It was too basic for what I was looking for. This is all information you can find just as unsourced online with the right keywords. I am not an expert but this was disappointing because I am already beyond the focus of this book.

This was a good book. Honestly the best thing about it are the descriptions. Every person and every tent and every experience is described with such attention to detail you cannot help but feel you are there. All of the senses are catered to. That being said, these descriptions are, I'd estimate, 60% of the book. I borrowed this book from the library and I can read most 300-400 page books in a day or two. This one took me 3 weeks to reach the 100 page mark and by then my book was a week overdue with other holds on it so I sent it back.

The first 100 pages or so are lots of setup. The entire story takes place over a roughly 30 year time span. Most of that time happens in the first third of the book. This is honestly, a really well-written and unique plot, but my god if you do not like lots of descriptive language, spare yourself. I do, that and the bits of mystery in the plot kept me coming back to it. The last hundred pages or so start to move much quicker. Some questions are answered. and new mysteries take their place but you start to realize that that is the point. It wasn't gripping, didn't have me at the edge of my seat, but it was so fascinating. I am glad I requested the book again and I'm glad I finished it.

I think only someone who could write as Erin Morgenstern does could describe the feeling I got from reading and finishing this book.

Before I review this I have to say that I stopped about halfway through for a few months. Partly because I was busy but also partly because it could not keep my attention and I was bored by it. So this book may be better or worse than I think it is having read the last half in two days. There are some spoilers in my review so beware.

This was recommended to be by a friend who is older than my thirty years and she loved it. I finally picked it up so I could read it and then watch the movie. Honestly, having finished the book, I think the entire section where Simon

gets changed into a mouse and the go rescue him from the vampires and then the werewolves put in an appearance to start a fight with the vampires,

etc could have been left out. That was where I stalled when I first started reading this in early August. Even when I restarted it a few days ago it took me awhile to get through all of that and gain my liking and momentum again. Those scenes only add small bits to the rest of the book so its not strange when Luke

is a werewolf, or Jace and Cary fly off the roof

at the end.

Ultimately, I think what took away from this book was the author trying to stuff all the supernatural creature reveals into one book when she's clearly writing a series. There's too much going on and too many characters that just slow the plot down because they have nothing to do with it. You get no real time to appreciate the main characters and get to know them so their actions are not flat or strange. There are some big reactions and huge emotional points that mostly fell flat for me.

The only reason this did not get two stars is because of the ending. The scenes with Valentine were great. The Hodge surprise was unexpected but felt a little like a prop. But Luke

coming back and finally giving a full explanation of the past was great. After all the lies and mistruths it was nice to hear a full true story from someone who was actually there and had no real agenda. But Jace learning about his father and mother was amazingly heart-wrenching. His indecision, Cary's anger and Valentine's reactions were perfect. It was honestly surprising that they are siblings. And its so weird what with their relationship.

So obviously there is more going on with this story and that is what will have me picking up the next book when I get a chance.

Holy shit that ending. I forget how much I love thrillers until I randomly pick one up again. Tami Hoag is one of my favorites in this genre.

Meh, it was alright. I think some of the descriptions were beyond my imagination so I couldn't really get into most of this book. The first 100 pages were annoying because of that and I almost gave up on it. I love Zuzanna though. The ending was at once great and disappointing. Finally some action and big reveals about Karou and Akiva's pasts but how that will affect the present is to be continued in the next book. And I don't know if I really want to read the next one.

Someone said the love story is unique. Ha! Maybe if you only read modern YA books. Otherwise its a tried and true romance trope.

Star-crossed lovers separated by death and amnesia with a twist.

Nothing wrong with that though. The world building is very much based on Karou's point of view. So if she doesn't find this strange or interesting it doesn't get described in detail which is endlessly frustrating.

I want to know what happened to all the Chimaera's but I don't want to slog through all the other stuff like I had to in this book. It was good but maybe not for me. Who knows though, maybe I'll pick up the sequel when I have nothing better to read one day.

Through most of this I was happy. Everybody was coming together. It seemed we were getting closer plot wise to the final big battle. Though I knew that wouldn't happen in this book. Also, the main characters were coming into their own. The ladies in particular being so young to have gone through so much. But the guys as well since they've been dealing with their own traumas for a much longer period of time. Then, strangers started showing up making me think that I was losing my memory because I didn't remember these characters and their story lines with Aelin at all. Obviously, I'll need to read those novellas a lot sooner than I had planned to know who all these new characters are. Then, then that ending happened and I was devastated. Haven't they all been through enough? Also, Maeve is literally the most selfish character in the series easily. Honestly, Sarah J. Maas has once again upped her game with this latest installment of the series. I will say that all the history and background we got from Elena reminded me of the Black Jewels trilogy. All the dreamers and wishers calling out for someone to help them; someone to fulfill their wishes. And so a powerful, magical Queen was born and created to fulfill them. All this fated stuff reminds me strongly of that book series which I also enjoy. This was another good ride. Can't wait for the next one.