savage_book_review's Reviews (328)

Persephone and Hades' relationship is now public knowledge, but her Divine existence remains hidden. Living in a lust-fuelled haze, can the Goddess of Spring reconcile her desire for the Lord of the Underworld with her dreams of a 'normal' life? And what happens when the Gods choose not to smile upon those she loves?

While I did enjoy the story of this one, I found there to be a lot points to unpack, none of which went into sufficient depth to have a real impact on me. The strongest thread of all is clearly the relationship between Hades and Persephone, but as with the last book there is a lot of bouncing between extremes of mood, miscommunication and a whole lot of bedroom shenanigans! The trouble is, after a while this does start to detract from the story. At one point Hades compares himself to a horny teenager, and I'd have to agree; everything seems to stir his loins! It's not badly written, but equally it does get a bit gratuitous and it ends up just not being as spicy as it should be for the sheer volume that there is. 

I think it's a shame that the stories of Leuce, Lexa and Sybil were all shoehorned into one book. They all feel a bit rushed, as do other plot points. When the resolutions come, they all happen very quickly and we just move on with the story. In this format it feels quite formulaic, and I wonder whether it might have been better to extend the series and have focused on one friend per book, or stretched the tension out over multiple books so that there could be more character and story development. 

Apollo is probably the biggest let down for me - from an a-hole to an ally in essentially one conversation, I felt this completely let down the incredibly good rivalry and potential future threat that the author was building in. 

That being said, I do like Persephone's gradual acceptance of her role as Queen of the Underworld, and her slow discovery of some of Hades' secrets and his life before her. And Hades is just a babe - he might be awful at communicating and have no idea how to be in a co-dependent relationship, but it's the mix of his 'touch her and die' attitude with his 'I'm so in love I can't think straight' vulnerability that makes him the most well rounded and fleshed out character of the series. 

Looking forward to Hades' POV on this one!

I love that someone has finally realised that there is potential in releasing two books telling the same story from both main characters' point of view! This is the story of 'A Touch of Darkness' told from Hades' perspective. But don't worry, there's plenty of new material for you to enjoy too!

This is definitely darker in tone to match the fact we're following the Lord of the Underworld, but it comes with that glimpse of vulnerability and, more importantly, makes you realise just how wrong the people of New Athens are about him (for the most part). The author has done a great job at giving Hades a more rounded personality; he absolutely stays true to the traditional ruler of Tartarus, seemingly enjoying the maiming and torture of souls... but only those who actually deserve it.

I also enjoyed the development of his friendships with Hecate and Hermes, and his rivalry with Poesidon (particularly as the latter is so, so different to his portrayal in the Percy Jackson series!). Again, when you think of the Gods you think of them all sat on their thrones on Mount Olympus, or in their finery and ruling it over the likes of Nevernight or La Rose, so to have those moments where they are just 'normal' is a really lovely comparison. 

This serves to flesh out the main narrative of 'A Touch of Darkness', giving you an insight into what happens when Persephone isn't around. In particular, there is a whole subplot regarding a mortal trying to cheat death, confounding the Fates and causing them to threaten Hades with the severance of his bond with Persephone if he doesn't bring him to justice. It feels a bit mafia-ish, and while I don't think it's the most well written it again gives you more of an insight into the internal struggles Hades faces every day. 

I think my biggest criticism with this book is that you absolutely must have read ATOD before picking this one up. It's not quite a series of vignettes, but equally it doesn't flow very well as a standalone story - you certainly need the knowledge of the previous book to fully understand what's going on. I almost wonder whether the two should have been put together and presented as a single book with alternating chapters; one Persephone, one Hades. That being said, I do get why they are separate; while there's no major spoilers, I think the slow burn effect of ATOD would have been unbalanced by the fact that you know Hades' initial reasons for approaching Persephone from the outset.

Can't wait to see where the series goes next!

One of the earlier books in the 'Adventures in Time' series, this book is written for a younger audience to introduce them to the Court of Henry VIII and his chequered marital history. The book is split into sections covering each wife, while also making sure that the reader gets a thorough overview of the major events and other important people of the period.

Having read the books on WW1 and WW2, I wondered how the author was going to tackle this subject, as clearly his method of telling the story through using eyewitnesses own words was going to be far more difficult here. Ultimately, this is more of a 'traditional' introduction to history - an overview with all of the quotes from written  sources you'd expect. This does mean that it feels tonally different to the others in the series.

