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momwithareadingproblem
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Initial Reaction:
A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston is a loose retelling of the classic short 1001 Nights. In short…I LOVED IT! The prose, the imagery, the characters…I loved it all! Johnston does something few authors can do. She painted a picture with her words. The entire book from the first word to the last painted scene after scene leaving me content to live in her world just a little longer.
The narrator of our story is never given a name, which at first I found odd but it grew on me. She is young, brave, cunning and selfless as she gives herself to Lo-Melkhiin in her sister’s place. Let me give you a short synopsis for those that don’t know the original story. Lo-Melkhiin is known for killing his brides, few last more than one night in the palace. In this version of the story, Lo-Melkhiin is bound by law to take only one girl from each village, hence the reason our narrator takes her sister’s place. As I said she is very brave. Each night she is in the palace, she challenges herself to believe she will live to see the morning by giving herself something to do or see. I found this inspiring as she takes on this lord really by herself.
Lo-Melkhiin makes a great antagonist AND love interest. Yep that’s right he fits the bill for both. He’s ruthless, cunning, cruel and very intrigued by the narrator. Each night he comes to her and asks for a story about her sister, their small gods, or her family. And each night he leaves her in peace, alive.
The plot really centers around a rumor mentioned very early in the book that Lo-Melkhiin as a young man was possessed by a demon. This demon supposedly is why the kingdom thrives and his wives die. The narrator decides that it is her job to live so no more will die. The question really becomes how.
As I already mentioned, E.K. Johnston does a fabulous job of building a world around the narrator and side characters. It was fascinating to delve deeper into it, learning about their culture and how Lo-Melkhiin was to be defeated. I loved the narrator and her tenacity for survival. She isn’t afraid of Lo-Melkhiin which I think ultimately is why he was so fond of her.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. The only reason it gets 4 instead of 5 stars is that the beginning was slow to start. There were a lot of details, but once those were out of the way, the story flowed well and the narrator sped things along. I will warn you though that Lo-Melkhiin is one of two characters that get a name in the entire book. That’s right only two characters have names. Everyone else is “my sister’s mother” or “mother of my heart.” This can get a bit confusing when dealing with more than one at a time, but the secondary characters have such unique personalities that it doesn’t take long to decipher who is who. If you enjoy young adult fiction, fantasy, or you’re a lover of Arabian Nights, than this is the book for you!
Initial Reaction:
A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston is a loose retelling of the classic short 1001 Nights. In short…I LOVED IT! The prose, the imagery, the characters…I loved it all! Johnston does something few authors can do. She painted a picture with her words. The entire book from the first word to the last painted scene after scene leaving me content to live in her world just a little longer.
The narrator of our story is never given a name, which at first I found odd but it grew on me. She is young, brave, cunning and selfless as she gives herself to Lo-Melkhiin in her sister’s place. Let me give you a short synopsis for those that don’t know the original story. Lo-Melkhiin is known for killing his brides, few last more than one night in the palace. In this version of the story, Lo-Melkhiin is bound by law to take only one girl from each village, hence the reason our narrator takes her sister’s place. As I said she is very brave. Each night she is in the palace, she challenges herself to believe she will live to see the morning by giving herself something to do or see. I found this inspiring as she takes on this lord really by herself.
Lo-Melkhiin makes a great antagonist AND love interest. Yep that’s right he fits the bill for both. He’s ruthless, cunning, cruel and very intrigued by the narrator. Each night he comes to her and asks for a story about her sister, their small gods, or her family. And each night he leaves her in peace, alive.
The plot really centers around a rumor mentioned very early in the book that Lo-Melkhiin as a young man was possessed by a demon. This demon supposedly is why the kingdom thrives and his wives die. The narrator decides that it is her job to live so no more will die. The question really becomes how.
