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“It was because they were two parts of a whole. He did not belong to her. And she did not belong to him. It was never about belonging to someone. It was about belonging together.”
Stars (Out of 10): 10/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: This is currently my favorite series/books of 2017, and in my top 5 series of all times list for sure. I didn’t not expect to feel this strongly for these characters so quickly, and to be absolutely entwined in both the world and the plot so quickly each time I picked up the book. I could honestly never put it down, and even a few days after finishing, I’m still amazed by how thoroughly this installment made me feel. It managed to wreck my heart, and fix it moments later, which is not something many books can claim.
The Good: Badass characters (from a broken king to a powerful queen, and almost all characters had their shining moments!), a good wrap up for all characters with few, if any, loose ends, and a fantastic plot all the way through.
The Bad: I honestly cannot think of anything to put in this category at the moment.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: I didn’t think I could like this group anymore than I already did. We saw Tariq somewhat redeem himself, and Shazi to prove herself as strong as capable, but still human (losing a fight with Spider, etc.). In addition, all characters got an ending that they deserve, with the punishments they deserved. This made the ending so freaking satisfying, as we saw this villains that took advantage of teenagers meet their ends at the hands of them.
The Plot: While I have to admit some parts of the magic plot seemed a bit thrown together, the rest of plot more than made up for it. It showcased the strength of the characters while keeping them human, and added twists and betrayals into the mix as well. I also enjoyed the small war that did took place, started by the enemy but finished by them. Oh, and while I don’t often enjoy having my heart wrenched from my chest when thinking everything will be okay, I mind a bit less when they put it back and cover it with some duct tape. That final scene made me audibly gasp, and if Renee Ahdieh hadn’t fixed it all with a bit of magic shortly after, I doubt I could have ever forgiven her for so thoroughly breaking my heart.
The World Building: While the world building wasn’t too elaborated upon from the first book, we did learn more about the magical side of things. However, many questions still remain in that area, since magic seemed both important, yet not.
The Favorite Character: Khalid & Shazi
Buy it, Borrow it, or Bin it: Buy it (seriously, you’ll thank me later.)
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 10/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: This is currently my favorite series/books of 2017, and in my top 5 series of all times list for sure. I didn’t not expect to feel this strongly for these characters so quickly, and to be absolutely entwined in both the world and the plot so quickly each time I picked up the book. I could honestly never put it down, and even a few days after finishing, I’m still amazed by how thoroughly this installment made me feel. It managed to wreck my heart, and fix it moments later, which is not something many books can claim.
The Good: Badass characters (from a broken king to a powerful queen, and almost all characters had their shining moments!), a good wrap up for all characters with few, if any, loose ends, and a fantastic plot all the way through.
The Bad: I honestly cannot think of anything to put in this category at the moment.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: I didn’t think I could like this group anymore than I already did. We saw Tariq somewhat redeem himself, and Shazi to prove herself as strong as capable, but still human (losing a fight with Spider, etc.). In addition, all characters got an ending that they deserve, with the punishments they deserved. This made the ending so freaking satisfying, as we saw this villains that took advantage of teenagers meet their ends at the hands of them.
The Plot: While I have to admit some parts of the magic plot seemed a bit thrown together, the rest of plot more than made up for it. It showcased the strength of the characters while keeping them human, and added twists and betrayals into the mix as well. I also enjoyed the small war that did took place, started by the enemy but finished by them. Oh, and while I don’t often enjoy having my heart wrenched from my chest when thinking everything will be okay, I mind a bit less when they put it back and cover it with some duct tape. That final scene made me audibly gasp, and if Renee Ahdieh hadn’t fixed it all with a bit of magic shortly after, I doubt I could have ever forgiven her for so thoroughly breaking my heart.
The World Building: While the world building wasn’t too elaborated upon from the first book, we did learn more about the magical side of things. However, many questions still remain in that area, since magic seemed both important, yet not.
The Favorite Character: Khalid & Shazi
Buy it, Borrow it, or Bin it: Buy it (seriously, you’ll thank me later.)
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
“The only thing harder than leaving is being left behind.”
Stars (Out of 10): 10/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: This book really hit hard, since I’m in a long-distance relationship myself. I related to the deciding, and while it was never as open conversation wise as here, I remember talking about it and figuring out how to work around the problems. I was the Aidan in the beginning, wanting to try without thinking of the consequences, so I actually thought his character was pretty accurate in that thinking. This book was also extremely realistic in all aspects of it, which I won’t go into detail of here due to spoilers. A great, yet very emotional, read.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Good: I loved how realistic it was. The night didn’t end in a happily ever after, even as it seemed to be heading that way. There was tension between Clare and Aidan, tension built up due to the incoming pain and stress of having to leave each other. While I didn’t necessarily relate to the characters personally, the way it was written still made me able to feel for them, and understand where they were coming from in each situation.
The Bad: There wasn’t much to put in this column actually. It was short, yes, but it didn’t need to be longer to tell the story better. It may have been simple, but that’s all this plot called for, just simply emotion and how it was dealt with.
The Characters: I liked that the book still focused on the main couple, but still had some scenes with their best friends and such, making them seem a bit more well-rounded friendship wise. I also liked how the only conflict wasn’t Aidan and Clare and their decision, but also dealing with Scotty being left behind, and Stella in general. Goodbyes are tough in all aspects, not just relationships, so I’m glad Smith touched on all aspects.
The Plot: This was mainly touched on in the character section, but once again I liked how this was well-rounded. We saw all sides of the hardships of leaving, family, romance, and friends. I also liked how we got an insight into their past, rather than just being thrown into the present, somehow expected to wish for a couple’s happy ending that we know no history about.
The Favorite Character: Aidan
Buy it, Borrow it, or Bin it: Buy it!
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 10/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: This book really hit hard, since I’m in a long-distance relationship myself. I related to the deciding, and while it was never as open conversation wise as here, I remember talking about it and figuring out how to work around the problems. I was the Aidan in the beginning, wanting to try without thinking of the consequences, so I actually thought his character was pretty accurate in that thinking. This book was also extremely realistic in all aspects of it, which I won’t go into detail of here due to spoilers. A great, yet very emotional, read.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Good: I loved how realistic it was. The night didn’t end in a happily ever after, even as it seemed to be heading that way. There was tension between Clare and Aidan, tension built up due to the incoming pain and stress of having to leave each other. While I didn’t necessarily relate to the characters personally, the way it was written still made me able to feel for them, and understand where they were coming from in each situation.
The Bad: There wasn’t much to put in this column actually. It was short, yes, but it didn’t need to be longer to tell the story better. It may have been simple, but that’s all this plot called for, just simply emotion and how it was dealt with.
The Characters: I liked that the book still focused on the main couple, but still had some scenes with their best friends and such, making them seem a bit more well-rounded friendship wise. I also liked how the only conflict wasn’t Aidan and Clare and their decision, but also dealing with Scotty being left behind, and Stella in general. Goodbyes are tough in all aspects, not just relationships, so I’m glad Smith touched on all aspects.
The Plot: This was mainly touched on in the character section, but once again I liked how this was well-rounded. We saw all sides of the hardships of leaving, family, romance, and friends. I also liked how we got an insight into their past, rather than just being thrown into the present, somehow expected to wish for a couple’s happy ending that we know no history about.
The Favorite Character: Aidan
Buy it, Borrow it, or Bin it: Buy it!
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Full review to come after 7/2/19, but this was seriously really cool and I absolutely loved the art!