It feels wrong, in a way, to give something clearly so personal a low rating. I was hoping, since mermaids are my favorite fantasy creatures and I enjoyed the second collection in this series more than the first, that I would really like this conclusion. Unfortunately, the mermaid’s voice returns in this one wasn’t my cup of tea. My favorite poems weren’t even by Lovelace; they were some of the included poems by guest authors. I especially liked the pieces by Jenna Claire and Sophia Elaine Hanson.

Hopefully I’ll enjoy Lovelace’s other collections more as I marathon them in an attempt to get on track with my Goodreads challenge.

CW: From the start of the book: “contains sensitive material relating to child abuse, gun violence, intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, self-harm, suicide, alcohol, trauma, death, violence, fire, & possibly more”

3.5 stars

I think this is my favorite collection from Lovelace to date. It shows their growth as a writer while still maintaining the emotion and the aesthetic they’re best known for. I’m not sure what to think of the illustrations, though. I liked a couple, found others disturbing.

CW: From the start of the book: intimate partner abuse, eating disorders, self-harm, cheating, alcohol, religion, death, gore, fire, blood, & possibly more

to drink coffee with a ghost is my favorite collection from Lovelace to date. The poignant themes and their ethereal writing clicked with me in a way nothing else from them has.

I also liked the illustrations. Whereas in the first collection in this duology, I found them slightly disturbing, I thought they were great here. They added another layer to the complexity and emotion of Lovelace’s work.

If you’ve never read any of this author’s poetry, I’d recommend the things that h(a)unt series.

CW: From the start of the book: child abuse, eating disorders, sexual assault, self-harm, violence, cheating, death, gore, blood, trauma, grief, & possibly more.

[third read, April 2020]

Even though I knew everything that would happen, this book still had me swooning, laughing, and gasping. I love these books so freaking much.

[second read, Dec 2018-Jan 2019]

It felt so good to return to these characters, to this world. I remembered most of the story, but was refreshed by the humor and the romance. Nothing has changed since I originally read this novel — I still absolutely adore it. It’s very likely that I’ll reread it again later in the year. Now to keep on with book two!

[first read, May 2017]

THIS BOOK, PEOPLE.

I think this might be the start of an obsession similar to Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, if that tells you anything. This book was AMAZING.

» I read it in 2 days. Granted, it could be because it's summer and I've got nothing better to do, but I wouldn't binge a book that was only okay. This was captivating and had me hooked from the beginning.

» I thought it took place in 15th century France. While it does take place in that time period, it's actually in Brittany, a small neighboring country France was trying to take over. But there were still French influences, and that made me happy.

» 90% of this story was based on real history. I had to read the author's note to find out, because who pays attention in history class, honestly. That aside, though, it came off as very well-researched. Why can't stuff like THIS be used to teach?? But anyway. From Anne taking power at only 12, to a court of people that betrayed her, and more, it actually happened. Although the best parts were fictional, it was still cool.

» Ismae. YES, GIRL. She's honestly like a combination of Celaena Sardothien and Rose Hathaway, but in medieval Europe. Celaena and Rose are two of my all-time favorites, so OF COURSE I love Ismae. She started out as a wary 14-year-old girl that escapes a brutal marriage and is taken to train for 3 years at a convent full of assassins. Then she's 17, and she's out on missions killing people and being freaking awesome. I loved her knack for poison, and the way she hid weapons all over the underside of her dresses, and that she was in general just done with everyone's drama. I just loved her, okay.

» The relationships were golden. Ismae's friendships with the other girls at the convent, her bond with Anne as the girl struggled with power and looming war, her hate-to-love romance with Gavriel. It's all amazing. Other characters worth mentioning are Beast and de Lornay. YES. The two of them, on their own and with Gavriel. Also, Anne's love for her younger sister Isabeau was so sweet.

» This story wasn't super fast-paced, but it was intriguing nonetheless. It was full of suspense, court drama, betrayal, budding romance, the struggle of balancing duty and heart, and more. It was fabulous, don't argue with me on that.

» The last 150 pages were the best part. So much action. So many emotions. Also, I'm not sure whether to praise or complain the amount of heartbreak and fear I felt? I loved it, but at the same time that's just rude. Honestly.