As I already mentioned, E.K. Johnston does a fabulous job of building a world around the narrator and side characters. It was fascinating to delve deeper into it, learning about their culture and how Lo-Melkhiin was to be defeated. I loved the narrator and her tenacity for survival. She isn’t afraid of Lo-Melkhiin which I think ultimately is why he was so fond of her.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. The only reason it gets 4 instead of 5 stars is that the beginning was slow to start. There were a lot of details, but once those were out of the way, the story flowed well and the narrator sped things along. I will warn you though that Lo-Melkhiin is one of two characters that get a name in the entire book. That’s right only two characters have names. Everyone else is “my sister’s mother” or “mother of my heart.” This can get a bit confusing when dealing with more than one at a time, but the secondary characters have such unique personalities that it doesn’t take long to decipher who is who. If you enjoy young adult fiction, fantasy, or you’re a lover of Arabian Nights, than this is the book for you!
I received an eARC of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch is the follow-up to the epic fantasy Snow Like Ashes. ***Please Note that if you haven’t read the previous book in this series, there are minor spoilers in this review** Meira has done it, she freed her people, the Winterians. She’s accepted her role as their queen, but somethings will never be the same. Prince Theron is leading the Cordellans in Winter, “aiding” them as they rebuild their country and search for the magic chasm in their reopened mines. But his search for peace and unity will come at a price he never anticipated.
I’m going to be quite frank in this review….Ice Like Fire suffers second-book syndrome. At times it is boring, drawn-out, and repetitive. I HATE that I feel this way because I absolutely loved Snow Like Ashes. In fact it’s my favorite book that I’ve read this year. So why did Ice Like Fire fall so short of the mark? Let’s break it down.
First Meira…she was a strong, stubborn character in the first book. Her courage and tenacity is why I loved her! She loses this during Ice Like Fire. She’s timid, scared of her conduit-magic, and afraid to make any mistake as the queen of Winter. Yes she was held and tortured by Angra so she gets to be angsty in this book. I get it….BUT it is SO drawn out! Meira makes all the wrong decisions in this book and you would think from making those mistakes in the previous book (or witnessing Mather make those mistakes) she wouldn’t make them again. But alas she does.
Prince Theron…why Raasch why?!?! I fell in love with Prince Theron in the first book. I rooted for him from the beginning and thought he would be a better fit for our Meira. BUT his character is completely destroyed during this book. And not just a little bit either! Theron is secretive, fear-driven, and so unlike his character from the first book that you have to wonder what is wrong with him. Unfortunately (another downside to Meira’s character) it takes Meira the entire book to figure this out!
Mather…now his character was an upside for me. I’ve seen several reviews that didn’t care for his POV chapters but I really liked it. I’ll be honest that I didn’t care much for Mather in the first book. I felt he took for granted his relationship with Meira and when he realized his feelings for her it was too late, she was already with Theron. In this book however, the “Once-King” has some radically character growth. His focus has always been Winter. He was raised to believe it was his responsibility so naturally when Meira is revealed as the queen it changes his entire world-view. Except it doesn’t. This is why I like Mather. His role may have changed but his drive hasn’t. He still loves Winter as a king would and he will do whatever it takes to keep it safe, including admitting his feelings and repairing his relationship with Meira. I’ll be honest I may have jumped ships ;)
The plot of this book – I felt – was nonexistent or maybe it was just all over the place…I’m not sure. Here’s the premise: After finding the magic chasm (not a spoiler this occurs in the first few chapters), Meira sets off with Theron searching for the keys that will open it. There is one key per country in the countries of Summer, Yakim, and Ventralli. Using the excuse of introducing the Winter queen to other royalty, they travel. I’ll be honest I did like this, getting to see the other kingdoms. Now the little plot twist here is that Meira doesn’t agree with Theron. She doesn’t want the chasm opened and Theron does. This causes quite a bit of frustration on both their parts. Fear drives their actions and creates a lot of angst between the characters. My thoughts…talk!!! Conversation is essential and for these two it just doesn’t happen. Each has their own agenda and they wind up butting heads.