The biggest problem this book faces is that there are so many other children's history books out there that serve to introduce the Tudors in a far more engaging way - Horrible Histories and Dead Famous being chief amongst them. There is no escaping being lumped in with those juggernauts, and sadly I'd say this is found wanting. In particular, the Dead Famous book about Henry VIII is very, very similar in content terms, but has so much extra in the way of comedy, engagement and fun. As a result, this book comes across as actually quite dry.

Of course the content has been written to be appropriate for the age group, but that does mean some elements are perhaps illustrated as 'fact' when there is an element of dispute there. For example, it states that on their wedding night, Catherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur went to bed and fell asleep. Clearly there is an element here of sanitisation,but equally I would say this is misleading. Similarly, well known quotes are truncated or altered to spare blushes and awkward questions. I found this an odd choice; why use the quote if you have to beat around the bush? In my opinion, it would have been more productive to use your own words to explain in a  child-friendly way.

It seems very clear to me that the author is a huge Catherine of Aragon fan, which is totally understandable. However, where she gets quite a detailed explanation of her childhood and earlier life, the other wives don't get the same treatment. Poor old Anne of Cleves only gets one very brief chapter and, while she does appear in Catherine Howard's narrative, it really does feel like she's been short changed here. 

I do get that his marriages are useful landmarks to hang a narrative of Henry's reign on, but in this case it does feel like the wives are secondary to Henry's story. This is not unusual I know, but when the book title indicates you're getting the story of the wives, again it's a bit of a let down.

I'd argue that the best reader for this book would be an young teen who has had the history of the Tudors pass them by - someone who is perhaps too old for Horrible Histories (which I know isn't technically possible!), but not old enough for all the gory details. Where I'm a seasoned Tudor fan and definitely not a young teen any more, I can appreciate the generally well-written nature of the book while recognising that I am far from its target audience.

In a modernised retelling of the Hades and Persephone story, the Goddess of Spring's power has never developed. Rather than stay cooped up under her mother's watchful eye, she enrols on a journalism course at New Athens University, achieving an internship with a prestigious newspaper. When her friend takes her out to celebrate, they end up at Nevernight, the gambling den owned by the God of the Underworld, where money isn't the only thing at stake. 

This has been on my list to read for a while as I love the Hades and Persephone story, but when I found it was included in my Audible membership it jumped to the top of the queue. Immediately, I loved the way it brought the Ancient Greek world up to date without losing any of its mystique; it pulls in the classic motifs and symbols of the Gods, while making sure they fit into a modern world. It also makes sure to include those more mythical creatures like ogres, nymphs and oracles to really balance the aspects of a technologically advanced society and a society that can only exist in legend.

The narrator of this audiobook did a great job at bringing the characters to life; her narration is well paced and she is able to give each character a voice without sounding ridiculous. I will admit that I wasn't overly enamoured with her Hades inflection, but I recognise that that's probably down to my having devoured a load of graphic audios just lately with actors playing roles, rather than straight audiobooks, so it just felt a bit 'off' to me. I also like the fact that she got into the story; you could hear the tension, excitement etc. build in her voice at various points, which definitely assisted in painting images in my mind. 

As always with stories like this, it's the 'domestic' moments that really hook me in and make me root for the couple. In this case, the all powerful God of the Underworld baking cookies and attending movie night just made me grin so broadly! To me, these scenes break down the all powerful facade of these brooding all powerful males and allow you to glimpse their 'humanity' and desire for something normal. This makes them all the more relatable, whilst allowing you to remain in awe of their magnificence.

Similarly, I found the fact that the author has teased out different characteristics of some of the Gods really refreshing. For example, Demeter being a control freak of epic proportions is not how she is normally painted. In the audio version I have, there was also a bonus scene of Hades and Aphrodite entering into a bet, which paints her and her marriage to Hephestus in a very different light.

There were aspects that I wasn't as impressed with; I struggled with Persephone's split-second changes in attitude for one. One minute she can be completely enthralled by Hades, then in the next breath she's enraged over something. It does do well to build their chemistry and connection, but the device is used multiple times and I found myself getting frustrated by it. Likewise, while I enjoyed the overall subplot led by Adonis, the latter part of it made very little sense to me... and Minthe just got on my nerves throughout - she wasn't a necessary character and seems only to have been included as an extra obstacle, with no other real purpose. There are a few elements in here that don't feel like they were given quite enough thought, but I am hoping that as the world and characters develop as the series progresses, some if these kinks will be worked out.

I am so excited and happy that the majority of this series appears to be available on Kindle Unlimited (even if the rest of the audiobooks have to be paid for), so I'll definitely be adding those to my subscription shortly!

