obscurepages's Reviews (410)

10 STARS! I KNOW THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE SINCE STARS ARE ONLY UP TO 5 BUT WTF, THIS BOOK DESERVES MORE THEN 5 STARS.

Okay, okay. I've calmed down. But seriously, guys, I can't believe I just read that.
Shadow and Bone was so good! But Siege and Storm, maaan. IT WAS AMAZING.

For one it's more intense. The plot is bigger, but it's not too complicated for me to keep up with. I love that at the back of the book, it says "Darkness never dies", and it's kind of a metaphor, and reality, and foreshadowing altogether. The Darkling stirs and hunts for Alina once again.
I didn't like seeing Alina sort-of helpless in the early parts of the book, that the Darkling has grabbed hold of them once again. So when she finally turns the table around near the end of the story, I was definitely silently cheering her on!

I let go of my fear, my guilt, my shame. There was darkness inside me. He had put it there, and I would no longer deny it. The volcra, the nichevo'ya, they were my monsters, all of them. And he was my monster, too."

The plot surrounding the amplifiers from mythical animals thickens as well. I love that they started from myths, stories, and now they can either help save Ravka or destroy it. (And now I finally realize the significance of the covers and the connection it has to the story!)

I love the addition of new characters as well! Sturmhond was a breath of fresh air, so was Nikolai. He was right downright hilarious, and a bit annoying, but that just adds to his personality. And Tamar, I love her! Fierce female characters are what I live for. These three—four—characters (four including Tolya, let's not forget Tolya and his coolness!) play different yet equally important roles in the plot. Vasily is a downright idiot.

No one can convince me otherwise that it was his idiocy is what got him killed.

I have no sympathy for him. Sorry not sorry.

I also like that somehow, I felt like there were hints of psychological elements in this book. Alina keeps seeing things that she shouldn't have—leaving her confused and scared, and dragging her further away from Mal. And in then, in the end, she confronts the darkness inside her.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT MAL AND ALINA (Or Malina, my newest ship!). I admit, in the first book I wasn't fond of the pairing yet. I know they're best friends but I wasn't on board with Team Malina just yet. But in this book, we see just how much their new situation is straining their relationship, as friends and as lovers. Chapters 20 and 21 messed with my feelings, okay?! I seriously felt like putting the book down and just cry my heart out. I didn't like seeing them so disconnected with each other.

And can I mention once again how much I love the author's style of writing?! It's so so good. Bardugo really has that ability to hook you on a character, on the plot, and the entire story itself. She's becoming one of my favorite authors now!

LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK. I'm so excited for Ruin and Rising! Although, I'm not sure if my heart will be able to take it.
MILLION STARS FOR THIS ONE.
ALSO HAVE YOU SEEN THE COVER?! IT'S GORGEOUS.

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Thoughts on my second read.

Well. I loved this book the, I still love this book now.

Vasily is still and idiot, Tamar and Tolya are seriously the best, and of course, our dear Nikolai is as charming as ever. I realized Mal was kind of annoying here, tho. But I tried to grasp his situation and understand him.

This reread also forced me to finally face and accept something I've always thought about though. Alina should have died in this book. Don't get me wrong, I don't want her to die! I adore here! But, I really felt like she should have died in this book 'cause it would have ended everything. She was willing to give her life, she was willing to die for Ravka, for her friends, for all the people who died. But she didn't. I guess I kind of understand it though. If she died in the second book, there would be no third book, there would be no ending to the mystery surrounding Morozova, and there would be no closure in the subplots and all.

Still, I loved this book. And let me say it again, THIS COVER IS GORGEOUS!

Wow. Okay, so, I didn't know what I expected from this book being the last of the trilogy, but now that I've finished it, I can't think of a more proper ending.

This was so, so good. Again, I applaud Leigh Bardugo for her story-telling/writing skills. I'm so hooked with every chapter, of every book, every character, every plot twist. This book left me breathless and wistful.
I couldn't think of a better ending because those three books were packed with so much rush, action, romance, and mystery, and the peaceful ending was a nice contrast to everything that happened beforehand. I feel like it's what Alina deserves after being used, deceived, almost gotten killed, and anything else that happened to her. She and Mal deserves that solemn, tear-jerking ending, I swear. *wipes tears*

"And yet, lying there, I realized I wasn't afraid. After all I've been through, there was no fear left in me—sadness, gratitude, maybe even hope, but the fear had been eaten up by pain and challenge."

The characters were amazing yet again! Even Zoya started growing on me, even just a little bit! Harshaw and his Oncat were a fave as well! (Well I happen to be a sucker for cats, so it's no surprise that I loved Oncat haha!) And Nikolai, oh Nikolai just keeps getting more charming and charming. I was so heartbroken when I got to that part where he was a victim of the Darkling. I'm so glad he didn't die, but at the same time I can feel that the incident turned something melancholic about him.