Overall, I just wasn’t impressed with this book. It felt like a bridge, spanning the gap between the beginning and the ending of the series. I will say that the end of the book held a lot of surprises that I wasn’t really expecting. SO this bumped my rating up a star AND kept me invested in the series as a whole. If you enjoyed Snow Like Ashes, then by all means don’t skip this book. It’s good and has a ton of info that I feel will be important come the last book in the series. But be prepared. It isn’t the thrill ride its predecessor was. Really it just falls flat :(
Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch is the follow-up to the epic fantasy Snow Like Ashes. ***Please Note that if you haven’t read the previous book in this series, there are minor spoilers in this review** Meira has done it, she freed her people, the Winterians. She’s accepted her role as their queen, but somethings will never be the same. Prince Theron is leading the Cordellans in Winter, “aiding” them as they rebuild their country and search for the magic chasm in their reopened mines. But his search for peace and unity will come at a price he never anticipated.
I’m going to be quite frank in this review….Ice Like Fire suffers second-book syndrome. At times it is boring, drawn-out, and repetitive. I HATE that I feel this way because I absolutely loved Snow Like Ashes. In fact it’s my favorite book that I’ve read this year. So why did Ice Like Fire fall so short of the mark? Let’s break it down.
First Meira…she was a strong, stubborn character in the first book. Her courage and tenacity is why I loved her! She loses this during Ice Like Fire. She’s timid, scared of her conduit-magic, and afraid to make any mistake as the queen of Winter. Yes she was held and tortured by Angra so she gets to be angsty in this book. I get it….BUT it is SO drawn out! Meira makes all the wrong decisions in this book and you would think from making those mistakes in the previous book (or witnessing Mather make those mistakes) she wouldn’t make them again. But alas she does.
Prince Theron…why Raasch why?!?! I fell in love with Prince Theron in the first book. I rooted for him from the beginning and thought he would be a better fit for our Meira. BUT his character is completely destroyed during this book. And not just a little bit either! Theron is secretive, fear-driven, and so unlike his character from the first book that you have to wonder what is wrong with him. Unfortunately (another downside to Meira’s character) it takes Meira the entire book to figure this out!
Mather…now his character was an upside for me. I’ve seen several reviews that didn’t care for his POV chapters but I really liked it. I’ll be honest that I didn’t care much for Mather in the first book. I felt he took for granted his relationship with Meira and when he realized his feelings for her it was too late, she was already with Theron. In this book however, the “Once-King” has some radically character growth. His focus has always been Winter. He was raised to believe it was his responsibility so naturally when Meira is revealed as the queen it changes his entire world-view. Except it doesn’t. This is why I like Mather. His role may have changed but his drive hasn’t. He still loves Winter as a king would and he will do whatever it takes to keep it safe, including admitting his feelings and repairing his relationship with Meira. I’ll be honest I may have jumped ships ;)
The plot of this book – I felt – was nonexistent or maybe it was just all over the place…I’m not sure. Here’s the premise: After finding the magic chasm (not a spoiler this occurs in the first few chapters), Meira sets off with Theron searching for the keys that will open it. There is one key per country in the countries of Summer, Yakim, and Ventralli. Using the excuse of introducing the Winter queen to other royalty, they travel. I’ll be honest I did like this, getting to see the other kingdoms. Now the little plot twist here is that Meira doesn’t agree with Theron. She doesn’t want the chasm opened and Theron does. This causes quite a bit of frustration on both their parts. Fear drives their actions and creates a lot of angst between the characters. My thoughts…talk!!! Conversation is essential and for these two it just doesn’t happen. Each has their own agenda and they wind up butting heads.
Overall, I just wasn’t impressed with this book. It felt like a bridge, spanning the gap between the beginning and the ending of the series. I will say that the end of the book held a lot of surprises that I wasn’t really expecting. SO this bumped my rating up a star AND kept me invested in the series as a whole. If you enjoyed Snow Like Ashes, then by all means don’t skip this book. It’s good and has a ton of info that I feel will be important come the last book in the series. But be prepared. It isn’t the thrill ride its predecessor was. Really it just falls flat :(
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
Volume 5 of Spearwood Academy by A.S. Oren picks up one week after the horrible, I-was-so-hoping-it-was-all-a-dream ending of volume 4.