(That last bit was meant as a joke.)

So, I think I covered everything. Needless to say, I loved this book so much and it's totally a new favorite. I need the second book immediately, please and thank you.

[third read, April-May 2020]

As much as I adore the His Fair Assassin trilogy as a whole, Dark Triumph is my all-time favorite book, no contest. I can’t think of anything to say that I haven’t said before, but honestly, everything about this is just perfection. *chef’s kiss*

Forever shrieking about Sybella and Beast because RUTTING GOATS, MY HEART. Ten out of ten.

(Yes, I’m cursing like the characters in Courting Darkness. Leave me be.)

[second read, Dec 2018-Jan 2019]

This reread gave me ALL THE EMOTIONS. Sybella and Beast are flawed, brilliant, complex characters, and their love story is a freaking masterpiece. I loved getting more details about them as the story progresses, as it still has the murder and intrigue of Grave Mercy but also made it more personal.

The best part of rereading is picking up on details you missed the first time and finding new quotes and generally falling in love all over again.

I’m so glad [redacted] is dead.

Now I’ll leave you with this gem, before I start reading book three.

”’What?’
‘I was wondering, since I have kissed you three times now, if you might turn into a handsome prince.’
‘Alas, you are still stuck with a toad, my lady.’
‘Ah, but it turns out I am quite fond of toads.’”

[first read, July 2017]

My first book of the booktubeathon! I used this for two challenges: read a book with a person on the cover and finish a book in one day.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH.

I mean it. I think this trilogy is becoming an obsession on the same scale as VA and BL, if that tells you anything.

CW: torture, war

This was unexpectedly good. I was intrigued the premise, and it turned out to be a fascinating dystopian read. I liked the protagonist Lee’s voice, and Tera and Ama were arguably the best part of the novel; however, all of the characters were developed well and I even liked a good portion of them. The world-building was very unique and intricate, the story fast-paced and fun with high stakes. I also liked the complicated dynamics between various characters, and how they were affected by the world’s tyranny. I’m thinking of one forbidden slow-burn in particular. Yes, yes, yes!

There were two major twists in the end, and one definitely caught me by surprise. I think it was done really well. As for the other, I predicted it around halfway through. I found it kind of obvious based on information previously given to the characters, and then a death further weakens the effect, in my opinion.

That’s the only issue I really had with this book; the other reason I gave it 4 stars is because of school. It took nine days to read even though it’s <400 pages, and as more time passed I just wanted to finish it. So it wasn’t the book, it was me, but regardless I think having to draw it out lessened my enjoyment. If I had the time to read it in a day or two, there’s a very good chance it would’ve been a 4.5 or 5 star read.

I’m ending this review here because I’m sick and I want to start another book. Just know that this novel was extremely good and is absolutely underrated! Whether you like sci-fi and dystopian or not, I think this is worth your time.

[third read, May 2020]

These books are my everything. Since my first time reading in 2017, I’ve yet to find another historical fantasy I love to the same degree. Despite the dark themes, I love each book for different reasons and overall, they’re just brilliant. Not only that, but I can’t think of any other straight couples I adore so wholeheartedly. Just saying.

I could read these books a hundred times each and likely never get bored. Robin LaFevers could write another hundred books in this world, among these characters, and I’d likely devour them all.

[second read, Jan 2019]

I’ve officially finished my trilogy reread and I’m a mess of emotions. Although this one gets off to a slower start and has the same slower pacing as its predecessors, it’s freaking amazing. Annith has wonderful character development, going from a somewhat naïve girl that strived to please others to a complete badass who does what she wants. On top of that, the romance is positively swoon-worthy. I remembered bits and pieces from my first read and the slow burn was agonizing but also exquisite.

There were some twists I remembered, and those reveals made me happy. Then there were a few that I’d forgotten, and I was surprised as if I’d never read it before. Although it’s likely that that’s due to the time gap between my first and second reads and the number of books I read in that time, I think it also proves that these novels are great to reread. I see more rereads in my future.