Also the plot twists in this book was AMAZING. I've had my suspicion and own theory about Baghra's real connection to Morozova. And I was almost right! ALMOST.
The plot twist about the amplifiers though, now, I didn't see that one coming. And when I read about that part, the clues and foreshadowing was always there all along. I just didn't notice it. (Again this made me applaud Bardugo! That was so brilliantly written!)

Again, wow. Such a nice conclusion to a whirlwind of a story. This trilogy is now one of my favorites. And Leigh Bardugo just became one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to read her other books!

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Thoughts on my second read:

I don't know why, but I appreciate this book more now? Must be because Nikolai's character just keep getting better and better and now I'm so excited for his own book. Or maybe because my heart aches for Mal and Alina as I realized they were so willing to set their love aside for the future of Ravka (Mal was so willing to let her go, and Alina was starting to accept the fact that Nikolai wants her to rule with him). Or maybe because I really saw how great of a villain The Darkling is (he's an intriguing and complex character, and I applaud Leigh for writing such a good character). Or maybe because, though I liked the ending, it still made me sad. Sad and satisfied (if there's anything like that.)

Anyway, love this book and the conclusion of the story! (Also, I read this under 24 hours this time? Whaaatttt)

(This book review is also posted on my blog.)

Heart-racing, astounding, beautifully-written. King of Scars took my breath away. This book is one of my most anticipated reads this 2019 and it certainly delivered! My queen Leigh Bardugo certainly knows how to give her readers quite a ride! 

The writing
Ah, yes. Leigh Bardugo's writing. It never fails to amaze me! Her writing still weaves that same alluring story, but this time it made me anxious. It made me anxious because I really did not know what to expect, and because the pace at the first part was a tad slow. Despite that, I found myself absorbing the details of every scene.

The author also managed to make her characters standout. She told their stories in a way that will really get the readers invested. As I read on, I couldn't help but sympathize with Nina, feel for Nikolai, and understand Zoya. Leigh's writing style will always be my favorite thing. 

The characters
The characters were simply amazing, well-written, and at the end you will certainly be attached to them. 

I loved Nikolai in The Grisha Trilogy. He was charming, funny, intelligent, and very passionate in helping Ravka, in rebuilding Ravka. Now though, he is plagued by what happened at the war. We see his struggle, his demon, his determination, his doubts, his fears, his wants, his sadness once he realized that he cannot really get what he wants, his strength, and his sacrifices. 

Zoya, oh my goodness. In the Grisha Trilogy, I thought about how there was more to her, and that there was more to her story. I just wasn't convinced enough when she said she was turning her back on The Darkling because she had an aunt on Novokribirsk. I told myself that her aunt must have been truly, truly important to her. And I was right! Here, we really get to know Zoya and her backstory. We get to know her fears, her beliefs, her anger. I loved getting to know her. And if I had shed a tear or a hundred reading about her, well, no one needs to know. 

Nina, oh my darling Nina. It was heartbreaking reading her first few chapters. We see how she is coping with everything that went down in Crooked Kingdom. We see how she is doing with a new mission, a new purpose. Although I loved seeing this new journey of hers, I was bothered. It was good yes, but I was looking for that connection between her perspective and the perspectives of Nikolai and Zoya. Something that would really bind their stories together. I'm crossing my fingers that we get that in the second book. 

Of course, the minor characters were good as well! It was great getting to know the new characters. And it was also great seeing the old characters from the Grisha trilogy and seeing how they all are now. 

The world-building
Just when I thought the world-building of the Grishaverse cannot get any better, it does. This is what I've been waiting for ever since Shadow and Bone! I have craved for that certain world-building that will really catch not only the reader's attention, but their whole consciousness. And this is what happened to me in this book. I was really deep in the world-building—the places, the people and their thinking, the magic, the politics, the legends and myths. Everything! I originally thought the world-building in this book would be average (as I already know it quite well), but boy was I wrong.

The plot
The plot. WOW. WOW. WOW. I do admit, the first few parts of the book were slow. The kind of slow that makes you wonder when is it going to pick up, and when is the plot going to make sense. But I swear, once you get past that, you are in for the ride of your life! So many twists and and turns! The author pulls you in and you just never expect what will happen next.

I was at the edge of my seat holding my breath, shaking (I'm not even kidding, I was literally shaking), my heart racing, as I turn the page and read. The plot was just so unpredictable and so immersive, and at the end, I was gasping for more. 

Can I give this book a million exploding stars? Because that is what I felt like when I finished reading this book. Truly amazing! Thank you queen Leigh for another great book. I can't wait for the next one!

(You'll also find this review on my blog!)