Avalon is facing charges for murdering a Royal on top of being forced to pretend that she knows what is going on with her boys. Remember they're brainwashed and have fake memories of a promiscuous Avvi, oh and apparently Dante thinks she's his! Now Avalon has to figure out who really killed the Royal, fix her boys, and do it all under the eye of the Watchers.
So I thought volume 4 ripped my heart out...NOPE....I was wrong....volume 5 does a fine job of it though! Avalon's memories are coming back in a steady stream now and on top of losing one of the boys she's being accused of his murder!!!! She's lost, heartbroken, and vengeful as the plot continues, making for a dangerous Avalon.
BUT she's not alone, she has of all people Bullock is on her side. For some reason he wasn't brainwashed like the others though he doesn't know why it didn't work on him. I adore Bullock! I don't know why either. He's a jerk to Avalon and he has this superior air to him, but despite all that he still always ends up on her side, protecting her. I <3 him, he is my obvious ship ;)
The plot of this volume revolves around Avalon surviving her punishment for killing a Royal. It's a survival challenge of extreme proportions and she has to do it alone! Lucky for her, her memories are coming back so she has more skills than she did when she came to Spearwood in the beginning. She also has her secret weapon Bullock :D
Overall this is an intense addition to the Spearwood Academy series and I honestly cannot wait for more! If you enjoy urban fantasy, pop culture, young adult fiction, and dragons (because what could be cooler than turning into a dragon people?!) check out this series!
Volume 5 of Spearwood Academy by A.S. Oren picks up one week after the horrible, I-was-so-hoping-it-was-all-a-dream ending of volume 4.
Spoiler
Why? Why did you kill Maverick? Why?!?!?!So I thought volume 4 ripped my heart out...NOPE....I was wrong....volume 5 does a fine job of it though! Avalon's memories are coming back in a steady stream now and on top of losing one of the boys she's being accused of his murder!!!! She's lost, heartbroken, and vengeful as the plot continues, making for a dangerous Avalon.
BUT she's not alone, she has of all people Bullock is on her side. For some reason he wasn't brainwashed like the others though he doesn't know why it didn't work on him. I adore Bullock! I don't know why either. He's a jerk to Avalon and he has this superior air to him, but despite all that he still always ends up on her side, protecting her. I <3 him, he is my obvious ship ;)
The plot of this volume revolves around Avalon surviving her punishment for killing a Royal. It's a survival challenge of extreme proportions and she has to do it alone! Lucky for her, her memories are coming back so she has more skills than she did when she came to Spearwood in the beginning. She also has her secret weapon Bullock :D
Overall this is an intense addition to the Spearwood Academy series and I honestly cannot wait for more! If you enjoy urban fantasy, pop culture, young adult fiction, and dragons (because what could be cooler than turning into a dragon people?!) check out this series!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review
Volume 6 of Spearwood Academy by A.S. Oren picks up right where volume 5 left off. Having been interrupted (thankfully!) by a mysterious boy, Avalon takes her chance to escape from Dante and the other boys for a little while. Bullock is missing, Triton is back, and Avalon doesn't know who to turn to trust!
Okay so I was slightly disappointed with this installment of Spearwood. I felt like it was a lot of filler for the next volume. Lots of new faces and questions, yet not a lot of answers or conclusions, well except for Triton. Let's just say his story left me feeling a lot like this:
I didn't see it coming at all! And I'll admit I'm a bit brokenhearted.
Avalon is on the warpath, she's trying to salvage her boys and find out what is going on since they were brought back to Spearwood, and she's trying to do it under the nose of the Watchers. Bullock mysteriously disappeared toward the end of Volume 5 and now she's trying to find him without much luck. Paden is also on a warpath, his mind having been wiped believes that Avalon is a murderer and he's not exactly being kind.
So onto new faces: Minos has arrived and Avalon isn't sure if she should trust him or stay away from him. Supposedly he's Dante's dead brother back to life and even with his mind wiped Dante isn't believing it. He claims he knows what's going on and is there to help Avalon, however like her I just don't believe him.
