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3.5 stars
The trick is to read this novella without high expectations. "A Court of Frost and Starlight" is very different from the rest of the ACOTAR books, especially with pacing and plot structure. I enjoyed it way more than I expected, but I completely understand why a lot of people were disappointed by it. You spend most of the book inside the characters' heads, which is a writing style I am partial towards. It was rough to follow Feyre's thoughts and emotions in this story, but I'm glad that it wasn't all gloom and doom. There are some really sweet moments between Feyre and the rest of the Inner Circle, and this book did a great job deepening the relationships between those characters.
Now to get into some of the specifics. I did a second read of this novella and this time I appreciated it more. Maybe this is just because I'm dying for the unattainable Cassian and Nesta SEQUEL?!!!!!!! Probably.
There are so many negative reviews of this novella that it's depressing. This is a fun and lively story and I have no problem with the writing. [a:Sarah J. Maas|3433047| delivers to us the same lovable characters as always. Instead of bending to her readers' will, she invents her own story. This novella could have been endless Feysand hookups. Instead we learn how Fae deal with PTSD and physical war trauma. Maas's writing is forever appealing due to the depth of her storytelling. She doesn't just write a typical Fae story - she gives the characters rich lives full of joy and tragedy.
I loved that Feyre started a business to help war victims heal. And it's in the most therapeutic way -painting! This was a great fit for someone who liked to work but not overdo it. It's a relief when a character finally gets their perfect ending. Yes Feyre does have some angst in this book but since she's gone through such hardship for so long, I think she deserves to complain a little.
While the shopping chapters weren't that exciting, I loved seeing Maas's descriptions at their best. The visual imagery was GORGEOUS. I want to read this novella and travel to Velaris! It sounds like the most sparkly and magical place in the world.
Favorite Quotes:
"It’s cold as hell!” Mor called from the front hall, startling me from the warmth pooling in my core. “And who the hell let Cassian and Feyre decorate?"
"Mor’s eyes sparkled. "You got him kicked out, didn’t you?" My answering smile set her roaring."
"The first snow of winter had begun whipping through Velaris an hour earlier."
"Somewhere full of light and warmth, full of kind people. Far away from these mountains."
The trick is to read this novella without high expectations. "A Court of Frost and Starlight" is very different from the rest of the ACOTAR books, especially with pacing and plot structure. I enjoyed it way more than I expected, but I completely understand why a lot of people were disappointed by it. You spend most of the book inside the characters' heads, which is a writing style I am partial towards. It was rough to follow Feyre's thoughts and emotions in this story, but I'm glad that it wasn't all gloom and doom. There are some really sweet moments between Feyre and the rest of the Inner Circle, and this book did a great job deepening the relationships between those characters.
Now to get into some of the specifics. I did a second read of this novella and this time I appreciated it more. Maybe this is just because I'm dying for the unattainable Cassian and Nesta SEQUEL?!!!!!!! Probably.
There are so many negative reviews of this novella that it's depressing. This is a fun and lively story and I have no problem with the writing. [a:Sarah J. Maas|3433047| delivers to us the same lovable characters as always. Instead of bending to her readers' will, she invents her own story. This novella could have been endless Feysand hookups. Instead we learn how Fae deal with PTSD and physical war trauma. Maas's writing is forever appealing due to the depth of her storytelling. She doesn't just write a typical Fae story - she gives the characters rich lives full of joy and tragedy.
I loved that Feyre started a business to help war victims heal. And it's in the most therapeutic way -painting! This was a great fit for someone who liked to work but not overdo it. It's a relief when a character finally gets their perfect ending. Yes Feyre does have some angst in this book but since she's gone through such hardship for so long, I think she deserves to complain a little.
While the shopping chapters weren't that exciting, I loved seeing Maas's descriptions at their best. The visual imagery was GORGEOUS. I want to read this novella and travel to Velaris! It sounds like the most sparkly and magical place in the world.
Favorite Quotes:
"It’s cold as hell!” Mor called from the front hall, startling me from the warmth pooling in my core. “And who the hell let Cassian and Feyre decorate?"
"Mor’s eyes sparkled. "You got him kicked out, didn’t you?" My answering smile set her roaring."