The Language of Thorns proved to me just how brilliant Leigh Bardugo is. It was dark yet beautiful, and atmospheric altogether.

The writing
I said it once, and I'll gladly say it again: Leigh Bardugo's writing is AMAZING. AMAZING. I fell in love with her writing when I first read Shadow and Bone. I fell in love with it more when I read Six of Crows. And I fell in love with it again last night when I finished reading all the six stories included in this book. 

It was dark and raw and beautiful and haunting, all at the same time. Leigh Bardugo managed to take some of the well-known fairy tales and folklore in the world, put her own twist and story, and made them her own. 

I also loved how the stories reflected human nature—the human psyche—showing the readers just how imperfect we are. That even our own family has evilness inside, that sometimes the people who we believed are monsters are the innocent ones, that even our closest friend can betray us, and so on and so forth.

Beautiful and enchanting. 

The characters
The characters of the six different stories were also very interesting. And I loved it because at first glance, you think you know the story and how it goes, and what the character will do. But in this book, it was impossible to tell for me. These characters were enchanting and also very dark and realistic in a way, because they do symbolize humanity at its worst and its best. 

I definitely loved Ulla's character in When Water Sang Fire. There was so much mystery and pain that surrounds her. And Bardugo's writing style just made her story even more haunting. 

The plot
I loved the plot in each of these short stories, seriously. These were inspired by folklore and fairy tale but Bardugo definitely managed to put her own twist and made them her own.

The plot twists were brilliant. In The Too-Clever Fox, I literally let out a loud gasp when I got the the climax. The same thing happened when I was reading The Witch of Duva. Bardugo's weaving of the plot twists is legit genius! 

The world-building
Of course, the world is Grishaverse so I already love it. But still, Leigh Bardugo captured the different settings in these different stories and laid it down for the readers so perfectly. Whether it be on a ghost town, at the bottom of the ocean, or the menacing, dark woods. Every world in every story was atmospheric, and it just pulls you right in.

Also, I just want to say that this book is beautiful! BEAUTIFUL. Not only the stories, but I am saying the whole book is beautiful inside and out! Just look at the naked hardcover right here. Also the illustrations inside look AMAZING. Kudos to the illustrator, Sara Kipin!

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Thoughts on my second read:

I wasn't over my Grishaverse/KoS high, so I decided to reread this beauty. It was still so, so gooooooddd. The stories plus the illustrations? Wow. Wow. Wow.

(This book review is also on my blog.)

The Strange Books secretary gave me a copy in exchange for an honest review. Seeing the synopsis, I was intrigued right away. A collection of short stories filled with mystery and magic? Count me in!

The writing
I really liked the writing in this book. It was easy to read and to follow, yet it was eerie and disturbing. These short stories, though they seem like simple bedtime stories at first, can be awfully spooky as you read on. Apart from being mysterious, these stories were also poetic and oftentimes philosophical—it makes you think. It makes you think about the characters, it makes you think about their world, it makes you think about humanity and our world. As a reader, I applaud the author for achieving that.

The characters
The characters, what I loved about them is that they have this aura of innocence. In each of the stories included in this book, I really noticed that there are characters who hold such innocence and yet they are the ones who are different, the ones who push the story forward. I loved that.

The plot
The plot was easy to follow, and as mysterious and disturbing as they are, I really liked it. There were a couple of stories though, in which the plots were a little vague. And though there were answers to the mysteries, some were a bit confusing. The rest, I really loved.

I particularly loved the last story in this book. It was truly poetic and so real, and the plot was written well.

This was such a quick read and yet it's a book that makes you think and scratch your head. All in all, it was spooky, entertaining, and an awesome read. I give this one 4 stars!

(This book review is also on my blog.)

After reading King of Scars, I was in some sort of hangover. I didn't know what to read next, I had no motivation to read another book (it is frustrating!). I knew I needed something contemporary, something light as I've binge read so much fantasy novels this month. Fortunately, See You in the Cosmos is exactly what I needed to refresh my reading mood and my senses! It was beautiful, touching, fun, and downright wonderful.

The writing
The writing style of this book is really refreshing! It was light, it was funny, and so, so innocent. I also liked the fact that the story was written differently. It was written as if they were the transcriptions of Alex's recordings on his Golden iPod. That was really unique, and I kept thinking about how the audiobook version must be superb.

Furthermore, the writing style really captures the innocent point of view of such a magnificent child towards the complicated, adult world. It was so simple, yet so moving. The author took us to a journey of making friends, finding family, discovering love, and growing up. The story was just so incredibly human.