There was a lot packed into this tiny volume, clocking in at just under 50 pages, and at times I felt the story was rushed and the plot had a few holes that needed filling. However as a fan of the series I still enjoyed it and the ending has left me, like all the endings have, craving more! Looking forward to volume 7 and hopefully a fix for the boys! I'm not liking them being brainwashed!!!
Volume 6 of Spearwood Academy by A.S. Oren picks up right where volume 5 left off. Having been interrupted (thankfully!) by a mysterious boy, Avalon takes her chance to escape from Dante and the other boys for a little while. Bullock is missing, Triton is back, and Avalon doesn't know who to turn to trust!
Okay so I was slightly disappointed with this installment of Spearwood. I felt like it was a lot of filler for the next volume. Lots of new faces and questions, yet not a lot of answers or conclusions, well except for Triton. Let's just say his story left me feeling a lot like this:
I didn't see it coming at all! And I'll admit I'm a bit brokenhearted.
Avalon is on the warpath, she's trying to salvage her boys and find out what is going on since they were brought back to Spearwood, and she's trying to do it under the nose of the Watchers. Bullock mysteriously disappeared toward the end of Volume 5 and now she's trying to find him without much luck. Paden is also on a warpath, his mind having been wiped believes that Avalon is a murderer and he's not exactly being kind.
So onto new faces: Minos has arrived and Avalon isn't sure if she should trust him or stay away from him. Supposedly he's Dante's dead brother back to life and even with his mind wiped Dante isn't believing it. He claims he knows what's going on and is there to help Avalon, however like her I just don't believe him.
There was a lot packed into this tiny volume, clocking in at just under 50 pages, and at times I felt the story was rushed and the plot had a few holes that needed filling. However as a fan of the series I still enjoyed it and the ending has left me, like all the endings have, craving more! Looking forward to volume 7 and hopefully a fix for the boys! I'm not liking them being brainwashed!!!
I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
I think my heart may have exploded while reading this volume!!! Just like the other volumes, volume 4 picks up right where volume 3 left off. Having been betrayed by (((sobs))) Triton, Avalon, her parents, and her boys face off against Aibek, Avalon's evil older brother. Barely escaping with their lives, Avalon somehow transports everyone back to the orchard she called home for so many years. Her memories are starting to come back in force now and she is learning about all the powers she once had along with the love she left behind.
I won't spoil the romance in this book, other than to say I was shocked that my ship changed course. I'm sorta shipping either Bullocks or Lusk with Avalon, don't ask because I can't explain my love for those two ;) But I do love this boy that Avalon apparently also loves and dang the author if she doesn't rip my heart out in the process of Avalon recovering her memories!
This volume is a bit longer than the previous two and sees the characters in some intense situations. I was sweating and barely breathing through some parts as I worried what would happen to Avalon's boys and her. But this volume kind of centers around the romance between Avalon and one of her boys. It's actually very sweet and heartbreaking. The author in true fashion leaves us the readers with a helluva cliffhanger! I may have actually cursed and threw my Kindle down when I realized there wasn't another page. :oops: I NEED volume 5 like NOW!!!!
If you enjoy urban fantasy, young adult/new adult literature, and lots of pop culture references (specifically to Naruto, Doctor Who, and Harry Potter) then go check this series out. It won't disappoint :)
I think my heart may have exploded while reading this volume!!! Just like the other volumes, volume 4 picks up right where volume 3 left off. Having been betrayed by (((sobs))) Triton, Avalon, her parents, and her boys face off against Aibek, Avalon's evil older brother. Barely escaping with their lives, Avalon somehow transports everyone back to the orchard she called home for so many years. Her memories are starting to come back in force now and she is learning about all the powers she once had along with the love she left behind.
I won't spoil the romance in this book, other than to say I was shocked that my ship changed course. I'm sorta shipping either Bullocks or Lusk with Avalon, don't ask because I can't explain my love for those two ;) But I do love this boy that Avalon apparently also loves and dang the author if she doesn't rip my heart out in the process of Avalon recovering her memories!