"The first snow of winter had begun whipping through Velaris an hour earlier."
"Somewhere full of light and warmth, full of kind people. Far away from these mountains."
4.5 stars
"You are not a mere storyteller. Your face is weathered, your hands rough with work - you have traveled far, I think." ~ [b:Echo North|40046030|Echo North (Echo North, #1)|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534396000l/40046030._SX50_.jpg|60054057]
One of my new favorite "Beauty and the Beast" retellings! An atmospherically beautiful tale with plenty of twists and turns. This story has all the ingredients of a well-told folktale with characters never before seen. The plot was unpredictable, tantalizing, and ingenious. Perfect for fans of [b:The Bear and the Nightingale|25489134|The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1)|Katherine Arden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470731420l/25489134._SX50_.jpg|45268929] and [b:The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales|22917|The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales|Jacob Grimm|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1369540060l/22917._SY75_.jpg|1855987].
I absolutely loved the plot twist with the love triangle trope. I love that YA novels are beginning to ignore or reinvent the annoying "three people all in love with the wrong person" trope. Echo and Hal have such a wonderful relationship, mainly because of their enduring friendship. The plot point of the magical library with the time-traveling, or world bending? I guess, books made this retelling even better.
"You are not a mere storyteller. Your face is weathered, your hands rough with work - you have traveled far, I think." ~ [b:Echo North|40046030|Echo North (Echo North, #1)|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534396000l/40046030._SX50_.jpg|60054057]
One of my new favorite "Beauty and the Beast" retellings! An atmospherically beautiful tale with plenty of twists and turns. This story has all the ingredients of a well-told folktale with characters never before seen. The plot was unpredictable, tantalizing, and ingenious. Perfect for fans of [b:The Bear and the Nightingale|25489134|The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1)|Katherine Arden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470731420l/25489134._SX50_.jpg|45268929] and [b:The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales|22917|The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales|Jacob Grimm|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1369540060l/22917._SY75_.jpg|1855987].
I absolutely loved the plot twist with the love triangle trope. I love that YA novels are beginning to ignore or reinvent the annoying "three people all in love with the wrong person" trope. Echo and Hal have such a wonderful relationship, mainly because of their enduring friendship. The plot point of the magical library with the time-traveling, or world bending? I guess, books made this retelling even better.
It's true what all the positive reviews say: this is the ideal fantasy novel beach read. It's light and flirty and fun. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of danger and drama between the characters, but the whole story was easy to enjoy. The plot is easy to follow, the characters make use of the best YA tropes, and the cliffhanger is ASTOUNDING. Like, thank goodness I can get the next book relatively quickly! That ending was so perfect that I left with no doubt that I would read the sequel. I didn't love this novel, it's definitely not the best book ever written but what it is is an entertaining adventure full of tense romance. Really this is the ideal read for us recovering [b:A Court of Thorns and Roses|16096824|A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546406962l/16096824._SY75_.jpg|21905102] fans.
THIS IS AN ARC BOOK REVIEW FOR NETGALLEY.
This novel exceeded my best expectations. The synopsis is right: [b:These Hollow Vows|53422971|These Hollow Vows|Lexi Ryan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1603478051l/53422971._SY75_.jpg|82902232] gave me all the warm and fuzzy nostalgia of [b:A Court of Thorns and Roses|16096824|A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546406962l/16096824._SY75_.jpg|21905102] and [b:The Modern Faerie Tales: Tithe; Valiant; Ironside|8378239|The Modern Faerie Tales Tithe; Valiant; Ironside (Modern Faerie Tales, #1-3)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309768136l/8378239._SX50_.jpg|14164859]. While Holly Black has proven herself to be the mistress of all Fae writing, [a:Lexi Ryan|2856947|Lexi Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1344277778p2/2856947.jpg] is a promising contender for the title. This Faerie world is illustrious, mysterious, and enchanting. I never wanted to leave! I'm dying to get my hands on a sequel.
I really can't say enough good things about this book! I immediately fell in love with our main heroine Brie, and the amount of character development she goes through is astounding! Truly great character work. Her relationship with the Unseelie Court is awesome; their banter is hilarious! I got to the point where I grew sick of Prince Ronan and all I wanted was more time with Finn and his friends. They give me such strong Night Court vibes; I love it!
