language (with a salty assassin on hand, this is true through all of the books), definitely violence, again, assassin y'all. Some love-y scenes, but nothing crazy. She wrote this first book I believe in her teens, so this was before the loooove scenes a la ACOMAF/EoS.
Reread April 2023: I love that I can now note, STARTING MY REREAD FOR HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOWWWW. And wow this book is always painful.
Note: Review may contain spoilers. I have read this series 3 or 4 times. I have no chill over this series. This is a re-read I’m doing specifically before KoA comes out in October.
SAM. SAM. SAM. SAM.
Like I’ve just noted. I LOVE this series. I do. And every time I get something new from it and I still feel alllllll of the emotions even when I know exactly what’s about to happen.
This is what makes a great series to me.
These novellas are so crucial to the whole series as a whole! While most of it doesn’t play out til EoS (Empire of Storms) the character details are important.
Each novella is a good length and keeps me interested. My heart shatters over Sam, EVERY DANG TIME. It was such a sweet, young love. LIFE ISN’T FAIR. *cries into pillow* who does that to a human?!!
I enjoy that each story opens up a nugget that makes Calaena…Calaena. She’s a complex person with so many levels and such depth to her soul. But what’s even better is SJM has the ability to add that to other main/side characters too. That’s what brings all of the emotion into it for me. I can’t help but care.
Note: Review may contain spoilers. I have read this series 3 or 4 times. I have no chill over this series. This is a re-read I’m doing specifically before KoA comes out in October.
SAM. SAM. SAM. SAM.
Like I’ve just noted. I LOVE this series. I do. And every time I get something new from it and I still feel alllllll of the emotions even when I know exactly what’s about to happen.
This is what makes a great series to me.
These novellas are so crucial to the whole series as a whole! While most of it doesn’t play out til EoS (Empire of Storms) the character details are important.
Each novella is a good length and keeps me interested. My heart shatters over Sam, EVERY DANG TIME. It was such a sweet, young love. LIFE ISN’T FAIR. *cries into pillow* who does that to a human?!!
I enjoy that each story opens up a nugget that makes Calaena…Calaena. She’s a complex person with so many levels and such depth to her soul. But what’s even better is SJM has the ability to add that to other main/side characters too. That’s what brings all of the emotion into it for me. I can’t help but care.
FINALLY AT THE END.
Well, I’m neither happy nor sad this is over. It was an okay series.
Yet again, you can honestly skip whole chapters and have missed nothing. The story finally swung around and started focusing on the actual, Book of Life (solid pun, right?).
There was also the addition of more characters that took a front running, THAT WERE HARDLY MENTIONED THE ENTIRE TIME. Turns out, this vamp was rather important to the plot of the series. Too many side stories that only kinda helped everything.
More on the adult side, a tiny bit of language. A few semi-descriptive love scenes. Descriptions of violence and torture.
Well, I’m neither happy nor sad this is over. It was an okay series.
Yet again, you can honestly skip whole chapters and have missed nothing. The story finally swung around and started focusing on the actual, Book of Life (solid pun, right?).
There was also the addition of more characters that took a front running, THAT WERE HARDLY MENTIONED THE ENTIRE TIME. Turns out, this vamp was rather important to the plot of the series. Too many side stories that only kinda helped everything.
More on the adult side, a tiny bit of language. A few semi-descriptive love scenes. Descriptions of violence and torture.
I HATE THAT I SOMEHOW ENJOY THIS.
Alright, well, I sped-read (I mean really, flew through unnecessary paragraphs at an alarming rate) and was still able to grasp the entire book. Goes to reiterate, this book is entirely too long and with too many side plots that sway from the trilogies original intentions.
Once again I struggled with the atmosphere of vampires. I think that kind of character is just too much for me. Though, Gallowglass is definitely my favorite side character from this spectacle. I love that he calls Diana, “Auntie” and watches our for her while adding in chuckling anecdotes.
This book was spent 95% in 1590 Elizabethan London. That’s too much time y’all. I was so ready for everyone to be back in the 21st Century and actually focus on the problem at hand, Ashmole 782. The entire series is predicated on this manuscript and it doesn’t seem to even be that big of a focus throughout. The book, truthfully, focuses more on the love story between Matthew and Diana. And while I don’t have a problem with that, that’s where the synopsis and the beginning plot lines should have sprung from. I think I thought too much into where the plot was really taking me. It’s almost more a romance novel than anything else.
I still did appreciate reading about the love story. It’s tender, and Diana has more a backbone in this book at least. The human intentions and emotions from meeting people from the past gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s enough for me to speed through this last book so I can at least know what the ending holds.
Very little language. A handful of love scenes that range from a soft gloss-over to detailed (though not as erotic as we all know some books go haha). Too many vampires to not have a decent dose of violence.
Alright, well, I sped-read (I mean really, flew through unnecessary paragraphs at an alarming rate) and was still able to grasp the entire book. Goes to reiterate, this book is entirely too long and with too many side plots that sway from the trilogies original intentions.
Once again I struggled with the atmosphere of vampires. I think that kind of character is just too much for me. Though, Gallowglass is definitely my favorite side character from this spectacle. I love that he calls Diana, “Auntie” and watches our for her while adding in chuckling anecdotes.
This book was spent 95% in 1590 Elizabethan London. That’s too much time y’all. I was so ready for everyone to be back in the 21st Century and actually focus on the problem at hand, Ashmole 782. The entire series is predicated on this manuscript and it doesn’t seem to even be that big of a focus throughout. The book, truthfully, focuses more on the love story between Matthew and Diana. And while I don’t have a problem with that, that’s where the synopsis and the beginning plot lines should have sprung from. I think I thought too much into where the plot was really taking me. It’s almost more a romance novel than anything else.
I still did appreciate reading about the love story. It’s tender, and Diana has more a backbone in this book at least. The human intentions and emotions from meeting people from the past gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s enough for me to speed through this last book so I can at least know what the ending holds.
Very little language. A handful of love scenes that range from a soft gloss-over to detailed (though not as erotic as we all know some books go haha). Too many vampires to not have a decent dose of violence.
I AM SO AT ODDS WITH THIS BOOK.
Okay y'all. The reason my star rating is "somewhere between 3 & 4" is because goodness gracious, I can't decide what I feel about this book! Stay with me here. My thoughts may get scattered.
I definitely give points to the concept. I think it's cool! It's a different spin on Vampires, Witches and Daemons. Also, it spans such big time periods! I actually like that Matthew is 1500+ years old because there is so much to his background.
My issue stems from the fact that, generally speaking, I hate vampire books. I read (and enjoyed) the Twilight series, but after that I felt done. Since then, if I realize a book is about vampires it usually ends up on my DNF shelf with no remorse.
Matthew being a vampire didn't ruin this book for me, but his dynamic occasionally bugged me. He felt too possessive, demanding, stubborn, stealthy, etc. Which then made Diana appear way too meek, submissive, and just an overall sense of: STAND UP FOR YOURSELF WOMAN.
While I felt their love story had truly good moments, the action of the book never heightened enough. I kept asking myself, was that all? Maybe that's why I'm at odds. I kept reading expecting more, but never got it, yet enjoyed it, but also skimmed it, and this run-on sentence could just keep going. It was too long of a book, with a lot of side stuff that got in the way, so I sped-read through those bits to get to the heart of the novel.
I will pick-up the second book and reconvene here for a determination as to whether the third book is worth my time.
Book leans more towards adult, very very little language. Some kiss/make-out scenes. A few love scenes that are semi-descriptive. A bit of violence.