This volume is a bit longer than the previous two and sees the characters in some intense situations. I was sweating and barely breathing through some parts as I worried what would happen to Avalon's boys and her. But this volume kind of centers around the romance between Avalon and one of her boys. It's actually very sweet and heartbreaking. The author in true fashion leaves us the readers with a helluva cliffhanger! I may have actually cursed and threw my Kindle down when I realized there wasn't another page. :oops: I NEED volume 5 like NOW!!!!
If you enjoy urban fantasy, young adult/new adult literature, and lots of pop culture references (specifically to Naruto, Doctor Who, and Harry Potter) then go check this series out. It won't disappoint :)
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review
Note: If you haven't read the previous books in this series, there are minor unavoidable spoilers in this review.
Okay if you've been following my reviews of Spearwood you will know that the last volume didn't impress me. In fact I was a bit disappointed. Well, I'm happy to say that this volume DOES NOT disappoint!
As with the previous volumes, volume 7 picks up right where six left off. Minos is in Avalon's apartment ready to escort her to dinner. The guys are still brainwashed. Bullock is still in the dungeon and yay!!! Lusk is on Avalon's side. Avalon's goals this volume are simple, save Bullock and fix the guys. Sounds easy right? (Note my sarcasm ;) )
Oh Avalon this is the girl I've missed!!! The last few volumes have been full of grief and just not the independent, snarky, eat you alive girl I fell in love with at the beginning of the series. But I'm happy to report she gets her priorities in line this volume and actual DOES something! She takes a few minutes to not be the victim and think through the situation that has gotten her here. She's smart and it shows in this volume :D
Then there's the guys (((swoon))) I've always been a fan of Lusk, but I think my ship may be changing, that or I just can't make up my mind who I like ;) Dante is prominent in this volume, more so than he has in previous which makes sense. He is supposed to be Avalon's boyfriend / secret lover in his addled mind-warped brain. Lusk is present but only just and then there's Bullock. I really didn't like this guy in the beginning. I thought he was a jerk and I wanted Avalon to tell him to go shove it somewhere, but he's kind of grown on me. He has this confidence that just....I don't know and I think Avalon is subconsciously VERY aware of him.
The main plot of this series has focused on Avalon being the one to break the curse and I think we are finally getting closer to the middle of the plot. At least I think we are, I could be wrong though. A lot happens in this volume and of course the ending.....ugh!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME OREN?!?! I can't handle endings like that!!! I just can't!!!
Overall, I think I know romance-wise where Avalon is heading, again I could be wrong though. The story, Avalon and her boys, I love it all! I can't wait to see where the series is going and what is in store next for Avalon. If you enjoy urban fantasy, pop-culture, and serials I suggest you check this series out.
Note: If you haven't read the previous books in this series, there are minor unavoidable spoilers in this review.
Okay if you've been following my reviews of Spearwood you will know that the last volume didn't impress me. In fact I was a bit disappointed. Well, I'm happy to say that this volume DOES NOT disappoint!
As with the previous volumes, volume 7 picks up right where six left off. Minos is in Avalon's apartment ready to escort her to dinner. The guys are still brainwashed. Bullock is still in the dungeon and yay!!! Lusk is on Avalon's side. Avalon's goals this volume are simple, save Bullock and fix the guys. Sounds easy right? (Note my sarcasm ;) )
Oh Avalon this is the girl I've missed!!! The last few volumes have been full of grief and just not the independent, snarky, eat you alive girl I fell in love with at the beginning of the series. But I'm happy to report she gets her priorities in line this volume and actual DOES something! She takes a few minutes to not be the victim and think through the situation that has gotten her here. She's smart and it shows in this volume :D
Then there's the guys (((swoon))) I've always been a fan of Lusk, but I think my ship may be changing, that or I just can't make up my mind who I like ;) Dante is prominent in this volume, more so than he has in previous which makes sense. He is supposed to be Avalon's boyfriend / secret lover in his addled mind-warped brain. Lusk is present but only just and then there's Bullock. I really didn't like this guy in the beginning. I thought he was a jerk and I wanted Avalon to tell him to go shove it somewhere, but he's kind of grown on me. He has this confidence that just....I don't know and I think Avalon is subconsciously VERY aware of him.