I was mentally preparing myself for lots of twists and turns when I started reading this novel, but even just a few chapters in the plot blew me away! That plot twist with Sebastian...oh my gosh, it was so unpredictable and from there on out, this book had me in a chokehold. I fell in love with the new world Brie is discovering, and all the fantastically explained lore.
This novel exceeded my best expectations. The synopsis is right: [b:These Hollow Vows|53422971|These Hollow Vows|Lexi Ryan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1603478051l/53422971._SY75_.jpg|82902232] gave me all the warm and fuzzy nostalgia of [b:A Court of Thorns and Roses|16096824|A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546406962l/16096824._SY75_.jpg|21905102] and [b:The Modern Faerie Tales: Tithe; Valiant; Ironside|8378239|The Modern Faerie Tales Tithe; Valiant; Ironside (Modern Faerie Tales, #1-3)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309768136l/8378239._SX50_.jpg|14164859]. While Holly Black has proven herself to be the mistress of all Fae writing, [a:Lexi Ryan|2856947|Lexi Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1344277778p2/2856947.jpg] is a promising contender for the title. This Faerie world is illustrious, mysterious, and enchanting. I never wanted to leave! I'm dying to get my hands on a sequel.
I really can't say enough good things about this book! I immediately fell in love with our main heroine Brie, and the amount of character development she goes through is astounding! Truly great character work. Her relationship with the Unseelie Court is awesome; their banter is hilarious! I got to the point where I grew sick of Prince Ronan and all I wanted was more time with Finn and his friends. They give me such strong Night Court vibes; I love it!
I was mentally preparing myself for lots of twists and turns when I started reading this novel, but even just a few chapters in the plot blew me away! That plot twist with Sebastian...oh my gosh, it was so unpredictable and from there on out, this book had me in a chokehold. I fell in love with the new world Brie is discovering, and all the fantastically explained lore.
"A clever woman is more lethal than a freshly crafted magic wand, and that is why she is fear." ~ [b:Fierce Fairytales: Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul|39088508|Fierce Fairytales Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul|Nikita Gill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534306045l/39088508._SY75_.jpg|60663164]
I can't begin to explain how much [a:Nikita Gill|7757886|Nikita Gill|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1432646214p2/7757886.jpg]'s poetry has changed my outlook on life. [b:The Girl and the Goddess: Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom|49814602|The Girl and the Goddess Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom|Nikita Gill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1595209290l/49814602._SX50_.jpg|74930769] helped me through one of my worst depressions and now "Fierce Fairytales" has helped me heal from heartbreak. My favorite line in this collection is: "They may want you to believe I was simple being brave, but anxiety makes more heroes than history would care to repeat." The way Gill was able to reinvent the identity of anxiety in just one line...truly remarkable. This quote made me feel seen, and valued despite my anxiety.
What I loved about this collection of feminist poetry is that not all the poems are geared towards women. Some of the poems are directly addressing guys, such as the one where Hansel writes to his son about how to be a good man. I love that anyone could pick up this book and find a poem applicable to their life. There is something valuable to be learned on every page. Plus, can we talk for a second about how outrageously talented Gill is?! What an artist! I know every time I buy one of Gill's books, beautiful illustrations are sure to come with it.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"You are half fairytale, half girl."
"Trauma when left untreated has the capacity to make a villain out of you."
"These are girls made of dark lace and witchcraft and a little bit of vice."
"Our stories don't begin and end because men we once trusted have left them."
"These are women made of terrible tempests and savage storms and the untamed unwanted."
"And now for your next act,
drink the poison he gives you,
and make it look damned good."
I can't begin to explain how much [a:Nikita Gill|7757886|Nikita Gill|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1432646214p2/7757886.jpg]'s poetry has changed my outlook on life. [b:The Girl and the Goddess: Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom|49814602|The Girl and the Goddess Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom|Nikita Gill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1595209290l/49814602._SX50_.jpg|74930769] helped me through one of my worst depressions and now "Fierce Fairytales" has helped me heal from heartbreak. My favorite line in this collection is: "They may want you to believe I was simple being brave, but anxiety makes more heroes than history would care to repeat." The way Gill was able to reinvent the identity of anxiety in just one line...truly remarkable. This quote made me feel seen, and valued despite my anxiety.