Keeping their promise to the Asteri to live a quiet life is exactly what Bryce and Hunt had planned. That, and getting to know each other properly before taking the next step in their burgeoning relationship. Unfortunately however, those surrounding them have other plans, which might just drag them both into the crosshairs of both the human rebellion and the overlords of Midgard...

While I think the author has done better relationship arcs, this is probably the first time that it's felt like an equal relationship from the get go, rather than the big powerful man teaching the gorgeous girl something to help her to become his equal. And their banter, understanding and ease around one another, plus their protectiveness of each other, is my favourite part of the book. If this book were focused on the development of their relationship, with other bits going on in the background, I could definitely get in board with it. However, as it is their relationship is just one element of an incredibly busy plot.

I had hoped that I'd have absorbed enough from the first book to be comfortable with the world and the characters going into book two. No, I'm not floundering and completely lost, but at the same time there are so many characters, species and sub-plots to keep straight, I ended up feeling a little overwhelmed with it, which tempered my enjoyment. I'm sure certain plot threads will be picked up again in future books, but at this stage there seems to be a lot of loose ends or even dead ends, again giving the feeling of about three books worth of plot being crammed into one. And yet the pace isn't that fast - it's not a slog to read, but you are fully aware of the heft of this tome as you are trying to get through it.

As always, you cannot fault the worldbuilding, and I admire the depth and breadth of the creativity of thought and detail that has gone into bringing life to Crescent City - again, I think this is the most considered scape Maas has created to date. However, I again come back to the sheer quantity of information the reader needs to be able to process.

Unfortunately I wasn't shocked by the Day/Night twist at all; to me, it was incredibly obvious straight away how that was going to turn out. The more interesting twist for me was Bryce's plans for Emile, but equally this felt like a rather clunky explanation; it can across like the author had forgotten to include a resolution to that particular aspect and so covered herself with a quickly invented 'secret plan reveal'. This sort of sums up the writing overall for me - it doesn't flow anywhere near as well as ACOTAR or TOG. 

However, this is a prime example of why I don't generally mind spoilers - someone told me ages ago about what happens at the end of this book and so, even though this is my least favourite of SJM's series to date, I knew I had to get these read so that I can devour book 3 when it comes out! I am desperately hoping will give this series a huge boost in my estimations!

The third of Sarah J Maas' fantasy series, Crescent City brings the world of Fae, angels, witches, werewolves and a host of other magical creatures into a modern setting. We follow Bryce Quinlan, a half-Fae twenty something who parties hard with her friends, hates her boss and is living a some what ordinary life, until a horrific murder changes her life forever. 

My first reaction was that it was an odd juxtaposition; people with various magical abilities driving cars, using mobile phones and enjoying Saturday night sport, and while the author of course makes it work, I wasn't as easily able to immerse myself in the world; the intrusion of the familiar made it harder to suspend my disbelief. Imagining an avenging angel slobbing out on the couch wearing a baseball cap and football jersey, wings and all, is brilliant, funny and certainly more relatable than a lot of the other males in Maas' writing (even if he does share the usual trait of the ultimate ripped body), but that's precisely the issue. I like my fantasy characters to be precisely that - fantasies. 

I enjoyed the characterisations of both the individuals and the different beings very much; there are a lot more shades of grey in here, which definitely makes the reading more interesting. However, there are a LOT of creatures to get to know, and at times I found it hard to keep track of everything. There's not much of an 'on ramp' with this world; you're dropped almost straight into the middle of it and left to fend for yourself, picking things up as you go. And where in her other series there have been some similarities that allow you to grasp basic concepts, again this setting is so different it's a lot harder to establish the ground rules. 

Similarly, understanding the structure and hierarchy of the world isn't exactly straightforward. I do like the Roman-inspired feel of the city as a whole, but it took me a while to get to grips with the angelic legions, the Aux and so on. It's just a lot to wrap your head around.

I would say that this story doesn't flow quite as well as her other works either. The story has certainly been well mapped out in the author's head, but the writing somehow just feels a bit clunky - the development of the relationship between Bryce and Hunt, while clearly inevitable, just seems to happen in the blink of an eye, rather than via the slow build which Maas is so good at. And some of the twists aren't so much shocking as head-scratchingly confusing. 

I'm thinking this one might be a 'soaker' - it just needs to marinade in my head for a while before I 'get' it in the same was as TOG and ACOTAR. Also wondering if the graphic audio version might help. I do want to see where the series goes and how we end up at the spoilers I've heard about the end of book 2, but I am hoping for better next time around...