The main plot of this series has focused on Avalon being the one to break the curse and I think we are finally getting closer to the middle of the plot. At least I think we are, I could be wrong though. A lot happens in this volume and of course the ending.....ugh!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME OREN?!?! I can't handle endings like that!!! I just can't!!!
Overall, I think I know romance-wise where Avalon is heading, again I could be wrong though. The story, Avalon and her boys, I love it all! I can't wait to see where the series is going and what is in store next for Avalon. If you enjoy urban fantasy, pop-culture, and serials I suggest you check this series out.
I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
Initial Reaction:
I can't believe that Spearwood is over!!!! Oren you don't know what you're doing to me....or maybe you do....
Spearwood Academy Volume 8 (aka The Last Volume) picks up where we last saw Avalon and her friends. Please Note that if you HAVE NOT read the previous volumes there are spoilers in this review....starting NOW....Spearwood is under attack by the Slayers. Amr, Horace, Paden and Triton were still in the school when it exploded sending Avalon on a rescue mission, but can she do it with the rest of the boys (Dante and Lusk) fighting against her?
This last volume of Spearwood Academy blew my mind! I'm still reeling from shock. In fact it's taken me almost a week to be able to write a coherent review and it still may not be that coherent.
Avalon is the girl I've grown to love. She's smart, sassy, and will stop at nothing to save (and fight) along side her boys. The only issue I take with her is the reverse harem thing she has going on. is dead, Dante is unbrainwashed and who the heck knows what is going on with Bullock. The girl's emotions are all over the place and really who can blame her. Add to all of this the fact that she just watched Spearwood explode with her brother and half the boys still inside and it's enough to make a normal girl go off the deep end. Avalon holds it together though :D
I won't go into to much detail about the plot other than to say there were some major twists I WAS NOT EXPECTING!!! These are good though as I'm now dying for the next installment in the series The Triad Wars, which will be full length novels...
Obviously I love the series and this was a great series ender/bridge to the next series in Avalon's story. There's a lot of unanswered questions though and I feel like the side story with her brother and the curse has been forgotten a bit recently. I'm hoping these come back into play with the next installment.
Overall if you enjoy fantasy, pop culture, young adult fiction, and a little (tiny bit of) romance than this serial series is for you. I can't believe that after a year it's over!!! What will I do with myself until October?!
Initial Reaction:
I can't believe that Spearwood is over!!!! Oren you don't know what you're doing to me....or maybe you do....
Spearwood Academy Volume 8 (aka The Last Volume) picks up where we last saw Avalon and her friends. Please Note that if you HAVE NOT read the previous volumes there are spoilers in this review....starting NOW....Spearwood is under attack by the Slayers. Amr, Horace, Paden and Triton were still in the school when it exploded sending Avalon on a rescue mission, but can she do it with the rest of the boys (Dante and Lusk) fighting against her?
This last volume of Spearwood Academy blew my mind! I'm still reeling from shock. In fact it's taken me almost a week to be able to write a coherent review and it still may not be that coherent.
Avalon is the girl I've grown to love. She's smart, sassy, and will stop at nothing to save (and fight) along side her boys. The only issue I take with her is the reverse harem thing she has going on.
Spoiler
MaverickI won't go into to much detail about the plot other than to say there were some major twists I WAS NOT EXPECTING!!! These are good though as I'm now dying for the next installment in the series The Triad Wars, which will be full length novels...
Obviously I love the series and this was a great series ender/bridge to the next series in Avalon's story. There's a lot of unanswered questions though and I feel like the side story with her brother and the curse has been forgotten a bit recently. I'm hoping these come back into play with the next installment.
Overall if you enjoy fantasy, pop culture, young adult fiction, and a little (tiny bit of) romance than this serial series is for you. I can't believe that after a year it's over!!! What will I do with myself until October?!