What I loved about this collection of feminist poetry is that not all the poems are geared towards women. Some of the poems are directly addressing guys, such as the one where Hansel writes to his son about how to be a good man. I love that anyone could pick up this book and find a poem applicable to their life. There is something valuable to be learned on every page. Plus, can we talk for a second about how outrageously talented Gill is?! What an artist! I know every time I buy one of Gill's books, beautiful illustrations are sure to come with it.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"You are half fairytale, half girl."
"Trauma when left untreated has the capacity to make a villain out of you."
"These are girls made of dark lace and witchcraft and a little bit of vice."
"Our stories don't begin and end because men we once trusted have left them."
"These are women made of terrible tempests and savage storms and the untamed unwanted."
"And now for your next act,
drink the poison he gives you,
and make it look damned good."
THIS IS AN ARC BOOK REVIEW FOR NETGALLEY.
After falling in love with author [a:Joanna Ruth Meyer|16278742|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596575079p2/16278742.jpg]'s fantasy writing in [b:Echo North|40046030|Echo North (Echo North, #1)|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534396000l/40046030._SX50_.jpg|60054057], this book was a no brainer to pick up next. And it did not disappoint! Meyer weaves a wondrous world of tree sirens, fickle constellations, and immortal kings. There were so many plot twists I did not see coming at the end, wow I am winded! This is an ideal read for fans of [a:Leigh Bardugo|4575289|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534446099p2/4575289.jpg]'s writing style and [a:Ashley Poston|4279769|Ashley Poston|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1603175651p2/4279769.jpg]'s [b:Among the Beasts & Briars|50622362|Among the Beasts & Briars|Ashley Poston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581362704l/50622362._SY75_.jpg|60423336].
I loved Meyer's dedicated sense of worldbuilding, especially when it came to the precise plot pacing. Nothing ever felt rushed, and the fantasy world was easy to understand. I grew to love all the characters, especially Owen's family. His friendship with the other soldiers was adorable too, very much in the style of [b:The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566425108l/33._SX50_.jpg|3462456]. It wasn't difficult for me to picture what Seren looked like - I'm picturing something like the Ents from "Lord of the Rings," but more lithe, maybe feminine-looking? Anyway, I loved that this is a standalone fantasy story that has a little bit of everything: just enough romance (but no annoying love triangles thank goodness), worldbuilding, plot twists, and character development. THAT ENDING THO! Chief's kiss.
After falling in love with author [a:Joanna Ruth Meyer|16278742|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596575079p2/16278742.jpg]'s fantasy writing in [b:Echo North|40046030|Echo North (Echo North, #1)|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534396000l/40046030._SX50_.jpg|60054057], this book was a no brainer to pick up next. And it did not disappoint! Meyer weaves a wondrous world of tree sirens, fickle constellations, and immortal kings. There were so many plot twists I did not see coming at the end, wow I am winded! This is an ideal read for fans of [a:Leigh Bardugo|4575289|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534446099p2/4575289.jpg]'s writing style and [a:Ashley Poston|4279769|Ashley Poston|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1603175651p2/4279769.jpg]'s [b:Among the Beasts & Briars|50622362|Among the Beasts & Briars|Ashley Poston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581362704l/50622362._SY75_.jpg|60423336].
I loved Meyer's dedicated sense of worldbuilding, especially when it came to the precise plot pacing. Nothing ever felt rushed, and the fantasy world was easy to understand. I grew to love all the characters, especially Owen's family. His friendship with the other soldiers was adorable too, very much in the style of [b:The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566425108l/33._SX50_.jpg|3462456]. It wasn't difficult for me to picture what Seren looked like - I'm picturing something like the Ents from "Lord of the Rings," but more lithe, maybe feminine-looking? Anyway, I loved that this is a standalone fantasy story that has a little bit of everything: just enough romance (but no annoying love triangles thank goodness), worldbuilding, plot twists, and character development. THAT ENDING THO! Chief's kiss.