Ismae, Sybella, and Annith are a fabulous trio and every scene they were in together was pure gold. I love the three of them so much. Don’t even get me started on their love interests because dang. If a gay girl says that, I think that’s a pretty good implication of the writer’s talent and the LIs’ personalities, just saying. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

”’Don’t you see? Your mortal heart shines like a candle flame and I … am helpless before its lure.’”

(The entire quote is lovely but I took out part of it to avoid any sort of spoilers.)

”Impossible things do happen. But only if we make them.”

That’s my favorite quote. I remembered it from my first time reading and it inspires me to this day.

I LOVE THESE BOOKS SO MUCH.

[first read, July 2017]

Fourth book of the booktubeathon!

AHHHHHHH. ❤️

This book wasn’t at all what I expected; it was better. Although I’m struggling somewhat to adapt to certain changes regarding the protagonists, I thoroughly enjoyed Defy Me. The quick pacing, the surprisingly dark twists, the development among all the characters and their relationships... brilliant. I can’t believe I ever had doubts. Tahereh Mafi clearly has everything under control, and I’m completely hooked. I don’t know how many times I gasped, laughed, and swooned. For such a short book, it had quite the impact on me. I look forward to finishing the series, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Oh, and Kenji is still my favorite character, although after reading this, I have many others I’ve grown to love.

CW: torture, blood, violence, death, murder, anxiety

I’ll admit, I’m not sure exactly what the point of this novella was. Only the last chapter seemed truly meaningful. I already love Kenji and this did make me sympathize with him more, but as a whole it felt unnecessary. His dynamic with Nazeera is a mess, but it’s a mess that could possibly have potential? To be determined.

That last chapter though...I’m concerned! I’m nervous! I’m intrigued! And I don’t have Imagine Me on hand so.....joke’s on me?

CW: drugging

4.5 stars

Although I did have a few issues with this book, I’ve got to give Mafi credit — I can’t remember the last time I read a book (novellas and poetry aside) in under 24 hours. Imagine Me was a brilliant conclusion, through and through.

First, I want to say that I did not expect to be so thoroughly transported back to my early years of reading YA. The emotional investment I had in the story and the characters....it was like I was 14 again. I love Juliette, Warner, Kenji, and now Nazeera too.

As for the story itself, there were a few parts where I lost track of exactly what was happening; surprisingly, I wasn’t very bothered by that. A couple of times the plot went in a completely different direction than I expected, and it was quite the roller coaster.

The relationships were great too. Platonic and romantic bonds were strong throughout the book and I liked that. I was invested in that. My favorites were all those involving Kenji, and of course, Juliette and Warner.

On that note, though, I have to say that I had mixed feelings on Warner’s character, specifically regarding his attitude when separated from Juliette. While in a way it was endearing that he cared so much and was willing to do anything to be reunited, the shift back to his original self à la the OG trilogy was slightly off-putting. The cold, cruel, emotionless Warner wasn’t endearing. A guy can only threaten to maim and murder so many people before it gets old. Instead of arguing with people that try to help, maybe — hear me out — let them? There’s grieving and then there’s being an awful jerk. Just saying. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You know who never let me down? I mean, Warner didn’t, exactly, but my point is, Kenji has been the best character since the beginning. If I ever said differently, we’re going to ignore that; I have better taste now. I love Juliette, her development has been incredible, but Kenji is my favorite. He’s crucial to the story for multiple reasons, and his humor is unmatched.

The most emotional part of the book, romance aside, was also one of the biggest spoilers. I can’t say much, but Emmaline.... I feel so bad! And I’ll leave it at that. If you know, you know. It’s so sad.

As for the ending, I have somewhat mixed feelings. It was intense and epic, but I was left with questions. After that last chapter, I would’ve liked to know a bit more. The epilogue was great, very cute and entertaining, but again, I would’ve liked to know more. So while it was good, I might call it underdeveloped, like some loose ends didn’t get tied. Questions didn’t necessarily get answered.

Maybe my rating is too high given my criticism, but in all honesty, this was such a fun read. At times it was terrifying, heartbreaking, and even gruesome, but overall, a good finale. I look forward to seeing what Mafi does next.

CW: blood, gore/mutilation, violence, torture, death/murder, kidnapping, war, anxiety, PTSD (Not sure if PTSD is 100% accurate, but it seems fitting.)