The characters
Alex is such a sweet, intelligent, and honest child. Reading the story through his point of view, his recordings, is such a blessing. This kid just has so much innocence, brilliance, and compassion in him that he changes the people around him, affects them for the better. I loved him as the protagonist. I would have liked more representation though. Alex and his brother is half-Filipino, and I would have loved if there were more details and more background about it. (Filipinos represent! )

Zed was really cool, and I knew from the start that his story has more to it. And at the end, it was really nice seeing his character development!

Terra was also a good character for me. It was so nice witnessing her journey, and how much Alex affected her life.

Steve was really annoying to be honest, but I'm glad that he manned up at the end, and started to act more like a responsible adult.

And of course, my favorite character here is the dog, Carl Sagan. Bless him.

The plot
The plot was simple enough to follow, and yet so many things happened. First there was the SHARF, then Las Vegas, then LA, then back home. They went to a lot of places, met a lot of new people, but despite that, I loved how the plot was centered in family. I loved how it progressed, and I certainly loved how all the questions and the conflicts got resolved.

And there you go, 5 stars for this wonderfully-written book! I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. In the end, I'm so glad I read this!

This was an emotional one, I might have shed a few tears or so, especially at the end!

I admit, I struggled a bit in the first few chapters because I read Never Fade back in August last year. That was quite a long time ago, so it took a while before I could really connect to the story. Once I got past that though, it was so so good! The action, the plot twists, the fear, the determination, the hope. Everything was so good, and I loved this ending.

I loved witnessing Gabe's character development and Zu's journey without Liam, Ruby, and Chubs. Was a little slow at first, but this short story was emotional, and it's just so sad to read about the ending.

Just like The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (which was one of my fave reads last 2018), this was a delightful read!

The writing is awesome—it was light, it was hilarious, but still so relatable and emotional especially in terms of a woman's struggles.

I loved the characters! Especially the trio, Felicity, Johannah, and Sim. They were all different, yet so alike and so strong in their own ways. Which brings me to the lone thing that annoyed me in this book—Felicity and Johannah's early fights. I don't want to say too much without spoiling you guys, but let's just say they had a couple of disagreements because they're two different kinds of girls. One spends a lot of time with books, and one is invested with the social scene. It irked me because this is the kind of judgment that pits women against women. Thankfully, this was resolved between Felicity and Johannah (although I feel like it hasn't fully sunk in to Felicity yet, like, it will take more time before she really gets used to it). I also loved Felicity coming to terms with her sexuality. Although, she didn't actually say what her sexual orientation was (I doubt they already have a word for that back then), she explained it so simply and so clearly in the story. She is precious.
It's also so nice to Monty and Percy again AAAAAAHHHHHHH MY BABIES. They're really precious, and even though we don't get to see much of them, it was still so good.

The plot, of course, was really good! I already expected the unexpected (as much as I can hahaha!) because The Gentleman's Guide was really surprising and unexpected. This book is like that as well.

So that's it! 4 stars for this wonderful book! Loved finally getting to read Felicity's perspective, her story! I have so much love for the Montague siblings!

Also #protecttheseadragons !

(You can also find this review on my blog!)

The author gave me an ebook copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.

They Called Me Wyatt is intriguing, enjoyable, and offers a new and bold perspective to readers.

The writing
I mostly enjoyed the writing style of this book. It offered a new perspective for me, a perspective of a Jordanian woman struggling to fit into her world and a new world. Siwar’s memories of Jordan was really interesting, and I could sense the struggle and the need to be herself and follow her true passion.

The writing style also tries to point out several flaws and issues in the society—it tries to discuss things such as feminism and racism. I liked how the book tackled these things, but at times it didn’t feel convincing enough for me. I thought it wasn’t convincing enough because sometimes it feels out of the blue and out of character, so it didn’t affect me as as great as I thought it would.

The characters
Now, the characters. I’m a bit conflicted about the characters. Although I enjoyed reading about them, I didn’t connect with any of the characters very well. I feel like the characterizations are all over the place, and I just couldn’t get a good grasp of their personalities.

Siwar, our protagonist. I mostly liked her and her journey as a woman of color in a foreign land, and as someone who aspires to be an author. But her personality is a bit frustrating for me. I felt like she was dramatic most of the time and a bit selfish.

Wyatt, our other protagonist. Now, don’t get me wrong, I liked Wyatt, but I felt like something was missing and his characterization wasn’t as fleshed out as I hoped it would be.

The plot
The plot was truly interesting. The consciousness of a dead person stuck in a living and breathing baby until he grows up? That already is a mystery, and I was really curious about how Siwar is going to cope with that situation, and how Wyatt is going to be when he finally grows up.

As the story progresses, it also keeps you wondering and thinking about Wyatt’s next move, about Siwar’s memories, about the suspects and their true motives, and if Siwar will truly get the right justice. I must admit though, I was worried that it might take a cliche turn but that little twist at the end wrapped it up for me.

Three stars for this book!