This is a spectacular finish to the series (for now at least). The action is intense, the emotion is raw and deep, the main characters perfectly slot together and Nesta's redemption arc is completed perfectly. I think out of the whole series, this part is the most well balanced and rounded. It's hard to put my finger on the specifics of why this works so well, but to me it just does.

This is the part where I also started to identify with Nesta a bit more; with the teasing out of her inner demons, her mindset becomes slightly more understandable and her aloofness becomes more clearly a mask rather than who she truly is. I like the fact that her issues aren't just 'solved' and then they all live happily ever after - it's the fact that she continues to relapse into old habits which makes it more real. Watching her hit rock bottom on the hike and the lake is absolutely gut-wrenching, but it's also a moment of beauty, especially watching Cassian start to understand fully and heal her.

I'll come right out with it; here be the good good stuff. There are scenes here that are 1000% NSFW or for the delicate ears of children or elderly relatives. And they will play over and over again in your mind. Just... guh. It probably is a bit gratuitous, but I do get why it's there and I'm definitely not complaining!

I adore the friendship that grows between Emerie, Gwyn and Nesta, and I hope this is something that gets featured significantly in the future books. I can see it coming; another war breaks out in Prythian and as battle rages, Cassian the General leads Illyrian warriors in the skies while the three women lead the Valkyrie charge on the ground. I think all three of their stories are incredibly important for female empowerment; recovery from abuse, trauma and assault and finding strength in themselves and in the bonds they forge with each other, it really speaks to me. And the way it all comes together in the climax is absolutely incredible. And they all love their books; I can definitely identify with that!

A special mention to baby Nyx here. I'm already a total sap for that little boy, and I'm really hoping we get some insanely cute Daddy!Rhys moments in the follow up books! No, Rhys' character doesn't really recover in this half of the story, which is a shame, but I remain optimistic that it's a blip and SJM will have him back in full book boyfriend mode soon.

I'll say it again; if you're avoiding things book just because you can't stand Nesta Archeron, you are truly missing out.

I am well aware that a lot of people think this instalment is a bit pointless. It doesn't add a lot to the story overall, and it just really a piece of holiday fluff. And I don't care. I love this little gem! It's funny, sweet, and just a chance to glimpse behind the curtain at what happens after happily ever after. Of course, it also sets up the next book nicely...

I loved the fact that Rhys got more narration time in this one - it's a nice little treat, not only to get to hear things from his perspective, but also to see that High Lord 'mask' drop and him just be a man with his family. And it doesn't hurt that there are a few lines which, said in that voice, make you go a bit wobbly! The only disappointment was that it was just Rhys and Feyre who got to narrate their own sections - while the narrator for the other parts is far from the worst I've heard, I would have much preferred Cassian, Nesta et. Al to speak in their 'own' voices.

I also love the fact that no-one seems to have a clue what to get their friends for Solstice. It's just a subtly funny repeating motif, but at the same time I guess it makes sense; it's hard enough buying family presents for Christmas for a human lifespan... can you imagine what it must be like trying to come up with something original after 500 years?!

And, oh, the snowball fight and birchin... that scene never fails to make me smile in written format, so I howled hearing it! I know it's ridiculous, but it is one of my favourite passages of any book. 

Equally though, the dour note of Nesta brings some much needed gravity to proceedings. However, it does its job perfectly, illustrating Nesta's feeling of ostracism without dragging down the tone of the book overall. The only criticism I have of this is that, while Nesta has been a pain in the backside for the most of the previous books, by the end of ACOWAR there seemed to be a thread of a relationship between her and Feyre again, and that is very causally disregarded in this book. I've always found it quite jarring and I think it could perhaps have done with a little more explanation in this book rather than it being left to explain in Silver Flames.

Unashamedly pro-Frost and Starlight here!

We finally reach the climax of Feyre's story, and it's absolutely been worth the wait. All of the threads are slowly pulled together, leaving enough to keep up tantalised for future stories, and the storm of war finally breaks.

Again, it's the smaller moments within the epic set pieces that bring me the most joy; learning more about the man Elain might have married, Cassian's 'dying' confession and so on are all so well played and moving, they really draw the personal side of war out. And yet, the big string moments; infiltrating Hybern's camp and the final battle itself etc. also pack an almighty punch. 

I feel like I should have more to say about this most important part of the story as a whole, but my mind is continually drawn to the moment Rhys and Feyre repair the Cauldron and its aftermath.  The audio track really heightens this to an entirely new level, and the utter relief and joy when the High Lords (and Lady) have given up another part of themselves is palpable - I love it!

As a whole book, ACOWAR is probably my least favourite of the series, but the graphic audios have so many redeeming qualities that I can't say anything bad about this!